Heroic with Brian Johnson | Activate Your Best. Every Day.
1,928 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months ago - ★★★★★ - 24 ratingsHeroic with Brian Johnson features the best big ideas from life-changing books and practical tools to help you move from Theory to Practice to Mastery and flourish in Energy, Work, and Love. Get more wisdom in less time so you can activate your best, every day—so that we can change the world, one person at a time, together, starting with you and me and us, today! (Learn more at https://heroic.us)
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Episodes
+1: #15 - Did I Win?
October 31, 2017 19:00 - 4 minutes - 4.33 MBGold-medal-winning mental toughness coach and author Lanny Bassham is all about focusing on the PROCESS of goal achievement. He tells a great story about one of his clients—a pro golfer. Now, this professional golfer was struggling a bit. He was setting his goals for the year and Lanny told him not to think about winning tournaments but to put all of his attention on mastering the process of playing well—identifying the key components of a successful shot and then taking it, lit...
+1 #10: Antifragile
October 30, 2017 07:00 - 3 minutes - 2.96 MBIn his great book Antifragile, Nassim Taleb walks us through the fact that there’s a big difference between being fragile, being resilient, and being ANTIfragile. In short: If you’re fragile and life hits you hard, you break. If you’re resilient and life hits you hard, you withstand more and… eventually… you break. But… If you’re ANTIFRAGILE, when life hits you hard you actually get stronger. Think about that. The more you get kicked arou...
+1 #5: 3:59.4
October 28, 2017 13:00 - 4 minutes - 4.02 MBAt this point, most of us know that Roger Bannister was the first person to break the 4-minute mile. Very smart people of his era said that it was impossible. Period. End of story. He, of course, wasn’t so sure. But here’s what’s awesome: Do you know how Roger trained to do the impossible? Hint: He broke down his goal into bite-sized pieces. Here’s how: First, he trained until he could run a quarter mile in a minute. (Nice job!) Then he trained until he could run h...
+1: #1 - +1 or -1 = Destiny Math
October 27, 2017 07:00 - 4 minutes - 4.03 MBIn our last +1, we had fun applying Rumi’s wisdom that God turns us from one feeling to another so we have two wings to fly and not one. Today, we’ll look at another one of my favorite gems from Rumi. He tells us: “If you are irritated by every rub, how will you be polished?” Think about that. If you want to be polished (aka Optimized!!), how do you expect to get there if you’re irritated by every little rub of life? Guess what? It’s those “rubs” ...
Journaling 101: Behind the Scenes
October 20, 2017 23:39 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MBHere’s a quick look behind the scenes for one of our next classes: Journaling 101: How to Use a Pen and Paper to Create Clarity, Confidence, and Consistency. I hope you enjoy this overview of the class (and my process in creating it)! P.S. Optimize with us: http://optimize.me
My morning journaling and strategy thinking (+ Top 10 Books) (behind the scenes)
October 03, 2017 19:33 - 20 minutes - 18.7 MBI've been thinking about how I can help you optimize (technically, I'm pretty much *always* obsessing about it) and realized I should probably do some more behind-the-scenes videos to capture my (often messy) thought process about how to take Optimize to the next level and do my life's work while serving you profoundly and creating an exemplary business that scales in the process. This video is the fruits of that. Hope you enjoy! Optimize with us at https://optimize.me P.S. Notes on my T...
Interview: The Art of Connection with Michael Gelb
September 12, 2017 02:01 - 51 minutes - 47.1 MBMichael Gelb is one of the world’s leading creativity teachers. He’s also a qi gong and aikido master who wrote one of my favorite books: “How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci.” In this book, he teaches us the art of creating connection. Big Ideas we explore include how to optimize our ability to connect (practice with the little moments!), The Pygmalion Effect (aka the self-fulfilling prophecy), the importance of centering for conflict resolution, and how our addiction to digital devices (AD...
Interview: Coming Alive with Barry Michels
September 02, 2017 10:30 - 56 minutes - 51.9 MBI’m a HUGE fan of Phil and Barry's first book, The Tools. Coming Alive is kinda like The Tools Part 2. In this book, we get four new tools to go along with the original five tools. Big Ideas we explore include how to connect to our Life Force, defeat Part X (their name for that part of each of us that gets in the way), build our confidence and learn to see problems as gifts as we live a GREAT life.
Interview: Anxiety Free with Patrick McKeown
May 13, 2017 10:30 - 39 minutes - 36.2 MBThis is a quick-reading, simple, practical guide to, as the sub-title suggests, “Stop Worrying and Quieten Your Mind—Featuring the Buteyko Breathing Method and Mindfulness.” If you’re looking for a general introduction to the power of Oxygen, I’d recommend you go with Patrick’s more recent and more all-purpose Oxygen Advantage. If you suffer from anxiety and/or panic attacks, this might be a great place to start. Big Ideas we explore: The #1 rule of breathing, the 2 key benefits of putting y...
Interview: The Oxygen Advantage with Patrick McKeown
May 12, 2017 21:32 - 37 minutes - 34.7 MBPatrick McKeown is one of the world’s leading teachers of the Buteyko Breathing Method which was created in the 1950s by a Russian doctor named Dr. Konstantin Buteyko. McKeown suffered from asthma for decades until he found the Buteyko Method. At which point, he reversed his asthma symptoms and then dedicated his life to helping others optimize their breathing. In this book, he extends the Buteyko Method into an approach he calls the Oxygen Advantage. Big Ideas we cover include the #1 obstac...
Interview: Movement Matters with Katy Bowman
May 11, 2017 20:29 - 37 minutes - 34.3 MBThis book is an adaptation of a series of essays Katy created over the last five years in which she unpacks her evolving views on what she calls “movement ecology.” It’s not your typical “do X, Y, and Z” optimal living guidebook. It’s a thoughtful and thought-provoking look at why—as you can guess by the title—Movement Matters and a challenging look at how our individual and cultural decisions have created a sedentary culture and a significant nature debt that few of us ever stop to think ab...
Hero Training 101 - Friday PM
May 06, 2017 10:30 - 2 hours - 114 MBWelcome: Your Heroic Quest + Making it a Reality Our world needs heroes today more than ever before. We need YOU to be a Hero. We hope you enjoy this video from Friday Night of our weekend immersion workshop: Hero Training 101. Let’s do this! Watch the entire weekend workshop here: www.optimize.me/hero
Interview: The Road to Sparta with Dean Karnazes
May 05, 2017 23:43 - 32 minutes - 30.2 MBDo you know why we call our modern marathon a marathon? You may think you know the real story behind the very first marathon, but in this captivating, inspiring tale, Dean Karnazes (named by Men’s Health as one of the 100 Fittest Men of All Time) gives us a deeper look at the man who, 2,500 years ago, ran the first ULTRAmarathon and, in doing so, effectively saved Western civilization. :) Big Ideas we explore: a history lesson The Battle of Marathon, why balance doesn’t lead to happiness (an...
Stoicism 101: How to Apply the Ancient Wisdom of Seneca, Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius to Your Modern Life (Intro)
February 25, 2017 14:30 - 7 minutes - 6.72 MBI love Stoicism. In this class we take a quick look at the cast of characters (from founder Zeno to Seneca + Epictetus + Marcus Aurelius) and then dive into the ultimate goal of Stoicism (hint: become bff’s with your inner daimon so you can experience a state of well-being and flourishing) along with the practices that help us apply this wisdom to our lives. We’ll create energized tranquility and equanimity as we have fun becoming our own ideal sages.
Interview: Hero Training with David Allen
January 30, 2017 22:16 - 33 minutes - 30.6 MBHere's what David Allen has to say about Hero Training 101.
Interview: The Leadership Challenge with Jim Kouzes
January 25, 2017 00:21 - 33 minutes - 30.8 MBJames Kouzes and Barry Posner are two of the world’s preeminent researchers on leadership. This is the 25th anniversary, fifth edition version of their best-selling classic that has sold over 2 million copies. One of the things I most like about this book is the fact that it covers the SCIENCE of leadership. Kouzes and Posnar have been conducting empirical research for over three decades. Big Ideas we explore: The 5 Practices (<— key word!) of Exemplary Leaders, the foundation of leadership ...
Interview: The Way of the Seal with Mark Divine
January 17, 2017 23:03 - 38 minutes - 35.5 MBA former U.S. Navy SEAL Commander, Mark Divine integrates the ancient warrior traditions with grounded, practical virtue and 21st century get-it-done effectiveness in a way that I find incredibly inspiring. Big Ideas we cover include the power of front-sight focus, how to DIRECT your mind, going Yoda on your commitments and creating micro goals when things are tough.
You at your best: What’s it look like? (Behind-the-scenes)
January 06, 2017 23:29 - 12 minutes - 11.7 MBHere’s another behind-the-scenes look at how I’m thinking about The Big 3: Energy + Family + Service as we raise our standards to heroic levels. Primary questions: What does you at your best look like in each domain? What will you experience/who will you be when you are your best? (Aka: The Why) And, most importantly, what ONE thing will you do every.single.day to make that ideal self a reality? Hope you enjoy! More on Hero Training 101: optimize.me/hero
Hero Training 101. Its time.
January 06, 2017 23:27 - 3 minutes - 3.52 MBJoin us for my first ever offline immersion workshop. It will be at our new Optimize Oasis in Ojai in April. We’re calling it Hero Training 101. It’s time. Learn more: https://optimize.me/hero
Hērōs + Virtues vs. Bling (My focus on New Year’s morning!)
January 02, 2017 19:43 - 15 minutes - 14.1 MBSo I figured out my one word for 2017: Hērōs. Popped up in meditation this AM. It’s basically the perfect expression of what we discussed yesterday: Community + Consistency. Here’s how I’m thinking about Hērōs + Virtues vs. Bling on this fine first day of 2017! Here’s to stepping into the highest version of ourselves and serving profoundly!!!!
Community + Consistency + My love affair w/Calendars (behind-the-scenes)
January 02, 2017 19:41 - 10 minutes - 9.55 MBTurning the last page on my 2016 calendar is a pretty exciting thing for me. (Hah.) Here’s a sneak peek at what’s going to be important for me in 2017. You? Let's make 2017 the Greatest Year Ever!! Join nearly 10,000 people Optimizing at https://optimize.me/join
Greatest Year Ever 101: 2017 Prep! (Behind-the-scenes :)
January 02, 2017 19:40 - 13 minutes - 12.3 MBHere’s a quick look at Greatest Year Ever 101. Join us at our new Oasis in Ojai (907 El Centro Street, Ojai 93023) or via Livestream as a member: optimize.me/join. Let’s do this!
Hero365: Greatest Year Ever + 2017 Curriculum
December 23, 2016 23:30 - 5 minutes - 5.48 MBToday we take a quick look at my creative planning to help us make 2017 the Greatest Year Ever. Fun! (I mention our membership. If you haven't joined yet and it feels like a good fit, learn more/sign up here: http://optimize.me/join)
Hero365: Your #1 Goal? (+ Habit?) + Chasms vs. Cracks
December 23, 2016 23:00 - 11 minutes - 10.4 MBIn this little trip behind-the-scenes we take a quick look at the evolving 2017 Q1 calendar and how fired up I am about PN-LIVE. Plus we have fun with two micro classes: one on identifying your #1 (or Top 3) goals for next year that’ll make it amazing (along with the 1 or 2 habits you need to install to make that goal happen); and, we have fun looking at chasms vs. cracks. Joseph Campbell said that when you get to a chasm, jump. It’s not as wide as you think. I share a couple stories of my o...
Hero365: #JUSI (aka “Just Ship It.” Pronounced “Juicy.” :)
December 23, 2016 22:30 - 9 minutes - 8.5 MBBig visions are awesome, of course. But ultimately it's all about ACTION--taking gritty baby steps every.single.day in pursuit of our big audacious goals and purpose-driven destiny. One great tactic? Get Juicy!! Just ship it. #JUSI
Hero365: Time to 10x. (Make that 20x! :)
December 23, 2016 22:00 - 9 minutes - 9.01 MBAfter my strategy journaling I often send a quick video my right-hand genius ninja Evan. Today I started doing that and realized I should just share it with you as well as part of this series. So, here we are. Theme: Let's 10x--make that 20x!!-- the value we create for our members by sharing 250 PN-LIVEs + 250 Office Hours. Still noodling but basically, Monday thru Friday at 10am PST I'm thinking we can hang out and Optimize. Then on Saturday we'll have a longer lecture for more awesome. The...
Hero365: Top 100 Books: PN-LIVE in 2017
December 23, 2016 21:30 - 4 minutes - 3.97 MBAnother quick peek at my prep for 2017. Short story: We're going to livestream awesome classes on my 100 favorite book ever. Q&A. etc. It's going to be awesome.
Hero365: My daily journal + OPTIMIZE biz overview
December 23, 2016 21:00 - 14 minutes - 13.8 MBEvery morning I spend ~5 minutes quickly journaling on what I am committed to doing and who I am committed to being in the world. Here's a quick peek behind the scenes on this AM's journaling in which I share the big vision for our business Optimize Enterprises, Public Benefit Corporation.
Hero365: Hero Training 101 (The Manifesto)
December 23, 2016 20:30 - 5 minutes - 5.09 MBHero Training 101. It's time. Here's the full script: Do you know what the word “hero” means? In ancient Greek, the word “hērōs” (spelled with a cool line over the e and the o) meant PROTECTOR. Not “killer of bad guys” or “super strong tough guy” but PROTECTOR. A hero has strength for two. The hero’s secret weapon? LOVE. Compassion. Empathy. A hero CARES. And a hero is willing to do the work necessary to be strong enough to serve and to protect the people and commu...
Micro Class: Foundation of Leadership = Credibility
December 02, 2016 21:00 - 6 minutes - 6.19 MBYou know what the foundation of leadership is? Credibility. Know how to build your credibility as a leader? Four key qualities. Here they are.
Micro Class: Influence Yourself
November 29, 2016 21:00 - 7 minutes - 6.95 MBWant to influence yourself? Tap into your natural tendency to want consistency. Here's a quick look at how to do that. (Hint: Start small. Write down your commitment. Share your it.)
Micro Class: Charisma 101
November 25, 2016 21:00 - 8 minutes - 7.95 MBCharisma. First thing to know: You can build it. Here's how. (Focus on three skills: Presence + Power + Warmth!)
Micro Class: Hero = Protector
November 22, 2016 21:00 - 6 minutes - 5.81 MBHero. Did you know the word means "protector" in Greek? Yep. Let's shift from "What's in it for me?" to "How can I be my brother's keeper.
Micro Class: Procrastipain
November 18, 2016 21:00 - 5 minutes - 5.47 MBDid you know thinking about things we procrastinate about triggers a pain response in our brains? Yep. But get this - Only the *anticipation* creates pain; doing doesn't! So, just do it.
Micro Class: 10% = 1 Month
November 15, 2016 21:00 - 6 minutes - 6.16 MBDid you know that if you boost your productivity by 10% you basically add a MONTH's worth of productivity to your year? NUTS, eh? And true. Here's how to add at least a month.
Micro Class: Oil Barrels
November 11, 2016 21:00 - 5 minutes - 5.49 MBBrian Tracy once crossed the Sahara desert. 500 miles of nothing but sand. All he had to do was go from oil barrel to oil barrel. Incremental improvement is where it's at.
Micro Class: PCT vs. RSF
November 08, 2016 21:00 - 5 minutes - 5.27 MBPCT = Problem-centric thinking. RSF = Relentless solution focus. Mentally tough people focus on SOLUTIONS. Are you?
Micro Class: Dreams + 2m Steps
November 04, 2016 20:00 - 5 minutes - 5.52 MBThe first time GSP told his dad his dream to be a world champion his dad thought he was crazy. He kept going. Step by step. You know how many steps are in a 1,000 journey? About 2,112,000. #walkingshoes
Leadership 101: How to Inspire and Empower People to Do Great Things (Intro)
November 01, 2016 20:00 - 5 minutes - 5.4 MBLeadership is all about inspiring and empowering people to do great things. In this class, we’ll explore the fact that leadership starts by leading yourself as we identify your noble purpose, chisel your foundation, create a compelling vision, embrace the process, and do what you’re here to do. We’ll also look at the power of charisma, the neuroscience of being an iconoclastic leader, and discuss the best-kept secret of leadership to help you create your legacy.
Micro Class: Experiments Never Fail
October 28, 2016 20:00 - 6 minutes - 5.6 MBExperiments never fail. That's a powerful distinction. Let's put on our lab coats + goggles and embrace a TESTING mindset vs. a "trusting" one.
Micro Class: Keep it Simple
October 25, 2016 20:00 - 6 minutes - 5.63 MBCoach Wooden believed in simplicity. His teams ran 1 offense, 1 defense, 1 out-of-bounds play. They MASTERED their one thing and became unstoppable. How about you: Is your life simple or complex?
Micro Class: You + Future You (in an fMRI)
October 21, 2016 20:00 - 8 minutes - 7.8 MBImagining sliding into an fMRI. Researchers ask you to imagine yourself, a stranger and you in 10 years. The results are interesting and powerful.
Micro Class: 3:59.4
October 18, 2016 20:00 - 6 minutes - 5.62 MB3:59.4. That's less than 4 minutes. Running a mile in that time used to be impossible. Until it wasn't. What impossible thing do you need to reframe into possible?
Micro Class: #Repeat
October 14, 2016 20:00 - 42 seconds - 733 KBJohn Maxwell tells us that systems are just good strategies repeated. I like that. Nice and simple: Figure out what works. Do more of it. #repeat.
Micro Class: Plan A to Z
October 11, 2016 20:00 - 7 minutes - 6.76 MBStrong Hope has three things firing: Goals + Agency + Pathways. We need to futurecast a goal that fires us up, believe we can have it and be willing to take infinite Pathways to rock it! Plan A to Z.
Micro Class: The Big 7
October 07, 2016 20:00 - 6 minutes - 6.26 MBHere are Neil Pasricha's 7 favorite scientifically proven ways to boost our happiness.
Micro Class: Kiwi Kaizen
October 04, 2016 20:00 - 5 minutes - 4.69 MBThe All Blacks are all about getting better all.the.time. Can you find 100 things you can improve 1%? Marginal gains, baby!
Micro Class: How to Grow Your Grit
September 30, 2016 20:00 - 6 minutes - 6.46 MBHere are the four psychological assets you need to grow your grit: Interest + Practice + Purpose + Hope.
Micro Class: Rational Optimism
September 29, 2016 20:00 - 5 minutes - 5.26 MBWe want to be RATIONAL optimists--not irrational optimists. Here's the difference. (And, how it's kinda like irrational vs. rational visualization WOOP style.)
Micro Class: Full-Court Press
September 28, 2016 20:00 - 5 minutes - 4.96 MBOne way to turn a disadvantage into an advantage? Run a full-court press!