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…
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Adam Braun: Creating Extraordinary Change On Purpose

Over the years I've interviewed some truly remarkable people, and not all of them are available anymore. I felt it was a disservice to the work to keep these locked up in a vault, so I handpicked some of the best interviews we've had since the beginning of the show and brought them all together for the School of Greatness Hall of Fame.

Education

Training

Language Courses

Higher Education

K-12

Educational Technology

Alternative Health

Health

Health & Fitness

Self-Improvement

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…

The Power of Movement with Ido Portal

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…

John Gray: Overlooked and Undervalued but Not Forgotten

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…

Lilly Singh: Becoming Your Own Superhero Bawse

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…

Wilmer Valderrama: Create Fearless Confidence and Achieve Anything

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…

Adam Braun: Creating Extraordinary Change On Purpose

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