If you follow UFC and Conor McGregor, you already know him as the man who taught Conor how to move like a monkey. But you also might already know him as a world-renowned movement teacher of all disciplines. I’ve never met someone quite like Ido Portal. He is an obsessed student of movement and the body — which means he has also become an incredible teacher. Ido started studying different kinds of movement when he was a kid, got into martial arts, and from there traveled the world for years studying as many disciplines as he could. But he couldn’t find someone who could teach him what he was looking for — how our bodies are built to move and what they are fully capable of. He became the teacher he was looking for, and over the past decade and more, he has developed a world-wide movement culture. Not only has this caught the attention of elite athletes like Conor McGregor, he has also inspired millions of people to move their bodies in new ways through his workshops and social media. I was so impressed with Ido’s wisdom, clarity, and dedication to his craft. I’ve met few teachers like him and I was so inspired to keep moving my body in new ways after this conversation. Get ready to re-define what you think your body is built for in Episode 532. In This Episode, You Will Learn:Why being a good student is a missing art (8:12)Why there is no mastery of movement (11:30)The issue behind pro athletes getting depressed when they retire (26:15)Basic stretches Ido recommends doing daily to improve your body’s functionality (39:06)The most underrated factor in quality of life (40:20)The problem with “working out” (41:25)Why the story you tell yourself is more powerful than reality (1:03:10)How to practice meditation effectively (1:09:45)Why stillness is just as important as movement (1:14:00)Plus much more…

He wanted to be a lawyer. A singer. An actor. He thought he’d never get married, let alone have kids. He just wanted his dad to be around to fill the hole in his heart left by his absence. But instead, life served John Gray a different opportunity. And he has created something extraordinary because he chose to take it. John is one of the most powerful speakers I’ve ever heard (I saw him at Oprah’s Super Soul Sessions recently). He’s also a recording artist, a pastor, an author, a husband, and a father. Yes, all of that is possible together. But what I love so much about John is his commitment to serve others by sharing his truth every day. I’ve met few people as vulnerable and honest about life’s challenges as John. There’s no difference in the way he talks about his struggle with losing weight as he does about his dad leaving at an early age or his experience of being called to the ministry. As John explained, we have to preach to ourselves, in our brokenness, if we want anyone to listen. If you’ve been questioning your value, this conversation is for you in Episode 488. In This Episode, You Will Learn:Where the idea of judging others comes from (13:59)How we are the very thing we need (23:30)Why John is committed to losing weight and getting healthy this year no matter what (33:50)What loving yourself has to do with loving others (38:50)The one question each of us needs to ask ourselves (48:20)Plus much more…

You’ve never seen her on mainstream TV shows, movies, chart-topping singles, or billboard albums. But you probably have seen her videos on YouTube (or a clip on Facebook). Lilly Singh started making YouTube videos after battling severe depression in college. She started to re-connect with her childhood creativity and she started to get good at it. Good led to great, which led to millions of YouTube fans, huge entertainment opportunities, and one of the most recognized faces in the online entertainment community. And she’s just getting started. Not only is she friends with some of the biggest celebrities on the planet (The Rock to name one), Lilly is re-defining what is possible as an entertainer. She is now a #1 NYT bestselling author, speaker, performer, vlogger, actor, singer, and she is building an empire. But as she admits, that kind of success is not exclusive to her. It just requires you to be obsessed with it — and lots of hard work. The phrase that comes to mind when I think of the success Lilly has created is this: “How you do one thing is how you do everything.” Her commitment to greatness in all areas of her life is so inspiring, and I can’t wait for you to laugh and dream big with her in Episode 506. In This Episode, You Will Learn:How we cause ourselves the most pain (8:15)Why it’s okay to be the dumbest person on your team in some ways (21:51)The best way to pay your team and include them in your success (28:20)Why Lilly wants to be a big star (37:50)Plus much more…

When Wilmer Valderrama moved to the U.S. from Venezuela as a teenager with his family, he hadn’t expected he’d need to know English in his lifetime. But when he got to Los Angeles and started getting involved in theater (as he had in Venezuela), he quickly realized not knowing English was the only thing that could stop him from being successful in this craft. So he learned quickly. Not only did he learn English quickly, he rose to the top of his acting classes, got an agent, and despite having an accent (which wasn’t very accepted on TV at the time), he booked his first pilot at the age of 18. You’ve probably heard of it – That ’70s Show. He went on to massive success with an 8 year run of that show, which led to stardom, film opportunities, producing and much more. Wilmer knew that if he wanted a career beyond his first major hit, he’d need to stretch himself into new roles. Which is exactly what he did. Today he is as much an activist as he is an actor, having worked with President Obama on immigration reform, working with the rising generation on voting registration, and much more. Wilmer is one of the most confident, humble, and grounded men I’ve met. I was so inspired by his storytelling and passion for making a difference. I invite you to be inspired as well in Episode 514. In This Episode, You Will Learn:The movie that inspired Wil to become an actor as a kid (9:10)Why learning English was the key to Wil’s early success (11:32)The advice Wil’s dad gave to him right before he got his biggest role (21:10)What Johnny Depp told Wil that changed everything for him (56:30)Why it’s so important to have fun while working towards your goals (1:09:35)Plus much more…

When I met the incredible trainer couple Chris and Heidi Powell a couple of weeks ago (you know them from the hit TV show Extreme Weight Loss), I was immediately impressed by their energy, warmth, and authenticity. But when we started talking about their story, how they met, and what they overcame before they ever became famous, I was really impressed. I know it’s easy to make up stories about how perfect the people we see on TV are — but the truth is they are human just like us. And they have powerful wisdom to share when given the opportunity to tell their stories. Both Chris and Heidi are incredible trainers. But they are also amazing life coaches, spouses, parents, friends, and believers that anyone can transform. That is why they have used their opportunity to be on TV as the springboard for their much bigger vision — to bring their coaching and expertise to the whole world. If you don’t catch their contagious energy and belief that anything is possible from listening to Episode 520, watch the video of this interview. Chris and Heidi are the real deal. It’s time to transform! In This Episode, You Will Learn:How Chris and Heidi worked as a team before Heidi officially came on the show (8:45)The best way to build trust with people who are different from you (11:02)The true story of how Chris and Heidi met (13:30)Whether balance and great achievements are both possible at the same time (43:45)Tips for managing your ego once you achieve some fame (49:10)The power of making and keeping promises to yourself (58:30)Plus much more…

Ever wonder if there was one type of entrepreneur who is the most successful? When two Princeton University lecturers came to the Greatness Studio to talk about their new book (about personality types of entrepreneurs), I had to ask. And they told me no, there’s not one. In fact, they’ve identified 4 successful entrepreneur types, and according to their research, each is equally effective – but for different reasons. Of course I had to know more, and both John Danner and Chris Kuenne fascinated me with their explanations of these personality types. They identified which one I am right away and gave me great coaching on how I can improve my business strategy. They pointed out that it’s not enough to know your strengths in business – you need to ACT on that knowledge, hire people who compliment you in those areas, and build your team wisely. We talked about how to find the right co-founder (based on your personality and theirs), how and when to bring in investors to your business, and of course, the things to look for in new hires. I loved this conversation so much I want to bring them back on to discuss more. This is the first of two episodes this week with top business professors coming on the School of Greatness. Class is in session in Episode 517. In This Episode, You Will Learn:Whether there is a single best way to build a team (2:40)The 4 personality types of successful entrepreneurs (3:10)Why it’s not enough to “know thyself” (6:20)The 2 strategies to choose from as an entrepreneur (6:30)The most important things to consider when hiring people on your team (14:35)If it’s better to focus on one thing or be good at multiple things (38:20)Plus much more…

I love bringing the brightest minds in the world onto the podcast. Especially when they are experts in an area that most people are confused by. Which is why I thought it would be useful to interview a top world expert on finance. Now before you tune out and think, “This isn’t for me,” let me be honest. I don’t love studying finance either. Charts and graphs and jargon don’t do it for me. But there was something different about Harvard Professor Mihir Desai‘s new book that stuck out to me — it explained basic financial concepts through stories. If there’s one thing I know, it’s that “facts tell, but stories sell.” Stories are also great teachers, which is exactly why Mihir wanted to use the most interesting stories from history and fiction to break down the complexity of finance. Mihir has spent 18 years teaching the brightest students in the world finance. But he knows that if more people don’t understand the core concepts of how to wisely manage finances (and use them to leverage their opportunities), then finance is failing its purpose. I loved this discussion with the third Ivy League professor I talked to this week. Join me for round two of “Professor Week” for a fascinating explanation of finance in Episode 518. In This Episode, You Will Learn:The upside and downside of debt (4:50)How to determine how much to invest in your education (6:20)How stories from history and fiction can easily explain finance concepts (18:14)Why too many options can be a bad thing in finance (19:20)Why we had to re-think our beliefs about failure in finance (22:20)How to use the power of leverage wisely (24:32)Plus much more…

What if the most famous book in the world was also the most misunderstood? These are the kinds of questions my friend Rob Bell and I end up discussing when we get together. But recently we decided to actually record our conversation for the podcast. If you’re a longtime fan of the show, you already know Rob from his past 3 episodes. So you’ll be excited to know that for this episode, we dived deep into his newest book, all about what the Bible really is, where it came from, and how most of us are reading it wrong. I love Rob for many reasons, but at the top of the list is his ability to open my mind to spiritual truth in a way I never thought about it. Rob is one of the most successful pastors of our day, but he left preaching in a formal church years ago and has expanded his reach and message far beyond. Not only is he a multiple NYT bestselling author, he has been on tour with Oprah, hosts his own popular podcast, and goes on spiritual speaking tours around the world.In this conversation, we went down several rabbit holes around spirituality, but at the core of our questions was this one — Can truth be found in unlikely places? And how do we interpret it once we find it? It’s time to think differently about what we’ve always been told in Episode 484 with Rob Bell. In This Episode, You Will Learn:Why so many people are misreading the Bible (3:15)Where despair comes from – and the antidote (7:10)The difference between reading the Bible literately and literally (9:20)Why the sermon needs to be reclaimed (17:40)Why truth always includes paradox (23:56)The best way to serve others (45:38)Plus much more…

Andy Frisella is the co-founder of multiple successful real businesses (we’re talking lots of brick and mortar stores as well as a huge online business). He is the host of the popular MFCEO podcast (yes, it stands for what you think it stands for). He is a straight-talking, no BS entrepreneur, coach, and leader. He’s also a big guy – fit, strong, and confident. So he’s the last guy you’d expect to have lasting nerve damage in his face from being stabbed and disfigured when in his early twenties. I met Andy a while ago and we recently spoke at the same event and re-connected. I’ve always looked up to his wise words backed up by real action. So when he came on the podcast, I knew he would deliver some solid gold business advice. What I didn’t know is how deep we would go into the psychological challenges Andy had to overcome after being attacked and disfigured when he was younger — before he was ever successful and people were paying attention to him. I was really impressed with how he chose to shift his perspective (after battling intense depression) and make powerful results in his life despite the adversity he has faced. No matter what you have gone through, there’s no excuses for what you can achieve after listening to Andy in Episode 485. In This Episode, You Will Learn:The power of in-person connection (now more than ever) (5:50)What social media should be used for (6:02)The story of Andy getting stabbed and disfigured (6:24)The moment that changed his perspective on adversity (11:53)What Millenials actually have right in their perspective (33:12)The ultimate competitive advantage for any brand to create (40:00)Plus much more…

Kelly LeVeque is not only positive, glowing, and lives what she preaches when it comes to health and diet, but she is super knowledgeable about the science of how our bodies work. Within 10 minutes of the interview starting she was teaching me about exactly how and why I get hungry, what foods cause what hormones in my body to release, and so much more. I loved how nerdy she got about the science of hunger and healthy eating — but she still kept everything easy to understand. Then we got into the business side of her brand and I was even more impressed. Kelly had a successful career in the corporate world, but she was smart enough to listen to her friends who were encouraging her to go after her passion. Instead of leaping off the cliff of entrepreneurship, she wisely built a side hustle as a health coach, and when she was finally ready, she took the leap with money already coming in. Today she is the beloved nutritionist for celebrities like Jessica Alba and Chelsea Handler, but she is equally passionate about supporting anyone and everyone in falling back in love with their bodies and food. Get ready to learn and be inspired by Kelly in Episode 511. In This Episode, You Will Learn:Why having a side hustle before becoming a full entrepreneur is a good idea (3:26)How to fix the problem of being hungry all the time (9:08)The benefits of fasting for 4 days to reset your immune system (16:05)How many times our bodies break down and rebuild themselves during our lifetime (19:27)Why and how intermittent fasting is good for you (29:30)How to get over sugar cravings (35:00)How to build a brand that celebrities are attracted to work with (37:12)The value of getting coaches in multiple areas of life (50:20)Plus much more…

I am stoked to bring my man Aubrey Marcus back on The School of Greatness. Aubrey is one of the smartest business leaders I know, as well as a huge inspiration to me for fitness, mindset, and excellence. Since he was in LA writing his book, we decided to record a podcast about something Aubrey knows A LOT about. He has studied the champion’s mindset extensively and has incredible insight into what makes a champion from talking to his friends, who are world-class athletes. This time around, Aubrey is sharing the 8 major characteristics that create a champion – and they are gold. Get ready to take notes and be hugely inspired by my good friend Aubrey Marcus in Episode 273. In This Episode, You Will Learn:About Aubrey’s new book he’s working on8 Characteristics of ChampionsChampions utilize belief to their advantageChampions are great studentsChampions are toughChampions master their mindsChampions have ritualsChampions are absolutely relentlessChampions are in a serious relationship with their bodyChampions have a great teamPlus much more…

Yes, we are talking about relationships again on  The School of Greatness. Partly because I love learning as much as possible about how to create and maintain healthy, amazing relationships (and I need a lot of coaching in my love life). But partly because I heard today’s guest speak at Summit at Sea in November and I knew I had to have her on the podcast. Esther Perel is a world-renowned relationship therapist, bestselling author, and sought-after speaker who has focused her career on exploring the role of sex and eroticism in making and breaking intimate relationships. She has an incredible world-view of relationships in many different cultures, which has allowed her to see what works and what doesn’t on a bigger level. I asked her a ton of questions in our interview and she had answers. You may already have set ideas about what intimate relationships should look like, but I know you’ll get some new perspective from listening to this interview. Get ready to get vulnerable with yourself as you take a look at your relationships in Episode 285 with Esther Perel. In This Episode, You Will Learn: Why Esther was inspired in her work by the Clinton sex scandalThe cultural differences in how adultery is viewed around the worldThe effects in the U.S. of how sex education is presentedIndifference, contempt, neglect, and violence are the main issues in any intimate relationshipWhy people often treat their partner worse than anyone else.The impact our parents have on our relationship skills (this is big)Women get bored with monogamy sooner than men (because the romance usually dies after marriage)A better question than “What turns me off” is “When I turn myself off is”Why investing in being your best self and pursuing what lights you up keeps you interested in a monogamous relationshipThe relationship between emotional risk and desireWe now expect our partner to be a whole village for us since we live much more private livesThe 4 Pillars of Modern Relationships: Trust, Affection, Intimacy, DesireThe idea that your marriage can have different phases (like a new marriage each time) with the same personThe value of yearly check-ins with your partner (not when a crisis is happening) to see what’s going onWhy it’s important to separate the idea of failure from divorceThe Millenial generation are the children of the divorced and disillusionedThe influx of couples who are married but live apart aka LAT couples (more common in the older generation)What originally attracts you to someone is often what eventually drives you crazy about themPlus much more…

If I were to ask you what one characteristic makes the biggest difference in how you deal with and get through hard things, what would you answer? Maybe strength or faith or perspective? Would you have thought of resilience? I wouldn’t have, until I talked to today’s guest on The School of Greatness, the incredible Eric Greitens. Eric’s list of accolades is long, but among some of them are that he is a Navy SEAL, a PhD, a Rhodes scholar, an author, and a hopeful for Missouri governor. His newest book is all about how resilience is the characteristic that gets us through the hard stuff – how we process pain in the moment and after. Eric is no stranger to this, as he recounts in our conversation Navy SEAL training, his travels around the world photographing war torn areas, and working with veterans with PTSD. I could have talked to Eric for hours and took plenty of notes, so I expect you to do the same. Get ready to have your eyes opened and learn life-changing insight about resilience in Episode 157 with Eric Greitens. In This Episode, You Will Learn: Navy SEAL training – what it’s really likeThe power of taking the focus off of yourself and onto your purpose during a challengeThe idea of segmenting an overwhelming challenge: breaking it down into small enough pieces that you have one you can start with right nowMental rehearsal: teaching yourself how to worryResilience is the virtue that helps you get better when things are hardThe difference between pain that distracts you and pain that helps you growWhy the first step towards resiliency is taking responsibilityThe downside of making excuses to deal with pain (you can’t run in a suit of armor)The power of breathing to help you get through pain (yes, this is for real)How writing a fear down takes away some of its power over youWhy you need to build a system to remind yourself of the things you knowPlus much more…

The words “peaceful” and “warrior” don’t usually go together. In fact, they seem to be opposites. But if you’ve read the international bestselling book or seen the movie Way of the Peaceful Warrior, you know there’s something powerful about this idea. Dan Millman is the author of this (and 16 other books) and an incredibly wise teacher. He was an early guest on the podcast, back in Episode 193, and I was excited to have him back on since he just released a new book. When I watched the movie based on his hit book, it was hugely influential to me and became one of my favorites. Sitting down with him 11 years later to discuss the wisdom behind this story was powerful. Dan is the kind of guy who has a quiet way of speaking, takes pauses, and thinks about his answers. But I was hanging on every word. There were times in this conversation where I almost felt like I was in a dream, learning things that he wasn’t even saying. And that was after just an hour of talking together. I loved what Dan taught about what it means to live a good life, why greatness is apparent in every single one of us, and how life teaches us exactly what we’re ready to learn. Whether this is your first experience with the peaceful warrior mindset or you are a fan already, be prepared for some spiritual weight training during Episode 554. In This Episode, You Will Learn:How to practice lucid dreaming (10:30)Why comparison is actually a form of suffering (14:30)The 12 courses that life teaches us (17:20)Why Dan doesn’t encourage anyone to be grateful (29:06)How to take care of your health when you’re young (54:07)Plus much more…

Most of us have strong feelings about habits. We love the ones that help us be better and we hate the ones that hold us back. But have you ever thought about how habits affect our happiness? Today’s guest on The School of Greatness has thought a lot about this. Gretchen Rubin is a hugely successful author and blogger (and former attorney) who researches the best ways to create happy, healthy lifestyles. In her newest book, she studies how to use your personality strengths and weaknesses to mindfully create habits that work to your advantage. On a deeper level, she talks about how all of the small daily choices we make add up to our whole lives, and how we can save energy by making good choices a habit. I loved connecting with and learning from Gretchen in this conversation and can’t wait for you to as well in Episode 187 with Gretchen Rubin. In This Episode, You Will Learn: The 4 Tendencies of How We Meet ExpectationsObligers – people who meet others’ expectations but not their ownUpholders – people who meet others’ and their own expectationsQuestioners – people who question every expectation – they need reasons for everythingRebels – people who resist all expectationsHabits are all about decision-making: behaviors that are on auto-pilotWhy life transitions are the best times to make new habits (even when things are crazy)What kind of lifestyles cause unhappinessPlus much more…

Ok. This is big. And it’s not just for parents. I got so much out of this interview and I’m not a parent yet. In fact, I believe in this message so much, I want EVERYONE to hear it, whether they are a parent, a child, or an adult child (that covers all of us). Dr. Shefali Tsabary is one of the world’s leading experts in parenting. As a clinical psychologist, she is well educated in this topic. But that isn’t what’s made her a multiple NYT bestselling author or a favorite of Oprah. Dr. Shefali has spent her life learning from both Eastern and Western philosophy about the relationships between parents and children. This includes learning about how our egos respond to creating life, why we struggle so much with trying to control our children, how we project on them all of the things we didn’t get from our parents, and so much more. In our conversation, we dove deep into why it’s so important to become a conscious parent – beginning well before you decide you are ready to have a child. I was on the edge of my seat during this whole interview because I was learning so much (that made so much sense about my own experience of being a child). I can’t wait to have Dr. Shefali back on the show, but for now, get ready to upgrade your level of consciousness in Episode 526. In This Episode, You Will Learn:The biggest difference between Eastern and Western philosophies of parenting (3:32)The mental illness running through so many parents in our society (6:40)How children are actually our teachers (7:26)The question every person should ask themselves before choosing to become a parent (9:01)Why we need to think of children as coming through us instead of us creating them (14:15)What needs to shift inside women for them to own their power (28:59)How parenting can be a mask (32:40)Why parenting is a “being” more than a “doing” (48:40)Plus much more…

Before you decide that you don’t believe in this kind of stuff, listen up. I met today’s guest, Nick Ortner, years ago in NYC during a mastermind. I have watched his career, success, and the impact he’s making (teaching people how to heal themselves from all kinds of issues) over the years since then. And I know he’s the real deal. But I was especially excited to sit down with him on the podcast to hear about the science behind the method he uses — and he explained it all. If you’ve never heard of tapping, let me introduce you to the technique. Tapping has been around for a long time. It’s a very simple method to calm the mind and body by tapping on the acupressure points around the body that are connected to our meridians. But it has as much to do with slowing down and tuning into what your mind and heart are telling you as it does with touching pressure points. What I didn’t expect during this interview, which was really amazing, was when I asked Nick to do a demo of what tapping looks like on my friend Cesar, who had been suffering from a super stiff neck for days. Cesar happens to be a pretty analytical and skeptical guy when it comes to this kind of stuff. But after spending 5 minutes with Nick (all recorded on the podcast), he was pain free and able to turn his neck freely. It was awesome. Beyond that once instance however, I truly believe that what Nick is up to is valuable, important, and powerful. Let me introduce you to tapping and the power you have to heal yourself in Episode 547. In This Episode, You Will Learn:Why we are walking around every day so stressed (7:30)How trauma (even small stuff) affects our subconscious (10:00)How to deal with the issues on the edge and stay safe (15:20)The process of tapping for healing of any kind (live example on Cesar!) (30:23)Why we have a natural bias for negative thoughts (46:15)Plus much more…

Coach Chris Lee is a longtime podcast favorite (this is his 12th episode on the show!) and there’s no mistake about why. Not only has he had a massive impact on my life as my coach, from the first time I took his workshop through today, but he has generously shared his wisdom with us on the show for years. There’s a reason I keep bringing him back on. Chris knows the human psyche and heart really well. He understands why we do what we do and how to elevate our whole lives to the next level. That’s what he’s been coaching me on for years. So when I got the chance to sit down with him last week to record this episode, I was excited to see the topic he had ready. He was fresh off of training an intense 5 day workshop so he had a lot of insight to share around how to create a life and mindset that is unstoppable no matter what comes up. By breaking it down into 7 steps, we really got to go deep into each one. I can definitely stand by each of the steps Chris coached since I’ve seen the effectiveness of them in my own life time and again. If you’re ready to live in consistent greatness, it starts with these steps in Episode 503. In This Episode, You Will Learn:The connection between life and energy (6:20)The biggest way people give their power away (7:30)Why having a purpose is so powerful (8:31)How responsibility is actually an interpretation (17:05)The simple exercise that will shift your entire perspective on your life (22:50)How to trust the process when you don’t want to (32:54)How Chris has taken on something in his life that he was resisting (36:34)The secret behind creating consistent enthusiasm (49:06)Plus much more…

As you’ve heard me say often, I wholeheartedly believe in the power of good coaching. In fact, it’s one of the most powerful tools I’ve invested in during my athletic and business careers. So whenever I get the chance to talk to high-level coaches, I jump at it. Recently I got to talk to one of the very best. He coaches not only elite level athletes, but also top CEOs, performers, celebrities, musicians, and more. Dr. Michael Gervais has worked on some of the most ground-breaking projects in the world. So he knows a thing or two about how to get the best performance out of people. Not only is he a high-performance psychologist, he understands the power of our minds to accomplish the extraordinary firsthand. I loved learning his story, how he got into this field, and what he has discovered about our true potential over decades of coaching top performers. What especially struck me was that he acknowledged how we all struggle with the same fears — no matter what the stakes are. Regardless of what level we are starting at, we can begin to develop a high-performance mindset right now. Because life is now. There’s no reason to wait to try your best in Episode 533. In This Episode, You Will Learn:How to manage anxiety so it doesn’t hold us back (10:23)Why the “being” is more important than the “doing” of high performance (12:40)The natural state of our mind (a drunk monkey) (14:25)What we are most afraid of today versus centuries ago (18:50)The 3 ways to create your personal philosophy for life (26:15)The best way to train mindfulness (32:00)How to deal with the loneliness that comes from pushing your edges (39:25)Plus much more…

I’d seen Brendon Burchard‘s videos all over Facebook, heard his name in big circles, and seen his bestselling books at the top of the charts. But for whatever reason, I felt like there might be something fake about him. So I never bothered to find out. Until we spoke at the same event and I met him in person. And I realized there was more to the story. When he came by the studio to record a conversation about his newest book, we got to really connect. And I was amazed. Brendon is an incredibly successful high performance coach, speaker and author. He’s advised some of the top executives and performers in the world. It turns out we were totally on the same page about greatness, service, life purpose, and leadership. Brendon gave tons of awesome wisdom in our conversation — I loved talking to him so much that at the end of the interview, I asked him to come speak at the Summit of Greatness this year. And he said yes. This conversation is powerful, authentic, and a game changer in Episode 538. In This Episode, You Will Learn:Why creativity is not strongly correlated with high performance (12:20)The 6 Habits of High Performers (13:42)Brendon’s 3 questions he asks himself every morning (23:10)Why high performing executives use up as much energy in a day as elite athletes (26:00)The one habit that surprised me the most about high performers (32:20)Why you don’t have to be cool to gain influence (40:32)The first thing Brendon coaches Fortune 50 CEOs to do (46:37)The kind of courage that matters the most (50:56)Why it’s so important to live with intention (59:30)Brendon’s coaching to me about how to improve my public speaking (1:07:50)Plus much more…

I have always been fascinated by the power of the mind and people who have learned to master it. Especially when it comes to using your mind to read other people. So every time I’ve seen a magician or performer who specializes in this, I get so excited. And when I had the chance to meet one of the best mentalists in the world, Oz Pearlman, I was extra excited. If you watched the show America’s Got Talent a few seasons back, you’ll recognize Oz as the incredible mentalist who nearly won the season with his mind-blowing tricks reading people’s minds. He’s also an accomplished endurance runner who has done several of the toughest ultra-endurance races on the planet. I remember watching Oz on TV and thinking he was amazing. Then he came to the studio to record a podcast interview and this was confirmed. He set up several tricks with me and my team that he blew our minds with during the interview (we literally were trying to figure out how he did these for hours after he left). But some of the best moments of our conversation were when Oz talked to me about the skills he’s developed as an entrepreneur, a negotiator, a salesman, a networker, and a performer. These are the skills all of us can use no matter what kind of business or project we are working on. And learning them from a world-class mentalist is a bonus. Get ready to believe the impossible in Episode 476 with the one and only Oz Pearlman. In This Episode, You Will Learn:Oz reading my mind about the guest I want to get on the podcast that I’ve never told anyone (9:30)How he paid for college by doing magic tricks during high school (13:42)The way to sell yourself so that people can’t say no (14:25)Why having less money as a start-up is good for you (15:44)How to think strategically about where you look for clients (16:45)Why getting on America’s Got Talent was a new challenge for Oz (24:33)Why endurance sports are all mental (32:23)How Oz sets up a trick to get someone to say what he wants (42:14)Plus much more…

I’ve talked to lots of incredible, renowned doctors and health experts about the optimal diet and foods to eat. I’ve tried all kinds of nutrition strategies. I’ve cut out gluten, dairy, and sugar from my diet. So you can imagine how surprised I was when I sat down with another world-renowned heart surgeon and doctor, Dr. Steven Gundry, last week and he told me foods that were poisonous to all humans. Peanuts, cashews, raw beans, chia seeds? As Dr. Gundry explained, however, exactly how the bacteria in our guts work, it made sense. He broke down his decades of research and the results he’s gotten with his patients (reversing aging and autoimmune diseases through diet change). He taught how plants are built with incredible defense systems from predators (like humans). And when we eat parts of plants that aren’t meant for us, we get sick from them. The more I learned from him, the more questions I had. But he just wrote a new NYT bestselling book covering all of this in depth, so I’m planning on reading it front to back. If you’re sick and tired of being sick, listen up in Episode 521. In This Episode, You Will Learn:How bacteria make us who we are more than genes do (0:45)The secret to reversing aging naturally (7:05)The plant paradox of how eating some plants is hurting us (11:42)Why gluten makes us sick (20:12)Foods every American should stay away from (24:30)What’s going on in our bodies when we have autoimmune diseases (33:15)What the physician’s job actually is according to ancient philosophers (38:10Other foods you probably think are good for you that aren’t (40:25)Plus much more…

In fact, very few people have the guts to put the F word in the title of their NYT bestselling book (it’s been on the list for 9 months straight). But that’s one reason Mark Manson has become such a popular writer, both in the blogging and the book publishing world. He has spent years studying self-help, traveling the world, living in different cultures, and learning from his own life experiences about what actually makes us happy and successful. And what he has learned runs counter to what a lot of people say is true. I loved diving into these topics with him because I can tell Mark is a truth-seeker. He’s not afraid to speak up about what he has learned, even if it isn’t the most popular idea. That’s exactly why his writing has struck a chord with so many people — he tells the truth about why it’s important to feel sad and angry, he acknowledges the negative voices we all have talking in our heads, and he admits that it’s challenging to not judge ourselves. But Mark also has learned positive, practical methods to navigate these issues without all the sugar-coating that usually goes with them. We dove into all these topics, as well as what he’s learning about himself as mega-writing success has hit him. I learned a lot of new perspectives from Mark and believe you will too in Episode 524. In This Episode, You Will Learn:Why negativity matters and shouldn’t be ignored (2:00)How to know if a certain media type is one you should be pursuing (14:50)Why it’s so important to say no sometimes (18:00)Why success and self-improvement don’t always go together (26:30)How to mentally deal with your work being massively successful (32:55)Why it’s so important to be able to fail during the creative process (47:45)Plus much more...

He wasn’t discovered as a teen prodigy. In fact, when he told his mother he wanted to be a big music star, she told him he’d stop shining for her the day he did. But J Balvin knew what he wanted and he started working at it early on. He moved to the U.S. to learn English as an exchange student in high school. He went back to the U.S. after he graduated to work his way into the music business — and the only job he could get was painting walls and roofing houses. So he swallowed his pride, went back to his hometown in Colombia, and spent the next 10 years building his music, performance, and network slowly but surely. Even though he’s the biggest rising star in Latin Music today (think the Justin Bieber of music in Spanish), I didn’t even know J’s name until he started following me on Instagram. And then I saw he had 15 million followers. And then I started listening to his music. It didn’t matter that I didn’t understand what he was saying, I was hooked. So by the time J and I got to sit down in the Greatness Studio to record this episode, I was already really impressed with him. And then he told me his story and I was blown away. If you think that massive success is only for the favored elite, think again as you listen to music superstar J Balvin in Episode 469. In This Episode, You Will Learn:Why J moved to the US at age 17 to learn English (2:46)How getting into a terrible plane crash inspired J to do more with his work (6:20)Why having a dream is so important to your success (8:10)How to hustle when you’re working solo and don’t have a team yet (21:19)The way gratitude works to create abundance (25:50)Plus much more…

If you’ve been following me or The School of Greatness for long, you know I’m a big fan of salsa dancing. In fact, I was obsessed with learning how to get good at it in college and spent A LOT of time practicing. I still love going out and dancing when I can in LA. So when I got the opportunity to interview Julianne Hough, award-winning dancing queen of Dancing with the Stars (and now a judge on the show!) I couldn’t pass it up. And not just because I wanted to hear her story of how she has created incredible success. I wanted to test my salsa skills with a professional. But what I got in addition to a dance with Julianne (she is amazing) was an open-hearted, authentic, first-hand account of her experience in the dance and entertainment world starting as a 10 year old girl in London. Not only did she learn to grow up fast and perform with the pros, she then set her sights on film, singing, and is now working on many incredible projects and tours. In our conversation, Julianne talks about the intense pressure of the dance competition world and the high standards she set for herself. And then she talks about the transformation that occurred within her just a couple of years ago when she attended a Tony Robbins event (you know what a big fan of his I am). I loved every minute of our conversation and dancing and have been so excited to share this episode with you. Sit back and enjoy the light and inspiration of Julianne Hough in Episode 148 and be sure to judge my salsa dancing video with her below 😉 In This Episode, You Will Learn:How a Tony Robbins seminar changed her perspective on who she was trying to beHer experiences being in a professional dance enviroment at 10 years old in LondonHer struggle with perfectionism – not feeling good enough when she won somethingHow she shifted her passion and drive after realizing she just needed to please herself and not others.To think about how you’re going to “be” in the day versus what you’re going to “do”How she got addicted to learning (not in school)What she is changing in her health routine to be focused on more than just vanityWhy she appreciates the opportunities to be authentic versus polishedHer quirky operatic voice (that comes out when she’s tired)How her purpose has changed from receiving to givingHer mission statement: My purpose in life is to be an infectious light of love and joy, to celebrate the little things, and to inspire others to embrace their true essence. How she would pump herself up before auditions Her view of her brother and how their relationship has changed as they have learned to see each other for who they really are. Her advice for young dancers (and parents)Plus much more…

He's one of the top dating coaches in the world. He’s also one of the best on stage speakers I’ve ever seen. He’s also a good friend and previous podcast guest. Yes, I’m talking about the incredibly handsome and intelligent Matthew Hussey. If you’re a longtime podcast fan, you remember him from Episode 189. He’s got incredible insight into love, dating, communication, and human behavior. Which is just one reason he’s a celebrity dating coach, an incredibly successful entrepreneur, and a brilliant marketer. So when I was planning the line-up of speakers for the first ever Summit of Greatness, I knew Matt had to be one of them. He gave such an awesome talk on stage (followed by a great Q&A with the audience after) that I haven’t forgotten it. I wanted to share the whole thing with you guys on the podcast because it’s some of the best dating advice I’ve ever heard. Matt agreed to let me publish it, and that’s why you have the chance to hear him speak from the stage at Summit of Greatness in Episode 512. In This Episode, You Will Learn:How cognitive dissonance affects our love lives (6:05)The 2 things we need to succeed in love (7:45)How to use “The Bliss Point” in communication (16:50)Why confidence is a misunderstood concept (20:40)Why it’s so important to make old friends now (25:59)How to get someone addicted to you (26:30)Plus much more…

Have you ever asked yourself why you feel so stressed all the time? It’s pretty common these days to just assume a stress-filled life is the norm, especially if you’re an entrepreneur. Today’s guest on The School of Greatness has known stress above and beyond the norm. Amanda Enayati had to flee from her home country of Iran when she was a kid (without her parents), lived in the West Village in NYC during 9/11, worked as an attorney for years and then got late-stage breast cancer (while raising two small children). Yes, that’s all for real. So you can take her word for it when she says she knows about stress. But what is incredible about Amanda (including what she has gone through) is her devotion to researching and teaching the best ways to understand and handle the stress that comes to all of us. If you listened to the last episode with Todd Kashdan, you’ll really enjoy this interview as well. Amanda shares some different and some similar ideas from Todd about how to use stress to your advantage and how to find healing from traumatic stress. I know you’ll enjoy this conversation as much as I did in Episode 155 with CNN contributor and author Amanda Enayati. In This Episode, You Will Learn:What mattered to her when she got diagnosed with cancer:she needed to be who she was meant to beshe didn’t want any strife with anyoneThe fact that life is suffering isn’t all bad“Suck-it-up-itude” – the attitude that failure isn’t an excuse to give upSerenity means that you have found what you are meant to do and you are sharing that with the worldHow the little whys behind what we do add up to the big whysWhy we think of ourselves as so stressed outTo re-frame your stress mindset: 1- Tell yourself better stories about what’s happening 2- Remember all stress isn’t the same 3- Re-draw the map of your stories and what they are telling youThe problem with stress is a design issueWhy kids need some stress to develop into happy, healthy adultsThe power of belonging and its ability to heal usPlus much more…

I freaking love the Olympics and everything about them. I love the insane training the athletes put themselves through. I love the power of putting all that training to the test in the moment of truth. I love seeing how people from around the world come together to celebrate what is possible in human performance. So whenever I get to meet an Olympian, I’m really excited. And meeting one like Apolo Ohno was no disappointment. If you watched the winter Olympics at all in the past 15 years, you know his name. He is the face of speed skating and is still commentating at Olympics currently. But what you might not know is that Apolo was once a punk kid, who had never met his mother, was angry at life, and had no work ethic. Yes he was talented and powerful. But it wasn’t until he put his mind to train like a champion, committed fully, and became obsessed with his sport that he rose to Olympic glory. There were so many parts of this interview that I loved so much. I can’t wait for you to listen to Episode 470 with Olympian Apolo Ohno. In This Episode, You Will Learn:Apolo’s preparation process before Olympic races (13:33)Why Apolo has never wanted to meet his mother (22:00)The story of how he won his first national competition (27:47)How Apolo had a “peaceful warrior” moment at age 15 (32:50)Why becoming obsessed with your craft is important to succeed (37:58)How to overcome the biggest challenges of leaving an elite sport (43:40)Why losing money in investments can be helpful (47:00)The difference between focusing on competition and what you really want (52:12)What failing teaches us (58:28)Why Apolo and I really want the US to win the bid to get the Olympics in LA (1:01:03)Plus much more…

One of my favorite women in the world is back on the show today for her third episode. She is the queen of self-help, spirituality, and wisdom. So I got really excited when I saw that her newest book is an uncensored truth-telling about that world — what most people won’t admit to. Danielle LaPorte is one of the few people who can take on the myths surrounding the world of self-development and expose the truth . . . while still inspiring you to keep going in your own path. And that’s just one reason why I love her. One reason why I think Danielle’s message is so needed is because it’s easy to get lost in the “doing” of self-development and spirituality and forget the “being” part. What Danielle taught me is that all wisdom is paradoxical — there’s truth in both sides of it. If we’re willing to get curious, explore, and trust our gut, we find truth. If we go on auto-pilot and focus only on “doing” things we think should make us better, we will get lost, burnt out, and stuck. Get ready for a breath of fresh air and some powerful truth-telling in Episode 481. In This Episode, You Will Learn:Why sometimes less is more when it comes to spiritual support (4:52)The simple key to self-help (9:16)Why it’s okay to change our beliefs often (18:15)How to forgive people when things are a mess (21:27)The keys to getting past judging people (25:05)Plus much more…

Yes, one of the MOST requested guests on the show (since I launched it), has been this incredible woman. She has one of the most watched TED talks of all time. She is a three-time #1 NYT bestselling author (and soon to be four). She has changed the face of emotional intelligence, relationships, and self-acceptance for millions of people. But her area of expertise is one that not many people are willing to talk about — shame and vulnerability. I’m talking about the one and only Brené Brown. Brené is a research professor at the University of Houston. But once her TED talk blew up the internet a few years ago, she has appeared on much bigger platforms around the world, including Oprah, the New York Times, and many others. Not only have her books changed millions of people’s perspectives on what it actually means to be brave, authentic, and loved, she has started a conversation that has created a ripple effect among other thought leaders. I’ve been aware of her work for years, quoted it in my books, and followed her patiently, waiting for the right time to interview her for the podcast. The time has come, on the eve of her newest book launch, and what we discussed was so powerful. Not only did we get into what it means to truly belong (the topic of her newest book), we got real about the tragic events happening in our country and what we get to do to change what’s going on. We recorded this interview just one week before Hurricane Harvey hit Houston, where Brené lives, so all of my thoughts and love go to her and her team as they recover and support their community. It’s time to step up and live the courageous truth we each have inside of us in this episode. In This Episode, You Will Learn:What belonging truly means (3:45)What makes people complex (7:01)What every parent needs to know about when their kids grow up (13:44)Why parents are so defensive about their parenting style (18:52)How to support men in being willing to discuss vulnerable topics (24:30)How to handle speaking up about sensitive topics (30:01)Why people hold onto hate (33:50)Why our avoidance of pain is causing so many huge issues (36:35)What Brene would say to all the men in the world (46:36)How to deal with shame (since we can’t get rid of it) (48:58)Plus much more…

If you’ve never seen a Chicken Soup for the Soul book, I don’t know where you’ve been. But did you know that the same original author of that wildly successful series (7 NYT best-sellers at the same time!) is also one of the experts interviewed in The Secret? And did you know he coaches some of the top leaders and entrepreneurs in the world? Actually, you might. Today’s guest on The School of Greatness has an incredible bio and reputation and it was an honor to sit down with him for this interview. Jack Canfield has given so much wisdom, coaching, service, and insight into the world of self-improvement, positive mindset, and success that it’s hard to imagine it without him. His landmark book The Success Principles has been out for 10 years. But I wanted to take the opportunity to talk to him about it in person because it is one of the first books that helped turn the light on in my mind. In our conversation, we go over a lot (and Jack references a ton of books and people I link below). But our discussion keeps coming back to the basic, core success principles his book is founded on. Ideas like gratitude, abundance, kindness, clarity. You know, my favorites. If you haven’t heard Jack speak before, you’re in for a treat. He is an incredible human, speaker, thought leader, and giver. I am so excited to bring you this episode with the legendary Jack Canfield. In this episode you will learn:How The Success Principles takes the inspiration from Chicken Soup books and shows you HOWThat kids in China learn English in schools by reading Chicken Soup booksHis tips for networking at events if you’re shy (stand by the door and act like it’s your party)How to visualize positive outcomes instead of negative ones to overcome fearWhy he volunteered to be a chauffeur for someone he wanted to learn fromThe Steps of Forgiveness: 1 – Own your anger 2 – Take responsibility 3 – Explain what you want 4 – Express forgivenessHow negative self-talk affects our brains (science on this!)What uncommon appreciation is – verbally appreciate someone five times a dayHow to go on a “rampage of appreciation”What to look for when making an investment (go where there is a line of people waiting)How he manages his emails (so he only gets a few a day) – answer your emails in one block at a timeThe daily review: at the end of your day, ask yourself how you could have improved on your day in relation to your goals and then visualize those changesPlus much more…

I’m going to take a wild guess that you already know that sleep affects how well you function. You’re also probably aware that sleep quality is part of the equation (not just quantity). But did you realize that what time of day you go to bed, what you do for the two hours leading up to that, and what you do when you wake up have a big impact on your sleep? Because I’m obsessed with learning how to optimize everything for greatness that I can, I’ve started paying more attention to the little habits in my life that can have big results. So when I heard about today’s guest on The School of Greatness, Shawn Stevenson, I knew I had to get him on the show. Shawn is not only a sleep expert and best-selling author, but he has spent the last ten plus years studying how to optimize all parts of your daily routine to help you function at maximum capacity. He is a fountain of knowledge about everything from eating right to setting up your bedroom to how sex affects sleep! I asked him a ton of questions and he gave helpful answers to all of them. If you’re one of many who struggle to get quality sleep, this episode is a must-listen. In This Episode, You Will Learn: Why cutting down on our sleep demolishes the rest of our workWhy quality of sleep is more important than quantity of sleepHow exercising early in your day helps you sleep better (even just 5 minutes)That cortisol is the arch-nemesis of melatoninWhat kind of water we need to be drinking (and why water quality is so important)What BPA is and how to avoid drinking itWhy kids have so much more energy than adultsWhy we crave sugar when we are sleep-deprivedThe difference between our willpower and our biology (and how to stack them both in your favor)Why 10 pm is the optimal bedtimeHow eating late at night effects your cortisol levels (and thus your sleep)How you can get sleep benefits from meditationPlus much more…

A few years ago, I was working like crazy and not taking care of my health. In fact, I was eating as much sugar as I wanted, all the time, and sitting at  my computer all day. But I finally realized a change needed to happen. So I didn’t eat sugar for 28 days . . . and guess what? I lost 28 pounds and found my abs again. I talked about this experience a while back with my friend Abel James on his podcast Fat-Burning Man and today on The School of Greatness he’s coming on as my guest to talk about his experiences in getting healthy. Abel has a pretty awesome story himself about his transition from overworked and unhealthy consultant to incredibly fit and healthy entrepreneur. In his new book, he goes over all the tips and guidelines he’s discovered that have helped him transform his diet and body. Don’t be alarmed when you hear him talk about not eating much til dinner on a typical day – he explains why and it makes sense. Abel is an awesome guy and I got re-inspired to eat better during our conversation. Open your mind to the Wild Diet in Episode 158 with Fat-Burning Man Abel James. In This Episode, You Will Learn: Where the vast majority of animal products (beef, chicken, eggs, dairy) come from (not what you think)How under-eating during the day (mostly raw foods) and eating a big meal at night (cooked foods) is good for youWhy hydrating yourself constantly is so important to warding off hungerWhat “fat adapted” is and how to get your body to that stateThat healthy fats are one of the best things you eat every dayHow the comfort food we were raised on is not our grandma’s whole grain cookies (they are designed to be addictive)The benefit of working out a little, just some basic movements, first thing in the morningWhy he doesn’t use any tech devices in the morningHow to fall asleep right away and wake up earlyPlus much more…

Let’s say you were the youngest ever news anchor at CNN – and then at CNBC, covering major financial stories. You also reported during one of the biggest financial crises of the century. You have interviewed and rubbed shoulders with the who’s who of the financial world for years. But you don’t know that much about how to manage your own money. Let me introduce you to the motivation behind today’s guest on  The School of Greatness. Nicole Lapin is an incredibly successful and talented reporter and television personality, but it wasn’t until years into her career that she faced the truth about her own financial ignorance. After years of study, credentials, and re-shaping her financial health, she is releasing a new book, Rich Bitch, where she tells the stories of her own journey while offering her best tips to creating a rich life. I met Nicole through our mutual friend James Altucher (a money genius himself) and we had a great conversation about the inspiration behind her book. While her work is largely focused on helping women take control of their finances and learn the language of money, her insight and tips are useful for anyone. She even takes me to task for how I’m investing and I pick up some advice during the interview. If you’re interested in finally understanding the myths surrounding investing and healthy finances, you’re going to love Episode 128 with Nicole Lapin. In This Episode, You Will Learn:How finance is like a language you have to learnHer story of what motivated her to get into finance (hint: she had to buy a plane ticket with actual paper money)Why she wrote her book of money “confessions”The idea of “financial dieting”How to set finance goals around the three F’s: fun, finance, and familyWhy it’s important to come up with a sustainable spending planWhy you should never buy a house just as an investmentThe reason you should think of ALL your time as billable hoursWhat to account for with your savings plans: essentials, endgame, and extrasWhy you should talk about how much you make with your friends (and ask them as well)Plus much more…

When a 60 foot rogue wave crashed into the ship, everyone on board thought they were going to die. This week on The School of Greatness, the founder of Pencils of Promise shares the story of how this near death experience inspired him to make his mark on the world. Pencils of Promise was born then and has gone on to build 200 schools and positively impacted 200,000 lives. In this interview we talk about what it takes to be an ordinary person, have an idea and turn it into something extraordinary. Welcome to episode 56 with the amazing social entrepreneur, Adam Braun. In This Episode, You Will Learn:About the schools Pencils of Promise has builtThe powerful impact of bringing Mozambicans into the familyAbout Adam’s life and death experience while on a Semester at SeaThe single question revealed in such a deep purposeThe value of a definite purposeHow lessons learned at Bain Capital supported the creation of PoPTo infuse your work with purposeAbout the humble beginnings of Pencils of PromiseFinding the courage to pursue your passionTo shift your way of being to create your visionAbout the physical existence of ideasTo cultivate honesty while thriving in uncertaintyHow to build a remarkable business and team of volunteersAbout the massive results that can be found outside of the comfort zoneThe first step when finding ones purposeWhat it means to “Never take a ‘No’ from someone who can’t say ‘Yes'”Keys to getting in front of the decision makers and persuading themThe power of vulnerability when growing a businessHow to get out of your own way for massive resultsPlus much more…

Our next guest has mastered this at a young age and is inspiring hundreds of thousands of people around the world to live a similar lifestyle. What’s more amazing is he only started speaking English two years ago (he grew up speaking French) as he wanted to be able to connect and inspire his fans in their language. Get ready to step into your greatness during this episode with Marc Fitt. In This Episode, You Will Learn:What motivates Marc Fitt’s unparalleled fitnessThe surprising story of Marc’s first salesA basic breakdown on how to start an e-commerce businessWhat “Beyond Yourself” really meansThe mindset, diet and routine that empowers high level fitnessA secret to having a diet that supports a killer bodySleep habits of the super fitWhich is more important, food or exerciseWhat it’s like to have followers in English, yet not speak EnglishThe event that woke him up to living his passionThe next step for Marc FittA super fit man’s perspective of drinking, being drunk and alcoholPlus much more…

The next professor on the School of Greatness is known as the “Three Foot Giant”. He grew up suffering from a condition in which his brittle bones were incredibly prone to damage.  He broke more than 200 bones in his lifetime and the emotional and physical pain he endured is incredible. He persevered through his condition and become a Clinical Therapist, reached millions of people around the world, become friends with Sir Richard Branson, President Clinton, and his Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.  He is one of the most powerful and vulnerable  guests we’ve ever had on. Please welcome, Sean Stephenson. In This Episode, You Will Learn:What it was like Growing Up With Osteogenesis ImperfectaThe Value in Facing and Persevering Through FearAbout Your Infinite BeingThe Unique Realities of Unconditional LoveHow to Leave Anyone BreathlessSecrets to Courageous VulnerabilityThe Difference between Airing Your Dirty Laundry and Being Courageously VulnerableHow the Scariest Things to Overcome are on the InsideThe Role of Decisiveness in MasculinityPlus much more…

No one has mastered the art of staying focused on your goal and working tirelessly towards it like legend and icon, Kobe Bryant. Kobe is widely regarded as one of the best basketball players of all time. He’s won five NBA championships with the Lakers and led the NBA in scoring during two seasons. He’s an 18-time All-Star, 15-time member of the All-NBA Team, 12-time member of the All-Defensive Team. He holds the NBA record for the most seasons played with one franchise for an entire career: 20 seasons. In 2018, he received an Academy Award for his animated short “Dear Basketball.” He also just launched a podcast called The Punies that teaches kids morals and history in a really fun way. Kobe’s known for what he calls his Mamba Mentality, but it’s his big heart that is truly admirable. He is constantly reinventing himself and continuing to pursue new dreams. There is so much power in his energy and presence. I know you’re really going to love this one. So get ready to learn all about Mamba Mentality and how to embrace failure on Episode 691. Some Questions I Ask:Who was your greatest teacher? (7:10)What are some other things you do to raise the level of your teammates? (17:00)What’s been your greatest challenge since leaving the game? (20:30)What’s a constant theme in your life? (24:40)Why is storytelling important to you? (25:39)What’s your greatest weakness? (34:35) In This Episode, You Will Learn:All about the “Mamba Mentality” (12:20)Why he has a passion of storytelling (26:00)Why you should be excited about failure (27:10)Kobe’s greatest moment in 20 seasons of basketball (36:14)Kobe’s daily routine (39:00)Plus much more…

Can you remember a defining moment in your life that led you to where you are now? You know, the moment you knew your town stunted your growth so you moved to “the big city”.  Or when you finally got sick and tired of working that corporate job and started your own business. There are specific moments we experience that define and direct our thoughts and actions throughout the rest of our life. I’m fascinated by these moments.  They show me why someone is successful and living their dreams and why others aren’t. On this weeks episode of  the School of Greatness I dive into those defining moments of our next guest who is a New York Times best selling author and serial entrepreneur.  During the episode he reveals how he built his empire, what you can do to build powerful habits in your business and life, and the art of becoming the best at everything you do. Welcome to episode number 75 with the mind behind I Will Teach You to Be Rich, Ramit Sethi. In This Episode, You Will Learn: How Ramit’s debt reduction process helped me get out of debtAbout Ramit’s love for systems (and why you need them in your life)How his passion for learning about money and psychology came from a big lossThe guilty pleasures and hobbies that Ramit loved as a kidThe power of the negative self talk Ramit inflicted on himself and how he reframed it for improvementRamit’s perception on the biggest mistake people make when starting a businessHow to find amazing  A players to grow you business teamRamit’s Powerful 21 Day Hiring ProcedureThe importance of discipline and clear expectations with great teamsThe important tool when marketing (I bet you can’t guess his answer)How challenges evolve as business growsPlus much more…

The next guest on The School of Greatness has been studying leadership and what it takes to make the impossible a reality for years.  He has worked with top level CEOs, military leaders and everything in between to understand what separates organizations that thrive with those that only survive. You might know him from his wildly successful TED talk, Start with Why, which is one of the most watched of all time.  So welcome to the 50th episode of the show with Simon Sinek. In This Episode, You Will Learn: The Amazing Story of Where the Title Came FromMarine Corp. Lessons on LeadershipThe Single Most Profound Quality for Excellence in LeadershipThe Role of Vulnerability in LeadershipThe Remarkable Trait of Presidential Leadership in AmericaEgo and Conceit – Where Most People Get it WrongThe 2 Defining Events that Led Simon into the Study of LeadershipEarly lessons of Start with Why: Show up to Give.Core Traits of Effective LeadersTo Cultivate Brilliant Active ListeningOne of the Easiest Tricks for Effective ListeningAbout Leadership Potential vs. MarriagePlus much more…

 Sometimes someone magical comes on The School of Greatness. I’m not talking about a magician (although that would be cool too), but someone who has dug so deep into their authentic being and purpose that they have truly found greatness within themselves. This is 100% how I see today’s guest on the show, Elizabeth Gilbert. If you don’t know her name already, you probably know the name of her bestselling book, Eat, Pray, Love, which was also made into a hugely popular film. And you might have also seen her on tour with Oprah or on her Super Soul Sessions. Even if you don’t know anything about Liz, once you hear her talk, you know you’re in the presence of someone special. Liz has walked the path of greatness to really find her core purpose in life – and she is living it. It was so fun to meet her and talk about all the deep topics we dove into. What I especially love about Liz is that she isn’t just talk — she’s lived everything she writes about. Open your heart wide and get ready to find the magic and creativity inside you in Episode 341. Some Questions I Ask:What is the difference between competition and ambition? (2:10)What is the biggest thing that holds people back? (20:36)In This Episode, You Will Learn:Why you can’t stay at the top forever (8:51)Follow your curiosity instead of your passion (13:38)Why it’s so important to take a break from your work and have an “off season” (15:41)How to manage fear before a really big event (24:50)The power of giving your attention versus getting attention (27:30)How Liz managed to stay grounded through the success of Eat, Pray, Love (41:20)

I’m always inspired by people who are the best at what they do. The ones who break the limits of what has been done before. The ones who are willing to do what it takes to achieve greatness in the thing they are passionate about. Today’s guest fits all of the above qualities and more. I had an incredible time meeting and connecting with the legendary extreme action sports champion Travis Pastrana. If you’ve watched the X Games, Motocross, or Rally Car Racing, you already know who I’m talking about. But in case you haven’t, he has won medals in all of these sports. Travis is one of the founding members of the stunt show Nitro Circus, which is a mindblowing action sports show that has been touring the country for years. He has been the first to pull off many of the craziest stunts and now focuses on exploring new ones to teach to the upcoming generation of stunt performers. All of this is very cool (just check out the video of his top 10 stunts below). But what is even cooler about Travis is how grounded he is in his work. His passion for it. His family. He has gone through enough pain and loss to turn most people off of this sport. But it only fuels him to keep going. And that is passion I admire. I can’t wait for you to be inspired by his wisdom and perspective on living the life he loves in Episode 368 with Travis Pastrana. Some Questions I Ask:How do you navigate your career after losing a close friend to this sport? (14:58)Was there ever a stunt where you thought you weren’t going to make it? (17:17)How do you get past fear to get into flow? (42:25)What drives you today? (48:48)In This Episode, You Will Learn:Why it’s a big struggle for many extreme action athletes to find a new career if they’re injured (10:55)What Travis wants to teach his daughters about career opportunity (15:10)Why getting so many injuries and dealing with so much pain is worth it (16:47)How Travis talks himself through really crazy stunts (23:45)The story behind Travis breaking the world record for the longest car jump (26:20)Why the money is never worth it in this sport (38:56)The value in messing up while trying something new (43:37)What Travis does to unwind daily (44:40)How Travis and his wife handle each other’s risk-taking (46:30)

I learn a lot from all the women around me (almost my whole team is women). But today’s guest is extra special. Not only is she the youngest self-made female billionaire in America (wow, right??), she is also the mother of four young kids, the wife of another podcast guest, Jesse Itzler, and the founder and CEO of the massively popular women’s apparel brand SPANX. Yes, Sara Blakely is a legend among entrepreneurs. When we got to sit down and talk for the podcast, I kept finding out new things to admire Sara for. She struggled a lot in school (me too!). She sold fax machines door to door FOR 7 YEARS before she had the idea for Spanx. She was rejected by every manufacturing company she took her idea to. But she didn’t let any of that stop her. Sara’s hustle and can-do attitude is just one thing I learned about her in this interview. We dive into dealing with grief, how to scale companies the right way, what it’s like to be mentored by Richard Branson, and much more. Welcome to an inspiring interview with powerhouse Sara Blakely in Episode 397. Some Questions I Ask:How did you meet your husband Jesse? (30:12)How do you stay so grounded and calm with everything you have going on? (32:00)What did you learn from being mentored by Richard Branson? (44:47)What is more challenging for you – running a billion dollar brand or being a mom? (49:46)In This Episode, You Will Learn:What happened in Sara’s life to prepare her for entrepreneurship before she had her big idea (7:12)The list of possible product names Sara considered before she decided on Spanx (11:46)The hardest part of getting her company off the ground (15:55)How Sara guerrilla-marketed her first order of Spanx in Neiman Marcus (20:01)Why being kind to yourself is so important (32:15)How Sara got Warren Buffet to paint his belly for her new book (36:32)What grief and loss can teach us (43:01)

When you think of unforgettable stories, which ones are they? When you think of powerful, epic brands, which ones are they? Have you ever noticed how powerful brands usually have powerful stories associated with them? There’s no coincidence there. That is what today’s guest on The School of Greatness has become a master at. Donald Miller is a NYT bestselling author and founder of a company called StoryBrand which has helped the biggest brands in the world, right up to the White House, develop powerful stories that explain their brand. I met him last year through amazing friends in Nashville and it was incredible to sit down with him this last weekend when I was there again for an interview. We also got to take some awesome lifestyle pics at his beautiful home, thanks to photographer Spencer Combs, founder of Wedable. Not only is Donald a master storyteller, but he has also learned firsthand how to tap into the power of vulnerability in storytelling. No matter what kind of business, project, or hobby you are working on right now, his insight into telling your story is golden. Be prepared for an amazing story in Episode 332 with Donald Miller. Some questions I ask:In order to continue to experience joy, do we need to keep experiencing pain? (4:00)How much of your work is connected to The Hero’s Journey? (6:59)Why do we want to rescue people? (14:47)In This Episode, You Will Learn:Why it’s so important to have a new goal ready when you accomplish something (6:01)The signs to look for to avoid getting into a relationship with someone who has a victim mindset (12:41)The impact of losing a father at a young age (23:15)Why stories are so powerful (32:48)Why simple stories are the ones that are remembered (34:25)How to craft an amazing brand story (36:05)The power of making your business about your customer instead of you (39:44)

This is what happened with today’s guest. I had a friend who offered to introduce me to the amazing actor and Broadway star Taye Diggs, but when I ran into him twice in a week, I knew it was time. I’m so glad I got him on the show because he has a wealth of experience and insight to share. Taye discussed how he has learned to manage the ups and downs of the acting industry from a young age. He goes into managing his ego, practicing gratitude, and pushing himself out of his comfort zone even though he’s achieved success. We also discuss what it takes to maintain a healthy intimate relationship between two driven, successful people and what he has learned from being a parent. Taye is a talented man in many ways, but I was especially impressed with his dedication to helping others and his vulnerability. I’m excited for you to hear his wisdom in Episode 342. Some Questions I Ask:Who do you think is the most courageous actor right now? (7:31)If you could only sing, dance OR act for the rest of your career, what would you choose? (10:57)What’s the most challenging part of the business for you? (21:21)How do you practice self-love without feeding your ego? (26:26)What holds back young actors and what should they be focusing on? (33:07)What was it like working with Shonda Rhimes? (36:27)How do you prep for really big moments on stage or in film? (43:31)What’s the quickest way for you to get in the zone? (49:44)How did you maintain a quality intimate relationship with a fellow actor who was up to big things? (52:44)In This Episode, You Will Learn:How getting outside your comfort zone is like flexing a muscle (6:02)Taye’s viewpoint on African-American actors in Hollywood (24:48)The value of experiencing friction in life (35:13)Taye’s tips for fixing a mistake you make on stage (48:15)

What comes to your mind when you hear the word “abundance?” Probably wealth. Security. Not having to worry about where your money is coming from. Being able to give freely. This is what most people think of when they think about abundance. And I believe in the power of creating abundant wealth. But there’s another side to abundance, which comes only when you cultivate an abundant mindset. That’s the abundance we are talking about today on The School of Greatness. Lisa Nichols knows walks her talk when it comes to an abundant mindset. Today she is a hugely successful entrepreneur, life coach, and CEO of one of the first publicly traded self-development companies. But there was a time when she was a young single mom who was so broke she couldn’t buy diapers for her baby. We go into all the details of how she turned her life around from an existence of scarcity to a massively abundant one – but some of the best wisdom Lisa gives in this interview is her perspective on relationships. I learned a ton from Lisa and loved her energy, wisdom, and huge heart. I am really excited for you to open your mind to what abundance really is and how to create it in Episode 278 with Lisa Nichols. Some questions I ask:Who was the most influential person in your life growing up?What was the catalyst for you to switching from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset?What was the first discovery you made in abundance?What’s the cost of an abundance mindset?How important is visualization in taking action?How does someone find their calling?In This Episode, You Will Learn:Lisa held the record at her high school for her best track event for 18 yearsHow she knew she was meant to be a servant leader from a young ageThe power of our environment to tell us what we deserveThe 3 levels of money: how to earn it, how to keep it, how to grow itSometimes we need to divorce and evict some mindsets that aren’t serving us

What are the chances that two moms who met in a kids play group would become business partners and build a powerful social media empire based off of . . . smoothies? Would you guess that they could go from an email list of zero to 30,000 in 1 month? Or that they would travel the world coaching other entrepreneurs on building a brand? All of this is the true story of today’s guests on The School of Greatness, Jen Hansard and Jadah Sellner of Simple Green Smoothies. I loved hearing their story of going from nothing, learning from their mistakes, hustling big time, and following their hearts to make the incredible brand that they head today. If you’ve been wanting to create a brand around what you love, don’t miss the incredible tips Jen and Jadah share in Episode 250. Some questions I ask:What are the different benefits of green smoothies versus green juice?What gave you the confidence to launch this brand in such a crowded space?How did you start monetizing the business if you were giving all your recipes for free?How do you work together as equal partners in such a fast-growing business?Where should someone start who is just launching their online business?In This Episode, You Will Learn:How their business started with just an ebookThe original 30 day challenge formula that super-charged their business (they still use it!)The power of a month-long challenge to court your communityWhy good design is so essential to make your brand stand outHow they built a their email list from zero to 30K in 1 month (whoa!)Their hiring process and how they trust their team to run their social accountsThe importance of hiring a business coachThe power of dreaming and allowing yourself to create (and maintain) a huge vision

I recently met a successful comedian (25 years on the major comedy circuit and TV shows) who chose to transition his career . . . into transformational speaking events. Yes, I’m talking Tony Robbins style workshops where people are wildly inspired and face their biggest fears. But he also makes them laugh. My favorite part is that he doesn’t know what he’s going to say when he gets on stage. And that’s why Kyle Cease is such a powerful speaker (and now author). Kyle does incredible work in supporting people to overcome their biggest limiting beliefs – while allowing them to laugh about it and have fun. I love this about his approach since so much of transformational self-development work is so serious and lacks humor. So when we sat down to record a podcast episode, we were laughing and getting serious at the same time. I learned so much from Kyle and can’t wait to do more work together. Get ready to laugh, be inspired, and overcome your fears in Episode 478. Some Questions I ask:Why did you transfer from being a comedian to doing transformational work? (33:52)What’s been holding you back from getting to the next level in your life? (53:01)What did you learn from comedy that has allowed you to be an interruption for people in a positive way? (1:00:25)How do we open ourselves up to create true abundance in our lives? (1:08:50) In This Episode, You Will Learn: Why what someone thinks about you doesn’t determine who you are (3:00)The big illusion that holds us back from happiness now (9:15)How fear and taking action work differently from each other (19:58)The phrase that allows you to instantly embrace your fear (24:05)Why it’s so important to love your fears (26:45)How Facebook always puts you in a place of lack (35:45)Why you need to let go of things you are justifying (44:50)The humorous side of our egos (1:01:50)Where clarity comes from (1:09:30)

Grant and I have been friends for years. I’ve admired his hustle and results, followed his work, spoken at his events, and read his books. He was one of the earliest guests on my podcast when it launched over 4 years ago. So when I saw he was in town last weekend (flying in on his private jet), I had to reach out to see if he could come by to record another episode. And I’m so glad I did. Grant is someone who people either love or hate.He’s created extraordinary results that no one can deny (hundreds of millions in sales annually, incredible wealth, massive impact, bestselling books and courses, the list goes on). He is unapologetic about what he stands for and why he does what he does. But not everyone is willing to play at his level of commitment and hustle. So if you’re feeling lazy, this might not be the episode for you. If, however, you’re ready for inspiration to take your entire life to the next level and create massive wealth, look no further than Episode 497 with my man Grant Cardone. Some Questions I Ask:What are some of the biggest mistakes you made early on? (10:24)How much is “rich?” (18:56)What’s the biggest thing holding you back right now? (55:51)What would it take for you to do a $900 million deal right now? (58:08) In This Episode, You Will Learn:Why people hate sales (and how to fix that mindset) (12:30)Why the middle class is doomed (13:05)The value in becoming great at something you hate (17:15)The best places to invest your money (23:58)The story of how Grant convinced his wife to marry him (after she wouldn’t go out with him for over a year) (31:54)Why you can’t just do what you love and expect to get rich (39:38)How billionaires operate differently from millionaires (52:32)

But last week, I had the chance to meet one of the coolest women ever, and it turns out she's a fan.Mel Robbins is the most booked female speaker on the planet with a 7 figure speaking business.Oh yeah, she's also a bestselling author, a former criminal defense attorney, a CNN commentator, happily married for 20 years, and a mom of 3 kids.But what I really fell in love with about Mel was her passion, energy, straight-talking truth, and beautiful vulnerability.I can't wait to be awesome friends going forward.In addition to making a great new friend, however, I am really pumped to bring you Mel's incredible wisdom about how she overcame procrastination, fear, and low self-confidence after a devastating career blow and financial hardship.I have a feeling this is going to become one of the most popular episodes ever on the show.Get ready to laugh, cry, and learn how to master your thoughts to create extraordinary results in Episode 452.Some questions I ask:Once you mastered your thoughts, did you have no more fear? (13:30)When did you discover the 5 Second Rule? (16:34)What area of your life has the 5 Second Rule had the biggest impact? (38:22) Is there any area of your life that you still lack confidence in? (41:54)In this episode, you will learn:The definition of habits (the good and bad side of them) (7:19)Why it’s so important to control your thoughts versus your feelings (11:56)What anxiety really is (15:45)The knowledge-action gap that keeps so many people from achieving their goals (24:54)How we make decisions (26:05)The moment that got Mel to shift out of snoozing through life and into action (28:02)The neuroscience behind why the 5 Second Rule works (30:39)How to use the 5 Second Rule in business negotiations (37:45)What successful people do in their minds to keep moving ahead no matter how they feel (40:07)Where confidence comes from (40:34)Plus much more...

Tony Robbins is someone I've looked up to since I was 16 years old and attended one of his events in St. Louis.I've learned so much from him through the years by reading his books, watching him give talks, and hearing him speak.He's been on the podcast twice already, so of course when I got the chance to interview him about his newest book, Unshakeable, I jumped on it.You probably know I don't read fast and it's not my favorite way to learn (dyslexia, etc). But I read this book in 4 hours, which has to be a record for me.I'm really glad I did as well since Tony partnered with the top financial advisor in the country to write a playbook for financial freedom no matter what the market is doing.In this interview, Tony and I go deep into exactly how to do this, but we also cover powerful topics like how to avoid suffering, the power of choice, and what is still uncomfortable for Tony after all his success in life.As always, I can't speak highly enough of what I've learned from Tony and am excited for you to learn from him as well in Episode 451.Some questions I ask:What’s the difference between someone who is financially rich and someone who is financially poor? (5:31)How can we invest without fear? (16:31)What have you learned about the power of a beautiful state? (32:45)What are you still uncomfortable about? (47:32)How do you rationalize choice when there is so much we don’t get to choose? (49:58)Is it possible for women to become powerful leaders without making men feel emasculated? (54:47)In this episode, you will learn:Why the current financial market is so volatile compared to the rest of history (2:45)What most investors are failing to do (8:15)Why you must become an “owner” and how to do this (17:38)How to prepare for a bear market (24:07)What you need to know about timing when investing (27:23)Why 80% of investing success is psychological (30:46)The antidote to suffering (38:51)Plus much more…

You know how there are just some people that the minute you start talking to them, you learn something amazing?That's how I felt when I got the chance to finally meet Brad Lomenick, an author and the founder of Catalyst, and a legendary expert on leadership.I had heard of him well before we talked for this episode, and for good reason, but it wasn't until we started talking about his insight on what creates powerful leaders that I realized just how wise he is.Brad has not only founded a hugely successful company and podcast, but he found the guts and vision to pass the baton after 12 years and continue his work in new and challenging ways.I loved picking his brain on all parts of leadership, especially the relationship between confidence and humility.Whether you're leading a company or seeking to take a leadership role in your relationships, you're going to get massive value out of Brad's perspective.I am very happy to introduce you to my new friend Brad Lomenick in Episode 263 on The School of Greatness.Some questions I ask:Can you be confident and humble at the same time?How do you get "hungry" if you don't know what you're passionate about yet?What's the process for finding your calling?What's the most important habit you can have?How long do you have to hustle for?What are some ways to cultivate your influence?In This Episode, You Will Learn:The 3 H's of Leadership: Humble, Hungry, and HustleThe importance of leaders never feeling like they've "arrived"How Brad re-defined himself after stepping away from his company he had built for 12 yearsThe breakdown of how identity, calling, assignment work together to define who you arePlus much more...

But I think they're fascinating when I learn about them.This is exactly what I thought when I read The Four Agreements, one of the best known books on self-mastery.So when I got the chance to interview the son of the man who wrote that book, I jumped on it.I knew Don Miguel Ruiz Jr. would have powerful insight of his own on these same topics.And I was right.Not only did he grow up being taught the powerful mindsets outlined in that famous book, but his grandmother taught him the Toltec spiritual traditions of his ancestors.He has taken all of these teachings and built a career from explaining them in everyday terms for modern people to understand.In our interview for The School of Greatness Miguel took some of the hardest questions to answer and gave me some of the best answers I've ever heard.We talked about how to take off the masks that cover our true identity to others, how to love unconditionally, and how to change the world for the better.That and so much more is waiting for you in the wisdom of Don Miguel Ruiz Jr in Episode 358.Some questions I ask:What is the Toltec tradition? (10:25)Is it really possible to master yourself? (13:46)How does someone fully love themselves unconditionally? (17:12)How do you love someone who does horrible things? (25:40)What's the main thing that holds people back from reaching their highest potential? (41:56)How do men become aware of their masks and take them off? (44:31)In this episode, you will learn:What shifted Miguel from rejecting his father's teachings to accepting them (5:05)The difference between saying "I want to" versus "I have to" (8:05)Why we judge ourselves so harshly (18:00)The main function of the brain is to dream (33:40)How to control someone else (36:24)Plus much more...

Question: Have you hit a ceiling in your sales or profits?Maybe you've been successful, made a few million, but you want to really maximize the potential of your company.Or maybe you're still doing everything solo and have maxed out how many hours in a day you can realistically work. It's time to scale.Either way, you're going to love today's guest on The School of Greatness.Josh Bezoni is an incredible guy with a huge heart, not to mention a very successful businessman.I met him 5 years ago at an event he hosted in Austin, TX, became friends, and I'm back in that city this week for the book tour.We finally got a chance to sit down and record a podcast, which I'd been wanting to do for a long time.Josh is an incredible marketer, having worked for some of the best in the business early on in his career.Fast forward 20 years and he and his business partners have built a fitness supplement company from an inital investment of $1 million to $100 million . . . in just a year.In our conversation, Josh goes over the top 8 mindset shifts that have made the difference for him in bursting through the sales ceiling he had been hitting in his previous companies.Get excited to take notes and have your mental framework re-built around business in Episode 260 with Josh Bezoni.Some questions I ask:Do you think you can be successful without a charitable aspect to your business?How do you build redundancy into your team?What if you don't have a lot of cash to start up your business and build your team?How does an entrepreneur know what metrics to track and how to do that?Why are you so driven to push your profits and company?In This Episode, You Will Learn:How Josh and his co-founders took $1 million and turned it into $100 million in one year when they founded their businessThe power of writing good copy and direct response marketing to maximize your salesThe 8 Mental Shifts to Maximize Your SalesCreate a charitable mission around your businessPromote your passionGo into an industry that you can disruptForm alliesBuild your infrastructure at 20x what you think you'll needForce focusKnow your numbersFire yourselfHow they built an email list of millions in just 3 yearsJosh's best hiring tipsWhat bad  supplement manufacturers do (and why to avoid these practices)Plus much more...

It's not everyday that I have a guest on The School of Greatness who has a superhero name.But today's does.The Iceman aka Wim Hof is an absolute legend in the world of endurance sports, science, health, and mindfulness.I've been hearing about his absolutely incredible records of being outside in the extreme cold for years (he currently holds 26 world records).But it wasn't until he came by the studio for an interview that I got to experience the full wisdom and impact of Wim.First, he put me through an intense and powerful breathing exercise that released all the stress from my body and mind.Then, shortly after the interview started, he put me through another one.We got deep into the science of what Wim has discovered through his own experimentation with pushing his body and mind physically.And in case you're wondering -- Wim is not a special case. He has taught hundreds of other people to do what he does.Even if you just listen to hear the 4 minute stress release breathing technique Wim teaches in this interview, I know you'll get a powerful new perspective on your health and physical limits in Episode 398.Some questions I ask:How often do you practice your breathing strategies? (11:21)What can someone who is always stressed do every day to get calm? (12:41)Was there ever a time in your life where you lost belief in yourself? (33:44)Do you face fear now in any part of your life? (37:06)Why don't we teach how to overcome fear in school? (40:18)Do you ever get sick? (44:12)Do you think we can reverse disease with mindset alone? (1:09:40)In This Episode, You Will Learn:How breathing exercises physiologically help ills like anxiety and depression (12:01)How stress is related to chemistry in our bodies (25:35)What Wim learned from a near death experience (35:01)What uncontrolled stress does to your body (and how to avoid this) (1:01:29)Why Wim uses cold to increase health and endurance (1:04:07)Plus much more...

Interested in learning how to build a life and business around doing what you love? So am I. Let's connect.Put yourself in these shoes: your mom gives birth to you at 17, you never meet your father, you drop out of high school, and are homeless as a young man.But despite this, you go to college (even though it takes you 12 years to get through your degree), then you build your own business, become a world-class speaker, and finish your PhD at age 44.Yes, this is a true story, and today's guest on The School of Greatness is the main character.Eric Thomas, aka the Hip Hop Preacher, is a true example of greatness in action.You may have heard his voice on a YouTube video giving a now world-famous speech with the line, "When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you will be successful."We cover a lot including his thoughts on education, the power of executing your plans, how mentors influence your path, and the potential of hard work and focus.Welcome to Episode 121 with Hip Hop Preacher Eric Thomas.Some questions I ask:Why is accountability so important to you?Why are you so committed to excellence and greatness in your own life?How important is having mentors and coaches throughout your life?What are 3 big mistakes entrepreneurs make?In this episode, you will learn:The difference between degrees and educationHow purpose can help you find your passionOur gifts and talents do not perfect and hone themselves (we have to do this!)In every 24 hours, we can either break our life or make our lifeWhy he gets up at 3 am every dayHow he sets up boundaries for his work timeWhy your content will be stronger if you disconnect from all distractions dailyHow execution is the heart of your business – if it stops, your business diesThe story behind why his son graduating from high school is his greatest accomplishmentWhy most companies don’t make it past 3 yearsThe power of the discipline to waitPlus much more…

Tell if someone was lying?Know exactly what makes someone impressed?Win someone over within minutes of meeting them?I think of these skills as super powers and I love learning about them.So when previous podcast guest Vanessa Van Edwards told me she was coming out with a book, I was stoked to have her back on the show.If you listened to Episode 105, you remember her as the queen of human behavior.Vanessa has dedicated her career to understanding how people work, on a scientific level.She has taught me so much about how to play to my strengths in social situations.So in this interview, I wanted to get some really helpful tips for situations that we all want to make a good impression in.Things like networking events, dating relationships, and more.Vanessa delivered, and I loved every minute of it - especially when she explained how to tell if someone is lying and why this information can be dangerous.You've heard me say this before, but I can't overstate how important emotional intelligence is to creating powerful relationships.Get ready to learn from the people expert herself in Episode 475.Some questions I ask:What is PQ? (23:47)What are the best skills to use in negotiations? (1:07:30)In this episode, you will learn:What makes the most popular people popular (5:25)What to do to make a great impression at a big conference or networking event (8:14)The best questions to ask when you meet someone and why (13:53)How emotions are contagious (21:01)Why "fake it til you make it" isn't the best strategy (22:03)How to get support for the things your personality struggles with (36:05)Which personality test is actually scientifically based (39:47)The one personality trait that you need to figure out between partners (41:40)What personality traits to be mindful of when dating (50:40)How to tell if someone is lying (59:58)Plus much more...

I just got back from Summit at Sea, which was awesome.I got to see a lot of great friends and take a quick break from the book tour (although I didn't sleep much).As I got back, I wanted to take a minute to recap what has happened so far with the book launch, since I've barely processed it myself.My man Quddus Philippe takes over as the host of  The School of Greatness for this episode as he interviews me on the success of the book so far and how I've set the goals I have achieved.If you've read the book already, you know that there's a lot of talk about goal setting and how important that is to greatness.Quddus and I discuss how I set the goals long ago to make this book happen and how I broke down the vision of being a NYT best selling author into small steps that led to success.Get ready for a dive into goals and what's possible when you commit to them in Episode 255.

As I have been making plans to take my business and life to the next level, I realized I have some essential guideposts that help me push myself.And since you have been asking for more solo rounds, I want to share those ideas with you on today's episode of The School of Greatness.Even one of these steps has the power to transform your life and open the door to massive progress.My hope for you in listening to this episode is that you can identify which step (or steps) will make the biggest impact in your life and then TAKE ACTION to upgrade that area of your life.As you probably know, one of my favorite words is "hustle." But hustling will only get you so far if you aren't taking the effort and time on a daily basis to set yourself up for greatness.In Episode 111, I pull back the curtain on my ten most essential steps to breaking through my barriers and getting to the next level. Please join me for this solo round and prepare to upgrade your life!In This Episode, You Will Learn:The importance of writing down and displaying your goal (so you see it every day)How your health is related to making moneyWhy it's important to hire a coach and not just have mentorsWhat the difference is when your team takes on your vision with youWhy I make my bed every morning (small win to start the day!)About the effect of acknowledging your efforts and accomplishmentsMy email to let me know how I can support you in letting go of negative self-talk: lewis at lewishowes.comPlus much more...

And he's several years older than when I first met him.I'm thinking you're already familiar with him either becauseYou heard him on Episode 92 of the showYou've had some delicious Bulletproof coffeeYou are obsessed with optimizing your body and brain and know he's the leader in the industryIf not, let me introduce you to my friend Dave Asprey.His story of getting into health and biohacking is pretty amazing (overweight, overworked corporate man turns into health phenomenon and starts a global movement around his Bulletproof Executive brand).But what I love about Dave is his consistent commitment to continuing the research, experiments, and evolution of his passion - helping people become the absolute healthiest, highest performing versions of themselves.So when he came out with his new book (all about managing your brain's energy), I was stoked to find out his newest insights on this topic.Dave has a great gift of explaining pretty complex biological systems in simple ways.I loved learning about how my body and brain work AND how I can do easy things each day to optimize the amount of energy my brain has available.Dave also tells funny stories and has a great perspective on life, so that didn't hurt.If you're looking to train your brain to work at its very best, take notes in Episode 464 with Dave Asprey.Some questions I ask:Is the brain the most important part of your health to focus on? (2:26)What are you doing right now to look so youthful and energetic? (10:17)How is inflammation the "muffin top" of the brain? (33:40)In this episode, you will learn:How your body and brain process energy like a battery (4:42)Why you should push your body to its limits once a week (15:10)Why Dave only works out once or twice a week (17:25)The new program Dave has created to get years of meditation zen effects in a few days (21:26)What is possible by taking advantage of your brain's neuroplasticity (24:30)The new compound that makes your brain able to change itself better (25:10)The worst toxins for your mitochondria and energy (27:50)Why vegetable oil is worse for your brain than nicotine (29:15)Foods everyone should cut out of their diet for good brain health (30:30)When eating a little sugar is a good idea (37:30)Plus much more...

Oh man. I wasn't going to post this episode.In fact, during this conversation, I repeatedly found myself opening up and saying things I was not comfortable sharing.But since this is The School of Greatness, I knew I had to share all the lessons I am privileged to learn myself, even the ones that aren't comfortable.What could I have been talking about that was so scary to share?Relationships . . . of course.I met today's guest, Neil Strauss, after he had already been a NYT bestselling author 7 times.He is best known for becoming a pick up artist by going underground into the world of that game for 2 years and then writing a book about what he learned.But by the time I met him, he was happily engaged to his now wife, and those days were behind him.In this episode, we started by talking about his new book, which counters his former bestseller, revealing the uncomfortable truth about what makes relationships work.Soon into the conversation, however, the tables turned and we started discussing my experiences in relationships.Not the kind of thing I was expecting to discuss for thousands of people to hear.However, I learned so much from just this one conversation with Neil about myself, my relationships, and how to improve my future ones, that I knew I couldn't keep it to myself.Here's the raw, vulnerable truth about relationships, my life, and the lessons Neil Strauss has learned from his own in Episode 242.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Why our parents' relationship deeply affects our own perceptions of intimacyHow our brain templates are formed in young childhoodThe power of removing blame from your parents for what isn't working in your relationshipsWhat pathological accommodation is (and how it sabotages relationships)The importance of recognizing your own issues, not your partner'sHow you can create a conscious coupling (just like you can create a conscious uncoupling)Plus much more...

Interested in learning how to build a life and business around doing what you love? So am I. Let's connect.Have you ever asked yourself why you feel so stressed all the time?It's pretty common these days to just assume a stress-filled life is the norm, especially if you're an entrepreneur.Today's guest on The School of Greatness has known stress above and beyond the norm.Amanda Enayati had to flee from her home country of Iran when she was a kid (without her parents), lived in the West Village in NYC during 9/11, worked as an attorney for years and then got late-stage breast cancer (while raising two small children).Yes, that's all for real.So you can take her word for it when she says she knows about stress.But what is incredible about Amanda (including what she has gone through) is her devotion to researching and teaching the best ways to understand and handle the stress that comes to all of us.If you listened to the last episode with Todd Kashdan, you'll really enjoy this interview as well.Amanda shares some different and some similar ideas from Todd about how to use stress to your advantage and how to find healing from traumatic stress.I know you'll enjoy this conversation as much as I did in Episode 155 with CNN contributor and author Amanda Enayati.Some questions I ask:Do you think major stress in your life was the cause of your cancer?Does every generation think that their generation is the most stressed?What are some beginner tips to help a Negative Nancy let go of stress?Why are athletes particularly good at harnessing stress?Why do you recommend people belong to a group?In This Episode, You Will Learn:What mattered to her when she got diagnosed with cancer:she needed to be who she was meant to beshe didn't want any strife with anyoneThe fact that life is suffering isn't all bad"Suck-it-up-itude" - the attitude that failure isn't an excuse to give upSerenity means that you have found what you are meant to do and you are sharing that with the worldHow the little whys behind what we do add up to the big whysWhy we think of ourselves as so stressed outTo re-frame your stress mindset:1- Tell yourself better stories about what's happening2- Remember all stress isn't the same3- Re-draw the map of your stories and what they are telling youThe problem with stress is a design issueWhy kids need some stress to develop into happy, healthy adultsThe power of belonging and its ability to heal usPlus much more...

Would you ever guess that the same person who works on major advertisements for brands like Nike, J. Crew and 20th Century Fox is also a high school dropout who started his career as a dishwasher in a seafood restaurant?How about the guy who was living in a trailer park on welfare was interviewing President Bill Clinton just 3 years later (in person, on film)?How do these things happen?I realize that I have an interesting story of getting from my sister's couch to making millions within a few years.But today's guest on The School of Greatness is the embodiment of the potential of hard work and vision.Casey Neistat didn't look like he was going to amount to much of anything as a teenager.And then he took a huge leap at 19 years old and moved to NYC with $800 and a place to stay for 3 months.Today he is one of the biggest filmmakers on YouTube, with over a million followers, and one of the most sought-after creatives for major brands and labs.I had heard about Casey from several friends (whose opinion I trust) and started following him on social media recently.I absolutely love his style of film, his creative and original use of platforms like Snapchat and Instagram, and his incredible success with his daily vlog.He is also an entrepreneur who just launched a new social video app called Beme.By the time he got to my studio for an interview, I already had a long list of questions I wanted to ask him.But we got so caught up in a fascinating conversation about Casey's journey and where film and social media are going, I ran out of time to ask most of my questions.One of the biggest lessons I learned from Casey is how important it is to follow your own rules and gut when it comes to using social media and new ways to create content these days.His results speak for themselves, so take notes in Episode 222 with filmmaker Casey Neistat.Some questions I ask:If you are a creative, do you think you should avoid mainstream media?What was your first branded deal that made you realize you could make money doing your own style of film?If someone offered you a TV show, would you take it?What's the key to being successful on YouTube right now?How do you manage being a father and husband with your travel schedule?How many tattoos do you have?In This Episode, You Will Learn:Why Casey left making successful feature films and HBO to make new media on YouTube and social mediaHow Casey made the most watched Nike video of all timeThat the kind of camera you use is not the most important part of making quality videos onlineCasey has never outsourced editing for any of his vlogsWhy Casey considers his son being born when he was 17 one of the greatest things that happened to himCasey's advice to young people who don't know what they want to do with their lifeHow Casey got the gig to interview President Clinton when he was 20 years oldThe movie that Casey made that coined the phrase "viral video" (before YouTube and social media!)The concept behind his new app Beme (and how he came up with the idea while working at MIT)Why Casey has no regrets about his life (despite a lot of hardship)The one thing he has done with his YouTube channel that has had the biggest impactPlus much more...

Transition can suck at times.You may lose your job, end a relationship, someone passes away, parents divorce, you move to new city to start over, get injured, etc.This may leave you on your sister's couch feeling miserable and hopeless.I've been there.On my book tour I’ve often been asked, "How did you get off the couch and get to where you are now?"So many people want the results now. Little do they know this has been an 8 year journey for me. I couldn’t speak in front of people, I didn’t have any tools or skills, I wasn’t confident, and I had no clue how to make an income for myself, let alone afford my own apartment.But I did get off the couch. I did make my dreams a reality.So when you feel stuck, I'm sharing my top ways to get off the couch in Episode 258.In This Episode, You Will Learn:The Top 10 Ways to Get Off the CouchGet up to the mirror, look yourself in the eyes and say, "Enough is enough … I’m going to make something of myself, and I’m sick and tired of feeling sick and tired."  Write down in a journal who you are and what you stand for and why it’s important for you to get off the couch.Make a list of 10 things you love doing that make you the happiest when you do them.Commit to 60 mins a day of working out in the morning.Write a list of the 5 things that scare you the most.Tackle the top 3 things that scare you so you master them.Write down a vision for yourself for 3 months, 6 months and 12 months.Find a mentor who has already achieved those visions and ask them to give you a challenge with coaching.Do something in the first 30 days to give back, give gratitude, and give to yourself.Feed your mind with books, podcasts, and inspiring videos.Chart your results nightly for what you created and check in every week to see what’s been working and what has been holding you back.  Repeat.

He's a big podcaster, a massively successful author and blogger, a genius in business, and one of the most down to earth guys I know.Yes, James Altucher is back for his 4th episode!He's coming out with a new book, which we dive into in this interview, and also has made some big lifestyle shifts that are fascinating.I love talking to James because he is such a straight-shooter, but also because he always gets me to think differently about my life and the assumptions I'm making.James' newest book is all about reinventing yourself, and we ended up talking about an example from my own life of doing this.It got me thinking about all the times I've chosen to reinvent myself and the value I've seen as a result. There's no way I would have gotten to where I am today without being willing to reinvent several times.So whether or not you're ready for a change, listen up to why it might be exactly what you're needing to do in Episode 425 with James Altucher.Some questions I ask:Do you think people are screwed if they don’t start thinking about how to reinvent themselves? (9:11)How do we cultivate innovative ideas to reinvent ourselves? (11:28)When is the last time you reinvented yourself? (19:25)What’s the most meaningful thing in your life right now? (25:44)Do you have any regrets from your business career? (34:03)What are you doing in your business to generate revenue and package your content? (37:10)What should online content creators be focusing on? (42:43)In this episode, you will learn:How to make the most money from self-publishing your book (4:09)The future of jobs (and which ones are growing) (5:14)The whole story of how I re-invented myself from a football athlete to a handball athlete (11:47)James’ formula for reinventing yourself (15:48)The story of why and how James sold all of his possessions and decided to become homeless (20:06)How to deal with a bad day (32:28)Why you shouldn’t think about what’s missing in your life (34:15)Plus much more…

I recently had the honor of being interviewed on an awesome show, Inside Quest, by Quest Nutrition Co-Founder Tom Bilyeu.We had such an incredible conversation, I'm still thinking about it.And of course I wanted him to come on  The School of Greatness.Tom is not only an amazing human being, husband, entrepreneur, and businessman, but he has helped build Quest to become the 2nd fastest growing company in North America!What really hits home for me about Tom and his mission, however, is that it isn't about making millions and breaking growth records.Tom's company is built on a deep desire to serve others by addressing a core part of health issues - lack of truly clean food products to fuel an amazing life.I loved getting under the hood with Tom about how they hire and fire at Quest, his thoughts on marriage and kids, and how he has developed killer self-awareness through the years.Welcome to the gold mine of Tom Bilyeu's brain and heart in Episode 201.Some questions I ask:How did you stay committed to keep going to the gym even when you didn't want to?How did you figure out that you wanted to start Quest as your mission-aligned company?What is the question you ask people when you are interviewing them to understand their mindset?How do you cultivate self-awareness?In This Episode, You Will Learn:Why Tom believes wealth is the great facilitator for change (but it still doesn't buy happiness)The difference between momentary happiness and framework happinessAsk yourself, "What would I love to do even if I were failing?"The power of servicing someone else's dream to propel your ownThe arrogance of belief and how to use it for goodThe Quest philosophy around hiringThe skills needed to create a great marriage are the same skills to create a great businessPlus much more...

You probably already know what a big fan of intention I am.If you're part of the School of Greatness Academy, or have ever been coached by me, we've no doubt talked about it.That's because I have learned first-hand the power of setting my intention on my goal and making all decisions based off of that intention.Without it, I've said things I wanted to do and nothing happened.With it, I've made the seemingly impossible my reality.So I got really excited when I saw that one of the top (if not the very top) leadership expert had just come out with a book on intention.John Maxwell is one of the most renowned authors and leadership coaches in the world.I could go on for days listing his merits and impressive resume, but needless to say, he's written over 80 books, sold 25 million copies of those books, and travels the world consulting with top leaders.I was lucky enough to interview him for this episode of The School of Greatness.John is one of the most humble and wise men I've met and I was drinking in every word he said.He's written so much (and coached so many) that almost every sentence he said was something I wanted to write down as a quote.I even asked him to repeat one because it was so good.Intention is powerful, and John taught me out how to use it to achieve what you most want.Get ready to learn from a master in Episode 239 with John Maxwell.Some questions I ask:What moment in your adult life had the most uncertainty for you?How do you stay humble and grounded in your mission after all this success?To avoid burnout, do you agree you must include service to others in your business or venture?How does someone with a huge vision (to inspire millions) also maintain intimate relationships?How do you handle breakdowns?In This Episode, You Will Learn:What John has learned about success from playing sports (another reason to play sports and keep fit)Why pro-golf tournaments are 4 days long (otherwise everyone would win)The power of compounded consistency to create greatness in your lifeThe first time you do something isn't to do it well; it's to learnJohn's secrets to selling 25 million booksWhy John loves holding a new book of his every time (after writing 80 books)The story of why John switched from being a pastor to be a leaderThe power of knowing your purpose to get you through adversityWhy John considers his most recent book his most importantThe importance of writing the story of your own lifeHow to keep quality people on your team for yearsPlus much more...

I was nearly in tears while hearing Mo Gawdat's story of how he has learned how to be happy no matter what is going on.Mo is a genius and has always enjoyed professional success and wonderful family relationships.If you've ever heard of Google's amazing branch X, you know they're the geniuses who are working on self-driving cars and a world-wide network of balloons that would give internet access everywhere.Mo runs that company.So when he found himself miserable 10 years ago, despite all his success and family fulfillment, he put his brilliant engineering mind to the task of figuring out what actually creates happiness.Over 10 years he studied every book and idea he could find and slowly developed what he calls an equation for happiness.It is simple and straightforward and is all based around expectations and reality.Once he applied his equation to his own life, he found he was happy no matter what.But then he lost his son Ali to a simple medical mistake by a doctor.And his research and equation were put to a whole new test.Inspired by Ali and his family's experience of this tragedy, Mo wrote a book to explain his happiness equation and why it works even under the hardest circumstances.I learned so much from Mo in just this one hour conversation and I know you will too in Episode 467 with Mo Gawdat.Some questions I ask:Who are the people who are the most unhappy in the world? (7:06)When did you start the search for the happiness equation? (14:39)What's the biggest lesson your son Ali taught you? (22:54)What is your approach to getting back to happiness when something goes wrong? (41:13)In this episode, you will learn:The reason Mo took a 6 month sabbatical from Google to promote this book (6:36)How our expectations determine our happiness (10:12)The difference between pain and suffering (19:55)The advice Mo's son gave him before he passed (22:06)Why we become less wise as we get older (24:22)The 6 big illusions that cause much of our suffering (31:54)How Mo open sourced edits for his book to make it better (39:00)Plus much more...

I loved everything I learned from Laird (including the crazy breathing workout we did).But that was only half of the fun I had that day.After interviewing Laird, I got to interview his equally amazing wife Gabrielle Reece.Gabby is accomplished on so many levels, including being a world-class sand volleyball athlete, model, fitness trainer, author, wife, and mother.In talking with Gabby I really had the sense that she has it all.But she is the first to admit that it hasn't been given to her. She has worked incredibly hard for everything she has.We first talked about her volleyball career and how she paid her way through college by modeling.And then we got into her best relationship advice (she and Laird have been married 20 years and have 3 daughters).I LOVED what insight she had on the importance of empowering alpha males to stand in their power.We also discussed her views on the importance of knowing your own worth despite what anyone else thinks.I couldn't be happier to bring you a second incredible interview coming from the same visit in Episode 215 with Gabrielle Reece.Some questions I ask:Were you comfortable in your own skin (being so tall at an early age)?Why is living a healthy lifestyle so important to you today?What's it take from a woman to be with a strong, driven man and have a thriving relationship?How does a woman find inner happiness these days?What are some strategies to increase belief in yourself?In This Episode, You Will Learn:How Gabby got into pro beach volleyball before it was an Olympic sportHow hard work helps your self-worthThe story of how Gabby got into modeling to pay her way through college (and gave up her sports scholarship for it)Why having a real sense of self served her so well at a young ageWhat she learned from trying to become a pro-golfer after her volleyball careerWhy it takes so long for volleyball players to transition from indoor to beachWhat she and her husband Laird have learned from the bumps in the road in their relationship (and how they have created a 20 year marriage!)Why it's okay for a woman to yield to her husband in certain cases and why it's important to honor his masculinityGabby's amazing relationship advice (so much wisdom here!)The philosophy behind Gabby's HI X workouts that are now taught at 24 Hour FitnessHer approach to building her business (beyond fitness)How fear and doubt are part of being human and it's okay to start over each dayPlus much more...

The more I learn about the brain, the more fascinated I am by it.Things I used to think were just a mystery (like what makes us happy and what makes us sad) I'm now learning are totally controllable.So I was really excited to talk to one of the leading neuroscience psychologists in the field today.Dr. Rick Hanson has written multiple best-selling books about how to actually hardwire our brains to stay in the positive side of thought and feeling.Which is something I'm always looking to bring to The School of Greatness.In our conversation, I kept asking him questions related to my own experiences with emotional intelligence, positive thought, and the power we have to shift ourselves out of negative emotions and thought patterns.Everything Rick shared with me confirmed my own experience and what I've learned from other experts.What I especially loved learning this time was how important it is to slow down and consciously enjoy the good times (something I have struggled with in the past) because it actually helps reinforce those positive brain waves in the hardwiring of our brains.This is just one gem I picked up from my fascinating interview with brain genius Dr. Rick Hanson in Episode 207.Some questions I ask:Are most people holding onto negative experiences from the past more so than the positive that happens daily?What are the 4 steps to taking in the good?What is a good process to follow to break negative thoughts?What is the brain capable of creating in the world?What is the optimal daily ritual to keep the positive thoughts going?What has a bigger effect on the other: the mind on the heart or the heart on the mind?In This Episode, You Will Learn:Rick has been meditating since the '90s (that's a lot of meditating)How the hard wiring of our brains affects usWhy having good experiences constantly in romantic relationships is so important to keep them healthyThe enjoy-ability of an experience is an important signal to your brain to slow down and value the goodWhat causes lasting change in behavior and mindsetStep 1: Activation - a useful thought or experience to get things goingStep 2: Installation - a method for actually getting the experience to stick in your brainHEAL:Have the experienceEnrich the experienceAbsorb the experienceLink the experienceWe can learn certain important things only through negative experiencesThe importance of acknowledging the good in your life (and not just the bad)The feeling of a reward is much more powerful than just the idea of onePlus much more...

Last time I had fitness/nutrition expert Yuri Elkaim on the The School of Greatness, we talked about how to get and keep up awesome energy all day long.His insights are amazing because he knows the science and practical application of all the different kinds of diets and workouts.I wanted to bring Yuri back on the podcast because he just wrote a new book about how to burn fat and lose weight all day long.I was excited to ask him the truth behind the scenario so many of us struggle with.Yuri is awesome because he's able to make even the most complicated health issues really easy to understand and gives actionable tips to put to use.In this episode, I asked him if there is a perfect fat-burning diet for everyone (as so many diets claim) and he said no!Instead, he outlined what his studies have shown him work best on the most people, which is something I'd never heard of.Best news: people are getting amazing results that are sustainable and not focused on deprivation using his eating plan.Whether you're looking to lose weight (finally) or not, I'm stoked to bring you this interview with one of the best in the industry, Yuri Elkaim in Episode 261.Some questions I ask:Is there a perfect diet for everyone?Can you workout too much?What is a good long term diet plan?In This Episode, You Will Learn:The TRUTH about low-carb dietsWhy it's smart to model people who are similar to you in diet/lifestyle/workout, etc.The 6 "fat triggers" that force our bodies to produce more cortisol (stress) and hold onto fatWhy sex drive goes down when you are super stressedYuri's reasons to reduce gluten and dairy in your dietWhat anti-inflammatory foods areThe downsides of working out too muchWhat "deadly belly bugs" are (not as gross as it sounds)How to pick a great probioticThe connection between cortisol and insulinThe 5 Day Food Cycling FormulaDay 1 – Low Carb DayDay 2 – 1-Day FeastDay 3 – 1-Day FastDay 4 – Regular CalorieDay 5 – Low CaloriePlus much more...

But I'm REALLY excited about this episode.And not just because the guest is another Ohio boy!(But I wore one of my best Ohio shirts and hats when he came by the studio.)You probably already know him from his multiple hit shows on MTV.Or from his long list of world records in skateboarding.Or for his incredible branding with labels like DC shoes.Even if you've somehow never heard of Rob Dyrdek, you're in for a huge treat.Rob is cool for many reasons.But I literally couldn't stop asking him questions during this interview because he is so SMART when it comes to business, entrepreneurship, focus, habits, and vision.Just a few of my favorite things :)Rob and I dove deep into all these topics, as well as the real motivation behind all of them - to create happiness now.I loved every minute of this interview and can't wait for Rob to come back on the show.I know you'll get just as much out of it in Episode 373 with the legendary Rob Dyrdek.Some questions I ask:How do you describe yourself and your bio? (35:26)How do you manage your energy so that you're always full? (40:33)What are you non-negotiable daily habits? (58:46)In this episode, you will learn:How Rob got royalties on a third of DC shoes' entire line in his mid-twenties (4:45)What the term "stirfry" means in entrepreneurship (5:52)What the difference is between a business and an idea (12:08)Why Rob embraces stalkers (16:24)The story behind his sister getting married inside the Fantasy Factory (19:20)How Fantasy Factory almost didn't make it on air (26:45)The story of how Rob almost died surfing with Laird Hamilton (33:38)How to be happy everyday (38:18)The key to living a balanced and full life (43:20)How Rob's life changed when he met Tony Robbins (43:52)Why it's so important to pick one thing to master (44:50)Plus much more...

Interested in learning how to build a life and business around doing what you love? So am I. Let's connect.Who was obsessed with superheroes as a kid?Who loved the X-Men?Who wanted to go to the X-Men's Academy for Gifted Youngsters?If you answered all those questions "Me!", you are going to love today's episode of The School of Greatness.The first time I saw Jim Kwik speak on stage, my mind was blown.His memory is nothing short of superhuman.But it wasn't always that way.In fact, as a kid, he struggled A LOT in school (just like me) and almost dropped out of college because he was so discouraged.And then he decided to focus his work on learning about learning.Fast forward 20 years and Jim is a world-renown master of memory, speed reading, learning and the brain. He has worked with the biggest names in the world, including the Clintons, Oprah, and Richard Branson, to name a few.If that isn't cool enough, he just opened an amazing Superhero Headquarters in the Hollywood Hills. It's going to be epic.I got to meet up with him there recently for this interview.Not only did we have an awesome conversation (which you can listen to and watch below!) but he amazed me yet again at the end with one of his incredible memory tricks.We didn't just talk about superheroes and mind games though.  Jim reveals extremely useful and simple to learn steps to remembering people's names, retaining the information you take in, and improving your brain in general.Episode 115 is a gold mine of information for anyone who wants to take their performance and business to a superhuman level. Prepare to have your mind blown by Jim Kwik.Some questions I ask:What inspired you to hack the brain in the first place?Why is learning a superpower?What are some things people can do to remember names?What are some daily rituals you have to sharpen your mind?In This Episode, You Will Learn:The 4th R we should learn in school: Reading, Writing, Arithmetic and RecallThe power of writing our goals down (actually using pen and paper)The difference between your problem and the story you tell yourselfWhat a forced multiplier is and why learning is considered one3 keys to remembering something: MOMMotivationObservationMechanicsThe secret behind President Clinton's amazing memoryThe connection between "listen" and "silent" (hint: it's a word scramble)The power of remembering someone's name after meeting themThe 7 tips to remembering someone's name: BE SUAVEBelieveExerciseSay the nameUse itAsk about itVisualizeEnd by saying their nameThere's no magic memory pill. There's a magic memory process.What visualization Jim used to remember my name when he first met meHis 10 top rules for improving your memorySome good exercises to strengthen your brainThe AMAZING story behind how he hung out with the whole X-Men cast for a weekPlus much more...

What's something all successful people have in common?They create powerful rituals and visualize their results before they happen.With a new television series out and after seeing his last book land him on the New York Times Bestseller list... again, his accomplishments continue to grow.In this special interview we dive deep into the development of this brilliant mind, even back to his childhood - where he opens up like never before! Welcome to the forty third episode with the inventor of the term lifestyle design, Tim Ferriss.In This Episode, You Will Learn:The inside details of The Tim Ferriss ExperimentAbout the Process of Teaming with Production CompaniesHow to Develop a Toolkit to Rapidly Learning AnythingWhat Tim's Biggest Fear IsThe Biggest Impact on Ferriss's UpbringingAbout Tim's Various Entrepreneurial FailuresA Simple Effective Way to Develop Business IdeasThe Story of Tim's first CompanyHow To Create Entrepreneurial Rituals That Lead to SuccessHow Tim Prepares for Important EventsHow he Uses Self Talk and Visualization to Achieve ResultsWhat He Hopes People Will Say at his FuneralPlus much more...

Interested in learning how to build a life and business around doing what you love? So am I. Let's connect.If I were to ask you what one characteristic makes the biggest difference in how you deal with and get through hard things, what would you answer?Maybe strength or faith or perspective?Would you have thought of resilience?I wouldn't have, until I talked to today's guest on The School of Greatness, the incredible Eric Greitens.Eric's list of accolades is long, but among some of them are that he is a Navy SEAL, a PhD, a Rhodes scholar, an author, and a hopeful for Missouri governor.His newest book is all about how resilience is the characteristic that gets us through the hard stuff - how we process pain in the moment and after.Eric is no stranger to this, as he recounts in our conversation Navy SEAL training, his travels around the world photographing war torn areas, and working with veterans with PTSD.I could have talked to Eric for hours and took plenty of notes, so I expect you to do the same.Get ready to have your eyes opened and learn life-changing insight about resilience in Episode 157 with Eric Greitens.Some questions I ask:What made you decide to become a Navy SEAL?What are some strategies for becoming mentally resilient?Do you have to endure struggle to acquire resilience?Why is a mantra better than a manifesto?What do you mean by "not all pain matters?"How can you optimize the experience of extreme pain?Why is living a life of service so important for people to understand?In This Episode, You Will Learn:Navy SEAL training - what it's really likeThe power of taking the focus off of yourself and onto your purpose during a challengeThe idea of segmenting an overwhelming challenge: breaking it down into small enough pieces that you have one you can start with right nowMental rehearsal: teaching yourself how to worryResilience is the virtue that helps you get better when things are hardThe difference between pain that distracts you and pain that helps you growWhy the first step towards resiliency is taking responsibilityThe downside of making excuses to deal with pain (you can't run in a suit of armor)The power of breathing to help you get through pain (yes, this is for real)How writing a fear down takes away some of its power over youWhy you need to build a system to remind yourself of the things you knowPlus much more...

Years ago, when the podcast was still pretty new, I made an amazing friend, the one and only Glennon Doyle Melton.She is the super popular blogger, author, and speaker behind the Momastery brand.She changed my life by giving me the courage to share my own story of being raped as a kid.So much healing and love have come into my life since then, and Glennon and I are still good friends.She has been on her own journey over the past couple of years to live courageously in love.I am so inspired by everything she has gone through and the work she does that changes lives every day through sharing her story.She just wrote a new book that releases this week called Love Warrior. It's a must-read for everyone.We recorded this conversation a few months ago when she was in town and now I'm so excited to share it with you in Episode 376.

This was such a good conversation, we went on for over 2 hours. So I broke it out into two episodes.Welcome to part 2 of my conversation with Mike Rowe in Episode 404.Some questions I ask:Do you think you can have a fulfilled life without working hard? (2:57)How did you build such a big audience without inflating your ego? (33:20)In this episode, you will learn:Mike’s view on masculinity today (13:17)The truth about whether Mike was being considered for vice president (25:05)Plus much more…

My guess is you saw at least one episode of Mike Rowe doing one of over 300 of the dirtiest jobs in the world.But have you followed what else this blue-collar champion has been up to?I knew he'd have incredible insights on the value of hard work, entrepreneurship, and crafting a meaningful career.So I jumped at the chance to bring him on The School of Greatness.Mike has a fascinating background that includes being an opera singer, doing the narration for documentaries, and much more in addition to hosting a super popular TV show.What surprised me was his insight on the success and happiness that blue collar workers experience - and why.I also loved hearing what Mike is investing in, where he sees the future of education going, and why people seem to trust him so much.This was such a good conversation, we went on for over 2 hours. So I broke it out into two episodes.Welcome to part 1 of my conversation with Mike Rowe in Episode 403.Some Questions I ask:What’s the biggest lesson you learned from opera that you applied to your life? (13:44)Was there one person you met on Dirty Jobs that really shifted your perspective? (20:53)How did you prepare for shooting an episode of Dirty Jobs? (29:21)What’s a skill you think every human being should focus on having? (50:06)Why is “work smart not hard” bad advice? (51:35)In this episode, you will learn:Why Mike chose to start his entertainment career in opera (2:45)Why men are so driven to do things where women are (5:44)Listen to Mike sing a little opera from La bohème (8:06) Why having passion for something doesn’t guarantee you’ll get good at it (14:32)Why people with dirty jobs tend to be happier than most people Mike knows (18:01)The only jobs Mike wouldn’t do for the show (35:30)Why the “reverse commute” is important in your thinking (42:15)Plus much more…

If you listened to the first episode on the School of Greatness with Eric Thomas, AKA ET The Hip Hop Preacher, I'm sure you agree with me.ET is one of the most inspiring and motivating voices on YouTube today. He's also a powerhouse force in schools around the country, in his workshops, books, iTunes albums, and podcasts.He's the real deal.So when everything lined up to get him back on the show, I was stoked.This time around we went deep into relationships.Eric is a family man through and through, but he has also built an incredible team of people to support his vision.He has a lot of powerful experience cultivating relationships the right way, and I loved learning from him (and meeting his team who came with him).One of my favorite moments of this conversation was hearing ET's perspective on what it means to be a man.I know he practices what he preaches.Get ready for a huge boost in motivation on Episode 466 with ET the Hip Hop Preacher!Some questions I ask:What's the common challenge most people are facing right now? (4:20)How do people break away from the golden handcuffs? (7:21)What's the best way to develop belief in yourself? (9:46)How do you handle the pressure on you to constantly perform at your best? (15:42)How do you separate your ego from your brand? (18:41)What's your definition of masculinity? (21:15)What's your dream? (28:07)How did you learn to build wealth, coming from no money? (35:23)How can someone overcome their fear of public speaking? (41:35)Is it more important to teach the rising generation or the current leaders? (1:03:21)In this episode, you will learn:Why hitting rock bottom can be of service to you (5:58)The difference having a great team can make in your career and brand (19:22)What it means to be grounded versus to be humble (20:25)How ET learned to speak as powerfully as he does (38:10)Why you must prepare every day to perform (44:01)Plus much more...

One of the fun parts of The School of Greatness hitting year two (and over 200 episodes) is that I get to have repeat guests on the show.This is fun for me because I already know the guests, but it's also cool because a lot has happened with these guests in the past year or two since their last episode on the show.Such is the case with today's repeat guest Drew Canole.Drew was actually one of the first episodes on the School of Greatness, and I loved what we talked about.But in the following 2 years, Drew's business went up and then down and then UP, which is a story we get into in this episode.He is one of the most present, grounded, loving men I know and it was awesome to continue our conversation from last time around health, particularly juicing, and the incredible transformation he has created in his own health and thousands of others.Since Drew has experienced the ups and downs in health and business, I knew he also had a lot of experience with stress.So I asked him what his best tips are for relieving stress on a daily basis. He gave me seven because he's a champ.Listen closely and notice the overall mindset Drew approaches health and success with. You'll be glad you did in Episode 224 with Drew Canole.Some questions I ask:Why is green juice one of the most powerful things you can use to change your health?How can you figure out the optimal amount to eat for your body?How does someone stay consistent with their diet?What do you do every morning to set yourself up to win for the rest of the day?In This Episode, You Will Learn:The story of how Drew went from over 20% body fat to less than 7% in 90 daysYour whole gut ecology changes every 20 minutesHow Drew turned his business around from failing to thriving in one yearDrew's favorite juice recipe: ginger, dandelion greens, lemon, swiss chard, kaleBest Ways to Relieve Stress Daily:Focus on the presentMake a list of only the most important things you need to do (and make sure you're inspired to do them)Clean up your diet - cut out processed foodExercise 20 - 30 minutes in the morningFocus on your breathingEye muscle exercises (pencil push up drills)Human connection (hug someone)Why it's important to create a morning ritual that you look forward toPlus much more...

If you were alive in 1999, you remember hearing about The Matrix movie.And even if you weren't, you've no doubt heard about it since.It's an incredible film that started a huge movement in media and our culture.You'll recognize today's guest on The School of Greatness from those movies - yes, the lead female character, Trinity, was played by Carrie-Anne Moss.Now, whether or not you like the Matrix films, I am very confident you'll love Carrie.We were just recently introduced and when we started talking, I was immediately impressed with her mindfulness, calm, and fierce heart.In our conversation, we go deep - into all parts of life including family, motherhood, disconnecting from technology, self-worth, career, and so much more.I loved talking to Carrie about all of this, and I was especially inspired by how she has gracefully balanced so many big demands of her time and energy through the years.I can't wait to hear your thoughts about what we talk about, and for you to hear the stories from her acting career, in Episode 329.Some questions I ask:What do you think people are missing the most right now? (15:16)How do you make time for meditation and yoga as a busy working mom? (21:53)What's the biggest lesson you've learned as an actor that you apply to real life? (32:16)While filming The Matrix, did you know it was going to have such a big impact? (42:08)How can we break free from the addiction to technology? (54:46)In This Episode, You Will Learn:The incredible power of visualization to create the life you dream of (8:19)How to live fully in the present and enjoy it completely (12:01)What is possible when you commit to a daily meditation practice (19:00)How Carrie-Anne made it in Hollywood with nothing starting out (29:25)The value of finding your self-worth outside of your job (36:24)What Carrie-Anne's training looked like in preparation for filming The Matrix (43:00)Plus much more...

Whether or not you've heard of him, this guest is a unique brand of greatness.Tai Lopez was born and raised on the wrong side of the tracks but he made choices early on in his adult life to move to the other side.Today he lives in a massive Beverly Hills mansion, shares his tips for creating wealth and fulfillment on his super popular social media channels, and rubs shoulders with the most successful people in the world.So how did this all happen?I'd wanted to interview Tai for a while because I had a hunch that the persona he shows on his social media may not be the whole story.So I went deep on this interview to see behind the mask (if there was one).Tai did a good job of dodging some of my questions, but either way, I think you'll find his insight interesting.I definitely want to hear what you think after listening to Episode 370 with Tai Lopez.Some questions I ask:How would you describe yourself? (1:25)What drives you right now to do what you're doing? (15:48)Has your money and lifestyle made intimate relationships easier or harder on you? (21:48)What are the best and hardest parts of your lifestyle? (32:02)How did you make your first million dollars? (41:11)Do you have a certain number amount you're trying to earn? (46:29)What do you think of Warren Buffet, who lives in the same house he bought decades ago? (50:20)What's something that people who don't have money wrongly assume about wealth? (51:40)In this episode, you will learn:Why Tai won't say old he is (5:47)What it is about age and gender that tend to hold people back (11:42)Why we trust someone we like more than someone we don't like - and why this can be bad (13:02)Tai's Theory of Motivation (16:27)What Tai said when I called him out on avoiding my questions (28:36)Why reading is the easiest way to get wealthy (37:03)The reason Tai chooses not to care about big milestones of his life (41:20)The rule of 10 for entrepreneurs starting out (46:50)What Tai wants his epitaph to say (1:04:19Plus much more...

I'm not talking about a magician (although that would be cool too), but someone who has dug so deep into their authentic being and purpose that they have truly found greatness within themselves.This is 100% how I see today's guest on the show, Elizabeth Gilbert.If you don't know her name already, you probably know the name of her bestselling book, Eat, Pray, Love, which was also made into a hugely popular film.And you might have also seen her on tour with Oprah or on her Super Soul Sessions.Even if you don't know anything about Liz, once you hear her talk, you know you're in the presence of someone special.Liz has walked the path of greatness to really find her core purpose in life - and she is living it.It was so fun to meet her and talk about all the deep topics we dove into. What I especially love about Liz is that she isn't just talk -- she's lived everything she writes about.Open your heart wide and get ready to find the magic and creativity inside you in Episode 341.Some questions I ask:What is the difference between competition and ambition? (2:10)What is the biggest thing that holds people back? (20:36)In this episode, you will learn:Why you can't stay at the top forever (8:51)Follow your curiosity instead of your passion (13:38)Why it's so important to take a break from your work and have an "off season" (15:41)How to manage fear before a really big event (24:50)The power of giving your attention versus getting attention (27:30)How Liz managed to stay grounded through the success of Eat, Pray, Love (41:20)Plus much more...

When I started  The School of Greatness podcast, I decided I wanted to make it successful enough to interview three specific people someday.One of them is today's guest, Tony Robbins.I first saw Tony when I was 16 years old, at one of his amazing live events in St. Louis, MO.I was so impacted by his presence and power when he walked past me to begin his presentation that I thought, "Wow, I want to have a presence like that someday."While I'm always working on taking my energy to the next level, sitting down with Tony in person to interview him on the podcast was a fun moment for me to see how he does it face to face.If you have never heard of Tony, his introduction is nothing short of amazing. Not only is he considered the world's best performance coach, having taught personal development and mental mastery for over 30 years, but his personal network and wealth creation are second to none.He has coached the top business, athletic, and performance leaders around the world, built dozens of hugely successful companies and non-profits, and continues to generously donate his time, money, and talent on a massive scale.In today's episode, however, we sit down to discuss a different kind of topic than his usual mind-blowing insight on life and success. He has just released a new book on money, and his explanation of how to generate wealth is some of the best work he has done so far.Not only did he personally interview 50 of the world's most brilliant financial minds to write this book, but he explains how to create wealth in the simplest terms for everyone.If you know me at all, you know I'm not a reader, and I have read this entire book (that's a big deal).I am so proud and excited to share Episode 109 with you, as I know it will open your mind, not just about money and wealth, but about the way to become great in all parts of your life.Some questions I ask:If you were in charge of our educational system, what would you change and implement to teach the next generation about money?Who mentors you?How do you personally handle breakdowns (and do you have them)?Why is gratitude the secret to wealth?How do you start shifting your mindset towards giving when you don't have anything?What is something small you've done that you are proud of?If you were 31 years old again, what 3 things would you do financially, knowing what you know now?

Today's guest on The School of Greatness might just have the most unexpected list of credentials of anyone.Andy Puddicombe is the founder of the massively popular meditation app Headspace. He is also a renowned meditation teacher.But he started out as just a normal college kid who liked playing sports.And then he suddenly decided, at the age of 22, to move to Nepal and become a monk. 10 years later, after training in several countries and ending up in Moscow as a Tibetan monk, Andy realized he wanted to share the gift of meditation on a greater scale.So he left monk-hood and went to circus school in London.Yes, that's right.While training in circus arts, Andy started to develop the idea of what is now Headspace, but it still took years before the app became the success it is today with over 6 million users.I had so many questions for Andy, and he answered all of the PLUS did a simple but powerful 2 minute meditation with me during the interviewI can't wait for you to try that out as well as hear all of Andy's insight into the power and ease of meditation in Episode 309.Some questions I ask:Why did you become a monk? (1:15)What is the benefit of lucid dreaming? (7:27)Does fulfillment ever become unfulfillment? (8:51)What is the big lesson you learned at circus school? (16:00)What was the scariest part of being a monk? (16:55)How do you navigate emotions in a busy life? (18:39)What does science say about the benefits of meditation? (33:24)What is the key to getting in the zone? (47:03)In This Episode, You Will Learn:How monks can survive for years on only 4 hours of sleep a night (5:50)Why you can sleep for 10 hours and still be exhausted (6:10)How Andy re-entered normal life coming from owning nothing as a monk (13:35)Why the approach is more important than the technique you use in meditation (27:50)How to give your 100% in meditating (30:46)A quick, easy meditation Andy gives to ground yourself for anything big (37:30)The quickest way to get out of downhill mental loop (48:30)Where the future of meditation is headed (53:55)Plus much more...

He doesn't host a business podcast. It's not about fitness and optimum health.But it is about mental health . . . and lifestyle.Joshua Fields Millburn is the co-founder of The Minimalists, which has become a hugely popular podcast and lifestyle in the past few years.I've always considered myself a pretty minimal guy with a clean, simple style.After talking to Joshua though, I started to re-evaluate even my own purchasing decisions and what actually serves me.Joshua has a pretty amazing story of transitioning from a workaholic, deep in debt, unhappy life full of "stuff" to living with less than 300 items to his name.He doesn't even need Internet in his house or data on his phone . . . even though he runs an online business.I was fascinated by our entire conversation and what Joshua has learned from heading this movement.One of the things I noticed right away was how calm, happy, and content he is.And we can all use more of that.Get ready to re-think your relationship with stuff and how it serves you in Episode 407 with Joshua Fields Millburn.Some questions I ask:Why do you think humans are so wired to be dissatisfied? (20:13)Why do we keep buying stuff even though we know it’s not going to fill the holes? (22:15)How has the internet increased consumerism? (23:14)What brings you the most fulfillment today? (34:47)How can someone start trying out minimalism? (40:39)How can you make sure you retain the minimalism mindset? (42:37)In this episode, you will learn:How Joshua got into a half million dollars of debt while he was working a successful career (3:49)The number of ads each person sees on average per day (22:32)How Joshua runs his online business without having internet in his home (25:46)Why just getting rid of your stuff won’t bring you peace (30:52)The question to ask yourself if you want to try minimalism (35:57)What happened when Joshua chose not to buy any material goods besides food and toiletries for a year (43:31)Plus much more…

I had the amazing opportunity to speak at World Domination Summit last summer.If you haven't heard of WDS, it's a huge event put on by my good friend Chris Guillebeau each summer in Portland, OR.He brings in amazing minds to speak to his tribe, and it's an incredible experience.Needless to say, after partcipiating in this event, I got really inspired to create my own for the School of Greatness tribe.More on that soon :)When Chris came out with a new book this year, I had to have him back on the podcast to talk about it.If you listened to his first episode on the show, you already know Chris is an amazing travel hacker, NYT bestselling author, and entrepreneur.But our conversation took quite a different turn from the usual topics we jam about.Chris unexpectedly lost his brother last year and has been in the grieving process since then. He also accomplished a major life goal of visiting every country in the world.So you could say his life had some big transitions recently.We discuss that, how to manage emotions in a healthy way, and what to do next in Episode 312.Some questions I ask:Where did your anxiety start? (23:45)What are you learning about yourself from the process of grieving your brother's passing? (29:09)What's so scary about living in the moment and not having a plan? (32:12)Do you think joyfulness and purposefulness is a choice? (37:28)In This Episode, You Will Learn:How to speak to and connect with a broad, diverse audience (3:44)If you're trying to figure out what your passion is, make sure to do this (7:46)Why winning all the time isn't necessarily a good thing (8:33)When it's a good idea to give up (9:49)How Chris dropped out of high school but still went to college (16:02)What it feels like to be a teenager without hope (16:52)What to do with anxiety while you are succeeding (20:12)Why "just sucking it up" doesn't always work (24:49)The best thing to say to someone who is grieving (48:51)The true definition of influence and how we each have it (54:28)Plus much more...

If you married jazz with philosophy and filmed it, you would get today's guest on  The School of Greatness.I met Jason Silva in November on a cruise, Summit at Sea, and we instantly connected minds.That's probably because Jason's mind is one of the most incredible ones on the planet and I was in awe.I had seen his amazing YouTube videos, Shots of Awe, before and learned so much from how he explains deep philosophical ideas.If you've never seen his videos, check them out right now. The craziest part is he doesn't even script them!Needless to say, I was very excited to interview him for the podcast and tap into his brain.When we sat down, I asked him about the purpose of life, which led to some incredible tangents, and we dove into all kinds of questions.I was especially fascinated by his thoughts on our relationship with technology and imagination, since his films use both of those.I am so excited to introduce you to the philosophical artist Jason Silva in Episode 281.Some questions I ask:What do you think is the master plan? Why are we here?Do you wish you were born in 200 years so you could see what we will create in the future?What are the questions you're asking lately?What are 3 questions we should ask ourselves?What's the most challenging experience you've had and what did you learn from it?How do we tap into our imaginations more?In This Episode, You Will Learn:The power of the flow state and how to get thereAbout cognitive ecstasyHow Jason's mother inspired his fascination with existentialism and philosophyHow our relationship with new technology affects our minds (and becomes part of it!)The idea that we are going to be able to live inside our imaginationsThe future of cognitive creation (experience other people's minds)"To not being able to share with someone is the recipe for insanity."How to design positive feedback loops in our headsThat you are who you think other people think you areHow to get out of a panic attackThe importance of getting enough sleepThe power of catharsisPlus much more...

When people talk about sports legends, they mean the best of the best of the best.Names everyone knows.Names that people don't forget.Well I had the privilege of meeting one of these legends a couple months back.From his presence alone, I knew immediately why he had achieved such an incredible level of athletic success.Ray Lewis is one of the most dominant defensive players in NFL history. He played his entire 17 year career with the Baltimore Ravens including two Super Bowl titles, Super Bowl MVP in 2000, and the NFL Defensive Player of the Year twice.Oh yeah, he's also a NYT bestselling author, father of 6, and a devoted philanthropist.But I'm just getting started.The wisdom Ray shared with me during our podcast conversation was so deep, so grounded, so based in results, that I was hanging on every word. Be sure to listen to the last half (we went for a while because it was such a good conversation). Ray goes DEEP into the role of faith, love, and respect in creating greatness.Ray has not had an easy life. He's faced pretty much every challenge you can imagine. But his definition of what greatness and being a man really means is spot on.I can't wait for you to hear the powerful perspective of this true greatness legend in Episode 415 on The School of Greatness.Some questions I ask:Was there a time when you switched away from being fueled by pain and anger? (14:43)Where would you be right now if your dad had been loving, caring, and attentive? (40:06)How did you prepare for the big games of your career? (1:02:57)In this episode, you will learn:What Ray was trying to prove by dedicating himself to wrestling in high school (6:42)Where Ray’s drive for dominance comes from (12:32)What The Rock was really like when he was playing football for the University of Miami (23:18)How Ray picked the number 52 for his football career (23: 58)The real reason he left college early to get drafted in the NFL (29:47)What the real challenge in life is (31:59)How Ray overcame a stutter he developed as a kid (37:34)Ray’s definition of what it means to be a man (48:19)The story behind how Ray got Michael Phelps to come out of retirement (1:14:18)Ray’s vision for his legacy – so powerful (1:19:18)What he hopes people will say about him after he’s gone (1:24:59)Plus much more…

Legends like Tony Robbins and Jack Canfield.They've shared their best tips and habits and their episodes have become some of the most popular.Today's guest is another one of these legends :)Dean Graziosi was on TV everyday for 17 years straight -- because his infomercials around real estate training were that successful and popular.He is a multiple NYT bestselling author, the top real estate trainer in the world, and is friends with the best of the best.But, like many other greats, he didn't start with much.Dyslexic, broke, coming from a family that always struggled with money, and just trying to figure life out, Dean is an incredible example of the power of turning your story around because YOU choose to.We met years ago through a mutual friend but this is the first time we got to sit down and really dive into his brilliant mind and how he has created what he has created.I was hanging on every word (and not just because he's a great storyteller) because Dean's style of teaching, talking, writing, and explaining is so easy to understand, no matter who you are.We covered his top habits for millionaire-level success, and he told me some stories that made me tear up.I'm really excited to share the wisdom and passion Dean shares in Episode 428.Some questions I ask:How did you shift out of a broke mindset into success? (5:08)Why do you keep pushing and working after achieving so much success? (34:25)What’s the thing people misunderstand about you the most? (38:24)In this episode, you will learn:The formula for making the most successful infomercial (13:30)The top daily habits to transform you relationship with success (22:07)How to get yourself to do things you don’t want to do (25:15)The 7 Levels Deep exercise that changed Dean’s life and purpose forever (26:37)The 3 types of entrepreneurs (34:43)How to be the observer of your thoughts (45:44)Plus much more…

I heard about today's guest because he recently came out with a new book about negotiation.If you're any kind of business person, you know the importance of this skill.I thought I was a pretty good negotiator already, but I wanted to learn more.So I invited Chris Voss to come by the studio for an interview.Little did I know how much I would learn.Within the first 15 minutes Chris and I were role playing as if a real life hostage scenario was happening and he was the bad guy.That was just the beginning.I couldn't stop asking Chris questions because I was learning so much and the information was so powerful.Chris is not just an author.He worked in the FBI (and the police force) for over 20 years as a top hostage negotiator, working over 150 kidnappings, to say the least.Now he runs a top consulting company and teaches negotiation to graduate students at universities like Harvard and Georgetown.I guarantee you'll learn something valuable within the first ten minutes of listening to this interview.Get ready to take lots of notes in Episode 379 with Chris Voss.Some questions I ask:What are the traits that make a good negotiator? (29:58)Who are the most difficult people to negotiate with? (32:04)How long should you wait to consider a deal? (33:50)How do men and women compare as negotiators? (38:03)What is the difference between sympathy and empathy? (42:51)How do you become the smartest person in the room? (56:47)What's the worst thing to say in a negotiation? (1:00:06)In this episode, you will learn:Why appearing powerless in a negotiation means you're in power (6:21)The phrase to look out for in a negotiation (10:20)Why being nice in negotiations gives you power (15:09)The bank robber role play Chris and I go through (and his critique of how I do) (18:41)The secret to getting the upper hand in a negotiation (22:46)How to tell if someone is a control freak (23:07)How to negotiate with an alpha personality (25:56)Why emotional currency is so valuable (28:07)How to trigger someone to give you the information you want (34:50)Why you shouldn't ask "why" questions (36:21)The most powerful way to say "no" (39:42)Why identifying a negative diminishes it (44:39)Why you want the other side to feel like they won when the deal is settled (1:02:10)The 3 types of yeses (1:02:53)My personal favorite line to get an upgrade (1:05:42)Plus much more...

Interested in learning how to build a life and business around doing what you love? So am I. Let's connect.Put yourself in these shoes: your mom gives birth to you at 17, you never meet your father, you drop out of high school, and are homeless as a young man.But despite this, you go to college (even though it takes you 12 years to get through your degree), then you build your own business, become a world-class speaker, and finish your PhD at age 44.Yes, this is a true story, and today's guest on The School of Greatness is the main character.Eric Thomas, aka the Hip Hop Preacher, is a true example of greatness in action.You may have heard his voice on a YouTube video giving a now world-famous speech with the line, "When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you will be successful."We cover a lot including his thoughts on education, the power of executing your plans, how mentors influence your path, and the potential of hard work and focus.Welcome to Episode 121 with Hip Hop Preacher Eric Thomas.Some questions I ask:Why is accountability so important to you?Why are you so committed to excellence and greatness in your own life?How important is having mentors and coaches throughout your life?What are 3 big mistakes entrepreneurs make?In this episode, you will learn:The difference between degrees and educationHow purpose can help you find your passionOur gifts and talents do not perfect and hone themselves (we have to do this!)In every 24 hours, we can either break our life or make our lifeWhy he gets up at 3 am every dayHow he sets up boundaries for his work timeWhy your content will be stronger if you disconnect from all distractions dailyHow execution is the heart of your business – if it stops, your business diesThe story behind why his son graduating from high school is his greatest accomplishmentWhy most companies don’t make it past 3 yearsThe power of the discipline to waitPlus much more…

Little did I know we would become the kind of friends that FaceTime each other constantly, work out together whenever we're in the same town, and goof off like high school kids.You've already heard Steve on two previous 5 Minute Fridays on The School of Greatness, so he doesn't need a huge introduction.But what you may not know about him is that he is a NFL Superbowl Champion who is the best punter in the world - and yet he chose to retire early.He is a devoted husband and father of 4 kids who mean everything to him.And he's one of the hardest workers I've ever met. Not just in the gym. (But yes, for sure in the gym.)Of course, I openly admit I also have a huge man crush on his body.When he came into town last weekend, I insisted he stay at my place and we got to hang out all weekend.I wanted him to come on the podcast for a full episode so that all of you could get to know him like I have and get inspired to be your very best.Welcome to the incredibly positive mind and huge heart of Steve Weatherford in Episode 356.Some questions I ask:Why did you retire from the NFL in the peak of your career? (11:47)What was it like to play your last game? (22:38)What advice do you have for women who want a man that is driven? (36:54)How do you get in the zone before you work out? (48:45)What are most people missing that they could improve on? (54:07)How important is mastering your body and your health in terms of achieving any other goal in your life? (1:05:31)In this episode, you will learn:Why Steve sees retirement as starting over (9:03)The crazy idea Steve came up with for he and I to compete against each other (10:38)Why he's wanted to have a big family since he was 15 (34:16)How Steve made it through school with ADHD  (38:10)What he eats in a typical day to look like he does (42:05)Steve's best pump up speech (46:33)The power of positive self-talk (57:35)How Steve dealt with being bullied in high school (1:04:05)The reason 90% of people fail at achieving their goals (1:06:55)What being fit tells someone about you (1:09:50)Plus much more...

Yes, we are talking about relationships again on  The School of Greatness.Partly because I love learning as much as possible about how to create and maintain healthy, amazing relationships (and I need a lot of coaching in my love life).But partly because I heard today's guest speak at Summit at Sea in November and I knew I had to have her on the podcast.Esther Perel is a world-renowned relationship therapist, bestselling author, and sought-after speaker who has focused her career on exploring the role of sex and eroticism in making and breaking intimate relationships.She has an incredible world-view of relationships in many different cultures, which has allowed her to see what works and what doesn't on a bigger level.I asked her a ton of questions in our interview and she had answers.You may already have set ideas about what intimate relationships should look like, but I know you'll get some new perspective from listening to this interview.Get ready to get vulnerable with yourself as you take a look at your relationships in Episode 285 with Esther Perel.Some questions I ask:How does your anxiety and dread for things work for or against you?Why did you write this book about sexuality?What are the core reasons you see that end relationships?How does your work support or not support your relationship with your husband?What's the ideal relationship in the modern world?How do you know when it's the person you can make a life with?In This Episode, You Will Learn:Why Esther was inspired in her work by the Clinton sex scandalThe cultural differences in how adultery is viewed around the worldThe effects in the U.S. of how sex education is presentedIndifference, contempt, neglect, and violence are the main issues in any intimate relationshipWhy people often treat their partner worse than anyone else"A friend is someone who will always do more for others than for themselves."The impact our parents have on our relationship skills (this is big)Women get bored with monogamy sooner than men (because the romance usually dies after marriage)A better question than "What turns me off" is "When I turn myself off is"Why investing in being your best self and pursuing what lights you up keeps you interested in a monogamous relationshipThe relationship between emotional risk and desireWe now expect our partner to be a whole village for us since we live much more private livesThe 4 Pillars of Modern Relationships: Trust, Affection, Intimacy, DesireThe idea that your marriage can have different phases (like a new marriage each time) with the same personThe value of yearly check-ins with your partner (not when a crisis is happening) to see what's going onWhy it's important to separate the idea of failure from divorceThe Millenial generation are the children of the divorced and disillusionedThe influx of couples who are married but live apart aka LAT couples (more common in the older generation)What originally attracts you to someone is often what eventually drives you crazy about themPlus much more...

The guest we have on for EPISODE 400 (!!! can you believe it?) is a true master at training the mind.He's not a PhD or medical doctor.He's not a research scientist.He's a man who has learned from his own experiences (and much study and work) how to maximize the full potential of our brains.John Assaraf started out life really struggling.He was no good in school, got into trouble, and his home wasn't the best.But he made some key decisions (and had some key mentors) in his early adulthood that changed everything.Fast forward to today and he's written NYT bestselling books, been featured in blockbusters like The Secret, and runs several million dollar companies.He's also very wise and gives freely of his insights and learnings.I was hanging on every word as he explained how our brains actually work when it comes to peak performance and overcoming limiting beliefs.Get ready for true greatness in Episode 400 with John Assaraf.Some Questions I Asked:What holds people back from starting a business? (9:13)Why are we so wired to react to situations? (26:25)Why did you get into so much trouble as a kid? (48:44)How do you retrain your mind to breakthrough a financial limit? (1:04:38)In this episode, you will learn:In this episode, you will learn:The simplest, surest way to change your results (12:50)After decades of research, what John’s morning routine currently looks like (32:21)The big shift that is coming in neuroscience that will dramatically change how we learn (44:05)How to build your confidence (yes it’s all in your head) (47:25)The difference between wanting and committing to your goals (57:30)Plus much more…

When I started the podcast,  The School of Greatness, one of the top three people I wanted to get on the show was Tony Robbins.That happened in Episode 109, and it's been one of the most popular episodes to date.With the release of the paperback version of his book, we were asked to bring him back on, and I gladly accepted as I knew there was much more wisdom we could all learn from someone doing this work for nearly 40 years.This time we met on his private jet as he was about to take off from LA. My good friend Nick Onken, one of the world's top lifestyle photographers, came along to take all of the photos you see on this post as well. It was awesome.And our conversation took a different turn than the first time we discussed money. Tony took a deep dive into the mindset of abundance, positivity, faith, and prosperity.He told incredible stories of how this applies in real life - even when you're broke! And he gave some important updates about his previous financial advice in the book.Don't miss this powerful conversation in Episode 311 with the man, Tony Robbins.Some questions I ask:How can someone have a mindset of giving when they can barely pay their bills? (2:03)What is the one strategy you would coach if you had nothing else to share? (13:19)How do you stay hungry? (15:25)How do you stay grounded in your personal relationships with so much demand for your time? (18:36)Is your intimate partner a big influence in how much wealth you will create? (23:40)In this episode you will learn:Why Tony is so driven (not what you'd think) (11:50)The common denominator under every successful person (13:33)What a fiduciary is and why Tony is changing his recommendations about them (33:30)Where the power of commitment makes the biggest difference in your happiness (42:00)Plus much more...

I think it's safe to say we all want to burn fat, increase our energy, sleep like babies, and eat good food. Right?But for many people this may not seem possible despite their best efforts.Even if you are in great shape and workout every day, you probably deal with injuries, burn out, and low sleep.That's why I was so excited to talk to today's guest on The School of Greatness, Mark Sisson.At age 62, he is one of the leanest men I've seen and has incredible energy.Mark is a decorated endurance athlete who used to race competitively in triathlon and qualified for the Olympic marathon team.He has decades of experience in what works and what doesn't when it comes to diet and workouts for optimal performance.His bestselling books, The Primal Blueprint, are centered on the idea that when we get our bodies to burn fat instead of sugar or carbs, we function the way we were built to.In our interview, Mark gave tons of great, actionable tips and explanations of how to train your body to do just this.I loved his perspective and by the end of the interview I felt energized myself.Listen up and take notes on how to make this simple but powerful shift in your body in Episode 314 with Mark Sisson.Some questions I ask:What's the most effective way to burn fat and still be strong? (7:40)Why does looking good naked motivate you? (15:47)What does a typical eating day look like for you? (17:00)Why don't you need to drink a protein shake right after working out? (18:15)When do you know you're over training? (48:02)In This Episode, You Will Learn:Why you crave sugar so much (and what is happening in your body) (12:02)The truth about whether diet or exercise is more important when burning fat (13:40)The magic of eating collagen for athletic performance (24:24)Why "sleep when you're dead" is such faulty logic (29:00)Mark's nighttime routine that makes him sleep like a baby (30:07)Why it's better to take a rest day than to push through a workout when you're not feeling it (33:00)The reason to slow down in your aerobic training if you're an endurance athlete (39:30)Plus much more...

There's a slight chance you haven't heard of today's guest on The School of Greatness.However, even if you aren't into popular music from the past twenty years, you've probably still heard of Alanis Morissette.That's because she is an incredible human being, beyond being an incredible musician and artist.When her first major album came out in 1995, she couldn't have known that it would go on to sell 30 million copies or that she would eventually win multiple major awards for her work.Whether or not she wanted to however, Alanis had to ride the wave of fame, including the dark side of it, for the next couple of decades.What she has learned from that journey, along with her own education in emotional healing, multiple intelligences, finding her way through relationships, and her work, has shaped her into one of the most beautiful souls I have ever met.I had the privilege of meeting up with her in her studio (she's a new podcast host as well!), and it was a delight to hear her perspective and stories on her findings along the way.We connected on a lot of levels, including relationships, struggling in school, and feeling unnoticed. But by the end of our conversation, we connected more than anything on the importance of each person finding their unique purpose and following it relentlessly.It is my honor to share this deep and inspiring conversation with the lovely and talented Alanis Morissette on Episode 266.Some questions I ask:Who was the most influential person in your life before you were 22?What does "unschooling" mean?What was your biggest heartbreak from your teen years?Why were you pursuing over-achievement in your teens?How do you heal in relationship?What is a love addict?How do you emotionally deal with the idea of the best results from your music being behind you?How important is it to you to be relevant and known?In This Episode, You Will Learn:The importance of physical touch (and the lack of it in the U.S.)The idea of multiple intelligences and how the education system doesn't make room for thoseAlanis started a record company when she was 10 years oldWhat it was like to live a double life as a teenager going to school during the day and recording music at nightAlanis was also a competitive swimmer in school (the beginnings of work addiction)The basic stages of development (and how significant it is if they are missed)How Western society has allowed for men and women to have both beta and alpha roles in recent yearsThe difference between catharsis and healing in musicWhat Alanis learned from the success of Jagged Little Pill (30 million albums sold!)Alanis' advice to young artists who are trying to make it big todayThe difference between being in macro service and in micro serviceAlanis' mission now versus 20 years agoAlani's definition of love (it's a drawing)Plus much more...

If you've been a fan of The School of Greatness, you're probably also a huge fan of Transformation Coach Chris Lee - the most popular repeat guest on the show.So in honor of his new book release, Transform Your Life: 10 Principles of Abundance and Prosperity, we are doing our first repeat episode, which originally aired 2 years ago.I figured a lot of the newer listeners may not have heard Episode 54, where Chris came on and talked about this exact topic, and it's a gold mine.Chris covers the 10 principles that create an abundance mindset, which in turn creates prosperity.Get ready to take notes (or buy the book) in Episode 320.In This Episode, You Will Learn:The Key to an Abundant Life and How to Cultivate That MindsetHow to Shift ConsciousnessAbundance isn’t about what you have, but Who You AreBeing abundant is about having a state of consciousness and gratefulnessA simple abundance practice to start every single dayLearn the 10 Principles of AbundanceOutflowingClearingIntegrityVisualizationAffirmationDeclarationPersistenceSurrenderingSourcingSurround Yourself with Inspiring PeopleTo Find Your Principles for AbundanceThe difference between taking a stand and holding a positionHow Jim Carrey used these principals to achieve his dreamsPlus much more…

Jordan Harbinger has been running his wildly popular podcast, The Art of Charm, for 10 years - you read that right.He's also the founder of a training company that teaches people how to build their confidence, social skills, self-esteem, and career progression.So when he first came on the show in Episode 73, we talked all about tips and tricks to build those skills and get dates.When he was in town recently and we had a chance to sit down and record a second episode, I wanted to go deeper.I wanted to understand the core truths Jordan has learned from decades of studying people, success, influence, and social capital.And he delivered (along with several awesome stories).This time we went into the emotional and psychological reasons behind what we do and how we can build awareness to change.I'm stoked to bring you a second dose of my brilliant friend Jordan Harbinger in Episode 439. Some questions I asked:What would make this the most powerful podcast episode you’ve ever done? (3:59)What got you so interested in human social dynamics? (17:45)How can you create a positive perception in the minds of everyone you come in contact with? (34:57)What is social capital and why is it so important? (1:00:45)In this episode you will learn:The story of how Jordan got kidnapped twice in his twenties (5:01)Why non-verbal communication always trumps verbal communication (24:11)How our defense mechanisms actually work (31:33)When first impressions are really made (35:16)The drill that Jordan suggests anyone can do to boost their confidence and social perception (41:40)How to shift out of a negative mood quickly (56:23)Plus much more…