The Reach Out: Mark McKinnon
The co-host of Showtime's The Circus is an avid skier who says "being active is absolutely essential to my well-being and mental health."
Mark McKinnon is the creator, executive producer, and co-host of Showtime’s weekly documentary series The Circus: Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth.
McKinnon was the chief media advisor to George W. Bush and John McCain, and a co-founder of the bipartisan group No Labels, an organization focused on bipartisanship, civil dialogue, and political problem solving.
McKinnon is a board member of several organizations dedicated to reforming the influence of money in politics, and has lectured at Harvard University’s JFK School of Government and The University of Texas’ LBJ School of Public Affairs.
He has been the recipient of more than 30 Pollie and Telly awards, which honor the top political and public affairs advertising.
McKinnon has been a contributing writer for Vanity Fair, The Daily Beast, and The London Telegraph, and was a consultant on The Newsroom and House of Cards.
When I reached out to Mark McKinnon, I learned that he is more than just an avid skier.
How important is regular exercise to you?
Being active is absolutely essential to my well being and mental health. I try to get in at least an hour of activity every day. When not working, I'm generally in the mountains of Colorado and ski or bike every day for 2 to 4 hours.
When I'm working and on the road, I run when weather permits, or hit the gym and work out on a Peloton or stationary bike.
Do you have a specific exercise routine?
I prefer to work out outdoors and I hate the cold, so I generally time my activity to the warmest part of the day.
What motivates you to exercise regularly?
Working out for me is like a drug that makes me feel better. If I don't do it, I feel like crap. If I do, I feel great. So it's pretty simple — and I used to take drugs to feel better. And I’m healthier in the long run.
Did any of your workout routines change during the pandemic?
I know a lot of people became less active during the pandemic, but my experience was just the opposite. It meant that I had more time because I wasn’t at an office or traveling, so I had more time to exercise.
Do you wear a fitness monitor?
I wore a heart monitor for a while when I got super serious doing Iron Man triathlons and marathons, but now that I've crossed the Medicare threshold, I don't feel the need to be measuring everything. I know I'm doing way more than the average 65-year-old, and that's enough for me.
As someone who follows the news constantly, do you prefer to tune out while you’re exercising?
I absolutely have to have Air pods and tunes going. I won't workout without music.
Have you tried any new fitness activity or sport recently (or would you like to)?
Just recently, I finally tried the latest fad: Pickleball. Love it and see a lot more of it in my future.
I don’t like the cold either, but Mark McKinnon’s scenic skiing photos make me want to ski every day for 2 to 4 hours! And he is yet another fan of Pickleball. There seems to be something special about this game….
Thank you, @mmckinnon
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