The High Performance Life

In this week's episode, I am joined by Richard Shotton! Richard started his career as a media planner 18 years ago, working on accounts such as Coke, Lexus, and compare the market, before specializing in applying behavioral science to business problems.

His bestselling book The Choice Factory, is a masterclass in how to apply his findings from behavioral science to advertising.

Richard has just launched a brand new training course, Furmint, showing how companies big and small can apply behavioral science to marketing campaigns to solve their problems and increase effectiveness.

He is the founder of Astroten, a consultancy that applies behavioral science to marketing.

Key Points

• Transform flaws into marketing wins

• Influence through authentic imperfections

• Behavioral science in real-world scenarios

• The unexpected power of negative reviews

• Missteps of misunderstanding your market

Best Quotes

05:04

• "But he talks about a series of studies by two American psychologists called Latané and Darley. And they came up with this idea called the Bystander Effect

07:32 - 07:41

• "by making it something so important for a smaller number of people, it really did impact a greater number, a greater number for the entire initiative."

15:35 - 15:54

• "The, the, the other bit that's really interesting if people are thinking about the advertising and marketing angle is the, the final benefit of the pratfall effect is if you are very clever about this, if you pick the right flaw, on many occasions, flaws have mirror strengths."

16:10 - 16:18

• "Think about what's your core strength, and then is there a weakness that you could admit that might emphasize that core strength?"

16:28 - 16:39

• "I would sometimes compare to their competitors. I would say sometimes don't try and hide that away. Emphasizing you're a bit more expensive, firstly shows immense honesty and therefore people believe everything else you say."

20:29 - 20:40

• "People are skeptical about empty claims. The great thing about admitting a flaw is it's not just a claim, it is a tangible demonstration of honesty." For more about Richard visit: www.richardshotton.com

In this week's episode I am joined by Greg Scheinman! Greg's philosophy toward work and life is simple: surround yourself with people you love and trust and ideas you care about. Bring passion, authenticity, humility, and transparency to everything you do.

Greg Scheinman has experienced the highest highs— two seven-figure exits from companies he founded or helped build, success as a high-level executive— and the lowest lows— the loss of his father, panic attacks, depression, and alcoholism.

Through it all, he's developed a method for maximizing your life to fulfil your potential and start living during a time when too many believe they're "past their prime."

Now, he's living his message every day as the Founder & Face of Midlife Male, the premier digital media platform for Middle Aged Men and the brands that want to reach them.

Greg is also a former partner at Insgroup, acquired by BRP (NASDAQ) and the founder and former CEO of Team Baby Entertainment, acquired by Michael Eisner of Disney. He was also the founder and CEO of ROW Studios, producer of two successful feature films, and advisor to multiple CPG brands.

At 50 years old, Greg is in the best condition of his life. He is a 2x winner of The D10 Decathlon, took 3rd place at HYROX Nationals, and participates in Adventure Challenges including 29029 Eversting, DekaFit and Spartan. Greg is also an ISSA certified trainer and CrossFit L1 trainer.

Key Points

• Create a total life portfolio that reflects your individuality and makes you feel your best.

• Find what works for you in terms of personal passions and professional expertise.

• Recognize the importance of seeking help and surround yourself with professionals who can guide and support you.

• Goals without systems are empty; implement systems to achieve your goals.

• Personal and professional aspects of life are interconnected.

• Taking care of oneself is selfless and allows for better interaction with others.

Best Quotes

08:54 - 08:57

• "What do we want our cumulative GPA to look like in life?"

10:38 - 10:43

• "This is about figuring out what works best for you and then getting after it."

12:23 - 12:28

• "I think it's about confidence and I think it's about pride and I think it's about security" 13:55 - 14:01

• "There are no shortcuts and no excuses to, to get there. You actually have to put the work in"

14:28 - 14:35

• "Just the simple act of opening your brain to opportunity wherever you go"

17:07 - 17:11

• "Nike doesn't say, just try it. They say just do it" (transcript)

42:06 - 42:14

• "You get to choose very carefully who you follow, what you consume, and then make sure that out of what you're consuming, you're always producing more than you're consuming."

01:01:49 - 01:01:52

• "At the heart of this, there's no one way to be successful."

01:02:13 - 01:02:20

• "We have this opportunity right now to live longer and better and healthier and wealthier and stronger well beyond middle age."

For more about Greg visit: www.gregscheinman.com & www.midlifemale.com

For more about his top-rated podcast: Midlife Male

In this week's episode, I am joined by Alana Stott! Alana is a multi-faceted entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist who has founded and developed Wolfraven Omnimedia as a vehicle to help tell amazing and inspirational stories, including her own, while fiercely advocating for causes aimed at making the world a better place. Her storied international philanthropic work has included tireless efforts on behalf of dozens of charitable organizations. She has devoted thousands of hours of her time to numerous non-profits as an advisor and fundraiser, raising millions of dollars for causes such as mental health and the fight against human trafficking.

Stott has spent more than 25 years developing and overseeing the growth of a variety of businesses of varying sizes from an array of industries. With a uniquely diverse and accomplished resume, (Stott's achievements have ranged from dishwasher to traveling salesperson, debt collector, bodyguard, security specialist, hotel manager, bank manager, former Mrs. Scotland, CEO of an intelligence-based security firm, non-profit consultant, writer, and TV series producer), she is a firm believer that nothing is impossible or out of reach.

Stott has written the game-changing business and philanthropy book, "How to Ask for Money;" her powerful memoir, "She Who Dares;" and a series of empowering children's books – all to be published in 2023. She is also in the process of producing multiple television series and film projects, including a high-profile collaborative streaming series that turns "reality TV" on its head, a feature-length documentary about the triumph of the human spirit, and an international suspense thriller with a theme of female empowerment. She was awarded the title of Member of The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) on The Kings Honour List 2023 for her work supporting vulnerable women and mental health awareness.

Key Points

• Pushing past limits and achieving extraordinary goals

• Highlighting the need to educate both boys and girls about respect, consent, and self-protection.

• Self-awareness and situational awareness allow for identifying opportunities to help others and prevent problems.

• Finding the positive spin in any situation is a superpower that brings awareness and growth.

• Prioritizing self-care and nourishment is crucial for maintaining balance and well-being.

• Taking breaks, organizing priorities, and involving family in your endeavors help manage multiple roles effectively.

• "Who to Help Today" is about finding ways to make a positive impact in people's lives every day.

Best Quotes

11:12 - 11:15

• "There's so many ways that people deal with trauma in their lives."

25:40 - 25:44

• "There's no real way. I, I'm exactly like that bit. And I believe that as well."

26:13 - 26:18

• "If you are not embarrassed at who you were, then you're not growing enough."

37:27 - 37:31

• "Giving is one of the most selfish things you'll ever feel in your life."

38:13 - 38:18

• "The habit of daily impact is something as simple as smiling at someone or starting a small conversation."

39:42 - 39:49

• "When you're aware of other people around you, there are opportunities to help and make a positive difference."

45:24 - 45:28

• "Through every challenge there's an opportunity and if you can see it, it's another level of awareness."

In today's episode, I am joined by Justin Breen! Justin is the founder and CEO of the global PR firm "BrEpic" and the exclusive connectivity platform "BrEpic Network". His newest book, Epic Life, features a foreword from Dr. Peter Diamandis and has been the No. 1 overall book for sales on Amazon Kindle. It also recently made the Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestseller lists.

Key Points

• Taking action and creating something is essential for success.

• Creating more living things and doing what you love and are good at contributing to an epic life.

• True entrepreneurs overcome obstacles like bankruptcy, depression, anxiety, and traumatic experiences.

• Many entrepreneurs sacrifice their personal life for success, but eventually realize they've been winning the wrong game.

• Visionaries can fall in love with an idea and trust it to run its course.

• The right mindset attracts the right network and creates the right opportunities.

• Remind yourself that you have the ability to accomplish anything you set your mind to.

Best Quotes

25:31 - 25:36

• "All this other stuff takes care of itself. If you, if you know these answers and you don't, you never give up."

30:20 - 30:24

• "Life is very difficult. Just talk to someone who married the wrong person early in life."

30:47 - 31:00

• "These are the cheat codes. These are the ways that if you're trying to figure out the path of least resistance and most abundance, you do these things."

34:25 - 34:30

• "We just need that one person who we trust more than anyone to support us."

42:58

• "If you don't like the room you're in, create your own room or find a smaller room to invest in."

In this week's episode of The High Performance LIFE, I am joined by Dean Stott. Dean's military career ended by a parachuting accident in 2011. He quickly transitioned to the private security sector, carving out a reputation for being willing to take on any job, no matter how dangerous. for clients including governments, presidents and royal families. As a result, he has successfully dealt with extortion, kidnapping, civil war, pirates and military coups. In 2014, he single-handedly evacuated the Canadian Embassy in Libya, rescuing four diplomats and 18 military personnel.

He has since become a record-breaking explorer and adventurer, while establishing a successful career as a motivational speaker!

In 2016 Dean began training for the biggest challenge of his life - to cycle the entire 14,000-mile length of the Pan-American Highway. Despite his long military career, he had never cycled more than a few miles.

In May 2018, he completed his journey, gaining two world records: the fastest person to cycle the length of South America and the fastest cycle journey of the Pan American Highway. With his final time of 99 days, 12 hours and 56 minutes, Dean smashed the former world record by 17 days and became the first person ever to make the journey in under 100 days. Key Points

• From crisis management to cycling the world: How our guest transitioned from a career in crisis management to pursuing an extraordinary cycling challenge.

• Finding balance: Learn how our guest turned to cycling as a way to regain a sense of balance and well-being in his life.

• Adapting a military approach to planning and handling unforeseen circumstances.

• Consistency and commitment are vital in staying on track and building confidence throughout the journey.

• Taking inspiration from personal stories and the impact of one's actions on others can serve as powerful motivators during tough times.

• Visualization as a key tool: Shifting focus from the challenges to the end goal.

Best Quotes

06:57 - 07:02

• "I like to prove people wrong, you know, and just do it through course of action."

18:36 - 18:38

• "I had the easy job cycling. She had to raise the million pounds."

23:39 - 23:44

• "There is no plan B, no contingency... You know, my wife used to say, the contingency is we go to Dean's funeral."

47:30 - 47:35

• "I think it'll be almost more fun to celebrate the legacy later."

For more about Dean visit: www.deanstott.com

For more about The High Performance LIFE visit: www.scottdanner.com

In today's episode I am joined by Tessa White, AKA The Job Doctor! Tessa White is a truth-telling, reformed Fortune 50 executive.

In 2020, The Job Doctor business was born, a practice dedicated to helping individuals navigate the workplace and companies to unlock the potential of their people.

Tessa's vantage point on careers is uniquely targeted to help people from all walks of life. She has hired and fired thousands of people and watched countless careers rise and fall.

She has grown companies and shrunk them, restructured, layed off, and redesigned companies from the ground up.

She serves on the Board of Trustees for Utah State University, the Utah Valley University's Women's Success Center and the Utah Tech Innovations Council, which mentors the best and brightest upcoming businesses.

Key Points

• Every leader should engage in conversations with their team members, acknowledging their experiences and providing support.

• Life challenges impact work: Recognizing that personal struggles affect employees' professional lives is crucial for leaders to provide support and help them succeed.

• Humanity in leadership: Shifting from top-down leadership to a more humane approach acknowledges that individuals go through difficult times and need empathy, especially during collective challenging periods.

• Conflict is inevitable: From negotiating job offers to daily work interactions, conflicts are a part of professional life. Developing communication strategies that build trust instead of breaking it is essential.

• Going through transitions and transformations in work provides valuable experience and expertise.

• Embracing hustle can lead to valuable contributions and personal growth.

• Tessa's book addresses the root cause of burnout: the feeling of a lack of control in life.

Best Quotes

21:46 - 21:55

• "If the employee constantly says they're just looking out for profit, they don't care about me, it's hard to serve you because you're not listening or giving the same level of empathy."

24:09 - N/A

• "Those kinds of conversations can be had; it just requires doing it carefully in the right way."

41:09 - 41:15

• "If you love someone, you don't think they're stupid. You think that they just think differently from you."

47:56 - 48:04

• "You can be a very valuable employee and create space for yourself to have balance, but don't rely on your company to do it for you."

48:38 - 48:44

• "Giving is the most selfish thing we can do. It feels so good when you give."

59:11 - 59:18

• "I take you through what you need to know about each chapter to become a person that has a voice in your career."

For more about Tessa visit: www.thejobdoctor.com For more about The High Performance LIFE visit: scottdanner.com

In today's episode, I am joined by Errol Doebler. Errol is a former Navy SEAL and FBI agent who is now a Wim Hof breathing instructor and leadership coach! Errol left the FBI after 13 years of service to begin his leadership consulting firm, Leader 193, in 2016. In 2023, he founded Ice Cold Leader.

Errol is one of the few people in the world who has had the distinction of serving as a Surface Warfare Officer, SEAL, FBI Special Agent, and FBI SWAT Operator.

While with the FBI he was deployed to Afghanistan in 2010, Errol participated in extensive combat operations and was subsequently presented with the FBI's second highest award for valor, the Shield of Bravery, for his actions on the battlefield.

Since founding Leader193, he has worked with executives and teams from Fortune 100 companies, professional sports organizations, small technical startups, and individual executives across a vast array of industries around the world sharing his methods for Leadership.

Key Points

• The process that identifies emotions, understanding intuitive actions, deciding on proper behavior, making a plan, and reflecting.

• The Wim Hof Method, including cold exposure and breathing techniques, has transformative effects on physical and mental health.

• Combining leadership skills with personal life management creates a holistic approach to self-improvement.

• Checking in with yourself requires discipline and process, but it is essential for personal growth.

• Being aware of our thoughts empowers us to cultivate a positive mindset and improve our mental health.

Best Quotes

• "Process is absolutely essential to everything because you can't really have any true creativity if it's not inside of a process."

05:35 - 05:40

• "If you were a bad leader in the SEAL teams, you heard about it and you knew about it."

06:00 - 06:12

• "It seemed like the best people shunned leadership positions because they were like, no, I won't put myself in a position to not have impact."

24:19 - 24:30

• "When my friend was mean to me, when I get out on the ice and somebody's better, this is what it feels like. And then we teach them how to read through it, the confidence they get and the life lesson they get."

27:13 - 27:26

• "I literally said to myself, how do I control myself in an ice breath? I breathe. I took two breaths, was calm..."

50:01 - 50:13

• "If you are truly that unselfish person who doesn't care about yourself, but cares about everybody else, that's fine. Right? And when you're out there, you can't take care of everybody else

For more about Errol visit: https://icecoldleader.com/ For more about The High Performance LIFE visit: scottdanner.com

In this week's episode I am joined by two guests, both Dr. Jim Loehr and Dr. Sheila Ohlsson Walker! Jim's ground-breaking, science-based energy management training system has achieved worldwide recognition. Co-founder of the Johnson & Johnson Human Performance Institute, which helped train and inspire more than 250,000 business, sports, medicine, and military leaders worldwide. Jim is also the author of 17 books including his most recent, Leading With Character, and the National Bestseller The Power of Full Engagement.

Dr. Sheila Ohlsson Walker is a behavioral geneticist whose work centers on how nurture (environment) shapes nature (DNA), and how we can create contexts in sport, school, and nature settings that unlock the potential of our youth. A former pro tennis player, Sheila knows first-hand the power of sport to embed life skills and mindsets that transfer into careers, relationships, and wellness habits that foster health and well-being across life. Key Points

• Our private voice, or Yoda, is the most important coach we have in our decision-making journey.

• Deliberate decision-making helps avoid mistakes and regrets.

• Emotions play a crucial role in parenting and communication.

• Teaching decision-making from an early age helps children understand the consequences of their choices.

• Being aware and acting rather than reacting creates opportunities for teachable moments.

• Embracing imperfections and viewing life as a learning journey promotes growth and resilience.

• Leadership is about judgment and making wise decisions.

Best Quotes

15:30 - 15:47

• "Your Yoda begins to take that in, those neurological inputs form this narrative inside your head that becomes the most important navigational voice you will probably ever have." - Jim

20:53 - 21:05

• "There's always something to be learned out of every situation, and when we can embed it as automatic habit... that is a superpower that is going to transport us and our children through life."

26:28 - 26:35

• "We want every decision to be some form of learning about your next decision."

30:40 - 30:47

• "Learning about ourselves is crucial. Then owning those mistakes I imagine is even more important."

32:03 - 32:07

• "Have you describe who you are when you are absolutely most proud of yourself."

01:05:11 - 01:05:19

• "The most sacred space we have as human beings is this space that allows us to change directions, make decisions and follow them."

For more about Dr. Jim Loehr visit: www.jim-loehr.com For more about Dr. Sheila Olhsson Walker visit: www.sheilaohlssonwalker.com Learn more about their book: Wise Decisions: A Science Based Approach to Making Better Choices (Nov 2022)

In today's episode I am joined by Abby Davisson. Abby has dedicated her career to helping others achieve their goals!

With Stanford professor and labor economist Myra Strober, Abby wrote Money & Love: An Intelligent Roadmap for Life's Biggest Decisions, a research-backed guide to making the choices that matter most. The book contains data, stories, and a flexible framework to help people navigate high-stakes choices when money and love are involved (hint: that's all the big ones in life).

Most recently, she spent nine years at global retailer Gap Inc., where she served as president of the Gap Foundation and co-founded the company's employee resource group for parents. Her expertise in career development comes from serving as an alumni career advisor and coach at Stanford's Graduate School of Business. Her professional experience also includes strategy roles at Net Impact, Tipping Point Community, the NYC Department of Education, and The Bridgespan Group. Abby has a BA from Yale and an MBA and MA in Education from Stanford University.

She lives with her husband Ross and two sons in San Francisco, where she remains in relentless pursuit of the best-tasting dark chocolate.

Key Points

• Myra Strober's class on Work and Family inspired Abby to co-write the book after realizing its transformative impact on her own life.

• A framework with the 5 Cs (Clarify, Communicate, Consider, Choose, Commit) can guide decision-making.

• Early discussions about financial goals and values can prevent misunderstandings and assumptions.

• Effective communication is an ongoing process, not a one-time event.

• Clarifying your goals is crucial and sets the foundation for successful decision-making.

• Successfully navigating these transitions leads to greater intimacy and a stronger bond.

• Recognize the significance of making intentional choices in all aspects of life.

Best Quotes

04:17 - 04:30

• "If you go into that arrangement by having open and honest conversations about how you are going to combine your lives, your careers, your ambitions, your finances, the household chores, childcare... those negative outcomes go away."

12:52 - 13:00

• "Your financial success is something that so many people really believe that this is how they're judged."

15:44 - 15:50

• "The more you talk about it, the more prepared they are for these types of conversations."

23:02 - 23:09

• "When we're in the throes of a big decision, we tend to think in very binary terms. But there are so many options in between."

35:07 - 35:12

• "It's always funny to me when I'm consulting or advising or standing on a stage with where I'm coaching advisors and I'm like, Hey guys, gals, whatever it is, it is so different than what people think."

56:47 - 56:56

• "It's about not just sliding into the lives that we're having, but really deciding what do we want those lives to look like?" For more about Abby, visit: Abbydavisson.com To learn more about The High Performance LIFE, visit: Scottdanner.com

Summary

In today's episode, I am joined by Mark Drager! Mark, AKA "The Badass Brand Architect", is a 5th generation entrepreneur who helps other entrepreneurs with B2B businesses sell more, faster, and easier.

Mark launched his creative agency in 2006 at the age of 23 and then spent 15+ years building it into a multi-million-dollar business. After 2000+ projects, for 300+ clients, across 29 different industries Mark became burnt out… This led Mark to start his latest venture, SalesLoop, Mark now focuses less on "growth at all costs" and more on doing badass work with ambitious people. Mark's also the host of The Mark Drager Show, a podcast for entrepreneurs. Every week Mark has eyebrow raising conversations with total badasses, sharing untold stories, advice, and hard lessons learned from the most thought-provoking entrepreneurs and creatives.

Key Points:

• Setting boundaries is crucial in relationships and professional settings, to establish healthy dynamics.

• The stories we tell ourselves can often lead to unnecessary drama and conflict.

• In business and personal relationships, focusing on the facts and avoiding assumptions can lead to better understanding and communication.

• Pruning unnecessary information and amplifying what truly matters leads to greater impact.

• Creating opportunities for others can be a powerful way to add value to their lives.

• The value of expressing one's current beliefs while being open to learning and understanding different perspectives.

Best Quotes:

42:50 - 42:55

• "If you're not willing to put something on the line, why would anyone buy into you?"

58:38 - 58:44

• "There's no better way to have success in this world than to do so with the people you love the most."

01:08:36 - 01:08:43

• "It's okay that it's only right now and it's okay that I wanna learn why you might disagree and how you might change my opinion there."

01:08:58 - 01:09:05

• "I have had some of the best conversations of my life with this individual because we both respect each other."

01:10:44 - 01:10:49

• "I fell in love with their work and I just kind of wanted to talk about the book, the work."

01:13:15 - 01:13:19

• "It's part of our growth trajectory. It's part of our network, it's part of our makeup."

01:16:09 - 01:16:19

• "If it doesn't rise to the top, like, if I don't allow everyone else to curate for me what's quote unquote good or bad, yeah, it means I listen to like a lot of top 40."