Highly Optimized

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Every now & then, I get the absolute privilege of sharing space with someone who not only lives & breathes the work, but redefines what it means to be a guide, a coach, & a true steward of transformation. My guest today is just that, a powerhouse who’s been on the frontlines of the coaching world for over 20 years, & who has spent the last decade diving deep into the mysteries & magic of the plant medicine space.

She’s trained with some of the world’s leading institutions, studied under renowned shamans, & worked alongside the pioneers who are shaping the next wave of healing. And, as my partner in the Coach With Cannabis program, I can honestly say her wisdom, depth, & devotion to this work is something truly rare.

But today’s conversation is extra special, because we’re diving into her latest creation, a program that I’m honored to be teaching in as well, called The Healers Ways. Whether you’re called to guide with plant medicine, explore herbology & nutritional healing, master the art of energy work & reiki, discover the power of sound & frequency, or deepen your understanding of ritual, ceremony, & truly holding space… this program covers it all. And if you’ve felt the call to step into the psychedelic space as a guide, coach, or facilitator, trust me, this is not an episode you’ll want to miss.

Guest Link: Shelley's Website

This Podcast was produced by Mazel Tov Media.

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Some people are born into systems that try to tell them who to be. What to believe. How to behave. And for many, those voices become so loud, they drown out the whispers of the soul.

But for today’s guest, those whispers never stopped.

She grew up in a world of strict rules, religious dogma, and a strained relationship with God—where anything outside the approved mold was viewed as dangerous. Rebellious. Wrong.

But everything began to shift when she entered public school—and to her surprise, the very people she’d been warned about… the smokers, the misfits, the wild thinkers… were the ones who felt most like home.

From that moment forward, she followed her heart—not the script.
Yoga. Astrology. Energy work. Depth. Truth.
And eventually, the leap: leaving behind a steady corporate career over a decade ago to walk fully into the unknown—and into a life led by intuition, soul & service.

And it hasn’t always been easy. She’s faced judgment from family members who don’t understand her path. But instead of fighting back, she chose a higher way: boundaries over bitterness. Discernment over defensiveness. Protection of energy over proving a point.

Because when you’re committed to cultivating a truly optimized energetic system, the people who drain your light can no longer have a seat at your table.

Today’s guest is a living embodiment of what it means to walk your truth, honor your boundaries & keep your heart open while doing it.

Guest Link: Jen's Website

This Podcast was produced by Mazel Tov Media.

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There’s a moment in every seeker’s life where the outer world no longer matches the inner one. Where the path that once felt aligned begins to pull at the seams—not because it was wrong, but because something deeper is ready to emerge.

Our guest today knows this moment intimately.

He climbed to the heights of success on Wall Street, playing the game at the highest level. And the surprising part? He loved it. It wasn’t a story of disillusionment with the work—but of imbalance. Health began to deteriorate. Stillness became a stranger. And the subtle signs that something was off became too loud to ignore.

Rather than numb it out or push harder, he did something far more courageous: he stopped. He let go. And he listened. In the silence, in the unknown, something new emerged—something not driven by ego, but by essence.

What came through was a calling to help others remember who they truly are: divine beings having a human experience, capable of living in alignment with abundance—not just in finances, but in health, purpose, relationships & spirit.

Today, he leads a thriving community built around that vision, guiding others through what he calls the Abundance Archetype.

This Podcast was produced by Mazel Tov Media.

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When it comes to being highly optimized, nothing rains truer to this brand than daring to dream, paving your own path & being an example for others to guide there way into the unique magic they can give the world. When I look into people living their lives in this way, something ignited inside of me that even on my worst of days, gives me motivation to keep going & todays guest is a shining example of that embodied into human form. You may know him from his Gaia productions, including Psychedelica or Limitless, his documentaries, including “Why Now?”, the “Ghost Of Bobby Kennedy”, his work in collaboration projects such as Aubrey Marcus’ darkness retreat or the countless other creations he has put out into the world. That being said, in todays episode, we not only dive into his journey & how he found his way onto this path, but we also dive into his newest creation, the “Soul Of Filmmaking” program, where he will be personally training others in how to make life changing content, films & more. For any of you out there looking to create a new reality for yourself or double down on the reality you’re creating now, this is not one you’ll want to miss. 

This Podcast was produced by Mazel Tov Media.

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Over the past 5 years, I’ve been fortunate to meet some amazing souls who have supported me in giving me the confidence & courage to pave my own path in life regardless of what the mainstream world thinks. That being said, there have been some key people in that time that have become lifelong friends & today’s guest is no different. From first meeting through Mark Englands epic lake house parties, to traveling together, going on wild psychedelic journeys together & both growing a LOT in the last 5 years, it’s safe to say that this episode is chalk full of epic memories, stories & practical tips that will support any of you looking to pave your own path with the necessary first steps to do so. 

Guest Links: Website - Instagram - Podcast

This Podcast was produced by Mazel Tov Media.

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A big part of the Highly Optimized brand is focused upon physical, emotional, mental & spiritual well being. Whether we’re talking about holistic health practices, supplements, biohacks, or otherwise, I have found a deep fascination in not only these topics, but also the others in the world who are also passionate about the same subjects for the entirety of my life & todays guest fits that bill to a T. From leading a life different than those around him from an early age & dealing with the frustrations of trying to pave his own path while being misunderstood from social circles he was in in high school, to ultimately creating the wellness brands he runs today, including CVC Wellness & his newest venture, the Bioculture retreats, it’s safe to say that whenever I speak with him, I get brought to church with regards to the latest & greatest methodologies for maintaining a Highly Optimized state of being & in this episode, we dove deep into his journey, the trials & tribulations he’s faced along the way, how he handles life’s many challenges, why he’s so fired up about community & its role in human optimization & many other topics as well. 

GUEST LINKS: WEBSITE - INSTAGRAM - COACHING

This Podcast was produced by Mazel Tov Media.

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One of my favorite aspects of the life we are all living is the mystery woven into it. From an early age, I was fascinated by the idea of aliens, the paranormal, UFO’s, psychic senses, psychedelics & more & as such, I have been a seeker who’s been looking to explore these mysteries for the better part of half my life at this point & when I first met todays guest, I knew I had found a dear brother as he not only finds interest in these topics, but is also on the cutting edge of research, direct experience & more of the aforementioned topics. In todays episode, we dove into how he first found interest in topics like these, some of the experiences he’s had along the way, the value he’s found in following his curiosity into exactly where he’s meant to be in life & much, much more.

This Podcast was produced by Mazel Tov Media.

Purchase Organic High Quality THCA Hemp Flower (use code HIGHLY at checkout for a discount): 

https://sacredsmokecollective.com/

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As a man, one of the biggest challenges I had in my early years was the courage to put myself out there with potential love interests. I find that many of the men I work with today also share similar challenges. Whether it’s lack of confidence, commitment challenges or otherwise, it’s clear to me that us men have a lot of confusion as a whole as to not only how to find the perfect partner for us, but also in how to become the perfect partner for the soulmate we wish to call into our lives & in todays episode, I sat down with a gentleman who faced many of these challenges himself until he finally decided to do something about it, figure out what was really going on & take the leap into turning what was once his mess, into the mission he now helps other men traverse & move through in his dating consultation services. 

Guest Links: https://consultantchris.com/

This Podcast was produced by Mazel Tov Media.

Purchase Organic High Quality THCA Hemp Flower (use code HIGHLY at checkout for a discount): 

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Woooo! Today is a big day ladies & gents! Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Highly Optimized podcast. For some of you, it’s a returning & for others, it’s your first time here & as such, what you can expect each week is for me to interview someone who has truly created a life on their own terms. In these episodes, we’ll dive into how their journey led them onto a different path than the mainstream, what they’ve learned along the way, what practices they use to keep themselves balanced & the overall hero’s journey they’ve embarked upon to create the life they now live & todays guest is a very special one as he is a dear brother of mine & someone who is a BIG part of the last 5 years of my life. From first meeting him after entering the Enlifted program back in January of 2020, to countless get togethers, parties, epic adventures & more, it’s safe to say we’ve both been a big influence on one another in this inaugural episode back onto the show, we took a trip down memory lane & discussed how the last 5 years of us knowing one another has shifted both of our lives immeasurably. So, sit back, get your curiosity caps on, strap in for a wild ride & give me a hand in welcoming my man Adam Chin onto the show! 

Guest Links: https://www.enlifted.me/

This Podcast was produced by Mazel Tov Media.

Purchase Organic High Quality THCA Hemp Flower (use code HIGHLY at checkout for a discount): 

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Alrighty ladies & gents, we’ve officially reached the final episode in our epic 130 episode season 1 & talk about an absolute banger to go out on with me & my beautiful partner in crime, Rachel Varitimos diving in & getting vulnerable about our relationship, our perspective on life & what it takes to be truly successful in life, amongst other things. Guys, when I say this has been one hell of a ride, words simply do not do it justice. I am SO grateful to each of you who have supported the show & everything I do & trust me when I say that this is just the beginning. That being said, it’s time for me to go full berserker mode into the “This One Time On Psychedelics” podcast & my hope is that all of you that have loved & supported this show can hop over to there & continue getting your batteries charged by stimulating, invigorating conversations until season two begins on the Highly Optimized podcast. So, with all of that being said, sit back, relax & enjoy the hell out of this epic dialogue with me & the beautiful Miss Rachel Varitimos. 

Show Notes:

(3:40)  Having a healthy sex life.

(12:25) The importance of being communicative in a relationship. 

(16:18) What makes us similar…

(28:51) The ego & the heart.

(37:35) Rachel gives some relationship advice.

(57:15) Where you can reach Rachel.

Connect with Rachel

IG: @rachel_varitimos

Thank you to our podcast sponsors!

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This episode was produced by Mazel Tov Media in Quincy, Massachusetts.

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