The School of Greatness Hall of Fame

If you were alive in 1999, you remember hearing about The Matrix movie.And even if you weren't, you've no doubt heard about it since.It's an incredible film that started a huge movement in media and our culture.You'll recognize today's guest on The School of Greatness from those movies - yes, the lead female character, Trinity, was played by Carrie-Anne Moss.Now, whether or not you like the Matrix films, I am very confident you'll love Carrie.We were just recently introduced and when we started talking, I was immediately impressed with her mindfulness, calm, and fierce heart.In our conversation, we go deep - into all parts of life including family, motherhood, disconnecting from technology, self-worth, career, and so much more.I loved talking to Carrie about all of this, and I was especially inspired by how she has gracefully balanced so many big demands of her time and energy through the years.I can't wait to hear your thoughts about what we talk about, and for you to hear the stories from her acting career, in Episode 329.Some questions I ask:What do you think people are missing the most right now? (15:16)How do you make time for meditation and yoga as a busy working mom? (21:53)What's the biggest lesson you've learned as an actor that you apply to real life? (32:16)While filming The Matrix, did you know it was going to have such a big impact? (42:08)How can we break free from the addiction to technology? (54:46)In This Episode, You Will Learn:The incredible power of visualization to create the life you dream of (8:19)How to live fully in the present and enjoy it completely (12:01)What is possible when you commit to a daily meditation practice (19:00)How Carrie-Anne made it in Hollywood with nothing starting out (29:25)The value of finding your self-worth outside of your job (36:24)What Carrie-Anne's training looked like in preparation for filming The Matrix (43:00)Plus much more...

Whether or not you've heard of him, this guest is a unique brand of greatness.Tai Lopez was born and raised on the wrong side of the tracks but he made choices early on in his adult life to move to the other side.Today he lives in a massive Beverly Hills mansion, shares his tips for creating wealth and fulfillment on his super popular social media channels, and rubs shoulders with the most successful people in the world.So how did this all happen?I'd wanted to interview Tai for a while because I had a hunch that the persona he shows on his social media may not be the whole story.So I went deep on this interview to see behind the mask (if there was one).Tai did a good job of dodging some of my questions, but either way, I think you'll find his insight interesting.I definitely want to hear what you think after listening to Episode 370 with Tai Lopez.Some questions I ask:How would you describe yourself? (1:25)What drives you right now to do what you're doing? (15:48)Has your money and lifestyle made intimate relationships easier or harder on you? (21:48)What are the best and hardest parts of your lifestyle? (32:02)How did you make your first million dollars? (41:11)Do you have a certain number amount you're trying to earn? (46:29)What do you think of Warren Buffet, who lives in the same house he bought decades ago? (50:20)What's something that people who don't have money wrongly assume about wealth? (51:40)In this episode, you will learn:Why Tai won't say old he is (5:47)What it is about age and gender that tend to hold people back (11:42)Why we trust someone we like more than someone we don't like - and why this can be bad (13:02)Tai's Theory of Motivation (16:27)What Tai said when I called him out on avoiding my questions (28:36)Why reading is the easiest way to get wealthy (37:03)The reason Tai chooses not to care about big milestones of his life (41:20)The rule of 10 for entrepreneurs starting out (46:50)What Tai wants his epitaph to say (1:04:19Plus much more...

I'm not talking about a magician (although that would be cool too), but someone who has dug so deep into their authentic being and purpose that they have truly found greatness within themselves.This is 100% how I see today's guest on the show, Elizabeth Gilbert.If you don't know her name already, you probably know the name of her bestselling book, Eat, Pray, Love, which was also made into a hugely popular film.And you might have also seen her on tour with Oprah or on her Super Soul Sessions.Even if you don't know anything about Liz, once you hear her talk, you know you're in the presence of someone special.Liz has walked the path of greatness to really find her core purpose in life - and she is living it.It was so fun to meet her and talk about all the deep topics we dove into. What I especially love about Liz is that she isn't just talk -- she's lived everything she writes about.Open your heart wide and get ready to find the magic and creativity inside you in Episode 341.Some questions I ask:What is the difference between competition and ambition? (2:10)What is the biggest thing that holds people back? (20:36)In this episode, you will learn:Why you can't stay at the top forever (8:51)Follow your curiosity instead of your passion (13:38)Why it's so important to take a break from your work and have an "off season" (15:41)How to manage fear before a really big event (24:50)The power of giving your attention versus getting attention (27:30)How Liz managed to stay grounded through the success of Eat, Pray, Love (41:20)Plus much more...

When I started  The School of Greatness podcast, I decided I wanted to make it successful enough to interview three specific people someday.One of them is today's guest, Tony Robbins.I first saw Tony when I was 16 years old, at one of his amazing live events in St. Louis, MO.I was so impacted by his presence and power when he walked past me to begin his presentation that I thought, "Wow, I want to have a presence like that someday."While I'm always working on taking my energy to the next level, sitting down with Tony in person to interview him on the podcast was a fun moment for me to see how he does it face to face.If you have never heard of Tony, his introduction is nothing short of amazing. Not only is he considered the world's best performance coach, having taught personal development and mental mastery for over 30 years, but his personal network and wealth creation are second to none.He has coached the top business, athletic, and performance leaders around the world, built dozens of hugely successful companies and non-profits, and continues to generously donate his time, money, and talent on a massive scale.In today's episode, however, we sit down to discuss a different kind of topic than his usual mind-blowing insight on life and success. He has just released a new book on money, and his explanation of how to generate wealth is some of the best work he has done so far.Not only did he personally interview 50 of the world's most brilliant financial minds to write this book, but he explains how to create wealth in the simplest terms for everyone.If you know me at all, you know I'm not a reader, and I have read this entire book (that's a big deal).I am so proud and excited to share Episode 109 with you, as I know it will open your mind, not just about money and wealth, but about the way to become great in all parts of your life.Some questions I ask:If you were in charge of our educational system, what would you change and implement to teach the next generation about money?Who mentors you?How do you personally handle breakdowns (and do you have them)?Why is gratitude the secret to wealth?How do you start shifting your mindset towards giving when you don't have anything?What is something small you've done that you are proud of?If you were 31 years old again, what 3 things would you do financially, knowing what you know now?

Today's guest on The School of Greatness might just have the most unexpected list of credentials of anyone.Andy Puddicombe is the founder of the massively popular meditation app Headspace. He is also a renowned meditation teacher.But he started out as just a normal college kid who liked playing sports.And then he suddenly decided, at the age of 22, to move to Nepal and become a monk. 10 years later, after training in several countries and ending up in Moscow as a Tibetan monk, Andy realized he wanted to share the gift of meditation on a greater scale.So he left monk-hood and went to circus school in London.Yes, that's right.While training in circus arts, Andy started to develop the idea of what is now Headspace, but it still took years before the app became the success it is today with over 6 million users.I had so many questions for Andy, and he answered all of the PLUS did a simple but powerful 2 minute meditation with me during the interviewI can't wait for you to try that out as well as hear all of Andy's insight into the power and ease of meditation in Episode 309.Some questions I ask:Why did you become a monk? (1:15)What is the benefit of lucid dreaming? (7:27)Does fulfillment ever become unfulfillment? (8:51)What is the big lesson you learned at circus school? (16:00)What was the scariest part of being a monk? (16:55)How do you navigate emotions in a busy life? (18:39)What does science say about the benefits of meditation? (33:24)What is the key to getting in the zone? (47:03)In This Episode, You Will Learn:How monks can survive for years on only 4 hours of sleep a night (5:50)Why you can sleep for 10 hours and still be exhausted (6:10)How Andy re-entered normal life coming from owning nothing as a monk (13:35)Why the approach is more important than the technique you use in meditation (27:50)How to give your 100% in meditating (30:46)A quick, easy meditation Andy gives to ground yourself for anything big (37:30)The quickest way to get out of downhill mental loop (48:30)Where the future of meditation is headed (53:55)Plus much more...

He doesn't host a business podcast. It's not about fitness and optimum health.But it is about mental health . . . and lifestyle.Joshua Fields Millburn is the co-founder of The Minimalists, which has become a hugely popular podcast and lifestyle in the past few years.I've always considered myself a pretty minimal guy with a clean, simple style.After talking to Joshua though, I started to re-evaluate even my own purchasing decisions and what actually serves me.Joshua has a pretty amazing story of transitioning from a workaholic, deep in debt, unhappy life full of "stuff" to living with less than 300 items to his name.He doesn't even need Internet in his house or data on his phone . . . even though he runs an online business.I was fascinated by our entire conversation and what Joshua has learned from heading this movement.One of the things I noticed right away was how calm, happy, and content he is.And we can all use more of that.Get ready to re-think your relationship with stuff and how it serves you in Episode 407 with Joshua Fields Millburn.Some questions I ask:Why do you think humans are so wired to be dissatisfied? (20:13)Why do we keep buying stuff even though we know it’s not going to fill the holes? (22:15)How has the internet increased consumerism? (23:14)What brings you the most fulfillment today? (34:47)How can someone start trying out minimalism? (40:39)How can you make sure you retain the minimalism mindset? (42:37)In this episode, you will learn:How Joshua got into a half million dollars of debt while he was working a successful career (3:49)The number of ads each person sees on average per day (22:32)How Joshua runs his online business without having internet in his home (25:46)Why just getting rid of your stuff won’t bring you peace (30:52)The question to ask yourself if you want to try minimalism (35:57)What happened when Joshua chose not to buy any material goods besides food and toiletries for a year (43:31)Plus much more…

I had the amazing opportunity to speak at World Domination Summit last summer.If you haven't heard of WDS, it's a huge event put on by my good friend Chris Guillebeau each summer in Portland, OR.He brings in amazing minds to speak to his tribe, and it's an incredible experience.Needless to say, after partcipiating in this event, I got really inspired to create my own for the School of Greatness tribe.More on that soon :)When Chris came out with a new book this year, I had to have him back on the podcast to talk about it.If you listened to his first episode on the show, you already know Chris is an amazing travel hacker, NYT bestselling author, and entrepreneur.But our conversation took quite a different turn from the usual topics we jam about.Chris unexpectedly lost his brother last year and has been in the grieving process since then. He also accomplished a major life goal of visiting every country in the world.So you could say his life had some big transitions recently.We discuss that, how to manage emotions in a healthy way, and what to do next in Episode 312.Some questions I ask:Where did your anxiety start? (23:45)What are you learning about yourself from the process of grieving your brother's passing? (29:09)What's so scary about living in the moment and not having a plan? (32:12)Do you think joyfulness and purposefulness is a choice? (37:28)In This Episode, You Will Learn:How to speak to and connect with a broad, diverse audience (3:44)If you're trying to figure out what your passion is, make sure to do this (7:46)Why winning all the time isn't necessarily a good thing (8:33)When it's a good idea to give up (9:49)How Chris dropped out of high school but still went to college (16:02)What it feels like to be a teenager without hope (16:52)What to do with anxiety while you are succeeding (20:12)Why "just sucking it up" doesn't always work (24:49)The best thing to say to someone who is grieving (48:51)The true definition of influence and how we each have it (54:28)Plus much more...

If you married jazz with philosophy and filmed it, you would get today's guest on  The School of Greatness.I met Jason Silva in November on a cruise, Summit at Sea, and we instantly connected minds.That's probably because Jason's mind is one of the most incredible ones on the planet and I was in awe.I had seen his amazing YouTube videos, Shots of Awe, before and learned so much from how he explains deep philosophical ideas.If you've never seen his videos, check them out right now. The craziest part is he doesn't even script them!Needless to say, I was very excited to interview him for the podcast and tap into his brain.When we sat down, I asked him about the purpose of life, which led to some incredible tangents, and we dove into all kinds of questions.I was especially fascinated by his thoughts on our relationship with technology and imagination, since his films use both of those.I am so excited to introduce you to the philosophical artist Jason Silva in Episode 281.Some questions I ask:What do you think is the master plan? Why are we here?Do you wish you were born in 200 years so you could see what we will create in the future?What are the questions you're asking lately?What are 3 questions we should ask ourselves?What's the most challenging experience you've had and what did you learn from it?How do we tap into our imaginations more?In This Episode, You Will Learn:The power of the flow state and how to get thereAbout cognitive ecstasyHow Jason's mother inspired his fascination with existentialism and philosophyHow our relationship with new technology affects our minds (and becomes part of it!)The idea that we are going to be able to live inside our imaginationsThe future of cognitive creation (experience other people's minds)"To not being able to share with someone is the recipe for insanity."How to design positive feedback loops in our headsThat you are who you think other people think you areHow to get out of a panic attackThe importance of getting enough sleepThe power of catharsisPlus much more...

When people talk about sports legends, they mean the best of the best of the best.Names everyone knows.Names that people don't forget.Well I had the privilege of meeting one of these legends a couple months back.From his presence alone, I knew immediately why he had achieved such an incredible level of athletic success.Ray Lewis is one of the most dominant defensive players in NFL history. He played his entire 17 year career with the Baltimore Ravens including two Super Bowl titles, Super Bowl MVP in 2000, and the NFL Defensive Player of the Year twice.Oh yeah, he's also a NYT bestselling author, father of 6, and a devoted philanthropist.But I'm just getting started.The wisdom Ray shared with me during our podcast conversation was so deep, so grounded, so based in results, that I was hanging on every word. Be sure to listen to the last half (we went for a while because it was such a good conversation). Ray goes DEEP into the role of faith, love, and respect in creating greatness.Ray has not had an easy life. He's faced pretty much every challenge you can imagine. But his definition of what greatness and being a man really means is spot on.I can't wait for you to hear the powerful perspective of this true greatness legend in Episode 415 on The School of Greatness.Some questions I ask:Was there a time when you switched away from being fueled by pain and anger? (14:43)Where would you be right now if your dad had been loving, caring, and attentive? (40:06)How did you prepare for the big games of your career? (1:02:57)In this episode, you will learn:What Ray was trying to prove by dedicating himself to wrestling in high school (6:42)Where Ray’s drive for dominance comes from (12:32)What The Rock was really like when he was playing football for the University of Miami (23:18)How Ray picked the number 52 for his football career (23: 58)The real reason he left college early to get drafted in the NFL (29:47)What the real challenge in life is (31:59)How Ray overcame a stutter he developed as a kid (37:34)Ray’s definition of what it means to be a man (48:19)The story behind how Ray got Michael Phelps to come out of retirement (1:14:18)Ray’s vision for his legacy – so powerful (1:19:18)What he hopes people will say about him after he’s gone (1:24:59)Plus much more…

Legends like Tony Robbins and Jack Canfield.They've shared their best tips and habits and their episodes have become some of the most popular.Today's guest is another one of these legends :)Dean Graziosi was on TV everyday for 17 years straight -- because his infomercials around real estate training were that successful and popular.He is a multiple NYT bestselling author, the top real estate trainer in the world, and is friends with the best of the best.But, like many other greats, he didn't start with much.Dyslexic, broke, coming from a family that always struggled with money, and just trying to figure life out, Dean is an incredible example of the power of turning your story around because YOU choose to.We met years ago through a mutual friend but this is the first time we got to sit down and really dive into his brilliant mind and how he has created what he has created.I was hanging on every word (and not just because he's a great storyteller) because Dean's style of teaching, talking, writing, and explaining is so easy to understand, no matter who you are.We covered his top habits for millionaire-level success, and he told me some stories that made me tear up.I'm really excited to share the wisdom and passion Dean shares in Episode 428.Some questions I ask:How did you shift out of a broke mindset into success? (5:08)Why do you keep pushing and working after achieving so much success? (34:25)What’s the thing people misunderstand about you the most? (38:24)In this episode, you will learn:The formula for making the most successful infomercial (13:30)The top daily habits to transform you relationship with success (22:07)How to get yourself to do things you don’t want to do (25:15)The 7 Levels Deep exercise that changed Dean’s life and purpose forever (26:37)The 3 types of entrepreneurs (34:43)How to be the observer of your thoughts (45:44)Plus much more…