Do You Know What “Holistic” Really Means?

Holistic. It's one of those words that makes your brain turn off the moment you hear it. You nod along like you know what it means. But do you?

This episode tackles the final pillar of the superhuman framework: the one George calls "the great stabilizer." It's about balance, alignment, and making sure that while you're chasing your beyond, you don't burn out before you get there.

The Surfboard in the Ocean

George started with an image.

You're on a surfboard in the ocean. Waves are coming from all directions. Without stability, you're going to get tossed around. Eventually, you're going to get knocked off.

That's how life works. Things come from all directions. And if you're not paying attention to all those directions, one of those waves is going to catch you off guard. It's going to be the thing that sets you back. The thing that took you by surprise.

"Have you ever felt non-steady and out of sync? This is when I talk about the peaks and valleys, or when maybe you feel like your entire body exploded into about a million pieces, then you had to bring it back together."

Holistic thinking is about seeing all the waves at once. Not so you can ride them all simultaneously, but so you know which one to focus on next.

The Part Can Never Be Well Unless the Whole Is Well

That's Plato. And it's the foundation of what holistic actually means.

You can focus on individual parts of your life, or you can focus on the parts as a whole. The superhuman framework gives you 10 gauges to watch: happiness, health, hustle, hunger, humor, humility, humanity, honesty, holiness, and holistic itself. Each one matters. But they matter together.

"Imagine the framework like a stereo equalizer. The different lights should be lighting up at different levels depending on what's happening. It's not static. It's about adjusting and adapting to what life throws your way."

Holistic well-being isn't about perfecting every area at once. It's about keeping all areas in view while prioritizing the ones that need attention right now.

Why This Should Be the First H

George admitted something during this episode. He thinks holistic might belong at the beginning of the framework, not tucked toward the end.

Because once you get the holistic mindset, the dominoes start falling into place. It becomes the anchor that holds everything together. The thing that keeps you grounded, focused, and connected.

"Balance is not something you find. It's something you create."

That's Jana Kingsford. And it's the question George wants you to sit with: Are you creating space for holistic vision? Or are you waiting for it to magically show up?

Seven Steps to Integrating a Holistic Approach

George broke this down into practical, powerful, straight-to-the-point actions.

1. Start with a self-assessment. You can't fix what you don't know is broken. Take a hard look at your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Know where you actually stand, not where you think you stand.

2. Set intentional goals. These goals should be balanced. They should push you forward in multiple aspects of your life, not just one. Think of them as your GPS.

3. Build daily habits. Small daily steps lead to significant changes over time. Morning meditation. A quick workout. A few minutes of journaling. Whatever it is, build it into your routine so it becomes automatic.

4. Connect mind and body. Practices like yoga, tai chi, or mindfulness help reduce stress and keep you balanced. Your mind and body have to work together.

5. Prioritize rest. Quality sleep and relaxation aren't nice-to-haves. They're essential. "Sleep is an investment in the energy you need to be effective tomorrow." That's Tim Roth.

6. Stay flexible. Life isn't static, and your approach to well-being shouldn't be either. Adjust and adapt to what life throws your way.

7. Check in regularly. Maintenance is key. Regular self-assessments and adjustments keep you running smoothly.

The Full Bruce Lee Quote

George did some research for this episode and found that the famous "be like water" quote is usually cut short. Here's the whole thing:

"Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way around or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves. Empty your mind. Be formless, shapeless like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend."

The part that hit George? "Be like water making its way through cracks."

What in your life do you need to find a way around or through? And how can the flexibility of a holistic mindset help you do that?

The Jack of All Trades Revelation

Liz dropped a fact that stopped the conversation.

The famous quote "jack of all trades, master of none" is incomplete. The real quote is: "A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one."

The message isn't about being spread too thin. It's about the value of having skills and focus across multiple areas. You don't have to master one thing at the expense of everything else.

George's response? "I love that." Then he shared that he once wrote a rap song with the line: "Jack of all trades, master of none, but when I'm on the mic, I get the job done."

How to Avoid Burnout While Being Holistic

This was Liz's pushback: We're a bunch of do-everythingers. How do you embrace a holistic approach without just trying to do everything at once?

George's answer came down to three things.

Balance. A holistic approach doesn't mean focusing on everything equally. It means understanding which areas need attention at any given moment and adjusting accordingly. If your mental health is off, focus there. If your physical health is slipping, shift your energy there.

Intentionality. It's not about adding more to your plate. It's about being more intentional with what's already there. A morning walk might boost your physical health, clear your mind, and give you time for spiritual reflection. One action serving multiple purposes.

Pacing. This is a marathon, not a sprint. You don't have to overhaul your life overnight. Start small. Build habits gradually. Allow yourself time to adjust.

"It's not about how fast you can get there. It's about building a sustainable lifestyle that keeps you balanced over the long haul."

The Role of Community

George made a point that hit hard: If you don't have community and support, you're not living a holistic life. Period.

"No matter how strong, independent, or motivated you are, we can't do this alone. We're wired as humans for connection, and having a strong support system is like having a safety net that catches you when life gets tough."

The people around you help you see blind spots, celebrate wins, and navigate challenges. They reinforce your well-being on every level.

How do you cultivate that support?

Be vulnerable and authentic. Real connections are built on showing your true self.

Surround yourself with positive influences. The people you spend time with directly impact your energy and mindset.

Engage in community activities. Join groups that resonate with your interests to connect with like-minded people.

Give as much as you receive. Holistic well-being in relationships is a two-way street.

Firing on All Cylinders

George ended the episode with an engine analogy.

If you feel like you're only firing on a few cylinders, you're not alone. Life throws us off balance. Sometimes it feels like we're just not running at full capacity.

But you can get back on track.

Start with a tune-up. Pop the hood and see what's going on. Which areas are running smoothly? Which need attention?

Prioritize the misfiring cylinders. Don't try to fix everything at once. Focus on one or two areas that need the most work.

Fuel your engine with positive influences. Just like a car runs better on high-quality fuel, you'll perform better surrounded by people who uplift and inspire you.

Check in regularly. Maintenance is key. Regular self-assessments keep you running smoothly.

Be patient but persistent. Getting back to full capacity takes time. Every step forward, no matter how small, is a victory.

Quotable Moments

"The part can never be well unless the whole is well."

"Balance is not something you find. It's something you create."

"It's not about how fast you can get there. It's about building a sustainable lifestyle that keeps you balanced over the long haul."

"Be like water making its way through cracks."

"Every step forward, no matter how small, is a freaking victory."

Questions to Sit With

1. Which cylinders in your life are misfiring right now? What needs attention first?
2. Are you creating space for holistic vision, or are you waiting for balance to magically show up?
3. What in your life do you need to find a way around or through? How can flexibility help you do that?

Press play above to hear the full conversation. George and Liz go deeper into the engine analogy, the importance of community, and why this pillar might actually belong at the very beginning of the superhuman framework.