Tom Bilyeu's Mindset Playbook

Why ADHD Is a Superpower | Jason Mayden

Dec 5, 2024

Jason Mayden, co-founder of Super Heroic and former Senior Global Design Director for Nike's Jordan brand, shares his extraordinary journey in sneaker design. He talks about harnessing curiosity and turning weaknesses into strengths, emphasizing the value of introspection and lessons from icons like Michael Jordan. Jason reveals how he meditates through creativity and service, and the importance of having trusted editors to execute ideas. He encourages maintaining a childlike perspective in adulthood to foster joy and creativity.

01:03:42

Episode guests

Jason Mayden

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Jason Mayden's journey illustrates how overcoming adversity can fuel personal development and resilience to achieve one's dreams.

The importance of curiosity and interdisciplinary learning is emphasized as a catalyst for innovation and creative problem-solving in design.

Implementing processes like 'forcing functions' is crucial for transforming ideas into actionable plans and maintaining accountability in creative projects.

Deep dives

Overcoming Adversity and Pursuing Dreams

Growing up on the south side of Chicago, the guest faced significant challenges but remained determined to achieve his dream of designing shoes for Nike. Despite being told that his aspiration was unrealistic, he proactively sought opportunities by visiting shoe stores to sketch designs and improve on existing concepts. His persistence paid off when he secured an internship at Nike, where he became the first African American intern and started taking on challenging projects that others avoided. His early struggles equipped him with a work ethic that enabled him to become a senior designer in just five years.

Intro

5min

Lessons from Icons: Humility and Growth

9min

Climbing the Corporate Ladder

6min

Curiosity and Connection in Personal Growth

13min

Cultivating a Childlike Perspective in a Grown-Up World

2min

From Ideas to Impact

22min

Nurturing Health and Imagination

6min

Jason Mayden, co-founder of Super Heroic, was the lead designer for the Air Jordan, the highest grossing Nike shoe in history. In his relentless pursuit to be the greatest sneaker designer, he did 1,000 sketches a day and became the first African American to land a design internship with Nike. And in just five years, he familiarized himself with other disciplines to earn his role as Senior Designer — a feat that normally takes around 15 years to achieve— and ultimately designed the Nike shoe of his hometown hero, Michael Jordan. Jason went on to obtain his Master’s degree from Stanford and worked his way all the way to Senior Global Design Director for the Jordan brand.

Join Tom Bilyeu as he sits down with the co-founder of Super Heroic, Inc. as he shares his strategies for improving introspection and harnessing child-like curiosity in this episode of Impact Theory.

Original air date: July 25, 2017].

SHOW NOTES

Jason recalls learning about suffering at an early age. [5:21]

Jason talks about harnessing curiosity and turning weakness into strength. [8:48]

Jason describes what it means to have a non-emotional mindset and the mastery of self. [16:25]

Tom and Jason discuss how to improve on introspection and lessons he learned from Michael Jordan. [22:01]

Jason reveals how he meditates through service and creativity. [29:32]

Jason explains the need for forcing functions and trusted editors to go from ideation to execution. [32:30]

Jason shares the importance of asking uncomfortable questions and searching for accessible experts. [36:27]

Jason opens up about using the lack of resources growing up as motivation to succeed. [39:04]

Tom and Jason discuss three important skills that entrepreneurs need to develop. [42:51]

Jason emphasizes learning transferable skills and turning circumstances into opportunities. [46:17]

Jason explains why he wants to effect change in his local community. [49:12]

Tom and Jason touch on embracing naysayers and acknowledging fear. [51:38]

Jason defines the impact that he wants to have on the world. [53:46]

FOLLOW JASON:

TWITTER: http://bit.ly/2snCsrT

INSTAGRAM: http://bit.ly/2vAVQmq

FACEBOOK: http://bit.ly/2uBDYKU

LINKEDIN: http://bit.ly/2uy8WnK

FOLLOW SUPER HEROIC, INC.:

INSTAGRAM: http://bit.ly/2u77x4R

FACEBOOK: http://bit.ly/2vhqLVw

WEBSITE: http://bit.ly/2t6JrbE

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