Fri-Date

Mike Zeller is a business architect – as in – he interprets people’s motivations and desires to help turn businesses into perfect convergences of their founder’s skill sets, values and ambitions. He helps businesses work on strategy to achieve a model that lets them work hard and play hard!

Strategy, ideation, architecting and connection.

 

In This Conversation We Cover:

• [2:12] Mike explains his ‘cocktail party’ description of what he does.
• [4:15] Mike runs through his active businesses, from fashion to real estate and augmented reality. His interests range far and wide.
• [7:15] Mike explains how he keeps focus with so many different businesses to balance, and he thinks it comes down to being a ‘creator’ who just gets bored with one thing at a time!
• [9:23] Rob outlines the 5 different personality tests that Mike had him take in one brainstorm session, and Mike explains how a range of tests gives the best picture of a person and their business and ultimately helps founders and entrepreneurs play to their strengths.
• [12:43] Rob reflects on some of the learnings that Mike helped him revolutionize his life and work.
• [14:47] Giving everyone a role to live their genius: Mike outlines the concept that a project only needs to be at 80% at any given time as in Dan Sullivan’s book, “The 80% Approach.” Rob shares how this worked for him at his chiropractic practice.
• [20:09] Mike explains how the top 4% of a company brings in 64% of a company’s revenue and how you can apply the 80:20 principle over and over to grow a partnership.
• [22:40] Mike explains the process for and how he takes his clients on a ‘hero’s journey’, creating a narrative journey for clients as well as helping them find their avatar and ‘ideate’ on this. - [27:54] Mike tells Rob about his experience of Tony Robbins Platinum Partnership, taking the risk and doubling his net worth and income. His experience of moving into environments beyond his comfort zone helped him see himself entirely differently, shifting his mindset, actions and decisions.
• [31:30] Masterminds, learning from different thinkers, a book a week, working out, meditation. These are Mike’s secrets towards being in the top 1%. Leaders are readers!
• [34:59] Mike explains strategy, structure, systems, and support and how they can play into a company’s limitations and potential, in addition to the mindset of the company owner. He explains how changing that can change everything.
• [36:46] Rob explains the journey he went on when being interviewed for his professional bio and his experience, first hand, with the genius of Mike’s team. They chat about Mike’s natural aptitude for finding the best people to make his team amazing. It all starts with creating an inspiring vision from the job description and the 6 questions he always asks. He also shares his job description for an executive assistant which CEOs and recruiters have used hundreds of times as a template.
• [42:52] Mike explains some of the harder times in his business growth journey and how he worked through them. He used prayer and habits that fed his mind to work through the difficult times. He also shares the things he’s working on as a leader.
• [46:44] PLAY HARD Mike took a mini sabbatical to Argentina in 2010 and loved the break from the norm, but most of all enjoys the mental space that travel permits, allowing room for epiphanies and the billionaire mindset to flourish.
• [49:36] Mike explains what he loves about life, culture and creative energy in LA, the pattern-breaking benefits of traveling, and the importance of play and fun!
• [51:54] Fear of heights? Mike tackled his by skydiving and being told to just ‘loosen up bro’ by his tandem jumper!
• [53:57] Mike shares his recommendations for what to read, watch, and see.

 

Mike’s 5 Top Reads

1. 4 Hour Workweek
2. Power of Full Engagement
3. War of Art
4. The 80% Approach
5. Blue Ocean Strategy

 

Resources:

• The 5 personality tests that Rob took part in:
• • Disc Model
  • Gallop Deck
  • Myers-Briggs
  • Kolbe
  • Wealth Dynamics
• Joseph Campbell’s “The Hero’s Journey”
• The G.E. Six Sigma Process
• The 80% Approach by Dan Sullivan
• 80:20 Sales & Marketing by Perry Marshall
• The Tony Robbins Priming Exercise & Platinum Partnership
• Email Mike at [email protected]
• Apply to join Mike’s Mastermind at Risingstarsmastermind.com

Mike Zeller is a business architect – as in – he interprets people’s motivations and desires to help turn businesses into perfect convergences of their founder’s skill sets, values and ambitions. He helps businesses work on strategy to achieve a model that lets them work hard and play hard!

Strategy, ideation, architecting and connection.

In This Conversation We Cover:

[2:12] Mike explains his ‘cocktail party’ description of what he does.

[4:15] Mike runs through his active businesses, from fashion to real estate and augmented reality. His interests range far and wide.

[7:15] Mike explains how he keeps focus with so many different businesses to balance, and he thinks it comes down to being a ‘creator’ who just gets bored with one thing at a time!

[9:23] Rob outlines the 5 different personality tests that Mike had him take in one brainstorm session, and Mike explains how a range of tests gives the best picture of a person and their business and ultimately helps founders and entrepreneurs play to their strengths.

[12:43] Rob reflects on some of the learnings that Mike helped him revolutionize his life and work.

[14:47] Giving everyone a role to live their genius: Mike outlines the concept that a project only needs to be at 80% at any given time as in Dan Sullivan’s book, “The 80% Approach.” Rob shares how this worked for him at his chiropractic practice.

[20:09] Mike explains how the top 4% of a company brings in 64% of a company’s revenue and how you can apply the 80:20 principle over and over to grow a partnership.

[22:40] Mike explains the process for and how he takes his clients on a ‘hero’s journey’, creating a narrative journey for clients as well as helping them find their avatar and ‘ideate’ on this. - [27:54] Mike tells Rob about his experience of Tony Robbins Platinum Partnership, taking the risk and doubling his net worth and income. His experience of moving into environments beyond his comfort zone helped him see himself entirely differently, shifting his mindset, actions and decisions.

[31:30] Masterminds, learning from different thinkers, a book a week, working out, meditation. These are Mike’s secrets towards being in the top 1%. Leaders are readers!

[34:59] Mike explains strategy, structure, systems, and support and how they can play into a company’s limitations and potential, in addition to the mindset of the company owner. He explains how changing that can change everything.

[36:46] Rob explains the journey he went on when being interviewed for his professional bio and his experience, first hand, with the genius of Mike’s team. They chat about Mike’s natural aptitude for finding the best people to make his team amazing. It all starts with creating an inspiring vision from the job description and the 6 questions he always asks. He also shares his job description for an executive assistant which CEOs and recruiters have used hundreds of times as a template.

[42:52] Mike explains some of the harder times in his business growth journey and how he worked through them. He used prayer and habits that fed his mind to work through the difficult times. He also shares the things he’s working on as a leader.

[46:44] PLAY HARD Mike took a mini sabbatical to Argentina in 2010 and loved the break from the norm, but most of all enjoys the mental space that travel permits, allowing room for epiphanies and the billionaire mindset to flourish.

[49:36] Mike explains what he loves about life, culture and creative energy in LA, the pattern-breaking benefits of traveling, and the importance of play and fun!

[51:54] Fear of heights? Mike tackled his by skydiving and being told to just ‘loosen up bro’ by his tandem jumper!

[53:57] Mike shares his recommendations for what to read, watch, and see.

Mike’s 5 Top Reads

4 Hour Workweek

Power of Full Engagement

War of Art

The 80% Approach

Blue Ocean Strategy

Resources:

The 5 personality tests that Rob took part in:

Chris Harder is an entrepreneur, business strategist and philanthropist. He’s also the host of the "For the Love of Money” podcast. He and Rob talk about zero to hero, cultivating a millionaire mindset and running with the right tribe for success.

 

In This Conversation We Cover:

• [3:02] Chris starts out by sharing a low point in his life. He and his wife were low, broke and out of shape, so he addressed his habits, priorities and social behavior to get the life he wanted.
• [5:57] Chris shares the point at which he realised he didn’t have the life he thought or wanted, and started to ask important questions. It began at a Landmark Forum course. He then chose to read 30 books in 30 days and found the focus to take a good situation to great. He also explained how his wife Lori was excelling and how he had to keep up!
• [9:30] “Good to great” Chris shares how he is stepping up from good to great in every way.
• [10:48] Chris explains how his wife tricked him into a yoga retreat in Costa Rica, taking him outside his comfort zone and causing him to re-address his ideas, challenge the judgements he was making and just give things a chance!
• [19:42] Rob thinks Chris is the most positive person he knows, but how did he come across those beliefs? We go back 11 years to understand the journey Chris went on to re-framing himself after the tragic death of a former colleague. These days, Chris aims to be happy all the time and chooses to face each day with this attitude.
• [25:54] Rob quizzes Chris on the biggest challenges in his ‘money mindset’, including his work towards a sense of abundance and childhood influences around money and finance.
• [28:18] How to break out of the middle class landscape? Don’t take advice from your middle-class friends and family, says Chris. He also shares his thoughts on how unuseful it is to take advice from unhappy people and why it’s a mistake to let ego control your financial future.
• [31:40] Being a giver: Chris remembers the giving nature of his parents and how this has shaped his drive to share and give back to his community. He and Rob discuss how parenting can influence a generous nature in children.
• [33:27] To listen or to lecture? Removing the ego from a response or listening act helps us discover the answers inside of us.
• [35:02] Chris is frank about the decisions that people make which prevent them from living their dreams. Not thinking big enough, running with the wrong tribe, and having habits that hold you back.
• [37:38] Surrounding yourself with thinkers, that adjust your perspective, opens up new possibilities to what your mind can be.
• [37:00] Love is a verb: Chris shares his take on love and marriage and how the ongoing effort to make things work is a mutual project. Then he explains how his financial worth went from six figures to zero at the time of the recession, and how he pulled himself back out, with a little help from family, as well as, how he learned a lot about himself and his values.
• [48:41] Chris explains how he’s applying the Fun, Easy, Elegant solution in everyday life, from the little things to big decisions.
• [51:06] From holidays to cutoff times for business calls, Chris shares his non-negotiables for being the best version of himself.
• [53:34] Chris takes your questions.
• [59:01] Rob shoots some rapid fire questions at Chris for his top recommendations and ideas right now.

 

Resources:

• Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker (This was a game changing book for Chris and his wife Lori)
• You Are a Badass at Making Money - Jen Sincero
• Tuesdays with Morrie - Mitch Albom
• Conversations with God - Neale Donald Walsch

 

Chris Harder is an entrepreneur, business strategist and philanthropist. He’s also the host of the "For the Love of Money” podcast. He and Rob talk about zero to hero, cultivating a millionaire mindset and running with the right tribe for success.

In This Conversation We Cover: [3:02] Chris starts out by sharing a low point in his life. He and his wife were low, broke and out of shape, so he addressed his habits, priorities and social behavior to get the life he wanted.

[5:57] Chris shares the point at which he realised he didn’t have the life he thought or wanted, and started to ask important questions. It began at a Landmark Forum course. He then chose to read 30 books in 30 days and found the focus to take a good situation to great. He also explained how his wife Lori was excelling and how he had to keep up!

[9:30] “Good to great” Chris shares how he is stepping up from good to great in every way.

[10:48] Chris explains how his wife tricked him into a yoga retreat in Costa Rica, taking him outside his comfort zone and causing him to re-address his ideas, challenge the judgements he was making and just give things a chance!

[19:42] Rob thinks Chris is the most positive person he knows, but how did he come across those beliefs? We go back 11 years to understand the journey Chris went on to re-framing himself after the tragic death of a former colleague. These days, Chris aims to be happy all the time and chooses to face each day with this attitude.

[25:54] Rob quizzes Chris on the biggest challenges in his ‘money mindset’, including his work towards a sense of abundance and childhood influences around money and finance.

[28:18] How to break out of the middle class landscape? Don’t take advice from your middle-class friends and family, says Chris. He also shares his thoughts on how unuseful it is to take advice from unhappy people and why it’s a mistake to let ego control your financial future.

[31:40] Being a giver: Chris remembers the giving nature of his parents and how this has shaped his drive to share and give back to his community. He and Rob discuss how parenting can influence a generous nature in children.

[33:27] To listen or to lecture? Removing the ego from a response or listening act helps us discover the answers inside of us.

[35:02] Chris is frank about the decisions that people make which prevent them from living their dreams. Not thinking big enough, running with the wrong tribe, and having habits that hold you back.

[37:38] Surrounding yourself with thinkers, that adjust your perspective, opens up new possibilities to what your mind can be.

[37:00] Love is a verb: Chris shares his take on love and marriage and how the ongoing effort to make things work is a mutual project. Then he explains how his financial worth went from six figures to zero at the time of the recession, and how he pulled himself back out, with a little help from family, as well as, how he learned a lot about himself and his values.

[48:41] Chris explains how he’s applying the Fun, Easy, Elegant solution in everyday life, from the little things to big decisions.

[51:06] From holidays to cutoff times for business calls, Chris shares his non-negotiables for being the best version of himself.

[53:34] Chris takes your questions.

[59:01] Rob shoots some rapid fire questions at Chris for his top recommendations and ideas right now.

Resources:

Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker (This was a game changing book for Chris and his wife Lori)

You Are a Badass at Making Money - Jen Sincero

Tuesdays with Morrie - Mitch Albom

Conversations with God - Neale Donald Walsch

Rob kicks off the Work Hard Play Hard podcast chatting in the heat of the African sun with an old chiropractic friend about how he turned his passion for wellness into a hundred million dollar company.   Dr. Darren White, CEO of Aduro, Inc. (and Rob’s best friend), talks about how traveling as a shy young man equipped him with the integrity, confidence, and curiosity to do great in business.   Hear how Darren founded a string of chiropractic offices, then transitioned without experience or training, to develop an $80 million company, rated #482 in Inc. Magazine’s fastest-growing private companies in the USA.   Today, Aduro, Inc. is changing the way employees and employers think about health.   Rob and Darren discuss the mistakes, surprises, and adventures that allowed him to explore opportunities that he could not have imagined in private practice, as well as, uncover the hacks and tips that help him make the most of every minute.  

In This Conversation We Cover:

• [03:17] Darren explains the atmosphere that motivated him to start out as a chiropractor versus a traditional medical doctor, when he opted for the mindset of promoting good health rather than managing poor health.
• [05:00] Darren talks about his decision to take time out from his degree to see the world, rather than succumbing to peer group pressure by graduating at the same time.
• [08:30] Darren chats about how he approached traveling on a dime, and how he tackled unisex group showers and new acquaintances as a shy young man!
• [12:54] Rob and Darren talk about the commonalities between traveling while navigating the business world, particularly his passion for overcoming obstacles and persevering in challenging situations.
• [18:00] Darren explains how he learned to ration resources in unpredictable environments and his determination for great rewards, while utilizing those same attributes in his business and life. And he recounts a few failures, surprises and learning opportunities along the way!
• [23:00] Darren explains how he and his wife fell in love with Vietnam and how he came to terms with his status as an American while discovering a deep respect for the Vietnamese people and their culture.
• [25:30] Darren describes the experience of ‘re-entry’ to American culture and his resistance to stay in one place.
• [27:50] Darren gets into how he built Aduro, Inc.,  which began as a marketing company linked to his chiropractic, wellness centers in Seattle and this grew into a hugely successful business which helps large employers manage employee wellbeing. At the core of all his success in business was Darren’s ethic of promoting good health.
• [31:00] What’s in a name? Quite a lot, actually. Best to have those attorneys on hand to get the basics right from the outset. Darren shares some smart advice on trademarking.
• [34:58] Darren tells us how he and his wife, Toni, created an accidental company, then gathered the experience, staff, and customers along the way. We hear how a leap of faith from their first mentor gave them the chance to learn and exceed expectations while building relationships that last.
• [39:50] Hotels, not Hospitals: Darren explains how he scaled up Aduro, INC by recruiting sales and design teams in the first instance and why emotion and brand were so important to his business proposition.
• [43:25] The Blind leading the Blind: As their business took off, Darren and his team of contributors had to build and learn as they went. This often meant learning, doing and leading all at the same stage, which was challenging but gave him a real motivational kick.
• [46:36] Darren explains how recruiting his former VP of Operations and Client Services cost him some work up front, but paid off ten times over in building and training an awesome culture.
• [48:58] Darren explains how he regularly holds ‘offsites’ for strategic planning to guide the team for the year and how spending time away with key staff can strengthen essential personal relationships and friendships. He also talks about how avoiding a focus on ‘rules’ generally attracts a team of people who make smart decisions and bring strong ethics.
• [53:00] It’s not always an easy ride. Darren explains how major setbacks have tested him, but learning from partners has allowed him to stay afloat and ultimately made the company stronger. He takes us through his ‘levers’ for managing crisis, how this has helped him innovate, and also explains how his traveling experiences have formed his strategy for tackling problems.
• [61:00] Darren explains how successful behavior is intuitive. He talks about how observing competent people working unconsciously, can teach hidden lessons about the secrets to their success – those that they’re not even aware of!
• [63:38] Finding the right mindset for your tasks is essential in business and gives purpose to each step along the way: success lurks just beyond what you can see, so faith is a key player in achieving long-term goals.
• [66:30] One person’s success is different to another. Darren explains the importance of individuality in discovering your version of success: your compass, your confidence, your journey.
• [69:16] Planning pays off: Darren explains how he maps his thoughts, inspirations and ideas into themes and goals, then turns them into productive projects.
• [71:49] Darren tells us how he’s working pleasure and energy into every moment, finding it in everything from the manner of dress to inspiring objects and people, even a razor his brother crafted for him! Darren’s attitude is about adding ritual and importance to the small things to help power the big ones in his life!
• [75:39] We want what we can’t have: Darren shares how an abundance mindset freed him from the hoarding, scarcity mindset he grew up with and showed him self-worth that wasn’t dependent on material things. (Daniel Priestley – The Entrepreneur Revolution)
• [79:06] Darren explains how mastermind groups have helped him move to the next level again and again and to step across industries that can benefit from his own offering.
• [81:50] Darren tells us about a new acquaintance who has inspired him to put his core values at the heart of every day in a big way and achieve amazing things on a grand scale.
• [87:08] We all need to work on something, and Darren confesses how he loves a Saturday morning lie-in and a lazy start to the weekend!

 

Darren is Currently Reading:

Losing My Virginity by Richard Branson

 

Darren is Currently Watching:

Ken Burns’ The Vietnam War Documentary

 

Resources:

• Aduro: A better way to wellness

 

Rob kicks off the Work Hard Play Hard podcast chatting in the heat of the African sun with an old chiropractic friend about how he turned his passion for wellness into a hundred million dollar company. Dr. Darren White, CEO of Aduro, Inc. (and Rob’s best friend), talks about how traveling as a shy young man equipped him with the integrity, confidence, and curiosity to do great in business. Hear how Darren founded a string of chiropractic offices, then transitioned without experience or training, to develop an $80 million company, rated #482 in Inc. Magazine’s fastest-growing private companies in the USA. Today, Aduro, Inc. is changing the way employees and employers think about health. Rob and Darren discuss the mistakes, surprises, and adventures that allowed him to explore opportunities that he could not have imagined in private practice, as well as, uncover the hacks and tips that help him make the most of every minute. In This Conversation We Cover:

[03:17] Darren explains the atmosphere that motivated him to start out as a chiropractor versus a traditional medical doctor, when he opted for the mindset of promoting good health rather than managing poor health.

[05:00] Darren talks about his decision to take time out from his degree to see the world, rather than succumbing to peer group pressure by graduating at the same time.

[08:30] Darren chats about how he approached traveling on a dime, and how he tackled unisex group showers and new acquaintances as a shy young man!

[12:54] Rob and Darren talk about the commonalities between traveling while navigating the business world, particularly his passion for overcoming obstacles and persevering in challenging situations.

[18:00] Darren explains how he learned to ration resources in unpredictable environments and his determination for great rewards, while utilizing those same attributes in his business and life. And he recounts a few failures, surprises and learning opportunities along the way!

[23:00] Darren explains how he and his wife fell in love with Vietnam and how he came to terms with his status as an American while discovering a deep respect for the Vietnamese people and their culture.

[25:30] Darren describes the experience of ‘re-entry’ to American culture and his resistance to stay in one place.

[27:50] Darren gets into how he built Aduro, Inc., which began as a marketing company linked to his chiropractic, wellness centers in Seattle and this grew into a hugely successful business which helps large employers manage employee wellbeing. At the core of all his success in business was Darren’s ethic of promoting good health.

[31:00] What’s in a name? Quite a lot, actually. Best to have those attorneys on hand to get the basics right from the outset. Darren shares some smart advice on trademarking.

[34:58] Darren tells us how he and his wife, Toni, created an accidental company, then gathered the experience, staff, and customers along the way. We hear how a leap of faith from their first mentor gave them the chance to learn and exceed expectations while building relationships that last.

[39:50] Hotels, not Hospitals: Darren explains how he scaled up Aduro, INC by recruiting sales and design teams in the first instance and why emotion and brand were so important to his business proposition.

[43:25] The Blind leading the Blind: As their business took off, Darren and his team of contributors had to build and learn as they went. This often meant learning, doing and leading all at the same stage, which was challenging but gave him a real motivational kick.

[46:36] Darren explains how recruiting his former VP of Operations and Client Services cost him some work up front, but paid off ten times over in building and training an awesome culture.

[48:58] Darren explains how he regularly holds ‘offsites’ for strategic planning to guide the team for the year and how spending time away with key staff can strengthen...