Pablo Garduno is a writer, biohacker, brain hacker, producitivity-nerd (self-described) and most notably: the siterunner of SanDiegoHealth.org. An online organization dedicated to improving the mental health, neurodiversity and brainpower of all their readers.
In this interview, we talk to Pablo about SanDiegoHealth.org about his work, experiences and general life to find out more about what makes this brain-boy tick.
First of all, thanks for doing this interview.
It’s my pleasure. Always love to connect with people who like what I do.
And that we do! What’s your favorite part of your job?
The research. 100%. I’d be doing this stuff even if I didn’t have the website, it’d just be in a well-used notebook full of experiments and formulas. Nootropics, man. They just pull you in. You find something that works and then you just want to make it better and better. It’s a rabbit-hole of self-improvement.
How do you manage your time?
Typically, I set out a list of things I need to do for that month – not that week or day – that month. Take nothing else on, and get locked into those tasks. Create each job with a list of their own “to-dos” like microtasks and then just work your way through them. If I finish them (rarely) I’ll take the rest of the month to relax and research – I find this stops a lot of burnout that most of us suffer from.
What do you do at work on a daily basis?
Research, writing and emails typically. Usually in that order of quantity of work being done.
What’s the best thing about your job?
The best thing is always the research. Pouring through studies and finding something new. Sometimes you find a nootropic, try it and you think, “ooh this kind of sucks, I’m not feeling anything” and then you find another study that uses wildly different dosages at different periods throughout the day – and you try it again – and you get way more out of it.
Sometimes it takes some scientist (or in the early days some weird guy off a forum) to mix things up and come up with something new that works.
What advice do you have for someone new to the industry?
For nootropics? Research, research, research. There’s a lot out there, and some of the studies are clear as mud at first – it gets easier though. Keep at it and it’ll start to make sense.
For writing: Know your audience. You’re not writing an academic paper – you’re writing for folks who have an interest into this stuff and want to know more . Give it to them in an easy-to-understand way. Do the hard work for them and give them what they want. They want to know the best nootropics now, or what you can take instead of adderall. They don’t have time to do that research themselves – that’s where you step in.
Keep them updated and keep it simple!
Is there a quote that motivates you?
“Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” – Babe Ruth
What’s the best job decision you ever made?
Working from home. I don’t miss that commute one bit.
What’s the worst job decision you ever made?
As “preachy” as this may be, if you’re happy where you’re at I don’t think there is a bad decision. Every decision you’ve made has led you to this point. I used to beat myself up for taking time off work – now I’ve come to realize that’s when I come up with my best ideas!
What is your greatest career strength?
Patience. I can spend a lot of time digesting information before I become frustrated by it.
What is your greatest career weakness?
Procrastination. I’m either “in-the-zone” or I’m out of it. There’s no inbetween. I still get everything done, but there’s a lot of hours inbetween where I could be making more things happen.
How do you make decisions at work? What is your process?
Pretty boring actually. Prioritize by necessicity and work through from there.
What are your long-term career goals?
I’m going to write a book at some point – and I will absolutely keep you posted on that!
We look forward to it! Thanks Pablo!
You can find out more about SanDiegoHealth by visiting their website at sandiegohealth.org