Optimized Geek | Reboot Your Life

The fact we are dealing with a pandemic that’s “uncharted territory” definitely evokes fear and anxiety. It has shaken the entire world.  We are all looking for tools that can help us deal with it better. Today, you’re going to learn about a tool called the Wise Advocate. It’s been invaluable in processing all of this. My guests’ Dr. Jeffrey Schwartz and Josie Thomson are the co-authors of the book, The Wise Advocate. Jeff and Josie are both leading authorities in coaching and neuroscience. Their methodology provides new techniques for taking control of your brain, changing bad habits and ending unhealthy thinking. In this episode, we talk about this powerful work and its applications to different situations, including, of course, coping with the COVID-19 pandemic and potential economic downturn. Tune in! The show notes, including the transcript and checklist to this episode, are at getyourselfoptimized.com/242 

How do you really know if you're healthy? I've shared this quote more than once in the past, but it's something I stand by, Peter Drucker says, "what gets measured, gets managed." In this Get Yourself Optimized episode, my guest David Karow and I deep dive into the world of genome analytics and MR imaging. If you're interested in biohacking, then you're in for a treat! David is the President and Chief Innovation Officer at Human Longevity, Inc. He is an evangelist for optimizing longevity and personal performance. The show notes, including the transcript and checklist to this episode, are at getyourselfoptimized.com/241

The entire world is going through dark times. Instead of just sharing casual hellos and small talk like "Hope you're staying safe during this crazy time," take time to spread information. Knowing how to be better prepared in battling COVID-19 can help you and your loved ones. I have been reading a ton about the virus lately, and I'm happy to be joined by my friend, Steve Good. Steve is an entrepreneur, also the author of the book, Be Left Behind. It's actually about bitcoin, but we're not going to talk about that today. Steve is one of the most in-the-know and prepared people in my network on the topic of Coronavirus. If you want to be more prepared for when things go really wrong, this episode is a must listen and a must-share to everyone you care about. The show notes, including the transcript and checklist to this episode, are at getyourselfoptimized.com/240

You may not realize how many narcissists are hiding in plain sight. To learn how to spot one, I invited Dr. Ramani Durvasula on the show. Dr. Ramani is a psychologist, professor, author, and speaker. Her most recent book. "Don't You Know Who I Am? How to Stay Sane in an Era of Narcissism, Entitlement, and Incivility" provides deep insight into how narcissism is impacting us all, what it is, and what we can do about it. Tune in! The show notes, including the transcript and checklist to this episode, are at getyourselfoptimized.com/239

To an entrepreneur, running a business is all about turning their passion into profit. However, it’s easy to forget how running a business is composed of several nuts and bolts including handling the finances. Most people would refer to accounting and finance as the serious, nitty-gritty part of business. Some may even describe it as "messy" with all of the moving parts. My guest knows how to work out that delicate balance. He is Adam Lean, President of the CFO Project. Tune in as Adam and I talk about how you can drastically improve the profitability of your business, increase your revenue, and retain your existing customers. The show notes, including the transcript and checklist to this episode, are at getyourselfoptimized.com/238.

Don Miguel Ruiz Jr. has taken the lessons of his father, Don Miguel Ruiz, the author of “The Four Agreements”, and discovered his own personal freedom. This episode is all about teaching us how to wake up, liberate ourselves from illusory beliefs and stories, and live with authenticity. Tune in for an hour full of eye-opening musings on how to master your own self. The show notes, including the transcript and checklist to this episode, are at getyourselfoptimized.com/237.

The inspiration for me starting this podcast was really my fascination with biohacking and personal optimization - merging the world of science with the spiritual and cognitive experience. When you hear about the tech that today's guest Scott Donnell is going to speak with us about, you're going to feel like you've stepped into a Star Trek episode. I met Scott during a dinner at the Genius Network annual event back in November, and I was so impressed with some of the projects he was working on. I knew I wanted to have him come speak on my show. Scott is CEO of Hapbee, which is an amazing wearable device. The technology of which comes from over 15 years of research studying molecular actions using some of the most sensitive SQUID, which stands for superconducting quantum interference device, magnetometers in the world. Actually, I was reminded of a discussion I had had on episode 232 with Ariel Garten, who also developed a really interesting wearable device specifically for meditation, called Muse. In this epi

I’m sure everyone has probably had the frustrating experience of not being able to remember important things--whether they’re facts, names, or just information that feels like it’s at the tip of your tongue, but somehow it’s inaccessible. My guest today, Ron White, is a two-time national memory champion. He held the record for the fastest to memorize a deck of shuffled cards in only 1 minute and 27 seconds. As a memory expert, Ron has given talks all over the world from Zimbabwe to Milan. He has appeared on Good Morning America, the CBS Evening News, CBS Early Show, FOX, NBC and newspapers across the country from the New York post to the Dallas Morning News.  I heard Ron speak recently at a mastermind and I found him so compelling, not just on stage, but in conversation afterwards, that I had to have him on the show! In this episode, he talks with me about how memory works, how to lay the groundwork for actually improving your memory, and devices we can employ to access more of our memory which I found reall

We live in a world where technology, obsession with devices causes us to have shorter and shorter attention spans. And though in school, we teach our kids how to read and write, we don't teach them how to speak and to listen. These are such critical skills to learn because whether it's in your personal life or your professional world, the ability to communicate is at the heart of any relationship. My guest today is author and speaker, Julian Treasure. Julian is a communication visionary who has given multiple TED Talks on this very subject. His books, How to be Heard: Secrets for Powerful Speaking and Listening, and Sound Business, delve into how to speak so that people listen, and how to listen so that people feel heard. Julian is regularly featured in publications like Time Magazine, The Times, The Economist, and the BBC. Julian is also the founder of The Sound Agency, which works with some of the world's biggest brands to improve their sound. He travels the world, training people to listen better, and cre

I'm committed to revealing light in the world in everything I do, including this podcast. I believe revealing light is in large part the reason why I'm here on this earth. But as my guest today, Jeff Goins so aptly puts it, every light casts a shadow. Jeff and I discussed how often we end up chasing the shadows rather than chasing the light. It's easy to focus on your social media persona or keeping up with the neighbors, especially when that new Tesla shows up in their driveway. But are you ignoring the realities of your deeper life or what it truly takes to get that Tesla?  Jeff is the bestselling author of five books including the Art of Work and Real Artists Don't Starve. He   founded the Tribe Warriors writing community and has an award-winning blog. Jeff opens up about how his personal struggles gave him lessons and leadership. We discussed the shadow monsters of impostor syndrome, shame and trauma. Jeff says you can do really great things while still feeling incomplete. And while every writer can stru

I've always considered myself a pragmatic thinker. Breaking down how things work is fun and it makes sense. But on my journey of personal growth, I've had experiences that have challenged my mind to see a greater, more empowering view of life. I traveled to India and had a spiritual awakening. I met my soulmate. I've created a life I truly enjoy. Part of my love for biohacking and personal optimization, is it merges the scientific with the spiritual.  My guest for Episode 232, Ariel Garten, has done just that. She's a neuroscientist, psychotherapist, and is the co-founder of Muse, the brain sensing headband that helps you meditate. This episode we discuss her development of Muse and how the device helps you more effectively meditate by keeping you in a state of "focused attention." We discuss the neurological, psychological, and spiritual benefits of meditation. Like past guests Dr. Andrew Hill and Chris Keane, Ariel brings new insights and a few scientific shortcuts to get the most from meditation. So if y

It has become commonplace to talk about being “triggered.” While becoming part of the lexicon, this concept is more than just a buzzword. Acknowledging these emotional triggers provides a greater awareness of how our past can continue to affect us. PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder, doesn’t just affect war heroes and first responders. We’ve all suffered trauma in our childhood, especially if you use the definition of trauma being anything less than nurturing, which I learned from previous guest, Brent Charleton. Traumatic experiences can alter our emotional responses and create problematic neural pathways. Plus, that trauma lives in our bodies as tension and stress.  But this trauma doesn’t just cause anxiety and back pain. This trauma can keep our bodies stuck in a suboptimal state. Thankfully, there’s a solution to this, and to tell us all about it, we have Dr. David Berceli joining us. He’s an international author, presenter, and trainer in the areas of trauma intervention, stress reduction, and resilie

Something I learned in my Kabbalah class is when you focus on darkness, you attract more darkness. When you focus on the light, you get more light. Our brains work similarly, in that they have an incredible amount of neuroplasticity that we can literally mold through our daily habits, whether it's our sleeping, eating or consumption habits, we have the power to optimize them for better health and inner peace in our lives.  But we don't always make the best lifestyle choices for our future, especially in this day and age of social media addiction, a culture of convenience providing apps that make everything and anything available in an instant and information overload. Our poor eating and sleeping habits affect our prefrontal cortex, which is the area of our brain, which allows us to plan strategically for our future, have more empathy, and think more rationally. A poor lifestyle is fueling poor behavioral patterns, which ultimately lead to a poor state of overall emotional and physical well being.  My guest

A decade ago, I was a train wreck. I was recently divorced. I was socially awkward. I didn’t know how to talk to women. In fact, I was terrified to do so. I looked like a computer nerd who never saw the sun. Yeah, I was downright unattractive. Thankfully, I went through a metamorphosis. And the two men who started me on that path of reinvention were Tony Robbins and Neil Strauss. How I got from there to where I am now was no small feat. Initially it was about mindset, then it was about physical transformation, but ultimately it was about spiritual growth. To say I am unrecognizable from my former self would be a huge understatement. So how does one go from socially awkward to awakened? Well, today’s guest is going to illuminate that for us. His insights just might change your life as they have with his students and clients. Sasha Daygame is a visionary, renegade dating coach, and spiritual seeker. ​Sasha is also the founder of the Infinite Man Summit. He began as a standup comedian at the age of 17 and seve

Can you believe it? 2020 is nearly upon us. It’s crazy how time flies! If you take this season to reflect on the past 12 months and plan for what’s coming, today’s episode might just help you achieve those lofty New Year’s resolutions. Who doesn’t want to live a better life? Whether it’s a job promotion you’re eyeing, a startup you’re building, or a diet you’re following, the feeling of overcoming challenges and becoming a better version of yourself is something determined individuals constantly strive for. But let’s be real, life isn’t a bowl of cherries. You’ll have to exert serious effort to achieve meaningful results. For you to actually get to where you want to go or become who you want to be, you’ll need to understand and internalize the formula E+R=O. My guest for this episode 227, Brian Kight, the guy who came up with the aforementioned equation E + R = O. It stands for Event + Response = Outcome. And I can’t wait for Brian to explain the significance of this formula and how it can change your life. B

Living in the information age comes with a price. That price is overwhelm. We are drowning in data, and we desperately want to know who and what we can trust online. Especially when it comes to high stakes issues, such as our health and longevity. It’s important to be discerning, to not simply accept conventional wisdom, and to assess the incentives that may influence a health expert’s position on a topic. One of the biggest factors in our health is the food we eat. Honestly, how much of what you consume is nutrition-dense? Hey, I’m guilty too. But armed with some new, well-curated information, you’re about to get healthier, my friend. That’s because my guest for this episode 226 is David "Avocado" Wolfe. He's a nutritionist, a super foodist, an orator, an herbalist, a chocolatier, and an organic farmer. You probably heard his name before, but if you haven't, he's a big deal on social media. He has a following on Facebook of 12 million. He's the Indiana Jones of the superfoods and longevity space. David has o

Fitness is gaining popularity with the masses thanks in part to the millions of motivational Instagram videos out there, yet there still are plenty of folks who just can't find the time to hit the gym. That is completely understandable. Life can get busy, especially when you're trying to juggle work, family, and everything else. Exercising isn’t exactly urgent. So it makes sense that all those hours each week we meant to dedicate to exercising never ended up happening.   Yet, statistically speaking, we’re highly likely to get taken out by heart disease. Prioritizing our own health and fitness isn’t an option, it’s a must. Not only will it benefit us, but our loved ones as well. After all, we don’t want to leave them prematurely. And you can accomplish more and be more when you're fit and healthy. You may be saying well that’s all fine and good, but that doesn’t take away the fact that I’m still time-strapped. Well I have a solution for you, and that solution involves my two guests today in this episode #225,

Many diseases today are caused by hormonal imbalances and the common denominator, the chemicals found in our food and personal care products. These nasty chemicals can cause diseases like cancer, obesity and Alzheimer's. Some have even been linked to depression. Before you place a product in your shopping cart, you need to know what it's made of and whether the manufacturer can be trusted. Furthermore, your genetics can play a pivotal role in whether that product is good for you or bad for you. So it really pays to have your DNA analyzed.  My guest for this episode number 224 is Dr. Anthony Jay. He's a Mayo Clinic scientist, DNA consultant and author of the book, Estrogeneration, which is all about how estrogenic substances are messing with our biology. Anthony hosts the Chagrin and Tonic YouTube show and podcast and he has a Ph.D. in biochemistry. It's time to get savvy about what you put in and on your body and what's in your genes. You owe it to yourself and to the generations that will follow you. So let

Entrepreneurs tend to showcase their successes and hide their screwups. Yet the mistakes, and what the entrepreneur learned from them, are arguably what brought on the success. It’s those failures that really hone one’s skills and intuition. One man who’s been honest about his missteps on the road to success in the hopes of helping others is Mike Michalowicz. In some ways, Mike and I have lived parallel lives, starting out with technology businesses in the 90s that we built up and eventually sold, moving on to a life of consulting, speaking, and publishing books. Mike is the author of six books, including Profit First and Clockwork, and the host of the Entrepreneurship Elevated Podcast. He has appeared on NBC, MSNBC, Fox News, ABC News Now, and CNBC's On the Money. One of the most powerful business lessons I have learned from Mike is the principle of taking your profit first. This is the opposite of the conventional approach to business, where the profit comes last after you deduct expenses from top-line reve