Episode 12: District Vision—Max Vallot & Tom Daly on the Intersection of Mindfulness, Relationship & Running

 

On this episode of Into the Well, I speak to Max Vallot and Tom Daly, co-founders of District Vision. The New York-based brand sits at the intersection of mindfulness and performance, having created a range of eyewear initially made for runners. As the longtime friends have grown their business, they have also grown their spiritual practices, creating a unique relationship between themselves and the industry. Both came from fashion, working with large global brands and now are channeling their holistic abilities into creating a brand that is much more than a brand, putting on unique workshops, events and creating a wider range of products from footwear with Salomon to healing bowls with Incausa. On this episode they share their journeys from Germany to New York and what the new landscape looks like for the mindful athlete and how they work together.

Max Vallot & Tom Daly

Max Vallot & Tom Daly

District Vision make tools for mindful athletes, starting with performance eyewear just a couple years ago—creating products that are equally function-first and performance enhancing. They take a holistic approach to athleticism and the idea that mental well-being is the foundation of every form of physical exercise.

districtvision.com

 
The more you quiet things down, the clearer things become. If you’re making space in the mind, you’re making space for ideas and creativity, ideas come more naturally.
— Max Vallot

SHOW NOTES

• 2:25 Max shares his background

• 3:40 Tom shares his background

• 6:50 Trip to India and exposure to Eastern philosophy 

• 8:20 Parents support and upbringing

• 9:35 Journey into the fashion industry

• 10:35 Max and Tom’s moms meet after 14 years of friendship 

• 13:05 The beginnings of District Vision

• 17:15 Mindfulness and spiritual practices in the brand

• 17:50 Tom get into running community in NY

• 19:25 Max got into meditation with TM

• 22:20 Combining mindfulness, running and community

• 24:00 Tools for mindful athletes

• 26:30 Mindfulness in sport coming from the grass root subcultures

• 28:15 George Mumford and Chicago Bulls

• 31:10 Max on value of being authentic

• 35:47 Learning TM helped with overall practice of meditation

• 38:15 Cross training for mind and body

• 41:30 Tom on speed reading

• 47:30 Max on how important time away is

• 49:30 Running in Colorado with Ricky Gates

• 50:40 Contrast can help with perspective, quite vs loud, fasting vs eating

• 52:00 Screen time and digital detoxing

• 57:05 Max and Tom’s book recommendations

• 61:15 Mental health

• 65:20 Bringing mindfulness to work

• 67:00 How strongly do you really feel about this?

• 67:40 Attachment creates anxiety

• 69:10 The business is only as strong as their relationship

• 71:10 What’s next for the brand

• 76:30 Max on deepening his practice

• 80:05 Retreats can be blissful, but daily life is where the magic really is

• 82:15 What is real mastery, a sense of peace

• 83:35 Tom’s half-marathon goal, ego-based

• 84:30 How consistency offers freedom, benefits of partnership