Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
This is the first popular audience book I’ve written. I have previously focused mostly on peer-reviewed journals and professional reports. I’m a startup founder, a parent to twin girls, husband to my beautiful wife, and I moved from the US to Beirut, Lebanon 5 years ago. That’s is a lot to unpack there, so I would imagine more books in more genres will follow as this process has been more enjoyable than not.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My main title of the book is called Survival of the Fattest. When we’re in our 20’s, it’s easy to find time to do just about anything, and our recovery time is pretty fast. When we’re 40, with kids, working way too much, and recovery time for working out seems to never happen fast enough, it seems like we’re living in a different world. Writing a book was something I always wanted to do, but what inspired me to get back into running was my dad’s massive heart attack in the summer of 2018. He survived, but was incredibly lucky. Considering he was essentially “allergic to exercise” for a few decades, I looked at myself and saw my future if I didn’t get back to working out. I don’t just like working out for the sake of working out. For me, there has to be a goal involved. When I trained for races in my 20’s, I would get hurt, so I figured I need to do it right, do it better now as my body doesn’t respond the way it used to. I found the methods I used incredibly successful, so have shared them in a book for anyone who wants to go from zero to marathon in middle age (or any age for that matter).
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Startup founder is a very busy life, so I couldn’t devote hours on end to writing. My style is basically to start my iPhone timer every day for 30 minutes and write, think, or jot down notes during that time. If I was in the flow, I might keep going a few more minutes, but never less. I did this every day until the book was done (about 6 months). It became somewhat of a break during my day, and instead of reading emails or listening to disappointing news podcasts (because I can’t cut out the fantasy football podcasts!), I would write.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love a lot of books, but those that are closest to this book are probably books by authors who don’t take themselves too seriously and try to give help and tips through stories. A Fantasy Life by Matthew Berry is one of my favorites as he’s able to use self-deprecating humor and excellent storytelling to cover major points.
What are you working on now?
Right now I’m going through the startup process with my company, and I started writing a book on that process. That said, many of those cookie-cutter how-to books to success or funding or profit already exist. What I’d love to see out there is a book that takes a realistic look at what it really means to run a startup and what a founder can really expect out of the process to prepare mentally.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
This is literally the first website I’ve tried promoting this book. That said, in my business, Facebook is a great advertising site, and I would imagine it would be pretty similar for book promotion.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Writers write. Try out the 30 min. per day method. A couple weeks in, you’ll be surprised at your progress.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I found a podcast by Hassan Osman called Writer on the Side (https://www.writerontheside.com/). He’s actually a friend of my brother-in-law, so I was kinda introduced to this at random by my wife, who always knew I wanted to write a book despite my telling her that I simply don’t have time. His methods are great, and his books seem to be pretty successful. He subscribes to the 30-min per day approach too, hence the great advice :-).
What are you reading now?
Well, since I’m looking to raise VC funds soon for my startup, I am reading Secrets of Sand Hill Road: Venture Capital and How to Get It by Scott Kupor.
What I really want to read next: Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I think I will write about something in the startup world, but from a realistic approach. It can mentally break you, and most podcasts, books, articles, shows, …etc tend to lionize and glorify the founder. I think this is actually less than helpful, and a realistic book about what the typical entrepreneur will face would be useful in preparing mentally for that challenge.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I’ve always wondered what I would want to read repeatedly if I could only read a few things repeatedly. I love non-fiction books that make us think (like Malcolm Gladwell) and I love fiction books, particularly Russian Literature for some reason. But after reading those once, I don’t have any desire to reread them. I do like to laugh, so all my books in this situation would be books by comedians or people I found funny.