Krista Stryker – founder of 12 minute athlete

Krista Stryker is the founder of 12 Minute Athlete, a website providing free, incredibly effective high intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts and awesome fitness motivation for athletes of all levels. Check out her just released fitness program, Fitter Faster Stronger, and get in the best shape of your life today.

Good things to read.

The $100 Startup by Chris Guillibeau. I’ve read a lot of business books, but this one had an incredible impact on me. Chris is an amazing writer, and his story and the stories of the business owners in the book are incredibly inspiring. It was this book actually that was the catalyst to me starting 12 Minute Athlete—I read it in one day, then the next day had the idea, bought the URL, and got started on my business. I’d highly recommend it to any wannabe entrepreneur or solopreneur!

Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon: This book made me smile and want to create really awesome things all the time. It’s a quick read, and I reread it every once in a while to get a boost of inspiration.

The 4-Hour Body: This book is a goldmine of crazy experiments, recipes, and exercises to help you do whatever you’re looking to do with your body, whether it’s to lose weight fast, reduce body fat percentage, or work out as efficiently as possible for the least amount of time you can. I originally bought the Kindle version of this book, but went ahead and got the hardcover after I’d read it because I loved it so much.

Good things to watch.

Gary Vaynerchuck’s Ted Talk. “Hustle is the most important word ever.” In this Ted Talk, which is probably one of my favorites of all time, Gary will motivate you like only he can to get off your butt and go hustle. The first time I saw it, I watched it twice in a row, it was that good. Now I try and watch it at least once a month to remind myself to hustle.

Mobility WOD: Anyone who works out a lot knows it can take a toll on your body. Mobility WOD is packed with short, informative videos on how to prevent injuries, resolve aches and pains, and optimize athletic performance. It’s awesome. Watch it.

Dead Poet’s Society: This is one of my favorite movies of all time. I saw it for the first time in my eighth grade English class and have watched it at least once a year since. I even got a tattoo inspired by the movie’s theme: Carpe Diem (seize the day).

Good things to use.

Nike Fuel band. I wear my Nike Fuel band pretty much every minute of the day that I’m not sleeping. It’s an awesome tool to let you know how active you’ve been for the day. Also, I’m pretty proud that my fuel score is on average over twice the normal Nike Fuel user!

Gymboss timer. Since I pretty much only do HIIT (high intensity interval training), I need some sort of interval timer to keep time during my workouts. Although there are plenty of free interval timer websites and apps you can use, I like the Gymboss timer because it’s durable (I’ve dropped it on concrete countless times and it’s still in tact). Plus it has a clip so you can jump rope or sprint to your heart’s content and it’ll stay put.

Jump rope: I bring a jump rope pretty much everywhere with me. It’s the absolute easiest way to get in an awesome HIIT workout no matter how little space you have, if it’s raining outside, if you don’t have a gym to go to, etc. Plus it’s way more fun to use than running on a treadmill for hours.

Connect with Krista on Twitter, @12minuteathlete.

John Pitek – hollywood assistant

This is John Pitek and these are his good things.

What are some good things you’ve read?

I work in the entertainment industry and one of the film news sites that I love to frequent is www.slashfilm.com. It comes highly ranked and has a mix of thoughtful reviews, articles, and random tidbits. What I really enjoy about it is that it covers not just movies, television, and video games, but also the culture impact of them. So if you’re into film like me, then I recommend this site.

I am in the middle of reading of The 4-Hour Body by Tim Ferris. What’s great about this book is the author, through years of trial & error, and various tests, has determined the minimum effective effort to get maximum results. My friend introduced this book to me and he’s been on the program for 3 weeks and has lost 7.5 lbs. already. I plan on using it to cut my body fat percentage and increase muscle mass. The best part is how the author writes. It’s as if he’s having a conversation and answering all your questions that pop up as you read and he even insists that you don’t read the whole book, only the chapters that apply to your goals.

I also enjoying reading the Hollywood Assistants tumblr. Most of the memes and gifs are specified to working as an assistant in Hollywood, but I believe there are some that apply to anyone else working as an assistant outside of the entertainment industry. It also serves as a nice reminder that there are hundreds of other people going through the same crazy stuff I am. Not to mention it helps kill some downtime with a good laugh.

What are some good things you’ve watched?

50/50 – This cancer dramedy starring Joseph Gordon Levitt and Seth Rogen is based on the true story of the screenwriter’s (and best friend of Rogen) life when he was diagnosed with cancer and a 50/50 chance of surviving. You’ll feel good laughing at the right parts and crying at the others. I saw it twice in theaters and rank as one of the best movies I’ve ever seen.

Cabin in the Woods – Horror film written by Joss Whedon (Firefly, Buffy, Angel, Dollhouse, The Avengers) and Drew Goddard. If you aren’t familiar with Joss Whedon, you should make yourself and I suggest starting with Firefly. Anyway, this expertly crafted horror movie takes an interesting view on the horror genre itself. With some genuine scares, the movie takes a great turn in the 3rd act that I will not spoil, but will say it’s awesome. Added bonuses are also abundant in the humorous dialogue. Out on Blu-ray/DVD on Sept. 18th.

Archer – This FX Networks TV series is by far one of the best comedies ever created. If you consider yourself to be “”PC”” or “”Politically Correct””, then this is NOT the show for you. The characters say and do awful things within a very intelligent and witty storyline throughout each episode. You’ll quickly get through a season wanting more. First two seasons are available for purchase.

What are some good things you use?

For those of you who don’t live in a large metropolis such as Los Angeles and don’t watch the Food Network, food trucks are a hugely booming industry. LA has at least 200 trucks now. What is helpful are the web and mobile apps offered by FoodTrucksMap.com and RoamingHunger.com to find them all and fill my belly with delicious cheese steaks, sliders, and bahn mi’s without me driving around like a crazed and hungry mad man.

Air Conditioning. Period. It has been uncommonly hot in Los Angeles for the past couple weeks with some days reaching the high 90s. We even had a 12 acre brush fire the other day nearby. Air conditioning allows me to get through my work day and sleep great at night. It is definitely worth the larger utility bill, without a doubt.

The one place I don’t have air conditioning is in my ’97 Mercury Sable Station Wagaon. This is especially rough because if you know anything about LA, then you know our traffic is horrendous and I spend at least 40 minutes in my car on my (7.8 mile) commute, each way. Given its declining nature, I am in the market for a new car and I am finding that Kelly Blue Book’s research tools, comparison shopping, and reviews (both consumer and expert) to be very helpful in narrowing down my choices (most likely something in the Prius family, either a used regular Prius or Prius C).