Habits and Hustle

How does a CEO who runs 100-mile races turn around a struggling media company? In this episode on the Habits and Hustle podcast, Nick Thompson, CEO of the Atlantic, joins me to share how the mental strategies that get you through mile 40 of a mountain race are the same ones that grow a publication from 800,000 to 1.35 million subscribers. We dive into why daily practice beats talent in both running and business, and the dark side of elite running culture that creates eating disorders. We also discuss the Signal chat scandal that drove tens of thousands of new subscriptions. Nick Thompson is the CEO of the Atlantic, which has grown profitable under his leadership after years of losses. He's also the American record holder in the 50K for runners 45+ and author of The Running Ground, a memoir exploring how running shapes life, business, and relationships. What We Discuss:  03:14 - Why Nick started running at age 5 with his father during a family crisis 08:46 - How running is a microcosm for life and teaches grit through hard things 14:24 - The Alexander Technique: How a guitar wrist injury prevented 25 years of running injuries 28:16 - Why consistent daily practice is the most important lesson from running 50:04 - How Nick got faster in his 40s by training smarter with specific workouts 55:40 - How the Atlantic grew from 800K to 1.35M subscribers through paywall optimization 1:01:10 - The Signal chat scandal: How Jeff Goldberg was accidentally added to the White House group chat 1:12:10 - Trump's "fixed heartbeats" theory and whether ultra running shortens your lifespan 1:17:25 - The dark side of running: Why elite coaches tell athletes to look like "a skeleton with a condom on" 1:19:19 - How running culture creates eating disorders and destroys young athletes' bodies …and more! Thank you to our sponsors: Therasage: Head over to therasage.com and use code Be Bold for 15% off  Air Doctor: Go to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code HUSTLE for up to $300 off and a 3-year warranty on air purifiers. Magic Mind: Head over to www.magicmind.com/jen and use code Jen at checkout. Momentous: Shop this link and use code Jen for 20% off  Manna Vitality: Visit mannavitality.com and use code JENNIFER20 for 20% off your order  Prolon: Get 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit https://prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift.   Find more from Jen:  Website: https://www.jennifercohen.com/ Instagram: @therealjencohen   Books: https://www.jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: https://www.jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagement Find more from Nick Thompson:  Instagram:@nxthompson Website: https://www.nickthompson.com/

Listen to the full episode: https://youtu.be/trGbcAqF2dA?si=qG5E_F-gP4x8qQhp  Why do you wake up at 3:30 AM and can't fall back asleep? In this Fitness Friday episode on the Habits and Hustle podcast, Michael Breus, the Sleep Doctor, says it’s not your fault.  We unpack the science of why everyone wakes up between 1-3 AM, the shocking Alzheimer's connection to Benadryl, and why CBN (not CBD) is the cannabis compound that actually helps sleep. Plus: the truth about melatonin, why magnesium beats most sleep aids, and the supplement deficiencies sabotaging your rest. Dr. Michael Breus is a clinical psychologist and one of only 168 psychologists in the world board-certified in sleep medicine. Known as "The Sleep Doctor," he's the author of five books including Sleep, Drink, Breathe and has treated celebrities from Carson Daly to Paris Hilton to DJ Steve Aoki. What we discuss: Why every human wakes up between 1-3 AM The 4-7-8 breathing technique Navy SEALs use to lower heart rate below 60 Yoga nidra gives you 20 minutes of sleep benefit for every hour of rest Regular Benadryl/ZzzQuil use directly linked to Alzheimer's disease CBD does nothing for sleep. What actually reduces nighttime awakenings The three deficiencies destroying your sleep Why melatonin affects birth control, SSRIs, and is NOT for children Natural alternatives to melatonin Thank you to our sponsor: Therasage: Head over to therasage.com and use code Be Bold for 15% off  Air Doctor: Go to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code HUSTLE for up to $300 off and a 3-year warranty on air purifiers. Magic Mind: Head over to www.magicmind.com/jen and use code Jen at checkout. Momentous: Shop this link and use code Jen for 20% off  Manna Vitality: Visit mannavitality.com and use code JENNIFER20 for 20% off your order  Prolon: Get 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit https://prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift. Find more from Dr. Michael Breus: Website:https://sleepdoctor.com/  Books: https://sleepdoctor.com/books  Find more from Jen: Website: https://www.jennifercohen.com/ Instagram: @therealjencohen   Books: https://www.jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: https://www.jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagements

John Mackey, founder and former CEO of Whole Foods Market, shares his journey from a single store to a $13.7 billion acquisition by Amazon. He discusses the challenges of competition with Erewhon and the principles of conscious capitalism. Mackey addresses misconceptions about veganism, the protein obsession, and his new venture, Love.Life, aimed at holistic health. He offers insight into leadership transitions and emphasizes prioritizing purpose and culture over wealth, showcasing his unique approach to business and wellness.

Adam Schafer, a business strategist and co-founder of Mind Pump Media, uncovers shocking truths about the fitness industry. He reveals that around 70% of personal trainers sleep with clients, a pattern that undermines their careers and financial success. Discussing professional boundaries, he emphasizes that self-belief trumps motivation in achieving prosperity. Adam also shares insights on choosing partners wisely, breaking unhealthy dating patterns, and the impact of social media on attraction. Tune in for a candid look at the psychology behind success and relationships!

Ben Greenfield, a leading biohacker and bestselling author of 'Boundless,' dives into fascinating health optimization strategies. He shares his jaw-dropping experience of spending $40,000 on young plasma replacement therapy that boosted his energy and vitality. Discover the science behind why digestive enzymes are crucial post-40, and his take on why the popular 12-3-30 treadmill trend is overrated. Ben also delves into the potential of GLP-1 microdosing for appetite control, highlighting the importance of balancing biohacking with spirituality.

In this discussion with Sal Di Stefano, a fitness expert and co-host of the Mind Pump podcast, he reveals how starting your day with a protein-rich breakfast can significantly reduce anxiety and stabilize blood sugar levels. Sal dives into the pitfalls of intermittent fasting, explaining why it often backfires for weight loss. He also challenges conventional wisdom on cardio versus strength training, citing studies that show strength training is more effective for fat loss. Overall, it's a fresh take on sustainable fitness habits.

Jay 'Jeezy' Jenkins, a Grammy-nominated rapper and successful entrepreneur, shares his journey from cutting lawns to building a multi-million dollar empire. He reveals the bold decision to invest $4 million in his own career before getting signed, emphasizing the importance of betting on oneself. Jeezy discusses his unique method for securing mentorship from industry giants like Tony Robbins, and the transformative power of pain in leadership. He also previews his upcoming Vegas residency with a 101-piece orchestra and his philanthropic work through the Street Dreams Foundation.

In this engaging discussion, JJ Virgin, a 4-time New York Times bestselling author and renowned nutrition expert, dives into the transformative power of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and creatine HCL specifically for women. She emphasizes the importance of starting HRT at the first signs of hormone shifts. JJ explains why many creatine supplements fail to be absorbed effectively and advocates for creatine's benefits for women over 40, including enhanced energy and brain health. She highlights the significance of tracking body composition over scale weight, showcasing a compelling case study.

In this episode, Alvaro Nuñez, an entrepreneur and ultra-endurance athlete, shares his journey from tennis to mind-boggling physical challenges. He recounts how his father's cancer diagnosis fueled his determination during the grueling Race Across America. Alvaro emphasizes the power of removing the option to quit and discusses the mental insights gained from extreme experiences, including a week in complete darkness. He also reveals his unconventional networking strategies and the balance he strikes between real estate and extreme sports.

Listen to the full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XENYK73THs  At 70, Mark Sisson looks better than most people half his age. In this Fitness Friday episode, I’m sharing an excerpt from our conversation where he shares the counterintuitive strategies that kept him injury-free and thriving while his endurance athlete peers broke down. We dive into the concept of metabolic flexibility, why he's now on a "campaign to eradicate running" and believes walking is the single best thing humans can do for themselves, and the “eat to live” mindset that can change your relationship with food.  Mark Sisson is the OG of the ancestral health movement, creator of the Primal Blueprint, and founder of Primal Kitchen (sold to Kraft Heinz). His newsletter Mark's Daily Apple has been teaching people how to optimize their health since 2006, making him one of the earliest voices in what's now a massive wellness industry. What we discuss: Why Mark Looks Decades Younger Than His 70 Years The Injury That Changed Everything and Led to His Anti-Running Philosophy What Metabolic Flexibility Really Means (And Why He Popularized the Term) How to Access Any Energy Source Your Body Needs at Any Time The "Eat to Live vs Live to Eat" Mindset That Transformed His Relationship with Food How Orthotics Actually Weaken Your Feet Instead of Helping Them Why Modern Medicine Treats Symptoms Instead of Root Causes Thank you to our sponsors: Therasage: Head over to therasage.com and use code Be Bold for 15% off  Air Doctor: Go to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code HUSTLE for up to $300 off and a 3-year warranty on air purifiers. Magic Mind: Head over to www.magicmind.com/jen and use code Jen at checkout. 99designs by Vista: 99designs.com/jen20  – click "Claim my discount" to get $20 off your first design contest.  Momentous: Shop this link and use code Jen for 20% off  Prolon: Get 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit https://prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift. Find more from Mark Sisson: Instagram:  @marksissonprimal Blog: MarksDailyApple.com  Find more from Jen: Website: https://www.jennifercohen.com/ Instagram: @therealjencohen Books: https://www.jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: https://www.jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagements