17 Dec 2025 · 3 min
Brian Johnson on Christopher McDougall's Natural Born Heroes: the classical heroic ideal centers on compassion and protection, not just strength or boldness. Real heroism means building physical and moral strength for two, for someone else. Who do you serve?
You're listening to Optimize with Brian Johnson. More wisdom in less time. Hi, this is Brian. Welcome Back to another optimize +1. The other day I found myself rereading our notes on Christopher McDougall's great book, Natural Born Heroes. Although we've talked many times about the fact that the ancient word for hero literally meant protector, I realized that somehow I've never shared MacDougall's brilliant wisdom. That catalyzed my emphasis on the whole idea of all of us becoming modern heroes. So let's take a quick look at how MacDougall so wisely puts it. He tells us, and I quote, and what Plutarch taught them is this Heroes care. True heroism, as the ancients understood, isn't about strength or boldness or even courage. It's about compassion. When the Greeks created the heroic ideal, they didn't choose a word that means dies trying or massacre is bad guy. They went with heroes protector. Heroes aren't perfect. With a God as one parent and immortal as the other, they're perpetually teetering between two destinies. What tips them toward greatness is a sidekick, a human connection who helps turn the spigot on the power of compassion. Empathy, the Greeks believed was a source of strength, not softness. The more you recognize yourself and others and connected with their distress, the more endurance, wisdom, cunning and determination you could tap into. That's today's plus one. Heroes care. It's that simple. And as aspiring modern heroes, we demonstrate that love and compassion by building the strength for two. So for whom do you aspire to have strength? And how will you build just a little more strength today? Plus, how can you use the strength you have in service to the world just a little more? Today, modern heroes unite. Let's do this. We hope you enjoyed this episode of Optimize with Brian Johnson. To find out more, go to Optimize Me. Hey guys, this is Brian with a quick little P.S. i'm really excited to let you know about an event we're working on. Plan is to make it the premier self optimizing event of 2020. We're calling it Optimize 2020. You the modern hero. Basic idea. Five days, 101 world class luminaries. One million people. You can learn more and get your tickets to the online and offline event at Optimize Me 2020. Again, that's Optimize Me 2020. Hope to see you there.
