The Greatness Machine

Who holds the key to your success? And what fuels your drive to do what you do every day? Matthew Gallagher’s journey from humble beginnings to becoming the founder of the world’s largest watch club is nothing short of inspiring. Growing up poor, he found creative ways to make money by creating and selling and eventually taught himself how to build websites. Despite facing financial hardships early in life, Matthew refused to let his circumstances define his future. He was determined to build a better life for himself and his family, and he did so by combining his entrepreneurial spirit with his passion for watches. Watch Gang, a subscription-based service that delivers a variety of watches to its members every month, quickly became a hit and propelled Matthew to become one of the most influential figures in the watch industry. In this episode, Darius and Matthew talk about some of their personal experiences working at a young age, finding their passion for entrepreneurship, and what it took them to reach success. They also discuss the importance of profitability and delivering quality service, and share some tips on how to start a business. Topics include: What inspired Matthew to create and sell things independently How Matthew got involved in website creation at a young age What made Matthew quit his job and start doing website building on his own Transitioning from building websites into the watch club The story behind the name and creation of Watch Gang  How to start a business with just an idea, a quick website, and a social media presence Partnering with brands as a more profitable approach to curating products for business How COVID affected the watch market Why Matthew is focusing on profitability over rapid scaling and revenue growth What the future looks like for Watch Gang And other topics… Connect with Matthew: Website: https://www.watchgang.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/watchgang/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattomic/  Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How would your life change if you committed yourself to a greater purpose? Living a committed life is like embarking on a thrilling adventure full of challenges, rewards, and self-discovery. It’s about making a solemn promise to ourselves or others to pursue a particular goal or purpose with passion and determination. Not only does it give us a sense of meaning or purpose, but it also enables us to become the best version of ourselves.  Lynne Twist, an award-winning speaker, author, and global activist, has made the conscious choice to answer her calling, pursue her purpose, and live a committed life.  In fact, she has dedicated her life to promoting environmental sustainability, social justice, and spiritual fulfillment. Her commitment to these causes has inspired millions of people around the world to become more conscious and compassionate global citizens. Having served as a longtime executive of The Hunger Project, Lynne remains a passionate advocate and spokesperson for the cause of eradicating world hunger and empowering women in diverse cultures across the globe. In this episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius and Lynne talk about the importance of finding your calling, living a committed life, how gratitude can change the way you see the world, and why it matters to seek out opportunities to make an impact.  Topics include: How the Est training transformed Lynne’s life for the better Lynne explains the purpose of Erhard Seminars Training (EST) How gratitude can change your outlook in life The story behind the creation of The Hunger Project  Being committed and dedicated to your calling Lynne explains the term “Source” she used in her books  And other topics… Resource mentioned: Happy Money by Ken Honda: https://www.amazon.com/Happy-Money-Japanese-Making-Peace/dp/1501188372  The Path Made Clear by Oprah Winfrey: https://www.amazon.com/Path-Made-Clear-Discovering-Direction/dp/1250307503  Connect with Lynne: Website: https://soulofmoney.org/  Website: https://pachamama.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnetwist/ Book: https://www.amazon.com/Living-Committed-Life-Fulfillment-Yourself/dp/1523093099  Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if you could earn a passive, life-long income without being a slave to your job or business? A lot of entrepreneurs start their businesses because, on some level, they want greater freedom in their life. However, once they start, they end up giving even more hours and time than ever before.  Has this happened to you?  On today’s show, we have Justin Donald, author of The Lifestyle Investor who shares how you earn passive income and buy back your time!  Justin shares his investing philosophy while calling out some common mistakes that seasoned entrepreneurs and professionals make. Early on in his career, Justin transitioned from his W-2 job to being self-employed. But while he did end up making more money, this move did little to improve his life on a holistic level as he just ended up being a slave to his business. He was still working 18 hours every day He was still working weekends And he was still not showing up for his family in the right way Justin realized that he had to flip the switch, and think more like a “self-employed entrepreneur”.  By leveraging low-risk cash flow investing, he had to generate a passive income that would sustain his lifestyle. As a huge proponent of lifestyle investing, Justin shares both basic (but often ignored) and sophisticated investing strategies guaranteed to help you out.  With the Fed printing dollars like never before, what can you do to hedge your portfolio against inflation? Justin also has some great tips for stock market investors who are finding it difficult to navigate the extreme volatility in today’s market.  You will also discover more about Justin’s new book, The Lifestyle Investor where he explains his 10 Commandments of Lifestyle Investing in great detail. Even if you don’t have large financial coffins and savviness to back you up, listening to today’s show will help you up your investing game. Topics include: How to stop being a slave to your job or business Hedging your portfolio against inflation Passive income generation strategies for those who are just starting out Things that your financial advisor is not telling you And other topics… Connect with Justin: Website: https://lifestyleinvestor.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinwdonald/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justindonald/  Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gary Henderson, a seasoned digital marketing professional with over 10 years of experience in the industry, has worked with various clients ranging from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies, helping them grow their online presence and achieve their marketing goals. Joining us on The Greatness Machine, Gary shares his deep understanding of the latest digital marketing trends, and techniques, and how to use them to drive results. In this episode, Darius and Gary talk about digital marketing, building strong client relationships, the rise of digital currencies, and what the future looks like for the creator economy. Topics include: How Gary started helping creators monetize their personal brands  Understanding your audience and having a strategic approach to marketing Building strong client relationships by providing a concierge-style service Understanding the reasons why people buy How to get your marketing cut through the noise The benefits of stepping outside of your comfort zone What is Gary Coin and how it works Gary looks back on founding the Giraffe Tower NFT project What Gary thinks the creator economy looks like in the future The rise of digital currencies and the ability to operate in a global space around the clock The benefits of using tokens instead of fiat currency to pay for products and services And other topics… Resources mentioned: Steal Like An Artist: https://www.amazon.com/Steal-Like-Artist-Things-Creative/dp/0761169253  Layered Money: https://www.amazon.com/Layered-Money-Dollars-Bitcoin-Currencies/dp/1736110527  Connect with Gary: Website: https://gary.club/welcome  Website: https://www.digitalmarketing.org/  LinkedIn: https://pr.linkedin.com/in/garyhenderson Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How far would you go to achieve your dreams? Are you willing to burn the boats and give it your all to get to where you want to be? Matt Higgins, an American entrepreneur, author, and Co-Founder and CEO of RSE Ventures, joins us on The Greatness Machine to talk about how he went from scraping gum off the chairs in a New York City McDonald's to becoming a successful entrepreneur, investor, and media executive.  Despite starting from humble beginnings, his hard work and determination led him to executive positions at major sports organizations, including the New York Jets and the NHL. In fact, Matt drew inspiration from his tough childhood in writing “Burn the Boats: Toss Plan B Overboard and Unleash Your Full Potential.” In his book, Matt explains how the strategy of fully committing to a goal and eliminating the option of retreat can create a sense of urgency and focus, driving individuals toward achieving their goals. It provides valuable insights and strategies for overcoming fear and uncertainty and taking bold action toward achieving one's goals. In this episode, Matt and Darius talk about the importance of finding our leverageable assets and using them to our advantage, the principle of compounding, the effects of family caregiving, and a lot more. Topics include: Matt explains what the term “burn the boats” means and its origin What “Burn the Boats” is all about and who it is written for Finding your leverageable assets and using them to achieve your goals Matt shares switching from the mayor’s office to law school The impact of becoming a family caregiver on Matt  Matt looks back on working as press secretary for Mayor Rudy Giuliani The magic of compounding in achieving professional success And other topics… Resource mentioned: The Power of One More: https://www.amazon.com/Power-One-More-Ed-Mylett/dp/1119815363  Connect with Matt: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-higgins-rse/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mhiggins/ Book: https://www.amazon.com/Burn-Boats-Overboard-Unleash-Potential/dp/006308886X Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever wondered about your purpose - the core mission you're here to accomplish in this life? It's a powerful question for many people, and one that, sadly, is often left unanswered. Intriguingly, each and every day we're being driven by purpose, whether it's driving to a specific destination or even going to the bathroom - there is a purpose to nearly every act, so why shouldn't our lives have an overall purpose as well? In this episode of The Greatness Machine Live, Darius chats with Dandapani (again), a Hindu priest, entrepreneur, international speaker and former monk on finding a greater purpose and using it to create more joy in our lives. Dandapani graduated university with a degree in Electrical Engineering and then incredibly, left it all behind to become a Hindu monk under the guidance of one of Hinduism’s foremost spiritual leaders of our time, Sivaya Subramuniyaswami.  A decade later, Dandapani chose to venture out into the world once again with a powerful new mission: To help people live a life of purpose and joy by empowering them with tools and teachings that have been used by Hindu monks for thousands of years. He works with entrepreneurs and companies in cultivating focus and managing energy. In this inspiring conversation, you'll discover how your ability to focus your mind is key to discovering your purpose. You'll also learn about the power of your core values, and how they help you stay connected to your singular purpose.  Join Darius and Dandapani (along with his delightful laugh!) as they explore this fascinating and inspiring subject and show you how you can connect to your purpose as well, creating a life of fulfillment and joy! Topics include: Dandapani's path to helping people find their purpose The importance of spending time with yourself Why your core values are vital for keeping within your lane Why your core purpose should never be dependent on something or someone outside yourself And other topics… Connect with Dandapani: Website: https://dandapani.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DandapaniLLC LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dandapanillc/  Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you tired of falling short on your reading goal? If falling short on your reading goal is becoming a recurring pattern, it might be helpful to step back and assess your reading habits and patterns. Are you setting unrealistic goals for yourself? Are you choosing books that don’t capture your interest or challenge you enough? Today, for the third part of this series on How to Build Your Reading Superpower, I will share some more tips that helped me improve my reading habits. If you are still struggling to finish a book or make progress on your reading goal, then maybe you need to make adjustments and set more attainable goals for yourself.  One helpful strategy to stay motivated and on track with your reading goals is to create a reading schedule or routine. Another way to approach falling short on your reading goal is to see it as an opportunity for growth and learning. Use it as a chance to reflect on your reading preferences, explore new genres or authors, or deepen your understanding of the books you do read. In this episode, I will share why it is important to go deep and understand the books better if you want to improve your reading superpower. I will also reveal some tips on how to get through books a little faster. Part 1: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/189-how-to-build-your-reading-superpower-part-1-read/id1555334180?i=1000607829669  Part 2: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/193-how-to-build-your-reading-superpower-part-2-diversify/id1555334180?i=1000610064076  Topics include: Setting goals and going deep on books to improve reading The importance of finding narrators with interesting voices Taking notes, summarizing chapters, and discussing books with others Choosing a book you know you can finish in the time frame you set Finding the best situation that makes you more engaged And other topics… Resources mentioned: The Power of One More: How Leadership Actually Works: Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself: Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if your dreams come true?  What if your dream was to have a TV Show with Gordon Ramsay? What would you do to make it happen? Nyesha Arrington, an American chef, television star, activist, and entrepreneur, joins us on the Greatness Machine to share her story of figuring out what she wanted to do in life and how she realized her purpose at a very young age. Nyesha has long admired Gordon Ramsay as a culinary icon and mentor and dreamed of working alongside him, learning from his expertise, and gaining valuable insights into the art of cooking.  Fast forward to 2022, and that dream became a reality when she said yes to joining “Next Level Chef,” where she, Gordon Ramsay, and Richard Blais serve as mentors to the chosen home cooks, social media chefs, and culinary professionals. In this episode, Darius and Nyesha talk about the keys to achieving goals, the many benefits of doing what you really love, and why it is important to go above and beyond when doing something.  Topics include: How reverse engineering has helped Nyesha reached her goals Nyesha looks back at the epiphany moment when she realized her dream Why Nyesha decided to go on TV How Nyesha used the power of manifestation to achieve her dreams The story behind how Nyesha ended up working with Gordon Ramsay Nyesha explains the premise of “Next Level Chef” The importance of being an effective communicator Nyesha describes her death meal And other topics… Resource mentioned: Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain: https://www.amazon.com/Kitchen-Confidential-Adventures-Culinary-Underbelly-ebook/dp/B002UM5BXW  War of Art by Steven Pressfield: https://www.amazon.com/War-Art-Steven-Pressfield-ebook/dp/B007A4SDCG  Grit by Angela Duckworth: https://www.amazon.com/Grit-Passion-Perseverance-Angela-Duckworth/dp/1501111108  Connect with Nyesha: Website: https://www.nyeshaarrington.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nyeshajoyce Twitter: https://twitter.com/nyeshajoyce Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius chats with Jim McCormick, Director of Development at the International Skydiving Museum and Hall of Fame, as well as the founder and president of the Research Institute for Risk Intelligence.  He's a motivational speaker, author, coach, and consultant, helping organizations and individuals improve performance through intelligent risk-taking and the creation of a culture of innovation. In 2006, Jim was part of a team of skydivers representing thirty-five countries that successfully established the current world record by creating the largest skydiving formation ever built in the skies above Udon Thani, Thailand.  The record was set when 400 skydivers, exited five C-130 Hercules military transports flying at 25,000 feet, and linked together into a precisely designed formation in the colors and patterns of the Thai flag. You'll learn about Jim's record-breaking skydiving experience in Thailand and the insights he gained from that experience.  You'll discover how a book on commando training Jim read in grade school got him interested in skydiving. You'll also learn about our unique relationship with risk and how we perceive it, both individually and as a society. Join Darius and Jim for an inspiring and eye-opening discussion on risk and how it affects our lives and our businesses.   Topics include:  Jim's record-breaking skydiving experience in Thailand How Jim got interested in skydiving in the first place Our unique relationship with risk and how we perceive it, individually and as a society And other topics… Connect with Jim: Website: http://www.risk-institute.com/en/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmccormick/ Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why is it important to read books from different genres? Each genre offers unique insights and knowledge that can be applied to various aspects of life. Whether it is fiction, non-fiction, biographies, self-help, or any other genre, diversifying your reading choices will help you open yourself up to new and exciting stories that keep you engaged and eager to read more.  In addition, reading books from different genres can help you break out of reading ruts and challenge yourself to read outside of your comfort zone. You may even discover new authors or genres that you would have never explored before, broadening your literary horizons. Today, I am flying solo for part two of this series on How to Build Your Reading Superpower. Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to finish every book you have started. That is what I learned from reading tons of books in the past. So in this episode, I will explain this helpful tip that helped me reached my reading goal last year.  Check out the first part of this series here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/189-how-to-build-your-reading-superpower-read-1-book/id1555334180?i=1000607829669  Topics include: The importance of reading more than one genre What books I would recommend others to read Why it is okay not to finish a book Helpful tips on reading more books And other topics… Resource mentioned: The Game by Neil Strauss: https://www.amazon.com/Game-Penetrating-Secret-Society-Artists/dp/0060554738  The Surrender Experiment by Michael Alan Singer: https://www.amazon.com/Surrender-Experiment-Journey-Lifes-Perfection/dp/080414110X The War of Art by Steven Pressfield: https://www.amazon.com/War-Art-Winning-Creative-Battle-audio-cd/dp/1501260626  Happy Money by Ken Honda: https://www.amazon.com/Happy-Money-Japanese-Making-Peace/dp/1501188372 The Soul of Money by Lynne Twist: https://www.amazon.com/Soul-Money-Reclaiming-Wealth-Resources/dp/039332950X Richer, Wiser, Happier by William Green: https://www.amazon.com/Richer-Wiser-Happier-Greatest-Investors/dp/1501164856 The Storyteller by Dave Grohl: https://www.amazon.com/Storyteller-Tales-Life-Music/dp/0063076098  Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices