Get Yourself Optimized®

I met Dan Sutera through the not-so-secret organization The Society, founded by Neil Strauss. If you haven't heard of him, Dan is the cofounder and President of Futurism.com, the founder of ShareFile (later acquired by Citrix), and Vice-President of Product at Yext. In fact, he's a six-time entrepreneur who has taken two tech startups from inception to Inc 500.

In this conversation, we focus primarily on his new nonprofit, Impact Network, which runs 10 e-learning based schools in rural Zambia. It's clear that Dan is deeply passionate about this field, and he shares both that passion and his technical knowledge about running nonprofits in this podcast. For him, it's clear that there's a bigger mission than just making a bunch of money, and the real question is what do you do with that money once you've made it.

Find Out More About Dan Here:

Dan Sutera on LinkedInsutera.com@DanSutera on Twitter

• [03:17] - We start things off by hearing about Dan's background and how he made certain choices during his career, particularly as they relate to deciding between tech/financial and service opportunities.
• [05:08] - Dan discusses the process of founding Impact Network, and how he chose to split his time. He then touches on the differences between running a nonprofit and a for-profit business.
• [09:39] - What goes into trying to start a school or orphanage on your own -- and is there a "school in a box" system?
• [12:32] - Dan talks about sustainability once a school is built, both operational and financial.
• [13:32] - Accountability is another challenge of doing work in a foreign country.
• [15:57] - We hear more about the technology that Impact Network uses to keep track of various parts of its operations.
• [16:51] - Why the focus on e-learning instead of using the state's curriculum?
• [20:17] - Dan clarifies that Impact Network follows the state's curriculum, but does it in a more engaging way. He then emphasizes the importance of respecting the local culture and adapting your curriculum to each country.
• [21:48] - We hear about the financial details of building and running a school.
• [24:46] - Dan discusses the grant-writing and fundraising side of things.
• [27:07] - Chefs for Impact is Impact Network's fundraising event, and here Dan gives us more details about it.
• [28:41] - At this point, Dan is mostly working on his for-profit things, because the nonprofit team is strong enough that he doesn't need to be fully involved in the day-to-day matters.
• [30:26] - How do you find partners?
• [31:38] - Stephan shifts topics a bit, asking, "How do you go from startup to acquired company?"
• [33:11] - Dan speaks to his big "why" at Futurism.
• [35:38] - We hear more about Futurism, including the initial challenge of driving people to the site compared to its current organic growth.
• [37:53] - Dan talks a bit about Singularity University's Executive Program.
• [39:28] - What are Dan's favorite exponential technologies, or the ones he's most excited about? In his answer, Dan discusses augmenting intelligence in some depth. He then moves on to talking about augmented reality (AR).
• [44:22] - What next step would Dan recommend people take?

1. Sit down with a piece of paper and jot down your thoughts on how you're balancing your financial goals with your service goals. Is there room for improvement or change?
2. Make a list of at least 10 service ideas that you find interesting, compelling, and meaningful. These can involve giving time, money, or a combination.
3. From your list ideas, choose your favorite service opportunity and complete it at regular intervals (such as weekly). This ensures it's ongoing, meaningful service rather than a one-time event.

Dan Sutera on LinkedInsutera.com@DanSutera on TwitterThe SocietyNeil StraussFuturism.com ShareFileYextImpact NetworkMethodologeeChefs for ImpactSingularity University (and its Executive Program)Elon MuskMagic LeapNexus by Ramez Naam

For this episode I had the honor of speaking with award-winning author, serial entrepreneur, growth strategist, and podcaster Jonathan Fields. He is regularly featured in the media on outlets including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Business Week, USA Today, and many more. While he's impressive in everything he does, I particularly admire his success in podcasting; his top-rated podcast, The Good Life Project, gets millions of listens in more than 150 countries.

As an author, he's written some incredibly insightful books including Uncertainty and Career Renegade. His newest book, How to Live a Good Life, explores his concept of "good life buckets," which we discuss in this podcast. It also includes 30 days of inspiring, actionable explorations to get you started on a path to possibility.

Find Out More About Jonathan Here:

jonathanfields.com@jonathanfields on TwitterJonathan Fields on Facebook

In This Episode:

• [02:12] - Jonathan starts off by talking about his experience with tinnitus, which is a fairly common condition that means you're hearing a sound coming from inside your head that no one else hears. He goes on to describe how he learned to cope with tinnitus and the roles that meditation and acceptance have played.
• [10:38] - Has Jonathan's tinnitus reduced over time?
• [12:03] - After hearing about Stephan's experience with tinnitus, Jonathan reveals that for many (perhaps most) people, the condition resolves on its own eventually.
• [12:45] - Jonathan references a quote by Joseph Campbell, and explains what he has learned from it.
• [14:50] - Stephan ties what Jonathan has been saying into Tony Robbins' theory that there are six human needs, one of which is certainty. In response, Jonathan shares his thoughts on being certainty-driven.
• [17:03] - What approaches are effective for dealing with uncertainty? Jonathan says there are three major options: mindfulness, movement, and cognitive reappraisal (or reframing).
• [20:41] - Jonathan shares his thoughts on suffering. He believes it has a lot to do with grasping (such as at things we want to be true, or onto relationships that we don't want to change or end) or trying to lock down the future.
• [22:38] - What tangible next actions would Jonathan recommend based on what he's been saying? Again, he suggests meditation and movement.
• [25:27] - Jonathan responds to and elaborates on Stephan's thoughts about how acceptance opens up a world of possibilities.
• [28:07] - Mindfulness is life, Jonathan says, and can become the way you move through life.
• [29:22] - Jonathan explains the concept of "good life buckets" from his newest book, How to Live a Good Life. Imagine that your life is three buckets: vitality, connection, and contribution. A good life is when you fill all three buckets as full as possible.
• [32:23] - How does this help with decision-making? Specifically, how could it help someone decide whether to have another child?
• [34:10] - Jonathan talks about how to snap out of going through life on autopilot.
• [38:19] - One of the critical skills for going from survival to flourishing is the ability to say no, Jonathan reveals.
• [39:31] - We hear about Jonathan's process for doing deep work, which involves a lot of toil and making mistakes. He then reveals that he wrote three entirely different manuscripts for this most recent book.
• [44:15] - How should someone develop their own framework or frameworks? 1. Devour knowledge and run experiments. 2. Learn from others. 3. Contemplation.
• [47:07] - What should listeners do as the next step? He recommends his "Give 30" challenge: in one day, any time you have an opportunity to be kind that will take under 30 seconds, you have to say yes to the opportunity (up to 30 times).

Get Optimized!

1. If you're suffering from something, try to incorporate a dual mentality: maintain hope that it will go away, but at the same time accept that it may be permanent.
2. Shift your perspective on things that have come into your life as sources of suffering. Transform them into sources of teaching by asking yourself what you can learn from them.
3. Take an honest look at yourself. Are you deeply driven by a need for certainty or security? If so, work toward accepting the idea that there is no such thing as complete certainty.

Links and Resources:

jonathanfields.com@jonathanfields on TwitterJonathan Fields on FacebookThe Good Life ProjectUncertainty Career RenegadeHow to Live a Good LifeTinnitus Joseph CampbellAmygdalaTony RobbinsCognitive reappraisalCal NewportKeith Cunningham

Chris Wise is a lifelong entrepreneur. He started his first business (in chainsaw sharpening) when he was just 12 years old. At 16, he founded Wise Enterprises, which he later left college to pursue full-time. For him, this decision turned out to be a success; he was a millionaire by the age of 21. Since then, he has coauthored three books and a movie with key business and personal development leaders Brian Tracy, Zig Ziglar, and Bob Proctor.

In this conversation, though, we focus less on his impressive business and entrepreneurial skills and successes. Instead, Chris shares an incredible amount about who he is, his perspective on life, and how he used his beliefs and perspective to navigate his way through his time in prison.

Find Out More About Chris Here:

Chris Wise on LinkedInChrisRWise on Facebook

In This Episode:

• [02:01] - Chris starts us off by telling us some of his life story. We hear about how he was living a dream life, then was arrested on a plane and handed off to the Secret Service. He then talks about his prison experience, offering fascinating insight into how the prison mentality functions.
• [08:48] - Chris steps back a couple years, describing work he did with his spiritual mentor.
• [11:14] - About six months before the prison incident, Chris had a desire that prison later unexpectedly fulfilled.
• [11:53] - Having shared these other events, Chris returns to the story he was telling about one of his experiences in prison.
• [13:07] - The story he just shared wasn’t the only run-in with violence that Chris had during his time in prison. He talks about another one that didn’t turn out as well as the last. His reaction to this second incident of violence was his defining in prison.
• [15:54] - Stephan shares a story of his own about responding to darkness with light or love.
• [18:10] - Returning to the story of his second violent run-in, Chris discusses some of the aftermath.
• [19:45] - While meditating after this incident, Chris had what he describes as “a direct experience with God.” From this, he gained three essential elements: 1. “Life is a gift.” 2. “I cannot be destroyed.” 3. “I will follow my heart, no matter what, even until death.”
• [22:09] - After this experience, how long did Chris have left in his situation of being alienated from his former group in prison?
• [24:34] - Chris clarifies that, while he’s in a body, he himself is the consciousness that enlivens that body. He then talks about state-changing as it relates to his prison experience, as well as the fundamental flaw in that technique.
• [26:54] - Stephan and Chris discuss the importance of letting yourself feel emotions rather than suppressing or resisting them.
• [28:09] - We hear about Chris’ first night in prison.
• [30:46] - “Life is too perfect to be fair,” Chris said a moment ago. Here, he expands on that. He and Stephan then talk about the relation between the concept of “fairness” and expectation of a certain outcome.
• [32:26] - Encountering a situation where you feel you’re being treated unfairly is an opportunity to step into a deeper level of faith and trust, Chris explains.
• [33:55] - Chris clarifies what he had said before about his parents. He then talks more about how his childhood experiences and relationship with his parents have contributed to his later experiences.
• [37:17] - Chris shares more of what has occurred for him. Most powerfully, he has become his own source of happiness and satisfaction in a way that allows him to let go of control of outcomes.
• [40:19] - We hear Chris’ thoughts on the integration of masculine and feminine energies that has occurred in his body after he was released from prison.
• [40:56] - What’s the benefit of integrating masculine and feminine energy?
• [44:13] - Chris elaborates on the role of Krav Maga in his life and his experience of masculinity. He then talks about how experience his prison experience might have been if he hadn’t studied Krav Maga.
• [47:12] - Stephan asks whether Chris was tempted to say a more casual, “I love you, man” during the previous prison experience he mentioned, as this would be less vulnerable. Here, Chris responds.
• [48:00] - How is Chris putting all this love into action these days? He talks about his current interest in working with conscious leaders. Within profitability, there needs to be concern for treatment of customers, employees, vendors, the community, and society, he tells us.
• [50:46] - There are eight building blocks that Chris looks at when he’s scaling a company, with the first four as follows: 1. How their teams are structured. 2. Their actual cash management plan. 3. How they’re executing inside their organization. 4. Their growth methodology.
• [52:23]- How would someone reach Chris if they’re interested in working with him? He explains that he generally works with companies that are doing at least $1 million in revenue and want to scale beyond $10 million. He then discusses the complimentary strategy sessions he offers. If you’re interested, you can email him at [email protected] with “Strategy Session” in the subject line.

Get Optimized!

1. Visualize your inner child, and say to him or her for five minutes at a time, “I love you.” Repeat this daily for at least a week.
2. The next time you have the opportunity to do so, respond to anger or aggression with love. This may be as simple as saying “I love you” to an angry spouse rather than reacting with anger.
3. Identify one relationship in your life that is defined by darkness. Write down three potential ways to fill it with light from your end, and then follow through with one of them.

Links and Resources:

Chris Wise on LinkedInChrisRWise on Facebook[email protected]Brian TracyZig ZiglarBob ProctorKrav Maga

Fear is universal, but that doesn't mean it needs to control your life. Ravé Mehta, the founder of Mehta Labs, is an expert in hacking fear. In fact, he's spent over 15 years researching and hacking fear to better understand how we can overcome these reactions and feelings.

In addition, Ravé is a pioneer in the virtual reality industry, with nearly two decades of experience in using VR for accelerated learning. He's also an engineer, entrepreneur, bestselling author, and even an award-winning pianist! Achieving such impressive feats is easier once fear is out of the way, and Ravé offers all sorts of insights and tips into how to join him in that state.

Find Out More About Ravé Here:

@ravemehta on Twitter@ravemehta on FacebookRavé Mehta on LinkedIn

In This Episode:

• [01:38] - What does it mean to hack fear, and why would we want to do it? Ravé shares the personal experience that started his journey into hacking fear.
• [02:31] - Ravé explains that there are two base emotions: fear and trust. All negative emotions are somehow rooted in fear, and all positive emotions emerge from trust.
• [04:30] - We hear more about the experience Ravé mentioned before and how it forced him to come face-to-face with his fear multiple times daily, as well as the impact it had on the rest of his life.
• [07:55] - Ravé talks about techniques he used to stop this fear from controlling his life. He also describes what he calls the three pillars of fear.
• [09:37] - The first pillar is time, and Ravé gives another example of how figuratively knocking down this pillar destroys fear.
• [11:32] - The second pillar is attachment, which revolves around relationships. Ravé describes how important it is to let go of rigid attachments and shift into cultivating orbital attachments instead.
• [15:04] - The third pillar, expectation, is the attachment to a specific outcome.
• [17:47] - In response to a specific example of a fear from Stephan, Ravé describes the differences between acute fears and chronic fears. He then gets specific about how to overcome this example of fear.
• [20:56] - Ravé explains how trust is like a muscle, and explains the importance of preparation and managing your experience.
• [22:12] - What are some of the experiences that Ravé put himself into as part of building his trust muscle?
• [25:53] - Ravé talks about where the fear of public speaking comes from.
• [27:08] - Why does Ravé call it "hacking fear" instead of just "overcoming fear"?
• [28:35] - Moving toward your fear is step 1, Ravé says, because it puts you in a position to confront (rather than avoid) your fear.
• [30:00] - We have an emotional immune system in addition to our physical one. Ravé goes into more detail, and touches on how our emotional state can affect our physical health.
• [31:57] - Ravé explains how to use "why" questions to get to the root of fear, using another personal example to demonstrate the concept.
• [36:45] - We hear a lot about fight or flight, but what is freezing in the context of these fear reactions?
• [38:51] - Ravé discusses being in a flow state, explaining what that is and how one feels when in one.
• [42:11] - Stephan asks Ravé which books he would recommend to learn more about these sorts of topics. Ravé 's first recommendation is a book Stephan had already mentioned: The Rise of Superman by Steven Kotler.
• [43:43] - Ravé elaborates on the 4% push that he mentioned earlier in the show, which is the optimal percentage of increase to aim for.
• [45:17] - We hear more about Ravé 's work with VR accelerated learning, and how this relates to flow states. In his answer, Ravé discusses how he taught algebra to a six-year-old child.
• [48:40] - What does Ravé want to make sure listeners get out of this episode?

Get Optimized!

1. Next time you feel any negative emotion, take a step back and trace it to its roots in fear. Understanding where it comes from will help you overcome it.
2. Practice knocking down the first pillar of fear -- timing -- by focusing on being present in the current moment rather than succumbing to the question of "what if?"
3. Examine the strongest attachments in your life and categorize them into rigid attachments or orbital attachments. Shift your perspective to release the stress of rigid attachments.

Links and Resources:

@ravemehta on Twitter@ravemehta on FacebookRavé Mehta on LinkedInTony RobbinsFlow stateThe Rise of SupermanFlow How I Taught a 6-Year-Old Algebra in Four Months

John Gray needs little introduction, as he's the author of the bestselling book of the 1990s and, according to USA Today, one of the top 10 most influential books of the last quarter century. If you haven't already guessed, this remarkable book is Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus.

This book is John's most famous by far, and has been translated into 45 languages in over 100 countries. However, it's far from his only one; he's written over 20 books and has a new one, Beyond Mars and Venus, coming out in January 2017. In this episode, he offers a lot of detailed information and advice (particularly for men) about how to best address relationship dynamics, hormone levels, and health.

Find Out More About John Here:

MarsVenus.com@MarsVenus on TwitterJohn Gray Mars Venus on Facebook

In This Episode:

• [01:57] - What's the secret sauce to relationship success? In his answer, John illuminates some of the differences between men and women and explores how these can cause problems. He goes on to talk about his forthcoming book Beyond Mars and Venus and explains why he felt it was necessary.
• [07:42] - In his last answer, John mentioned balance. Here, he discusses how to find balance, with an emphasis on behavioral changes rather than supplements, though he points out that both are necessary. He discusses the role of testosterone and how to keep those levels in balance, as well as exploring the environmental and personal factors that can lead to low testosterone.
• [16:31] - John talks about how a new relationship can be an exception to general rules about comparative hormone levels. He also talks about how internet sex differs from real, in-person relationships.
• [18:15] - Stephan and John discuss the concept of "fake it 'til you make it" in the context of testosterone production and being an alpha male.
• [19:31] - Body positions can help create testosterone, John tells us. He then explains that getting rid of estrogen in your body is even more important, and offers some methods to do this.
• [21:01] - John walks us through what often happens in an early relationship and how the difference between men and women can lead to issues in the relationship (as well as a reduction in the man's testosterone). He also discusses the importance of expending energy on your work, not just your relationship.
• [25:52] - We hear some more behavioral things that can help men regain the masculinity that many are losing. John also explores the differences between historical anger and today's anger, as well as how men should cope with negative feelings and defensiveness. He then talks about the importance of maintaining a certain kind of detachment.
• [34:37] - John discusses the importance of being a rock. He points out that it's okay for men to cry when big things happen, but points out that small things shouldn't lead to fear or tears, as those reactions are results of high estrogen. He goes on to emphasize the importance of analysis in strengthening masculinity.
• [41:19] - In response to what John has been saying, Stephan recommends a past Optimized Geek episode with Byron Katie.
• [41:54] - John offers his own thoughts on Byron Katie's work, and gives more advice on how to apply what he's been saying to create better relationships. He points out the need for women to be sensitive, and explores how this leads to her having better orgasms (which are best when she's ovulating because that's when her estrogen levels are highest, he says).
• [45:02] - John returns to the topic of nutritional supplementation.He then recommends his new book, Beyond Mars and Venus, before going on to suggest taking (small) doses of lithium.
• [49:03] - John has created two different superfood shakes: one for men and one for women. He talks about what else is in his shake, and why it's effective.
• [52:43] - One of John's daughters, Lauren Gray, offers tips for women and is featured on John's website at marsvenus.com.
• [53:17] - John discusses how bad statins are for men's health, and talks about other prescription medications and their issues.
• [56:31] - Stephan takes a moment to point out that the content in the show and these associated notes is not medical advice and you should consult with your doctor.
• [57:10] - We learn more about gut health, with John recommending Bravo Super Probiotic Yogurt.
• [57:46] - What is a healthy testosterone level for men? John gives his answer, then goes on to explain why women think men are babies when they're sick, and potentially even get annoyed by it.

Get Optimized!

1. Men, get your testosterone levels checked if you're having relationship problems. When you get close to a woman, your testosterone levels will decrease.
2. If your testosterone levels are low, work out and get exercise. Get plenty of rest and don't exercise too much, though, as this can actually lower your testosterone.
3. Avoid plastic cooking utensils and food containers. These contain xenoestrogens, which the body interprets as estrogens and can lead to lower testosterone production.

Links and Resources:

MarsVenus.com@MarsVenus on TwitterJohn Gray Mars Venus on FacebookMen Are From Mars, Women Are From VenusBeyond Mars and VenusXenoestrogens Aromatase Neil StraussConscious MenByron KatieLithiumSuperfood shake for menSuperfood shake for womenLauren GrayGlutathione Statins Bravo Super Probiotic Yogurt

Roger Dooley has devoted much of his life to the study of neuromarketing, as you can gather from his blog, Neuromarketing, and his book, Brainfluence: 100 Ways to Persuade and Convince Consumers with Neuromarketing. It's pretty amazing how effective neuromarketing can be, even though it's only really been explored in the last decade or so.

Roger, the founder of Dooley Direct and cofounder of College Confidential, talks in this interview about how to apply neuromarketing techniques to your own marketing endeavors. If you're less interested in marketing, though, there are plenty of takeaway tips that you can use to help connect with (and influence) people in other spheres as well.

Find Out More About Roger Here:

Rogerdooley.com@RogerDooley on TwitterRoger's podcastNeuromarketing blog

In This Episode:

• [02:52] - What exactly is neuromarketing? At its most basic level, Roger explains, it's using the tools of neuroscience to gauge people's reactions to ads, marketing, products, and so on.
• [04:26] - Roger doesn't do his own neuromarketing research, but he's been writing about it since 2005, well before it was commonly accepted.
• [05:26] - Subconscious, unconscious, and non-conscious generally mean the same thing in this context, Roger tells us. He also talks about non-conscious and conscious decision making.
• [08:36] - Roger recommends Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman for anyone who wants to understand how to work with the brains of consumers. Daniel explains our thought processes into two systems, which Roger briefly discusses.
• [10:35] - Roger offers an example of the two types of thinking systems by discussing the election.
• [12:33] - Other books Roger recommends include Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini. Robert's new book, Pre-Suasion: A Revolutionary Way to Influence and Persuade includes new research and a seventh principle to add to the six from Influence. We also hear an example of how timing can work in persuasion.
• [18:42] - Stephan asks about the critical faculty, which he describes as a guard against things going straight to the non-conscious mind. Roger responds, and in doing so discusses the role of flattery in persuasion.
• [20:14] - What techniques would Roger recommend listeners use for persuasion? His biggest recommendation is liking, which involves finding things you have in common with your customer or potential customer.
• [25:46] - Stephen asks how to use these techniques in an online context where there's no common element among the people coming to your website. Roger points out that one shared attribute is an interest in the product that you're selling.
• [28:11] - Roger describes some tips and best practices for presenting your social proof and authority. He also talks about turning testimonials into stories.
• [32:49] - How does Roger eat his own dog food? In other words, how does he apply the techniques he knows to his own marketing?
• [36:10] - Roger talks about the techniques he uses in his public speaking.
• [39:21] - Roger tends not to use urgency and scarcity in his presentations or messaging, even though he believes it can be extremely effective in making you want to act quickly.
• [43:06] - Amazon is one of the smartest retailers out there, and Roger describes why. They use many of the techniques he's talked about throughout this conversation. He also explains that giving too much information can actually be a bad thing, because it forces the customer to think too hard.
• [47:41] - We hear about Roger's thoughts on the ethics of marketing and persuasion techniques.
• [50:16] - Stephan talks about The Loyalty Effect: The Hidden Force Behind Growth, Profits,and Lasting Value by Frederick Reichheld. Roger goes on to discuss the concept of loyalty, and in doing so recommends Evergreen: Cultivate the Enduring Customer Loyalty That Keeps Your Business Thriving by Noah Fleming.

Links and Resources:

Rogerdooley.com@RogerDooley on TwitterRoger's podcastBrainy MarketingNeuromarketing blogDooley DirectCollege ConfidentialThinking, Fast and SlowDaniel KahnemanInfluence: The Psychology of PersuasionRobert CialdiniPre-Suasion: A Revolutionary Way to Influence and PersuadeThe Loyalty Effect: The Hidden Force Behind Growth, Profits,and Lasting ValueFrederick ReichheldEvergreen: Cultivate the Enduring Customer Loyalty That Keeps Your Business ThrivingNoah Fleming

Gregory Kunin, the guest in this week's episode, is the CEO and founder of Ola Loa Products. This nutritional supplement is designed to support health in important ways that traditional vitamins struggle with, for reasons you'll hear about during our conversation.

In addition, Gregory is Vice President of the National Health Federation and a serial entrepreneur. He's been exposed to the health and medical field for just about all of his life; his father is a doctor (and Gregory's partner in creating Ola Loa), and Gregory suffered from lead poisoning as a child, leading to a personal understanding of the importance of health.

If by the end of this conversation you're interested in trying Ola Loa for yourself, listen to the podcast for a 30% discount code on Ola Loa products for Optimized Geek listeners!

Find Out More About Gregory Here:

Gregory Kunin on LinkedIn@OlaLoaKahuna on TwitterGregory Kunin on Facebook

In This Episode:

• [01:58] - We hear a bit about Gregory's early life and how his father's interest in specific aspects of health led to him being tested for lead.
• [04:05] - Gregory talks about his dad's involvement in Ola Loa.
• [05:15] - Methylation is the foundation of life, Gregory explains, and gives the basics of how it works in relatively simple terms. He also explains that the first reason to look at whether you're methylating properly is your digestion.
• [08:58] - Are there tests to check whether methylation is functioning properly in your body?
• [10:25] - Gregory explains what's unusual about Ola Loa and clarifies that it provides strategic support for the methylation cycle. He tells us that his father, a doctor, started checking his patients for major blood coagulation factors (such as homocysteine, fibrinogen, and lipoprotein(a)).
• [12:28] - We learn about how to get your coagulation factors checked, and how the healthcare system makes it difficult.
• [16:04] - SpectraCell Laboratories is Gregory's recommendation for having these tests performed.
• [17:29] - Gregory's biggest piece of advice is to get your blood tested now instead of waiting until you have major problems show up. He also discusses the problems with recommended daily allowances for vitamins.
• [21:29] - Do you need to take these tests before you decide what vitamins to take? The simplest way to find out is just to try Ola Loa and see how you feel, Gregory answers.
• [23:25] - We hear how Ola Loa differs from other products, and what it's giving you that other products don't. He also goes into depth about specifics regarding the functions of BHMT, cyanocobalamin, and GNMT.
• [30:13] - There are multiple Ola Loa products, and here Gregory goes into more detail about each one and explains their different purposes and functions.
• [33:51] - Gregory asks Stephan whether he's familiar with Burning Man. He then reveals that Ola Loa has been used there to help people suffering from the heat.
• [34:29] - Stephan and Gregory mention the problems with Gatorade, then Gregory goes on to talk about the importance of physical support when you're physically active.
• [36:11] - In reference to Vitamin D, Gregory talks about how people don't get enough sunlight. He then goes on to talk about the problems with statins using the example of a personal friend.
• [41:32] - What are chelated minerals? In his answer, Gregory talks about the the dangers of fluoride.
• [44:14] - Gregory discusses magnesium, as well as the types of chemical bonding that occur in effervescent solutions such as Ola Loa that don't occur in pill form. He and Stephan then also talk about fat-soluble versus water-soluble vitamins.
• [48:49] - Stephan asks Gregory about three-a-day vitamins as opposed to one-a-day vitamins. Gregory goes on to talk about the importance of being aware of your body.
• [53:52] - Gregory further discusses the complexity of genetics and DNA.
• [55:30] - Stephan baits Gregory a little bit with his final question: "Milk: does it do a body good?"
• [58:17] - What resources would Gregory recommend? He suggests his site olaloa.com, as well as thenhf.com.

Get Optimized!

1. Methylation problems often manifest first as digestive issues. If you suffer from these, have your methylation checked.
2. Get major blood coagulation factors checked to get a sense of your health. As you heard from Gregory, these results can be a good indicator of overall health.
3. Switch to a chemical-free sunscreen; protecting yourself from the sun may not be worth the dangers of slathering yourself in toxic chemicals.

Links and Resources:

Gregory Kunin on LinkedIn@OlaLoaKahuna on TwitterGregory Kunin on FacebookOla LoaLinus PaulingMethylationGlutathione MTHFR Homocysteine Fibrinogen Lipoprotein(a) SpectraCell LaboratoriesNatural NewsBHMT Cyanocobalamin GNMT Hyla CassBurning ManJim FixxChelated mineralsFluorideThe National Health Federation

When Nick Delgado was just 23 years old, he suffered from a TIA (transient ischemic attack), commonly known as a mini-stroke. This changed the course of his life by convincing him to take health incredibly seriously. In the years since, he's become a health expert known for his research in anti-aging and fitness.

Nick was trained by Dr. Tad James, the founder of Time Line Therapy (a development in neuro-linguistic programming). As a result, Nick is very knowledgeable about NLP. In addition, he holds multiple records for strength endurance, and has lifted over 50,000 pounds in an hour.

Find Out More About Nick Here:

Dr. Nick Delgado on Facebook@DelgadoProtocol on Twitternickdelgado.comTrueimmortality.comNick Delgado on YouTube

In This Episode:

• [02:46] - Nick talks about his incredibly impressive daily lifting routine.
• [04:05] - Various biomarkers help you identify how healthy you are, Nick explains, and says that he's tested in the top two people for heart health. He also discusses the inadequacy of most health tests.
• [06:49] - Nick talks about the problems with eating meat, and discusses estrogen dominance.
• [08:17] - We hear about the various things that Nick suggests testing for, and the reason he suggests testing hair, urine, and blood. Most doctors don't pay attention to the things he's talking about or test for them, he informs us. We also hear about the importance of eating enough fiber.
• [12:25] - Only in the last few years has the top killer in the United States shifted from heart disease to cancer. Nick talks about vaccines as well, and their possible contribution to autism, ADD, and ADHD. In discussing this, he tells us the story of his son.
• [13:54] - How does Nick know that his son's brain damage is from a particular vaccine?
• [14:39] - We hear more about the issues with vaccines, and Nick mentions his site fightvaccines.com.
• [15:44] - Nick defines the term PEMF which he used earlier, and explains its significance. He also talks about the difference between heart cells and other cells, and the importance of increasing millivolts in cells. He goes on to discuss chemotherapy and radiation, and how doctors personally feel about them.
• [23:36] - We learn about what telomeres are, and their role in aging. He also tells an anecdote about how he helped an athlete improve his muscle density with a plant-based diet.
• [29:19] - Nick talks more about LFC glasses and how they can help with sleep. He goes on to talk about immortality research, and how chromosome length functions as a predictor of longevity.
• [34:15] - In response to a question from Stephan, Nick elaborates on whether having difficulty standing from the floor without using your hands is another potential longevity predictor.
• [35:35] - Nick tells us all about his history with stem cell injections (he's had 12 of them). He also talks about how he changed Terry Grossman's life.
• [38:22] - We hear about the Delgado Protocol. In his answer, he emphasizes the importance of plant-based diets without added oils. He recommends nutritionfacts.org and How Not to Die by Michael Greger
• [41:53] - Our closest genetic match are bonobo monkeys, Nick explains, while making the point that these creatures eat plant-based diets.
• [45:22] - Nick explains why fillers (such as magnesium stearate and silicon dioxide) in supplements can be bad for us, as well as the potential problems with supplements such as folic acid.
• [48:56] - Nick talks more about urine tests and recommends his website estroblock.com. In the store at that site, you can get a test kit to discover your own levels.
• [51:35] - Visit trueimmortality.com for more of Nick's knowledge and advice, particularly the 6 steps that you should follow every day. He also mentions that you can get a free book at estroblock.com and $200 worth of free counsuling after taking the 30-page questionairre if you mention this podcast.
• [56:43] - On his YouTube channel, Nick has a 30-hour educational library available for free. He also mentions his coaching program which will be launched in January 2017. You can call 866-319-0566 to get a copy of one of Nick's MP3s for free by mentioning this podcast (plus shipping and handling).

Get Optimized!

1. Commit to consuming enough fiber, which is incredibly important for your health. If you're not sure which foods have lots of fiber, check out this list.
2. Throughout the episode, Nick emphasizes the importance of getting enough sleep. Sleep at least 8 hours a night for the next two weeks, no matter how busy you are.
3. If you still have trouble getting enough sleep, order a pair of Nick's LFC glasses. These may be able to help you get enough sleep even if that's normally hard for you.

Links and Resources:

Dr. Nick Delgado on Facebook@DelgadoProtocol on Twitternickdelgado.comtrueimmortality.comfightvaccines.comNick Delgado on YouTubeEstrogen dominanceQRSPEMF devicesATP (adenosine triphosphate)IGF-1 TelomeresTerry GrossmanDelgado ProtocolLFC glassesDr. John McDougallnutritionfacts.orgHow Not to DieMichael Gregerestroblock.com Tony RobbinsJack LaLanne

Roger Love is the most commercially successful vocal coach of all time, both in the speaking and singing fields. His clients have ranged from actors (including Reese Witherspoon and Jeff Bridges) to singers (including Selena Gomez and John Mayer) to public speakers, including the renowned Tony Robbins as well as John Gray, Brendon Burchard, and Suze Orman . He's also the voice coach of the stars of the TV show Glee. His introductory video shows even more of the stars who he's helped achieve vocal success.

Fortunately for all of us, Roger isn't only a consultant to the stars. He's sold over 100 million CDs and has written three top-selling books, which means he's been able to reach an incredible number of people worldwide. And in this episode, he coaches Optimized Geek listeners on how to develop a powerful, compelling voice. If you want to continue your vocal training, pre-order his newest book Set Your Voice Free, which is coming out on December 27th.

Find Out More About Roger Here:

Roger LoveRogerLoveVocals on Facebook@RogerLove1 on TwitterRogerLove on Instagram

In This Episode:

• [02:23] - Roger talks about his new book, Set Your Voice Free. In 1999, he had created a previous edition of this book, and he explains how he got started writing and why he's creating a revised edition. The new book comes out December 27th, and some customized bonuses are available when you preorder through this link.
• [05:47] - We learn just how important the speaking voice is in social interactions. What Roger does is help people find their authentic voices. He reveals that he only focused on singers for the first 17 years of his career. He eventually realized that there's no difference between singing and speaking, and began teaching speakers as well.
• [10:35] - There are five components in voice, regardless of whether you're singing or speaking: pitch, pace, tone, melody, and volume. Roger talks more about each of these components in some depth and demonstrates several of them.
• [18:28] - Roger explains how influence is a major goal of communication.
• [19:20] - Stephan steps in for a moment to translate what Roger has been saying into metaphysical terms. Roger then expands on the concept. They go on to discuss the role of body language and physiology in communication.
• [23:45] - Roger tells us how to breathe in an effective way. He provides an exercise: open your mouth and take in a very slow (and airy-sounding) breath through your mouth. It makes the back of your throat dry, right?
• [25:31] - Half of diaphragmatic breathing is simply breathing through your nose instead of your mouth. The other half is not raising your chest and shoulders when you breathe. This is how babies breathe, Roger explains.
• [30:29] - Roger points out that we live in a mirror culture, and gives an example. This attempt to connect through imitation or mirroring is why we don't use diaphragmatic breathing as adults despite doing it as babies.
• [31:05] - Stephan asks a detailed question about singing between the chest voice and the head voice. Roger talks about the fact that there are actually three voices: the chest voice, middle voice, and head voice. He goes into some depth about the importance of the middle voice for singers and speakers alike.
• [35:06] - Roger points out that boys and girls have the same vocal range before puberty. Once they reach puberty and boys' voices change into men's voices, the voices of men and women are immediately separate and sound very different. The middle voice allows men and women to have overlapping frequencies, which Roger argues allows the genders to communicate more easily.
• [39:00] - People try to play all the different characters they must be throughout the day in one voice, Roger tells us. He gives an example and explains the importance of different voices.
• [41:39] - Many people speak in a monotone. Roger talks about his stair-step method, which involves figuratively walking up and down the steps of pitch.
• [47:29] - Roger talks about the online offerings he has for people who are interested in learning more. He keeps the price relatively low to avoid letting it be a barrier. He particularly recommends his Perfect Voice program. He generously gives Optimized Geek listeners the free gift of this 3 Best Speaking Tips video.
• [50:10] - Stage fright is an anticipatory fear, Roger explains. It tends to disappear within the first few seconds of actually speaking on stage.
• [51:20] - Roger wants to help you develop your voice. In addition to the free video he provided, he suggests pre-ordering his forthcoming book Set Your Voice Free. It comes with a private website that has over 50 audio and video samples and a way of communicating with other people learning the same techniques. For a limited time, if you preorder before December 27th, you'll also get three free gifts! (Note: you'll need to use the included link when you preorder the book to be eligible to receive these gifts.)
• [52:15] - Roger is also offering Optimized Geek listeners a special discount on his Complete Perfect Voice Training System. For $50 off, use the promo code TRAINING (in all caps) when you order the program.
• [55:23] - Roger is fully booked for the next year and therefore unfortunately isn't generally available to be hired privately. He now spends most of his time creating content to reach (and help) larger audiences.

Get Optimized!

1. Most of us speak in descending scales, with the word right before a comma or period being the lowest. Practice reversing that and speaking in ascending scales instead.

2. Focus on developing a stronger, richer sound if your voice is airy or breathy. Roger explains that airy voices tend to sound inconsequential, weak, or less intelligent.

3. Practice increasing your speaking volume. Use the same abdominal muscles as you do when you're coughing or laughing to increase the air pressure (and volume).

Links and Resources:

Roger LoveRogerLoveVocals on Facebook@RogerLove1 on TwitterRogerLove on InstagramWho Is Roger Love?Set Your Voice FreeReese WitherspoonJeff BridgesSelena GomezJohn MayerTony RobbinsJohn GrayBrendon BurchardSuze OrmanDiaphragmatic breathingChest voice, middle voice, and head voiceRoger Love's 3 BEST Speaking TipsComplete Perfect Voice Training System (promo code TRAINING for a $50 discount!)

Today I'm fortunate enough to have an incredible guest. Let's start off with some hints to see if you can figure out who it is! He's the mega-bestselling author of 28 E-Myth books, including The E-Myth, The E-Myth Revisited, and his newest book Beyond the E-Myth. Inc. Magazine has declared him the "World's #1 Small Business Guru," and his books and methods are taught at well over a hundred universities worldwide.

Have you figured it out yet? The answer, of course, is the renowned Michael E. Gerber. In this conversation, he gives incredible insight into creating and running a company, all gleaned from decades of experience. We learn in particular about OldCo versus NewCo, and the four distinct personalities of the "entrepreneur within."

Find Out More About Michael Here:

@MichaelEGerber on TwitterMichaelEGerberCo on FacebookMichael E. Gerber CompaniesEMyth.com

In This Episode:

• [01:52] - The E-Myth is the entrepreneurial myth, Michael explains. He goes into more depth, describing the difference between entrepreneurs and "technicians suffering from an entrepreneurial seizure." He and Stephan then discuss the concept of a "company of one."
• [04:10] - Michael talks about companies not surviving the first ten years, and offers his definition of survival. He also talks about the importance of having an exit strategy.
• [09:10] - Why build a new company instead of fixing the current one? Michael's response is that Stephan's hypothetical scenario isn't one that's of interest to him. He and Stephan then talk about a more realistic scenario: a businessman with a few employees.
• [13:39] - The "entrepreneur within" is four distinct personalities, Michael says. He explains what they are: the dreamer, the thinker, the storyteller, and the leader. These correspond to the dream, the vision, the purpose, and the mission. He also describes his Dreaming Room, and gives examples of companies that he's helped achieve success (including Infusionsoft and 1-800-Got-Junk).
• [20:15] - Michael explains why his new book Beyond the E-Myth is "beyond" the E-Myth. People see growth, opportunities, and problems as complex, he explains, and this book makes them simple by giving a list of steps.
• [21:23] - Michael's first four steps correspond to the personalities and roles of the four aspects of the entrepreneur within. Together, they form the foundation or platform on which you can grow a company strong enough to sell.
• [22:15] - Many businesses are confused by the differences between these categories. Michael gives examples of his answers to help clarify the categories for listeners. He and Stephan then talk about the example of McDonald's to illustrate the difference between creating a business versus creating a job for yourself.
• [26:28] - Michael talks about who his consumer is: the independent small business owner.
• [27:41] - "You're not trying to fix what's broken, you're trying to create what's not," Michael memorably tells us. He goes on to explain more about the importance of creating a new business instead of fixing a broken one, or choosing "NewCo" over "OldCo."
• [29:32] - Stephan talks about Carl Jung's separate office for his dreaming work, and mentions his previous interview with Cal Newport. He and Michael discuss the importance of having a separate space for your deep work, or big-picture thinking.
• [30:29] - We've now reached the mission, which is to "invent the turnkey system that will enable you to realize and manifest your dream, your vision, and your purpose."
• [32:52] - In discussing the importance of NewCo over OldCo, Michael talks about Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works, which he holds up as an example of NewCo.
• [35:02] - Michael explains the difference between a mission statement and a vision statement.
• [37:26] - Some people are too rigid to easily accept that they aren't irreplaceable. This makes it harder for them to go through these steps, Michael tells us. He also talks about what makes a turnkey system or business "turnkey."
• [41:52] - Michael gives his definition of a legacy. It isn't about money, he explains, but rather the creations you've left behind.

Get Optimized!

Take an honest look at your company. Is it a "company of one"? That is, if you were to quit today, would the company be able to survive?

Develop an exit strategy for your company. Could you sell it in one year? Five? What would that take? Outline your options and sketch out plans to make this possible.

Using your work from the previous step as guidance, do one extra thing each week to make your company more saleable.

Links and Resources:

@MichaelEGerber on TwitterMichaelEGerberCo on FacebookMichael E. Gerber CompaniesEMyth.comThe E-MythThe E-Myth RevisitedBeyond the E-MythDreaming RoomCal NewportLockheed MartinSkunk Works