Jon Biggs joins me this week as we talk about enhancing daily life through tech gadgets and healthier living. He shares his experiences with MeshTastic, a local mesh networking technology, and his efforts in building solar-powered communication nodes. Jon discusses the benefits of improved sleep and using a continuous glucose monitor to optimize his diet post-retirement. We also touch on community service with the Lions Club and his fitness journey into strength training, emphasizing heart health. The episode wraps up with insights into the Tesla Owners Club and the evolution of electric vehicles, offering listeners a blend of technology and personal growth. Thanks for listening!

Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg633

Join Jim Collison / @jcollison for show #633 of Home Gadget Geeks, brought to you by the Average Guy Network.

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Links

https://www.garmin.com/en-US/c/outdoor-recreation/satellite-communicators

https://www.lionsclubs.org/en

https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org

https://www.freestyle.abbott/us-en/products/freestyle-libre-3.html

https://www.levels.com

Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity

https://trainwithmorpheus.com/#morpheus-customize

https://www.stelo.com/buy-stelo-one-time

Chapters

[0:08]  Introduction to Home Gadget Geeks

[1:37]  Holiday Preparations

[2:56]  Tech Talk: MeshTastic

[6:25]  Guest Introduction

[7:27]  John’s Retirement Journey

[11:03]  Family Adventures

[12:18]  Hiking Experiences

[14:48]  Bonking and Fitness

[17:01]  Nutrition and Energy Management

[18:19]  Tracking Technology

[20:20]  Community Engagement

[21:15]  Social Organizations

[23:27]  Reflections on Retirement

[26:21]  Volunteer Work

[28:44]  Cemetery Reflections

[29:48]  Giving Back

[32:42]  Tesla Discussion

[37:25]  Tesla Innovations

[43:20]  Heart Health Insights

[1:06:18]  The Centenarian Decathlon

[1:13:49]  Conclusion and Future Plans

Extended Outline

Weather and Holiday Preparations [0:00]

• Jim mentions the windy weather in his area and hopes it’s better on the East Coast for Jon.
• Jon reports that the weather has been nice but expects colder temperatures over the weekend.
• Jim talks about the cold weather setting in and thanks Patreon subscribers for their support.
• Jim and Jon discuss their holiday preparations, including wrapping gifts and using Amazon affiliate links for purchases.

Tech Gadgets and MeshTastic [2:52]

• Jim and Jon discuss various tech gadgets, including MeshTastic, a mesh network system.
• Jon shares his experience with MeshTastic, including building a portable unit and a solar-powered node.
• Jim mentions a previous interview with Mike Wieger about MeshTastic and the challenges of getting a node.
• Jon describes how MeshTastic helped him connect with a neighbor he hadn’t met in 30 years.

Retirement and Health Focus [6:45]

• Jon talks about his retirement, emphasizing that he never felt bored and has been able to focus more on his interests.
• Jon mentions joining a gym and the challenges of improving his knee health through proper exercise form.
• Jon discusses his travel experiences, including family vacations to national parks and the importance of proper fueling during hikes.
• Jon shares his experience with the Mist Trail hike in Yosemite and the importance of planning food intake during long hikes.

Lions Club and Community Involvement [18:56]

• Jon talks about joining the Lions Club for socialization and meeting interesting people, including an engineer who worked on spy satellites.
• Jon describes participating in the Lions Club’s “Reads Across America” event, marking graves of service members.
• Jon mentions his role in the Lions Club’s Diabetes Awareness committee and organizing a walking group for healthy steps and social interaction.
• Jim appreciates Jon’s contributions to the community and the importance of volunteering in retirement.

Tesla Ownership and Education [32:31]

• Jon discusses his Tesla ownership and involvement with the Tesla Owners Club of Pennsylvania.
• Jon explains his role in teaching Tesla classes, including new owner classes, full self-driving, road trips, and winter boot camp.
• Jon highlights the advanced features of Tesla’s navigation and charging infrastructure, emphasizing the importance of planning for long road trips.
• Jim and Jon discuss the potential for other car manufacturers to adopt similar trip planning and charging technologies.

Health Tracking and Continuous Glucose Monitoring [47:07]

• Jon shares his experience with continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and the impact on his diet and health.
• Jon explains the benefits of CGM in providing real-time feedback and helping him make informed food choices.
• Jon discusses the importance of tracking both blood glucose and cholesterol levels to maintain metabolic health.
• Jim expresses interest in trying CGM and the potential benefits for his own health tracking.

Balancing Diet and Exercise [1:05:18]

• Jon talks about the changes he has made to his diet, including reducing sugar and carb intake and increasing fat consumption.
• Jon shares his approach to meal planning and the importance of eating foods that don’t spike his glucose levels.
• Jon discusses the role of alcohol in moderating glucose response and the importance of portion control.
• Jim and Jon discuss the challenges of maintaining a healthy diet and the importance of finding a balance that works for each individual.

Future of Tesla and EV Infrastructure [1:05:57]

• Jon mentions the upcoming release of new Tesla designs and the potential for a real SUV and a $30,000 low-cost Tesla.
• Jon discusses the challenges of EV charging infrastructure and the importance of reliable and ubiquitous charging stations.
• Jim and Jon talk about the potential for other car manufacturers to adopt Tesla’s advanced features and infrastructure.
• Jon emphasizes the importance of Tesla’s control over its charging network for reliable and efficient road trips.

Centenarian Decathlon and Long-Term Health Goals [1:06:13]

• Jon introduces the concept of the “centenarian decathlon,” focusing on maintaining the ability to perform daily activities in old age.
• Jon discusses the importance of strength and aerobic capacity in maintaining long-term health and the ability to enjoy activities in old age.
• Jim and Jon talk about the importance of setting health goals now to ensure the ability to perform activities in the future.
• Jon emphasizes the need for consistent exercise and healthy habits to slow the decline in physical capabilities as we age.

Starting Small with Workouts [1:06:32]

• Jim emphasizes the importance of starting small with workouts to avoid injury and ensure consistency.
• He shares his personal experience of starting with walking during the pandemic and gradually increasing intensity.
• Jim advises taking it slow and building up gradually to avoid becoming too sore or injured.
• Jon agrees and adds that establishing a habit and gradually increasing the intensity is key.

Inspiration from a Local Gym [1:06:46]

• Jon shares his experience of going to a small-town gym and being inspired by older members, including one who celebrated his 80th birthday.
• He mentions that many older members at the gym are physically healthier than their chronological age.
• The conversation highlights the importance of starting and maintaining a workout routine, regardless of age.
• Jon encourages everyone to start working out and not to be discouraged by their current physical condition.

Introduction to the Morpheus Heart Rate Monitor [1:11:20]

• Jon introduces the Morpheus heart rate monitor, which measures heart rate variability and recovery.
• He explains that more heart rate variability indicates better rest and recovery.
• The device helps users understand how hard they can work each day and how to build aerobic capacity.
• Jon shares his daily routine of using the device to monitor his heart rate zones and recovery.

Discussion on Heart Rate Monitors and Accuracy [1:13:45]

• Jim and Jon discuss the accuracy of different heart rate monitors, including the Apple Watch and chest straps.
• Jim shares his experience of using an Apple Watch and the challenges of getting accurate readings.
• They talk about the importance of consistency and finding the right device that works best for each individual.
• Jim mentions that he prefers the Apple Watch for its convenience and accuracy, despite some variations.

Importance of Rest and Recovery [1:17:14]

• Jim emphasizes the importance of rest and recovery after hard workouts.
• He shares his personal routine of having a rest day and a recovery day to ensure his body can recover properly.
• Jon agrees and adds that taking an easy workout or a day off after a hard session is crucial for recovery.
• They discuss the importance of hydration and ensuring the body is well-rested to avoid dehydration and other issues.

Personal Health and Fitness Goals [1:19:06]

• Jim shares his personal health goals and the importance of managing his blood cholesterol and glucose levels.
• He mentions that he measures these levels annually or semi-annually to stay on top of his health.
• Jon advises not to make drastic changes to one’s diet or workout routine immediately but to learn and adapt gradually.
• They discuss the importance of consistency and long-term management of health and fitness goals.

Closing Remarks and Future Plans [1:20:03]

• Jim thanks Jon for the conversation and mentions the possibility of having him back on the show in the future.
• They discuss the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in health and fitness.
• Jim mentions the possibility of trying the Morpheus heart rate monitor in the future and invites Jon to stay for a post-show discussion.
• They wrap up the conversation with holiday wishes and plans for future episodes and discussions.

Let me know if you need additional changes!

More from ChatGPT

This episode of Home Gadget Geeks features an engaging conversation with Jon Biggs, where we dive into various tech gadgets and lifestyle changes that enhance our daily lives. We start off discussing the current weather conditions, with Jim broadcasting from a windy location, transitioning quickly into a conversation about the upcoming holiday season and the associated gift-wrapping challenges that Jon faces.

We shift our focus to technology, particularly the tech gadgets that make our homes smarter and more efficient. Jon shares insights about his recent adventures into the world of MeshTastic, a fascinating communication technology that allows users to connect locally via mesh networking without the need for traditional cellular service. He explains how he created portable nodes and even strived to set up a solar-powered node on his roof, bringing the excitement of wireless technology into everyday applications.

The discussion progresses to lifestyle changes, particularly Jon’s journey into a healthier lifestyle post-retirement. He recounts how retirement afforded him more sleep and, consequently, better metabolic health. We explore the intricate relationship between sleep quality, exercise, and dietary choices, with Jon detailing his experience with a continuous glucose monitor. This tool provides him immediate feedback on how different foods affect his blood glucose levels, allowing him to tailor his diet for better health outcomes.

Throughout the episode, Jon discusses the importance of staying active and engaged, both physically and socially. He highlights his involvement with the Lions Club, emphasizing meaningful service activities that contribute to the community, such as the Wreaths Across America initiative, where volunteers honor veterans by placing wreaths on their graves. This angle adds a layer of depth to the conversation, reflecting on how giving back can provide purpose and fulfillment, especially in retirement.

We also touch on technology in fitness, as Jon describes transitioning into a barbell gym to improve his strength training, thus continuing to monitor his progress through various gadgets and apps. The conversation flows naturally into heart health, discussing how heart rate variability is integral for understanding overall well-being and the significance of balance between aerobic and anaerobic exercise.

In closing, we circle back to tech, with Jon providing insights into the Tesla Owners Club and the education they provide future Tesla owners regarding the unique features and software updates that Tesla vehicles receive. This segues into an insightful discussion about the evolution of electric vehicles and how Tesla maintains a leading edge in this rapidly advancing field.

Overall, this episode provides a rich blend of technology, lifestyle, and personal growth, with Jon sharing actionable insights that can inspire listeners to embrace healthier habits and explore the fascinating world of gadgets that respond to our everyday needs.

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Popular Tags: Podcast, Home Gadget Geeks, Jim Collison, John Biggs, tech gadgets, healthier living, MeshTastic, solar-powered communication, improved sleep, continuous glucose monitor, community service, Lions Club, strength training, heart health, Tesla Owners Club, electric vehicles, personal growth