#754: Arnold Schwarzenegger and Ann Miura-Ko

This episode is a two-for-one, and that’s because the podcast recently hit its 10-year anniversary and passed one billion downloads. To celebrate, I’ve curated some of the best of the best—some of my favorites—from more than 700 episodes over the last decade. I could not be more excited. The episode features segments from episode #60 "Arnold Schwarzenegger on Psychological Warfare" and #331 "Ann Miura-Ko — The Path from Shyness to World-Class Debater and Investor."

Please enjoy!

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Timestamps:

[00:00] Start

[04:08] Notes about this supercombo format.

[05:11] Enter Arnold Schwarzenegger.

[05:45] Where did Arnold develop his cast iron confidence?

[09:15] Mastering the psychological warfare of bodybuilding.

[13:58] Transferring this skill set to Hollywood.

[17:13] On making millions before becoming a movie star.

[19:48] Playing good bricklayer/bad bricklayer with Franco Columbu.

[24:41] How Twins came together.

[29:14] Meditation as one of many answers.

[35:47] Enter Ann-Miura Ko.

[36:14] Ann's childhood shyness.

[38:14] The Japanese phrase Ann used as a hostile kid in Michigan.

[40:20] How Ann overcame introversion.

[43:13] Ann's first solo stage speech.

[44:22] Why Ann continued with speech and debate.

[45:17] Ann's love for competition.

[46:54] Ann's extreme efforts for pizza.

[48:57] The catalyst for Ann's debate improvement.

[53:01] Debate competition format.

[56:56] Ann's recommended resources for improving debate skills.

[59:56] Observations on modern debate in politics and family.

[1:02:01] The most important lesson from Ann's debating years.

[1:04:50] Differences between debate and negotiation.

[1:06:53] Ann's father's journey to America and favorite phrase.

[1:10:29] Ann's world-class effort in menial job tasks.

[1:13:15] How a Yale tour led to shadowing a CEO.

[1:18:36] Ann's first job experience.

[1:20:20] Ann's favorite office supplies.

[1:21:32] Ann's cherished personal artifacts.

[1:23:06] Ann's experience teaching Mayfield Fellows at Stanford.

[1:24:42] A reading list and plans for Ann's Stanford startup class.

[1:28:05] Spotting artificial inflation in startup valuations.

[1:31:29] Why Ann changed her career path from medicine.

[1:34:45] What Ann knew about herself that her parents and test scores didn't.

[1:38:55] Ann's entry into venture capital and startup investing.

[1:39:29] An encounter with Steve Jobs.

[1:40:40] A job offer based on shared interests.

[1:44:40] Ann's experience at CRV during 9/11.

[1:47:55] The most expensive words in investing.

[1:48:16] First principles thinking and common leadership decisions.

[1:50:52] Winning strategy vs. strategy not to lose.

[1:51:59] Manifestations of hedging as a defensive strategy.

[1:53:46] The importance of focusing on your own race.

[1:55:47] A need for aggressiveness to win.

[1:56:38] How Ann met Mike Maples, Jr.

[1:59:26] Ann's PhD plans and shift to working with Mike.

[2:02:12] Ann's reaction to Mike's unusual proposition.

[2:06:40] Ann's hectic first year at Floodgate.

[2:08:41] Ann's real first name.

[2:09:21] Ann's struggles and coping mechanisms.

[2:14:56] Ann's superpowers.

[2:18:44] Thunder lizards and Ann's pursuit of them.

[2:20:20] Ann's view on AI and machine learning's impact.

[2:23:11] Philosophy exercises and real-world applications.

[2:24:50] Aligning collective and self-interests in problem-solving.

[2:27:08] Books Ann has gifted or reread most.

[2:29:09] A recent, game-changing purchase under $100.

[2:30:28] Ann's billboard.

[2:31:19] The meaning of Ann's Japanese name characters.

[2:32:19] Ann's online presence and Floodgate's name origin.

[2:34:58] Parting thoughts.

*

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