“PROGRESS IS THE SOUL OF THE UNIVERSE.” - DE CHARDIN What do you believe in? We all agree that certain things are wrong. We’re constantly redefining what it means to treat each other with compassion and respect. So what is it that’s inspiring us to change? You might think that it’s random. But maybe there is a force behind it all. For this Five Minute Friday, I revisited a conversation I had with author, speaker and former pastor Rob Bell where he talked about why he believes in God. Rob Bell is the author of ten books, including the New York Times Bestsellers What We Talk About When We Talk About God, The Zimzum of Love, Love Wins and What Is the Bible?. His podcast, called the RobCast, was named by iTunes Best of 2015. He’s been profiled in the New Yorker, toured with Oprah, and in 2011 Time Magazine named him one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. Rob reminds us that moving forward and leaving harmful practices behind is what it means to be human. Reflect with Rob about how far we’ve come and where we need to go in Episode 753. In This Episode You Will Learn: What Rob puts his faith in (2:00) About the changes that are happening in society (2:30) What topics Rob thinks we still need to change as a country (3:30) If Rob believes in God (4:30)

UBUNTU: I AM BECAUSE WE ARE, AND, SINCE WE ARE, THEREFORE I AM. What do you do with your dreams? Do you even take time to dream? So many of us are afraid to even admit to ourselves what we really want. But if you write your dreams down, magic happens. You’ll be shocked at how they will make themselves into reality. Write them down. The best kind of dreams, though, are the ones that will help others. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I’m sharing an inspiration speech from The Summit of Greatness from a woman who broke the cycle of poverty and returned to better her community: Tererai Trent. Dr. Tererai Trent is one of today’s most internationally recognized voices for quality education and women’s empowerment. Distinguished as Oprah Winfrey’s “All-Time Favorite Guest,” Tererai is a scholar, humanitarian, motivational speaker, educator, author, and founder of Tererai Trent International. Tererai wrote down her dreams and buried them in a can in Zimbabwe. She went on to accomplish them all. She visualized her dreams so fully that when she actually experienced them, it gave her a feeling of deja vu. So get ready to learn all about Tererai’s amazing journey from child bride to scholar and how you can achieve your dreams on Episode 752. Some Questions Asked: How do you, as a woman, let your voice be heard every day? (4:18) Where are your children today? (5:41) How can we inspire men to empower women? (6:55) What’s one thing we could all do different? (9:08) How do you continue your mindset? (10:08) In This Episode You Will Learn: How she defied the rules of her people (4:23) When we inspire more men, women are healed (7:22) How to believe in our dreams (9:26) How she focuses her mind on daily rituals (10:56)

THE AMERICAN DREAM I NOT DEAD. We are conditioned to spend money. We think, “I’ll just get a credit card. I’ll just get a loan. I’ll just pay for it later.” Advertisements tell us to spend, spend, spend. What if, instead, you became allergic to debt. I’m lucky that my father taught me the importance of savings and investing. But I see so many of my friends spend all of their paychecks. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I talk about growing wealth with a personal finance expert: Chris Hogan. Chris Hogan is a best-selling author and America’s leading voice on retirement, investing, and building wealth. His goal is to help as many people as possible avoid financial traps and set their families up for the future. Along with speaking at events across the country, Chris works with business leaders, professional athletes, and entertainers to help them set goals and navigate their financial futures. Chris says that to grow money you need time and compound interest. He never buys anything that he can’t pay for in cash. So get ready to learn how to build extraordinary wealth the slow and steady way on Episode 751. Some Questions I Ask: How do millionaires think differently than non-millionaires? (14:00) How do you manage emotional challenges so they don’t affect your money? (16:00) What’s the difference between getting rich and building wealth? (30:00) How do we get people to be allergic to debt? (36:00) What type of education should people be looking for right now? (40:00) Do you recommend people get a side hustle? (54:00) Should you do a prenup when you get married? (58:00) In This Episode You Will Learn: How Chris started working with Dave Ramsey (9:00) Two myths about millionaires (12:00) Top three positions of the millionaires Chris studied (13:00) The four people everyone needs in their life (14:00) Chris’ thoughts on cryptocurrencies (26:00) Why automatic investing is the best method for saving (40:00) The four D’s to partnerships (56:00)

THE SCHOOL OF GREATNESS IS TURNING SIX. I’ve been hosting The School of Greatness for six years. We’ve done 750 episodes. That’s 750 conversations with inspiring people like Kobe Bryant, Scooter Braun, Maria Sharapova, Tony Robbins, Sarah Blakely, Maria Shriver and more. When I started, I hoped it would reach millions of people. Now the podcast has over 90 million downloads. My life has changed for the better because of The School of Greatness. I hope yours has, too. Anniversaries are a great time to reflect back on how far you’ve come. That’s why, for this Five Minute Friday, I bringing back a conversation with Robert Greene from my first podcast episode ever. Robert Greene is a best-selling author known for talking about strategy, power, and seduction. His books include The 48 Laws of Power, The Art of Seduction, The 33 Strategies of War, The 50th Law (with rapper 50 Cent), Mastery, and The Laws of Human Nature. You can hear the sound quality was different back then. That’s because I started out recording episodes on my iPhone! I now have an entire team that supports me and my business. Robert discusses the idea of having the discipline to achieve mastery after finding something you’re passionate about. Interestingly enough, that’s why I started this podcast and why I continue to do it. Thank you for listening and joining me in the pursuit of greatness. Learn about the concept of mastery and see where it all started in Episode 750. In This Episode You Will Learn: What powerful people have in common (3:05) Why Robert Greene wrote a book with 50 Cent (4:35) The secret to 50 Cent’s success (5:52)

WHERE YOUR FOCUS GOES, YOUR ENERGY WILL FLOW. How do you define yourself? Do you use words like “ugly,” “fat,” or “shy?” Social media and advertising like to tell us that we’re not enough. But you don’t have to live by anyone else’s definition-you have the power to create your own. Write your own view of yourself. Right now. Do it. What you believe you will be is what you will become. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I’m sharing a powerful presentation from The Summit of Greatness from a musician who redefined a genre and herself: Lindsey Stirling. Lindsey Stirling is a violinist, dancer, performance artist, composer, and singer who presents amazing choreographed violin performances. Stirling was second place on last year’s Dancing With The Stars, has been named Forbes magazine's 30 Under 30 In Music, and was a quarter-finalist position on America's Got Talent season five. Billions of people have now watched her videos on YouTube. Lindsey struggled with depression and anorexia. It wasn’t until she decided to change her thought patterns about herself and about her future that became the powerful musician we know today. So get ready to learn how to create your own definition for your life on Episode 749. Some questions asked: How do you have the courage to speak about your faith? (7:30) What did your dad do to encourage you throughout your life? (10:29) How do you handle the pressure? (12:32) In this episode you will learn: How she tells her truth and story (7:48) How her dad is her biggest fan (10:42) The tools she used during recovery (12:57)

WHEREVER YOU ARE IS A NEW TARTING POINT. We often think of pain as bad. Whether you’re going through a breakup, getting let go from a job, or making a big move, the experience is uncomfortable. But you need that feeling to truly make changes in your life. It’s how you can adopt new thought patterns and let go of old habits. Think back on your own challenging experiences and how it affected your outlook. You are the person you are today because something made you want to rise above mediocrity. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I talk about the mindset of abundance and the power of pain with the founder of the Agape International Spiritual Center: Michael Beckwith. Michael Bernard Beckwith is a minister, author, and founder of the Agape International Spiritual Center, a New Thought church with a congregation estimated in excess of 8,000 members. Michael was one of the featured teachers in The Secret and is the originator of the Life Visioning Process, a technique purporting to offer its practitioners a method for putting a stop to being a passive tourist in one's life. Michael knows the power of thought and how it can lead you to the life you’ve always wanted. Once you start asking the empowering questions, the universe will answer you. So get ready to learn how to stay in the flow of life by creating your vision on Episode 748. Some Questions I Ask: What principles is the church Agape founded on? (4:30) What’s been the greatest human challenge in your spiritual journey? (6:00) Why do you think we are here? (21:00) What’s something you procrastinated too long on? (32:00) Why do we block the abundance of love? (47:00) What is the root of racism? (51:00) What questions should you ask when you start dating? (1:00:00) In This Episode You Will Learn: How to deal with the people who tear you down (13:00) Why it’s important to transcend the ego (19:00) The practices of mediocrity (25:00) The questions Michael asks every morning (37:00) About Michael’s spiritual awakening (42:00) How to deal with people who have different beliefs than you (55:00)

YOU ARE A CULMINATION OF ALL YOUR DECISIONS. We can blame our circumstances on our upbringing, on our partners, even on the government. But the truth is, you’ve signed up for your life experience. Everything happening in your life is a direct response to your actions. You have to let go of the belief systems that are holding you back. They might have served you in the past, but they are keeping you where you are. For this Five Minute Friday, I revisited a conversation I had with Lisa Nichols where she shared how she developed an abundance mindset that took her from being a single mom on welfare to a millionaire entrepreneur. Lisa Nichols is one of the world’s most-requested motivational speakers, is the best-selling author of seven books, and is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Motivating the Masses, Inc. Changing the way we look at the world can be scary and painful. But it will make the difference between accomplishing your dreams or not. It’s time to give blood, sweat, and tears. Learn how to develop an abundance mindset no matter how uncomfortable it makes you in Episode 747. In This Episode You Will Learn: How to get rid of your old belief systems (3:00) The book that affected Lisa the most (3:30) The cost of an abundance mindset (4:00) How Lisa started learning about business (5:00)

WHO ARE YOU TRYING TO IMPRESS? We are constantly trying to be what we’re not. We’re trying to look like someone else, perform like someone else, or spend our time in ways that make other people happy. This is an exhausting way to live. Like Einstein says, “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” You are the most powerful when you’re tapped into what makes you unique. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I’m sharing a Summit of Greatness presentation from a former monk and master storyteller: Jay Shetty. Jay Shetty is an award-winning host, storyteller and viral content creator. Since launching his video channel in 2016, Jay’s viral wisdom videos have garnered over 1 billion views and gained over 3 million followers globally. He explains the three lies that people tell us and why it’s much more important to listen to your opinions than anyone else’s. If you take the time to write, reflect, and learn about yourself, you can learn to celebrate what makes you great. No one will be able to hold you back once you do. So get ready to learn about passion, pain, and purpose on Episode 746. Some Questions Asked: How do you figure out what “you are?” (7:08) How do you help people with ADD focus? (8:25) What’s your advice for people who are struggling with their past? (13:17) In This Episode You Will Learn: How to look at small incremental changes (8:47) How healing others’ physical pain and help your mental pain (10:00) The power of journaling (14:07)

EMOTIONS ARE GREAT SERVANTS, BUT POOR MASTERS. So many men are hurting, and then hurting others. People don’t want to hear that. But men feel like they’re emotional prisoners. They are committing suicide at much higher rates. They are the ones performing mass shootings. They are reacting in violence. We have to allow men ways to process their past and to express their emotions in order to become the people they are meant to be. It’s not important to “be a man,” it’s important to be human. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I talk about the definition of masculinity with a man whose mission is to mentor boys: Jason Wilson. Detroit’s Jason Wilson is a husband and father of two, and the founder and head instructor of the Cave of Adullam Transformational Training Academy, also known as CATTA. In 2015, he received the Campaign for Black Male Achievement Innovation Accelerator Award. In 2016, Wilson received the President's Volunteer Service Award in Washington D.C. Wilson has also been a guest on The Dr. Oz Show where he discussed his Emotional Stability Training® approach. In 2016, Wilson was a presenter at the White House for the My Brother's Keeper Showcase presented by then-President Barack Obama. What Jason is doing so needed in the world. Like Frederick Douglass said, “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” So get ready to learn how to heal past trauma, rule your emotions, and “man down” on Episode 745. Some Questions I Ask: When did you realize your life was full of trauma? (16:00) What should a man do if he expresses a hurt side of himself and he gets ridiculed by his partner? (24:00) How do you rule your emotions? (39:00) What’s your biggest insecurity? (45:00) What’s your biggest insecurity about being a father? (49:00) What should define us as men? (57:00) In This Episode You Will Learn: Why men need to operate in the fullness of who they are (27:00) The first steps to take to process past trauma (30:00) How men can be better lovers to their partners (38:00) About Jason’s training academy (42:00) The best way women can support men in processing trauma (52:00) Why it’s important for men to cry (55:00)

RISE AND GRIND. You have to give yourself permission to follow your dreams. You might think, “People like me don’t don’t do that,” “I’m not ready,” or “There’s no way for e to succeed.” But no one is going to tell you that you can. You have to know that for yourself. It’s so important. Your belief in yourself is the difference between success and failure. That’s why, for this Five Minute Friday, I revisited a conversation I had with the creator of Fubu, Daymond John, where he shared how he realized that he could be a fashion designer. Daymond John is the star of one of my favorite shows, Shark Tank, and is a bestselling author with a new book called The Power of Broke. He’s a self-made multimillionaire with over $4 billion in global product sales. Daymond used to think that clothing was designed by old people in Italy who wore measuring tape around their neck. It wasn’t until he saw Karl Kani’s line that he realized that he could do it, too. Do you have self-limiting beliefs that are holding you back from pursuing your dreams? Learn how to make money doing something you’re passionate about (no matter where you come from) in Episode 744. In This Episode You Will Learn: Daymond’s age when he sold his first item of clothing (1:00) What gave Daymond his belief in himself (2:00) The story of the beginning of FUBU (3:00) About Daymond’s very first business (4:00)

IF YOUR LIFE WAS A BOOK, HOW WOULD YOU WANT YOUR STORY TO GO? Whatever it is that you want to do in this new year- declare it. Tell everyone. One of the scariest things you can do is to admit your goals. What if you fail? But saying your intentions out loud allows the universe and those around you to make them a reality. Holding yourself accountable to what you really want won’t be easy, but it will force you to dig deep. No one knows this better than my guest on today’s special episode of The School of Greatness. I’m sharing a speech from this year’s Summit of Greatness with an inspirational athlete and author: Amy Purdy. Amy Purdy is a para-snowboarder, motivational speaker, clothing designer and New York Times bestselling author. She is a 2014 Paralympic bronze medalist, 2018 Paralympics silver medalist, and co-founder of Adaptive Action Sports. In 2013, She was named one of the top 15 most marketable para-athletes in the world by the International Olympic Committee. Amy has competed on CBS’s The Amazing Race and ABC’s Dancing With The Stars, eventually becoming the show’s runner-up. Amy used a tragedy that took her feet to push her to the next level. She teaches us to use obstacles not as a reason stop but as a springboard to new ideas. So get ready to learn how to write your own story on Episode 743. Some Questions Asked: What message would you give to other disabled people? (10:26) What’s next? (15:28) How did you become such a great speaker? (17:34) What do you do to stay motivated? (22:43) In This Episode You Will Learn: How to use what you have (11:57) How Amy is aware of her time (14:07) Why it’s important to tell stories that make you feel vulnerable (19:00) The power of intention (23:40) And much more... Follow me on instagram @lewishowes Follow me on twitter @lewishowes

DON'T LET "POTENTIAL" BE WRITTEN ON YOUR TOMBSTONE. About ten years ago when I was playing professional football, I got injured. I ended up on my sister’s couch. I felt bad for myself and thought that there should be a way for people like me to get help. Then I realized- what if I could solve this problem? It was that experience that led me into the work I do today. One of the reasons I don’t follow politics is because I want to focus on overcoming our own challenges. That’s why I’m so interested in my guest on today’s episode of The School of Greatness: Ben Shapiro. Ben Shapiro is editor-in-chief of The Daily Wire and host of "The Ben Shapiro Show," the top conservative podcast in the nation. Ben is the New York Times bestselling author of seven nonfiction books and is constantly featured on major newspapers and websites. Ben believes that people need to look within when they have a problem. He’s more interested in root values than debating specific issues. He ruffles a lot of feathers and I don’t agree with everything he says, but I still think you’re going to enjoy this one. So get ready to learn about going from victimhood to a powerful mindset on Episode 742. Some Questions I Ask: Why are you so passionate about your message? (3:00) How do you avoid judging people you disagree with (6:00) Who was the most influential person in your life growing up? (17:00) What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned from your mom? (35:00) What’s your most proud moment growing up? (57:30) What is your purpose moving forward? (1:15:00) In This Episode You Will Learn: How to debate effectively (8:00) The difference between rights and duties (28:00) The four things humans need to be happy (38:00) About Ben’s challenging upbringing (50:00) About the importance of authenticity (1:00:00)

POSITIVELY IMPACT THE WORLD AROUND YOU. If you were to ask my grandfather what a billionaire is, he would tell you it’s someone with a billion dollars. Today, that definition has changed - even by Forbes standard. Now a true billionaire is someone who impacts a billion lives. The value of money is declining, and in order to have true value in this world you need to add positivity to the world. It’s so much easier today than ever, especially in the digital age. To dive into this more, I revisited a conversation I had with Jason Silva for this Five Minute Friday. Jason Silva is a media artist, futurist, philosopher, keynote speaker, and tv personality. He is the creator of Shots of All, a short film series of trailers for the mind that serve as philosophical espresso shots exploring innovation, technology, creativity, futurism, and metaphysics of the imagination. He is also the Emmy nominated host of National Geographic’s channel, hit TV series, Brain Games, which airs in over 100 countries. Learn what it means to be human today on Episode 741. In This Episode You Will Learn: What it means to be human today (1:02) The Extended Mind Thesis (2:13) What three questions everyone should ask themselves (4:19)

LET HAPPINESS HAPPEN. Are you waiting to be happy? Maybe you’re waiting until you reach your goal weight, you get that car, or you get that promotion. What if I told you that your happiness is not going to be there when you get those things? You might feel a rush for a moment, but it won’t last. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I created a mashup on happiness with quotes from Marisa Peer, Rich Roll, Trent Shelton, Brooke Ence, James Clear, Rachel Hollis, Shaun T, and Susan David. All of these people agree that happiness cannot be found in things or achievement. It’s within your power RIGHT NOW to be happy. Happiness is not something you search for. It’s something you choose. What are you waiting for? Get ready to learn all about happiness from some of the greatest minds in the world on Episode 740. Some questions I ask: Where does happiness come from and how to you get to that place? (0:59) What exactly is happiness? (4:00) How do you achieve the mental state of happiness? (5:16) Does happiness only come from within? (9:49) In This Episode You Will Learn: How being present can help you be happy (5:02) Actionable steps to happiness (5:38) The thing most people aren’t taught about happiness (6:38) Why you need to focus on the relationship with yourself (7:14)

CREATE GOLD OUT OF DIRT. It’s the end of another year. You have to take time to reflect. Celebrate your wins. Embrace your losses. If you don’t, you’ll miss out on an amazing opportunity. You have the power to mold your ideas into reality every single moment of your life. Growing up, I never wanted to lose. But it wasn’t until I learned to reframe the loss as a lesson that I was able to really get to the next level. You alone are responsible for your life. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I talk with you about my wins and losses from the last year. I share how, this year, I chose to invest in myself. I partnered with people of the highest level to help my social media, my voice, my nutrition and more. The results were incredible. I also talk about struggling with saying “no” in the past year and how I failed to be upfront in my partnerships and relationships. Everything I’ve done has lead me here. And I couldn’t have done it without you. So learn how to celebrate your wins and reframe your losses on Episode 739. In This Episode You Will Learn: The healthiest way to look at your mistakes (2:00) My wins from 2018 (7:00) The things I’ve had to say “no” to in 2018 (21:00) Why it’s important to partner with people at the highest level (23:00) The proudest moment of my life (30:00) The lessons I learned this year (34:00) Follow me on instagram: @lewishowes

THERE'S ALWAYS A PRICE TO PAY. I’ve got a huge sweet tooth. I’d love to eat candy all day. But I know that what we put into our body will affect what we can get out of it. If you want to achieve greatness in your health, you have to keep finding what works and tweak it. You need to approach nutrition the same way you approach business or athletics.Keep refining until you get to the next level. Diet is so important. That’s why, for this Five Minute Friday, I revisited a conversation I had with Dr. Peter Osborne where he shared how what we eat affects every aspect of our lives. Dr. Peter Osborne is the clinical director of Origins Health Care in Sugar Land, Texas. He is a Doctor of pastoral science, and a Board Certified Clinical Nutritionist. Often times referred to as “The Gluten Free Warrior,” he is one of the most sought-after alternative and nutritional experts in the world. He says that you can cheat on your diet, but if you look at it like getting 6/7 on a test score, you’re only getting a “B.” I think we can all do better than that. Learn how your diet is affecting your health in major ways in Episode 738. In This Episode You Will Learn: The three fundamental rules of nutrition (1:00) How long it takes to find out if your diet is causing you pain (2:30) If you can have a cheat day (4:00) The relationship between food and death (6:00)

LIVE WITHOUT REGRET. I am going to die. You are going to die. It’s a fact that we can’t escape. Even though it can be hard to talk about, it will help you live a better life if you have the courage to accept it. You might spend more time with the people you love, say how you were actually feeling, or go after that dream. In the end, the key to life might actually be death. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I talk about the power of accepting death with an inspiring woman who spent 8 years working with the dying: Bronnie Ware. Bronnie Ware is a teacher of courage and regret-free living. Having sat by the bedsides of the terminally ill for several years, she knows the pain of dying with regret. She has written three books: The Top Five Regrets of Dying, Your Year for Change, and Bloom. Bronnie says that the way to have more inner peace is to be kinder to yourself. We have to be willing to let more joy in. If you’re doing your best, you’re doing enough. So get ready to learn about the top regrets of the dying and how you can live a more fulfilling life on Episode 737. Some Questions I Ask: Why don’t we allow ourselves to be happy? (16:00) If there were a sixth regret of the dying, what would it be? (18:00) How can you learn how to receive? (20:00) Why did you want to write a new book? (28:00) How do you handle having an autoimmune disease? (32:00) Who were the most courageous people you worked with? (38:00) In This Episode You Will Learn: The top five regrets of the dying (8:15) Why it’s important to use death as a tool for life (12:30) Bronnie’s journey through depression (23:00) The importance of leaving space (30:00) How to allow more joy in your life (36:00) How to find inner peace (39:00)

THE MORE YOU GIVE, THE MORE YOU LIVE. You need to have a why. Why are you hustling every day? Why are you pushing yourself? Why are you sacrificing? If you have a purpose, you’ll have the passion you need to follow through. There is nothing more powerful. And it’s become a necessity- in today’s world, it’s difficult to be a successful entrepreneur unless you are connected to a greater good and you communicate that with others. Storytelling can be your greatest tool. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I talk about creating business with purpose with the creator of the One for One® model: Blake Mycoskie. Blake Mycoskie is the Founder and Chief Shoe Giver of TOMS, which has provided over 86 million pairs of shoes to children since 2006. TOMS Eyewear has restored sight to over 600,000 people since 2011 and TOMS Roasting Company has helped provide over 600,000 weeks of safe water since launching in 2014. In 2015, TOMS Bag Collection was founded with the mission to help provide training for skilled birth attendants and distribute birth kits containing items that help a woman safely deliver her baby. As of 2016, TOMS has supported safe birth services for over 25,000 mothers. Before TOMS, Blake, a native of Texas who always had an entrepreneurial spirit, started five businesses. His first was a successful campus laundry service, which he later sold. Between business ventures, Blake competed in the CBS primetime series, The Amazing Race. With his sister, Paige, Blake traveled the world and came within minutes of winning the $1 million dollar grand prize. Blake is an avid reader and traveler. He is passionate about inspiring young people to help make tomorrow better, encouraging them to include giving in everything they do. His hope is to see a future full of social-minded businesses and consumers. Blake is passionate about using commerce to make money while creating social good. He says that people want to help others, they just need to be given the opportunity. He says that it’s important to connect in a way that lets the customer be the hero. So get ready to learn why it’s powerful to connect people’s wants and needs on Episode 736. Some Questions I Ask: What was your original inspiration for doing a buy one give one model? (2:00) Do you think a business can thrive with one story? (9:30) How do you stay inspired? (11:00) If you were going to create a new business in a new space, what would it be? (19:00) What is the biggest challenge you face? (26:00) In This Episode You Will Learn: How storytelling can help your business (5:00) Why modern business has to have a purpose (15:00) How you can use critique to your benefit (21:30) Using the concept of “essentialism” to plan your time (28:00) Why Blake is passionate about gun reform (35:00) The one thing entrepreneurs need to stay passionate (49:00)

DON'T LET PERFECT BE THE ENEMY OF GOOD. We can talk ourselves out of almost anything. “I’m not good enough.” “I’m not ready.” “I don’t have all the skills.” But what if you just took the plunge? What if you risked things not being “perfect” and put yourself out there? You might fail, but you’ll learn a lot more than if you had never shown your project to the world. It’s like I always say- the biggest risk takers are the most interesting. For this Five Minute Friday, I revisited a conversation I had with the entrepreneur Gunnar Lovelace who is passionate about telling people that it’s ok to make mistakes. Growing up poor with a single mom left Gunnar with a burning desire to create wealth to do good. As a result, he is a five-time serial entrepreneur focused on social impact at scale (people, planet + profit). Gunnar is the founder and CSO of Thrive Market, which offers organic groceries online at wholesale prices nationally. It has raised $200 million and grown to seven million users and 700 employees in three years. Gunnar shares that part of the reason he is so successful is that he didn’t know everything when he started. He says that you need to get in the driver’s seat instead of overthinking. Learn how to battle your perfectionism and dive into your dreams in Episode 735. In This Episode You Will Learn: What Gunnar tells his entrepreneurial friends (1:30) Why it’s important to make mistakes (2:00) How to use fear as a teacher (3:00) Why you need real market feedback (4:00)

Have you celebrated where you are today? It’s important to have big goals. It’s important to have high standards. But you also need to acknowledge all you’ve done. Life isn’t only about the grind. It’s also about joy. This is a lesson I’ve had to learn through the years, and I believe it’s a key to my success. You have to enjoy every step along the way. I share this thought and many more on this special episode of The School of Greatness where I invited the winners of the Inspiring Life Contest from around the world to join me in the studio. This past year, we held a contest on our Facebook Watch show, Inspiring Life. Those winners got a bunch of prizes including getting flown out to CA for an interview on the podcast. Amanda Michel from Dubai, Jackie Morey from Seattle, Pete Kotzbach from Redondo Beach, Julie Richard from New Brunswick, Canada, and Kelsey Ruger joined me for a live Q&A. They asked me questions on how I’ve created The School of Greatness, what makes a good interview, and my goals for the future. I also share some behind-the-scenes information on the podcast. Get ready to hear me answer questions from you, the listeners, on Episode 734. Some Questions They Ask: How did you start reaching out to people for your podcast? (5:30) How did you build up to live events? (11:00) At what point did you start to think of yourself as successful? (16:00) At what point did people start asking to come on your podcast? (21:00) When you started, did you feel that people supported you? (41:00) Who do you look up to? (46:00) How far out do you set your goals? (1:05:00) In This Episode You Will Learn: The importance of celebrating wins (18:00) Why you have to come from joy (20:00) The questions I ask every interviewee before we record (33:00) How to surround yourself with the right people (42:00) The lesson that took me six years to learn (43:00) About the interviews I felt didn’t go well (52:00) How The School of Greatness evolved into what it is today (55:00) How I map out the year to accomplish my goals (1:06:00) How I met my girlfriend (1:14:00)

There’s hard work, and then there’s HARD WORK. Some people may be smarter than you. They may have more resources at their disposal. They might even have more natural talent. But the one thing you can do is WORK HARD. You can only control a certain number of factors. As long as you focus on those, you will become the best version of yourself. When you get to the end, you need to know that you did everything you could to accomplish your goal. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I talk with an athlete who works tirelessly to be the fittest woman in the world: Katrín Davíðsdóttir. Katrín Tanja Davíðsdóttir is an Icelandic CrossFit athlete known for her four appearances at the CrossFit Games. She is the women's champion of the 2015 and 2016 CrossFit Games, becoming the second woman to win twice. Katrin didn’t become Olympic gymnast like she originally wanted. But she went on to become a world-renowned CrossFit champion. You can’t always be anything you want, but you can be all that you are. So get ready to learn all about what goes into becoming the Fittest Woman on Earth on Episode 733. Some Questions I Ask: Where do you think you’d be if you had qualified for the games in 2014? (22:00) What does it take to be the best in the world? (23:15) Do you ever take a day off? (24:00) What’s your biggest physical weakness right now? (25:00) What about your mindset do you think still needs work? (43:00) Do you think intimate partnerships support someone’s drive to be the best in the world or could it hold you back? (48:30) What are your thoughts on body image and femininity? (51:30) What’s the biggest lesson your grandmother taught you (55:00) In This Episode You Will Learn: Why not qualifying for the CrossFit Games was the best thing to happen to Katrin (6:00) What Katrin would do if she wasn’t an athlete (23:00) About the concept of balance when pursuing your goals (24:00) Katrin’s hardest workout (42:00) The three lessons Katrin’s coach has taught her (56:30) Katrin’s greatest fear (59:00) What caused Katrin to be someone who works hard (1:04:30)

“COMMITTED SEX IS PREMEDITATED SEX.” - ESTHER PEREL Let’s talk about sex. So often, we blame our lack of romance on our partner. We’ll say, “He or she just isn’t doing it for me anymore.” But what if it’s your responsibility to make sure that you’re keeping the passion alive? If you are truly living your fullest life, you will create desire. Take ownership. That’s why, for this week’s Five Minute Friday, I want to share this conversation I had with world-renowned relationship expert Esther Perel who knows the key to making monogamous relationships successful. Belgian psychotherapist Esther Perel is the New York Times bestselling author of The State of Affairs and Mating in Captivity. Her celebrated TED talks have garnered more than 20 million views and she is also the host of the popular podcast Where Should We Begin? Esther says that it’s not the other person who turns you on or off. You turn yourself on by making sure you are connected to what lights you up. Learn how investing in yourself and pursuing your life force will help you want monogamy on Episode 732. In This Episode You Will Learn: The definition of “desire” (00:45) What makes someone want to be monogamous (1:30) What the biggest turn on is (2:10) How to experience love and desire at the same time (2:55) How to keep sex erotic (4:00).

“PASSION IS THE NUMBER ONE INGREDIENT TO SUCCEEDING IN ANYTHING.” Are you governed by fear? If so, it’s time to figure out if what you’re scared of is real or imaginary. What if there really isn’t anything to be afraid of? You might have some setbacks or “fall,” but at the end of the day you’ll be fine. In the face of stress, you can get overwhelmed by negative emotions, or you can look forward. You can instead focus on the task ahead. It’s all about your mindset. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I talk about fear with a champion climber who has learned to be mental tough by constantly pushing her limits: Sasha Digiulian. Sasha Digiulian first began climbing at 6 years old, in 1998. She has won the World Championships for Female Overall and has placed Silver in the Bouldering World Championships, as well as Bronze in the Duel. Sasha has been the undefeated Panamerican Champion 2004 to the present, and she is a three-time US National Champion. Outdoors, Sasha is the first North American woman to climb the grade 9a, 5.14d, recognized as one of the hardest sport climbs achieved by a female. She has done two. Sasha was the third woman in the world to accomplish this grade. Additionally, she has onsighted multiple 8b+’s, 5.14a’s, ascended groundbreaking multi-pitch routes of up to 1000 feet of 8c climbing, and has accomplished multiple First Ascents and 28 First Female Ascents around the world, including a First Female Ascent on the North Face of the Eiger. Sasha has learned to trust the process and the universe in order to quiet her anxiety. She says that the only way to get up a mountain is to think positively. She’ll find herself saying, “Just go, just go, just go” when she’s in a tough spot. So get ready to learn how to have the mindset of a champion risk-taker on Episode 731. Some Questions I Ask: What’s the highest mountain you’ve climbed? (20:00) How do you stay focused while climbing? (23:30) Are there more men or women in climbing? (27:00) How do you manage stress levels? (32:00) What’s your thought process during a climb? (46:00) What did you learn from your father’s death? (1:00:00) In This Episode You Will Learn: The difference between speed climbing, bouldering, and sport climbing (11:00) How Sasha got started in climbing (12:00) The largest distance Sasha has fallen (17:00) About Sasha’s scariest climb (34:00) The mantras that Sasha says while climbing (48:00) The three things Sasha’s parents taught her (53:00) The reason why sleep is so important (1:06:00)

MARRIAGE ISN'T THE PROBLEM - MARRYING THE WRONG PERSON IS. We all want connection. We all want an amazing, sexy, supportive romantic relationship. So why is it so hard to find the person who can fill that position? Most often, it’s not other people that are the problem- it’s ourselves. We have so much hurt from our past that we haven’t worked through that keeps us from experience true connection with someone else. Hurt people hurt people. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I discuss what is keeping people from accepting love and why marriages fail with an incredible relationship guru: Stephan Labossiere. Stephan Labossiere a.k.a Stephan Speaks is a certified relationship coach, speaker, and author. From understanding the opposite sex to navigating the paths and avoiding the pitfalls of relationships and self-growth, Stephan's relationship advice and insight help countless individuals achieve an authentically amazing life. Seen, heard and chronicled in national and international media outlets including; the Tom Joyner Morning Show, The Examiner, ABC, and Huffington Post Live, to name a few. To coin a phrase by an individual who attended one of his speaking engagements, "he's definitely the relationship guy, all relationships all the time." Stephan talks about how important it is to heal before you get into a relationship. Otherwise, you’re going to be projecting your past hurt onto your partner. He says that the most important part of every relationship is connection. Connection will bring chemistry. So get ready to learn all about the things that make a romantic relationship last on Episode 730. Some Questions I Ask: Who runs away from relationships that have potential more? Men or Women? (15:00) What makes you an expert on relationships? (19:00) What’s the greatest lesson you’ve learned in a relationship? (22:00) What are the key things people should be looking for in a partner? (24:00) How often should we be talking about our sexual needs? (35:00) How do you manifest “the one?” (42:00) When someone feels like they have found “the one,” what are the conversations they should have to know it’s the right decision? (49:00) How do you know when you should end a relationship? (1:08:00) In This Episode You Will Learn: The number one thing holding people back from successful relationships (10:00) Why men ruin relationships more than women (18:00) How abstinence helped Stephan see things more clearly (20:00) The things that every great relationship needs (23:00) About the “Who Hurt Me” List (39:00) The attitude many women have that pushes men away (44:00) The truth about open relationships (58:00) The one thing that Stephan wishes men knew about women (1:13:00)

IT'S ALL ABOUT WHO YOU KNOW. You know how people always say, “There’s power in your peer group?” That’s only half the story. Sometimes you have to buy your way into growth. There are plenty of successful people who want to help you. You just have to create an environment where they can. Sometimes, you have to pay for the knowledge and connections of the leaders in your field. It’s the same way you set yourself up for success with fitness, with education, and with goal-setting: you invest in learning. For this Five Minute Friday, the incredible Brendon Burchard shares why investing in a Mastermind is the way to get to the next level. Brendon Burchard is a New York Times bestselling author whose books include The Motivation Manifesto, The Charge, Life’s Golden Ticket, and The Millionaire Messenger. He was on the cover of SUCCESS magazine in October 2017 and is included in Oprah’s Super Soul 100. When he started out his career, Brendan didn’t have a positive network. He had to make his own. By “buying his way in,” he got connected with influential people who could open doors for him. Learn how to create structures in which people can support you in Episode 729. In This Episode You Will Learn: What a Mastermind is (1:30) About Brendan’s upbringing and how he got connected (2:00) The three benefits of a Mastermind group (3:45) Why it’s worthwhile to invest in your future (4:30)

ACCELERATE YOUR LEARNING CURVE. Are you taking advantage of the knowledge of the smartest people in your field? If not, you are denying yourself an abundance of information. You need consistent accountability at the highest level. You need inspiration from inspiring peers. And you need to be a part of something that is coaching you to play bigger. Some might call it an accountability group. In the business industry, we call these groups “Masterminds.” It’s a dynamic that you miss out on when you only do one-on-one coaching. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I do a special solo episode where I explain how joining a Mastermind group has changed my life and how it can change yours. “You need to constantly clear your mind and be open to new opportunities.” - Lewis Howes I coach my own group called the Greatness Mastermind. If you’re making seven figures, you eligible to join. You don’t want to join a group that will keep you at the same level or where you’re the smartest person in the room. You have to be inspired by the community of people you join. So get ready to learn all about getting access to influential people by joining a Mastermind on Episode 728. In This Episode You Will Learn: The one thing I would do differently if I started over again (2:00) Why you should be looking for a Mastermind (2:40) About the first Mastermind I was a part of (6:00) 6 Keys to finding a mastermind (12:45) About my mastermind (22:00)

STOP PLAYING SMALL. So often we are afraid to go all in. Whether it’s in a relationship, in business, or in an investment, the fear of failure keeps us from fully committing. What a mistake. I’ve had to learn to love failure. I have to consciously tell my brain, “You’re going to fail. And it’s going to be ok.” Take the leap. Make the commitment. Dare to take a stand. If we’re not failing, we are staying too safe. And you won’t grow unless you are constantly making yourself uncomfortable. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I dive deep into the idea of going all in when the time is right with one of the most successful investors in the world: Matt Higgins. Matt Higgins is a proven operator, investor and business builder with a knack for helping founders at pivotal growth moments achieve breakout success. He serves as CEO of RSE Ventures, a private firm that incubates and invests in companies across sports and entertainment, food and lifestyle, media and marketing, and technology. Higgins co-founded RSE with Miami Dolphins owner, Stephen M. Ross, the most prominent private developer in the U.S. and a serial entrepreneur. Together Higgins and Ross have helped build enterprises from scratch, including the largest privately owned soccer tournament in the world (International Champions Cup) and leading brand strategy and communications agency Derris. Matt didn’t graduate from high school. He came from a humble beginning but never let that hold him back from getting where he is today. He says that when you do things your own way and you start with a blank page, it’s going to be a lonely journey. You have to trust yourself and be careful about the advice that you take. So get ready to learn what makes Matt a great investor and why certain businesses are winners on Episode 727. Some Questions I Ask: How did you start this business-building fund? (7:00) What are the characteristics of the people you invest in that made them stand out? (9:45) If the product is average but the person is incredible, can there be a massive business? (19:00) What’s the biggest lesson your mom taught you? (44:00) What’s your greatest fear? (46:00) What’s the thing you’re most proud of? (53:00) In This Episode You Will Learn: The two things you need to be a great business leader (10:00) The question Matt asks himself before he invests in a company (12:00) The story of Matt’s first investment (14:00) Matt’s advice for people who are playing small (22:00) Matt’s biggest regrets in business (23:00) What do you do when you go all in but then you fail? (24:00) About Matt’s surprising backstory (31:00) The one thing Matt thought about when he was diagnosed with cancer (51:00)

WHAT YOU SAY TO YOURSELF MATTERS. The more you say things, the more you believe them. You have to tell yourself you will succeed. Write it down every day. Say it looking in the mirror. People may look at you like you’re crazy. But the more you say it, the more they’ll start to believe it, too. You will not get to where you want to go if you don’t believe in yourself. That’s why, for this Five Minute Friday, I’m sharing a conversation I had with Logan Paul whose strong belief in himself started in high school. Logan Paul has achieved so much in such a short amount of time. He is a 23 year-old actor and internet star who started out making videos on Vine and now has an amazing 18.6 million subscribers on YouTube. He also has roles in the films The Thinning and The Space Between Us. Logan says that having specific goals and working harder than everyone else has given him an edge over his peers. Learn how having a positive mindset can help you achieve enormous success in Episode 726. In This Episode You Will Learn: The hardest scene Logan has filmed (1:00) How working out gives Logan an edge (2:00) The mantra that Logan says every morning and night (3:00) How The Secret helped Logan Paul (4:00) The non-negotiable things Logan does that separates him from his peers (5:30) How working out at night can benefit you (6:00)

TRANSFORMATION IS A ROLLER COASTER. It’s that time a year where a lot of us commit to making changes in our lives. But sticking with resolutions is hard. Very few of us are consistently committed to ourselves. It is not easy. We have to think of new habits like a roller coaster. We’re building momentum to making the change. But then the roller coaster goes down. The dip is normal. When you’re feeling low, you have to know that you will climb back up. You have the forward motion to make it happen. To talk about this journey of transformation, I wanted to share a special presentation and Q+A from this year’s Summit of Greatness with an inspirational icon: Shaun T. Shaun T is a world-renowned health and fitness expert, TV host, motivator and creator of the best-selling fitness programs INSANITY, HIP HOP ABS, FOCUS T25, INSANITY MAX:30, CIZE and newly released SHAUN WEEK. He has hosted several primetime TV series and shared the stage with Adam Lambert and Val Kilmer in the musical version of the Ten Commandments, as well as landing roles in Pippin, Applause, Six Feet Under and the feature film Beauty Shop. A native of New Jersey, Shaun T received a BS in Sports Science and a minor in Theater and Dance from Rowan University. He’s danced with Mariah Carey as well as Aaron and Nick Carter, and choreographed for USTA’s Arthur Ashe Kids Day, the NCAA Final Four Halftime Show and the movie Bring it on: All or Nothing. Shaun talks about the phases that we go through when we try and succeed. He shares the superpowers that you have to get in touch with to withstand the roller coaster of chasing a goal. So get ready to learn how to unleash your seven superpowers on Episode 725. Some Questions Asked: What stories need to be told? (7:55) Who do you prepare yourself for the low? (11:06) How do you encourage people to stop hiding the things they’re uncomfortable with? (12:46) How do you go bananas but balance your life? (16:12) In This Episode You Will Learn: About the “secret backpack” that has tools for your life (8:12) Listen to what people are saying their biggest pain (9:57) What are your needs and wants now (11:48) Why you have to have a mirror moment every day (17:40)

DO THE UNEXPECTED. Do you go the easy route? The expected route? Or do you find your own path that compliments your unique passions? Finding your own way takes inner strength. You won’t be able to do it without believing in yourself. It takes a special person to defy expectations and break into a new field. People will doubt you when you do something unexpected. That’s a given. It’s how you respond when people try to dissuade you will determine if you’re successful or not. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I talk with an unlikely zookeeper who is known online as The Real Tarzann: Mike Holston. Mike Holsten is a 24 year-old zookeeper at Mario Tabrue’s Zoological Wildlife Foundation. He recently did a collaboration with Will Smith and has over four million followers on Instagram. Mike says that working hard, believing in yourself, and prayer will help you be successful against any odds. So get ready to learn how The Real Tarzann came to be on Episode 724. Some Questions I Ask: How many animals do you have right now? (16:00) How many times have you been bitten or stung? (22:30) Why is important to see someone who looks like you doing what you do? (28:30) What was the first job you had that paid you to work with animals? (33:00) What’s the most endangered animal? (38:00) What has being around animals taught you about humans? (39:00) What has changed since Will Smith posted about you? (51:00) What has kept you motivated to pursue this dream? (53:00) Do you eat meat? (1:03:00) In This Episode You Will Learn: The biggest thing Cesar Millan taught Mike (14:00) Why some species get along with each other (19:00) The best pet Mike has (20:00) About the time Mike swam with sharks (24:00) If Mike thinks that wild animals should be left in the wild (35:30) The story of how Will Smith found Mike (47:00) What Mike did to get out of his depression (49:00)

“You have a right to your actions, but never to your actions’ fruits.” - Bhagavad Gita It’s a time of year where we focus on giving. We give gifts, we give back to our communities, and we give to charities. So what does it mean to give? And why is it important? Giving is not just a nice thing to do, it’s critical to your wellbeing. We are all connected- the more you give to others, the more you help yourself. For this Five Minute Friday, I revisited an amazing conversation I had with Russell Simons where he shared how the practice of giving has made him incredibly prosperous. Russell Simmons is an American entrepreneur, record producer, yogi, and author. He co-founded Def Jam Recordings and created the fashion lines Phat Farm, Argyleculture, and Tantris. He is also the founder of Rush Communications. Russell is one of the richest men in Hip Hop, but he didn’t get there by hoarding all of his wealth. He’s learned that the more he makes the world better, the more his own world is improved. He makes the point that good givers are great getters, but you have to give fully without the expectation that it will benefit you. Learn more about Russell Simmons background and why his practice of philanthropy is key to his success in Episode 723. In This Episode You Will Learn: How black entrepreneurs are inspired by their street experiences (1:30) How integration destroyed the fabric of black communities (3:00) Why Russell loves to empower new artists (4:00) Why Russell chooses to give back (5:00) How giving will help you receive (5:30)

WHAT STORY ARE YOU TELLING YOURSELF? Whatever it is, you’re creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. You’re projecting your story onto everyone around you without even realizing it. That’s why mentalists are so successful- they suggest a story to you that you accept as true. Whatever your way of thinking, it doesn’t have to stay that way. You can be free of your own story. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I talk with someone who changed his own way of thinking to become an incredible illusionist and mentalist: Derren Brown. Derren Brown uses magic, suggestion, psychology, misdirection and showmanship to create series and specials on stage and television. He’s won two Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Entertainment and has also written books for magicians as well as the general public. He doesn’t use his skills to deceive others for his own benefit. Instead, his acts are often designed to expose the methods of faith healers and mediums. So get ready to learn why humans are so easily persuaded on Episode 722. Some Questions I Ask: Do you believe there are mediums who can see into another realm? (25:54) What is your greatest superpower? (27:46) When you meet people, what goes through your mind first? (30:02) Did you used to have a bigger ego? (38:05) Why did you get into magic? (39:27) Do you have any regrets? (47:11) How can we rewire our minds? (1:02:37) In This Episode You Will Learn: The two ways faith healers deceive (19:56) Why it’s important to make peace with the parts of you that aren’t “right” (46:06) The effects of coming out as gay later in life (48:46) The three main fears people have (55:27) The importance of accepting yourself (59:44)

TAKING CARE OF MENTAL HEALTH IS POWERFUL, NOT WEAK. It’s time to open up. No matter what you’re dealing with, you’re not alone. There is nothing shameful about having anxiety. Think about this acronym for FEAR- you either Fear Everything And Run or Face Everything And Rise. The more you confront the things in your past you don’t want to do with, the more you’ll be able to move forward. So, are you going to run from your fear, or face it? On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I talk about anxiety and PTSD with a man who has become an unofficial mental health advocate: Charlamagne the God. New York Times Best-Selling Author Charlamagne Tha God is best known for being co-host of the nationally syndicated hip-hop iHeartRadio program The Breakfast Club. He is also a social media influencer; an executive producer with his own production company, CThaGod World; and co-host of the popular podcast Brilliant Idiots. Charlamagne says that refining his life’s mission and examining his past helped him take control of his anxiety. Don’t allow anxiety or depression to cause you to keep suffering. Learn about Charlamagne The God’s mental health struggles and what he did to restart his life on Episode 721. Some Questions I Ask: What are the tools you’ve learned in the last year to deal with anxiety? (12:55) What was your first job? (17:57) When was the moment that you realized you made it in radio? (20:17) Why did you get fired from your radio jobs? (20:47) How do you manage working with other big personalities? (37:45) What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from doing radio? (38:52) What’s your mission moving forward in using your platform? (42:48) What’s your biggest fear? (51:38) In This Episode You Will Learn: Why Charlamagne decided to go to therapy (5:47) Charlmagne’s experience in the prison system (16:49) How Charlamagne’s radio career started (19:20) How Breakfast Club changed Charlamagne’s life (35:55) What made Charlamagne change his life mission (44:02) How keeping a journal of the things that cause anxiety can help (48:15) How to have healthy boundaries on social media (55:44)

EMPOWER OTHERS TO SHINE. How often to tell the people around you what you love about them? Sometimes it feels easier to criticize. But this isn’t the path to creating an amazing team. Even if it’s uncomfortable to tell people what they’re doing right, it’s important. Like everything else, it’s a practice. Practice acknowledging others, and own the acknowledgment given to you. You’ll be amazed by how it changes your life. For this Five Minute Friday, I revisited a conversation I had with Chris Lee where he shared his strategies for empowering the people around you to shine by acknowledging their greatness. Chris Lee has spent the last 27 years leading powerful Leadership Seminars around the world. A pioneer in emotional intelligence, Chris Lee has trained and developed people at the top of their game such as Olympic athletes, Fortune 500 Business leaders, celebrities and individuals with a desire to elevate themselves. Chris Lee also serves as a collaborator on TV and radio shows for Univision and The Fox Network. Chris says that great leaders are star makers. They make everyone around them better. Learn why it’s important to practice appreciation for the people around you and to receive gifts of praise on Episode 720. In This Episode You Will Learn: How to acknowledge the people around you (1:00) What to do if you feel uncomfortable acknowledging someone (2:30) How to receive acknowledgment (3:00) The seven strategies to empower the people around you to shine (3:30)

TRUE SELF-LOVE IS THE KEY TO LIFE. Are you insecure and in resistance to yourself? It’s such an exhausting way to live. Instead of feelings of self-hatred, start to view everything you don’t like about yourself as a gift. Why? Because once you start to love yourself, you can begin to love others. It sounds like a cliche. But it’s the truth. Self-love is a truly powerful practice. When we start to work on our inside, the outside starts to fix itself. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I talk with someone who has dealt with stardom from a young age and is learning to love herself fully: LeAnn Rimes. LeAnn Rimes is a Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter, actress and author. Rimes rose to stardom at age 13 following the release of her version of the Bill Mack song “Blue.” Her hit song “How Do I Live” was ranked as the most successful song of the 1990s by Billboard magazine. LeAnn has gone through a very public divorce and has opened up about her struggle with psoriasis and dental problems. She talks about all the trauma she experienced and how she started to work through it using chanting, meditation, and breathwork. So get ready to learn about LeAnn’s journey to focus less on pleasing those around her and find her own voice on Episode 719. Some Questions I Ask: What was your biggest challenge? (7:50) When did you start to go through your trauma? (13:31) What were the stories that your mind told you that supported your journey and what made you suffer? (20:25) What is the greatest lesson you’ve learned from your failed marriage? (42:05) Have you been able to heal your experience with your parents? (47:15) How do you overcome the pressure of staying relevant? (49:40) In This Episode You Will Learn: How to use self-awareness as a tool to grow (18:42) Why your greatest competition is yourself (23:48) LeAnn’s struggle with Psoriasis (24:29) The daily practice you can do to love your body (27:57) How working with a breathwork teacher changed Leann’s life (32:39) Why gratitude is the key (34:37) How loving yourself can help you love others (48:36) How LeAnn stays in touch with her creativity (54:26)

HUMAN CONNECTION IS THE MOST POWERFUL. We have thousands of “friends” on social media. But how many people could you actually call in a time of need? Technology is becoming a larger and larger part of our life, but it’s causing us to be more isolated. We have to work hard to continue to build actual human connections. Otherwise, life has no meaning. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I talk about all the ways that technology is affecting us in the workplace with a friend who has done tons of research on the subject: Dan Schawbel. Dan Schawbel is a New York Times bestselling author, serial entrepreneur, Fortune 500 consultant, TV personality, keynote speaker, career and workplace expert & startup advisor. His mission in life is to support his generation from student to CEO. Dan says that we have to use technology to create more face-to-face interactions. The more people form relationships at work, the more collaborative and happy they will be. So get ready to learn how to create more connection in the workplace and in life on Episode 718. Some questions I ask: Why don’t people build better relationships at work? (13:59) What do you think every work environment should have? (18:33) What is the ideal workweek? (27:27) Why is it hard to find good people to hire? (34:14) What could you be doing better at in your company? (37:56) How do you deal with employees who are entitled? (40:37) In this episode you will learn: Why it’s important to have a good work environment (13:05) Why companies should have therapists in-house (17:25) What you should have everyone do in a meeting (19:24) Why you should hire for personality (23:17) How AI is going to affect the workplace in the future (24:05) The four things everyone is looking for in a job (29:20) The number one way to have a healthier work environment (36:29)

YOUR NEED FOR CONTROL CAN HURT YOU INSTEAD OF HELP YOU. A mental disorder is like an unhealthy relationship. You have to love yourself enough to know that you deserve better. Otherwise, you’re depriving yourself of living a full, abundant life. But it’s not easy. Admitting that you or someone you know is struggling with an eating or mental disorder is scary. That’s why, for this Five Minute Friday, I brought back a powerful conversation I had with Lindsey Stirling where she shared her journey to overcome her eating disorder. Linsey Stirling is an American violinist, dancer, performance artist, and composer. She presents choreographed violin performances, both live and in music videos found on her YouTube channel, which has over 11 million subscribers. Lindsey’s memoir The Only Pirate At The Party is a New York Times bestseller. She has been named in Forbes magazine's 30 Under 30 In Music: The Class Of 2015 and was a quarter-finalist in America’s Got Talent Season 5. Lindsey says that she combatted her disordered thinking with logic and “coached” her mom on the best ways to communicate with her. If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental disorder, help is available. Learn more ways that Lindsey learned to retrain her brain and helped the people around her know how to support her journey to overcome her eating disorder in Episode 717. In This Episode You Will Learn: When Lindsey realized her eating disorder was an issue (1:14) How Lindsey’s disorder affected her relationships (1:50) The gameplan Lindsey created to overcome her disorder (3:30) The best way to support a friend who is struggling (4:00) How you can retrain your brain (5:00)

GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR SUPERPOWERS. All of us have superpowers. They are the things that come easily to us. You have to find your superpower and then use it to change the world. Why is it so important? Because once you are coming from a place of passion, the rest will follow. People who lead with a desire for money or fame won’t have the same impact. It’s all about your intention. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I talk with an amazing entrepreneur and mother who has honed in on her superpowers and helps others find theirs: Rebekah Neumann. Rebekah Neumann is a founding partner and Chief Brand Officer at WeWork, where she has directed the company’s mission, values, and culture from its inception. As an artist, entrepreneur, and yogi, Neumann has also worked as an equity trader for Solomon Smith Barnet, gained certification as a Jivamukti yoga teacher and acted in and produced a number of film projects. Neumann majored in Business and studied Buddhism at Cornell University. Mother to five children, she is committed to creating a conscious educational community that fosters growth in children’s minds, bodies, and souls, unleashing endless happiness, global citizenship, and every child’s superpowers. Rebekah has now created WeGrow as a new approach to childhood education. She’s hoping to consciously and authentically help the planet through her work using her superpower of intuition. So get ready to get in touch with your superpowers on Episode 716. Some Questions I Ask: Do you ever hate anything? (13:47) Who came up with the name “WeWork?” (14:54) What inspired you to start a different type of school? (24:24) What are you the proudest of? (33:07) How do you emotionally handle your business taking off? (40:38) Why is WeWork taking off? (42:26) In This Episode You Will Learn: Rebekah’s superpower (11:43) Why anger isn’t a helpful emotion (19:46) The biggest thing Rebekah is working on (21:20) Rebekah’s innovative approach to early education (26:01) How Rebekah used career setbacks to find her true passion (31:50) Why it’s important to be constantly changing (44:06) Follow Guest: WeWork Website: https://www.wework.com/ WeGrow Website: https://www.wegrow.com/ Don't forget to follow me on Instagram: @lewishowes or instagram.com/lewishowes

CHOOSE THE PATH OF MOST RESISTANCE. Do you avoid challenging yourself? If you do, you’re cheating yourself of reaching your full potential. There is so much you can learn through pain. But we want to avoid it. We want to stay in our comfort zone. Growth, though, is found in the discomfort zone. You have to have the courage to face sickness, disappointment, and discomfort. That’s why I’m so excited to share this conversation I had with someone who has mastered the art of using pain as a way to better himself: David Goggins. David Goggins is a retired Navy SEAL and is the only member of the U.S. Armed Forces to complete SEAL training (including two Hell Weeks), the U.S. Army Ranger School (where he graduated as Enlisted Honor Man) and Air Force Tactical Air Controller training. David is indisputably one of the world’s best endurance athletes. He has completed over 60 endurance races, regularly placing in the top five and taken home first place several times. David says that if don’t give yourself a way out, your body will figure out a way to persevere. We are capable of so much more than we know. Mental toughness isn’t a class, it’s a lifestyle. Learn how to change your outlook on the “bad things” that happen to you and to be excited about what you can learn through hardship on Episode 715. Some Questions I Ask: What was the hardest obstacle to overcome growing up? (16:53) What was the greatest lesson your mom taught you? (25:04) When someone’s lacking confidence, how can they gain more? (33:37) What’s your biggest insecurity? (36:21) Do you have any fears today? (1:11:52) What’s the greatest lesson your father taught you? (1:26:50) In This Episode You Will Learn: What made David apply for the Military (23:04) What David believes the key to life is (35:44) Why getting sick was the best thing that ever happened to David (37:43) About the 40 Percent Rule (38:49) How to retrain your mind when you want to seek comfort (41:10) What haunts David the most (47:33) The importance of long-term gratification (1:04:20) Why you need to be quiet with yourself to succeed (1:11:08) David’s morning routine (1:17:18)

IT'S TIME TO GET THE ROOT OF YOUR HEALTH PROBLEMS. Are you constantly feeling like crap? You don’t need to live like that. The food that you put in your body has a lot to do with how well you function. Your body is incredible in how it can heal itself when you change your habits. Not only do we need to work on our personal health, but we also need to be aware of how our country’s policies affect our nation’s health. That’s why I’m sharing part of a conversation I had with a leading health expert who is working to transform the healthcare system: Dr. Mark Hyman. Dr. Mark Hyman is the Medical Director at Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Functional Medicine, the Founder of The UltraWellness Center, and a ten-time #1 New York Times Bestselling author. He is dedicated to tackling the root causes of chronic disease by harnessing the power of Functional Medicine to transform healthcare. Dr. Hyman says that the science of healthy eating is the same no matter what eating program you follow. The important thing is to implement a practical, sustainable nutrition plan that will help restore your body. Learn how you can be more in control of what you put into your body and how the healthcare system in America should change on Episode 714. In This Episode You Will Learn: How to go from sick to well (1:30) Why 21 days is all you need to reset your body (2:15) About the IFLC (I Feel Like Crap) Quiz and how it can help you eat healthier (3:30) What Dr. Hyman believes is causing our socioeconomic problems (4:10) The American policies that Dr. Hyman wants to change (4:45) Why it’s so important to teach nutrition in school (6:30)

THE KEY TO LIFE IS RELATIONSHIPS. Life’s an enrollment game. You’re either signing people up or pushing them away. The more you can learn about how the human mind works, the more you can be aware of how your actions influence others. It’s so much more than just the words that you speak. The energy that you bring into a room and the attitude you have towards life has a huge effect on the people around you. That’s why I’m so excited to share this conversation I had with an expert on human nature and the art of seduction: Robert Greene. Robert Greene is an American author and speaker known for his books on strategy, power, and seduction. He has written five international bestsellers: The 48 Laws of Power, The Art of Seduction, The 33 Strategies of War, and The 50th Law and Mastery. Robert says that you have to understand human nature in order to get people to follow you. He argues that how you interact with others determines how far you will get in life. Are you enrolling people in your vision? Or are you showing up in a way that doesn’t make people want to say yes to you? Learn how to take responsibility for the energy you put out into the world and harness the power of body language on Episode 713. Some Questions I Ask: What is your biggest insecurity? (11:38) Is there value in detaching from our emotions? (12:51) How do we understand the strength of someone’s character? (20:28) How do we break harmful patterns? (24:10) What are ways we sabotage ourselves? (28:17) What does it mean to “infect people with the proper mood”? (45:36) How do you make people want to follow you? (1:16:33) In This Episode You Will Learn: How self-doubt can actually help you (13:42) The most important thing to think about when hiring someone (21:06) What it means to have strength of character (22:11) How the Pygmalion Effect can help you succeed (31:51) How to become a Master Persuader (36:13) The key to becoming a better listener (37:14) The importance of body language (43:35) What makes someone a successful seducer (48:57) The number one need that humans have (56:17) How to find your passion (1:15:05)

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR MONEY, TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE. Talking about money can be hard. Most people would rather talk about dying than money. It’s important to come up with a game plan. When you get organized with your finances, the stress starts to go away. Both high earners and people struggling with debt both need to be educated about money management. It’s not as complicated as you think. That’s why I’m excited to share this interview with a money guru who helped me get out of debt when I was younger: Rami Sathi. Ramit Sethi is a New York Times bestselling author of I Will Teach You To Be Rich and founder of GrowthLab.com. He studied technology and psychology at Stanford and has helped over a million people live a “Rich Life.” Ramit shares tools and strategies to make the most out of your money no matter how much you make. He argues that you can buy as many lattes as you want and still be financially successful by focusing on the bigger picture. Listen to Episode 712 to what to do with your money if you’re a high earner and how to develop a plan if you make less than 150K. This episode is for everybody. Some Questions I Ask: How do high earners manage their money? (8:50) What are the three things high earners should invest in? (21:30) Should you worry about the market going up or down? (25:50) What should you do with an extra million dollars lying around? (28:30) What about real estate? (31:20) How do you teach people to overcome the fear of wasting money on rent? (38:00) Where can you find a personal CFO? (43:00) Who are the mega-earners that you learn from? (44:00) Why is it hard for us to talk about money? (45:15) In This Episode You Will Learn: The three biggest questions high earners ask (10:30) About the D to C Principle (12:30) The different “money dials” that people use (15:00) The incorrect assumption people make about high earners (20:00) The mistake entrepreneurs often make (21:00) Why you should spend 5% of your money on “fun investments” (25:00) Why everyone should invest in Dollar-Cost Averaging (27:00) Why Ramit chooses to rent instead of buy (33:50) About the Ladder of Personal Finance (49:00)

MARKETING IS MORE THAN A LOGO. If your struggling in an area of your life, it could be due to marketing. Marketing isn’t just important in your business. It’s in every area of your life. Everything you do is designed to attract or repel others. The way that you’re telling your story and selling yourself has a lot to do with who is willing to get on board. That’s why I wanted to bring back a conversation I had on The School of Greatness with a master marketer: Joe Polish. Joe Polish is the founder of Genius Network® and co-founder of the popular podcast ILoveMarketing.com. Joe’s marketing expertise has been utilized to build thousands of businesses and has generated hundreds of millions of dollars for his clients, ranging from large corporations to small family-owned businesses. Joe has helped raise over $3 million for Virgin Unite, Sir Richard Branson’s foundation. His current passion projects include JoeVolunteer.com, ArtistsForAddicts.com, and GeniusRecovery.com. Joe’s mission is to help change the global conversation surrounding addiction and addicts from one of judgement to one of compassion. Joe makes the point that marketing is something you have to learn. It’s all about setting people up to be interested in what you’re offering so that you don’t have to rely on talking them into it. Learn the importance of creating your story in order to market your business and your life on Episode 711. In This Episode You Will Learn: The difference between selling and marketing (1:00) The importance of “positioning” (1:30) The two reasons businesses don’t have success (1:50) The best tool Apple uses in marketing (4:50) The number one question is all customers’ minds (5:30)

ROCK BOTTOM IS JUST THE BEGINNING. Look at where you are right now. Are you at the bottom? Are you at a plateau but feel like you’re not moving? Everything you’ve done so far is the foundation for where you’re going next. It’s never too late. You never have too much stacked against you. That’s why I’m so grateful to share a Q+A from this year’s Summit of Greatness with a good friend and powerful speaker: Eric Thomas the Hip Hop Teacher. Eric Thomas AKA “ET the Hip Hop Teacher,” is a critically acclaimed author, speaker, educator, pastor, and audible.com Audie Awards Finalist. As CEO of his Consulting Firm, ETA LLC., Eric has led his team through the doors of dozens of reputable organizations and Fortune 500 companies such as General Electric, Quicken Loans, AT&T, Nike, Under Armour, New Balance, and UPS. He has also consulted for major Universities and the major sports teams within the MLB, NBA, NFL, and MLS. He was formerly homeless on the streets of Detroit but went on to get his Ph.D. Eric is an example that no matter where you are right now, you can still accomplish your dreams. This is just the beginning. So get ready to learn how Eric got to the next level and lives to the fullest on Episode 710. Some questions I ask: What was your biggest quitting point? (6:10) Do you have to lose sleep to succeed? (11:26) How have you been able to deliver teachings to your son when you didn’t have the best example yourself? (16:18) In this episode you'll learn: How to be more motivated (7:55) What to do when you’ve lost your faith (10:25) About Hustling vs. Self Care (12:00) How to grind to accomplish your goals (13:00) Why you should do something uncomfortable every day (14:00) The importance of your social circle (16:50)

SOMETIME SAVING SOMEONE ELSE WILL SAVE YOU. Even the most successful people can struggle with self-esteem. You won’t be able to share your gifts with the world if you don’t feel worthy. Often, finding a cause we believe in can cause us to figure out who we are and what we stand for. Be empowered to make a choice you believe in. That’s why I am so grateful to share a conversation I had with an actress who has found meaning by taking a stand on Animal Rights: Alicia Silverstone. Alicia Silverstone is an actress, entrepreneur, New York Times bestselling author, and animal rights advocate. She’s started acting at an early age. She is known for starring as Cher in the comedy hit Clueless, and Batgirl in Batman and Robin, and she currently stars in the TV show American Woman. She’s written The Kind Diet: A Simple Guide to Feeling Great, Losing Weight, and Saving the Planet and The Kind Mamma. In 2004, Alicia was named PETA's "Sexiest Female Vegetarian.” Alicia shared how becoming famous at such a young age challenged her and caused her to find a cause about which she was passionate. Learn about Alicia Silverstone’s personal journey of self-worth and hear about her new endeavors on Episode 709. Some Questions I Ask: What was your biggest challenge after Clueless? (5:17) Did your self-esteem increase after you made decisions about your diet? (12:54) If you could only do one, which would you choose: acting or spreading your message? (26:30) How were you able to handle all the fame? (35:13) How did you learn about business? (41:37) How do we cultivate our intuition? (53:09) In This Episode You Will Learn: How cleaning up her diet changed Alicia’s life (6:00) What the Kind Diet is (11:00) Why “Hollywood Diets” don’t work (12:15) What Alicia believes is the root of the world’s problems (19:50) The biggest lesson Alicia’s son has taught her (28:29) About Attachment Parenting (29:37) How breathwork changed Alicia’s life (54:23)

SET YOURSELF UP FOR SUCCESS. In football, we had systems for exercise, nutrition, plays, and practice. If the system worked, we won championships. The same works for addiction. You have to have a system in place to help you overcome it. You can’t just hope that you’ll make the right decision when you’re faced with it. It all starts in the morning. Meditation, gratitude, and breathing can help you get in the right mindset. Program your day. We all have addictions we want to end. That’s why I’m sharing some key points from a conversation I had with the co-author of the book The 30-Day Sobriety Solution: How to Cut Back or Quit Drinking in the Privacy of Your Own Home: Jack Canfield. Jack Canfield is an award-winning speaker and an internationally recognized leader in personal development and peak performance strategies. He is the creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series and author of over 150 books. In 2014, SUCCESS magazine named him “One of the Most Influential Leaders in Personal Growth and Achievement.” Jack tells us that some of the systems that we have in place to fight addiction may not be working as well as we’d like. Learn how to conquer your addictions on Episode 708. In This Episode You Will Learn: The problem with rehab (00:50) Why a systematic approach to sobriety is much more effective than rehab (2:30) Jack's step by step visualization to do every morning while working on breaking an addiction (3:20) What “decision fatigue” is (4:10) How gratitude can help you fight addiction (6:00)

FIND THE WINNING BALANCE. You hear so often that people get to the top of the mountain and realize that the summit isn’t the answer. To be a champion, you have to know that there is so much more to success than a final outcome. If you focus on the goal without being connected to your joy and larger purpose, you will get burnt out. But when you’re coming from a place of passion, the results will fall into place. To explore this topic further, I gathered parts of conversations with four world-class champions who’ve visited The School of Greatness in the past: Julianne Hough, Ray Lewis, Shawn Johnson, and Novak Djokovic. Julianne Hough is a two-time winner of ABC’s Dancing with Stars and now sits as a judge on the show. She’s one an Emmy for Outstanding Choreography and has appeared in many movies and TV productions like Footloose (2011) and Grease Live on Fox. Ray Lewis is a former NFL linebacker. He is a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Super Bowl MVP and played his entire 17-year career with the Baltimore Ravens. Shawn Johnson is a gymnast who won a gold medal in the 2008 Olympics for balance beam and a silver medal in floor exercise and all-around. She’s also a five-time Pan American Games gold medalist. Novak Djokovic is a Serbian tennis player is currently ranked third in men’s singles. He’s won 14 Grand Slam singles titles and four Wimbledon titles among many more. These athletes have achieved the immense success in their fields and have all realized that being the best is not enough of an end goal to give them purpose. So learn how these champions get in the mindset to win on Episode 707. In This Episode You Will Learn: Why being content won’t ruin your drive (10:30) What Ray Lewis learned from joining ESPN (13:40) Why Ray Lewis thinks he was able to play football for so long (14:10) What people can do to win even if they get second (14:56) What helped Novac Djokovic get through a breakdown (21:04)

WORK ON YOURSELF FIRST, THEN SHARE YOUR LIGHT. Every athlete needs an offseason. They need time to train in different ways to strengthen their mind and body for a new year. The more you work on yourself, the more you’ll be able to give. Give your mind, your heart, and your soul the nurturing it needs to grow. That’s why I was so excited to speak with an artist who is on a journey to find inner peace in order to share his gifts: Mike Posner. Mike Posner is a singer-songwriter, poet, and record producer. Mike has co-written amazing hit songs like “Sugar” by Maroon 5, “Boyfriend” by Justin Bieber, and “Beneath Your Beautiful” by Labrinth. His debut album 31 Minutes to Takeoff includes the US Billboard Hot 100 singles “Cooler than Me” and “Please Don’t Go.” His 2017 book Tear Drops & Balloons is his first book of poetry. Mike has been through a lot of loss in recent years, and he uses it all to make music and poetry. Learn about Mike Posner’s journey and hear some of his new songs on Episode 706. Some Questions I Ask: What got you into songwriting? (6:10) Where do your melodies come from? (7:35) Did things change for you overnight after your big hit? (9:15) What makes a song really go big? (15:46) What’s the biggest struggle for an artist that has a hit? (18:30) Who is your personal favorite greatest musician? (21:36) What is the biggest lesson your dad taught you? (30:02) In This Episode You Will Learn: About Mike’s struggle with depression (18:46) What makes a song a hit (24:35) What the death of loved ones taught Mike (27:01) What keeps artists happy when they’re not touring (44:10) How Mike uses meditation to be more present (45:05)