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In a world that rewards constant stimulation and surface-level productivity, it’s become easier than ever to stay busy — and harder than ever to feel fulfilled. Many people aren’t burning out from doing too much, but from spending their days disconnected from the things that actually matter. The result is a numbing, restless state Brad Stulberg calls zombie burnout.
In this episode of The Ready State Podcast, Juliet and Kelly Starrett sit down with author and coach Brad Stulberg to unpack what excellence really means in a chaotic, distraction-heavy world. Drawing from his latest book, The Way of Excellence, Stulberg challenges the myths of hustle culture and self-optimization, offering a grounded path toward ambition that’s aligned with values, sustained by rest, and rooted in deep, meaningful engagement.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why excellence has nothing to do with rigid routines or influencer “optimization” The difference between happiness, satisfaction, and lasting fulfillment How “zombie burnout” happens — even when you’re not technically overworked What truly excellent environments have in common Why process matters more than outcomes (without pretending outcomes don’t matter) How rest and renewal are essential — not optional — for long-term excellence Chapters00:00 – Introduction
01:17 – What is Excellence
08:37 – What Excellence is Not
09:48 – Importance of Excellence
13:08 – Excellence vs. Happiness
17:54 – Aggregation of Marginal Gains
19:59 – Sponsor: Vitality
23:10 – Brad’s Take on Heisman Winner
25:15 – Creating an Excellent Environment
33:18 – Zombie Burnout and Adult Pacifiers
35:50 – Combating Zombie Burnout
37:39 – Sponsor: LMNT
40:20 – Managing Distractions
43:22 – Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
46:41 – Decline of Excellence
52:30 – Goal Setting Strategies
58:13 – Stress, Rest, and Growth
01:02:40 – Sponsor: Momentous
01:05:25 – Recovery Techniques
01:06:40 – Surprises After Writing the Book
01:08:34 – Meaningful Milestone for 2026
01:10:38 – Brad’s Addition to the Infinite Shelf
01:12:18 – Starrett System
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Pre-Order The Way of Excellence
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