Share

cover art for Tim Ferriss: What Really Matters [Best Of].

Good Life Project

Tim Ferriss: What Really Matters [Best Of].

Tim Ferris has been on a mission (http://tim.blog/podcast/) to deconstruct excellence his entire adult life. It began with his own relentless experimentation and documentation, which yielded #1 New York Times bestsellers The 4-Hour Workweek, The 4-Hour Body and The 4-Hour Chef.

In more recent years, this yearning has led him to sit down with hundreds of elite-performers and share the conversations on his award-winning podcast (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-tim-ferriss-show/id863897795?mt=2). Tim and I recorded a Good Life Project conversation back in 2016 which you can listen to here (http://www.goodlifeproject.com/tim-ferriss/).

Today, we go in a very different direction. After the loss a number of close friends and mentors and passing the 40-year mark, Tim found himself in a contemplative and emotional space. In this week's conversation, we drop into the deep end of the pool quickly. When we sat down, he'd recently returned from an intensive 10-day silent meditation retreat. While gone, he lost yet another close friend. He was, in his own words, in an incredibly "porous" place, leading more from the heart than the head, which is a bit of a major turnaround for him.

We spent time deconstructing Tim's 10-day silent meditation experience, his struggles and awakenings and contrasted it with his earlier psychedelic experiences. We also talked about his experience with death, his decision to append audio of his most recently departed friend, Terry Laughlin, which was recorded by Terry's daughters in the hospital during his final days of life to the end of Tim's recent podcast interview with Terry (https://tim.blog/2017/10/29/terry-laughlin/).

We explore why he "threw out" the TED talk he'd prepared minutes before stepping onto the stage and, instead, talk about something deeply painful and personal from the heart. And, we explored Tim's awakening to a "softer" set of metrics to measure a life well-lived and his evolving definition of what it truly means to live a good life.

I'm so excited to share this final "Best Of" episode of 2018, as a powerful prompt to explore ways to be more intentional and proactive in the year that awaits us.

-------------

Have you discovered your Sparketype yet? Take the Sparketype Assessment™ now. IT’S FREE (https://sparketype.com/) and takes about 7-minutes to complete. At a minimum, it’ll open your eyes in a big way. It also just might change your life.

If you enjoyed the show, please share it with a friend. Thank you to our super cool brand partners. If you like the show, please support them - they help make the podcast possible.

More episodes

View all episodes

  • Rediscovering Who You Really Are After Trauma, Burnout or People-Pleasing | Thema Bryant, PhD

    59:15
    Have you lost touch with your authentic self after trauma, burnout or years of people-pleasing? Join psychologist Dr. Thema Bryant as she shares a powerful roadmap for reclaiming your true identity.Dr. Bryant, author of Reclaim Yourself: The Homecoming Workbook, unveils how to shed the inauthentic masks we adopt just to fit in. You'll learn to dismantle those facades, reconnect with your core values, and rebuild confidence in your genuine self-expression. Whether you've felt spiritually disconnected or simply adrift, this guide will help you rediscover your most authentic self.You can find Thema at: Website | Instagram | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Bessel Van de Kolk about integrating trauma.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes
  • 5 Ways to Wake Up Your Life

    49:19
    Embark on a transformative journey through Jonathan Fields' captivating spoken word essays. Explore profound insights on unlocking creativity, uncovering your deepest desires, and discovering the true nature of happiness. These thought-provoking pieces will challenge your perspectives on exercise, beauty, and what it means to live a fulfilling life. Get ready to be inspired, enlightened, and empowered to embrace a life of purpose and authenticity.You can find Jonathan's new writing project: Awake at the Wheel | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you'll also love the written essays from this episode. You can find them at Awake at the Wheel.Check out our offerings & partners: Visit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes
  • How to Overcome Cravings & Reduce Inflammation | Spotlight Convo

    01:03:33
    Feeling powerless against hormone imbalances, insatiable hunger, and unrelenting cravings? This must-listen episode will transform your understanding as two brilliant pioneers in women's health - Dr. Aviva Romm and Dr. Amy Shah - blend ancient wisdom with cutting-edge science to demystify the driving forces behind hormonal chaos and food temptations.You'll gain profound insights into the interconnected web of your gut, hormones, mindset, and overall vitality unveiled in Dr. Romm's book Hormone Intelligence and Dr. Shah's I’m So Effing Hungry.Episode TranscriptYou can find Aviva at: Website | Instagram | Listen to Our Full-Length Convo with Dr. Aviva RommYou can find Amy at: Website | Instagram | Listen to Our Full-Length Convo with Dr. Amy ShahCheck out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes
  • How to Live with Invisible Pain | Samira Rajabi

    58:52
    Ever felt weighed down by invisible pain or chronic illness nobody else can see? In this powerful conversation, trauma specialist Samira Rajabi gets refreshingly candid about her own decade-long journey navigating conditions like a benign brain tumor, headaches, and hearing loss.Drawing from her book All My Friends Live in My Computer: Trauma, Tactical Media, and Meaning, Samira shares coping strategies for the daily struggle of invisible suffering. Discover mindset shifts, tactics for reducing stigma, and insights into radical presence despite inescapable pain.You can find Samira at: Website | Instagram | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Sean Mackey about the science of pain.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes
  • The Busy Brain Cure | Dr. Romie Mushtaq

    01:08:15
    Are you plagued by restlessness, lack of focus, and sleeplessness? Discover Dr. Romie Mushtaq's "The Busy Brain Cure" in this engaging interview. An award-winning neurologist, she reveals the surprising effects of chronic stress on our brains - and her revolutionary 8-week Brain Shift protocol to rewire for calm and clarity. Regain your mental edge through simple, research-backed micro-habits.You can find Dr. Romie at: Website | Instagram | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Light Watkins about meditation.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes
  • A Rare Look at the Psychedelic Underground | Rachel Harris, PhD

    01:04:49
    Explore the mystical world of psychedelic guides with Rachel Harris, Ph.D., author of Swimming in the Sacred: Wisdom from the Psychedelic Underground. In this fascinating discussion, Harris pulls back the veil on the intuitive, somatic ways women elders have been guiding others on sacred psychedelic journeys for decades. Discover the critical role of the shaman in holding the ceremonial container, the differences between Western guides and indigenously trained shamans, and wise advice for anyone curious about ethically exploring this realm. Whether you're new to psychedelics or a seasoned journeyer, this eye-opening conversation offers a rare glimpse into the underground traditions surrounding entheogenic medicines like ayahuasca.You can find Rachel at: Website | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Adam Gazzaley about the science of psychedelics.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes
  • How to Reclaim Focus in the Age of Distraction | Johann Hari

    01:08:00
    Does it feel impossible to concentrate these days? You're not alone. In this fascinating discussion, the author of Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention - and How to Think Deeply Again reveals the hidden forces conspiring to hijack our attention spans. From predatory tech platforms to childhood culture shifts, Johann Hari exposes the surprising modern factors undermining our focus.But it's not all bad news - he also shares empowering solutions for reclaiming our minds. You'll learn practical tips to sharpen your concentration alongside Johann's vision for an "attention movement" to reshape society. If you want to think deeply, achieve your goals, and live more purposefully in our frantic world, don't miss this essential listen.You can find Johann at: Instagram | Website | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with neuroscientist Adam Gazzaley on brain function, memory, focus, and his lab's psychedelics research impacting emotions and health.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes
  • How to Reclaim Ease, Sanity & Success | Emma Gannon

    58:34
    When award-winning author Emma Gannon burned out writing a book redefining success, she took a radical year away from nearly all work. Hear her raw journey barely able to function, winding down her podcast, and stripping life's essentials.But one project remained: her Substack newsletter—a lifeline for creative rebirth. Emma shares the profound freedom of letting go, reclaiming her voice through solitude, and emerging with a "smaller but better" life of true integrity and ease.If you've ever felt disillusioned by society's idea of "making it," Emma's courageous reinvention is a bold masterclass in choosing yourself.You can find Emma at: The Hyphen Substack | Instagram | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Cleo Wade on words for tender times.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes
  • Nooks and Crannies

    24:29
    As life and business partners, Jonathan and Stephanie Fields have gone through many different phases of life together. From moving cross country to Colorado to recently becoming empty nesters, exploring various parts of the world remains constant. Road trips like this allow them to find the time and space to experience new things together – no matter where they are in their lives.