In this episode, I give you an insider’s glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.’ What you’ll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success.

In the following hot seat session, community member Jeffrey Lerner is dealing with career anxiety which is manifesting itself largely as procrastination. As many of my students (myself included) have discovered in the past, the root cause of procrastination is often a bigger psychological issue rooted in perfectionism. If you’ve ever felt stuck in a job you didn’t want but were paralyzed to make a change, listen in to see how Jeffrey’s situation might apply to your own.

Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!

→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format

Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?

→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-zack-arnold-podcast/exclusive-content

When it comes to health and wellness there is no shortage of information on the interwebs. I would argue that there is way too much information, and trying to sift through what's true and what's garbage is enough to make anyone throw up their hands in despair. (And don’t even get me started on the number of “thought leaders” and “influencers” complicating things even further). Because it’s so difficult to discern what works and what’s a gimmick, most people only approach their health on an as-needed basis (who’s got time for anything else?). When something goes wrong, you go to the doctor. In fact, that’s what our traditional medical system is designed to do - treat sickness.

But what if you strive to be more than just “not sick” and instead you want to optimize your health?

I spent most of my life simply thinking the doctor was there to help me when I was sick, which led me to literally hitting rock bottom both mentally and physically before I decided to take an active role in my health and well-being. When I finally looked for help I was disillusioned by what conventional western medicine doctors had to offer me. Then I found Dr. Edison de Mello and The Akasha Center.

Dr. Edison de Mello, is the founder, CEO, and medical director of the Akasha Center for Integrative Medicine in Santa Monica, CA and has been my doctor for over fifteen years now. He’s also now become a very close friend who has literally saved not just my life but the lives of several of my closest family members and friends. In today’s conversation we help you better understand what “Integrative Medicine” really means (and trust me, it has nothing to do with magic crystals or incense). We also discuss the benefits of having regular doctor's visits (even if you feel fine) and how the work he does in integrative medicine treats the patient as a whole person and not just simply the disease.

If you're discouraged with traditional western medicine and looking for a more comprehensive and preventative approach to your health, this episode is a great primer on getting started down the road towards integrative medicine and a better approach to your well-being.

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» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

• How Dr. de Mello started out and what sparked his interest in becoming a doctor.
• Why he started the Akasha Center in Santa Monica and what the guiding premise is of the center.
• What the benefits and drawbacks of western medicine are and how integrative medicine can compliment it.
• The mood enhancing and immunity boosting benefits of acupuncture.
• Integrative medicine is for patients that want to be truly "seen" by their doctors.
• Why he asks his medical students to tell him what the color of the patient's eyes are.
• Is integrative medicine for you? What questions you need to ask yourself.
• Which vitamin is the miracle vitamin that most people are deficient in.
• What small steps you can take toward better health and wellbeing.
• The differences in calories: quality vs. quantity.
• The easy trick to reduce the number of calories you eat during meal time.
• Are there good fats or bad fats? Which should you be eating?
• How to properly fuel your body and why timing matters.
• The importance of listening to your body when you are exercising.
• The difference between high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and steady state low intensity cardio training.
• What supplements to take to fuel your workouts.
• KEY TAKEAWAY: Consistency leads to habit change.
• How to get better quality sleep.
• What effect computer screens have on the brain and how it influences your ability to sleep.
• The best supplements to take to improve your quality of sleep.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

The Akasha Center

Akasha Naturals

Vital Fuel

About Dr. de Mello

Is Sugar Toxic? - The New York Times

f.lux: software to make your life better

Continue to Listen & Learn

Ep01: Understanding the Link Between Creativity and Depression with Dr. Edison de Mello

Ep28: The Science Behind Depression and Anxiety | with Dr. D and Dr. Michael Mark

Why Supplements Are Worth the Investment (And The Ones You Can Trust)

Ep82: Real Talk About Mental Health and Depression | with Michael Kammes

Ep95: On the Frontlines with COVID-19, How to Boost Your Immunity, & Testing Safely | with Dr. Edison de Mello

Ep149: How Modern Society Is Damaging Your Brain (and the Simple Steps to Reverse It) | with Dr. Dave Jenkins

Ep84: How to Use 'Intuitive Eating' To Change Your Relationship With Food | with Melissa Costello

Ep136: Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACE

Tired of Holding it Together All the Time? Here are Five Basic Needs to Get You Back On Track

Ep118: Legendary Editor Walter Murch On Optimizing Creativity, Productivity, and Well-Being In Hollywood For 50+ Years

Ep55: How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear

Ep132: How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

Ep98: P90X Creator Tony Horton on Covid-19, Staying Healthy During Quarantine, Boosting Immunity, & More

Our Generous Sponsors:

Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast

As work begins to slowly trickle in again, perhaps the most pressing challenge we as creative professionals face in our post-pandemic reality is real-time collaboration. Zoom is great for meetings, but it sure doesn't work for streaming video. Luckily this problem has now been solved for all of us. If you haven't heard of Evercast, it's time to become acquainted. Because Evercast's real-time remote collaboration technology is CHANGING. THE. GAME.

→ Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action!

This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don’t spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you.

Guest Bio:

Dr. Edison de Mello, MD, PhD, is a board certified Integrative Physician by the American Board of Integrative Medicine and a licensed psychotherapist by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. He practiced psychotherapy for 13 years before entering medical training and now practices and teaches evidenced- based integrative medicine.

Dr. de Mello’s PhD dissertation, entitled “Gut Feelings – A Psychosocial Approach to Gastrointestinal Illness,” inspired his conception of a center where psychology would be combined and fully integrated with Western and Eastern medicines. The de Mello Institute was formed in 1996 with the goal of employing safe and complementary approaches to healthcare while also addressing a person’s emotional and spiritual health and safe ed treatment. Fully committed to these goals, Dr. de Mello entered residency in 1999 at the prestigious Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Beth Israel Medical Center Urban Family Residency program in New York City, including training at the Manhattan-based Center for Health and Healing. His training utilized a biopsychosocial model and offered innovative experiences in the integration of complementary medicine into the practice of Family Medicine. Upon completing his medical training, Dr. de Mello expanded the de Mello Institute and founded the Akasha Center for Integrative Medicine.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-zack-arnold-podcast/exclusive-content

In this episode, I give you an insider’s glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.’ What you’ll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success.

In the following hot seat session, community member Ariel Fujita wants help preparing for a meet & greet phone call (that she landed via awesome outreach, by the way) with a color assistant at a big color facility to determine if it would be a company she would like to work for. It is always critical to ask the right questions and understand what your key takeaways would be to make the conversation worthwhile. Listen in as we discuss a game plan and strategy so she can get her most important questions answered and possibly build a new long-term relationship in the process.

Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!

→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format

Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?

→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-zack-arnold-podcast/exclusive-content

For a long time now I’ve wanted to sit down and do an interview with my mother to ask her the big questions about life that we seldom (if ever) really discuss. So for this Mother’s Day, I decided it was time to prioritize this conversation, even if it meant having to suffer through the perils of recording on Zoom as opposed to chatting face-to-face.

This episode is a very special and personal one that I recorded for me, not for social media shares, not for search engine optimization, and not to grow an email list. This one is for me. But my hope is that listening to today’s conversation inspires you to reach out to your parents (if you’re fortunate enough they are still alive), or your siblings, or those who helped shape the person you are today so you can have an honest conversation just like this one.

This is the second of a 2 part interview where I’ve created a series of 20 specific questions I’m calling “20 Questions to Ask Your Mom On Mother’s Day” (which can of course be repurposed to suit your needs). These questions were inspired by a similar exercise from high performance coach Brendon Burchard in this Facebook post. Here is Part 1 of the interview if you haven't listened to it yet.

If you’d like to use the same 10 questions I asked in the first part of this interview, here they are:

YOUR FAMILY

• How did you meet your spouse, when, and how did you know they were the one?
• Were you scared to become a parent?
• What is your proudest memory of being a parent?
• What three words would best describe your approach to being a parent?
• In regards to both their careers and life choices, what is the most important thing my children should focus on?

YOUR LIFE

• What three words would you say best describe who you tried to be in life and how you want to be remembered?
• What were the three best decisions you’ve ever made?
• What are you most proud of in life?
• What message do you have for your spouse that you want her/him to always keep in mind about you and your relationship together?
• What are you most thankful for?

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Continue to Listen & Learn

Ep150: 20 Questions to Ask Your Mom on Mother’s Day Pt1 | with Jane Arnold

Ep108: 20 Questions to Ask Your Father on Father’s Day Pt1 | with Al Arnold

Ep109: 20 Questions to Ask Your Father on Father’s Day Pt2 | with Al Arnold

Parenting Resources for Creative Professionals

Our Generous Sponsors:

Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast

As work begins to slowly trickle in again, perhaps the most pressing challenge we as creative professionals face in our post-pandemic reality is real-time collaboration. Zoom is great for meetings, but it sure doesn't work for streaming video. Luckily this problem has now been solved for all of us. If you haven't heard of Evercast, it's time to become acquainted. Because Evercast's real-time remote collaboration technology is CHANGING. THE. GAME.

→ Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action!

This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don’t spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you.

Guest Bio:

 

From 1995 to 2015, Jane Arnold was a part-time instructor at St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, Viterbo University, Wisconsin Bankers Association, Northcentral Technical College and Connected University Harper Collins Publishing. She was also a Macintosh expert at Wisconsin Public Radio.

She graduated from University of Wisconsin Milwaukee in 1971 and finished her masters in 1976. She was the founder and president of Wisconsin Council for Gifted and Talented from 1975-1978 and was also involved in various gifted programs until 1982. She was also a part of the Project HAPPE from 1974-1978.

Aside from her career in education, Jane was also the Vice President of Bank One Wisconsin Trust Company. She was also active in the community, being involved in organizations such as the YWCA GREATER Milwaukee, Girl Scouts of Greater Milwaukee, University Lake School and Waukesha County Technical College.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-zack-arnold-podcast/exclusive-content

For a long time now I’ve wanted to sit down and do an interview with my mother to ask her the big questions about life that we seldom (if ever) really discuss. So for this Mother’s Day, I decided it was time to prioritize this conversation, even if it meant having to suffer through the perils of recording on Zoom as opposed to chatting face-to-face.

This episode is a very special and personal one that I recorded for me, not for social media shares, not for search engine optimization, and not to grow an email list. This one is for me. But my hope is that listening to today’s conversation inspires you to reach out to your parents (if you’re fortunate enough they are still alive), or your siblings, or those who helped shape the person you are today so you can have an honest conversation just like this one.

This is the first of a 2 part interview where I’ve created a series of 20 specific questions I’m calling “20 Questions to Ask Your Mom On Mother’s Day” (which can of course be repurposed to suit your needs). These questions were inspired by a similar exercise from high performance coach Brendon Burchard in this Facebook post.

If you’d like to use the same 10 questions I asked in the first part of this interview, here they are:

YOUR BACKGROUND

• When were you born, where, and what memories come to mind when you think about growing up as a young child?
• What are the most formative memories or experiences you had as a child or teenager that led you to the person you have become today?
• What is the most important lesson you learned from your mom?
• What is the most important lesson you learned from your dad?
• If your parents were still alive today and could talk to my kids (their great-grandchildren), what would they want to share with them?

YOUR CAREER

• What path did you begin on in life when you first became an adult and why?
• What career path (or paths) have you followed since then and why?
• What do (did) you love the most about your career?
• What makes you successful at what you do?
• What do you believe about yourself that has helped you endure difficult times, and what is the most difficult experience you remember teaching you this lesson?

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Continue to Listen & Learn

Ep108: 20 Questions to Ask Your Father on Father’s Day Pt1 | with Al Arnold

Ep109: 20 Questions to Ask Your Father on Father’s Day Pt2 | with Al Arnold

Parenting Resources for Creative Professionals

Our Generous Sponsors:

Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast

As work begins to slowly trickle in again, perhaps the most pressing challenge we as creative professionals face in our post-pandemic reality is real-time collaboration. Zoom is great for meetings, but it sure doesn't work for streaming video. Luckily this problem has now been solved for all of us. If you haven't heard of Evercast, it's time to become acquainted. Because Evercast's real-time remote collaboration technology is CHANGING. THE. GAME.

→ Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action!

This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don’t spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you.

Guest Bio:

 

From 1995 to 2015, Jane Arnold was a part-time instructor at St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, Viterbo University, Wisconsin Bankers Association, Northcentral Technical College and Connected University Harper Collins Publishing. She was also a Macintosh expert at Wisconsin Public Radio.

She graduated from University of Wisconsin Milwaukee in 1971 and finished her masters in 1976. She was the founder and president of Wisconsin Council for Gifted and Talented from 1975-1978 and was also involved in various gifted programs until 1982. She was also a part of the Project HAPPE from 1974-1978.

Aside from her career in education, Jane was also the Vice President of Bank One Wisconsin Trust Company. She was also active in the community, being involved in organizations such as the YWCA GREATER Milwaukee, Girl Scouts of Greater Milwaukee, University Lake School and Waukesha County Technical College.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-zack-arnold-podcast/exclusive-content

If I were to ask you what your greatest asset is in producing quality creative work on a consistent daily basis, you would most likely say your computer, right? Despite technology being incredibly important for your work, ultimately it’s your brain that is responsible for every function you perform and how well you perform creatively depends on the overall health of your brain.

Yet as a creative professional you most likely fuel yourself on a daily basis with caffeine and afternoon sugar rushes, you fend off brain fog and the inevitable afternoon nap, and you’ll deprive yourself of sleep for however long it takes to make your latest project perfect.

But how is your modern lifestyle not only affecting your general health but also your brain health? And how much do you know about what your brain needs to function optimally? What if there were simple steps you could take to improve your brain function so that you have more consistent energy and more creativity throughout the day? What if there were easy ways to improve your mood, reduce stress, anxiety, burnout and even stave off degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's in the process?

My guest today is Dr. Dave Jenkins, co-founder of The More Model. With experience in both the traditional medical fields as well as functional and integrative medicine, Dr. Jenkins specializes specifically in brain health and how we can optimize our brain function and fight back against the “diseases of modern civilization.” He shares with us some encouraging research being done in the field of brain health and cognitive performance and how you can take a proactive role in optimizing your brain power. This conversation will make it clear why paying attention to your brain health is vitally important to your career while giving you simple and practical ways to increase your creativity, productivity, and give you consistent energy to fuel your long days at your workstation (all while extending your life as well).

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

• What sparked Dr. Jenkins interest in studying the brain and getting into functional and integrative medicine.
• The difference between integrative medicine and functional medicine.
• Alopathic medicine does not adequately train doctor's in diet and nutrition
• The reputation of the Cleveland Clinic and how it's at the forefront of functional medicine.
• What is the MORE Model
• Alzheimer's is the result of modern life.
• The research from UCLA doctor Dr. Dale Bredeson that explains why brain cells die and documents the reversal of Alzheimer's in it's early stages.
• Managing inflammation, coupled with mindfulness meditation and focus is a good recipe for improving brain health.
• Changing the priority of health is the first step to be take before a doctor can
• The discovery of the glymphatic system and how it relates to your sleep
• How bad sleep leads to brain fog and why.
• Melatonin is a hormone and what you need to understand before taking it.
• Bumping up nutrient density in your diet is excellent for brain health
• The special way to eat your broccoli sprouts to extract the most beneficial detox and brain boosting effects.
• The contributing factors that lead to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's that starts early in life and can be reversed if caught early.
• White bread is worse than sugar for the brain.
• The evidence that shows why movement is so crucial for brain health and longevity.
• The hippocampus is the first pat of the brain that is affected by Alzheimer's. You can grow this part of the brain with exercise.
• How you can get started creating habits that will improve your brain health.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Dr. Dave Jenkin's Website

Dr. Dale Bredesen says we CAN end Alzheimer's | The Dr. Gundry Podcast

The Food Pyramid: Its History, Purpose, and Effectiveness

Sitting is the New Smoking | Mayo Clinic Connect

Ep30: How Regular Movement Makes You Smarter | with Dr. John Ratey

Ep23: How Being Sedentary Is Damaging You (According to NASA) | with Dr. Joan Vernikos

Continue to Listen & Learn

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Ep136: Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACE

Tired of Holding it Together All the Time? Here are Five Basic Needs to Get You Back On Track

Ep118: Legendary Editor Walter Murch On Optimizing Creativity, Productivity, and Well-Being In Hollywood For 50+ Years

Ep55: How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear

Ep132: How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

Ep98: P90X Creator Tony Horton on Covid-19, Staying Healthy During Quarantine, Boosting Immunity, & More

Ep120: It’s Never Too Late to Get Stronger (and Become a Ninja) | with Ginny MacColl, ANW

Ep121: Breaking Down Impossible Obstacles to Make (Almost) Anything Achievable | with Jessie Graff, ANW

Ep06: Defining Your Purpose and Living Large | with Tony Horton

Ep68: How to Go From Couch to the (Spartan) Course | with Rose Wetzel, ANW

Ep60: Getting 1% Better Every Single Day | with Westley Silvestri, ANW

Our Generous Sponsors:

Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast

As work begins to slowly trickle in again, perhaps the most pressing challenge we as creative professionals face in our post-pandemic reality is real-time collaboration. Zoom is great for meetings, but it sure doesn't work for streaming video. Luckily this problem has now been solved for all of us. If you haven't heard of Evercast, it's time to become acquainted. Because Evercast's real-time remote collaboration technology is CHANGING. THE. GAME.

→ Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action!

This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don’t spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you.

Guest Bio:

Dr. Dave Jenkins qualified from Otago University Medical School in New Zealand in 1982. His career included general practice when he had one of the largest rural practices in New Zealand. He is the founder of “The More Model” that helps clients reverse disease and achieve ultimate health and longevity. This includes a special interest in brain fog, cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s.

He has already retired as a doctor (which means he is not currently practicing as nor registered as a doctor) to pursue education through senior lectureships at Auckland medical school, executive director for education for an Asian corporate health project and founding NGO SurfAid International where he currently works part time.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-zack-arnold-podcast/exclusive-content

In this episode, I give you an insider’s glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.’ What you’ll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success.

In the following hot seat session, community member Joshua Brecht is trying to improve his health and fitness and establish the habit of working out consistently so he can be a more present and energetic father as well as have the energy necessary to keep building his business. Despite his good intentions, he’s having trouble finding motivation on a daily basis. Listen in as I help guide Joshua to some simple yet effective solutions to this very common problem we can all relate to.

Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!

→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format

Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?

→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-zack-arnold-podcast/exclusive-content

When editor Jim Page recently tweeted about getting fired for requesting a single mental health day, it caught a lot of people's attention. Depression, long work hours, and burnout are all too common in the entertainment industry. The gig economy and being a freelancer instills fear and insecurity in creative professionals leaving us feeling undervalued and pressured to outperform and outlast.

Thread. Please RT.I'm scared to say this publically, but I feel I need to. Recently I was fired from a show on a major TV channel because I needed a day off for mental health reasons. I made the mistake of being honest, instead of pretending to have a physical sickness.— Jimstagram (@iamjimpage) March 17, 2021

My own experience with burnout is what led me to start the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program so I could start to teach people to take positive steps towards healthier lifestyles and improved working conditions. After seeing Jim's tweet, I knew I had to have him on the show to talk about this important topic.

Jim Page has been editing for 15 years in the UK cutting features, shorts, documentaries, and many other types of media. His work includes the feature "The Pugilist" which was nominated for the Michael Powell Award at the Edinburgh Film Festival, while short film "No More Wings" won best film at Tribeca, and "Hair Cut" was long listed for a BAFTA. Like many creatives, Jim is passionate about his work and takes pride in what he does. But the burden of the "The Passion Tax" often becomes too much to bear without sacrificing physical and mental well-being. Jim and I discuss ways in which creatives can take action on their own behalf and embrace the power of saying no.

If you have ever felt like the long hours aren't worth the toll on your happiness and health, then this episode will inspire you to take control of your career and bring your life back into balance, not to mention helping you learn how to set boundaries or yourself, even if those boundaries might cost you a gig.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

• Why Jim calls himself an Award Losing Editor
• The Twitter post that went viral and got my attention.
• Jim's history of mental health problems since he was 14 years old.
• The division between above the line and below the line workers makes change for mental health issues impossible.
• Jim’s struggle with depression and how he got started in editing.
• The fear that comes from being a freelancer knowing you can easily be replaced.
• How to take responsibility of your own mental health.
• What happened when Jim learned to say no to jobs he didn’t feel passionate about.
• KEY TAKEAWAY: There’s no shame in saying no to a paycheck job but saying yes out of fear often leads to burnout and unhappiness.
• The lifestyle changes that Jim has made to improve his mental health.
• Ways that you can set yourself up for success in your career while balancing your mental health and lifestyle.
• How to clearly communicate your needs to potential employers so that expectations are set properly from the beginning.
• What's next for Jim.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Jim's Twitter Post About Getting Fired

I Was Tired of Putting My Kids to Bed via FaceTime Every Night. Here’s What I Did About It.

Ep141: Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Career (Instead of Checkers) - pt1

Ep142: Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Health & Well-Being (Pt2)

Jim's Facebook Page

Jim's Instagram Page

Continue to Listen & Learn

Ep113: The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian

Dear Hollywood...We Create Entertainment For a Living. We’re Not Curing Cancer.

Dear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn’t Working.

Ep128: How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy

Ep136: Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACE

Tired of Holding it Together All the Time? Here are Five Basic Needs to Get You Back On Track

How Total Burnout Led to the Most Productive Year of My Life

How to Overcome Post-Production Burnout

A Classic Case of Post-Production Burnout

Struggling to “Do” It All? Try “Being” First. (Three Strategies to Reclaim Your Time and Sanity When Working From Home)

[CASE STUDY] Why I Said No to a Job (A Great One)…During a Pandemic

Our Generous Sponsors:

Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast

As work begins to slowly trickle in again, perhaps the most pressing challenge we as creative professionals face in our post-pandemic reality is real-time collaboration. Zoom is great for meetings, but it sure doesn't work for streaming video. Luckily this problem has now been solved for all of us. If you haven't heard of Evercast, it's time to become acquainted. Because Evercast's real-time remote collaboration technology is CHANGING. THE. GAME.

→ Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action!

This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don’t spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you.

Guest Bio:

Named a Berlinale Talent in 2021, and a BAFTA Crew Talent for 7 years running, Jim Page has 15 years of experience cutting features, shorts, documentaries. His work includes feature "The Pugilist" which was nominated for the Michael Powell Award at the Edinburgh Film Festival, whilst short "No More Wings" won best film at Tribeca, and"Hair Cut" was longlisted for a BAFTA. His work has drawn praise from David Fincher, Mark Romanek and David Yates amongst others. In addition to his cinematic work, he is also a respected editor of documentaries.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-zack-arnold-podcast/exclusive-content

In this episode, I give you an insider’s glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.’ What you’ll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success.

In the following hot seat session, community member David Feinberg has had some huge wins and achieved some long-standing goals that he set when he began the Optimizer program over a year ago. Now he’s come up against the obvious question: What’s next? Does he use his momentum to keep striving towards even bigger and better goals, or does he take some time to adapt and enjoy the accomplishments he’s achieved? There’s no right answer to this question as it’s unique to each individual’s journey, but listen in to learn the questions that David must ask himself to determine the right next steps for him.

Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!

→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format

Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?

→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-zack-arnold-podcast/exclusive-content

You would think that being nominated for an Eddie Award for your first feature documentary credit would be a dream right? For David J. Turner, the editor of Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound it absolutely was...but making it the finish line of a grueling project that took years to complete came at a pretty steep price, not the least of which was ending up in the emergency room just weeks before picture lock.

Which begs the question...what price are you ultimately willing to pay to hold whatever your version of a gold statue is?

And more importantly, do you have to make that choice at all, or is there a better way to pursue your professional goals while maintaining some semblance of work-life balance?

As a filmmaker and storyteller who wears multiple hats beyond editing such as composing, cinematic sound editing, sound design, and documentary filmmaking and shooting, David found himself under an immense amount of self-induced pressure to deliver on his very first big project. When he found my article, Dear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn’t Working he felt relieved that many others out there were feeling like he was - burned out, exhausted, and fed up with having to make the choice between health and success. At this point he was questioning whether he still wanted to be in the business at all anymore. Desperate to find a better way David decided to join my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program.

In today’s candid discussion David I talk about the steps he took to slowly rebuild his health one “easy win” at a time, and then we dive into the deeper limiting beliefs that were holding David back from pursuing his next big project (not the least of which were perfectionism and imposter syndrome). And then we talk about the seismic mindset shift that David made that allowed him to go from thinking he wasn’t in a place to pursue difficult projects to literally applying for the opportunity to travel to the moon (no really...literally applying to fly to the moon). Learn how you too can apply the simple steps that David did to start building habits & routines that will set you up for success in both work and life.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

• How David landed his dream gig on Making Waves.
• David's self-induced pressure on the job led to unhealthy work habits.
• Suffering from burnout, he came to me asking the question, "Do I really want to do this job anymore?"
• The story of how he ended up in the hospital at the end of the project with typhus.
• The paradox of unshakable focus: Is it a superpower or kryptonite?
• Managing the costs of trying to sprint a marathon.
• The first easy win that David tackled to recover from months of burnout.
• KEY TAKEAWAY: Small steps lead to big changes.
• How David has dealt with losing momentum on healthy habits and getting back on track.
• The lifestyle habits that boosted David's career and creativity.
• How a paint can project became a metaphor for David's perfectionism and limiting beliefs.
• Discovering the deeper psychological reasons that were getting David stuck.
• KNOWING YOURSELF BETTER QUESTION → What would you pursue if you could get rid of all expectations?
• David's skepticism about creating an ideal calendar turned into finding his own way to make time blocking work for him.
• How Trello became the one stop organizer for all David's to-do lists and tasks.
• Why it's necessary to go through Focus Yourself before pursuing networking.
• The confidence that David gained during the Optimizer program led to him reaching for the moon, LITERALLY.
• How shooting for the moon has shifted his perspective and made him excited to live his life again.
• David's advice to others who might be where he was before he started the program.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Ep118: Legendary Editor Walter Murch On Optimizing Creativity, Productivity, and Well-Being In Hollywood For 50+ Years

Dear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn’t Working

Ep35: FOCUS: The Superpower of the 21st Century | with Cal Newport

Ep04: The Zen-like Art of 'Getting Things Done' | with David Allen

Japanese billionaire seeks eight people to fly to Moon - BBC News

Continue to Listen & Learn

Ep55: How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear

Ep132: How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

Ep75: The Four Tendencies’ (aka ‘The Matrix’ For Understanding Yourself & Others) | with Gretchen Rubin

Ep64: [CASE STUDY] Overcoming Burnout and Imposter Syndrome | with Chryss Terry

Ep47: The Ugly Side of Depression, Burnout, and Imposter Syndrome | with Gen Malone

Ep117: Carol Littleton, ACE on The Secret to Surviving 40+ Years Working In Hollywood

Ep03: The Science Behind Success and Creative Burnout (And Why You’re Approaching Both Mostly Wrong) | with Eric Barker

Ep142: Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Health & Well-Being (Pt2)

I Was Tired of Putting My Kids to Bed via FaceTime Every Night. Here’s What I Did About It.

Ep113: The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian

Dear Hollywood...We Create Entertainment For a Living. We’re Not Curing Cancer.

Our Generous Sponsors:

Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast

As work begins to slowly trickle in again, perhaps the most pressing challenge we as creative professionals face in our post-pandemic reality is real-time collaboration. Zoom is great for meetings, but it sure doesn't work for streaming video. Luckily this problem has now been solved for all of us. If you haven't heard of Evercast, it's time to become acquainted. Because Evercast's real-time remote collaboration technology is CHANGING. THE. GAME.

→ Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action!

This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don’t spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you.

Guest Bio:

David J. Turner is an ACE Eddie-nominated film editor, a Cinema Audio Society-winning sound mixer, and a 23 Telly Award-winning documentary director. From 2004 to 2008, he traveled around the world as a videographer based out of Minneapolis, MN - helping raise over $3 million for crisis response domestically and internationally, and garnering 23 Telly Awards for his documentaries. He went on to earn an MFA in Film & Television Production from the USC School of Cinematic Arts in 2011, and discovered a passion for film editing and sound design that led him to teach sound re-recording mixing at the USC School of Cinematic Arts and picture editing at the Los Angeles Film Studies Center. In 2013, he worked as a sound editor and Foley mixer on Fruitvale Station - the directorial debut of Black Panther director Ryan Coogler. He then embarked on a years-long journey as a film editor and production sound mixer on the documentary Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound. The film premiered in 2019 at the Cannes Film Festival, and David was nominated for an ACE Eddie award and won a Cinema Audio Society award for his sound mixing work. Currently, David is pursuing his lifelong passion for music composition, which he is building into a second career alongside his filmmaking.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-zack-arnold-podcast/exclusive-content