Timothy Ferriss's Blog, page 94
August 4, 2015
What Evernote’s Phil Libin Learned from Jeff Bezos, Reid Hoffman, and Others
Phil Libin (@plibin) is the co-founder and executive chairman of Evernote.
Evernote has roughly 150 million users, and I personally use it at least 10 times a day. It is my external brain for capturing all the information, documents, online articles, lists, etc. in my life.
In this episode, Phil and I cover a ton. Here are just a few examples:
Philosophical and performance systems: Stoicism, electrical brain stimulation, and more
Phil’s favorite lessons learned from Jeff Bezos (Amazon), Reid Hoffman (LinkedIn), and Hiroshi Mikitani (Rakuten)
Creating tech “for yourself” and Evernote’s genesis story, leading to approximately 150 million users
The best toast in Singapore, the best hamburger in Tokyo, and why “Goat Simulator” is amazing
Long-term (10,000-year) thinking and real versus imagined threats
More importantly, he digs into his “a-ha” moments, and what you need to do to bring your next big idea to life.
Listen to it on iTunes.
Stream by clicking here
Download as an MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as”.
Want to hear another podcast with more detail on brain stimulation for performance enhancement? — Listen to my conversation with amazing neuroscientist Adam Gazzaley. In this episode, we discuss what happens when you combine cognitive-focused video games with neurofeedback, magnetic and electrical stimulation, and even performance-enhancing drugs (stream below or right-click here to download):
This episode is sponsored by 99Designs, the world’s largest marketplace of graphic designers. Did you know I used 99Designs to rapid prototype the cover for The 4-Hour Body? Here are some of the impressive results. Click this link and get a free $99 upgrade. Give it a test run...
This podcast is also brought to you by Athletic Greens. I get asked all the time, “If you could only use one supplement, what would it be?” My answer is, inevitably, Athletic Greens. It is my all-in-one nutritional insurance. I recommended it in The 4-Hour Body and did not get paid to do so. Get 50% off your order at Athletic Greens.com/Tim
QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: When you think of successful products, what is the first that comes to mind? Please let me know in the comments.
Scroll below for links and show notes…
Enjoy!
Selected Links from the Episode
Learn more about Sugru
Read Peace in Every Step by Thich Nhat Hahn
Learn more about QuestBridge, the non-profit Reid Hoffman and I are involved in
The Alliance by Reid Hoffman
Check out the games Phil Libin enjoys:
Elite Dangerous | Goat Simulator | Radical Rappelling
Check out The World of Tomorrow (scroll down)
Favorite documentaries:
The Gatekeepers | Cosmos (Tyson) | Cosmos (Sagan) | An Honest Liar
The Clock Of The Long Now by Stewart Brand
Learn more about The Long Now Foundation and visit The Interval in Fort Mason
Learn more about Thync, the device for brain stimulation
The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins
A Guide to the Good Life by William Irvine
Connect with Phil Libin:
Show Notes
Why shave the trademark beard? [0:45]
How I was introduced to Evernote: what it is and how to use it [2:30]
The “aha” moment at Evernote and theological horizontal integration [8:15]
Common uses of Evernote and how Phil personally uses it [10:45]
The CEOs and leaders that Phil admires [18:15]
Important lessons Jeff Bezos gave Phil that changed his life [25:30]
Lessons for scaling businesses from Hiroshi Mikitani [29:05]
What makes Reid Hoffman compelling [39:30]
Thoughts on religion and philosophy [43:30]
Most used apps besides Evernote [49:55]
Thoughts on living in space [53:45]
Thoughts on the end of the world scenarios [55:10]
Favorite documentaries and movies [1:0045]
Phil’s strategies for taking great notes [1:09:35]
When you think of the word “successful,” who is the first person that comes to mind? [1:16:00]
Which historical figure do you most identify with? [1:18:10]
Phil’s meditation practice [1:21:45]
In the last 6-12 months, what purchase of $100 or less had the most impact on your life? [1:29:50]
Phil’s morning and evening ritual [1:34:05]
Phil’s most recommended books [37:40]
Why philosophy is important for decision making and leadership as a CEO [1:39:25]
If you could have one billboard anywhere, where would it be and what would it say? [1:44:00]
Advice for your thirty-year-old self [1:45:45]
Parting advice or suggestions [1:46:55]
People Mentioned
Stepan Pachikov
Thích Nhất Hạnh
Jeff Bezos
Hiroshi Mikitani
Marc Benioff
Reid Hoffman
Pavel Tsatsouline
Elon Musk
Stephen Hawking
James Randi
Danny Hillis
Stewart Brand
Lessons Learned from Jeff Bezos, Reid Hoffman, and More
Phil Libin (@plibin) is the co-founder and executive chairman of Evernote.
Evernote has roughly 150 million users, and I personally use it at least 10 times a day. It is my external brain for capturing all the information, documents, online articles, lists, etc. in my life.
In this episode, Phil and I cover a ton. Here are just a few examples:
Philosophical and performance systems: Stoicism, electrical brain stimulation, and more
Phil’s favorite lessons learned from Jeff Bezos (Amazon), Reid Hoffman (LinkedIn), and Hiroshi Mikitani (Rakuten)
Creating tech “for yourself” and Evernote’s genesis story, leading to approximately 150 million users
The best toast in Singapore, the best hamburger in Tokyo, and why “Goat Simulator” is amazing
Long-term (10,000-year) thinking and real versus imagined threats
More importantly, he digs into his “a-ha” moments, and what you need to do to bring your next big idea to life.
Listen to it on iTunes.
Stream by clicking here
Download as an MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as”.
Want to hear another podcast with more detail on brain stimulation for performance enhancement? — Listen to my conversation with amazing neuroscientist Adam Gazzaley. In this episode, we discuss what happens when you combine cognitive-focused video games with neurofeedback, magnetic and electrical stimulation, and even performance-enhancing drugs (stream below or right-click here to download):
This episode is sponsored by 99Designs, the world’s largest marketplace of graphic designers. Did you know I used 99Designs to rapid prototype the cover for The 4-Hour Body? Here are some of the impressive results. Click this link and get a free $99 upgrade. Give it a test run...
This podcast is also brought to you by Athletic Greens. I get asked all the time, “If you could only use one supplement, what would it be?” My answer is, inevitably, Athletic Greens. It is my all-in-one nutritional insurance. I recommended it in The 4-Hour Body and did not get paid to do so. Get 50% off your order at Athletic Greens.com/Tim
QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: When you think of successful products, what is the first that comes to mind? Please let me know in the comments.
Scroll below for links and show notes…
Enjoy!
Selected Links from the Episode
Learn more about Sugru
Read Peace in Every Step by Tich Nhat Hahn
Learn more about QuestBridge, the non-profit Reid Hoffman and I are involved in
The Alliance by Reid Hoffman
Check out the games Phil Libin enjoys:
Elite Dangerous | Goat Simulator | Radical Rappelling
Check out The World of Tomorrow (scroll down)
Favorite documentaries:
The Gatekeepers | Cosmos (Tyson) | Cosmos (Sagan) | An Honest Liar
The Clock Of The Long Now by Stewart Brand
Learn more about The Long Now Foundation and visit The Interval in Fort Mason
Learn more about Thync, the device for brain stimulation
The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins
A Guide to the Good Life by William Irvine
Connect with Phil Libin:
Show Notes
Why shave the trademark beard? [0:45]
How I was introduced to Evernote: what it is and how to use it [2:30]
The “aha” moment at Evernote and theological horizontal integration [8:15]
Common uses of Evernote and how Phil personally uses it [10:45]
The CEOs and leaders that Phil admires [18:15]
Important lessons Jeff Bezos gave Phil that changed his life [25:30]
Lessons for scaling businesses from Hiroshi Mikitani [29:05]
What makes Reid Hoffman compelling [39:30]
Thoughts on religion and philosophy [43:30]
Most used apps besides Evernote [49:55]
Thoughts on living in space [53:45]
Thoughts on the end of the world scenarios [55:10]
Favorite documentaries and movies [1:0045]
Phil’s strategies for taking great notes [1:09:35]
When you think of the word “successful,” who is the first person that comes to mind? [1:16:00]
Which historical figure do you most identify with? [1:18:10]
Phil’s meditation practice [1:21:45]
In the last 6-12 months, what purchase of $100 or less had the most impact on your life? [1:29:50]
Phil’s morning and evening ritual [1:34:05]
Phil’s most recommended books [37:40]
Why philosophy is important for decision making and leadership as a CEO [1:39:25]
If you could have one billboard anywhere, where would it be and what would it say? [1:44:00]
Advice for your thirty-year-old self [1:45:45]
Parting advice or suggestions [1:46:55]
People Mentioned
Stepan Pachikov
Thích Nhất Hạnh
Jeff Bezos
Hiroshi Mikitani
Marc Benioff
Reid Hoffman
Pavel Tsatsouline
Elon Musk
Stephen Hawking
James Randi
Danny Hillis
Stewart Brand
July 31, 2015
Tara Brach on Meditation and Overcoming FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out)
“Meditation is evolution’s strategy to bring out our full potential.”
– Tara Brach
Tara Brach (@TaraBrach) is a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and one of the leading teachers of Buddhist thinking and meditation in the Western world.
She is the founder of the Insight Meditation Community in Washington, D.C. and her lectures are downloaded hundreds of thousands of times each month at tarabrach.com.
I was first introduced to Tara’s work by another guest on this podcast, Maria Popova. Soon thereafter, a friend and neuroscience Ph.D. recommended her book, Radical Acceptance, as life-changing. It exceeded all expectations.
It’s my hope that this tactical conversation offers you techniques for addressing loneliness, anger, self-hatred, the “trance of unworthiness,” and much more. Tara’s had a measurable impact on my life, and I wish the same for you.
For those who know my fondness for Stoic philosophy, I think Tara’s work is a fantastic compliment to Seneca, Marcus Aurelius, and other favorites.
;
Listen to it on iTunes.
Stream by clicking here.
Download as an MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as.”
Want to hear the episode in which I learned about Tara Brach for the first time? — Listen to my conversations with Maria Popova of BrainPickings.com. In this episode, we discuss writing, workflow, and workarounds (stream below or right-click here to download):
This podcast is brought to you by Vimeo Pro, which is the ideal video hosting platform for entrepreneurs. In fact, a bunch of my start-ups are already using Vimeo Pro. WealthFront uses it to explain how WealthFront works. TaskRabbit uses it to tell the company’s story. There are many other names who you would recognize among their customers (AirBnB, Etsy, etc.) Why do they use it? Vimeo Pro provides enterprise level video hosting for a fraction of the usual cost. Features include:
Gorgeous high-quality playback with no ads
Up to 20 GB of video storage every week
Unlimited plays and views
A fully customizable video player, which can include your company logo, custom outro, and more
You get all this for just $199 per year (that’s only $17 per/mo.) There are no complicated bandwidth calculations or hidden fees. Try it risk-free for 30 days. Just go to Vimeo.com/business to check it out. If you like it, you can use the promo code “Tim” to get 25% off. This is a special discount just for you guys.
QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What type of meditation have you tried? If you find meditation difficult, what are your barriers? Please let me know in the comments.
Scroll below for links and show notes…
Enjoy!
Selected Links from the Episode
Radical Acceptance and True Refuge by Tara Brach
Learn about my previous 30-day experiment in attachment (no booze, no masturbation)
A Path with Heart by Jack Kornfield
When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chodron
The Essential Rumi collected by Colman Barks
Learn more about Minds Incorporated, the organization working to bring mindfulness to underserved communities
The Shallows by Nicholas Carr
Connect with Tara Brach:
Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Tara Brach | Join her E-Mail List
Show Notes
Tara Brach’s background: from planning to be a lawyer to moving into an ashram [6:52]
On the relentless desire for self-improvement, also known as the trance of unworthiness [13:02]
The sad turning point in the ashram [19:52]
On arranged marriages [26:57]
Is it possible to be a mindful hedonist? If so, is that a bad thing? [32:17]
Exploring challenges with balancing anger, productivity, and meditation [39:52]
Defining the egoic state [49:22]
The foundations of a healthy meditation process [53:12]
The angry army sergeant who learned a valuable lesson during mindfulness class [59:37]
The first 60 to 90 minutes of Tara’s day [1:05:32]
Deconstructing meditation: sitting positions, hand positions, and more [1:07:27]
Skillful means and my own practice as a beginner meditator [1:23:17]
Pros vs. cons of hiring a TM [1:26:32]
How to use Tara’s guided meditations [1:31:42]
Recommended books on mindfulness [1:34:57]
Managing fear of missing out (FOMO) in the internet age [1:40:57]
If you could have one billboard anywhere, where would it be and what would it say? [1:51:22]
What music and/or television show would people be surprised to know Tara listens to [1:54:32]
Favorite documentaries [1:56:12]
What purchase of $100 or less has been most valuable? [1:57:37]
Advice for her 30-year-old self and how that relates to her ongoing relationship with her husband [1:58:42]
Tara Brach’s one request for the audience [2:03:42]
People Mentioned
Aldous Huxley
Viktor Frankl
Eckhart Tolle
Adyashanti
Tim Ryan
Mike Tyson
Tara Brach on Overcoming Challenges, Fear of Missing Out, and Mindfullness
“Meditation is evolution’s strategy to bring out our full potential.”
– Tara Brach
Tara Brach (@TaraBrach) is a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and one of the leading teachers of Buddhist thinking and meditation in the Western world.
She is the founder of the Insight Meditation Community in Washington, D.C. and her lectures are downloaded hundreds of thousands of times each month.
I was first introduced to Tara’s work by another guest on this podcast, Maria Popova. Soon thereafter, a friend and neuroscience Ph.D. recommended her book, Radical Acceptance, as life-changing. It exceeded all expectations.
It’s my hope that this tactical conversation offers you techniques for addressing loneliness, anger, self-hatred, the “trance of unworthiness,” and much more. Tara’s had a measurable impact on my life, and I wish the same for you.
For those who know my fondness for Stoic philosophy, I think Tara’s work is a fantastic compliment to Seneca, Marcus Aurelius, and the other favorites.
;
Listen to it on iTunes.
Stream by clicking here
Download as an MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as.”
Want to hear the episode in which I learned about Tara Brach for the first time? — Listen to my conversations with Maria Popova of BrainPickings.com. In this episode, we discuss writing, workflow, and workarounds (stream below or right-click here to download):
This podcast is brought to you by Vimeo Pro, which is the ideal video hosting platform for entrepreneurs. In fact, a bunch of my start-ups are already using Vimeo Pro. WealthFront uses it to explain how WealthFront works. TaskRabbit uses it to tell the company’s story. There are many other names who you would recognize among their customers (AirBnB, Etsy, etc.) Why do they use it? Vimeo Pro provides enterprise level video hosting for a fraction of the usual cost. Features include:
Gorgeous high-quality playback with no ads
Up to 20 GB of video storage every week
Unlimited plays and views
A fully customizable video player, which can include your company logo, custom outro, and more
You get all this for just $199 per year (that’s only $17 per/mo.) There are no complicated bandwidth calculations or hidden fees. Try it risk-free for 30 days. Just go to Vimeo.com/business to check it out. If you like it, you can use the promo code “Tim” to get 25% off. This is a special discount just for you guys.
QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What type of meditation have you tried? If you find meditation difficult, what are your barriers? Please let me know in the comments.
Scroll below for links and show notes…
Enjoy!
Selected Links from the Episode
Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach
Learn more about my previous experiment in attachment
A Path with Heart by Jack Kornfield
When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chodron
The Essential Rumi collected by Colman Barks
Learn more about Minds Incorporated, the organization working to bring mindfulness to underserved communities
The Shallows by Nicholas Carr
Connect with Tara Brach:
Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Tara Brach | Join her E-Mail List
Show Notes
Tara Brach’s background: from planning to be a lawyer to moving into an ashram [6:52]
On the relentless desire for self-improvement, also known as the trance of unworthiness [13:02]
The sad turning point in the ashram [19:52]
On arranged marriages [26:57]
Is it possible to be a mindful hedonist? If so, is that a bad thing? [32:17]
Exploring challenges with balancing anger, productivity, and meditation [39:52]
Defining the egoic state [49:22]
The foundations of a healthy meditation process [53:12]
The angry army sergeant who learned a valuable lesson during mindfulness class [59:37]
The first 60 to 90 minutes of Tara’s day [1:05:32]
Deconstructing meditation: sitting positions, hand positions, and more [1:07:27]
Skillful means and my own practice as a beginner meditator [1:23:17]
Pros vs. cons of hiring a TM [1:26:32]
How to use Tara’s guided meditations [1:31:42]
Recommended books on mindfulness [1:34:57]
Managing fear of missing out (FOMO) in the internet age [1:40:57]
If you could have one billboard anywhere, where would it be and what would it say? [1:51:22]
What music and/or television show would people be surprised to know Tara listens to [1:54:32]
Favorite documentaries [1:56:12]
What purchase of $100 or less has been most valuable? [1:57:37]
Advice for her 30-year-old self and how that relates to her ongoing relationship with her husband [1:58:42]
Tara Brach’s one request for the audience [2:03:42]
People Mentioned
Aldous Huxley
Viktor Frankl
Eckhart Tolle
Adyashanti
Tim Ryan
Mike Tyson
July 28, 2015
Jane McGonigal on Getting More Done with Less Stress and The Health Benefits of Gaming
Photo credit Alan Levine
“Happiness, success, and good health can coexist with all kinds of negative emotions. You don’t have to get rid of negative emotions, you just have to balance them out.”
– Dr. Jane McGonigal
Jane McGonigal (@avantgame), PhD, is a senior researcher at the Institute for the Future and the author of The New York Times bestseller Reality Is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World. Her work has been featured in The Economist, Wired, and The New York Times. She has been called one of the “top ten innovators to watch” by BusinessWeek and one of the “100 most creative people in business” by Fast Company. Her TED talks on games have been viewed more than ten million times.
In this conversation, we dig into everything from recovering from head trauma to how you can use Candy Crush Saga to lose weight. Not enough? How about using Tetris to prevent PTSD, or using Call of Duty to increase empathy?
Her latest book is SuperBetter, which offers a revolutionary (science-based) approach for getting stronger, happier, and more resilient. I’ve been testing it, and it works. Not only am I feeling better, but I’m having more fun.
As adults, we often lose track of play. My hope is that this episode will help you to reclaim it. It’s not frivolous; it can help you get a lot more done with less stress.
Listen to it on iTunes.
Stream by clicking here
Download as an MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as”.
Want to hear another podcast on the connection between health and video game use? — Listen to my conversation with Adam Gazzely, the maverick of brain optimization (stream below or right-click here to download):
Want to hear another podcast relating to the use of psychedelic in health care? – Listen to my conversation with Jim Fadiman. In this episode we discuss risks, micro-dosing, ibogaine, and more (stream below or right-click here to download):
This episode is sponsored by Athletic Greens. I get asked all the time, “If you could only use one supplement, what would it be?” My answer is, inevitably, Athletic Greens. It is my all-in-one nutritional insurance. I recommended it in The 4-Hour Body and did not get paid to do so. Get 50% off your order at Athletic Greens.com/Tim
This podcast is also brought to you by 99Designs, the world’s largest marketplace of graphic designers. Did you know I used 99Designs to rapid prototype the cover for The 4-Hour Body? Here are some of the impressive results. Click this link and get a free $99 upgrade. Give it a test run…
QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What challenge in your life are you experiencing now could you build a quest into? Who will be your ally and what quests will you identify? Please let me know in the comments.
Scroll below for links and show notes…
Enjoy!
Selected Links from the Episode
Reality is Broken and SuperBetter by Jane McGonigal
Learn more about The Institute for the Future in Palo Alto, CA
Watch Jane rock Stephen Colbert’s world on The Colbert Report
Learn more about Candy Crush Saga
Do you know someone with cancer who is being treated with chemotherapy? Have them play Re-Mission. It helps people tavoid missing a dose (note: more than 80% of cancer returning is due to missed doses.)
Learn more about HopeLab, the team behind Re-Mission
Finite and Invite Games by James Carse
Suffering is Optional by Cheri Huber – You can listen to her podcast, Open Air
Watch G4M3RS
Watch King of Kong, the hilarious mockumentary
The $100 or less BABYBJORN baby carrier
Connect with Jane McGonigal:
JaneMcGonigal.com | ShowMeTheScience.com | Twitter | Facebook
Show Notes
How Jane answers the question, “What do you do?” [5:55]
Examples of real world problems that are solved with games or by gamers [7:15]
The story behind Jane’s concussion and how her career evolved from the accident [10:35]
How Jane climbed herself out of the hole of suicidal thoughts [16:55]
Action steps for using gaming lessons and applying them to real life [20:05]
How to build a quest into your life [27:30]
The health effects of Candy Crush Saga [31:35]
The health benefits of Tetris and Call of Duty [39:20]
On post-traumatic growth and post-ecstatic growth [49:05]
On the use of psychedelics to simulate traumatic experiences [54:45]
The threat of game addiction – how to not sink 60+ hours a week into World of Warcraft [57:45]
How to avoid potentially addictive games [1:04:05]
Jane’s current gaming workout schedule [1:08:35]
Who comes to mind when you think successful? [1:13:15]
The story behind the Oprah “Thank You” Game [1:19:45]
Favorite documentaries [1:20:45]
What purchase of $100 or less has been most valuable? [1:22:25]
Morning rituals [1:24:30]
Carry-over effects of watching sports/games to performing better [1:27:00]
If you could have one billboard anywhere, where would it be and what would it say? [1:29:30]
Jane McGonigal’s one request for the audience [1:31:45]
Elements of Creating a Game to Influence a Real Life Outcome
Develop a secret identity
Recruit allies
Have your allies give you quests
Collect and activate power-ups
Identify and defeat bad guys
Top Therapeutic Games
Tetris
Games in which you know another person who is playing:
Clash of Clans | Words with Friends | Candy Crush Saga
Minecraft
Portal and Portal 2
Tennis
People Mentioned
Kelly McGonigal
Adam Gazzely
Elizabeth Warren
July 24, 2015
Maria Popova on Being Interesting, Creating More Time in a Day, And How to Start A Successful Blog
“Life is a continual process of arrival into who we are.”
– Maria Popova
Maria Popova (@brainpicker) has written for amazing outlets like The Atlantic and The New York Times, but I find her most amazing project to be BrainPickings.org.
Founded in 2006 as a weekly email to seven friends, BrainPickings now gets more than 5 million readers per month (!). I read very few blogs regularly, but BrainPickings is one of the few that makes the cut. It’s a treasure trove.
Maria is massively successful, and her output is staggering. None of it’s accidental, and she’s great at teaching what she’s learned.
This episode answers the top-10 most popular questions you all had for Maria, including:
The single attribute that leads to greatness in any given field
Required reading and habits for anyone in public office
How Henry David Thoreau was the first to talk about the dangers of sitting
Why we must stop referring to our work as “content”
Listen to it on iTunes.
Stream by clicking here
Download as an MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as”.
Want to hear more from Maria Popova? — Listen to our conversation in which we discuss writing, workflow, and workarounds (stream below or right-click here to download):
This podcast is brought to you by Vimeo Pro, which is ideal for entrepreneurs. In fact, a bunch of my start-ups are already using Vimeo Pro. WealthFront uses it to explain how it develops personalized investment portfolios. TaskRabbit uses it to tell the company’s story. Twitter uses it to showcase Periscope. Why are they using it instead of other options out there? Vimeo Pro provides enterprise level video hosting that typically costs thousands of dollars for a tiny fraction of the cost. Features include:
Gorgeous high-quality playback with no ads
Up to 20 GB of video storage every week
Unlimited plays and views
A fully customizable video player, which can include your company logo, custom outro, and more
You get all this for just $199 per year (that’s only $17 per/mo.) There are no complicated bandwith calculations or hidden fees. Just go to Vimeo.com/business to check it out. If you like it, you can use the promo code “Tim” to get 25% off. This is the deepest discount you will find anywhere for Vimeo Pro.
This podcast is also brought to you by Mizzen + Main. These are the only “dress” shirts I now travel with — fancy enough for important dinners but made from athletic, sweat-wicking material. No more ironing, no more steaming, no more hassle. Click here for the exact shirts I wear most often. Don’t forget to use the code “TIM” at checkout.
QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What blogs do you consider a must-read every week? What makes those sites worth your time? Please let me know in the comments.
Scroll below for links and show notes…
Enjoy!
Selected Links from the Episode
Stumbling on Happiness by Daniel Gilbert
Working Days by John Steinbeck
The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert
Gathering Moss by Robin Wall Kimmerer
The Journal of Henry David Thoreau by Henry David Thoreau
Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey
A Rap on Race by James Baldwin
On Science, Necessity and the Love of God by Simone Weil
The Republic by Plato
On the Move by Oliver Sacks
Mentioned from Brain Pickings
Vonnegut’s 8 Tips on Writing
Sontag on Writing
Dan Gilbert on the Present vs. Future Self
Van Gogh’s letters to his brother
Desert Solitaire
Gathering Moss
Thoreau’s Journal
A Rap on Race
Simone Weil
Oliver Sacks’s Memoir
Show Notes
What advice would you give to someone just starting a blog? [4:07]
You have probably read all the wisdom shared on Brain Pickings. Has this helped you become who you want to be? If not, what is stopping you? [8:45]
What is the most significant characteristic that distinguishes people who have accomplished greatness in any given field? [11:43]
How do you decide what to read? What makes something not worth reading? [16:00]
What book have you read multiple times? [19:23]
If you could guarantee that every public official or leader read one book and engaged in one habit, what would those be? [24:38]
How do you turn down invitations that don’t interest you? How do you avoid losing time in your day? [26:05]
People Mentioned
Kurt Vonnegut
Edward Abbey
Sheryl Strayed
July 21, 2015
Charles Poliquin on Strength Training, Shredding Body Fat, and Increasing Testosterone and Sex Drive
“The rule is: the basics are the basics and you can’t beat the basics.”
– Charles Poliquin
Charles Poliquin (@strengthsensei) is one of the best known strength coaches in the world. He has trained elite athletes from nearly 20 different sports, including Olympic gold medalists, NFL All-Pro’s, NHL All-Stars and Stanley Cup champions, and IFBB bodybuilding champions. His clients include long-jump gold medalist Dwight Phillips, NHL MVP Chris Pronger, and MLB batting champion Edgar Martinez, among many others.
Poliquin is currently teaching advanced hypertrophy, nutrition, and strength seminars alongside one of my favorite athletes, Olympic weightlifting icon and medalist Dimitry Klokov.
Poliquin has authored more than 600 articles on strength training, and his work has been translated into 12 different languages. He has written 8 books, including his latest, a short gem entitled Arm Size and Strength: The Ultimate Guide. Find much more about Poliquin and his latest at strengthsensei.com.
Listen to it on iTunes.
Stream by clicking here
Download as an MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as”.
In this podcast, we frequently referred to my past episode with Arnold Schwarzenegger. You can listen to my conversations with Arnold here. In this episode, we discuss psychological warfare and much more (stream below or right-click here to download):
This episode is sponsored by Athletic Greens. I get asked all the time, “If you could only use one supplement, what would it be?” My answer is, inevitably, Athletic Greens. It is my all-in-one nutritional insurance. I recommended it in The 4-Hour Body and did not get paid to do so. Get 50% off your order at Athletic Greens.com/Tim
This podcast is also brought to you by 99Designs, the world’s largest marketplace of graphic designers. Did you know I used 99Designs to rapid prototype the cover for The 4-Hour Body? Here are some of the impressive results. Click this link and get a free $99 upgrade. Give it a test run…
QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: After listening to Poliquin, are there any strength or diet experiments you’d like me to explore and report back on? Please let me know in the comments.
Scroll below for links and show notes…
Enjoy!
Selected Links from the Episode
Learn more about Active Release Techniques (ART)
Learn more about gotu kola, the herb for repairing loose skin or stretch marks
Learn more about Charles’s 3-day Advanced Strength Programming Design
Download the Braverman Test to learn your neurotransmitter type
Explore The Journal for Applied Strength and Conditioning
Bad Science by Ben Goldacre
Learn more about Charles’s “most underrated health test”
Visit the American College for Advancement in Medicine to find quality doctors
Explore the Natural Database to search for natural medicines
To learn more about the process of medical research, read The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande
Learn more about hormone replacement therapy
Learn more about European world-class endocrinologist, Dr. Hertoghe
The benefits of nandrolone for joint recovery. (Note: this is not study referenced by Poliquin, but it addresses some of the proposed benefits.)
Visit EWG.org for rankings of common household products that are unhealthy
Try Teras Whey – non-GMO maltodextrin goat whey
59 Seconds and Quirkology by Richard Wildman and see his magic tricks
The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan
Pick up Charles’s suggested fish oil, Omegavail
Learn more about the Bamboo Bench
Selected movies: A Prophet and 22 Bullets
Jailhouse Strong by Josh Bryant
Life 101 by Peter McWilliams
Connect with Charles Poliquin:
StrenthSensei.com | Facebook | YouTube | Google + | Twitter | Instagram
Show Notes
The story behind Charles’s passion for strength and how he quickly learned multiple languages [6:05]
Charles’s secret skill that only his best friends know [10:40]
How to eliminate stretch marks or loose skin after extreme fat loss [15:05]
Something Charles believes that most people find crazy [18:20]
On taking huge doses of fish oil [31:35]
How to select a quality doctor who can administer and interpret blood testing [42:10]
Favorite go-to sources for research [50:50]
Thoughts on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) [53:50]
HRT challenges with DHEA-sulfate levels [1:00:05]
Exploring the use of Deca-Durabolin to support joint repair [1:04:05]
What Charles tries to eliminate from his home [1:06:35]
Thoughts on warmup routines [1:11:45]
The perfect preparation for strength workouts [1:14:40]
Most common post-workout mistakes [1:20:25]
Commonly neglected ways to decrease body fat [1:25:05]
On planning vacation first [1:34:05]
Common mistakes training female clients [1:46:10]
On CrossFit and training with Dmitry Klokov [1:48:50]
Favorite mobility exercises [1:57:40]
On the surprising side effects of kettlebell swings [2:03:55]
Thoughts on achieving maximal strength on a plant-based diet [2:05:35]
High-bar vs. low-bar squats. Sumo vs. conventional deadlift. [2:06:40]
Most bang for your buck tips to increase testosterone and sex drive [2:10:50]
The supplements everyone should take [2:14:15]
When Charles thinks of the word “successful,” who is the first person that comes to mind? [2:19:35]
Favorite documentaries and movies [2:21:35]
A purchase of $100 or less that improved Charles’s life [2:24:05]
On morning routines [2:25:40]
If you could have one billboard anywhere, where would it be and what would it say? [2:36:50]
Advice to your thirty-year-old self [2:40:00]
People Mentioned
Ed Coan
Mauro Di Pasquale
Karen Percy
Dmitry Klokov
July 17, 2015
Peter Diamandis on Disrupting the Education System, The Evolution of Healthcare, and Building a Billion-Dollar Business
Peter Diamandis (Photo credit: Sebastiaan ter Burg)
“I think of problems as goldmines.”
– Peter Diamandis
Dr. Peter Diamandis (@PeterDiamandis) has been named one of “The World’s 50 Greatest Leaders” by Fortune magazine. His accomplishments are far too many to list, but here are a few:
Peter is Chairman and CEO of the X PRIZE Foundation. He is also the Co-Founder (along with Craig Venter and Bob Hariri) of Human Longevity, Inc. (HLI); and the Co-Founder of Planetary Resources, a company designing spacecrafts to mine asteroids for precious materials (seriously). His latest book, Bold, has endorsements from Bill Clinton, Eric Schmidt, and Ray Kurzweil.
Peter knows how to think and play big, and he can show you how to do the same.
This episode features the top-10 most popular questions you wanted Peter to answer, including:
How do we disrupt the education system?
What does the future of healthcare look like?
When should you start building your billion-dollar business?
Will technology destroy all the jobs?
Listen to it on iTunes.
Stream by clicking here.
Download as an MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as.”
Want to learn more about exponential technologies? — Listen to my conversation with Peter Diamandis in which we discuss how to think like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos (stream below or right-click here to download):
Want even more? — Listen to my conversation with Peter Diamandis and Tony Robbins where we discuss the magic of thinking big (stream below or right-click here to download):
This podcast is brought to you by LegalZoom. Matt Mullenweg (CEO of Automattic – now worth more than a billion dollars) first incorporated his company on LegalZoom. LegalZoom, which I’ve used myself, can help you with almost anything legal, including setting up a will, doing a proper trademark search, forming an LLC, starting a non-profit, or finding simple cease-and-desist letter templates. LegalZoom is not a law firm, but they do have a network of independent attorneys available in most states. They can provide contract review and help you run your business. Use the code “Tim” at checkout to get $10 off your next order. Take a gander at everything you can get for a fraction of what you’d expect — LegalZoom.com
This podcast is also brought to you by 99Designs, the world’s largest marketplace of graphic designers. Did you know I used 99Designs to rapid prototype the cover for The 4-Hour Body? Here are some of the impressive results. Click this link and get a free $99 upgrade. Give it a test run.
QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What other past guests would you like to have back for a Q&A session? What questions would you want them to answer? Please let me know in the comments.
Scroll below for links and show notes…
Enjoy!
Selected Links from the Episode
Learn more about XPrize
Explore Singularity University
Learn more about compiling health records at Human Longevity
Interested in asteroid mining? Check out Planetary Resources
Explore Modern Meadows and learn to rethink food production
Start fixing the world’s biggest problems with incentive prizes, it’s easy with HeroX
Learn more about the racers seeking to provide global internet:
Internet.org | Google Loon | One Web | SpaceX Satelite Dev Facility
Show Notes
How do we disrupt the education system? [4:25]
What do your first 10 minutes of the morning look like? Do you have a morning routine? [8:00}
What are some unrealistic goals you think entire nations could aspire to? [10:00]
What are the most exciting changes happening in healthcare, and what are the timetables for them to affect the general population? [13:20]
A problem well defined is a problem half solved. How do you go about defining a problem? Or how do you ask better questions? [18:40]
What is the most important thing for a 16-year-old to do over his summer vacation to keep moving forward and be prepared? [20:45]
Whenever the question of ending hunger in Africa arises, someone always says, “There’s no sufficient distribution system.” Why couldn’t we feed African countries with a mere billion dollars, food, and a small army of powerful delivery drones? [24:00]
Have you considered crowdfunding XPRIZE? [28:30]
Will technology increase unemployment and will robots replace many jobs as the media is reporting? [30:20]
Will Google, Facebook, or Elon Musk win the race to provide global internet? Will the FCC allow it? [33:35]
How will Human Longevity differentiate itself from other biotech companies? [35:35]
If you were 20 and had no experience whatsoever, what would you do to get into Singularity U and then create change in the world? [37:50]
People Mentioned
Larry Page
Elon Musk
Craig Venter
Peter Diamandis on Disrupting the Education System, The Evolution of Healthcare, and Building a Billion Dollar Business
Peter Diamandis (Photo credit: Sebastiaan ter Burg)
“I think of problems as goldmines.”
– Peter Diamandis
Dr. Peter Diamandis (@PeterDiamandis) has been named one of “The World’s 50 Greatest Leaders” by Fortune magazine. His accomplishments are far too many to list, but here are a few:
Peter is Chairman and CEO of the X PRIZE Foundation. He is also the Co-Founder (along with Craig Venter and Bob Hariri) of Human Longevity, Inc. (HLI); and the Co-Founder of Planetary Resources, a company designing spacecrafts to mine asteroids for precious materials (seriously). His latest book, Bold, has endorsements from Bill Clinton, Eric Schmidt, and Ray Kurzweil.
Peter knows how to think and play big, and he can show you how to do the same.
This episode features the top-10 most popular questions you wanted Peter to answer, including:
How do we disrupt the education system?
What does the future of healthcare look like?
When should you start building your billion dollar business?
Will technology destroy all the jobs?
Listen to it on iTunes.
Stream by clicking here.
Download as an MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as.”
Want to learn more about exponential technologies? — Listen to my conversation with Peter Diamandis in which we discuss how to think like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos (stream below or right-click here to download):
Want even more? — Listen to my conversation with Peter Diamandis and Tony Robbins where we discuss the magic of thinking big (stream below or right-click here to download):
This podcast is brought to you by LegalZoom. Matt Mullenweg (CEO of Automattic – now worth more than a billion dollars) first incorporated his company on LegalZoom. LegalZoom, which I’ve used myself, can help you with almost anything legal, including setting up a will, doing a proper trademark search, forming an LLC, starting a non-profit, or finding simple cease-and-desist letter templates. LegalZoom is not a law firm, but they do have a network of independent attorneys available in most states. They can provide contract review and help you run your business. Use the code “Tim” at checkout to get $10 off your next order. Take a gander at everything you can get for a fraction of what you’d expect — LegalZoom.com
This podcast is also brought to you by 99Designs, the world’s largest marketplace of graphic designers. Did you know I used 99Designs to rapid prototype the cover for The 4-Hour Body? Here are some of the impressive results. Click this link and get a free $99 upgrade. Give it a test run.
QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What other past guests would you like to have back for a Q&A session? What questions would you want them to answer? Please let me know in the comments.
Scroll below for links and show notes…
Enjoy!
Selected Links from the Episode
Learn more about XPrize
Explore Singularity University
Learn more about compiling health records at Human Longevity
Interested in asteroid mining? Check out Planetary Resources
Explore Modern Meadows and learn to rethink food production
Start fixing the world’s biggest problems with incentive prizes, it’s easy with HeroX
Learn more about the racers seeking to provide global internet:
Internet.org | Google Loon | One Web | SpaceX Satelite Dev Facility
Show Notes
How do we disrupt the education system? [4:25]
What do your first 10 minutes of the morning look like? Do you have a morning routine? [8:00}
What are some unrealistic goals you think entire nations could aspire to? [10:00]
What are the most exciting changes happening in healthcare, and what are the timetables for them to affect the general population? [13:20]
A problem well defined is a problem half solved. How do you go about defining a problem? Or how do you ask better questions? [18:40]
What is the most important thing for a 16-year-old to do over his summer vacation to keep moving forward and be prepared? [20:45]
Whenever the question of ending hunger in Africa arises, someone always says, “There’s no sufficient distribution system.” Why couldn’t we feed African countries with a mere billion dollars, food, and a small army of powerful delivery drones? [24:00]
Have you considered crowdfunding XPRIZE? [28:30]
Will technology increase unemployment and will robots replace many jobs as the media is reporting? [30:20]
Will Google, Facebook, or Elon Musk win the race to provide global internet? Will the FCC allow it? [33:35]
How will Human Longevity differentiate itself from other biotech companies? [35:35]
If you were 20 and had no experience whatsoever, what would you do to get into Singularity U and then create change in the world? [37:50]
People Mentioned
Larry Page
Elon Musk
Craig Venter
July 15, 2015
Laird Hamilton, The King of Big Wave Surfing (Plus: Gabrielle Reece and Brian MacKenzie)
“There is no new idea, just a new application of an old idea.”
– Laird Hamilton
Laird Hamilton (@LairdLife) is widely considered the greatest big wave surfer of all-time and an innovator in board sports. He’s the creator of tow-in surfing, and largely responsible for the rebirth of stand-up paddle boarding.
Hamilton starred in multiple surfing films and was the centerpiece of Riding Giants, a documentary about big wave surfing. A contributing editor for Men’s Journal, he has appeared on Oprah, Charlie Rose, 60 Minutes, and The Ellen Degeneres Show. Laird was also a featured expert in the surfing episode of The Tim Ferriss Experiment.
Laird is known for using his healthy lifestyle to raise money for charities including, Race Across America, Pipeline for a Cure for Cystic Fibrosis, Rain Catcher, and Muscular Dystrophy.
Gabrielle Reece (@GabbyReece) has been named one of the “20 Most Influential Women Sports,” and is best known for her success in volleyball, modeling, and for a starring role as a trainer on The Biggest Loser.
A volleyball champion and a dominating offensive force, Reece led the Women’s Beach Volleyball league in kills for four consecutive seasons.
Elle magazine once called Reece, “One of the five most beautiful women in the world,” and Rolling Stone placed her on their “Wonder Women” list. That crossover success led to her becoming the first female athlete to ever design a shoe for Nike.
Brian MacKenzie (@iamunscared) is the founder of CrossFit Endurance and the author of the New York Times best-selling book Unbreakable Runner.
MacKenzie created controversy by suggesting a counterintuitive approach to distance running, which challenges high-mileage runs, high-carb diets, and incorporates intense strength training to conquer everything from 5K runs to ultra marathons. He was also prominently featured in The Four-Hour Body where he revealed how to prepare for a marathon in record time.
MacKenzie has been featured in Runner’s World, Men’s Journal, ESPN, Outside, and The Economist.
Listen to it on iTunes.
Stream by clicking here
Download both as MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as”.
Want to hear another podcast discussing underwater training from a friend of Laird Hamilton’s? — Listen to my conversations with Rick Rubin. In this episode we discuss cultivating world-class artists (Jay Z, Johnny Cash, etc.), losing 100+ pounds, and breaking down the complex (stream below or right-click here to download):
This episode is sponsored by Athletic Greens. I get asked all the time, “If you could only use one supplement, what would it be?” My answer is, inevitably, Athletic Greens. It is my all-in-one nutritional insurance. I recommended it in the The 4-Hour Body and did not get paid to do so. Get 50% off your order at Athletic Greens.com/Tim
This podcast is also brought to you by 99Designs, the world’s largest marketplace of graphic designers. Did you know I used 99Designs to rapid prototype the cover for The 4-Hour Body? Here are some of the impressive results. Click this link and get a free $99 upgrade. Give it a test run…
QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: In this interview we discussed training, emotional intelligence, and innovation. Of the topics covered, which would you like to hear more about in the future? And what questions do you have about each? Please let me know in the comments.
Scroll below for links and show notes…
Enjoy!
Selected Links from the Episode
Check out Riding Giants, the documentary on big wave surfing
The Unbreakable Runner by Brian McKenzie
Watch Laird teach Tim to Surf on The Tim Ferriss Experiment
Learn more about Elevation Masks
Learn more about the chaga mushroom
Tao Te Ching by Laozi – recommend by Brian
Way of the Peaceful Warrior – recommend by Brian
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand – recommended by Gabby
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho – recommended by Gabby
Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien – recommended by Laird
Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach and Russell Munson – recommended by Laird
Dune by Frank Herbert – recommended by Laird
Natural Born Heroes by Christopher McDougall – recommended by Laird
Deep Survival by Lawerence Gonzales – recommended by Laird
Check out the documentary recommended by Brian McKenzie, Spinning Plates
Connect with Brain McKenzie:
Athlete Cell | Instagram | Twitter
Learn more about Gabby Reece:
GabbyAndLaird.com | GabbyReece.com | High X | Twitter | Instagram
Learn more about Laird Hamilton:
LairdHamilton.com | LairdStandUp.com | LairdLife.com | GolfBoard.com
Show Notes
Challenging your beliefs and physicality with underwater weightlifting, elevation masks, and exercise efficiency [6:39]
Laird Hamilton’s potent magic yellow energy elixir [16:39]
Gabby’s experience of fear as a volleyball champion and the host of The Extremists [18:24]
When MacKenzie thinks of successful who comes to mind and what are the characteristics that make people that way [23:24]
On a healthy integrated life and how Hamilton and Reece think about parenting [26:09]
On how to cultivate a thriving relationship: Training, Confidants and Value Systems [34:49]
Most gifted books [41:09]
Laird Hamilton’s formula for invention in sports [46:54]
On the foil board and the goal to ride the biggest waves in the world [53:29]
What makes Laird Hamilton so resilient at sticking to crazy ideas like the foil board [1:02:54]
Advice for an older, perhaps beat up, athlete seeking to get back to high-level performance [1:05:49]
Laird Hamilton’s mantra of “training for life” [1:08:39]
On isolating your weaknesses, identifying flaws and working to make them better [1:13:49]
Discussing Don Wildman and what attributes to his incredible physical prowess at the age of 82 [1:19:54]
Who are the people who inspire Brian McKenzie [1:26:39]
Advice for your thirty-year-old self from Gabby, Laird, Brian and Tim [1:31:29]
Recommendations/Asks for the audience [1:39:59]
People Mentioned
Rick Rubin
Chase Jarvis
