Developing an Every Day Muscle

I’ve always wanted to be more consistent-stone cold, steady—the person who skips all of the fussing, excuses, and mini-dramas. I wished myself to be the guy who shows up, does the work; enough said. Instead, unfortunately, I’d often be the guy with a lengthy explanation of why I couldn’t, didn’t, or won’t. Here’s what changed.

Tiny Habits and Sobriety

At the beginning of COVID, I decided to run a life experiment, inspired by my son Holden and the work of James Clear. Three hundred fifty-seven days and counting, I’m growing an everyday muscle- habit streaking -by running a minimum of one mile every day. 365 here I come!

Atomic Habits, Clear’s book on tiny habits, caught my attention, giving validation to my question, “How can I just do it-stop the fits and starts?” Here are a few core ideas to his work, 

+Become 1% better over time, not tomorrow.

+Make the new habit so small you can’t fail. 

+Never miss twice.

+Root your new habit or practice in an identity statement, e.g., “I’m an everyday runner.”

Inspired by sobriety

Illuminated when my wife, Leith, counted up the number of days our son Holden remains sober, not drugging and drinking, over 2,000+ and counting. Reflecting on my own life and healthy habits, I felt confident I couldn’t even claim a daily teeth brushing habit streak for 2K+ days.

Alchemy enters. I realize that my everyday muscle was under-developed. I had some growing up to do in the world of action, choice, and purposeful living.

The Big Idea

How might I develop the muscle of consistency, without fail, on a tiny habit or new practice that I want more of in my life? What new momentum might I experience in other aspects of my life from starting small with running 1 mile (insert your desired new habit) by just doing it?

Update: I’m 357 days into my new habit streak, and I’ve become an everyday runner (identity). Catch that- my identity now includes a rooted practice of consistency. Notably, my health and fitness are improving, but even more importantly, I see how becoming 1% better, starting tiny, is a better way forward than fits and stops.

1-mile (so small I can’t fail).

Never miss twice (I use this habit tracker with a friend for accountability).

My identity now includes being an everyday runner, but at first, it was my aspiration.

1% better, I see how my overall fitness has increased, not by a lot, but daily.

How’s your everyday muscle? Maybe a tiny new habit or practice is what you need too?

Keep going-

Aaron

One of my favorite runs, longer than a mile, with friends Justin and Dave on the back side of Pikes Peak, Sentinel Point after the first snow.
Oil Well Flats beyond Canon City, CO stoked by the endless desert canyon-riddled vista.
Alex and Dole helping shake it up a bit with a Chug-N-RUN. Drink a beer, run one mile, repeat. Made for a fun winter microadventure.

Dispatch: Fly Fishing The Green in the Fall

Fly Fishing The Flaming Gorge of the Green River is like playing a round of golf on an epic course-tough shot, precarious and exhilarating. Be ready for a challenging game of fishing in the fall on the Green. Sure we met a few lucky bastards, skillful in landing hungry trout. We weren’t invited into their elite club, nor were 99% of the drift boats floating by with their dejected clients asking us “any luck”. Even the professional guides, at $500 per day weren’t landing trophy trout.

The Green River is guaranteed to always deliver on beauty, but there are no guarantees on dialing in the fly fishing. Each time I return to the Flaming Gorge, I vow to come back again to experience her. @thepathfinder and I followed our adventure nose down dusty roads and discovered more places to explore. Like The Gates of Lodore -5 day float (which I know almost nothing about). Here’s to curiosity and tracing routes in pencil.

The Green River is The Grand Canyon meets the Snake River maybe not exactly, but it’s otherness.
Although we didn’t set new records for the number of trout in our net, we did break in @Pathfinders Adventure van.
We scouted future adventures in the Dinosaur National Monument, The Gates of Lodore.

Play Unplugged-Live Music For Money in a Park

This really happened.

I convinced my brother that we needed to play impromptu acoustic unplugged live music in the city park in Santa Fe, NM. We’d just driven 2,700 miles across the desert southwest in our 1974 VW Bus and it was time to go out on a limb.

When was the last time you’ve done something ridiculous? I bet it’s been too long. Bang off the rust and go!

It reminds me of a great quote,

“The glory of God is man fully alive.”

Saint Irenaeus

Sometimes we need to jump, leap-off the couch of comfort, and into the wild places-past the caution signs and fear. Armed with a bit of tequila Santa Fe buzz, we unleashed our finger-picking, generously offering up a simple repertoire of brotherly riffs.

Instagram video @aarondmchugh “Truth be told we made $1 in tips on our first ever live park pickup jam acoustic unplugged session.”

Proudest moment Acoustic unplugged guitar pickup in old town Santa Fe

Sleep in a Wigwam on Route 66

Adventure, big and small is out there. Sleeping in a Wigwam (like a teepee) on historic Route 66. Coming back from visiting the Grand Canyon National Park, we opted for a warm clean bed at the Wigwam.

Built in the 1950’s the Wigwam Motel rents to curious Route 66 travelers for $70 x night. Originally there were eight Wigwam Villages, now only three remain, two are along Route 66 Holbrook, AZ and near San Bernardino. Full history here.

From the Wigwam Motel: “The motel is a striking sample of Western Americana culture. It is the most prominent landmark in Holbrook and one of the most noticeable in Northern Arizona along Old Route US 66.

Many people remember the road trip adventures they took as children in the family car’s backseats along Route 66. Quite a few of these people return to Wigwam Village #6 to stay in the motel again. The nostalgia of yesteryear’s adventures brings them back and gives them a piece of Western U.S. culture they remember from their youth. Newcomers also enjoy the unique setting of the Wigwam Village. Children and adults alike are excited to sleep in a wigwam. A classic car display is present in the parking lot outside of the wigwam sleeping units.”

Our 1974 VW Joy Bus made the Route 66 trek from Colorado Springs, humming at 65 mph on blue highways.
The Wigwam Motel with each unit paired with a classic Route 66 era vehicle. It feels like a scene straight out of Pixar’s Cars.
The Wigwam Motel looks like the Cozy Cone Motel from the Pixar town Radiator Springs.

A Poem: Ten Years of Living Forward

Ten rings later in the oak tree.
Radius etchings tell the truth of living forward.
Closer to fine.
Empty bedroom, not to dinner. Quiet deafening disappearance.
No search party assembled.
Empty wheelchair affixed for helium flight.
Unconvincing logic to limbic smells and sounds, “Was that her shadow-her cry?”
Hair clippers to mourn. The reminder of not fine.
Staggering, limping, walking, living again.
Ring seared chronicles of summer’s laughing, winter’s ruminating, spring’s living.
All the roots go deeper when it’s dry.

800 balloon fixed to Hadley’s wheelchair representing her spiritual flight into eternity.

I wrote this poem to reflect my decade journey of learning to live forward from our daughter Hadley’s death in 2011. I envisioned a tree’s aging rings, each annual etching telling the story, some thick with growth, others thin but still standing. To live authentic and wholehearted, we embrace our humanity’s spectrum and remind our souls that God is with us and for us, even when.

Trip Report: Backcountry Ski Hut to Hut

Description: The saying about backcountry skiing goes, “free the heel, and you’ll free your mind.” After a handful of Colorado winter backcountry ski adventures, I’m hooked. Last winter, we linked these two 10th Mountain Division Colorado Huts together. Ski into Jackal Hut from Camp Hale (4.7 miles) and then onto Fowler/Hillard Hut (via 7.8 mile Pearl Creek), back to Camp Hale. Skiing hut-to-hut deepens the backcountry experience of breaking trail and navigating between huts. For a smaller one night adventure, start with skiing or snowshoeing directly into Jackal Hut. Reservations required. 

Length: One to four days

The rewards: Hut trips, with the right group, can be extraordinary experiences. Our groups are always carefully selected with a match of great people and the appropriate experience level. NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) claims for everyone to have a good, safe time, you must display “Expedition behavior.” 

Season: Late Winter to early Spring

Keep going-

Aaron

Onward Camp Hale style approaching the winter storm. With a big group it’s important to use the buddy system. No one left behind.
When the sun is shinning, bluebird Colorado winter skies, a positive mental attitude is easy to find.
Fresh tracks, sunshine, close friends, miles away are the rewards of backcountry hut skiing.
Navigating between huts requires additional know-how using map, compass, GPS and breaking trail. Advanced level skills required.
Like a postcard, these rare moments, living fully alive.
Unlike the ski resorts, there are no groomed trails. Deep powder, mixed terrain makes for a playground of joy. Sometimes you might need a buddy to help you up 🙂

What’s Wrong With the World?

At the turn of the nineteenth century, The London Times once asked readers, What’s wrong with the world?

Can you imagine the volcanic explosion of response if we asked this question today?

“Schools and education”

“The environment”

“Politicians”

“Racial inequality”

All true by the way.

What’s interesting is this answer from G.K Chesterton, writer, philosopher, lay theologian, literary art critic.

“Dear Sir: Regarding your article ‘What’s Wrong with the World?’ I am. Yours truly,”

G.K. Chesterton

Friends may we find more freedom in starting with ourselves as we engage questions like these. Asking ourselves, “How might I be contributing to what’s wrong with the world?”

Keep going,

Aaron

Trip Report: Bishops Castle in our VW Bus

Description: Bishop’s Castle is entirely built by one man, Jim Bishop, over the course of his lifetime. A quirky, intricate maze of stunning DIY artwork, engineering and imagination. This roadside Southern Colorado attraction used to be little-known. Today, likely made more infamous through Instagram, Bishop’s castle is widely known and visited. Watch your step, hang on and leave the pets in the car.

Length: A few hours

Favorite memory: We drove our 1974 VW Joy Bus to visit Bishop’s Castle after an overnight in Hartsel, CO. Jim Bishop himself was onsite three different times we’ve visited. Always leave a donation. Be generous.

Season: Anytime

Keep going-

Aaron

Bishops Castle fire breathing dragon
Nearing the top of Bishop’s Castle, the ironwork continues and so does the exposure.
Cathedral style enormity and stain glass windows meets Tim Burton.
Bishop’s Castle is 100% donation dependent. Be respectful. Be kind. Be generous.

Life List: Climbing Both Matterhorn

I want to climb both Matterhorn. The Matterhorn in Switzerland 14,692 feet above sea level, the mountains of mountains, jagged-toothed and magnetic. The Matterhorn in Disneyland 147 feet above sea level; the summit is towering above Tomorrowland, home to an abominable snowman.

While I’m living, I will to summit both Matterhorn.

Who do you know at Disneyland that can help advise me on how to go about realizing my dream?

Here’s my Life List I first wrote in 2016.

The Matterhorn in Switzerland, formidable, ominous, technical and so inviting.
Forbidding access to most, Disneyland’s Matterhorn. I’ve held the dream to summit her concrete shoulders since I was eight years old.
Mountaineers summit bid on Disneyland’s Matterhorn towering 147 feet above the submarine lagoon. Difficult to access in its own unique way.

Writing a Life List (Stuff Ya Wanna Do)

Personally, I don’t love the term “bucket list”. I prefer the idea of focusing on the things I want to do while I’m living vs. before I “kick the bucket”. I’m weird that way.

In 2016, I wrote this Life List and started checking things off the list, removing some as things change and adding new items to aim for.

Five years later, reflecting on this original list, I see how most of these ideas remain important to me. I’m also not the same person I was five years ago. For example, Leith and I are not planning on adopting #29 a baby brother from Swaziland 🙂

Areas to keep the dream alive

  • Summiting the 14’ers here in Colorado
  • Write another book by age 50
  • Climb both Matterhorn
  • Celebrate 70 years of marriage and attend my kids weddings

Areas I’m no longer interested *

  • Building and running software companies
  • Performing a Ted Talk. Fine if it happens, but not a primary goal.

LIFE LIST 2016 by Aaron McHugh

Written January 2nd 2016

While I’m Living I want to…

  1. Visit and hike some portion of the Great Wall of China
  2. Work from Anywhere.
  3. Perform a Ted Talk in 2017
  4. Attend my children’s Averi and Holden’s weddings
  5. Write 5 (4 more books) published or self-published by age 50 (2020)
  6. Meet and spend 2 hrs w Bono from U2
  7. Leith and I celebrate 70 yrs of marriage (2063)
  8. Climb bot the Matterhorns: Switzerland and Disneyland by age 48 (2020)
  9. Climb remaining 22 (17 now) 14’er (14,000 foot peaks) in Colorado by (2019)
  10. Climb all fourteen (14) 14’er in the Washington and California by age 55 (2025).
  11. Work in an orphanage with Averi and Leith for a week before Averi graduates high school (2019)
  12. Work with interesting people of my choice every day (in progress)
  13. Live in a house designed by my brother
  14. Backpack or Mountain Bike the Colorado Trail (finish unridden sections) by (2018).
  15. Live debt free
  16. Take my grand children on a tour of the United States by car, boat, plane, RV, bicycle, and walking.
  17. Live abroad for one year
  18. Visit Rome with Leith. (Updated: We stopped at Rome on the train in 2019 🙂 got close)
  19. Free women in sex trade industry. Personally participate not just send money.
  20. Build two software companies that do not require my daily presence to run. *
  21. Build Work Life Play to have 500k subscribers
  22. Run Walt Disney Family Museums social media and marketing. *
  23. Run the Rim to Rim to Rim Grand Canyon race in 2016
  24. Work Life Play podcast weekly for 2 yrs (Update: 2020 -50 new episodes)
  25. Compete in Ironman Kona World Championship by age 60 (2030)
  26. Visit Cinque Terra, Italy with Leith for our 25th wedding anniversary (2018)
  27. Earn 1 M$ in a year without my life becoming a train wreck.
  28. Matt and I drive Hwy 1 in California in a sidecar and motorcycle
  29. Family goes to Swaziland Africa and adopt a baby brother *

This Life List is a reflection of the Work Life Play that is important to me today, Saturday, January 2nd, 2016. It is subject to change and revision. I am aiming my intentions towards these goals, events, experiences and quests. Like Walter Mitty, I want to live a life of Adventure. I will invest in meaningful relationships, experience all that this life has to offer and challenge myself in my Work and in physical accomplishments.