The Optimist

Join Jake Hurwitz on The Optimist for a profound conversation with Lee Povey about men's groups, emotional intelligence, and modern masculinity. From his early work in therapy to founding transformative men's communities, Lee shares insights on helping men develop emotional awareness and authentic connections.Timestamps:2:38 - Early experiences with men's groups11:31 - Understanding feelings and emotional intelligence14:18 - History of masculinity and societal expectations23:52 - How to become a better listener37:33 - Creating healthy men's communities49:52 - Redefining masculinity and strength1:17:13 - Success stories from men's groups1:24:47 - What it means to be a man todayA must-listen for anyone interested in personal development, emotional intelligence, and building stronger relationships. Lee shares practical wisdom on leading with vulnerability while maintaining strength and purpose in the modern world.

In this episode, I sat down with Eddie Roche, founder of DMN8 Fitness, for a conversation about Eddie's journey from semi-professional athlete to successful entrepreneur. Eddie shared powerful insights about overcoming adversity, building successful businesses aligned with your natural talents, and the importance of community in fitness. From his early days as an athlete to creating one of LA's most prominent fitness communities, this conversation digs deep into what it takes to find your path and help others along the way.TIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Intro and background with Eddie Roche6:07 - Building community at DMN8 Fitness7:19 - Eddie's journey from Australia to Los Angeles9:13 - Early soccer career and traveling the world10:03 - Transitioning from soccer to triathlon12:33 - Family financial hardship and life changes14:19 - Starting over and pursuing entrepreneurship23:53 - Learning that "help is not coming"31:33 - Building Dominate from personal training to community35:21 - Finding your true path and natural gifts40:19 - Morning routines and working on yourself53:35 - The fitness industry and building authentic community1:02:51 - How to start your fitness journey1:07:31 - Perspectives on body positivity and inclusion1:15:05 - What it means to be a man: "Give"

After losing two family members to cancer, Salim Najjar dedicated his life to understanding how our bodies process stress. After years of research, his favorite metric to track became heart rate variability-- the variance between each heartbeat. While most of us think about heart rate (beats per minute), HRV measures the fluctuations in intervals between your heart beats, which reveals how adaptable your nervous system is to stress. The higher your HRV, the more resilient you are, and the more bandwidth you have.

What if true success isn't about pushing harder toward future goals, but about being present and curious about whatever is happening right now? In this episode of The Optimist, I talk to my very own personal coach, Jared Schuster. This conversation challenges conventional ideas about masculine success and achievement. We explore why so many "successful" men feel empty despite their accomplishments, and how breaking free from society's success script can lead to genuine fulfillment. Jared shares insights on moving beyond autopilot living, embracing present-moment awareness, and discovering purpose through authentic curiosity.

In this episode of The Optimist, Philip Folsom explores the crisis of masculinity and leadership in modern society. Drawing from his extensive experience, Folsom reveals how the breakdown of traditional kinship systems has left men disconnected from purpose and authentic leadership. The conversation delves into shocking statistics about veteran suicide rates and examines why modern men struggle to find meaning in a culture of isolation. Folsom shares powerful insights about the difference between true leadership through service versus mere power, and offers practical wisdom for rebuilding authentic connections in today's disconnected world. Key topics covered: The critical importance of kinship systems and tribal belonging Why modern men remain "uninitiated" and stuck in adolescent mindsets The parallel between military training and psychological transformation Practical steps for developing authentic leadership and purpose The vital difference between service-based and power-based leadership Whether you're interested in leadership, personal development, or understanding modern masculinity, this episode provides essential insights for anyone seeking to build stronger connections and more meaningful communities.

"The harshest critic you'll ever face isn't on Twitter or in boardrooms – it's the voice in your own head." These words hung in the air of our recording studio last week. Adam Greenfeld, founder of Thesis and a leading voice in brain health, had just cut straight to the heart of something I'd been wrestling with. We'd planned to talk about optimization, supplements, and brain function – that's his specialty, after all. But somehow we'd wandered into deeper territory: the complex relationship we have with ourselves. Watch the full episode to learn how Adam has learned to be the compassionate, grounded, and inspiring founder he is today.

What if everything you knew about handling conflict was wrong? In this raw and honest conversation with elite performance coach Steve Cullen, we dive into my journey of completely transforming how I approach conflict, emotions, and modern masculinity. After a chance meeting at a Santa Monica coffee shop, Steve challenged me to try something radical: 30 days without engaging in any conflict. What started as a simple challenge turned into a complete rewiring of how I approach leadership, relationships, and what it means to be strong in 2024. 💡 Key Insights: 1. Why 99% of your "urgent" emotional reactions don't matter after 48 hours 2. How to turn conflict into connection 3. The modern definition of "provide and protect" 4. Why emotional intelligence is the new competitive advantage in business