Musings host Charlie Bresler wrote a piece called “You Don’t Have to Be Brave to Save Lives,” (www.thelifeyoucansave.org/you-dont-have-to-be-brave-to-save-lives) about how us ordinary humans can do good from the comfort of our living rooms. Someone should probably send that URL to Vincent “Vin” van der Holst. 

Founder of BOAS, a company that both saves denim from landfills and donates profits to charitable organizations, Vin is already doing the hard work to help save lives. But in June of 2024, he decided to do more: on June 7, he undertook to break a world record and cycle at least 130 kilometers (about 81 miles) no-handed. Every kilometer he rode brought more Money to the Against Malaria Foundation. 

Did he make it? Listen and find out!

In this conversation, Vin and Charlie discuss Philanthropy and sustainability, but also the impacts of Mental Health on our behavior and choices in life. What drives us to do the things we do, believe the things we believe, act according to our beliefs or in contradiction to them?

To learn more about Vin’s world record attempt, read the article on The Life You Can Save website: donorbox.org/tlycs-us-against-malaria-foundation/fundraiser/vincent-van-der-holst-1. Also, check out BOAS and buy their products to help reduce our impact on our natural environment and donate to worthy causes: boas.co

And donate to help prevent the spread of malaria through the Against Malaria Foundation, either via The Life You Can Save (www.thelifeyoucansave.org/best-charities/against-malaria-foundation) or directly on their website (www.againstmalaria.com).

Connect with Vincent:

Instagram – @vintagedenim

LinkedIn – @invincentvanderholst

Website –  boas.co

Musings About Ourselves and Other Strangers is the podcast for the non-profit organization The Life You Can Save and is hosted by co-founder Charlie Bresler. Please check out other episodes as well as our website for ideas on how you too can extend your impact for good in the world: www.thelifeyoucansave.org.

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Charlie Bresler Ph.D. Founder of EH Walkers

Charlie Bresler is a former business executive, co-founder of the nonprofit The Life You Can Save, and a self-described effective hedonist. Charlie became volunteer Executive Director of The Life You Can Save in 2013, and through his financial support and leadership, he helped Peter Singer develop the organization from the ground up.

Charlie holds a BA in History from New York University, a Masters in Social Studies and Education from Harvard University, and a PhD in Social and Clinical Psychology from Clark University. He is the former Director of Behavioral Medicine for The California School of Professional Psychology, Fresno. From academia, he was recruited to The Men's Wearhouse, where he became head of human resources, stores, and marketing, ultimately rising to the position of President. He stepped down to fulfill his long-standing desire to work directly on social and economic issues.

As a psychologist, Charlie emphasizes the importance of aligning personal pleasure with doing good, rejecting the notion of self-sacrifice in favor of a fulfilling, values-driven life. His insights on effective hedonism and Philanthropy have been featured in publications such as TIME, Fast Company, WSJ, and Forbes. He encourages others to find joy in contributing to the greater good, advocating for a balanced approach to life that enhances personal well-being while making a significant positive impact on the world.

Charlie lives in Sequim, Washington, with his wife Diana, a family physician, who partners in supporting The Life You Can Save.