Joshua Wallace

Discipline: Life’s Ultimate Cheat Code

“No man is free who is not master of himself.” Epictetus Discipline as a Cheat Code for Life: Imagine wielding a unique power-up in the game of life, granting you unparalleled advantages and control. This, in essence, is what cultivating discipline feels like. It’s like playing with cheat codes activated. While it might not grant…
Fuel Partitioning – Human Energy Systems P2

In our previous exploration, we likened ATP to the lifeblood of a city’s power grid, illuminating how it energizes diverse activities within our bodily “metropolis”. As we journey further into the intricacies of human metabolism, we’ll transition from the cityscape to the open road. Welcome to the second installment of our biochemistry series, where we’ll…
What’s the Deal with Zone 2 and Exercise Pyramids, Mzansi Style?

Eish! Inspired by the sheer physicality we’ve witnessed in the current Rugby World Cup and the awe-striking efforts of the 2023 Tour de France, I decided to whip up a lekker piece about exercise zones, sprinkled with a hearty dose of braai talk. I’ve been hunting high and low for a consolidated exercise zone tracker…
I’ve Got The Powah! – Human energy systems p1

This post is the first of a series of biochemistry related topics that crop up often during weekend braais. Typical questions include, how long should I spend on the bike, what is best for my endurance, what zone do you train in, do you even lift, bro? Inevitably these conversations end up doing a trip…
How to Unblock Projects

A useful tool to unblock projects and ensure tasks get done is the acronym PARS. This stands for Prioritization (P), Alignment (A), Resourcing (R), and Specificity (S). Though PARS might seem like consultant jargon, it has proven effective in unblocking teams and projects. Use PARS step-by-step to identify why internal or client initiatives aren’t progressing.…
Analysts underrate Fatherhood

Fatherhood is often underrated, especially in analytical circles where life decisions, including family planning, are approached with a balance-sheet mindset. This essay addresses those who, like me, attempt to quantify everything. After becoming a father, I’ve recognized the limitations of this method. What I’d like to highlight here are the intangible and difficult-to-quantify benefits of…
Chats Reloaded – Inflammation with Medical Laboratory Scientist Renaldo Pool

These discussions are attempts at recreating genuine interactions from my encounters with intriguing individuals. They are sourced from Zoom records, scribbled notes, emails and voice recordings, then whimsically reshaped through AI. Joshua: Hi Renaldo, it’s always a pleasure to dive into the intricacies of a topic with an expert. Can you start off by giving…
Chats Reloaded – HRV with Sports Scientist Eben Opperman

These discussions are attempts at recreating genuine interactions from my encounters with intriguing individuals. They are sourced from Zoom records, scribbled notes, emails and voice recordings, then whimsically reshaped through AI. Joshua: Eben, I’ve heard the term “Heart Rate Variability” or HRV a lot recently. Can you give me a comprehensive understanding of what it…
Chats Reloaded – Another Ode to the Liver with Science communicator Lili Rademan

These discussions are attempts at recreating genuine interactions from my encounters with intriguing individuals. They are sourced from Zoom records, scribbled notes, emails and voice recordings, then whimsically reshaped through AI. Joshua: Hey Lili, you know, as a scientist I’ve been diving into some of the unsung heroes of our bodies. And do you remember…
Chats Reloaded – Blood Donation with Medical Laboratory Scientist Adriaan Meyer

These discussions are attempts at recreating genuine interactions from my encounters with intriguing individuals. They are sourced from Zoom records, scribbled notes, emails and voice recordings, then whimsically reshaped through AI. Joshua: Hi Adriaan, given my consistent interest in non-invasive methods to understand physiology, I wanted to discuss the criteria you use to evaluate the…