Jonathan Mead: How to Uncage a Human (Part One)

Guys... Today is special.

Today's guest is a dear friend of mine: Jonathan Mead of Uncaged Human.

Jonathan is a primal movement enthusiast and educator in Portland, Oregon. He and I are close friends and accountability partners.

Today's episode is special because it not only has one of my favorite movement coaches online today (Jonathan), but it also shares some of our philosophy on how and why we do what we do.

I really hope this opens some eyes and ears and allows for both Jonathan and I to connect with you on a deeper, more intimate level.

I had a really fun time recording this episode with Jonathan and I think it translated pretty well into today's show.

This is part one (of two) of How to Uncage a Human.

In today's episode, you'll learn...

  • The many pitfalls with over-specialization and perfectionism in your movement and lifestyle practice,
  • How both Jonathan and I are approaching our businesses and how this will affect you (the listener),
  • The many different views and philosophies shared by both Jonathan and myself, and...
  • Much, much more.

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Episode Breakdown

  • How Jonathan developed his passion for natural human movement

  • How Jonathan got obsessed with gymnastics strength training

  • How Jonathan kept injuring himself with his movement practice

  • The path that led Jonathan to primal movement

  • The person who changed Jonathan's perspective about nutritious human movement and biomechanics
  • The problem with over-specialization and perfectionism
  • Why Jonathan is focusing his movement practice on joint mobility work
  • Jonathan gives examples of mobility using Jean Claud Van Damme
  • Build movement intelligence with Jonathan's simple morning mobility routine
  • Why Jonathan and I talk about rewilding as a multi-generational approach
  • Jonathan touches on why goal setting can lead to emotional distress or turmoil
  • Why Jonathan says he's not moving out of the city to remove himself from harmful nnEMF
  • Jonathan talks about the impact the environment has on us and the two biggest movements he believes we should all be examining and working towards
  • Jonathan discusses his sitting strategies
  • James gives an in-depth look into the layout of his apartment (which happens to be furniture-free)
  • Jonathan stresses that movement is how you move all day
  • Jonathan talks on the importance of starting where you at with what you've got
  • James touches on the topic of how different people are on different avenues in their ancestral health/rewilding journey
  • Jonathan talks about a few of the missing links in the realm of ancestral health and rewilding
  • How do we navigate living a life with purpose and autonomy while still being plugged into "the Matrix"
  • Jonathan tries to answer the question: "Does biohacking have a place in rewilding?"
  • Jonathan and I discuss the different variants of people who are exposed to ancestral health
  • Finding the comedy and irony in working online and still finding your path
  • The reasons behind why Jonathan created Uncaged Human

Questions I Ask

  1. "When did you really become passionate about movement?"

  2. "What're you doing exactly that you're using this ancestral lens or rewilding lens to other areas of your life... How exactly are you using that tool?"

  3. "Can you explain for people what mobility and primal movement is?"

  4. "What are some of the things that you've noticed that have made some of the biggest impacts for you—aside from your movement practice—that have made a big difference?"

  5. Jonathan: "What is your immediate environment? What does that look like?" 

Mentioned Resources

Quote Highlight

"Just shut up and do something." Jonathan Mead

Who is Jonathan Mead?

Jonathan Mead is an irreverent pioneer, champion for human wildness and professional instigator. He quit his job at age 23 after moonlighting on his own terms. Now in his early 30’s he’s passionate about helping domesticated humans reclaim their primal strength.

He believes that you can take the man out of nature, but you can’t take nature out of the man — and that no matter how many TPS reports we’re fed and fluorescent lighting we absorb, the wildness is always just underneath the surface.

He believes that unwavering community, undeniable bravery, and unapologetic wildness, can not only change, but heal the world.

His deepest mission is to instigate a worldwide movement of humans reconnecting with their true nature.

Contact Jonathan, Here:


Social media: Facebook and Instagram

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Remember: Without you, none of this would be possible.

Thank you.

James Broderick