The Self Aware Leader with Jason Rigby Why Willpower is a Lie: The 2,500-Year-Old Technique for Ultimate Self-Discipline with Jay Heinrichs
What if everything you've been taught about self-discipline is backwards? In this transformative episode, we sit down with Jay Heinrichs, New York Times bestselling author of "Thank You for Arguing" and "Aristotle's Guide to Self-Persuasion," to uncover the ancient art that makes willpower obsolete.
Jay shares his remarkable journey from debilitating hip pain and depression to running his age up a 2,800-foot mountain in under 58 minutes—not through brute force, but through Aristotle's revolutionary technique of self-persuasion.
Discover how to treat your soul as an internal audience you need to convince, not overpower. We explore the psychology behind cognitive dissonance, the power of "kairos" moments when chaos becomes opportunity, and why ancient Greek warrior chants can rewire your brain for success.
Key Topics:
- The "Soul vs Daily Self" concept that changes everything
- Why cognitive dissonance is your secret weapon for growth
- The Three C's framework: Caring, Craft, and Cause
- How to set "impossible" goals that transform your identity
- Ancient rhythmic techniques that bypass mental resistance
- The "vacation test" for discovering your authentic purpose
This isn't another productivity hack—it's practical philosophy backed by 2,500 years of human wisdom and modern neuroscience. Perfect for leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone tired of fighting themselves instead of working with themselves.
Jay Heinrichs has worked with clients from NASA to Southwest Airlines and is a master of classical rhetoric. His latest book, "Aristotle's Guide to Self-Persuasion," reveals how ancient wisdom can solve modern problems.
Resources mentioned: "Aristotle's Guide to Self-Persuasion" by Jay Heinrichs, available wherever books are sold. Find Jay's newsletter "Aristotle's Guide to Soul Bending" on Substack.
This episode is part of The Self Aware Leadership Podcast, where we explore the intersection of ancient wisdom and modern leadership challenges.