The Rich Roll Podcast

How Dirt Diva Catra Corbett Was Reborn On The Run

“Getting out is the first step.” Catra Corbett If Ross Edgley is a real-life Aquaman, I nominate ultrarunner extraordinaire Catra Corbett as a real-life Wonder Woman. Definitely one of the planet’s most colorful athletes, Catra’s polychromatic goth-punk aesthetic is a perfect superhero costume match for her sparkling personality. Rocking wild rainbow hair, brightly colored running costumes and tattooed head-to-toe, you can spot the Dirt Diva’s smile from a mile out, happily tearing up the trails with her trusty side-kick training partner TruMan — a goggle-adorned mini dachshund. TruMan’s superpower? He loves running as much as she does. Yes, it’s all a bit nutty. But don’t be deceived — Catra is an absolute beast of an athlete. Over the course of her storied career she has competed in over 250 ultramarathons and is the first American woman to run over 100 miles or more on more than 100 occasions (137 to date). You might recall Catra from the book Born to Run as the “kaleidoscopically tattooed” woman who ran the 212-mile John Muir Trail from Yosemite to Mt. Whitney. When she reached the end, she didn’t stop. Instead, she turned around and ran back — a 425-mile effort for which she holds the fastest known time (FKT), completing it in just over twelve days. Not enough? Catra also holds the FKT for the Muir Ramble – clocking 324 miles in just 7 days. Oh yeah, she also ran 144 trail miles around Lake Tahoe in 43 hours on just 50 minutes of sleep. Most recently, at age 53, Catra completed three back-to-back 200-mile races to become the oldest woman to win the triple crown of 200’s (Bigfoot 200, Tahoe 200 & Moab 240). It’s an astounding feat she completed in just 10 weeks. A mere eleven days later she celebrated her accomplishment by running another 100 miles at the Javelina Jundred — dressed as the The Mad Hatter. Vintage Dirt Diva. To top it off, she’s a vegan — a lifestyle she adopted 15 years ago to which she attributes her high performance prowess, race consistency and longevity. Catra’s resume speaks for itself. But most impressive are the obstacles she has faced and overcome to become the shining example of humanity and athleticism she is today. Twenty-four years ago, Catra was lost in a hopeless spiral of meth addiction, disordered eating, and sexual and emotional abuse. Ultimately busted for peddling crystal, she hits rock bottom in a jail cell that scares her straight. Upon release she commits to getting sober, moves back home with her mother, abandons her lower companions, her boyfriend, and the dark lifestyle that she came to depend on. Her only clean friend pushes her to train for a 10K with him, and surprisingly, she likes it – and decides to run her first marathon after that. Sobriety saved her life. Running gave her a new one altogether. Along the way she attempts suicide, loses loved ones, falls in love, has her heartbroken, meets lifelong friends and finally faces the past that led to her addiction — all of which is beautifully chronicled in her memoir, Reborn on the Run: My Journey from Addiction to Ultramarathons. I sat down with Catra to learn the how and why behind her incredible journey from meth-addicted cosmetologist to world class, vegan ultrarunning phenom. We cover her goth netherworld days and how she transformed her life in recovery. We track her accomplishments and what compels her insatiable drive to push herself well into her 50’s. And we talk about how and why she does it all vegan. I love this woman, her positive attitude and her infectious zest for life — a hero of sober possibility and the pow...

Jimmy Chin & Chai Vasarhelyi On The Making of ‘Free Solo’ & Living Beyond Fear

“If you’re going to make a film, it should be about something that is incredibly meaningful to you.“ Chai Vasarhelyi If you enjoyed my conversations with adventure athletes Alex Honnold (RRP 351), Conrad Anker (RRP 170), Hilaree Nelson (RRP 364) and Colin O’Brady (RRP 207 & 235), then you are going to flip for today’s episode with Chai Vasarhelyi & Jimmy Chin — the dynamic and talented filmmaking duo behind the stunning new documentary Free Solo — a beautiful cinematic celebration of human possibility. A graduate of Princeton University hailing from New York City, Chai is an award-winning film director and producer with Hungarian, Chinese, and Brazilian roots who cut her filmmaking teeth under the legendary Mike Nichols. Her first film, A Normal Life, won Best Documentary at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2003. Her second film, Youssou N’Dour: I Bring What I Love, was released in theaters in the US and internationally. The film won numerous awards, including the Special Jury Prize at the Middle East International Film Festival in 2008 and a nomination for the Pare Lorentz Award at the 2009 International Documentary Association Awards. An award-winning cinematographer and director in his own right, Chai’s husband and creative partner Jimmy is also a professional climber, skier, mountaineer, 18-year member of The North Face Athlete Team and National Geographic Explorer. Over the past 20 years, he has led or participated in cutting-edge climbing and ski mountaineering expeditions to all seven continents and made the first and only American ski descent from the summit of Mount Everest. Known for his ability to capture the authentic in some of the world’s most high-risk environments, Jimmy has worked with many of the greatest explorers, adventurers and athletes of our time, documenting their exploits in the most challenging conditions and locations in the world. He has garnered numerous awards shooting on assignment for publications, including The New York Times Magazine, Vanity Fair and Outside Magazine, and has directed commercial work for a wide range of clients, including Apple, Chase, Pirelli and The North Face. Jimmy’s technical acumen matched with Chai’s storytelling superpowers have created two of the most compelling documentary masterpieces in recent memory. The highest grossing independent documentary of 2015, Meru won the Sundance Audience Award, made the Oscars shortlist and was lauded by Variety as one of the best sports documentaries of its type in recent memory. Their latest collaboration, and the primary focus of today’s conversation, is Free Solo – a riveting, intimate, unflinching, edge-of-your-seat, sweaty-palm-inducing thrill ride portrait of Alex Honnold as he prepares to achieve his lifelong dream: a death defying quest to free solo the world’s most famous rock – the 3,200 face of El Capitan in Yosemite — without a rope. It’s an accomplishment the NYT called “one of the greatest athletic feats of any kind ever.” I concur — and cannot recommend this masterful film more highly. But there is so much more to Jimmy and Chai’s collabo...

Lindsey Vonn’s Got Grit: Lessons From The World’s Most Decorated Female Ski Racer

“It’s hard to beat the person that won’t quit.” Lindsey Vonn  What’s it like to be the very best in the world at something? Today I explore this question and so much more with a woman who truly needs no introduction. Not only is Lindsey Vonn the most decorated female skier in history, she’s the most decorated skier period – man or woman – in US history. One of the few world-class, four-event ski racers, Lindsey is a 4-time Olympian, a 3-time Olympic medalist, the only American woman to win downhill gold, and the only American woman with 4 World Cup titles. All told, she has 82 World Cup wins in her career, the most of any female skier in history. Only 4 World Cup wins now separate Lindsey from the record set by Ingemar Stenmark in 1989. Eclipsing this once thought untouchable achievement is the final goal propelling Lindsey into her final professional season. Off the slopes, Lindsey is a media mogul. A regular on “Most Marketable” athlete lists, she has been profiled in every major media outlet across the globe and graced the cover of publications such as Fitness, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, TV Guide and many others. Not enough? Lindsey sank a hole-in-one during one of her very first full 18 holes of golf. So there’s that. Lindsey’s victories are self-evident. Less appreciated are the countless obstacles she has faced and overcome over the course of her legendary career. From potentially career-ending injuries to debilitating bouts with depression to weathering the haters and naysayers, Lindsey’s trajectory skyward has been neither linear nor charmed. In point of fact, she has tenaciously fought for all everything she has achieved – falling and failing often. Her motto? When you fall, get right back up. And never, ever quit. It’s Lindsay’s fearlessness and relentless persistence that most impresses  — qualities I explore as the focus of today’s conversation. So what drives this champion? And what can we learn from her mindset, process and experience? Listen, learn and enjoy. Note: the podcast is now available on Spotify and our conversation is viewable in full on YouTube at bit.ly/lindseyvonn405 Peace + Plants, Listen, Watch & Subscribe                  Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts Thanks to this week’s sponsors Calm: The #1 App for Meditation and Sleep with 100+ guided meditations covering anxiety, focus, stress, sleep, relationships and more. Plus 7-day and 21-day programs for both beginner and advanced users. For a limited time, my listeners can get 25% off a Calm Premium subscription at Calm.com/richroll. It includes unlimited access to ALL of Calm’s amazing content. Get started today! Peloton – Discover this cutting-edge indoor cycling bike that brings the studio experience to your home.  Get a great workout at home, anytime you want.

How Josh LaJaunie Lost 200+ Pounds & Reinvented Himself: Thoughts On Mindset, Habits & Giving Back

“There’s no more nutrient dense way to eat than a plant-based diet.” Josh LaJaunie I have never met a more inspirational everyman example of healthy, transformative living than Josh LaJaunie. After 400+ episodes of the podcast, our initial conversation way back in December of 2013 (RRP 63) remains one of my favorite and most popular episodes in the history of the show, followed closely by our second conversation in June 2015 (RRP 152). There’s a reason for that. Sure, Josh lost 200+ pounds. He overcame tremendous obstacles to restore and maintain his health. He reinvented himself as athlete, crushing marathons, winning an ultra and even gracing the cover of Runner’s World magazine. You might have seen Josh on The Today Show. Perhaps you caught him on Good Morning America. Certainly, Josh’s personal triumphs are worthy of celebrating. But I’m emphatic it’s his giant heart that captured the the media’s eye. 100% genuine and utterly authentic, it’s Josh’s love and devotion to returning the gift in service of his friends, family, community and strangers that sets him apart — and makes me prouder than you can imagine to call him friend. Good things happen to good people who do good for others. For those new to the show, Josh’s story — as laid out in his self-described manifesto — begins in marshy southern Louisiana. A self-avowed “swamp dweller” from Bayou Lafourche, he was a big kid surrounded by an even bigger loving family, united by their shared adoration of food. Despite being recruited to play college football, college life left him so disillusioned, he dropped out, returning home aimless and unmoored. He found work in the family construction business, but like so many, started living for the weekend: partying, hunting, fishing, cheering for his beloved New Orleans Saints, and feasting on his favorite local delicacies — po boys, jambalaya & barbecue. Lots of barbecue. It’s just what you do down in Bayou Lafourche. It wasn’t long before Josh tipped 400+ on the scale. Outwardly he seemed fine with it. But deep down he was dying — his despair, embarrassment and shame escalating in lockstep with his declining self-esteem and overall well being. Then something happened.  In 2010, Josh’s beloved Saints achieved the impossible, winning the Super Bowl. It seems a small thing. But to Josh it was everything. Forever altering his perception of what is possible, he began to question the limits he imposed upon himself. Empowered, he began to “let go of his normal” and dismiss the embedded “that’s just the way it is down here” mentality he was starting to understand often taints the logic of his region. A chain reaction of events ensued that set Josh on a path that literally changed everything. He adopted a 100% plant-based diet. He resumed a long, slow return to fitness. He committed to a top-to-bottom mindset shift. It wasn’t overnight, but today he has multiple marathons under his belt. An ultramarathon victory. And a plan to scale the principles that saved his life to save others via his Missing Chins secret Facebook group and newly-hatched WellStart wellness start-up. The best part? It’s just the beginning. Picking up where we last left off, this is Josh’s story. It’s a tale about what can be accomplished when self-ca...

James Clear On Why Habits Are The Compound Interest of Self-Improvement

“True behavior change is really identity change.” James Clear What stands in the way of becoming the person you aspire to be? Maybe it’s circumstances. Access or opportunity. For many its bad habits, exacerbated by the unsuccessful war waged to replace them with good habits — a rinse and repeat process that generally leads to failure and discouragement. Why is it so hard to overcome negative patterns? Today’s guest contends the problem isn’t you. The problem is your system. Evolving from stuck and unsatisfied into the person you wish to become is equal parts art and science. Science helps explain the root causes of our behaviors and how to modify them. But the application of said principles into practice is very much an art. Today we explore the often misunderstood terrain of behavior change with author James Clear, a man who has spent the better part of his career attempting to understand and master the art and science of human habit formation and decision-making, A regular speaker at Fortune 500 companies, James’ work is used by teams in the NFL, NBA, and MLB. He has been featured in the New York Times, Entrepreneur, Time, and on CBS This Morning. His website jamesclear.com receives millions of visitors each month. Hundreds of thousands subscribe to his popular e-mail newsletter. And over 10,000 leaders, managers, coaches, and teachers have built better habits in life and work via his Habits Academy online program. James recently penned Atomic Habits, a New York Times bestselling deep dive into evidence-based self-improvement. A comprehensive primer on what actually works when it comes to behavior change, it zeroes in on the transformative power of making small changes. Packed with implementable takeaways (including many strategies I have myself employed with great success), it’s a must read for anyone looking to take their life to the next level. This is a highly practical conversation that explores the psychology and neuroscience behind behavior change. Specific topics include the problem with goals. We discuss the relationship between overly ambitious goals and failure — why most people make the mistake of optimizing for the finish line when we should instead focus on getting to the starting line. James explains why establishing systems are critical; and why focus should be placed on practice over performance. We also cover why it’s important to move beyond temporal, emotional drivers like motivation into practical action. Why you’re more likely to act yourself into feeling rather than feel yourself into action. Or, as I like to say, mood follows action. My biggest takeaway from this exchange is James’ compelling dissertation on why we are best served by concentrating on identity. In other words, long-term results are best derived not from achieving the goals we set for ourselves, but instead by slowly adopting and inhabiting the daily practices and characteristics of the person we aspire to become. Powerful and potentially game-changing, this conversation will reframe how you contemplate and act upon your ambitions. So break out the pen and paper and please enjoy Peace + Plants, Listen, Watch & Subscribe                  <a title="iTunes RRP" href="http://bit.

Scott Harrison Is Not Afraid Of Work Without End

“Charity means love. It means to look after your neighbor in need and get nothing in return.” Scott Harrison From the outside looking in, he was living the dream. Killer SoHo loft. Private jets to exotic locales. Rolex, cover model girlfriend and cash. Lots of cash. But ten years living extravagantly as a decadent nightclub promoter in New York City took it’s toll. By 28, Scott Harrison had become the worst person he knew. Morally bankrupt and desperate to rediscover his sense of purpose, Scott decided it was time for a drastic change. So he sold all his belongings and decamped NYC for a year spent volunteering aboard a hospital ship off the coast of Liberia, West Africa. Abroad, Harrison witnessed levels of poverty and illness he never knew existed. As one year turned into two, he came to understand that many of the diseases their group treated were waterborne, easily preventable with access to clean drinking water — a basic need sorely lacking across vast swaths of the undeveloped world. Upon returning to New York in 2006, Scott turned his full attention to the global water crisis and the (then) 1.1 billion people living without access to clean water. The manifestation of that commitment is charity: water — a revolutionary for-purpose endeavor that to date has raised over $3000 million to bring clean drinking water to more than 8.4 million people all across the world. Equally impressive is the extent to which Scott has quite literally reinvented and re-energized how we give and how we think about giving. He did it by creating an aspirational brand. He did it by restoring public trust in charity. And he did it by leveraging technology to deeply connect each and every giver with the gift’s specific result and impact. Simply put, Scott Harrison is one of the most impressive people I have ever met. His inspiring story from lost to found is legend — an astounding example of what can be achieved when a life pivots from self-serving to selfless service. Scott’s story can be found in his riveting new memoir, Thirst, which vividly recounts Scott’s redemptive tale of transformation and the twists and turns that built charity: water into one of the most trusted, disruptive, innovative and admired nonprofits in the world. Debuting at #7 on last week’s NY Times bestseller list, it’s a must read page-tuner, the profits of which funnel right back to (you guessed it) charity: water.** Picking up where left off in Scott’s first appearance on the podcast (episode 305 from July 2017), today we dive deeper into previously unexplored aspects of Scott’s personal evolution. We discuss progress made by his organization and the work that remains. We discuss the important role faith has played in his journey. He explains the true meaning of charity — and the sense of purpose and personal fulfillment that goes hand in hand with service. We end with a call to action. And a reminder that we all possess the power to make the world a better place. Because nobody should fear work that has no end. Here’s my call to action: in celebration of my 52nd birthday, help me raise $100,000 by December 31, 2018 — 100% of which will be deployed to bring clean water projects to over 3,300 people for the very first time. Projects that will save lives for generations to come. Specifically, I’m asking that you donate $1 for every year that I have been drinking clean water – a pledge of $52 ...

Fiona Oakes & Keegan Kuhn Are Running For Good

“Being vegan doesn’t hold you back from anything and in fact, it might make you better at what you want to do.” Keegan Kuhn Today’s episode features a conversation conducted before a live audience at the Laemmle Royal Theatre in Los Angles with acclaimed British ultra-runner Fiona Oakes and friend, multiple podcast guest and filmmaker Keegan Kuhn — one-half of the team behind both Cowspiracy & What The Health. Vegan since she was 6 years old, Fiona is an extraordinary athlete and exemplary human hailing from the UK who holds four world records for marathon running. Perhaps best known as the world’s fastest woman to run a marathon on all seven continents and the North Pole, in 2013 Fiona won both the Antarctic Ice Marathon and the North Pole Marathon. But what makes her accomplishments all the more amazing is that at age 14 she was told she would never walk properly, let alone run, due to an illness that required more than 17 radical knee surgeries that culminated in the removal of her entire right knee cap. This week marks the release of this dynamic duo’s latest creative collaboration, a new documentary entitled Running For Good. Visually arresting, the film follows Fiona as she attempts to set a new world record and complete Marathon des Sables – a 250km race through the Sahara routinely dubbed the toughest footrace on Earth. Fiona runs not for podiums or glory, but instead to promote a compassionate way of living and break the stereotype that veganism holds you back from anything — all while tending to her true passion, operating Tower Hill Stables, where she cares for more than 450 rescued animals everyday. A departure from Keegan’s recent provocative fare, Running For Good is a more contained yet cinematically stunning portrait of an undeniably unique, compelling, funny, self-deprecating, inspiring and essentially anonymous figure deserving of far more notice, attention and acclaim than she has historically received. Executive produced by actor James Cromwell, I had the honor of providing some voice over to the film, as well as co-hosting the recent LA premiere of the film several weeks ago, where we recorded this conversation — which includes clips from the movie itself — post-screening before a live audience. Fiona is someone I respect and admire deeply and have wanted to get on the show for a very long time. My admiration for Keegan and his work is well documented by his many appearances on this show. So I’m delighted to bring them together for you today. In addition, we are setting a new audio production high water mark in this episode. Jason Camiolo (who composed the film’s beautiful score) did a masterful job weaving segments of the film into today’s exchange to elevate the dynamic quality of your listening experience. Big Announcement: Running For Good premieres globally on Vimeo October 11, 2018. For the first four (4) days of release (October 11-14), Keegan is generously making the film available to stream for FREE to the public. All you have to do is visit RunningForGoodFilm.com and type in the code FREE at checkout. To support Fiona’s life work at Tower Hill Stables, click here. For the visually inclined you’re not going to want to miss the video version of the podcast, which includes clips from the movie itself. Watch it here: <a href="http://bit.

Jedidiah Jenkins On Shaking The Sleeping Self & The Quest To Live Without Regrets

“The truth is the teacher. If I just tell the truth, it will have a message.” Jedidiah Jenkins The late Anthony Bourdain once said, “Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life – and travel – leaves marks on you. Most of the time, those marks – on your body or on your heart – are beautiful. Often, though, they hurt.” I think this quote beautifully captures the ethos of today’s conversation. Travel as an agitator of self-understanding. A template to deeply explore the deep intertwined relationship that lives and breathes in that beautiful space between adventure and identity. Our cipher for this transcendent voyage — how exterior horizons influence scrutiny of our interior landscape — is many things: author, global adventurer, social entrepreneur, human rights activist, lawyer, filmmaker, and magazine publisher. But labels fail to capture what makes Jedidiah Jenkins special. Let’s just call him beautiful human. I can’t quite recall how today’s guest first came across my radar. What I do remember is happening upon his rather stunning Instagram feed as he neared the end of a spectacular bicycle-powered journey that took him from Oregon to Patagonia. Each photograph more arresting than the one prior, every image conveyed it’s own story that perfectly informed an engaging larger narrative. But it’s Jedidiah’s accompanying entries — beautifully composed, contemplative and quite poetic — that set his feed apart. Writings themed less by place than interior geography, it’s Instagram as dynamic journal — an experiment in blogging that camps out hundreds of miles beyond any travelogue, blog or vlog you’ve ever before seen. I was hypnotized. Who is this guy? A graduate of the USC School of Cinematic Arts and Pepperdine University School of Law, Jedidiah began his professional career as one of the founding leaders of Invisible Children, the small non-profit that overnight became world renown courtesy of a little social justice campaign you might have heard of called #Kony2012– a campaign that redefined internet virality. The progeny of adventurer journalist parents who quite famously graced the cover of National Geographic walking across America in the 1970’s, I think it’s fair to say that despite his desk-bound legal career, Jedidiah and the outdoors had a little destiny to sort out. And so, to celebrate his 30th birthday, Jedidiah quit the job he loved to unconsciously follow in his parents’ footsteps, scare himself, embrace the unknown and, like a character out of a Mark Twain novel, light out on the territory. Three years ago, I invited him on the podcast to share the story of his sixteen-month, 10,000 mile journey. To date it’s one of my favorite conversations in the history of this podcast. That day I made him promise to return upon completion of the book chronicling that experience. Today is that day. This week marks the release of To Shake The Sleeping Self. It’s everything I hoped it would be. On the surface it captures his epic bicycle expedition in vivid detail. But beyond the literal, it’s an elegant polemic about the search for identity, the cultivation of community, the struggle to find one’s place in the world, and ultimately embrace what it means to be human. An extraordinary storyteller, Jedidiah has an elegant gift for exploring the interior landscape.

Disrupting Depression With Guru Singh

“Every single moment is a teacher.” Guru Singh Welcome to another edition Guru Corner — a spiritual version of my popular Coach’s Corner series featuring my favorite teacher on all things mystic and metaphysical, Guru Singh. For those new to the show, imagine a modern-day Gandalf who rocks like Hendrix while dropping pearls of wisdom that beautifully fuse Eastern mysticism with Western pragmatism. A celebrated third-generation Sikh yogi, master spiritual teacher, author, and musician, for the past 40 years Guru Singh has been studying and teaching Kundalini Yoga. He is the author of several books, a powerful lecturer and behind-the-scenes guide to many a luminary, including Fortune 500 CEOs, athletes, and artists. A peer of rock legends like Janis Joplin and the Grateful Dead, Guru Singh is also a supremely talented musician who began his recording career on Warner Bros’ Reprise label in the 1960s. When he isn’t recording tracks with people like Seal, he’s bringing down the house on the daily at Yoga West, his Los Angeles home base. Over the last couple years, I have grown quite close with Guru Singh, a beautiful and highly relatable consciousness I’m proud to call friend, family and mentor. It’s a privilege to share more of his powerful wisdom with you today. Today’s conversation is an intimate exploration into the depths of our darkest emotions — shame, grief, sadness and depression — and the lessons they hold. We discuss the process of releasing our attachment to ideas and identities that no longer serve us. How to navigate the pressures of our modern existence, embrace tumultuous times, and serve the planet as it serves us. And we mine the truth that all of us — irrespective of circumstance — possess the ability to overcome our circumstances and transcend our perceived limitations. My hope is that this conversation will empower you to more deeply invest in the development of your conscious awareness, personal boundaries, and spiritual growth. Because, to quote Guru Singh, life is not about controlling the outside world, it’s about mastering perceptions from the inside. Note: If you missed our initial conversations, start with episode 267 and then enjoy episodes 332 and 368. Final Note: The visually inclined can watch our entire conversation on YouTube HERE (just make sure to subscribe!) Let the master class resume. Peace + Plants, Listen, Watch & Subscribe                    Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Soundcloud | Stitcher | GooglePlay Thanks to this week’s sponsors Amazon Prime Video: With Prime Video Channels,

Strength Coach Mike Mahler Wants To Optimize Your Hormones

“Compassion is the most important form of strength.” Mike Mahler When we ponder health, we tend to think about things like diet and exercise. Overlooked in this conversation is the primacy of hormone regulation. Chemical messengers that control almost all biological functions — from hunger to mood and everything in between — hormones play a massive role in overall well-being. When properly balanced, we function at our best. But should they fall out of whack, we become susceptible to everything we endeavor to avoid: weight gain, depression, poor energy, impaired sleep and a litany of chronic lifestyle diseases to name just a few. So let’s stop overlooking this critical aspect of wellness. Today’s maestro for all things hormonal is Mike Mahler — a human specimen of strength and power whose personal expertise in hormone optimization was catalyzed by an acute health crisis he struggled mightily to solve. Perhaps best known as one of the leading experts on effective kettlebell training for size, strength, fat loss and conditioning, Mike is a renown strength coach with a specialization in hormone optimization via nutrition, training, supplements, and lifestyle. He is the author of a variety of best-selling kettlebell training e-books and DVDs. He teaches popular kettlebell workshops globally and is a regular contributor to publications like Muscle & Fitness, Men’s Fitness, and Testosterone Magazine (yes, this is actually a thing). And he has been featured in Muscle & Fitness, Men’s Fitness UK, and CBS News. In addition, Mike is the host of the Live Life Aggresively podcast and the author of Live Life Aggressively! What Self-Help Gurus Should Be Telling You. Refreshing for his raw honesty and no B.S. style, Mike developed a deep interest in hormone health after a serious bout with pneumonia and chronic stress left his immune system debilitated. Solutions to his malady eluded him until he pulled focus on correcting his hormonal imbalances — a journey that provoked a passion for preaching the importance of understanding the crucial role our internal regulators play in order to live truly well and perform at our peak potential. This is conversation about that journey. We nerd out on the specifics, which hormones do what and why, and how regulatory imbalances can lead to everything from obesity to exhaustion. We talk intermittent fasting; effective training techniques; how to avoid over-training; and the importance of restoration, stress reduction and sleep. We cover this interest and role in the growing kettlebell revolution; the importance of functional strength and mobility; and his every-day rituals. We discuss Mike’s interest in combating human trafficking and his support of Project Child Save, a non-profit devoted to locating and recovering children kidnapped and sold into sexual slavery. And we explore his vegan journey, why he doesn’t wear it on his sleeve, the importance of leading by example. But more than anything, this is a conversation about what it means to live live aggressively — and why compassion is the ultimate strength. Chocked full of great information, Mike was awesome. I sincerely hope you enjoy the exchange as much as I enjoyed having it. And make sure to break out that pen and paper — you’re going to want to take notes. Peace + Plants,

Sanjay Rawal On Running As Spiritual Practice

“Running unites us. At one point, every culture on Earth relied on running. It’s baked into our DNA.” Sanjay Rawal Most contemplate running as exercise. A physical practice we reluctantly endure. An uncomfortable discipline we tolerate for the sake of fitness. For weight loss. Or to competitively measure ourselves against ourselves and others. Running is about metrics. Pace maintained. Distance covered. Calories burned. Energy expended. And results quantified. But ask Sanjay Rawal and he’ll tell you that definition isn’t just limited — it misses the point altogether. Running is so much more than podiums and aesthetics. At its core, it’s a most primal activity that unites us all. It’s about growth. It’s about self-understanding. And for many cultures dating back millennia, it’s about spiritual growth. Survival. Healing. And even transcendence. Running as devotion. Today Sanjay and I explore this theme in a riveting conversation focused on the inherent and indelible power of this shared human experience to better understand ourselves, our environment and the unseen world. A graduate of U.C. Berkeley with a B.A. in Molecular & Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Sanjay was on the fast track to a career in medicine when he began to question his path, seeking answers and solace in meditation. This quest led to becoming a devoted student of Sri Chinmoy, an Indian spiritual teacher based in New York. What followed is life committed to spiritual expansion. And a calling to improve the collective human condition. Sanjay spent a decade in human rights philanthropy before realizing he could deepen his impact by turning a lens on cultures and communities worthy of notice. Hence was born a career in documentary filmmaking. Sanjay’s oeuvre includes Ocean Monk, Challenging Impossibility, and Food Chains, which takes a hard look at migrant farm labor exploitation. Sanjay’s latest offering, and the focus of today’s conversation, is 3100: Run and Become. A behind-the-scenes immersion into the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race — the world’s most elusive and elite, multi-day running race. Held annually around one utterly unremarkable half-mile urban sidewalk block in Queens, New York, it demands competitors to complete at least 59 miles daily for 52 straight days. The goal? Not glory, but rather the promise of personal expansion and a deeper sense of self. The film also explores the historic and current relationship between running and spirituality through intimate visits with the Marathon Monks of Japan’s Mt. Hiei; the persistence hunters of Africa’s Kalahari tribe; and Arizona’s Navajo Nation. The act of running to transform oneself is as old as time. Ancient man and woman ran not just for survival, but to connect with Nature and the Divine. This is a conversation that explores this essential truth. Because to run is to be human. I sincerely hope you enjoy this very special exchange with a truly remarkable man. And make a point of seeing the movie. Peace + Plants, Listen, Watch & Subscribe

The Power of Ceremony and Ritual with Julie Piatt

“The answer lies within your own being.” Julie Piatt Today’s podcast is the latest installment in my ongoing series of ponderous mind melds with the wise and profound Julie Piatt — aka SriMati — my wife and in-house spiritual guru. For those new to the show, Julie is the bestselling author of three vegan cookbooks as well as an accomplished yogi, healer, musician, mom to four and host of the Divine Throughline podcast, where she muses metaphysical on living a life divine. This is an open exchange that explores a number a themes: * Recalibration in the aftermath of an extended period of creative output; * Self-care and the growth that occurs when we hit pause; * Navigating financial hardship; * Practices to amplify creativity and authenticity * The importance of owning your path * Julie’s unique morning routine * Healthy relationships and the broken prince-princess paradigm * The lost art & power of ceremony and ritual; and * how my sleeping in a tent impacts our marriage and intimacy I sincerely hope you enjoy the offering. Peace + Plants, Images by Kurt Arrigo (Rich & Julie) and Leia Marasovich (Julie) Listen, Watch & Subscribe                    Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Soundcloud | Stitcher | GooglePlay Thanks to this week’s sponsors Four Sigmatic: A superfood company popularizing medicinal mushrooms by incorporating them in delicious mainstream products like coffee and hot cocoa. Visit www.foursigmatic.com/roll and enter the promo code ROLL at the checkout and save 15% on your order! Squarespace: The easiest way to create a beautiful website, blog, or online store for you and your ideas. Save 10% at checkout when visit squarespace.com/richroll and use the coupon code “RICHROLL” at checkout. MeUndies: This Valentine’s season, get 15% off your matching pair of the softest underwear you will ever wear, Free Shipping, and a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee when you visit MeUndies.com/roll Note: One of the best ways to support the podcast is to support the sponsors. For a complete list of all RRP sponsors and their respective vanity url’s and discount codes, visit my Resources page and click “Sponsors”. SHOW NOTES Background, Context & Reference

Pro Bodybuilder Nimai Delgado On Vegan Gains, Training Pains & Changing The Game

“It’s always about hard work. It’s always about the diet. It’s always about sacrifice and effort.” Nimai Delgado But where do you get your protein? I get this question a lot. Today’s guest probably gets it more than anyone on Earth. A sweetheart of a guy rocking one of the world’s most impressive physiques, this week’s guest is an IFBB Professional Men’s Physique bodybuilder with a most unexpected twist: Nimai Delgado has never eaten meat in his entire life. Not one bite. Raised vegetarian since birth, Nimai switched to a 100% plant based unprocessed diet in 2015, motivated by a desire to live the healthiest lifestyle possible. Not long after, his bodybuilding career skyrocketed. Proving animal products unnecessary for peak fitness, Nimai is indisputable living testimony that you can indeed build tremendous strength and muscle mass without the meat and dairy products most of us have been told our whole lives are critical for health and absolutely mandatory athletic performance. Nimai’s evolution into bodybuilding began as a personal mission to make friends, get fit and stay healthy. Success came swiftly. Within a year, he had won several contests, including the NPC USA Championships, earning him a spot among the IFBB professional ranks. A fresh new face making serious waves on the vegan athlete scene, Nimai has recently shifted focus from self to service — leveraging his rapidly growing profile into a global movement to teach people young and old how to gain muscle, get fit, be competitive and thrive long-term on a plant-based diet. Nimai’s impressive vegan gains have graced the cover of Muscle & Fitness magazine and feature prominently in the hotly anticipated Gamechangers documentary. When he isn’t killing it in the gym, he’s hosting the recently launched Generation V podcast and sharing daily diet and fitness tips with his 265K Instagram followers. Perhaps you follow him on social media. Maybe you’ve seen him flexing in magazines. But there’s so much more to Nimai than bulging biceps. Today we unpack the untold story. This is a conversation about what it was like being raised by Hare Krisha devotee parents who immigrated from Argentina. It’s an open account of his experience growing up on a commune in rural south Mississippi. It’s an exchange about how the bodybuilding subculture captured his interest. And it’s about why he made the choice to go and stay vegan. Of course, we cover his training routines. We discuss his daily nutritional regimen. Yes, we talk protein — where he gets it and the misconceptions behind the hotly debated macro-nutrient. And because suspicion is unavoidable, I do ask him about steroids. But most of all, this is an exploration of the lesser known Nimai — the spiritual and ethical foundation beneath what he does, how he does it, and most importantly why. It was an honor to have this awesome human in the studio. It’s my pleasure to share his wisdom with you today. And my hope is that our exchange will leave you not only inspired, but questioning more than a few long-held assumptions about the role of nutrition in athletic performance. To get a gander of this physical specimen, watch our entire conversation on YouTube at bit.ly/richandnimai Peace + Plants, Listen, Watch & Subscribe <a href="https://itunes.apple.

Bassem Youssef: The Jon Stewart of Egypt On Political Satire, The Power of Plants & The Pursuit of Happiness

“Hate is illogical and hating other human beings is something that is outside of our nature” Bassem Youssef One minute you’re a heart surgeon. Blink once and you’re hosting the most watched television program in Middle East history. Blink again and you’re exiled from the homeland that made you famous. The story of Bassem Youssef is legend. But there’s far more to this tale than meets the eye. Dubbed the Jon Stewart of the Arab World, today’s guest is an Egyptian cardiothoracic surgeon and member of the Royal College of Surgeons who caught lightning in a bottle making catchy 5-minute YouTube videos in his Cairo laundry room. A flash moment later, he’s a media mega-star, the man behind a controversial, first-of-it’s-kind political satire program entitled Al-Bernameg that garnered a massive and unprecedented 30 million viewers every week. Insightful as it was incisive, Al-Bernameg received global acclaim and coverage in some of the world’s biggest media outlets, culminating in Bassem appearing on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart – twice. But Bassem’s bold criticism of the ruling powers led to accusations that he was disrupting public order, insulting Islam and its Armed Forces. Over 120 complaints were lodged with the General Prosecutor’s office. Tens of lawsuits were filed. He was publicly smeared. Opponents put his theatre under seige, even jamming his satellite signal during airing. Then came the arrest — a detainment that brought Bassem to the realization that his media career in Eqypt had come to a swift and decisive end, culminating in Bassem fleeing his homeland for the United States. Nonetheless, Bassem’s work made an indelible imprint on Middle East culture. He landed on TIME magazine’s annual 100 Most Influential People list. He was awarded the International Press Freedom Award by the CPJ and chosen by Foreign Policy magazine as one of the global thinkers. The focus of the acclaimed documentary Tickling Giants, Bassem is the author of Revolution for Dummies: Laughing Through the Arab Spring. And when he isn’t developing television projects or performing stand up comedy, he hosts a recently launched podcast entitled Remade In America. But Bassem’s latest act could be his most impactful to date: the quest to revolutionize nutrition and health across the Middle East. As passionate about the plant-based lifestyle as he is about political satire, Bassem is on an unlikely yet zealous quest to leverage his medical background and massive influence across the Middle East (10+ million twitter followers!) to better educate the region on the inextricable connection between nutrition, illness and optimal health. This is a powerful conversation about how one doctor became a lightning rod media figure in the cross hairs of political power and social unrest. It’s about fake news, free speech and the cultural imperative of political satire in responsible citizenship. And it’s a discourse on how this man’s personal evolution and relationship with food motivated a desire to redress the chronic lifestyle illness epidemic America has exported across the Middle East. Note: we conducted this interview at Bassem’s apartment in the midst of a crazy LA heatwave that left my studio with a pow...

Brian Rose On Why He Left Millions In Banking To Inspire Millions Online

“The brain is a pliable instrument. If you don’t program it, someone else will.” Brian Rose This week I explore the story of a extremely smart, capable and disciplined man who lost his way in the pursuit of the American Dream. It’s a quest that left him disillusioned. Broken and lost, it was only when he let go of that dream entirely that he ultimately found himself and the purpose and fulfillment that had always eluded him. Meet Brian Rose. San Diego born and bred, Brian earned a mechanical engineering degree from MIT and his MBA from the Sloan School of Management before heading to Wall Street to make a name for himself. With money came the fast-paced investment banker lifestyle that accompanies newfound riches. A hard-partying culture in which more was never enough. A warped sense of entitlement that led to financial success. And a perverted belief in his own invincibility that debased his sense of self and led to a heroin addiction that very nearly claimed his life. Professionally, emotionally and spiritually bankrupt, Brian was compelled to face his addiction and the existential crisis that provoked it — an epiphany in which he realized he could no longer continue along the path he had chosen for himself. He hated his work. He hated his life. And he hated himself. Thus began Brian’s journey to reclaim his life. A search for meaning. A path towards purpose. And a quest towards becoming whole. He only had to change one thing: everything. Walking away away from his lucrative banking career, Brian reinvents himself entirely — physically, mentally, spiritually and professionally. Without any experience, he embarks on a new self-styled career as the host of London Real, an intimate, high-gloss new media talk show launched in 2011 as an alternative to conventional media. The show is marked by humble beginnings, but ultimately it becomes a massive success. Over the last seven years, Brian has sat for intimate, in-depth conversations with some of the greatest minds on the planet, amassing over 100 million views along the way. An avid fan of London Real from the outset, I credit Brian as an inspiration for this show. But it wasn’t until this past year that my interest in meeting him quickened. Seven months ago my friend (and podcast favorite) John Joseph guested on London Real, challenging Brian Brian to tackle a half-ironman on a plant-based diet. Not only did Brian accept the challenge, he created a YouTube mini-series entitled Ironmind — a documentation of the mindset and preparation required to step outside one’s comfort zone. I loved it for the raw honesty in which Brian confronts his past: the shame of his heroin addiction; his history of misplaced priorities; and the spiritual epiphanies that led to his rebirth. Although the facts of our respective stories differ, I deeply related to Brian’s emotional journey. And I knew I needed to get him on the show. This is Brian’s story. It’s a story about one dynamic man’s quest to live and be better. It’s a conversation about a capsized American Dream. It’s about the search for happiness, fulfillment, contentedness and purpose. How these things we seek most simply cannot be found in the material. And why the path forward is achieved only through an elevation of consciousness. I sincerely hope you enjoy the exchange. Final note: Brian graciously allowed me to use his studio and team to produce both the audio and video for this episode. I strongly urge you to check out the full video version of the show (it’s beautiful),

John McAvoy: From Armed Robbery To Professional Athlete — One Man Reformed Through The Power of Sport

“I’ve nearly been shot dead by the police – twice. I’ve been to court and handed a life sentence at 24 years old. I’ve been around some of the most dangerous men in the country, actual psychopaths… When I race, I feel tremendously honored that I can compete.” John McAvoy I can say without equivocation John McAvoy’s story of metamorphosis is one of the most compelling, improbable, inspirational, and cinematic tales I have ever heard. Born into a notorious London crime family — think The Sopranos meets The Krays — John is a former high profile armed robber who bought his first gun at 16 and quickly became one of Britain’s most successful career criminals and most-wanted men. But it took two spells in prison and a close friend’s death amidst a heist gone awry to birth a desire to change — redemption he ultimately discovered through the transformative power of sport. Pulling one of the most improbable 180-degree life transformations of all time, John’s greatest heist isn’t a bank — it’s his life. While serving a double life sentence on the Belmarsh high security wing — space he shared with extremist cleric Abu Hamza and the 7/7 bombers — John decided to take a spin on the prison gym’s indoor rowing machine. That experience revealed a unmistakable fact — John’s freakish natural aptitude for endurance matched only by an inhuman ability to suffer. The epiphany was miraculous. And it would change his life forever. In short shrift, John broke a cluster of British and World indoor rowing records while in prison. Upon parole, he began forging a new life as a professional endurance athlete. Today, John is the world’s only Nike sponsored Ironman athlete, a stalwart mouthpiece for prison reform and a staunch advocate for the inherent power we all possess to course correct the trajectory of one’s life, no matter how dire the circumstances. If John’s story doesn’t inspire you to be better, then you might want to check yourself for a heartbeat.  In all honesty, I cant remember being so excited about sharing a podcast conversation. I sincerely hope the exchange inspires you to rethink your potential and the physical, mental and emotional limits you impose upon your inherent ability to live the life you desire. Peace + Plants, Listen, Watch & Subscribe                    Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Soundcloud | Stitcher | GooglePodcasts Thanks to this week’s sponsors Fully: From the popular Jarvis adjustable standing desks to their every-which-way active office chairs, to their many movement supporting accessories — anti-fatigue mats, treadmill desks and more — Fully is all about helping you bring more movement, energy and joy to your work and life. Get your body moving in your workspace, go to: www.fully.com/RICHROLL Harrys.com: A superior shave at an affordable price. Visit <a href="http://harrys.

Training Versus Exercise: Chris Hauth On The Athlete Mindset

“An athlete is a mindset. It’s how you prepare, think and execute. Not because of some elite status or physical stature. Anybody can be an athlete.” Chris Hauth Today I am once again joined by 2-time Olympian Chris Hauth for another edition of Coach’s Corner – a spin on my typical podcast format where I go deep and get granular on the physical, mental and emotional aspects of high performance for both sport and life. A sub-9 hour Ironman, Chris (@AIMPCoach) is an Age Group Ironman World Champion, a former 2-time Olympic Swimmer, and one of the world’s most respected endurance coaches. In 2006, Chris won the Ironman Coeur D’Alene and went on to be the first American amateur & 4th overall American at the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. When he’s not training and racing, Chris hosts the Weekly Word Podcast and runs AIMP Coaching, mentoring a wide spectrum of athletes ranging from elite professionals — including Ironman and Western States top finishers, Ultraman winners and Olympic Trials qualifiers — to first time half-marathoners. Whether you are an elite athlete or just starting out, Chris knows how to get the best out of athletes the right way. A long-time friend and mentor as much as a coach, I have been under Chris’ tutelage since 2008, during which time he deftly guided me through three Ultraman World Championships (’08, ’09 & ’11), EPIC5 in 2010 and the Ötillö Swimrun World Championships in 2017, an event we raced together as a team. I could have never achieved the level of athletic success I have enjoyed without Chris’ deft counsel, so it is with pleasure that I share more of his wisdom with you today. This is a conversation and audience Q&A; that explores what it means to adopt the athlete mindset. It’s about the differences between intentional training versus simply exercising. And it’s about the key practices that — when performed consistently — most influence success in both sport and life. But most of all, this is a discourse about why anyone can be an athlete — a state of mind and action that has nothing to with elite status or genetic gifts and everything to do with your relationship with yourself and how you navigate the world at large. I sincerely hope you enjoy the exchange. For the visually inclined, you can watch our entire conversation on YouTube here: bit.ly/coachscorner377 Peace + Plants, Listen, Watch & Subscribe                    Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Soundcloud | Stitcher | GooglePlay Thanks to this week’s sponsors DesignCrowd: Custom graphic, logo and web design from over 550,

How Des Linden Won Boston: Lessons on Big Goals, Showing Up & Loving The Work

“Some days it just flows and I feel like I’m born to do this, other days it feels like I’m trudging through hell. Every day I make the choice to show up and see what I’ve got, and to try and be better. My advice: keep showing up.” Des Linden On April 16, 2018, Des Linden captured the hearts of millions the world over by becoming the first American female in 33 years to win the prestigious Boston Marathon. It wasn’t just that she won. It’s how she won. You see, this wasn’t supposed to be Des’ year. It wasn’t supposed to be Des’ race. Her preparation wasn’t ideal. She didn’t feel great. And doubt crept in. On top of everything, the weather conditions were unprecedented. So Des Linden decided to do what nobody does — sacrifice herself and her personal performance for the benefit of her friends. She famously pulled up when Shalane Flanagan detoured to the porta potty to pace her back to the group. Then selflessly repeated the gesture to help Molly Huddle bridge a separation gap. These are not things you do when you are in it to win it. But Des Linden is no ordinary athlete. And this was no ordinary race. At mile 22, Des surged out of nowhere, impossibly depositing her into the lead. In the biggest race of her life — on a day when Mother Nature and her icy rains and 25mph headwinds proved the biggest antagonist — she finally claimed the precious victory that had always previously eluded her. Today the 2-time Olympian shares her story. How she did it. What got her there. What it all means. And what’s next. This is a conversation with Des and her long-time manager Josh Cox — the U.S. 50K record holder and former elite marathoner in his own right — about a storied athletic career that until now lacked just one thing: a major marathon victory. It’s about what this particular victory means not just to Des, but to American women’s marathoning and running in general. It’s about the mindset that propelled her career to this historic moment. It’s about leveraging past failures as an opportunity to grow — because failure is simply an action, not an identity. But more than anything, this is a conversation about the power of showing up. Because when you simply keep showing up for that which you love, you make room for the miracle. Applicable in running. Perhaps even more applicable in life. I sincerely hope you enjoy the exchange. For the visually inclined, you can watch our entire conversation on YouTube here: http://bit.ly/richanddes Peace + Plants, P.S. – Photo credit for images of Des courtesy of Carrie Cox. Listen, Watch & Subscribe                    Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Soundcloud | Stitcher | GooglePlay Thanks to this week’s sponsors On Running: Born in the Swiss Alps, On Running shoes feature the first patented cushioning system which is activated only ...

Utkarsh Ambudkar Is Breaking Hollywood Stereotypes

“I don’t have the muscle of self-pity.” Utkarsh Ambudkar One day you get a call from your friend Lin-Manuel Miranda. “I’ve got this thing I’m working on,” he says. “Are you interested?” Without thought or question, Utkarsh Ambudkar jumps at the opportunity. That ‘thing’ happened to be a little play you might have heard of called Hamilton. And the part wasn’t just any part. It was the leading turn as Aaron Burr — a role Utkarsh originated on-stage at Lincoln Center. Unfortunately, the stage lights on Utkarsh would soon dim. Dedication was foiled by ego. Partying took precedence over the work. In a word, he just couldn’t seem to get out of his own way. And so before Hamilton even really became HAMILTON, Lin was compelled to let Utkarsh go. This role of a lifetime, it seemed, would not be Utkarsh’s to claim after all. It’s a turn of events that ultimately brought Utkarsh to his knees. Perhaps for the very first time, he was forced to reckon with himself honestly — one important link in a chain of events that would eventually lead Utkarsh to a singular, profound realization that would indelibly change his life forever: he had to change. Not just one thing, but everything. An actor, musician, rapper and NYU Tisch School of The Arts graduate, Utkarsh is best known for his standout performances in movies like Pitch Perfect, Barbershop, Million Dollar Arm and Basmati Blues as well as television shows like The Mindy Project and White Famous. One of many South Asian actors making a recent but undeniable stamp on Hollywood, Utkarsh’s latest movie is Blindspotting, a powerful new film starring Hamilton’s Daveed Diggs that rocked audiences at Sundance this past winter and will be screening in select U.S. cities starting July 20. When he isn’t in front of the camera, Utkarsh can be found on stage with his friends as part of Freestyle Love Supreme, the hip hop improv crew that includes none other than Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda himself, or making music — check out his EP Bang Bang and his ‘hauntingly beautiful’ cover rendition of The Proclaimers’ 500 Miles. Perhaps his biggest opportunity to date, Utkarsh recently decamped for a six-month stint in New Zealand where he is working on the Disney big-budget, live-action production of Mulan. Beyond his formidable performative gifts, Utkarsh has an infectious enthusiasm for life. A friend for several years, I have to come to really love this young man. It’s been a privilege to observe him mature into his talent, take ownership of his life, and share his huge heart and what he has learned for the benefit of others. Today he shares his story. This is a conversation about what it means to cultivate a creative life. It’s about confronting Hollywood stereotypes. And it’s a frank exchange about battling and overcoming an addiction that nearly destroyed a young life and a promising career before it barely even began. Raw and unedited, Utkarsh’s tale is powerful, certain to both move and inspire. My hope is that you see in him what I see — the power of true sobriety to shape a person into that which they were always meant to be. So together,

There’s Always A Way: Alex Banayan on The Third Door

“Life, business, success . . . it’s just like a nightclub. There are always three ways in.” Alex Banayan The day before his freshman year final exams, 18-year old Alex Banayan hacked The Price Is Right, won a sailboat, sold it, and used the prize money to fund his quest to learn from the worldʼs most successful people. Over the next seven years, he pursued a graduate degree in persistence and perseverance from the University of Life. He snuck into Warren Buffett’s shareholders meeting. He chased Larry King through a grocery store. He celebrated with Lady Gaga in the hottest nightclub. Along the way, he landed remarkable one-on-one interviews with Bill Gates, Maya Angelou, Steve Wozniak, Jane Goodall, Quincy Jones, and many more. Alex’s major discovery? Each and every icon shared one thing in common: they all took something he calls The Third Door. Since that fateful day on the Price Is Right, Alex went on to become the world’s youngest venture capital executive, a coup that landed him on Forbesʼ ’30 Under 30′ list and Business Insiderʼs ‘Most Powerful People Under 30.’ He has delivered keynotes at prestigious organizations like Apple, Nike, IBM, Dell, MTV and even Harvard. He has contributed to publications like Fast Company, the Washington Post, Entrepreneur, and TechCrunch. And he has been featured everywhere from Fortune, Forbes, Businessweek and Bloomberg to Fox News, & CBS News. This week, Alex’s new book chronicling his wild seven-year adventure — aptly entitled The Third Door — hit bookstores everywhere. I first met Alex about 6 years ago. Just 19 at the time, he was in the very early stages of putting his book together. I liked him instantly, and left our lunch impressed with his rare mix of precociousness, infectious enthusiasm and raw authenticity. We stayed in touch. And that day I made him a promise: should he ever finish his book (something I doubted at the time) that he had an open invite to share his story on the podcast. Today I honor that promise. This is a conversation about one young man’s determination to find his way in the world. It’s about a quest to learn what cannot be taught in the confines of a classroom. It’s about never giving up. And it’s about always finding a way. But most of all, this is a very personal exchange between two friends about what it really means to pursue a dream. Peace + Plants, Listen, Watch & Subscribe                    Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Soundcloud | Stitcher | GooglePlay

Jesse Itzler On Building Your Life Resume & Why Happiness Is An Action

“I think a lot of people look at ‘happiness’ as a decision and I look at it as how I choose to live my life — doing things that make me happy with the people that make me happy.” Jesse Itzler It’s easy to take risks when your back is against the wall. But it’s the rare individual that will continue to push the envelope, face fear and embrace the unknown when that person could choose to live without self-imposed obstacles. Jesse Itzler is one such human. After a barnburner appearance on the podcast back in 2015 (check RRP #197 if you missed it), the man who lives so far “out of the box” that there is no box returns for another stellar exchange that does not disappoint. For those new to the show, this is a guy who fast-talked his way right out of college into a recording contract, ultimately taking his music all the way to MTV, the Billboard 100 and even an Emmy. Jesse then takes a wild entrepreneurial left-turn, creating and ultimately selling big companies like Marquis Jet, the world’s largest prepaid private jet card company, and Zico Coconut Water, before wooing Spanx founder (and Shark Tank guest host) Sarah Blakely all the way to the altar. Despite his tremendous success as a serial entrepreneur, Jesse started to feel his life stagnate. Desperate to avoid the malaise of risk adversity visited upon many a prosperous peer, he embarks on a hare-brained scheme to invite adventure back into his life by convincing Navy SEAL David Goggins — the most popular episode in the history of this show — to move in with him. David relents on one condition: that Jesse comply with David’s every demand, no matter how severe. The insanity that ensues is hilariously chronicled in Living With A SEAL, Jesse’s well deserved New York Times bestseller. He eats only fruit before noon. He runs 100 mile races. He raises millions for charity. And when he isn’t playing super dad to his four kids (check his Instagram stories for daily dad episodes), he’s an in demand motivational speaker (check out his TEDx Talk) who just happens to own the Atlanta Hawks NBA franchise with a few friends. No biggie. So the question is: how does this guy have such an extraordinary life? Jesse boils it down to one singular mission statement: Live life full blast. Never be afraid to fail. And never, ever allow yourself to stagnate. In an effort to cultivate community around this ethos, Jesse recently launched Made of Challenges, a series of totally unique, end-to-end weekend experiences that are one part wellness retreat (complete with glamping tents and world-class speakers), one part next-level athletic challenge. Come August is Made of Denali, which entails jogging, hiking or crawling up a mountain in Utah, taking a gondola down, and repeating nine times until you have climbed 20,310 vertical feet — the equivalent of Mt. Denali, the highest peak in North America. In addition, Jesse has a new book coming out this week. An inward-facing sequel to his Goggins-fueled physical escapades, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1478993421/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag;=ricroloffweb-20&creative;=9325&linkCode;=as2&creativeASIN;=1478993421&link..;.

Fasting For Longevity With Valter Longo, Ph.D.

“Let’s combine hacking with our history — and where we come from — to make sure we stay in tune with evolution.” Valter Longo PhD When it comes to longevity, the goal isn’t just to live as long as possible. The true objective is to live as vibrantly and energetically as possible for as long as possible. So how exactly do we do this? Valter Longo, Ph.D. has devoted his life to answering this question. Along the way, his groundbreaking discoveries hold the potential to change your life in truly dramatic fashion. One of the world’s leading scientific authorities on the subject of longevity, Dr. Longo is an expert in gerontology and biological science as well as the Director of the USC Longevity Institute and the Program on Longevity and Cancer at IFOM in Milan, both of which focus on developing a better scientific understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of aging, disease and, of course, longevity. In addition, Dr. Longo is the author of an extraordinary new book entitled, The Longevity Diet. The culmination of 25 years of research on aging, nutrition and disease across the globe, it provides an easy-to-understand, accessible and implementable road map to living to living well longer through improved nutrition. What differentiates Dr. Longo from many of his peers is that his focus is not purely academic, but practical. From his exhaustive research on aging in both mice and humans, he has created specific diet and lifestyle protocols scientifically proven to active stem cells; promote organ regeneration and rejuvenation; reduce the risk for diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s and heart disease; and ultimately extend that which we all seek: lifespan. As discussed at length over the course of our almost 2-hour exchange, Dr. Longo’s specific longevity prescription entails a daily diet regimen based on a studied group of centenarians (think Blue Zones). He then combines this with a periodic 5-day fasting protocol called the Fasting Mimicking Diet (undertaken 3-4 times per year), designed to reap the benefits of a true calorie free fast while still nourishing the body daily. This is a powerful conversation the explores all of the foregoing. It’s about what promotes longevity and what undermines it. Separating truth from misconception, it’s exploration of the benefits of fasting and the science that supports it. And it’s a primer on the optimal lifestyle protocols you can employ in your every day life to live well and long. Break out pen and paper because you’re going to want to take notes on this one. It’s an honor and a privilege to share Dr. Longo’s experience with you — one of my most important podcasts to date. I sincerely hope you not only enjoy the exchange, but employ his wisdom for your long-term well-being. Because we all deserve to live our best life. For the visually inclined, you can watch our conversation on YouTube at: http://bit.ly/richandvalter If you are enjoying the video versions of the show, do me a favor and subscribe! I sincerely hope you enjoy the exchange. Peace + Plants, Listen, Watch & Subscribe <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rich-roll-podcast/id582272991?

Kurt Sutter Is A Fearless Storyteller

“I should be dead. I know that. I should not be successful. I know that too. My daily existence is a toss of the coin – one side, fear, the other side, gratitude.” Kurt Sutter Fundamentally, I’m a people pleaser. It took years of sobriety before I realized this is more character defect than positive attribute. I continue to struggle with it often. Kurt Sutter doesn’t have this problem. A writer, actor, director, and long-time loyal friend, Kurt is a man utterly unafraid to be exactly who he is — a passionate artist committed to his creative vision for both life and art. Kurt’s description of his upbringing is vintage Sutter: Raised in the shadow of Rahway prison, Kurt spent most of his New Jersey childhood indoors, away from people, three feet from a TV screen. That’s where he learned the essentials of storytelling and the comic significance of anvils. Anvils aside, you most likely know Kurt as the creator, head writer and showrunner of Sons of Anarchy, the critically acclaimed outlaw motorcycle club psychodrama with a fanbase so rabid, it became the biggest hit television show in the FX network’s history. After humble beginnings performing off-off-Broadway in theatres, lofts and (in his words) holding cells (more vintage Sutter), Kurt caught his first major break in 2001, booking a staff writer gig on FX’s The Shield, where he spent the next seven years mastering the fundamentals of fearless television storytelling and rising up the ranks to graduate as one of the show’s coveted Executive Producers. Then came Sons. A seven-year, Shakespearean eruption of vigilantism, government corruption, racism, loyalty and human transformation, the show struck an immediate cultural nerve, cementing itself in the zeitgeist and skyrocketing Kurt to Hollywood’s A-list. Kurt’s creative output is impressive. Beyond Sons, Kurt penned Southpaw, a gritty feature-length boxing drama originally written for Eminem that ultimately starred Jake Gyllenhaal. He created The Bastard Executioner, a historical drama that ran for one season of FX, and a comic book mini-series called Lucas Stand. Mayans MC, Kurt’s third television drama for FX, is set to debut soon. And this list doesn’t even include Kurt’s many feature projects currently in development. A self-described misanthrope, let’s just say Kurt has a penchant for unapologetically speaking his mind — a disposition at odds with Hollywood etiquette that has resulted in more than a few skirmishes. But the Kurt I know — the Kurt I have been friends with for well over a decade – is a man quite apart from the reputation that often precedes him. He’s a family man. A husband and father of three children. A great friend. An example of selfless service. And an extraordinary artist. It may sound like a Cinderella story. But success for Kurt didn’t come easy. And it didn’t come early. Overweight throughout his youth, he once tipped the scale at 400 pounds. Then came the drugs and alcohol — a battle he very nearly lost. It’s a helluva ride. Today, we get into all of it. For the visually inclined, you can watch the conversation on YouTube at: http://bit.ly/richandkurt. If you are enjoying the video versions of the show, do me a favor and subscribe! Peace + Plants, Listen, Watch & Subscribe                   <a href="...

Ultimate Weight Loss Secrets With Chef AJ

“Many people don’t change until the pain associated with change is less than the pain of staying the same.” Chef AJ Let’s be clear: just because you’re vegan doesn’t mean you’re healthy. To be sure, for so many reasons, eating animal free is awesome. But it’s not a wellness panacea. Oreo cookies and Lay’s potato chips are vegan. Unless your diet is liberated from the growing abundance of refined and highly processed processed foods, you’re prone to confront the same weight management issues and chronic lifestyle illnesses that plague the average consumer subsisting on the standard American diet. Just ask Chef AJ. A vegan chef for almost 40 years, she nonetheless struggled mightily with obesity for decades — prisoner to an addiction to processed snacks, refined sugar desserts, and an array of vegan junk foods that left her not only chronically overweight, but seriously unwell. AJ’s salvation came only when she finally became willing to confront her unhealthy relationship with food as a true addiction. It’s a journey that required her to completely let go of habits that no longer served her, accept help, and embrace an entirely new relationship with food in the form of a whole foods, plant-based lifestyle. This is her story — an inspiring tale of triumph and personal transformation that will leave you rethinking your own habits. Enabled with the tools required to achieve and maintain your optimal body weight. And empowered to live your best life. A former comedian, today Chef AJ is a renown plant-based chef, culinary instructor, public speaker and member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine with a certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition from Cornell University. An expert in food addiction, emotional eating and creating meals to transform health, AJ is the host of the television series Healthy Living with Chef AJ and has appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Late Show with David Letterman and more. In addition, she is author of Unprocessed: How to Achieve Vibrant Health and Your Ideal Weight. Her latest book, The Secrets To Ultimate Weight Loss comes out soon (release date TBA). Full of life, AJ is one of my favorite health warriors, totally committed to serving others. Picking up where we left off in RRP #56 way back in 2013, this conversation is a must listen for anyone who struggles with food addiction, unhealthy cravings and a fluctuating waistline. As impactful as it is entertaining, it’s an exchange about the often under-addressed emotional aspects of eating. It’s about the hows and whys behind empowering a new relationship with food. And it’s about the joy, vitality and self-esteem that can be experienced by breaking the chains of food addiction. I sincerely hope you enjoy this interaction as much as I enjoyed having it. More importantly, my hope is that you put AJ’s insights to work — because if she can do it, you can too. A reminder that the podcast is also viewable on YouTube here: http://bit.ly/chefajrrp If you are enjoying the videos, please subscribe! Peace + Plants, Listen, Watch & Subscribe                   <a href="https://play.google.

AMORE! Rich & Julie On Relationships — Plus Italian Cuisine 2.0

“It’s an amazing opportunity when you develop the ability to observe yourself.” Julie Piatt Do you think a healthy vegan lifestyle means giving up your favorite creamy pastas and cheesy pizzas? Think again. Today I sit down with Julie Piatt – mi amore in life, parenting, and service — for a two-part podcast. First up is everything you need to know about our brand new, super awesome cookbook & lifestyle guide, The Plantpower Way: Italia: Delicious Vegan Recipes from the Italian Countryside — hitting bookstores everywhere next week. Shifting gears, Julie and I then turn our attention on relationships. It’s a look into how we’ve maintained our 20-year partnership in life and work, and what can be mined from our experience to deepen intimacy with your amore. THE PLANTPOWER WAY: ITALIA — GIVEAWAY Inspired by our annual retreats in Tuscany, our follow up to The Plantpower Way pays homage to Italy’s rich food history with an extraordinary collection of 125 delicious, nutritious and entirely plant-based Italian recipes animated by the country’s most popular and time-honored dishes. Filled with fresh vegan takes on Italian staples, inventive new recipes, and stunning photographs of the Italian countryside, this book — we call it Italian 2.0 — is our celebration of Italy’s most delicious flavors and will show everyone a fresh, beautiful, and healthful side to Italian cooking. This book is a labor of love. It’s a family affair. It’s a book you’ll use daily. A book you will give as a gift and proudly display on your coffee table for friends to peruse. But most of all, it’s a book that could change your life. And we simply cannot wait to finally share it with you. Pre-order sales are super important to the books ultimate viability, as they heavily influence retail purchaser demand and visibility. So if this sounds like a book for you, then it would mean a great deal to Julie and me if you would entrust us with a pre-order purchase from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target or your favorite independent bookseller. Pick one up for yourself. For a relative in need. Or in anticipation of your friend’s impending birthday. To sweeten the pot, we’re giving away a spot to one lucky female to our upcoming (sold out) Tuscany retreat — valued at $5,000! — May 19-24, 2018. For rules and to enter, click here. To close, understand that greater health is always within your grasp. So take our hand. And make the leap. Because there is a better way.