"Still doing 'the camping thing'... I still love to guide." Ian Elman

Leading Steep: The Starretts

In this episode, Barry sits down with Dr. Kelly and Juliet Starrett, co-founders of The Ready State, initially known as MobilityWOD when the company began in 2008. For over a decade, TRS has been responsible for pioneering innovative methods to help athletes of every variety with their movement, mobility, and recovery.

Kelly and Juliet launched The Ready State on a shoestring in a backyard and bootstrapped it to massive success because they are courageous people and natural hosts—skills they say they learned as guides.

Listen in as Kelly and Juliet reflect on their time as river rafting guides in the 90s, which was around the time they and Barry first met.

They then talk about their transition into running their first CrossFit gym and physical therapy practice and how this led to the idea of producing a series of videos on all things mobility and, eventually, writing and publishing the unexpected bestseller Becoming a Supple Leopard in 2013.

Following the success of their book, Kelly and Juliet were given scores of opportunities to work with some of the most well-known athletes in the world. Kelly himself developed a reputation for giving “hope and permission” to anyone suffering from mobility issues, from Olympians to recreational lifters—that with a bit of work, they can get back to doing what they love.

Juliet then shares how she survived cancer—twice—and why she never allowed those experiences to define who she is.

Finally, the Starretts let us know what to expect from The Ready State in the near future, as well as their refreshing take on guide ethos.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

● [3:29] How Barry met the Starretts

● [5:40] How Kelly and Juliet became river rafting guides

● [15:57] Bill McGinnis’s contribution to the industry

● [21:15] The Starretts’ move from river guiding to business ownership

● [28:53] How your skills as a river rafting guide carry over into your day-to-day life

● [30:20] Publishing the book Becoming a Supple Leopard in 2013

● [33:36] Rubbing shoulders and working with world-class athletes

● [42:09] Juliet’s bouts with cancer

● [52:56] Developing TRS over the years and what to expect in the near future

● [57:08] The Starretts’ take on guide ethos

● [1:02:28] Kelly and Juliet’s parting thoughts

Key Quotes by Kelly and Juliet:

● “So much of what running a river prepares you for is not knowing what’s going to happen. You’re going to have to show up and find out for yourself, and your past experience does not predict your success this time around.” ~Kelly

● “It’s all about first principles. The human body is the human body. If you’re using your body in any way, those principles really aren’t different when it comes down to it.” ~Juliet

● “The river is really a predictable environment if you know what to see, and there is no more complex, chaotic system in the known universe than the human body; but it obeys basic principles.” ~Kelly

● “Being a cancer survivor is not a core part of my identity. It’s something that I went through and it was unpleasant. I’m very lucky, but it’s not how I define myself. I have 20 other ways in which I define myself above that, that for me are a priority.” ~Juliet

● “Your big adventure days are not behind you. You just have to play a different game.” ~Kelly

Resources Mentioned:

● The Ready State (Use the discount code STEEP10 to get 10% off for the life of your membership after your 14-day free trial ends.)

● Books by Kelly & Juliet Starrett

● Books by William McGinnis

● SOTAR