Secretly Sporty

Author Lucas Schaefer shares with Sebastian how Lord’s Boxing Gym in Austin changed his relationship with fitness and inspired his award-winning debut novel The Slip.  He also dishes on his current pet peeve in the fitness industry, reflects on the parallels between writing and working out, and explains how having his first child has impacted his approach to exercise and food. Plus: he goes deep on the doubt and uncertainty he felt during the twelve years he worked on The Slip.

Celebrated playwright and co-host of KUT’s Black Austin Matters Lisa B.Thompson talks to Sebastian about her Sunday ritual of walking while listening to gospel music, why she considers meditation a part of working out, and how she went from hating ab exercises to loving them.  She also discusses the origin of Black Austin Matters, previews her new play opening this fall, and extends an invite to Ryan Coogler.  Plus, she spills the tea on her favorite brand of tea.

In 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!

Former 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.

Actor 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.

Acclaimed 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.