The Reach Out: Brian Klaas
The professor, author, and columnist is a former competitive rower. He has run the London marathon and biked across France. What's next in his fitness journey?
Dr. Brian Klaas is an expert on democracy, authoritarianism, US foreign policy, American politics, political violence, and elections. He is an associate professor in Global Politics at University College London and a columnist for The Washington Post.
Klaas is the host of the Power Corrupts podcast, and a frequent commentator on MSNBC, CNN, BBC News, Sky News, NPR News, CNBC, Bloomberg TV, BBC World Service, Monocle 24, and France 24.
His most recent book is CORRUPTIBLE: Who Gets Power and How It Changes Us. He is also the author of "The Despot's Apprentice: Donald Trump's Attack on Democracy" and "The Despot's Accomplice: How the West is Aiding & Abetting the Decline of Democracy," and the co-author of "How to Rig an Election."
His writing and research has been featured in The New York Times, Foreign Affairs, The Guardian, the Times Literary Supplement, Financial Times, Newsweek, The Telegraph, The Los Angeles Times, USA Today, and Foreign Policy.
I reached out to Brian Klaas to find out how he keeps active while juggling a busy career.
How is exercise and fitness a part of your life?
I've always been active, but I have had different passions at different periods in my life. In high school, I was a downhill ski racer. In college, I started competing in triathlons. During graduate school at Oxford, I was a competitive rower and the captain of my college crew.
I've also done a few longer distance challenges; I did the London Marathon and rode my bike across France a few years ago, ending at Mont Blanc in the Alps.
These days, I mostly lift weights, run casually, and cycle. But ever since I got a border collie in early 2021, I am going on a lot more long walks.
Do you have a specific routine, or do you fit exercise in whenever you can find time?
It depends. Most days I take the dog for a long walk or a run first thing in the morning and again in the late afternoon. I tend to work out (lift weights) when the gym is most likely to be quiet, which usually means mid-afternoon.
In 2019, I tried what I called the "paper clip challenge," where I'd have to do some form of exercise (lifting weights or cardio) every single day. Each day I did it, I added a paper clip to a chain. If I ever missed a day, I dismantled the whole chain. It mentally raised the cost of a missed workout. I made it seven months...but eventually broke the chain when I was horribly jet lagged.
Have your exercise habits changed since the pandemic began?
In England, the gyms were all shut down for quite a long time so I did exercise at home and did more cardio. During the first lockdown, we were allowed one period of exercise per day, so I tended to go on long bike rides.
Is there something that motivates you to keep active and exercise regularly?
Nothing too exciting: I feel much better when I exercise. When I'm writing a book, it's also crucial. Sometimes, I use exercise to clear my head. Other times, I use it to chew over an idea.
Do you wear an Apple watch or FitBit to keep aware of your steps?
I've got a Garmin, but I too often forget to charge it. I used to be really into tracking everything, but sometimes I found that meant I wasn't being active for the sake of it.
Do you watch the news, or listen to podcasts or music, while you exercise?
I listen to music when I'm at the gym or on a run. I listen to audiobooks when I walk the dog. And I listen to nature when I cycle.
Is there a sport or fitness trend that you think you might like to try?
I'd love to train my dog to run alongside my bike on gravel trails. He's still a puppy, though, and is decidedly disobedient, so I'm not sure it's in the cards yet.
There it is — after a marathon, triathlon, and the “paperclip challenge,” next up for Brian Klaas is running with his (well behaved) dog. I do imagine that he’ll also be racing, running, biking, or competing in something, somewhere, soon.
Thank you, @brianklaas
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