Half of the things that we think we “have to do” are not essential. “I have to watch that football game”. “I have to get my daughter’s teacher a Christmas present”. “I have to get new clothes for work”. “I have to get to the gym today”.

And many of the things that we “obsess about” and the goals that we pursue in the long term, really aren’t all that important in the grand scheme of things. And yet we keep ourselves so busy pursuing things that are not essential to our health and happiness.

In today’s episode the Nutrition Grouch suggests that you take the time to figure out what your “core essentials” are to your health and happiness on a daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis. Figure out what you actually “really” need to take care of to further your health and happiness and what things can you forget about or let slide.

I’m not saying that we forgo our duties and responsibilities, aim for mediocrity, be lazy or take the easy path, rather there are things in this life that matter and things that do not. Put your time and energy into the things that matter and minimize the rest.

Some of the topics in today’s episode include:

• Not everyone needs the drive of Tom Brady to be successful (1:57)
• Sometimes the right conditions are more important than talent for success (3:50)
• Aaron Rodgers won a Super Bowl and said, “now what?” (8:50)
• Singular obsessions and mastering your craft (10:08)
• Everyone’s got trauma: my PhD and career are mine (11:44)
• My obsession with nutrition education hasn’t led to success (13:08)
• I’m just not willing to “play the game” (14:04)
• Changing the culture of health & wellness and your relationship with it (15:29)
• The dark side of obsessions: unintended consequences (19:21)
• Finding like-minded, science-based wellness people is nearly impossible (23:20)
• Team up together or get squashed (26:12)
• Do what you are designed to do (29:06)
• A Buffalo Bills Super Bowl will never be enough (32:28)
• I HATE Christmas (37:15)
• My problem with “Forced Holidays” (37:57)
• Giving and receiving gifts is not my cup of tea (40:24)
• The time I found out why saying “Good Morning” is SO IMPORTANT (41:39)
• I have a two activities per weekend limit (43:21)
• If you seek tranquility, do less (44:43)
• Our pace of life, diet, and lifestyle are NOT normal, but it doesn’t have to be this way (46:09)
• What’s enough?: daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly goals (51:41)
• Unrestrained moderation (53:58)