A Bit of Optimism

The Search for Self-Love with podcaster Lewis Howes

Apr 1, 2025

Lewis Howes, a New York Times bestselling author and former pro athlete, dives deep into the complex journey of self-love. He shares personal tales of overcoming childhood trauma and insecurity, emphasizing that self-acceptance is a gradual process. The conversation touches on the impact of financial struggles on self-worth, healing ‘money wounds’, and the value of meaningful connections. Lewis highlights the importance of internal validation and courage through adversity as essential steps toward personal growth and true happiness.

51:15

Creator website

Episode guests

Lewis Howes

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Achieving self-love is a continuous journey that requires daily practices like self-affirmation and gratitude to cultivate appreciation.

Understanding and addressing one's emotional relationship with money can help individuals mitigate anxiety and foster a healthier financial mindset.

Courage plays a crucial role in personal growth, often necessitating external support systems to confront fears and embrace change.

Deep dives

Overcoming Guilt and Shame in Financial Situations

Addressing feelings of guilt and shame linked to financial circumstances starts with a critical reflection on one's personal money story. Recognizing the emotional wounds associated with finances can offer valuable insights into how these experiences shape current beliefs and behaviors. Engaging in practices such as journaling or therapy can help individuals separate their identity from their financial struggles, allowing them to foster a healthier relationship with money. By understanding past traumas, people can begin to rewrite their narratives and ultimately move toward a more abundant mindset.

Intro

2min

The Journey to Self-Worth

13min

Money Wounds: Healing the Emotional Connection

11min

Courage Through Adversity

6min

Embracing Self-Love Through Connections

6min

Rethinking Academic Labels

4min

Navigating Self-Worth and Love

10min

Self-love is never as easy as we think. Is it possible to fall in love with ourselves the way we fall for other people?

Lewis Howes knows that learning to like yourself, let alone love yourself, can take decades. After surviving a traumatic childhood, Lewis spent years working on himself to try and understand what it takes for human beings to achieve greatness. He overcame learning disabilities, insecurity, and self-loathing to become who he is today. Lewis is a New York Times bestselling author, a former pro athlete, and host of the popular podcast The School of Greatness.

After appearing several times on Lewis’s show, I was excited to finally have Lewis join me on A Bit of Optimism. Together, we unpack our insecurities, talk through our money trauma, and discuss why the first step to liking yourself is to find a little courage.

This…is A Bit of Optimism.

For more on Lewis and his work, check out:

his book, Make Money Easy

his podcast, The School of Greatness