Greetings Fellow Adventurers

Topic 1 of 6: Money and time / saving and investing

Saving money is a simple concept. We forgo spending money today and "transport" it to a future date to be used. That money (along with the earnings, if invested) buys future benefits such as more consumption and leisure (e.g., it allows us to work less). In the vernacular of business, spending on current consumption is an expense. Money not spent is an asset that benefits the future.

When we say we are saving time, we mean that we are using our time more efficiently or effectively today. But we cannot "transport" current time to the future. So, what does it mean when we say we want to invest our current time for future nonfinancial benefits? There are lots of possibilities but two notable examples are education and experiences/adventures. Both require that we step out of our comfort zone and undertake challenges that pushes our frontiers and help us explore our depths. Self knowledge and experience helps build personal assets that will pay dividends in the future. Such investments add to the balance sheet of life. No time like the present.

See photo gallery for some member adventures.

Topic 2 of 6: Hello MAC YouTube channel

We are happy to announce our MAC YouTube channel. We have three categories of MAC talks:

1. Adventure guides (e.g., Rick Bennet on Glacier National Park)

2. Books and ideas (e.g., Ron King on Adam Grant's book Think Again)

3. Life lessons learned (e.g., Brian Estes on Bitcoin)

MAC talks have two primary purposes:

(1) Lower search efforts. We know that the internet is full of great stuff, but it seems more challenging to find. There is too much ad clutter, click bait, and unreliable data. Our goal is to (a) provide reliable information and (b) recommend other sites that are good resources for additional research. The net result will be higher quality search that is more enjoyable.

(2) provide our members a platform to share their expertise, insights, and passions. For some of the video topics, we will also offer webinars where the attendees can discuss topics with speakers.

Check out our MAC YouTube channel site! We are just getting started but plan to add many videos and workshops this year, most of them with MAC members as speakers. Let me know if you would like to discuss being a speaker.

Topic 3 of 6: Member highlight: Rachel

Thoughts on time

From Rachel:

"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'" MLK, Jr.

I love the start of the New Year!  A new year means a fresh start, selecting new goals, and aspiring to new, audacious ideas.  Setting and accomplishing new goals are determined by how you choose to organize your time.  Time is the element of all things.  How you choose to give your time, and what you do with your time creates efficiencies (or inefficiencies) in your day, which affects your week, your month, your year, and your life. This year, 2023, I am choosing to make time for people, situations, & activities in my life that bring me joy and bring joy to others.   One of my New Year's resolutions is to be a better servant leader.  Another is to be a better keeper of time, recognizing it is fleeting, and there is much work to do.  What is one of your new year’s resolutions, and how can you be a better keeper of your time in 2023?

Topic 4 of 6: Event highlight - Member meeting 1/25/23

January 25th at 5:30 PM: Join us for a member meeting. We will review 2022 and discuss plans for 2023. Don't miss it.

More info and RSVP here

Topic 5 of 6: Initiative highlight - What is "Rucking?"

Rucking is hiking with a weighted backpack. Many find that rucking is better that walking/hiking for gaining fitness. And, compared to jogging/running, there is a reduced risk of injury. It is a great way to get in shape for your hiking adventures this summer. You start with light weights and build up as you gain fitness. See Dr Peter Attia's discussion on the benefit of rucking.

Join us for an info session and a hike/ruck in Forest Park on 2/18/2023 Info and RSVP

Looking down the road (no pun intended) we plan to have a rucking event in the STL area this fall. Plans include family picnic and all sorts of random fun. Details to come.

Lots of upcoming trips and events in 2023. Here is a list of some that are being planned. Join us -- it will add to your balance sheet of life.

Info and RSVP

• Member meeting - January update 1/25/23 5:30 CST

• Lewis and Clark trail hike - 1/28/23 Chuck organizer

• Viewing Eagles at Pere Marquette State Park - Patti and Don organizers

• Colorado 14er trip - September Ashton organizer

• Hike / Ruck in Forest Park - 2/18/23 Ron organizer

• Signal Mountain TN - Frans and Alyssa organizers

• Canoeing Missouri and Mississippi River - Michael organizer

• Devils tower - Helga organizer

• Innsbrook Resort MO - Susan and Sarah organizers

• Grand Canyon Backpacking - Nick and Ron organizers

Info and RSVP

About us: MAC is a learning organization. We help members increase wellbeing with active outdoor exploration, life-time learning, like-minded community, and healthy habit development. It is a whole-person perspective built on the proposition that adventuring happens one step at a time and is most appreciated when done with other like-minded people.

Thanks for your interest in this MAC newsletter. Please let me know if you

• have anything you would like included in the next MAC newsletter

• would like to be added to the newsletter mailing list or you know of someone who would like to be added

I can be reached at Ron@MedallionAdventureClub.com or a text in MAC Slack. 

To Adventure

Ron King

Medallion Adventure Club