The Extended Bravey Universe of Alexi Pappas: Reinvention, Joy & Glitter | The Rich Roll Podcast

Intro

In this episode of “The Rich Roll Podcast,” Rich Roll interviews Alexi Pappas, a poet, performer, writer, and award-winning filmmaker known for her memoir “Bravey.” They discuss the importance of quick decision-making, the transition from athletics to the arts, and the role of mentorship in personal growth.

Main Takeaways

Gut Health and Sponsorships

• Gut health is crucial for overall well-being and has been a recurring topic on the show.
• Seed’s DSO-1 daily symbiotic is recommended for digestive, gut, immune, and systemic benefits.
• Listeners can get an exclusive 30% off their first order at Seed.com/richroll with code “roll”.
• Athletic Brewing offers non-alcoholic beers for a hangover-free holiday season.
• Use code “RichRoll” for 15% off your first order at athleticbrewing.com.

Quick Decision-Making and Reinvention

• Alexi Pappas emphasizes the importance of quick decision-making without overthinking.
• The guest initially struggled with sharing their injury as they were still a professional athlete at the time.
• The importance of privacy in deciding when and what to share about oneself is highlighted.
• The difference in perception of injuries between professional athletes and non-athletes is discussed.
• The guest was advised to shift from playing defense to playing offense in their athletic career.

Transition from Athletics to the Arts

• Richard Linklater, known for acclaimed films like “Boyhood” and “Slackers,” transitioned from being an athlete to the arts, emphasizing the need to play offense in life and not defend outdated narratives.
• Linklater was a baseball player and, due to health reasons, didn’t pursue it at an MLB level, but saved money working in the oil industry to transition into the arts.
• He created a space for himself to make the transition and made a leap, showcasing the ability to do two things at the highest level in life.
• Athletes and professional athletes are often defined by a narrative dictated by races and podiums, while creatives like the writer and poet have to be proactive in creating a different narrative, both inside and outside the system.
• Taking charge of one’s own story is crucial, as highlighted by Arnold Schwarzenegger’s emphasis on being in control of one’s narrative.

Embracing Change and Decision-Making

• People’s perception of us is like creating a painting or impression of what they see.
• Most people see us where we are and see that repeating infinitely, like a mirror image.
• We can break out of the repeating mirror image by taking steps in a different direction with full commitment.
• It’s harder to break out without a coach, mentor, best friend, or partner.
• Seeking out people who can provide feedback is crucial to avoid being trapped in a hall of mirrors.

Finding Purpose and Making Changes

• Change happens slower than we think, often in very tiny steps.
• Big changes happen slowly, and it’s important to accept that.
• Trying to whip your life around for a big change can lead to depression or ineffective results.
• It’s important to identify the change needed and the desired identity shift.
• Deepak Chopra’s exercise involves asking questions without reaching for the answer, allowing the answers to come naturally.

Summary

Gut Health and Quick Decision-Making

Gut health is a recurring topic on “The Rich Roll Podcast,” and Seed’s DSO-1 daily symbiotic is recommended for its digestive, gut, immune, and systemic benefits. Listeners can get an exclusive 30% off their first order at Seed.com/richroll with code “roll.” Additionally, Athletic Brewing offers non-alcoholic beers for a hangover-free holiday season, and listeners can use code “RichRoll” for 15% off their first order at athleticbrewing.com.

Alexi Pappas emphasizes the importance of quick decision-making without overthinking. They share their initial struggle with sharing their injury as a professional athlete and highlight the importance of privacy in deciding when and what to share about oneself. The difference in perception of injuries between professional athletes and non-athletes is also discussed, along with the advice to shift from playing defense to playing offense in one’s athletic career.

Transition from Athletics to the Arts

Richard Linklater’s transition from being an athlete to the arts is highlighted as an example of playing offense in life and not defending outdated narratives. Linklater’s journey from being a baseball player to working in the oil industry and eventually transitioning into the arts showcases the ability to do two things at the highest level. The podcast emphasizes the need for athletes and creatives to create their own narratives and take charge of their own stories. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s emphasis on being in control of one’s narrative is also discussed.

Embracing Change and Decision-Making

The podcast explores the concept of people’s perception of us being like a painting or impression of what they see. Breaking out of the repeating mirror image is discussed, highlighting the importance of taking steps in a different direction with full commitment. Seeking feedback from coaches, mentors, friends, or partners is encouraged to avoid being trapped in a hall of mirrors.

Finding Purpose and Making Changes

The podcast emphasizes that change happens slower than we think, often in tiny steps. It’s important to accept this and avoid trying to make big changes overnight, as it can lead to depression or ineffective results. Deepak Chopra’s exercise of asking questions without reaching for the answer is mentioned as a way to allow answers to come naturally. Identifying the change needed and the desired identity shift is crucial in making effective changes.

Conclusion

Alexi Pappas’s interview on “The Rich Roll Podcast” delves into the importance of gut health, quick decision-making, embracing change, and finding purpose. The podcast highlights the transition from athletics to the arts and the role of mentorship in personal growth. Listeners are encouraged to explore the provided sponsorships, Seed’s DSO-1 daily symbiotic and Athletic Brewing, for digestive and gut health benefits and non-alcoholic beer options. Overall, the episode offers valuable insights and inspiration for listeners seeking personal and professional growth.