Dad, runner, cyclist, and executive creative director at one of the world’s premier ad agencies. Just don’t call him “Adman” or he could easily choke you out. (Seriously.) Advertising, meet jiu-jitsu, meet Joe Staples.

Joe’s made a remarkable career in advertising. Here, he shares insights about himself and the pursuit of not sucking that anyone who values real creativity, powerfully and artfully applied, needs to hear. We caught up with him and his dog Archie at Velo Cult bike shop in Portland, because we both like bikes and the space is pretty great to just sit down and chat.