Built Not Born

In this powerful episode, Joe Ciccarone sits down with Jim Murphy, author of the viral sensation "Inner Excellence" that was famously read by Eagles wide receiver AJ Brown on the sidelines during a game. Jim shares his remarkable journey from minor league baseball player to mental skills coach for elite athletes, and how his book rocketed from Amazon ranking #532,000 to #1 overnight.

00:05 - Introduction to Jim Murphy and his background in mental skills coaching 🧠

03:12 - The viral moment when AJ Brown was spotted reading "Inner Excellence" on the NFL sidelines 📱

06:45 - Jim's personal journey: from financial struggles to overnight success 💰

09:30 - Understanding "Inner Excellence" philosophy and the concept that "every beginning has an end and every ending has a new beginning" 🔄

12:15 - Jim discusses how losing his baseball vision led to a greater vision for his life 👁️

15:40 - The core philosophy: "What's essential is invisible to the eye" and focusing on what truly matters ❤️

18:22 - How to be "unoffendable and unirritatable" in a world full of criticism 🛡️

21:10 - The importance of understanding that "your opponent is not your enemy, but your partner in the dance" 🤝

23:45 - Freedom to choose your thoughts - breaking negative thought patterns 💭

26:30 - The PALMS acronym for ego: Possessions, Achievements, Looks, Money, and Status 🌴

28:15 - "We do not climb mountains to get to the top. We climb them to see who we can become" 🏔️

31:40 - Jim's personal practices for clearing his mind and recharging (including cold plunging!) ❄️

34:10 - The one lesson Jim hopes listeners take away: slow down and ask God how you can grow 🙏

36:25 - Fun closing questions: dream day with the Obamas and tattoo quote "Selfless is Fearless" ✨

Jim Murphy is a #1 NY Times Best Selling author and mental skills coach who works with professional athletes and high-performers. His book "Inner Excellence" focuses on training the mind for extraordinary performance and the best possible life. After Eagles wide receiver AJ Brown was seen reading the book on the sidelines during a January 2025 game, the book skyrocketed from selling 2-3 copies a day to over 100,000 copies in a week, achieving the coveted #1 spot on the New York Times bestseller list.

• Instagram: @InnerExcellenceJimMurphy
• Twitter: @InnerExcellence
• Website: innerexcellence.com
• Book: Inner Excelence

• "What's essential is invisible to the eye."
• "Be unoffendable and unirritatable."
• "Your opponent is not your enemy, but your partner in the dance."
• "The greatest freedom we have is the freedom to choose our own thoughts."
• "We do not climb mountains to get to the top. We climb them to see who we can become."
• "Selfless is fearless."

#InnerExcellence #JimMurphy #MentalSkills #MindsetTraining #SportsPerformance #HighPerformance #AJBrown #PhiladelphiaEagles #NYTimesBestseller #MentalCoaching #PersonalDevelopment #SuccessMindset #Resilience #PerformanceCoach #JoeCiccarone #BuiltNotBorn #Podcast #FlyEaglesFly #GoBirds #MindsetMatters #AJBrown #Eagles #SuperBowlLIX #SBLIX #FYP #Philly #Ojomo #Reading #Books #NYTimes

© 2025 Joe Ciccarone - Built Not Born Podcast (All Rights Reserved)

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Dr. Hillary Cauthen, clinical sports psychologist and author of "Hello Trauma, Our Invisible Teammate."

Dr. Cauthen shares her expertise on understanding trauma's impact on performance, developing resilience, and creating a culture that champions growth and healing.

00:45 - Introduction to Dr. Hillary Cauthen - clinical sports psychologist, author, podcaster, and mom of four

02:15 - Dr. Hillary's journey from athlete to sports psychology - moving to Maine and recognizing the need for specialized mental performance coaching

05:20 - Defining trauma as a physiological response that our brain makes meaning of

06:30 - The prevalence of trauma - 70% of adults have experienced trauma (reported cases only)

08:45 - Different trauma responses and how they impact recovery

10:35 - The three ways people deal with trauma: minimizer, enabler, and moral authority

14:20 - Seven steps to dealing with trauma

15:10 - Step 1: Acknowledge that something happened

16:15 - Step 2: Seek feedback and consult experts

17:20 - Step 3: Conduct conversations with care with everyone involved

18:30 - Step 4: Ask people what they need instead of assuming

20:15 - Step 5: Create a plan of action together

21:00 - Step 6: Discuss action steps and keep each other updated

22:10 - The power of hope in the healing process

22:45 - Emotional hygiene and the importance of mental wellness check-ins

24:30 - Balancing empathetic engagement with accountable action

26:45 - The difference between culture and climate in organizations

28:20 - The importance of finding people doing high-level work and learning from them

31:10 - The power of journaling for mental health and clarity

36:40 - Questions to ask yourself: "What is my role right now?" and "What's the one thing I need to do?"

39:30 - Share Your Secrets: How Dr. Hillary recharges (music, naps, bubble baths)

42:00 - The power of napping for performance enhancement

43:50 - Book recommendation: "The Tao of Pooh"

44:30 - One lesson to take away: "Be a good human and have empathy"

45:10 - If Dr. Hillary could spend a day with anyone: her grandfather

46:30 - Dr. Hillary's tattoo: "My heart is your heart, your heart is my heart"

Dr. Hillary Cauthen is a clinical sports psychologist based in Austin, Texas. She works on the continuum of care for high performers from Olympic athletes and NFL Players, from those struggling with mental health symptoms to those seeking performance optimization. As a former Division 1 college track athlete and TEDx speaker she brings personal experience to her approach to mental health and performance.

Dr. Cauthen leads a practice with seven other practitioners, working with teams, individual athletes, and the community to help them thrive. Beyond her clinical work, she's an author, podcaster, mom of four, and self-described "avid coffee drinker and nap taker."

Dr. Cauthen defines trauma not as "big T" or "little t" events, but as a physiological response that occurs when our brain makes meaning of an experience. This framework removes judgment and allows us to recognize that trauma can stem from various experiences, from injuries to job loss.

1. The Minimizer: Pretends it didn't happen or isn't that bad
2. The Enabler: Takes blame or responsibility for the traumatic event
3. The Moral Authority: Recognizes something happened and advocates for healing

1. Acknowledge that something happened
2. Seek feedback and consult experts
3. Conduct conversations with care with everyone involved
4. Ask people what they need
5. Create a plan of action together
6. Discuss action steps and implement them, keeping each other updated
7. Hope is part of the healing process

• Journaling: 5 minutes a day can change neurological patterns
• Mental check-ins: Advocating for regular emotional hygiene
• Present focus: Ask "What's my role right now?" and "What's the one thing I need to do?"
• Empathetic engagement: Balance care with accountability

• Instagram: @DrC_Mindset
• Website: txopps.com
• Book: Hello Trauma
• TEDx Talk: Toxicity of Sport Culture on Athletes’ Mental Health

"Life is Built, Not Born."

© 2025 Joe Ciccarone - Built Not Born Podcast. All rights reserved. "Hello Trauma, Our Invisible Teammate" by Dr. Hillary Cauthen is available on Amazon and everywhere books are sold.

In this episode of the Built Not Born Podcast, Joe welcomes author and entrepreneur Phil Van Treuren to explore how ancient Stoic philosophy can transform our modern lives.

Phil is the author of "The Little Book of Stoic Quotes," and shares profound insights on living in the present moment, embracing obstacles, and finding peace in our chaotic world.

• Author, entrepreneur, and "perpetual work in progress"
• Built a successful DTC e-commerce business from his basement
• Published four books on Stoic philosophy lessons
• Founder of Stoic Simple, where he sells his books and publishes blog posts

• Phil's one-sentence definition after a year of research
• Why Stoicism has experienced a renaissance in modern culture
• Recommendations for beginners: Ryan Holiday and Donald Robertson

• Why humans struggle to stay present compared to animals
• How focusing on the past leads to depression and looking too far ahead causes anxiety
• Seneca's wisdom: "The primary cause of both hope and fear is that instead of adapting ourselves to present circumstances, we send our thoughts to the future"

• How to embrace and love whatever fate you're given
• Finding opportunities in obstacles and challenging circumstances
• Using difficulties to become a better person

• Writing entire books on his cell phone while juggling family life
• How limitations forced him to become a better writer
• Embracing and loving the constraints of your circumstances

• The misconception that Stoicism means suppressing emotions
• Learning to step back and examine emotions before acting on them
• Creating space between stimulus and response

• How remembering mortality can spur positive action
• Planning meaningful experiences with loved ones
• Removing the ego from thinking time is guaranteed

• Comparing Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius
• The unique writing styles and contributions of each philosopher
• Phil's appreciation for different aspects of each Stoic master

• A quiz testing knowledge of real Marcus Aurelius quotes versus movie lines
• The surprising connection between the movie and actual Stoic philosophy

• Finding comfort in knowing the world will continue without you
• How this perspective brings peace and reduces ego
• Our responsibility to make the world better for future generations

• "The Little Book of Stoic Quotes" by Phil Van Treuren
• "The Daily Stoic" by Ryan Holiday
• "The Obstacle is the Way" by Ryan Holiday
• "Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius (Gregory Hayes translation recommended)
• "Letters from a Stoic" by Seneca
• "A Dog Who Follows Gladly" by Phil Van Treuren
• "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl

Whether you're new to Stoicism or a longtime practitioner, this episode offers practical wisdom to help navigate life's challenges with grace, courage, and tranquility.

"Life is Built, Not Born."

Joe Ciccarone

#Episode160

#Stoicism #philosophy #PhilVanTreuren #DonaldRobertson #JoeCiccarone #podcast #StoicSimple #DSL #Philly #books #author #emotions #seneca #meditations #marcusaurelius

© 2025 Joe Ciccarone - Built Not Born Podcast. All rights reserved.

In this episode, Joe welcomes back best selling author Derek Sivers for a deep dive into his new book "Useful, Not True" and explores how our beliefs shape our reality. Derek shares insights on choosing beliefs that serve us better and making peace with what we can't control.

🕒 00:00 - 03:45 - Introduction and catching up

• Jiu-jitsu training space as a podcast background
• Previous podcast appearance discussion
• Derek's book writing process

🕒 03:46 - 12:30 - Exploring "Useful, Not True"

• Core concept of choosing beneficial beliefs
• Derek's research journey through philosophy and religion
• Writing approach and keeping books concise

🕒 12:31 - 20:15 - Emotions and Decision Making

• How emotions decide before logic kicks in
• The importance of mental state
• Strategies for controlling emotional responses

🕒 20:16 - 28:45 - Questions for Self-Reflection

• Identifying outdated beliefs
• Dealing with distractions
• Finding your top priority

🕒 28:46 - 35:30 - Making Peace with Uncertainty

• Being okay regardless of outcomes
• Derek's experience moving from Oxford to New Zealand
• Adapting to unexpected changes

🕒 35:31 - 45:00 - Rapid Fire Questions

• Best investments in life
• Dealing with overwhelm
• Future plans and priorities

1. Choose beliefs based on their usefulness rather than absolute truth
2. Control your response to situations by managing your mental state
3. Regularly question whether your old beliefs still serve you
4. Journal daily to gain clarity when feeling overwhelmed
5. There's always another way to look at any situation

• 📖 "Useful, Not True" by Derek Sivers
• 📖 "Hell Yeah or No" by Derek Sivers
• 🎙️ Derek's Previous episode: Built Not Born (#66) - Hell Yeah or No

• Website: sive.rs
• Book: Useful, Not True
• Contact: Say Hello to Derek

© 2025 Built Not Born Podcast. All rights reserved.

#BuiltNotBorn #DerekSivers #UsefulNotTrue #Entrepreneurship #PersonalDevelopment #JoeCiccarone #MindsetShift #Podcast #Philly #NewZealand #Beliefs #true #author #books

💫 "I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself. And that's what my father helped me with - he led me in the right direction. The biggest team there is, is the United States military." - Lt. Colonel Jodi Pritchard

Featured in James Patterson's #1 New York Times bestseller "Walk In My Combat Boots: True Stories from America's Bravest Warriors," Lt. Colonel Jodi Pritchard (USAF) shares her remarkable journey from a West Virginia farm to becoming a distinguished Air Force flight nurse and CCAT (Critical Care Air Transport) team leader.

⏱️ Time Stamps:

[00:00] - Introduction and family military legacy

[03:45] - First deployment to Operation Enduring Freedom

[07:30] - Powerful story of transporting wounded and fallen soldiers

[12:15] - Experience of taking fire while landing in Baghdad

[16:20] - The mindset required at age 22 in combat situations

[21:30] - Story of soldiers' resilience and brotherhood

[26:45] - Mental health challenges and breaking the stigma

[32:15] - The importance of decompression after deployment

[37:30] - The meaning behind her memorial tattoo

[42:15] - Advice for aspiring military medical personnel

[45:30] - The importance of remaining humble

[48:45] - Behind the scenes with James Patterson and the book

🎖️ Four generations of military service in her family

🚁 20+ years as a medevac flight nurse

🏥 Critical missions transporting wounded warriors

💪 Mental resilience and PTSD awareness

🌟 Leadership lessons from combat experience

"You're the best part of their worst day." - On being a medivac flight nurse

"Never stop believing in yourself." - Lt. Col. Jodi Pritchard

Lt. Colonel Pritchard's story is featured in James Patterson's & Matt Eversmann's "Walk In My Combat Boots" (2021), which shares 45 powerful stories from America's service members. Her profile particularly focuses on her critical missions during Operation Enduring Freedom and her role in medical evacuations.

🎙️ Built Not Born Podcast

📚 "Walk In My Combat Boots" by James Patterson and Matt Eversmann

🎬 IG: Lt. Col. Jodi Pritchard

🎬 Facebook: Lt. Col. Jodi Pritchard

#MilitaryMedicine #USAF #Veterans #Leadership #Resilience #MilitaryPodcast #BuiltNotBorn #JoeCiccarone #podcast #iraq #Afghanistan #combat #combatmedicine #JodiPritchard #JamesPatterson #WalkInMyCombatBoots #USA #military #philly #WVU #MattEversmann #army

🎙️ Built Not Born Podcast: Max Boot on Ronald Reagan - His Life and Legend 🎙️

"The crew of the space shuttle Challenger honored us by the manner in which they lived their lives. We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them this morning as they prepared for their journey and waved goodbye and slipped the surly bonds of earth to touch the face of God." - Ronald Reagan, January 28, 1986

In this episode, we sit down with Max Boot, the acclaimed Washington Post columnist, Pulitzer Prize finalist, and Senior Fellow on the Council on Foreign Relations, to discuss his groundbreaking biography "Ronald Reagan: His Life and Legend."

⏱️ Episode Highlights:

[00:00] Introduction to Max Boot and his extensive work

[05:30] Reagan's early life and the pivotal Montgomery Ward job rejection

[12:45] The GE years: Reagan's political transformation

[18:20] Nancy Reagan's crucial role in Reagan's success

[25:15] The assassination attempt and its impact on the presidency

[32:40] The Iran-Contra affair and Reagan's management style

[38:50] Strategic Defense Initiative (Star Wars) and Soviet relations

[45:30] James Baker: The Velvet Hammer

[52:15] Reagan's lasting impact on American politics

[58:40] The Challenger speech and Reagan's legacy

🔑 Key Insights:

• Reagan's transformation from FDR Democrat to conservative icon
• The surprising truth about Reagan's relationship with his children
• How Nancy Reagan shaped the presidency
• The myth and reality of Reagan's role in ending the Cold War
• James Baker's crucial role as Chief of Staff
• Behind the scenes of John Hinkley's attempted assassination of President Reagan.

📚 Book Recommendation:

Max recommends Robert Caro's multi-volume biography of Lyndon B. Johnson as a masterpiece of political biography.

🌐 Connect with Max Boot:

• Twitter: @MaxBoot
• Washington Post: Max Boot's Column
• Facebook: Max Boot
• Council on Foreign Relations: Max Boot (Senior Fellow)

🎧 Listen to Built Not Born Podcast:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• YouTube

#BuiltNotBorn #MaxBoot #RonaldReagan #PoliticalHistory #Biography #Leadership #Presidency #AmericanHistory #Podcast #builtnotborn #joeciccarone #1980s #JamesBaker #NancyReagan #WashingtonPost #CouncilOnForeignRelations #WashingtonDC #NYC #FYP #communism #berlinwall #ColdWar

🎙️ From Tragedy to Triumph: How Michael O'Brien Turned His "Last Bad Day" Into a Mindfulness Revolution

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Michael O'Brien, who shares his incredible journey from a devastating cycling accident to becoming an executive coach and mindfulness advocate. After being hit head-on by an SUV traveling 40 mph in 2001, Michael transformed his near-death experience into a philosophy that's helping executives and corporations embrace mindfulness.

⏱️ Time Stamps:

00:00 - Introduction and early career

05:30 - The life-changing accident on July 11th, 2001

15:45 - The path to forgiveness and mindset shift

25:30 - Development of Pause, Breathe, Reflect (PBR) methodology

35:15 - Bringing mindfulness to corporate culture

45:20 - Cycling across America with a total knee replacement

50:30 - Quick-fire questions and book recommendations

💫 Power Quote:

"Everything is neutral until you label it. One day, you might see that this happened for you and not to you."

Key Highlights:

• 🚴‍♂️ Surviving a near-fatal cycling accident that required 34 units of blood
• 🧘‍♂️ Creating the Pause, Breathe, Reflect (PBR) mindfulness practice
• 💪 Completing a cross-country bike ride on a total knee replacement
• 🏢 Bringing mindfulness practices to corporate environments
• 📱 Developing an accessible meditation app for busy professionals

Resources Mentioned:

• 📚 "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl
• 📱 Pause, Breathe, Reflect App (Available on App Store and Google Play)

Connect with Michael:

• 🌐 pausebreathereflect.com
• 💼 LinkedIn: Michael O'Brien
• 📱 Download the Pause, Breathe, Reflect app

#Mindfulness #ExecutiveCoaching #Resilience #PersonalDevelopment #MentalHealth #CorporateWellness #Meditation #LeadershipDevelopment #Wellness #MindfulnessAtWork #PersonalGrowth #PodcastEpisode #Inspiration #MindsetShift #MichaelObrian #JoeCiccarone #builtnotborn #podcast #philly #mindset #fyp #biking #enduranceathelete

This episode serves as a powerful reminder that our greatest challenges can become our greatest teachers, and how mindfulness can transform both our personal and professional lives. Michael's story demonstrates that with the right mindset and tools, we can turn our "last bad day" into a catalyst for positive change.

"Life is Built, Not Born."

Joe Ciccarone

#Episode156

Join host Joe Ciccarone for a special New Year's Eve episode as he reflects on the podcast's journey and shares exciting updates for 2025! 🎊

🎤 00:00 - Introduction and New Year's Greeting

🙏 01:15 - Thank You to Loyal Listeners

📅 02:30 - Podcast Journey Since April 2021

⭐ 03:45 - Highlight Reel of 2024 Guests

• Guy Kawasaki
• Seth Godin (3rd appearance)
• Jay Papasan
• James Devlin (3x Super Bowl Champion)
• US Special Forces Operators
• Donald Robertson
• Lord Andrew Roberts

📺 05:30 - Platform Updates

• Full episodes now available on YouTube
• Short-form content on TikTok (@joe_ciccarone)
• New Opus Clip integration for highlight reels

📧 07:15 - Newsletter Announcement

• Built Not Born "Episode X-Ray" on Substack
• 2-minute episode summaries
• Links to guest resources
• Free subscription

📢 09:00 - Schedule Update

• Moving to bi-weekly episodes
• 10 pre-recorded interviews ready

🎙️ 10:30 - Upcoming Guest Preview

• Derek Sivers (NYT Bestselling Author)
• Max Boot (Washington Post, Reagan Biography)
• Stephen Marche (Writing and Failure)
• Jodie Pritchard (Combat Medic)
• Tim Conniff (Comedian)
• Javier Vasquez (UFC Fighter/Jiu-Jitsu Instructor)

• Newsletter: Built Not Born on Substack
• YouTube: Built Not Born Channel
• TikTok: @joe_ciccarone
• Full Episodes: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts

#BuiltNotBorn #Podcast #JoeCiccarone #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #PersonalDevelopment #2025Goals #PodcastCommunity #SuccessStories #Motivation #BJJ #podcasts #mindset #philly #fyp

• Blog: Built Not Born Substack
• IG: @jciccarone
• X: @jciccarone
• TT @joe_ciccarone

"Life is Built, Not Born." 💪

Joe Ciccarone

#Episode155

🎙️ From College Football Runner to CBS Sports Betting Analyst: How Mackenzie Brooks is Changing the Game.

In this episode, we sit down with Mackenzie Brooks, a 23-year-old sports betting analyst for CBS Sports who's revolutionizing how we understand sports analytics and making football accessible to everyone, especially Taylor Swift fans (aka - Swifties)!

⏰ Time Stamps:

00:00 - Introduction and McKenzie's background

05:30 - Journey from University of Georgia to CBS Sports

10:15 - The birth of Quick Locks and early social media presence

15:45 - Breaking into sports betting analysis

20:30 - Being a woman in a male-dominated industry

25:15 - The Taylor Swift effect and educating new football fans

30:45 - The future of sports betting and broadcasting

35:20 - Work-life balance and recharging strategies

40:10 - Advice for aspiring sports analysts

45:30 - Networking and career development tips

🔑 Key Interview Highlights:

• From running coffee for ESPN College GameDay to becoming a leading sports betting analyst
• How coding and analytics created a unique career path
• Breaking down complex sports concepts for new audiences
• The impact of Taylor Swift on women's interest in football
• The future of sports betting in mainstream broadcasting

💡 Career Tips from Mackenzie Brooks:

• Find your niche and be a "one of one"
• Put in the reps, even with a small audience
• Build relationships with producers, not just on-camera talent
• Use social media to develop your personal brand
• Don't be afraid to start small and grow

🎯 Game-Changing Moments:

• Her innovative approach to teaching football to new fans (25:15)
• How she bridges the gap between data analytics and casual viewers (20:30)
• The future of sports betting integration in live broadcasts (30:45)

Connect with CBS Sports Mackenzie Brooks:

• IG: kenzbrooksbets
• X: kenzbrooksbets

"Life is Built, Not Born."

Joe Ciccarone

#Episode154

© 2024 Joe Ciccarone / Built Not Born Podcast . All rights reserved.

🥋 Built Not Born Podcast #153- Episode Notes: Mastering BJJ Through Project-Based Learning with Josh Vogel

🎯 Episode Highlights:

Josh Vogel, BJJ black belt and co-owner of The Jiu-Jitsu Company in Philadelphia, shares deep insights on developing an effective BJJ game plan and training methodology.

📝 Key Topics Covered:

• Project-based learning approach to BJJ
• Creating an organized game plan
• Choosing the right training partners
• Balancing positional sparring vs. free rolling
• Using instructionals effectively
• The "Bank Robber" analogy for skill development

💡 Major Takeaways:

• Focus on mastering your own style of jiu-jitsu rather than trying to learn everything
• Start with one reliable technique from each major position
• Maintain a 70/30 split between maintenance training and new project work
• Choose training partners based on your injury prevention needs and learning goals
• Use instructionals strategically by testing small portions during live training

🏆 Training Tips:

• Begin with the end in mind and work backwards
• Balance between natural reactions and trained responses
• Use positional sparring to develop specific skills
• Study competition footage to understand real-world application
• Focus on solving one problem at a time

🎓 About Josh Vogel:

• 20+ years of BJJ experience
• Co-owner of The Jiu-Jitsu Company in Old City, Philadelphia
• Creator of "90 Day Project Based Jiu-Jitsu" instructional on BJJ Fanatics
• Known for systematic, organized approach to teaching BJJ

📱 Connect with Josh Vogel:

• Website: JiuJitsuPhilly.com
• Instagram: @TheJiuJitsuCompany
• BJJ Fanatics: Josh Vogel's Instructional
• Built Not Born Podcast #44: Josh Vogel

#BJJ #MartialArts #JiuJitsu #Training #Podcast #BuiltNotBorn #ProjectBasedLearning #BJJTraining #Grappling #MartialArtsTraining #JoshVogel #JoeCiccarone #BuiltNotBorn #podcast #philly #philadelphia #PhillyBJJ