Podcast
Secretly Sporty
Hosted by Sebastian Langdell · EN
What if working out was about more than the workout? Each week, writer and fitness enthusiast Sebastian Langdell talks to an author, musician, comedian, filmmaker, or other creative about their exercise routine, athletic passions, approach to nutrition – and, most importantly, how their fitness practice fuels their artistic practice.
You’ll hear about how boxing and bouldering boost mental health, long bike rides offer a shortcut to transcendence, and getting physically stronger leads to more ambitious art.
By the end of the episode, you’ll be inspired to both hit the gym and write your novel.
Have someone you’d love to hear discuss their workout routine? Email us at secretlysportypodcast@gmail.com.
Note: The views expressed in this show are those of the show’s creators or the guests, and not those of any other entity or institution. Please consult with a doctor before starting any new exercise routine or nutritional program.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Maya Lau Salsas through Mexico City
3d ago00:29:27Tap to summarizeIn this month’s edition of Rest Day Radio, Sebastian is joined by his college friend Maya Lau, the host of Other People’s Pockets, to talk about her life-long passion for dance, her move to Mexico City, and why she thinks exercise should be enjoyable, not punishing. She and Sebastian also analyze the way the elementary-school set approaches music, and they make plans for a flash mob. Plus, Sebastian answers the lightning round questions! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Kelly Ramsey Runs Toward Fire
6d ago00:27:58Tap to summarizeFormer wildland firefighter and author of Wildfire Days Kelly Ramsey talks to Sebastian about the rigorous physical training she undertook to fight some of the most intense fires in the world. She shares how she increased her running pace — and what form of exercise helps her most when she’s stuck on a writing project. She also tells Sebastian how becoming a mother has changed her relationship to exercise, and how backpacking helped her through one of the lowest moments in her life. Plus, she shares the gym playlist that gets her pumped up. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Brendan Bradley Deep Dives for the Part
2w ago00:35:34Tap to summarizeActor Brendan Bradley, with over 100 credits in movies, TV shows, video games, and commercials — including 9-1-1, NCIS, & Dolly Parton’s Mountain Magic Christmas — talks with Sebastian about his swimming practice, how getting ultra-ripped challenged his self-identity, and why journaling has become an essential activity for him. He goes in-depth into how he changed his fitness routine to get into character as the lead of the film The Devil and the Daylong Brothers, and what restrictions he had to abide by when he was the spokesperson for Staples. Plus, he describes the powerful experience he had while walking the Camino de Santiago. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Jamelle Bouie Lifts for The ‘Fit
3w ago00:26:42Tap to summarizeAcclaimed New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie joins Sebastian for a wide-ranging conversation about his lifting practice, his love of the mid-twentieth century aesthetic, and how his sense of style is one of his biggest motivators to hit the weights. They also have an in-depth discussion about the depiction of masculinity in The Matrix, Fight Club, American Psycho, and Mad Men. Plus, Jamelle relates his quest to deadlift 500 pounds and reveals which type of music he only listens to in the gym. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Michelle Millar Fisher and The Secret Marathon
4w ago00:34:38Tap to summarizeMichelle Millar Fisher -- Curator of Decorative Arts at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston -- talks to Sebastian about turning to running during a period of intense grief, following the deaths of her mother and her former partner (Scott Hutchison of Frightened Rabbit). She shares how running then became an essential part of her routine, and what it’s like to come back to it after giving birth to her daughter. She and Sebastian also discuss the 90s UK music scene, the challenges of IVF, and how specializing in craft and design influences her approach to running clothes. Plus, she reveals which half-marathon gives you a lobster roll at the end. This episode contains a discussion of a suicide. If you are having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or go to https://speakingofsuicide.com/resources/ for a list of additional resources. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Thor Harris and Peggy Ghorbani: Joy in Repetition
May 700:33:56Tap to summarizeIn our second episode of Rest Day Radio, musicians Thor Harris and Peggy Ghorbani (of Thor & Friends) share with Sebastian how their long-running exercise routines aid them in songwriting, energize them on tour and off, and keep them healthy in body and mind. They also reflect on how Thor & Friends evolved in step with their relationship. Thor has recorded and toured with artists like Swans, Bill Callahan, and Shearwater; he recounts stories of staying fit on the road. Peggy reveals which music can motivate her through even the toughest workouts. Plus, Thor describes the surprising way he solved his knee pain. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Bonnie Tsui Hangs Ten with Dolphins
May 400:32:20Tap to summarizeAward-winning journalist Bonnie Tsui, author of Why We Swim and On Muscle, joins Sebastian to discuss why she loves surfing in cold water, the swim from Alcatraz to San Francisco, and why she opts out of music in the gym. She also reflects on how writing Why We Swim changed her own swimming practice, and she discusses the community she’s found while surfing — animals included! Plus, she reveals the hilarious name for a whale’s butt muscle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Hanif Abdurraqib Runs the Memory Palace
Apr 2700:35:34Tap to summarizeEssayist and poet Hanif Abdurraqib, author of They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us and Go Ahead in the Rain: Notes to A Tribe Called Quest, discusses how running transports him through time and space, and how it helps him manage anxiety and depression. He goes in depth on his running playlist, and details what types of songs work for what mile of your run—and he and Sebastian bond over why shoegaze is perfect running music. He also shares what he hopes to accomplish when he writes about music, what he’s working on right now, and why gratitude is so important to him. Plus, he reveals the real reason he started lifting weights. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Jason Kander Swings for the Fences
Apr 2000:28:18Tap to summarizeFormer politician Jason Kander, author of Invisible Storm and host of the podcast Majority 54, joins Sebastian to discuss playing high-level baseball (not softball!). He shares how joining the team changed his relationship to fitness, made him a more empathetic father, and opened up community in his life. He also goes in depth on his experience living with untreated PTSD, how that affected his physical health, and how he was eventually able to treat it. Plus, he reveals the writing advice President Obama gave him — and explains why he refuses to swim in the ocean!This episode contains a discussion of a suicidal ideation. If you are having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or go to https://speakingofsuicide.com/resources/ for a list of additional resources. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Laura van den Berg Packs a Punch
Apr 1300:28:36Tap to summarizeCelebrated author Laura van den Berg, writer of The Third Hotel and State of Paradise, discusses how she became a competitive boxer — and the intense training regimen she maintains to be ready to get in the ring at a moment’s notice. She shares with Sebastian the ways in which competing helps her manage her anxiety, how being a writer makes her a better boxer, and how partaking in the sport has inspired her upcoming novel. Plus, she and Sebastian discuss the one exercise they’re surprised they can do. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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