In a world that rewards constant stimulation and surface-level productivity, it’s become easier than ever to stay busy — and harder than ever to feel fulfilled. Many people aren’t burning out from doing too much, but from spending their days disconnected from the things that actually matter. The result is a numbing, restless state Brad Stulberg calls zombie burnout.In this episode of The Ready State Podcast, Juliet and Kelly Starrett sit down with author and coach Brad Stulberg to unpack what excellence really means in a chaotic, distraction-heavy world. Drawing from his latest book, The Way of Excellence, Stulberg challenges the myths of hustle culture and self-optimization, offering a grounded path toward ambition that’s aligned with values, sustained by rest, and rooted in deep, meaningful engagement.What You’ll Learn in This Episode• Why excellence has nothing to do with rigid routines or influencer “optimization”• The difference between happiness, satisfaction, and lasting fulfillment• How “zombie burnout” happens — even when you’re not technically overworked• What truly excellent environments have in common• Why process matters more than outcomes (without pretending outcomes don’t matter)• How rest and renewal are essential — not optional — for long-term excellenceChapters:00:00 - Introduction01:17 - What is Excellence08:37 - What Excellence is Not09:48 - Importance of Excellence13:08 - Excellence vs. Happiness17:54 - Aggregation of Marginal Gains19:59 - Sponsor: Vitality23:10 - Brad's Take on Heisman Winner25:15 - Creating an Excellent Environment33:18 - Zombie Burnout and Adult Pacifiers35:50 - Combating Zombie Burnout37:39 - Sponsor: LMNT40:20 - Managing Distractions43:22 - Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance46:41 - Decline of Excellence52:30 - Goal Setting Strategies58:13 - Stress, Rest, and Growth01:02:40 - Sponsor: Momentous01:05:25 - Recovery Techniques01:06:40 - Surprises After Writing the Book01:08:34 - Meaningful Milestone for 202601:10:38 - Brad's addition to the Infinite Shelf01:12:18 - Starrett SystemSponsors:This episode is sponsored by Vitality Blueprint, a blood work platform by Dr. Andy Galpin and Dan Garner that turns lab data into clear, actionable health insights.👉 Use code TRS for $50 off at https://hubs.li/Q03-pRFG0•••This episode is sponsored by Momentous, a high-trust supplement company with NSF Certified for Sport® products and fully transparent ingredient sourcing.👉 Save up to 35% with code TRS here: https://hubs.li/Q03-pRZq0•••This episode is sponsored by LMNT, a zero-sugar electrolyte drink mix with sodium, potassium, and magnesium to support hydration and performance.👉 Get a free sample pack at https://hubs.li/Q03-pRZX0.#zombieburnout #highperformance #goalsettingstrategies #stressmanagement About The Ready State:The Ready State provides athletes, coaches, and humans of all walks of life the tools to relieve pain, prevent injury, and improve physical performance. Subscribe to Mobility Coach for customized mobility coaching, tailored to your body and lifestyle.👉 Start a 7-day FREE TRIAL today at https://bit.ly/TRSFree_Trial.Connect with The Ready State:Visit the The Ready State WEBSITE: http://thereadystate.comFollow The Ready State on INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thereadystate/Like The Ready State on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/thereadystate/Follow The Ready State on TWITTER: https://twitter.com/thereadystateFollow The Ready State on TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@the_readystate