At 23 years-old, Michael Brody-Waite drank a fifth of vodka and a 12-pack of beer everyday. He smoked tons of weed and cigarettes, and would “do any drug he could get his hands on.” When he wasn’t throwing up blood, he was mooching off--or just stealing from--his friends.  After finally getting clean, Michael achieved tremendous success in technology sales and eventually became the CEO of a health-tech start-up that sold for many millions of dollars. In his new book, Great Leaders Live Like Drug Addicts: How to Lead like Your Life Depends on It, Michael discusses the importance of living "mask-free" (he acknowledges the irony of advocating not wearing a mask during the pandemic), i.e. to live and lead with honesty and vulnerability. While this podcast isn’t really about leadership or entrepreneurship, I wanted to talk to Michael because the lessons he shares in his book are worth implementing in all of our daily lives. Speaking of the book, when I started reading it, I had my antennae out for self-help or motivational B.S., but I really didn’t find any. What I found was Michael being very matter-of-fact about his life had going off the rails, and how living a life of openness had not only gotten him back on track, but taken him to new heights of accomplishment.  In this week’s episode of Crazy Money, we talk addiction, recovery, accountability, authenticity, money, careers, and gratitude. And we get into a real discussion over whether or not it's realistic for people to “bring their true selves” to work. If you like this conversation, check out Micheal's TED talk, which has been viewed over 1.6 mm times by people in over 25 countries. Also, on Michael’s website, you can learn more about him, buy his book, or check out the Mask-Free Program. Thanks to my podcast Uncle, Joe Saul-Sehy of Stacking Benjamins podcast for introducing me to Michael.

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