The Rich Roll Podcast

Imagine a young singer-songwriter of global acclaim—someone like Justin Timberlake or Shawn Mendes. Except this star also happens to be an elite athlete with an Olympic dream. It sounds like fiction. But this is the true story of Cody Simpson. Superstardom within reach, Cody Simpson put his guitar down and traded Hollywood for the black line at the bottom of a pool with one singular goal in mind: to compete in the Olympics. It's the story of a chlorine-soaked little kid who became a global star. He traveled the world, performed before massive crowds, modeled for luxury brands, even acted on Broadway and in movies and television. But something was missing. Out of an instinct for survival, he proceeded to do what many would consider unthinkable. He walked away from all of it. He couldn’t shake the feeling of what might have been had he not forsaken the Speedo for the stage and decided to do something about it. World-class competitive swimming is a sport in which the elite never dare to take more than a month off here and there. Not only did Cody return to this sport after a dormant decade, he quickly began to excel beyond any reasonable expectation, clocking world-class times in the 100-meter butterfly. Today we dive into the deep end of the pool and plumb Cody’s story. We trace his arc as a musician, what he learned as a performer that now helps him as an athlete, the whys and hows behind his Olympic dream, and how you can achieve two massive and wildly different goals in a lifetime. Note: This conversation was recorded back in May of 2023 on the cusp of Australia’s World Championship Trials. Alas, Cody narrowly missed qualifying for that team but is back in super-focused training. I coaxed Cody into performing a song at the end which you are not going to want to miss, so be sure to stick around. Enjoy! Show notes + MORE Watch on YouTube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors: Timeline Nutrition: timelinenutrition.com/RICHROLL Roka: roka.com/RICHROLL AG1: drinkAG1.com/RICHROLL Athletic Brewing: AthleticBrewing.com On Running: on.com/RICHROLL Indeed: Indeed.com/RICHROLL Plant Power Meal Planner: https://meals.richroll.com Peace + Plants, Rich

21 Sep 20231h 48min

Everyone wants more happiness in their life, but most pursue it incorrectly, mistakenly believing it can be found in places like the promotion or the bank account. Instead, happiness is the by-product of pursuits less appreciated. Like the quality of your relationships with friends and family. Doing hard things. Creating value for others. And being in communion with the transcendent. Here to help us better orient our lives towards happiness is Arthur C. Brooks, returning for round two on the podcast. Arthur is a social scientist, in-demand public speaker, and professor at both the Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School where he teaches courses on leadership, happiness, and social entrepreneurship. In addition, he is the creator of the popular How to Build a Life column for The Atlantic, and the author of 13 books, including the #1 New York Times bestseller From Strength to Strength. His latest offering—a book he co-authored with Oprah Winfrey—is entitled, Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier which is filled with practical, social science, and neuroscience-backed practices to strengthen what he dubs the four pillars of happiness: family, friendship, work, and faith.  In this conversation, we discuss what happiness is and isn’t, how to experience more of it, and the concrete steps and practical solutions you can adopt to build a better blueprint for a more fulfilling future. Arthur is a treasure. I could have talked to him all day. This one is wisdom-packed and overflowing with life-changing and actionable advice. Show notes + MORE Watch On YouTube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors: Seed: Seed.com/RICHROLL Momentous: LiveMomentous.com/RICHROLL BetterHelp: BetterHelp.com/RICHROLL Squarespace: Squarespace.com/RICHROLL Babbel: Babbel.com/RICHROLL Plant Power Meal Planner: https://meals.richroll.com Peace + Plants, Rich

18 Sep 20232h 34min

Today we’re going to deep deep into the world of business leadership and personal development with a truly extraordinary person—entrepreneur, renowned speaker, investor, and the host of the UK’s No.1 podcast Diary of a CEO, Steven Bartlett. For the uninitiated, Steven is the co-founder of Flight Story, a marketing and communications company that works with some of the world’s most cutting-edge brands, as well as ThirdWeb, a San Francisco-based software company, and the venture enterprise FlightFund. He is the youngest ever host of Dragon’s Den (UK’s version of Shark Tank), he was included in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, and has delivered talks for the UN, SXSW, and TEDx. But Steven’s formal bio fails to tell the story of how an outcast kid with very little means who dropped out of university would go on to become not only a wildly successful entrepreneur whose ongoing concerns generate hundreds of millions in revenue—but also a genuine thought leader on everything from business and leadership to personal growth and well-being. Today Steven shares how his upbringing shaped the trajectory of his life, interspersed with diamonds on discipline, balancing ambition with self-care, and the power of intuition. We also talk about the challenges of celebrity, the relationship between insecurity and ambition, and many other impactful lessons that you can read about in Steven’s wonderful new book aptly titled, Diary of a CEO: The 33 Laws of Business and Life. This one is going to inspire, educate, and challenge you to think differently about success and fulfillment.  And it might just redefine your goals and relationship with ambition entirely. Show notes + MORE Watch On YouTube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors: Peak Design: PeakDesign.com/RICHROLL. Birch: BirchLiving.com/RICHROLL AG1: DrinkAg1.com/RICHROLL Indeed: Indeed.com/RICHROLL Plant Power Meal Planner: https://meals.richroll.com Peace + Plants, Rich

11 Sep 20232h 28min

Determined to bring transparency and accountability to Big Tech, in 2021 Frances Haugen risked everything to blow the whistle on Facebook. She copied tens of thousands of pages of documents that revealed that the social media giant had accidentally changed its algorithm to reward extremism. Even worse, Facebook knew its customers were using the platform to foment violence and spread falsehoods—and refused to fix it. Frances testified to Congress and spoke to the media. She was hailed at President Biden’s first State of the Union Address. She made sure everyone understood exactly what the documents showed. And she set an example for standing in truth and doing what is right for the greater good. Today we dive into the nuanced impact of social media on society. We talk about why algorithms prioritize extreme content and Facebook’s own complicity in radicalization and political violence around the world. We explore the tools available to combat these issues, including what Big Tech can do to prioritize user consent and reduce misinformation and hate speech. Note: If this exchange leaves you wanting more, Frances has written a compelling and comprehensive book about her experience entitled: The Power of One. Ultimately Frances left me with a surprising sentiment: the belief that we can have social media that brings out the best in humanity. This is a fascinating and important conversation. I hope you learn as much as I did. Show notes + MORE Watch on Youtube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors: ROKA: roka.com/richroll On: on.com/richroll AG1: drinkag1.com/richroll Plant Power Meal Planner: https://meals.richroll.com Peace + Plants, Rich

7 Sep 20232h 38min

We tend to think professional athletes live perfect, charmed lives. Genetically gifted, they effortlessly conquer physical challenges with confidence, propelled by physiques unattainable by mere mortals. From the outside looking in, Tim Tollefson is one such example.  One of the world’s most successful ultra-runners, Tim has a slew of impressive race victories to his name. These accomplishments matched with his winning smile and handsome looks would lead anyone to believe that he’s an exemplar of strength and health. But behind it all, Tim has waged a private, two-decade-long battle with body dysmorphia and disordered eating that not only compromised his athleticism, but completely debilitated him, producing a never-ending cycle of anxiety, loneliness, and self-hatred. Today Tim shares his experiences and the path he’s forged to reclaim his sense of self-worth and balance in a world (and sport) that pushes us to extremes. He opens up about his decision to go public with his struggles, the role of social media in perpetuating negative body image, the tools he uses to uphold a positive relationship with food and his body, and the power of community in the recovery process. If you are struggling with an eating disorder and are in need of support, please reach out to the National Eating Disorders Association. For a 24-hour crisis line, text “NEDA” to 741741. In a world inundated with diet speak, honest and authentic conversations about food and loving our bodies are more important than ever. I have so much respect for Tim’s strength, courage, and vulnerability. This one is powerful. Show notes + MORE Watch on YouTube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors: BetterHelp: BetterHelp.com/RICHROLL Indeed: Indeed.com/RICHROLL AG1: drinkAG1.com/RICHROLL Squarespace: Squarespace.com/RICHROLL Plant Power Meal Planner: https://meals.richroll.com Peace + Plants, Rich

4 Sep 20232h 28min

From global disruptions to individual life changes, transformation—both good and bad—is happening constantly. Here to offer us a path for embracing life’s inherent instability is Brad Stulberg—a sustainable excellence expert, human performance coach, and bestselling author returning for his fourth appearance on the pod. Today we talk about how to embrace transformation, cultivate resilience, and adapt to an ever-changing world. We also explore rugged flexibility, tragic optimism, adopting a flexible identity over time, how to navigate big life changes successfully, the perils of biohacking, and many other fascinating topics. Amidst the chaos and confusion of self-help, I find Brad to be a principled voice of reason. This conversation is overflowing with evidence-based, practical, and actionable life counsel. My hope is that some of the tactics shared help you not only navigate difficult circumstances but help facilitate the emergence of meaning and growth. Show notes + MORE Watch on YouTube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors: Seed: seed.com/RICHROLL Momentous: LiveMomentous.com/RICHROLL Athletic Brewing: athleticbrewing.com On: on.com/RICHROLL BetterHelp: betterhelp.com/RICHROLL Plant Power Meal Planner: https://meals.richroll.com Peace + Plants, Rich

28 Aug 20232h 25min

Even in the darkest moments, there exists the potential for redemption, rebuilding, and the reclamation of one’s life. Today’s guest is a living embodiment of this truth. Meet Osher Günsberg—one of the most celebrated television hosts and media personalities in Australia.  Longtime listeners may recall Osher’s first appearance on the podcast over nine years ago (episode #76) where we discussed his journey to the big stage and his transformation from being a chubby kid to a plant-powered, marathon-running host of Australian Idol. Shortly after that conversation, Osher experienced a public psychotic breakdown that left him terrified, distressed and convinced the world was coming to an end. But rather than hide this experience and internalize his struggles with his mental health and substance abuse, Osher bravely began to talk openly about his recovery. Today he shares that terrifying experience in vivid detail, what happened, how he clawed his way back to sanity, and the hard-earned lessons he’s garnered along the way—which you can also read about in his powerful memoir, Back, After The Break. Note: Today we discuss suicidal thoughts and ideation. If that subject is too confronting, perhaps skip this episode. If you are struggling, please raise your hand and reach out for help. You can call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP and if you are experiencing suicidal ideation, I encourage you to call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1 (800) 273-TALK. Osher demonstrated a huge amount of courage and vulnerability to share his story.  My hope is that his narrative serves as a powerful reminder that taking responsibility for your mental health is crucial, and the bravest thing you can do is ask for help. Show notes + MORE Watch on YouTube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors: AG1: drinkag1.com/RICHROLL Peak Design: peakdesign.com/RICHROLL Indeed: Indeed.com/RICHROLL Plant Power Meal Planner: https://meals.richroll.com Peace + Plants, Rich

24 Aug 20232h 14min

With over 400 triathlons to her name, today's guest Lesley Paterson is a 3x XTERRA Triathlon World Champion and 2x World Triathlon Cross Champion. But if you asked about her greatest test of endurance, it wouldn’t be a race. It would be chasing an Oscar. For 16 years during her professional triathlon career, Lesley fought to secure and maintain the film rights to All Quiet on the Western Front out of her own pocket from race winnings. She wrote and rewrote the script, and despite the odds stacked heavily against her, never gave up on her dream of getting the movie made. After many years of starts and stops the film was finally released and took home four Oscars and seven BAFTAs—including one for best-adapted screenplay (this was Lesley’s first screenplay might I add). All of which is a testament to her patience, discipline, and hard work. Lesley’s relentless persistence is the focus of today’s conversation, along with the importance of self-belief, playing the long game, and the ‘never quit’ drive required to crush audacious goals. Delightful, engaging, and strong, I adore Lesley. There’s a lot to learn from this fiery Scottish lassie. Note: If you like this exchange, be sure to check out her book The Brave Athlete, which is packed with actionable practices to build an endurance mindset. Show notes + MORE Watch on YouTube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors: Seed: seed.com/RICHROLL BetterHelp: BetterHelp.com/RICHROLL Squarespace: Squarespace.com/RICHROLL Momentous: LiveMomentous.com/richroll  Indeed: Indeed.com/RICHROLL Babbel: Babbel.com/RICHROLL Plant Power Meal Planner: https://meals.richroll.com Peace + Plants, Rich

21 Aug 20232h 29min