Optimized Geek | Reboot Your Life

Most entrepreneurs waste years trying to write "the perfect book." Derek Sivers, founder of CD Baby (sold for $22M), has a better approach. Instead of thinking book first, start with individual blog posts. One idea per post. After 50-80 posts, you've already written your book - just compile them. His "Hell Yeah or No" decision-making framework helped him build and sell one of the most successful independent music platforms. Now he's applying this same clarity to help others cut through decision paralysis. If an opportunity isn't a "hell yeah," it's automatically a no. This simple filter eliminates mediocrity and creates space for what truly matters. Listen to episode 529 of Get Yourself Optimized to discover how Derek's unconventional approaches to writing, decision-making, and life design can transform your business and personal growth. The show notes, including the transcript and checklist to this episode, are at getyourselfoptimized.com/529.

How do you write 2,000 words daily while managing 40 clients and a daily podcast?  Mary DeMuth's productivity system is deceptively simple but devastatingly effective. She treats writing "like a muscle"—consistency builds strength, breaks destroy momentum.  Her secret weapon: Self-imposed deadlines for a decade before getting published. When real deadlines arrived, she was already trained to deliver early.  Results: 52 published books, 6 million podcast downloads, and a literary agency that revolutionizes author-agent relationships through community building.  Discover Mary's complete creative productivity system in Episode 528 of Get Yourself Optimized. The show notes, including the transcript and checklist to this episode, are at getyourselfoptimized.com/528.

Most high-achievers are secretly running on empty, managing time and attention while missing the real success factor: energy management and spiritual connection. I just interviewed Ariya Lorenz, who bridges heaven and earth for leaders seeking their true purpose. Her unique expertise comes from profound personal loss—losing her first love, stepfather, grandfather, and mother by age 23—which opened extraordinary abilities to communicate with higher realms. Her game-changing insight: We're in an "energy economy" where your vibration determines what you attract, not just your thoughts. The Law of Vibration supersedes the Law of Attraction. Practical application: Guard your consciousness from low-vibration content and replenish through divine connection, treating your spiritual practice as your power station. Leaders who implement this report feel genuinely fulfilled for the first time, with sustainable energy and clear direction.

From watching her mother battle cancer to becoming a foundational medicine practitioner serving families for 30 years, Nichole Kuechle's story proves that our greatest challenges often become our greatest gifts. What started as frustration with the medical system's "two ships passing in the night" approach led Nichole to develop extraordinary muscle testing abilities that help families:  → Identify food sensitivities through breast milk  → Explore potential wellness approaches for health concerns → Release ancestral trauma patterns spanning generations  → Build at-home healthcare toolkits with simple, accessible remedies The ripple effect is profound: empowered mothers, healthier children, and healing that flows through entire family systems. Ready to learn how your body can become your most trusted advisor? Episode 524 of Get Yourself Optimized reveals the secrets. The show notes, including the transcript and checklist to this episode, are at getyourselfoptimized.com/524.

What if your biggest breakthrough came from your lowest moment? I just had an incredible conversation with Will Polston, a bestselling author and performance coach who transformed his near-suicide attempt into a mission that has helped thousands unlock their potential. Will's journey from financial obsession to nearly ending it all at a river, and then discovering his true North Star, is both heartbreaking and inspiring. His "feather, brick, and bus" philosophy explains why we keep getting the same lessons until we learn them. Key insights from our conversation:  ✅ How childhood money trauma shaped his entire worldview  ✅ The Japanese ikigai framework for finding your life mission  ✅ Why replacing bad habits works better than just stopping them  ✅ How AI can accelerate your growth without replacing your purpose If you're feeling stuck in repeating the same patterns, this episode will provide you with the tools to break free and align with your true calling.

What if your biggest health challenge became your greatest gift? Neil Cannon struggled with severe eczema for 30 years using conventional treatments that only masked symptoms. When his father had a stroke, everything changed. Neil began exploring how chronic inflammation might be connected to both conditions. By switching to an anti-inflammatory lifestyle approach, Neil experienced significant improvement in his skin condition and found his calling helping others explore holistic approaches to chronic health challenges. This paradigm shift from symptom-masking to root-cause exploration has resonated with thousands of people. Sometimes our greatest obstacles become our most powerful teachers.

What if your biggest health crisis became your greatest spiritual awakening? My latest podcast guest, John Ratliff, shares his personal journey with a serious liver condition—and how asking one simple question transformed not just his health experience, but his entire approach to business challenges. When his doctor dismissed the possibility of improvement, John chose a different path. He focused on releasing negative emotions and exploring energy work as part of his personal healing journey. His test results showed a dramatic improvement, although his doctor couldn't explain what had happened. But here's what really matters for leaders: John's approach to every challenge is asking, "What's the lesson?" This single question transforms obstacles into growth opportunities and has guided his journey from startup to successfully selling a 24-company rollup. John believes our internal state affects everything we do. When we shift our perspective on challenges, we shift our outcomes.

Most people ignore their intuition and pay the price in missed opportunities and unnecessary struggle.

Are you working IN your business or ON your business?

Stop losing deals to boring presentations!

Just released my conversation with Dr. Molly Maloof, pioneering physician and founder of Adamo Bioscience, who's bringing scientific rigor to the often-neglected realm of sexual wellness. Her clinically validated digital sex therapy program produced remarkable results:

In our latest episode of Get Yourself Optimized, I spoke with master mentalist Xavier Crow about the fascinating intersection of mentalism, non-verbal communication, and business success. Xavier revealed that his 20+ years of entertaining global audiences have taught him to detect micro-expressions that signal what people are thinking—a skill he now uses to help teams enhance their emotional intelligence and negotiation capabilities. The most powerful insight? Xavier's technique of "listening for the gold" in every conversation, transforms how you receive information and connect with others. Tune in! The show notes, including the transcript and checklist to this episode, are at getyourselfoptimized.com/511.

Cybercriminals are using AI to weaponize human psychology—and your company could be next. In this power-packed Get Yourself Optimized episode, cybersecurity expert Leia Shilobod shares how to transform your organization’s culture into your strongest defense. Leia breaks down: