zERO: your hero is waiting

How have our heroes shaped our lives? The big screen, the arena and the stage, they’re all around us. The creations of Hollywood or the elite athletes that seemingly transcend the human condition are rarely far from sight. They inspire us yes, perhaps they remind of us of choices we didn’t take, or worse they have us hoping, wondering if our own super power will ever present itself? Or maybe that’s the point?

They so effortlessly gather around strong values and exude such powerful purpose that seemingly nothing can step in their way. It’s as if for them that purpose is to life as oxygen is to breath. An inescapable force in their own unique evolution. 

The consistent and most alluring part is then the origin story and, wherever possible, the convenient truth that they come from ‘nothing’. They rise from this apparent zero to become the often surprised or reluctant hero. But what if this actually was within all of us and the realization of the potential we all keep hearing about was just a short, curated adventure away?

“When one’s expectations are reduced to zero, one really appreciates everything one does have.” Stephen Hawking

There are of course many recipes for success that don’t require some galactic intervention. Too often what does exist is reserved for the boardroom, the sangha bound or the gifted few. Or the effects are short lived moments of ecstasy or healing that just don’t sustain. 

Individually they have however taught us a few things about short circuiting a life less ordinary. The answer of long-term impact and the remedy for the normal human algorithm must therefore reside in a certain alchemy of tools and experiences. 

For example, we collectively know so much now about how sport science and the pursuit of higher performance can take anyone from the couch to many a distant finish line. The deep embodiment in most sport settings can almost guarantee moments of pure joy and that elusive state of flow.

The jury is also fully ‘in’ on the ancient wisdom of breath, contemplation and ritual practices where we search inside and reach beyond our limitations toward enlightenment. It is unequivocal that mental and emotional resilience can be trained, and the brain can be rewired in the moment, and over time. 

Additionally, the tried and tested process of multi-year goal setting towards (or more effectively from) a well-conceived vision of the future has propelled individuals and companies towards the moon and beyond, literally! It does not have to be under the guise of some stale corporate template. Instead the realization of a life only you can design and achieving what you want more than anything in the world can be served by every moment of your day. It takes respect for tiny behaviours and absolute focus. 

The truth is that each day is a zero opportunity and your hero is lurking. Not in a sinister way, but beating at the glass ceiling of where you wound up being. You are not the result of your prior choices. You are the sum of your experience and expertise. 

“We are not in the habit of living up to our potential’’ William James

The challenge then is to commit to an intense first 3 days and entrust yourself to an environment where scientists, athletes and leaders of ritual all synchronize, commingle and foster community. Through an alchemy of breath, movement, ice, introspection and lessons in the human condition, the crafting of a life you eagerly choose every day is possible. 

What would you do with that today if someone shows you how?

What would you visualize and activate and who is it that you could become?

What would you do with the clarity of what’s truly important to you?

What goals would you build to make it happen?

What role will you play in a community of support and accountability? 

Check out The zERO Retreat to find out more and start your own hero’s journey.

TAKE ME TO zERO

©️ 2023 Tom Waller and Andy Caine, All rights reserved