The Greatness Machine

What if discomfort was the key to unlocking your full potential? This thought-provoking question challenges conventional wisdom and invites us to reconsider our relationship with discomfort. While discomfort is often seen as something to avoid, discomfort can be the catalyst for achieving new heights of personal growth and achievement. Michael Easter, the New York Times bestselling author of Scarcity Brain and The Comfort Crisis, challenges us to consider discomfort as a powerful catalyst for unlocking our true potential. Through his exploration of nutrition, behavior change, and the transformative impact of extreme experiences, he prompts us to embrace discomfort as a pathway to growth and self-discovery. By delving into the nuances of discomfort, Michael shares how facing challenges head-on can lead to profound personal development and resilience. Whether it is enduring the relentless cold in the Arctic or adopting new dietary habits, his insights underscore the importance of stepping outside our comfort zones to realize our fullest capabilities. This episode of The Greatness Machine will serve as a poignant reminder that greatness is often forged in the crucible of discomfort.  Topics include: The importance of embracing short-term discomfort for long-term benefits Michael explains the concept of the “2% mindset” The concept of awareness and choice Michael discusses the idea of Misogi by Marcus Elliot The benefits of pushing boundaries and taking on challenges Why it matters to incorporate movement into daily routines Removing bad habits as a precursor to adopting good ones And other topics… Connect with Michael: Website: https://eastermichael.com/ Website: https://www.twopct.com/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/Michael_Easter  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michael_easter/ 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

The ability to adapt enhances your capacity to cope with change, regardless of its severity. Being adaptable helps you come up with diverse solutions to problems. It’s also about having the willingness to go the extra mile. Going the extra mile is not just about feeling better about yourself. It is true that the more we are engaged in activities that enable us to put in our best effort, the better we feel about ourselves. But more than the positive self-image it brings, making a special effort to do and achieve something acts as a positive influence on other people. Gabby Reece, former pro-volleyball player, supermodel, and co-founder and co-innovator of Laird Superfood and XPT, joins us to talk about her life as a former athlete, fashion model, actress, and as an entrepreneur. In this episode, Darius and Gabby talk about the ways to get better at working under pressure, how to deal with online criticisms, the importance of adaptability, and why it matters to connect with people. Topics include: How to thrive under pressure How Gabby got into volleyball during the early ’90s Gabby shares the differences in volleyball then and now What Gabby learned from modeling Best ways as a leader to leverage teams How to improve adaptability skills How Gabby handles compliments and criticisms Movement as a tool to protect mental health Why it is important to connect with other people Gabby talks about her marriage with Laird Hamilton Gabby explains XPT and what the training program offers And other topics… Resources mentioned: The Power of One More by Ed Mylett: https://www.amazon.com/Power-One-More-Ed-Mylett/dp/1119815363  Brain Energy by Christopher M. Palmer: https://www.amazon.com/Brain-Energy-Revolutionary-Understanding-Health/dp/1637741588  The Breathing Cure by Patrick McKeown: https://www.amazon.com/BREATHING-CURE-Develop-Healthier-Happier/dp/1630061972  Connect with Gabby: Website: https://www.gabriellereece.com/ The Gabby Reece Show: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-gabby-reece-show/id1492179907  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabbyreece/?hl=en  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

Ever wondered how to land a TED talk and make your message matter? Today, I am flying solo to walk you through the process of how I hosted a TEDx event back in 2012. With a theme of The Pursuit of Passion, the one-day event focused on the fire that drives people to pursue their passions. It was about how one finds the strength to follow their heart and intuition despite rejection, lack of support, challenges, or even outright failure. In this episode, I will talk about the process of applying to get a TED Talk, the challenges I had to deal with as a head curator of a TEDx event, and the story behind how I got Scott Dinsmore as one of the speakers for my event.  Resources mentioned: TED website: https://www.ted.com/  Scott Dinsmore TEDx talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpe-LKn-4gM  Topics include: Two different ways to get on the main TED stage What is TED and what they do What is a TEDx event and what is the application process for a license How to become a TEDx speaker  How I handled and prepared for no-shows during a TEDx event How Scott Dinsmore’s TEDx talk went viral on YouTube And other topics… 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 makes you wealthy?  In a world where success often takes center stage, we tend to equate wealth solely with the size of our bank account. But what if true wealth transcends monetary success? What if it encompasses something much deeper and more fulfilling? Robin Sharma, renowned author and leadership expert, challenges us to redefine our understanding of wealth in The Wealth Money Can’t Buy: The 8 Hidden Habits to Live Your Richest Life. Through his latest book, he introduces the hidden forms of wealth that extend beyond money which he said are essential components of a rich and fulfilling life. Drawing from his years of experience as a leadership expert, Robin shares practical strategies and profound wisdom to help readers live their richest lives.  This episode of The Greatness Machine will explore the deeper dimension of wealth to help the audience unlock a newfound sense of purpose, fulfillment, and abundance beyond financial measures.  Topics include: Robin discusses the concept of wealth beyond financial success The importance of introspection and finding inner peace The significance of processing emotions to achieve productivity and fulfillment Robin recounts humble beginnings and shift from being a successful lawyer to becoming a thought leader Robin introduces eight form of wealth and their contribution to a fulfilling life beyond monetary success The value of personal development and inner growth in achieving outer success Robin talks about the concept of the Virtuoso Algorithm Finding solitude to unleash creativity and achieve mastery Recognizing and overcoming limiting beliefs to achieve financial wealth and success Robin explains the importance of generosity as a business strategy Surrounding oneself with the right people and building strong relationships And other topics… Connect with Robin: Website: https://www.robinsharma.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robinsharma/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6oh54zIYKyW6hgBiZzLLsA  Book: https://www.amazon.com/Wealth-Money-Cant-Buy-Richest/dp/059379849X  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 can I help others?” This is the starting point for finding a sense of purpose or your reason for being. Your life purpose is your reason for getting up in the morning and what will serve as your compass in making decisions. It is what helps you focus on the things that will bring you genuine happiness and fulfillment. Sam Ushio is the Chief Ikigai Officer of Connect3x, a people platform that embeds well-being into the rhythm of business. He is joining us to talk about the Japanese concept of “Ikigai” which means your “reason for being” or something that gives a person a reason for living. By knowing your ikigai and understanding its meaning, you can align yourself with the work you've longed for and the work the world needs. In this episode, Darius and Sam talk about finding purpose, taking risks, living a life with no regrets, building wealth through well-being, and a lot more. Topics include: Sam explains the definition of the Japanese concept of “Ikigai” Difference between shareholder and stakeholder Living with regrets and how to deal with them Sam looks back on becoming an entrepreneur The 7-year cycles of life Sam talks about Connect3x and what they do Importance of employee engagement in business And other topics… Connect with Sam: Website: https://connect3x.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samushio/ Email: info@connect3x.com 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

Do you often find yourself thinking about the “what ifs” of life? Are you someone who worries about the worst things that could happen? If you are, then you are probably wondering if there are ways to stop these negative thoughts from filling your mind. The good news is that there are tools, habits, and strategies that can help you avoid anxiety spirals.  Today, I am flying solo to share something very personal to me; my journey of dealing with and overcoming chronic worrying and anxiety.  Growing up in a complicated environment, I had to strive to achieve things and become a good example constantly. The unrealistic expectations later resulted in me becoming an anxious perfectionist.  In the first part of this mini-series, I will talk about how I dealt with anxiety as a kid until I reached adulthood. I will also walk you through the strategies and tools that helped me avoid having thinking errors and anxious thoughts.  Topics include: Experiencing anxiety disorder at such a young age How I coped with anxiety as a teen and young adult Defense mechanisms I used for anxiety as an adult What my therapist asked me to do to track my anxiety What I learned after writing a list of 100 things I was worried about How awareness helped me overcome my anxiety And other topics… 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 felt like you're hiding behind a facade of expectations and perceptions, concealing your true identity? Jen Gottlieb knows that feeling all too well. From being a gym trainer to becoming a powerhouse entrepreneur, she has lived the transformation of shedding societal masks and embracing authenticity. Drawing from her personal experiences, Jen unveils the power of finding your voice, building your brand, and living your dream through her book BE SEEN.  From the days of feeling invisible as a gym trainer to the moment she stepped into her authentic self as a thriving entrepreneur, Jen reveals how she broke free from the confines of conformity, ventured into the unknown of entrepreneurship, and carved her path to success.  This episode of The Greatness Machine is all about uncovering the moments of vulnerability, the triumphs of self-discovery, and the evolution from hiding to shining.  Topics include: Jen looks back at how her entrepreneurial journey started Co-founding Super Connector Media and helping brands online Jen talks about the lessons she learned from acting and being in musical theater The importance of taking action and how it organizes one’s path towards their goals Jen explains the difference between “creation” and “manifestation” Jen discusses the concept of the “Rule of 51%”  Experiencing imposter syndrome and why you need to embrace it Embracing the fluctuations in confidence and emotions Overcoming fear and embracing the unknown The benefits of committing to small steps to achieve significant shifts in mindset Jen talks about her newest book “Be Seen” And other topics… Connect with Jen: Website: https://jengottlieb.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jengottlieb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jen_gottlieb/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jenleahgottlieb/  Book: https://www.amazon.com/BE-SEEN-Voice-Brand-Dream/dp/1401972586  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

A vision without action is nothing more than a fantasy, and action is merely a means to an end without a vision.  Having a vision is imagining what life will be like after reaching your goals. Not only is it important to have one, but it is essential to communicate your vision in a way that attracts excitement and action. After all, vision is about your goals and how you plan to achieve them in the future. Jonathan Domsky, business and life coach and founder of Untangled Coaching, joins us on The Greatness Machine for the second time around to talk about vision, purpose, and the common limiting beliefs that stop most people from reaching their full potential. In this episode, Darius and Jonathan discuss the importance of transforming vision into reality, the two kinds of visions and how they differ from each other, and the reasons why some of the most hard-working people don’t achieve the life they have always dreamed of. Topics include: How Jonathan realized he wanted to become a coach Two basic kinds of visions and their definitions The difference between affirmation and declaration Why having a sense of purpose is important What motivates people to take action What is vision and why you must have it Five reasons why hard-working people don’t have to lives and businesses they want What stops people from achieving greatness in their lives And other topics… Connect with Jonathan: Website: https://untangled-coaching.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/business-personal-growth-coach Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathandomsky/  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 do you make time for the things you want to do when you have too much on your plate? Most of us, if not all, wish there were more hours in a day to grind and make time for what brings us joy. Any business owner or entrepreneur can attest to that. Finding a balance between work and life is easier said than done. But when done right, it can make the impossible possible. Today, I am flying solo to share a few tips on how I managed to surpass my goal of reading 22 books this year with three months to spare. In this episode, I will talk about the benefits of habit stacking and how it helped me learn to multitask while reading. I will also share the secret on how a busy entrepreneur like myself finds more time to read and what tools helped me to become a book athlete. Topics include: The benefits of building good habits Expert tips to reading more books in a year How I learned to multitask while reading The importance of narrator choice in audiobooks Pros and cons of reading multiple books at once Effective note-taking from reading Apps that helped me increase my reading My reading goal for 2023 And other topics… 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 can we tap into the latent leadership qualities that reside within us, waiting to be cultivated and utilized to their fullest extent? As leadership is viewed as a rare quality possessed by only a select few, it's easy to overlook each individual's potential for leadership. Leadership, however, is not exclusively a skill that a privileged few possess. It can be cultivated and developed by anyone willing to work for it. Warren Rustand, whose illustrious career spans leadership roles in the White House, executive positions in multi-billion dollar corporations, and successful entrepreneurial ventures, shares profound insights into the journey of self-discovery and personal growth. He highlights the importance of recognizing and nurturing one’s innate leadership potential, emphasizing the transformative power of stepping into one’s leadership role, even in the face of adversity or uncertainty. In this episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius is joined by Warren Rustand to talk about the need to acknowledge and cultivate our latent leadership qualities. The discussion will also explore the critical importance of finding the right space – whether in business, personal life, or relationships – and the transformative power that comes from making intentional changes.  Topics include: The importance of perseverance and determination in pursuing goals Warren highlights the significance of family and relationships in his life What Warren learned during his time in the White House Why it matters to engage in high-quality conversations to attain success Warren shares three fundamental principles essential for achieving greatness  The benefits of being in the right environment in order to grow and succeed Warren highlights the power of clarity of vision And other topics… Connect with Warren: Website: https://warrenrustand.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/warren-rustand-8a9b026/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WarrenSRustand/  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