Business

Decoding the VC Perspective: Navigating Startup Evaluation Memo

A VC memo is a crucial tool for venture capitalists to evaluate startups. It allows to:

  • Document the thinking: The memo forces the VC to think critically about the startup and its potential. This can help them identify potential risks or challenges and make a more informed decision about whether or not to invest.
  • Communicate with their partners: The memo can communicate the VC’s thoughts on the startup to their partners. This helps build consensus within the VC firm and ensures everyone is on the same page about the investment.
  • Track their investments: The memo can track the VC’s investments over time. This can help them assess their portfolio companies’ performance and make adjustments to their investment strategy as needed. It also helps to debrief the decisions in retrospect.
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good food, life, Sport

Fueling Strategies for Endurance Activities: What to Eat on a Long Ride/Run?

Participating in endurance activities like long rides or runs requires careful attention to fueling strategies. 

It’s no secret that Ironman’s 4th element (and some will say the most important one) is the fueling plan and execution. Proper nutrition can significantly impact performance, endurance, and recovery. Let’s explore the importance of fueling during endurance activities and discuss effective dietary choices to optimize your performance. Whether you’re a cyclist, runner, or triathlete, understanding what to eat on a long ride/run will help you maintain energy levels, delay fatigue, and achieve better results. Btw, you should track it (here is an app I built in the past) so you can manage it.

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Sport

The Everest Challenge on Wheels – Finding the Best Climbs for Everesting on Your Bike

Everesting is fiendishly simple: Pick any hill, anywhere in the world, and complete repeats of it in a single activity until you climb 8,848m – the equivalent height of Mt Everest.

The Everest Challenge, initially popularized by mountaineers, has now extended its allure to cycling. “Everesting” on your bike involves the formidable task of climbing the equivalent elevation gain of Mount Everest, a staggering 8,848 meters (29,029 feet), in a single ride. To conquer this extraordinary feat, selecting the best climbs becomes paramount. 

In this blog post, we will explore the key factors to consider when searching for the best climbs to Everest on your bike. As a bonus, you can use the script below to search Strava for the best hills in your area.

[Update 1/2026] --> Check the new web app that will help you find the best climb(s) near you.

“fiendishly simple, yet brutally hard.
Everesting is the most difficult climbing challenge in the world.”

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Sport

Master the Art of Packing for Your Next Gravel Race

Preparing for a gravel event or race requires significant time, effort, and dedication. As the race approaches, packing is one of the most crucial aspects of preparation.

The other two are: eating and resting, but these are for another post.
Properly packing for the event can make a difference on race day; a bit of practice can go a long way.
Here is a list of things you should pack for your next gravel race:

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life, Sport

The Lost and Found Gravel Festival – June 2023

“Your real resume is just a cataloging of all your suffering.”

The most interesting and rewarding parts of our lives are often the ones that have required the most sacrifice and hard work. When we suffer (e.g. during rides/runs), we are forced to confront our weaknesses and limitations.
We learn to be resilient and resourceful.
We develop new skills and abilities.
We grow.
In the process, we create a more meaningful life.
If you can keep your smile – bonus points.

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life, Sport

Embracing the Underdog Mindset: Unleashing Drive, Grit, Scrappiness, and Independence

Being an underdog can often feel like an impossible challenge in a world dominated by giants, where success seems reserved for the privileged few. However, contrary to popular belief, being an underdog is not a disadvantage (in some cases) but a powerful mindset fueled by drive, grit, scrappiness, and independence.
The idea to look at it from the strength perspective came to me, after reading Gladwell’s excellent book “David and Goliath.” 
The book uses individual case studies and comparisons to provide a wide range of examples where perceived major disadvantages, in fact, are the keys to the underdog Davids’s triumph against Goliath-like opponents.

This unique perspective is similar to the “Day 1” philosophy embraced by Jeff Bezos, which empowers individuals and organizations to defy the odds, break barriers, and achieve extraordinary results. 

In this post, we will explore the qualities of the underdog mindset and discover how it can be harnessed to unleash one’s true potential.

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Business, life

Empowering the Next Generation: Bill Gates at Northern Arizona University

In his address to the graduating class of Northern Arizona University, Bill Gates expressed admiration for their hard work and dedication. He urged them to channel their education toward positively impacting the world’s most pressing issues. Gates inspired the graduates to use their knowledge and skills to create meaningful change and contribute to the betterment of society.

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Sport

The Best Gravel Routes Around the Bay Area

Bicycles may change, but cycling is timeless.

Cycling is an excellent way to exercise that offers numerous health benefits. It provides a low-impact cardiovascular workout that helps improve heart health, strengthens muscles, and enhances overall fitness. It is a great way to stay active and improve physical well-being. However, the real gem is the smile it will put on your face.

What’s even better? 
To ride your bike off-road. 

Over the last few years, gravel bikes have become increasingly popular. This trend lets riders experience the best of both worlds – on-road and off-road cycling. It enables riders to explore a wider variety of terrains and locations.

Here are some of my favorites routes around the Bay Area: 

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life

Unlocking the Secrets of Longevity: How VO2 Max can Predict Your Lifespan

VO2 max, which measures the maximum amount of oxygen a person can consume during exercise, strongly predicts cardiovascular health and overall fitness. It is measured in milliliters of oxygen consumed per kilogram of body weight per minute (mL/kg/min). Studies have also suggested that VO2 max may be a valuable predictor of longevity, as higher fitness levels have been linked to lower mortality risk.

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Business

Framing Effect

The framing effect is a cognitive bias where people react differently to the same information depending on how it is presented. 
This effect can be used in business and personal life to influence people’s decisions and behaviors.

At Meta, it is one of the critical ways of thinking for managers. You wish to lead by doubling down on people’s strengths, which is a superpower that brings results and happiness. 

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