You Are Heroic with Brian Johnson
Episodes
+1: #1035 Yesterday's Home Run
04 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In our last +1, we spent some time with John Maxwell and reflected on his wisdom on the pinnacle of leadership influence: Moral Authority. Recall...
+1: #1030 Want to Make It Stick?
30 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In our last +1, we talked about the research on the fact that The Pen Is Mightier Than the Keyboard: Advantages of Longhand Over Laptop Note Taking...
+1: #1025 Exercise: It's a Well-Being Tool
25 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In our last couple +1s, we talked about a key (arguably the #1 key) predictor of our long-term health/morbidity: our visceral fat. We also di...
+1: #1020 Learning Cycles
20 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In our last +1, we talked about the PM ritual Pythagoras came up with 2,500 years ago (!) that the Stoics liked to follow: "Allow not sleep to...
+1: #1015 It's Day 1
15 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In our last +1, we had fun chatting about the diploma we give to our Optimize Coaches. It so perfectly captures the underlying purpose of all of ...
+1: #1010 Virtue Management
10 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Last night as I was falling asleep, I was reflecting on the wonderful time I spent with a dear friend who came up to Ojai for a hike to chat about hi...
+1: #1005 Thoughts + Heartbeats
05 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Emily Fletcher was a Broadway performer living the dream. Only… Her hair was graying at 27, she was always stressed and had chronic insomni...
+1: #1000 The Optimize +1 Hall of Fame
31 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This is Optimize +1 #1,000. I don't really know how to best start this one other than by saying: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Seri...
+1: #995 10 Spartan Core Virtues
26 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In our last +1, we hung out with my two favorite Joes: Scholar of the Hero's Journey (and Grandpa in my spiritual family tree) Joseph Campbell, and...
+1: #990 The Passion Paradox
21 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness have written a couple great books together. First, they gave us Peak Performance. Then The Passion Paradox. Tod...
+1: #985 Operating at the Highest Level
16 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In our last +1, we did our best Boss impersonation as we reinterpreted our sweaty palms and racing hearts as a sign we're EXCITED and READY TO GO rat...
+1: #980 The Master Fails More Times
11 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A few +1s ago, we had fun chatting about the starting and finish lines of my first business, eteamz. I mentioned that it wasn't all sunshine an...
+1: #975 The Tenth of an Inch
06 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
We talk a lot about the futility of arguing with reality. As Byron Katie so perfectly says, "When I argue with reality I lose. But only 100% of...
+1: #965 Asking for Qualities
26 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In our last +1, we spent some time with Todd Herman, Batman, Dora the Explorer and YOUR most heroic self. Today we're going to connect all that g...
+1: #960 Capturing a Richer Mindset
21 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In our last +1, we revisited Ellen Langer at her "Psychology of Possibility" lab at Harvard to learn that words matter. As you may recall, si...
+1: #955 Falling on Your Butt
16 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Geoff Colvin's Talent Is Overrated is a great book. It falls into the "Effort Counts Twice" / Deliberate Practice bucket of how to reach our Peak v...
+1: #950 Natural Born Heroes
11 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The other day I found myself re-reading our Notes on Christopher McDougall's great book Natural Born Heroes. Although we've talked (many times) ...
+1: #945 Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.
06 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
As we've discussed, a mantra is literally "a tool of the mind." By repeating a mantra over and over and over again (spiritual teachers say...
+1: #940 Stress Curfews
01 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Not too long ago, we talked about Sleep Curfews. Five of them, to be precise. One for Caffeine. Another for Exercise. Plus Eating. Plus Sc...
Optimize Interview: The Power of Agency with Paul Napper & Anthony Rao
31 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Agency. It's one of my favorite words and psychological concepts (and a cornerstone of our Optimize Coach program). So, when I saw this book I immedi...
+1: #935 The Eternal Feast
27 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In our last +1, we talked about A World Without Heroes and the fact that "A hero sacrifices for the greater good. A hero is true to his or her con...
Optimize Interview: Stillness is the Key with Ryan Holiday
25 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan is one of my absolute favorite writers and I'm excited to sit down with him to chat about his latest book, Stillness is the Key. One of the test...
+1: #930 Micro Prospectus
22 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Not too long ago we talked about the fact that the word prosperity literally means "to go forward with hope." Then, as you may recall, I ch...
Optimize Interview: Everything is Figureoutable with Marie Forleo
18 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
My wife Alexandra has been a huge fan of Marie's for a long time. I knew she was awesome. But... As I told Alexandra: "I had no idea Marie was THAT a...
+1: #925 C.A.N.O.E-ing
17 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
One of the core themes of our work together (in these +1s and in our Coach program, etc.) is the power of constantly (!) experimenting as we fin...
+1: #920 Borrowed Energy
12 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In one of our very first Notes, we took a quick look at Brendan Brazier's The Thrive Diet. I read the book when it came out nearly a dozen year...
+1: #910 Sweeping Our Own Porches
02 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Today is, of course, October 2nd, 2019. Let's hop in a time machine. Destination: 150 years ago: 1869. Cars don't exist yet. Neith...
+1: #905 The Origin of Disease
27 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In our last couple +1s, we've been hanging out in our guts. (Good times!) Surprisingly, that's where we discovered 90% (!) of our serotonin a...
+1: #895 Got Glymph?
17 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Steven Gundry is Tony Robbins' doctor. He's a former world-class heart surgeon. These days he focuses on longevity. His new book is called T...
+1: #890 Profound Service
12 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This morning I was doing my normal thing. In the process, I came up with a little insight I'm excited to share. First, the quick recap of what ...
+1: #885 Equanimity Anchors
07 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In our last +1, we talked about the Fundies and how (ahem) fundamental they are to our Optimizing and Actualizing. Eat! Move! Sleep! Breat...
+1: #880 Jesus on Motes and Beams
02 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In our last +1, we talked about lint on the projector's lens and the fact that, as per Byron Katie, "every perceived problem appearing 'out there...
+1: #875 FIRE: The Big 3
28 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Continuing our series on how to build a bonFIRE, today we're going to chat about The Big 3 of creating Financial Independence (and Interdependence...
+1: #870 How to Stop Worrying
23 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
At this stage, most people have heard of Dale Carnegie's uber-bestselling book How to Win Friends and Influence People. It was originally published ...
+1: #865 Pilot + Co-Pilot + Autopilot
18 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In our last couple +1s, we talked about Seneca's wisdom on the importance of "fortifying our pertinacity" until our will to do the right thing be...
+1: #860 You and Your Gordion Knots
13 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Skipping the longer philosophical chat about the ethics of being a conqueror, Today we're going to chat about Alexander the Great. More specifica...
+1: #855 The Comparison Game
08 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
We're kinda on a roll with the whole envy-squishing theme, so why not one more? In our last +1, we talked about the fact that if we're going to...
+1: #850 Aurelius on Death
03 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In our last +1, we reflected on the idea that little (and big) oopses provide us with opportunities to appreciate that we're still alive as we prac...
+1: #840 Happy Artists
24 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This morning on the Trail I was thinking about Mister Rogers and his challenges creating (recall our "tortures of the damned"!) along with Dr. Se...
+1: #835 Got Watch?
19 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Continuing our trip through Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky's brilliant brains and equally brilliant book Make Time, Today we're going to have fun with...
+1: #830 Swimming with Mister Rogers
14 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A couple +1s ago, we hung out with Mister Rogers in his barrelful of songs. Today I want to hop in the pool with him and then do something extr...
+1: #825 An Enraged Mister Rogers
09 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In our last +1, we talked about being the change we want to see in the world. I asked: What change DO you want to see? (Well… What is it?! ...
+1: #820 My New Job
04 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Today I'd like to let you know that I officially have a new job. It's one I'm quite excited about. First, a little context. You know that Fer...
+1: #815 Archeological Reading
29 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In our last +1, we talked about Twyla Tharp's thoughts on reading and thinking. Recall her comment that: "If I stopped reading, I'd stop thinki...
+1: #805 The Alchemist Says
19 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever read The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho? It's amazing. I've read it a bunch of times. Guess how many copies the book has sold since...
+1: #800 Building Agency: Step #3
14 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In our last couple +1s, we've had fun (at least I have!) briefly chatting about the first two steps Paul Napper and Anthony Rao encourage us to tak...
+1: #795 Agency, Agency, Agency
09 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In our last little flurry of +1s, we had some fun with Mel Robbins's 5 Second Rule. Have you tried it out yet? 5… 4… 3… 2… 1… - GO!...
+1: #790 5… 4… 3… 2… 1…
04 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In our last +1, we talked about our new Optimus launch code: "5… 4… 3… 2… 1… Now what needs to be done?" Although I didn't make the...
+1: #785 WD-Optimizing40
30 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A couple +1s ago, we hung out with a world-class Ferrari pit stop crew and took a moment to celebrate all the people in OUR pit stop crews while comm...
+1: #780 The Greatest Predictor of Anxiety
25 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Way back in the early days of our +1 Optimizing together, we talked about the fact that our limbic systems evolved to deal with a single lion roaring...
+1: #775 Embracing the Mess
20 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In our last couple +1s, we talked about the art and science of lining up our dominoes in one neat and shiny staircase to moon-heaven. It all so...
+1: #770 Perpetual Optimism
15 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The other day I headed to Google to look up the meaning of the phrase "force multiplier." Short story: When we initially launched our Optimize...
+1: #765 Your Idiosyncratic Dharma
10 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In our last couple +1s, we've had fun exploring some wisdom gems from my recent PhilosophersNotes binge-athon. Today we're going to talk about an...
+1: #750 Food Rule #57
25 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In our last +1, we explored the relationship between our food rotting and us rotting. Recall: The longer the shelf life of the food we eat, the short...
+1: #745 Sleep: The Miracle Drug!
20 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Why We Sleep is a life-changing kinda book. We're going to spend a few more days mining a few more of the many gems from Matthew Walker's master...
+1: #740 To Read on an iPad at Night
15 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In our Optimize Coach certification program, we kick the party off by establishing the game we're playing in Module I: Eudaimon-ology in which we c...
Lead Yourself First 101
12 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Mike Erwin joins us as a guest teacher for this class! CEO of The Character Center, co-founder of the Positivity Project, and co-author of the book L...
+1: #735 Grow Lights
10 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In our last +1, we did some severe pruning with Steve Chandler and Ralph Waldo Emerson. (How'd that go for you? More specifically: What went for ...
+1: #725 Your Marching Orders
31 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In our last +1, we had some fun soaking our minds in some epic "To Dare or Not to Dare" wisdom. We kicked that party off with a Søren Kierkegaard ...
Unstoppable Teams 101 (Intro)
30 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
+1: #720 Broken Monitors
26 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In our last +1 we talked about the fact that, as per legendary tough guy Vince Lombardi, "Fatigue makes cowards of us all." Then we operation...
Genius 101 (Intro)
23 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Michael J. Gelb is the world's leading authority on the application of genius thinking to personal and organizational development. He is a pioneer in ...
+1: #715 Ambi vs. Heroic Valence
21 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Continuing our time with my dear friend Katherine Collins, let's talk about another micro-moment of Divine wisdom from our recent chat. Quick con...
+1: #710 Virtue Mantras
16 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In our last couple +1s, we talked about the 11 virtues that show up on our shiny new Optimus medallions and make an appearance in our Optimus meditat...
+1: #705 The Psychology of Pain
11 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Continuing our exploration of how to endure the pain of walking over burning (psychological) coals in pursuit of the upper limits of our potential,...
+1: #700 UPERSIST!
06 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In our last +1, we talked about you feasting on your Hero Bars—using memories of your past success as fuel to walk through fear doors today. (Y...
+1: #695 Lincoln's Response to (Epic) Failure
01 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In our last +1, we talked about the wonderful little book-gift I received from Cal Newport and we reflected on a particular passage from that book (...
+1: #690 Your Engine: V-12 or V-Lawnmower?
24 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Continuing our theme of seeking/conquering fear, let's have some fun with Jon Eliot and his wisdom from Overachievement. Here's how he (brillia...
+1: #685 The Case Against Sugar
19 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Gary Taubes wrote a great book called The Case Against Sugar. Basic idea: If you were a detective in charge of figuring out a series of crimes ...
+1: #680 The Moment of Decision
14 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In our last +1, we took a quick trip to Michelangelo's studio and saw the Optimus You sitting there in the uncarved marble. Then we did a little chis...
+1: #675 Meet My New Sweatband: Leonidas
09 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In our last +1, we met Joe De Sena's kettlebell named Leo. (I laugh as I type that.) As you may recall, little Leonidas goes everywhere Joe goe...
Digital Minimalism 101 (Intro)
05 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Cal Newport joins us as a guest teacher for this class! He is one of my favorite thinkers. He got his Ph.D. in Computer Science from MIT and is now a...
+1: #670 Meditation's Instant ROI
04 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Meditation. At this point, most of us are pretty aware of the fact that it's been proven to be pretty epic for our well-being. Congrats, hi...
Interview: Digital Minimalism with Cal Newport
02 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
+1: #665 Turning on the Light
30 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In our last +1, we talked about the Optimize Master's program (aka Optimize Coach!) and had fun with some wisdom on moving from theory to practice—...
+1: #660 How Clark Kent Becomes Superman in 11 Seconds
25 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In our last +1, we talked about our inaugural Optimize Coach program (there's still a little more time to sign up and join hundreds of other passionat...
+1: #655 Michael Phelps' Golden Gene-Inseam
20 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In our last +1, we took a nice stroll down Brian's Biographical Byway—exploring the power of flipping Identity switches. (You make any distinctio...
+1: #650 Your Escort of Angels
15 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In our last +1, we talked about how to make yourself a quadrillion (!!!) times better. The recap there: Just let the magic of compounding 1% gains ...
+1: #645 Boundaries or Burnout
10 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In our last +1, we talked about how the Peak Performance guys recommend we craft our optimal work-to-rest ratio. Pop quiz: You recall the rat...
Interview: My Morning Routine with Benjamin Spall
05 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
+1: #640 Campfires and Chairs
05 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Continuing (and concluding) our trip through Steve Chandler's wise brain (and great book, Reinventing Yourself), let's talk about campfires. ...
PNTV: The Sleep Revolution by Arianna Huffington
04 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Arianna Huffington (CEO of Thrive and co-founder + editor in chief of The Huffington Post) went from being a sleep-deprived executive to a sleep evan...
Interview: The Spartan Way with Joe De Sena
29 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Greatest Year Ever 2019 (Intro)
28 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Ready to make 2019 the Greatest Year of Your Life? Me, too. It's time to Operationalize Virtue—getting (even more) clarity on what our Optimus se...
PNTV: Fat for Fuel by Dr. Joseph Mercola
27 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Mercola is a super-popular alternative health physician who runs the equally popular site Mercola.com. In this book, we get a look at his "Mitoch...
+1: #630 Want to Be Great?
26 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In our last +1, we talked about LeBron James and the fact that he tries to get 11 to 12 hours of sleep per day when he's training. (So does Roger F...
PNTV: Bright Line Eating by Susan Peirce Thompson
25 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Susan Peirce Thompson is a Professor of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at the University of Rochester. She's an expert in the psychology of eating and ...
Interview: Lead Yourself First with Mike Erwin
22 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Solitude. It's the secret sauce to leadership. But... In their great book Raymond Kethledge and Michael Erwin tells us: "Solitude is a state of mind, ...
+1: #625 Unfortunate vs. Unforgivable
21 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Today I'd like to talk about a little more wisdom from Seth Godin's Icarus Deception. As we've discussed, his book (and his entire body of w...
PNTV: The Case Against Sugar by Gary Taubes
20 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
PNTV: Wired to Eat by Robb Wolf
18 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Robert Lustig is a Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Endocrinology and a member of the Institute for Health Policy Studies at University of ...
+1: #620 Spiritual Sports
16 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
With all this talk about sports heroes and scoring touchdowns and winning forever, I think it's time to remind ourselves that sports simply provide t...
Interview: Brain Health 101 with David Perlmutter
15 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
PNTV: The Telomere Effect by Elizabeth Blackburn & Elissa Epel
13 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Elizabeth Blackburn won the Nobel Prize for her discovery of telemorase - "the enzyme that replenishes telomeres, which protect our genetic heritage."...
PNTV: Wired to Eat by Robb Wolf
11 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Robb Wolf is a former research biochemist and is one of the leading thinkers/writers/practitioners in the Paleo or Ancestral Health movement. The ess...
+1: #615 There Are No Perfect Relationships
11 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A couple +1s ago, we talked about Optimizer Jessica's kind words and then had fun talking about Mr. Anonymous Troll Guy as well. Today I want to ...
Interview: Atomic Habits with James Clear
08 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
James Clear has a super-popular website (jamesclear.com). Millions of people visit it every month and hundreds of thousands subscribe to his email ne...
PNTV: Atomic Habits by James Clear (#383)
06 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Optimize: https://optimize.me/ (← Get Free Stuff + Free 2-Week Trial!) Optimize Coach: https://optimize.me/coach (← Join 2,000+ Optimizers from 7...
+1: #610 The Greatest Stock Market
06 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In our last +1, we met one of my heroes, Mrs. Kristie Kuehnast. I smile with joy (and in awe) every time I imagine her fifth-grade students coming ...
PNTV: Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*T by Steven Pressfield
04 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
When I first saw the title for this book I thought to myself, "Really, Steve? THIS is what you think I need to hear? That nobody wants to read my sh_...