You Are Heroic with Brian Johnson

PNTV: Make Your Bed by Admiral William H. McRaven (#406)

16 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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#1: Friends, meet books. Books, friends! (#43)

15 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today we visit the barn-studio to hang out with 500+ of my favorite books as we check out the studio set up for the upcoming Top 3 Most Life-Changing ...

PNTV: The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins (#405)

15 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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My Top 3 favorite teachers (and why!)

15 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As I was prepping for our upcoming Top 3 Most Life-Changing Books series, I realized I could create a little video on my Top 3 favorite teachers. Here...

#1: Ice baths, my Top 3 teachers ever, bullying, and TGIM! (#42)

14 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Get instant (free) access to all 600+ PhilosophersNotes AND all 50 Optimal Living 101 classes AND 1,000+ Optimize +1s as part of our free 2-week trial...

#1: A quick look at my creative process (via Top 3 books project!) (#41)

13 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

PNTV: Stillness Is The Key by Ryan Holiday (#401)

12 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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PNTV: The Joy of Movement by Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D. (#400)

12 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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#1: My Top 10 favorite books ever (#39)

11 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Get instant (free) access to my Notes on those Top 10 books AND 600+ other ones AND all 50 Optimal Living 101 classes AND 1,000+ Optimize +1s as part ...

+1: The Jonah Complex | Quit Running from Your Destiny (#1255)

11 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Scott Barry Kaufman is one of the world's leading positive psychologists.   We featured one of his earlier books called Wired to Create. So, when ...

#1: Feeling wobbly Energy-wise? Train your recovery! (#38)

10 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Larry King + James Pawelski interview link: https://the.positivevoices.com/live-audience-yes Optimize: https://optimize.me/ (Get Free Stuff + Free 2-W...

#1: "Ugly but effective" + How to play poorly well (Hint: RUN THE ALGORITHMS!) (#37)

09 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

From Notes on Jim Afremow's Champion's Mind: https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/the-champions-mind-jim-afremow/https://www.optimize.me/philoso...

PNTV: Happy Together by Suzann Pileggi Pawelski and James Pawelski (#398)

08 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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#1: "Thank you, Stoic gods! Appreciate the chance to practice my Philosophy!" (#36)

08 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

#1: Happy Playbor Day! (I'll be celebrating with some Playbor! Lol) (#35)

07 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

PNTV: The Courage Quotient by Robert Biswas-Diener (#397)

07 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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PNTV: How to Think Like a Roman Emperor by Donald Robertson (#396)

06 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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+1: The 100,000 Game | Join Me? (#1250)

06 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Not too long ago, I mentioned the virtual Optimize Local Zoom group I joined.    It was such an epic hangout.    I'm still beaming from the dow...

#1: The ABC's of Intimacy (Alexandra's cameo + Date night + Weekly planning +) (#34)

06 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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PNTV: Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport (#395)

05 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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#1: Soul Force equation + deep (RHR) data dive + best book on relationships EVER! (#33)

05 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Get first week of Optimize Coach FREE here: https://www.optimize.me/coach-module-o/ Note: 10 more days to join us for Class III!

Want to Master Yourself and Serve Heroically? (Here's Mastery Series Module O from Optimize Coach!)

04 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Optimize Coach: https://optimize.me/coach (Join 2,000+ Optimizers from 70+ Countries!)   Imagine the absolute best wisdom from 600+ PhilosophersNot...

PNTV: It Takes What It Takes by Trevor Moawad (#394)

04 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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#1: God, please grant me the virtues to make Today a masterpiece! (#32)

04 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

PNTV: Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg (#393)

03 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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#1: How to Optimize your behavior design (B = MAP!!) (Note: Start with Trigger-Prompts!) (#31)

03 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

PNTV: Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker (#392)

02 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Hope | The Best Bridge? (#948) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/despair-hope/\n- +1: The Optimize Compass | And How to Make One (#1128) → https...

#1: My new favorite virtue: Encourage (Your Top 3?) (+ a Trail walk + Yoda love) (#30)

02 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

PNTV: Future Visions by Abraham Maslow (#391)

02 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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+1: Junk Food's Junk Science (#1245)

01 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In our last +1, we chatted about the fact that your food label might be lying to you by stuffing a few variations of cancer candy (aka sugar) int...

#1: It's Day 1 for Optimize Coach - Class III (And, well, it's ALWAYS Day 1!! :) (#29)

01 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

#1: TGIM!!! Let's goooo! Time to earn our Trident. TODAY! (#28)

31 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

#1: Constraints are good. Embrace them! (aka: Discipline = Freedom!) (#27)

30 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

#1: CONSTANT (!) and Never-ending (!) Optimizing Experiments! (CANOE-ing + CANI/Kaizen) (#26)

29 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

#1: Spiritual Windshield Wipers (How are yours?) (#25)

28 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

+1: #1240 What's Worse Than "Sinning"?

27 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

After drafting that last +1, I hit my 90-minute mark for my second Deep Work Time Block of the day, which, of course, triggered one of my keystone al...

#1: Beast mode data feast (+ Introducing Hero makers! :) (#24)

27 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

#1: Dynamic Equilibrium is Where it's at!! (#23)

26 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Optimize: http://optimize.me/ Optimize Coach: https://www.optimize.me/coach Today we have fun talking about dropping into a data-mining Beast Mode o...

#1: A Tribute to Greatness (Anders Ericsson - A hero has fallen. :/) (#22)

25 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

#1: Eating Sunsets + Food Rules (+ Watch me dropping my heart rate for fun...) (#21)

24 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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#1: Need to write yourself a prescription? (Here's the Rx pad!!) (#20)

23 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

More Optimizing goodness: https://www.optimize.me/

+1: #1235 Meet My New Favorite Bird

22 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As we've discussed countless times, I start my days with at least a minute or three of journaling.    These days it's a super-quick sketch of our ...

#1: Science says: Optimize works!!! ("Massively positive effects!") (#19)

22 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Check out the Science: http://optimize.me/coach-science Optimize: http://optimize.me/ Optimize Coach: https://www.optimize.me/coach  

#1: Wanna accelerate your Optimizing? Here's how. (Get curious! + 80/20 gains + marginal gains) (#18)

21 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

More Optimizing goodness: https://www.optimize.me/

#1: Rebound days (aka What to do after an off day) (#17)

20 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today we spend some time with Abraham Maslow and his wisdom on embracing "misery privileges" in our life as we also connect some ideas from Ray Dalio ...

#1: Maslow says: Embrace "misery privileges" (Here's how...) (#16)

19 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today we spend some time with Abraham Maslow and his wisdom on embracing "misery privileges" in our life as we also connect some ideas from Ray Dalio ...

#1: Let's take a walk! (Visit the Johnson Trail. lol) (#15)

18 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In Today's #1, we go for a little walk on the Trail around our property. lol. Emerson makes a surprise cameo as we give you a little tour of our Trail...

+1: #1230 The Magic Spot in Our Mouths

17 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In our last +1, we Optimized our oral posture.   Bet you didn't think we'd be talking about that when you signed up for Optimize! (Hah.)   I k...

#1: Be So Good (and Energized and Awesome) They Can't Ignore You (and a bunch of other little ideas) (#14)

17 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This morning we take the quick look at the ol' Oura score and briefly reflect on the imperfect nature of sleep (especially when your wife stops breast...

#1: Driven? Let's harness that drive!! (Here are some thoughts on how...) (#13)

16 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This morning (after the 1-2-3!) I spent a few minutes going through the 100+ PhilosophersNotes on which I'll be doing PNTVs soon (YEEHAH!) and then go...

#1: A master in the art of living... (#12)

15 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Quick one this morning. 1-2-3, PNTVs are coming back—in black and white! lol—and this gem: "A master in the art of living draws no sharp distincti...

#1: Did you know… Loneliness = 15 cigarettes?! Let's Optimize TOGETHER! (#11)

14 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This morning I did the normal 1-2-3 (x2) and celebrated completing the Mastery Series. Then I got to work on reading a book called "Together." It's by...

#1: Ever heard of "The Audience Effect"? (Eyeballs = enhanced performance!!) (#10)

13 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today I had fun hammering out the Introduction Module for the Mastery Series. Fired up. Done!! YES!! I also filmed this #1 on the fascinating Audience...

#1: Feeling a little less than awesome? Use the data!! (Here's how I am...) (#9)

12 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This morning I ran a little experiment and got out of bed a little earlier than I normally do. It's always fascinating to see the data from experiment...

#1: APPLY THIS! APPLY THIS! APPLY THIS!! (Aka: Practice your philosophy!) (#8)

11 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today we're going to take a quick look at THE Ultimate Algorithm for Optimizing. But, first, we drool over Alexandra's RIDICULOUSLY awesome Oura #s. l...

#1: How to be Prosperous (Hint: Go forward with hope!!) (#7)

10 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This morning I worked on the "Prospering" session for our Mastery Series (which is the foundation of our Optimize Coach program). After a 1-2-3 / 1+2+...

#1: How to Celebrate your life more TODAY! (Hint: Acceptance + Gratitude + Winning for the WIN!) (#6)

09 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This morning I worked on the "Celebrating" session for our Mastery Series (which is the foundation of our Optimize Coach program). After a 1-2-3 / 1+2...

#1: How do you start your day? Here's how I start mine. (Note: Breakfast of Champions + Oura 1-2-3 +!!) (#5)

08 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This morning I thought it would be fun to share how I start my day. Jocko Willink has his 4:00 AM Timex watch. Awesome. I'm thinking I'll share my Our...

+1: #1220 Peak Performance You

07 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In our last +1, we got an inspiring (Hoosiers-inspired) pep talk from Admiral McRaven right before engaging in our next most important mission.   ...

#1: Are you CELEBRATING your life? (It starts with Acceptance then Gratitude then…) (#4)

07 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

After filming Eating, Moving, Sleeping, Breathing, and Focusing over the last 5 days (YES!), I took a step back and did some messy creative work on Ce...

#1: Want to tap into your Soul Force SUPERPOWERS? Here's how. (Hint: FOCUS!) (#3)

06 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This morning I prepared for my film session on Focusing for our Mastery Series that is the core part of our 300-day Optimize Coach program. Here's a s...

#1: How's your breathing? (It's more important than you may think!) (#2)

05 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This morning I prepared for my film session on Breathing for our Mastery Series that is the core part of our 300-day Optimize Coach program. Here's a...

#1: Have trouble falling/staying asleep? Start here! (#1)

04 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This morning I was preparing to film a Mastery Series session for our Optimize Coach certification program. We have 7 core fundies: Eating, Moving, S...

+1: #1215 The (Neuro) Trail

02 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A couple +1s ago we spent some time pulling some weeds together as we created some new habits.   How?    By STARTING SMALL and MAKING IT EASY! ...

+1: #1205 The ABCs of Tiny Habits

23 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today we're going to revisit BJ Fogg's Behavior Design Lab at Stanford.    We've already talked about his equation: B = MAP. (Recall: "Behavi...

+1: #1200 You = Sugar Cookie

18 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Admiral William H. McRaven is a Retired U.S. Navy SEAL who served for thirty-seven years and commanded at every level.   As a Four-Star Admiral, h...

+1: #1195 Tree-Climbing Fish

13 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today we're going to go back to Jim Kwik and his great book Limitless one more time.   One of the key themes of the book is that we all have a u...

+1: #1190 The INFINITE Power of CONSISTENCY

08 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In our last +1, we talked about the fact that, if we could figure out how to take 30 EXPONENTIAL steps, we'd be able to hop in a rocket and go around...

+1: #1185 Clark Kent's Changing Room

03 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Continuing our brief foray through Jim Qwik's brain and book, let's talk about the power of getting into Flow.   Jim tells us that being able to f...

+1: #1180 Astonishing Productivity

28 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In our last +1, we had some fun playing with Cal Newport's Deep Work equation. We modified it from:  High Quality Work Produced = Time Spent x In...

+1: #1175 Sugar & Depression

23 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Continuing our brief tour through Kate Hefferon's textbook on Positive Psychology and the Body, let's flip open to the chapter on "Positive Nutrit...

+1: #1170 The Snow Globe

18 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In the last couple +1s, we talked about The Shattered Vase (and the power of taking those pieces and making a beautiful new mosaic) then we practi...

+1: #1165 Eudaimonic Treadmills

13 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever heard of "hedonic treadmills"?   We talked about them briefly a few years ago in the context of this +1 on the science of hedonic ...

+1: #1150 Cover It All in Leather

29 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In our last +1, we tapped into some wisdom from Brené Brown's Braving the Wilderness as we wrote ourselves a permission slip and then hopped on th...

+1: #1145 Hero Breathing

24 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In our last +1, we blew up some belly balloons with our kids.    We breathed in through our noses, down into our bellies (can you make that ball...

+1: #1140 How to Say "I Love You"

19 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A little over seven and half years ago, Emerson was born at home.   We had an amazing midwife (named Mary Jackson) for both Emerson and Eleanor's...

+1: #1135 Be Willing to Fail

14 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Continuing our little series on the science of courage, how about some more wisdom from Robert Biswas-Diener?   In The Courage Quotient, he tells ...

+1: #1130 Alchemizing Adversity

09 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In our last +1, we all get issued our magic wand.   It can alchemize any and all challenges into fuel for our growth.   Thank you, Hermes and Epi...

+1: #1125 Practicing Gratitude

04 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In our last +1, we played the "I want to speak with your supervisor!" game.   You play it yet?   If not, try it.   It's truly awesome.   As...

+1: #1120 Love in Action

29 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In our last +1, we upgraded our conception of Soul Mates to Soul Mate 2.0.   (At least I did!)   Before we jump into the wisdom for Today's +1, h...

In Conversation Brian Johnson and Mark Divine

25 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Mark Divine is a former U.S. Navy SEAL Commander with twenty-five years of experience as an entrepreneur. He's the author of the incredible books The...

+1 #1115 The Path with Heart

24 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In our last +1, we spent some time with Carlos Castaneda and his Toltec Warrior. Today, we're going to spend a little more time with this eccentric t...

+1: #1110 What Great Performance Looks Like

19 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In our last +1, we did some swooping and gliding and hunting with a red-tailed hawk and our bird-watching guide: Carlos Castaneda.   Today I want t...

+1: #1105 Helplessness vs. Optimism

14 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In our last couple +1s, we've been having fun spending some time with former Navy SEAL Commander and perennial wolf-tamer, Mark Divine.   Most rece...

+1: #1100 Confronting Fear

09 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

I'm the kinda guy who goes to a movie with a pen and paper ready to take notes.   Well, I'm actually the kinda guy who (aside from when I'm on th...

+1: #1095 How to Meaningify Your Work

04 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In our last +1, we talked about making a Purpose upgrade—going from a grand conception of one "big purpose" for life (Purpose 1.0) to finding ...

+1: #1090 We're Only the Light Bulbs

30 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Richard Rohr is one of my new favorite teachers.   Alexandra got me his book called Falling Upward after I told her how much I loved David Brooks...

+1: #1085 Relationship Bid Math

25 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In our last +1, we talked about being Efficient vs. Effective.   Efficiency?    It's GREAT for managing our time and completing tasks. Not so gr...

+1: #1080 How You React

20 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In our last couple +1s, we flipped through my notes from session number 150-something with my Yoda/spiritual Godfather Phil Stutz.   On page one we...

+1: #1075 What Went Well? (And Why?!)

15 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Gratitude.   Yes, we've been chatting about it quite a bit recently.    That's deliberate.   You know how we recently established the (scient...

Interview: The Power of Purpose and Ideals with William Damon

12 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

William Damon is one of the world's leading scholars on human development. As the Director of the Stanford Center on Adolescence, Professor of Educati...

+1: #1070 Taking Things FOR GRANTED vs. AS GRANTED

10 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In our last couple +1s, we talked about the science of gratitude and explored some tips on Robert Emmons' #1 practice: Gratitude Journaling.   Toda...

Optimize Interview: The End of Alzheimers with Dr. Dale Bredesen

05 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Alzheimer's. Even just thinking about that dreaded disease freaks you out a bit, eh? Over 5 million people in the US alone have Alzheimer's. 1 in 9 p...

+1: #1065 A Quick Ticket to Ick

05 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In our last +1, we talked about how to sidestep depression and anxiety.    I still can't believe that scientists have identified a threshold for o...

+1: #1060 Facing a Challenge?

29 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In our last +1, we left Zeno the leopard gecko in his terrarium and hung out with Zeno the founder of Stoicism.   As we discussed, Zeno was a wealt...

The Alter Ego Effect with Todd Herman

27 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Virtues Behaviors model. Big Ideas we explore include Superman + Clark Kent (who's who?), activating your Heroic Self (the science of), motivation a...

+1: #1050 Galileo on Optimizing

19 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In our last couple +1s, we've been hanging out with Emerson, playing the "I Love You!" game and taking a quick look at the story of our world.   ...

+1: #1045 What's 1 + 1?

14 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In our last +1, we had fun with the ultimate riddles of life—from skunks and giraffes to watches and pearls.    And… The answer to pretty much...

Optimize Interview: Irresistible with Adam Alter

13 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Irresistible. That's the perfect word to describe the growing array of addictive technologies that are capturing so much of our attention these days....

Optimize Interview: The Psychology of Possibility with Ellen Langer

06 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen Langer is a professor of psychology at Harvard and one of the world's leading experts on the science of wellbeing, and what she refers to as the...