The Zack Arnold Podcast

Jimmy Choi is a motivational speaker, an advocate for Parkinson’s research, an ultra-endurance athlete, a Parkinson’s patient, and a 2-time American Ninja Warrior. But most importantly he’s a father of two, a devoted husband, and a friend to many.Jimmy was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson’s at the age of 27 (in 2003), and for the first 8 months he lived in complete denial. So much so, in fact, that he didn’t even tell his wife for months. He spent the next several years of his life ignoring the problem hoping a single pill would make his disease go away, and at one point he gained over 70 pounds, topping out at a whopping 240 pounds.Then one day a single event changed Jimmy’s life forever, and ultimately the lives of thousands of people along with it. On that day when Jimmy literally hit rock bottom, he decided something needed to change. And since that moment he has transformed from an obese person with Parkinson’s disease who could barely walk (even with a cane) without repeatedly falling over to a decorated ultra-endurance athlete, obstacle racer, and ninja warrior.Jimmy’s secret is incredibly simple: His only goal is to be ‘Better than yesterday.’ And in this episode you’re going to learn the mindsets and tools that Jimmy uses every single day to make incredible progress despite what should be a debilitating disease.     View this post on Instagram         People are always asking about how I balance nutrition with exercise. It’s simple, balance your food while doing exercise! #pistolsquats #fupd #fitness #nutrition #balance #training #ocr #anw #anw11 #breakfast #eggs #legdayA post shared by Jimmy Choi (@jcfoxninja) on Feb 8, 2019 at 5:59am PSTParkinson’s Disease or not...this is friggin’ HARDWant to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episodeHere's What You'll Learn:Processing a Parkinson's diagnosisMisconceptions about Parkinson's diseaseLearning that everything you do should have a purposeThe moment when Jimmy learned that he needed to take control of his lifeSetting goals that are not overwhelming but still inspiringTaking pride in even the smallest progressRe-evaluating our excuses for the things we can't doFind a way to tell your storyUseful Resources Mentioned:The Fox NinjaJimmie's Tedx TalkChanging CourseOur Generous Sponsors:This episode is made possible for you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat, my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation. The Topo is super comfortable, an awesome conversation starter, and it’s also scientifically proven to help you move more throughout the day which helps reduce discomfort and also increase your focus and productivity. Click here to learn more and get your Topo Mat.Guest Bio:Instagram|Facebook|TwitterJimmy Choi, a member of The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) Patient Council, was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson's Disease at the age of 27 in 2003. With symptoms rapidly affecting his daily life, he “did nothing” for the next 7-8 years and just went through the motions. One day while carrying his infant son, they both fell a full flight of stairs which triggered fear of the future and fear for his family. He vowed to himself that he would do what it takes to take back control of what Parkinson's has taken from him physically, mentally, and emotionally.Jimmy transformed into a new person with an action-minded positive mindset using exercise to manage Parkinson’s Disease.In 2012, joining Team Fox, the grassroots fundraising arm of the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s research and completed his first marathon - and he hasn’t stopped! a 2-time competitor on American Ninja Warrior, showing all that Parkinson’s does not define him. He continues to share his story to spread awareness andfundraise towards high impact research that will lead to a cure in his lifetime.Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared and published by Elyse Rintelman. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).Note: I believe in 100% transparency, so please note that I receive a small commission if you purchase products from some of the links on this page (at no additional cost to you). Your support is what helps keep this program alive. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Productivity Specialist Amber De La Garza discusses time blocking benefits, managing tasks, avoiding procrastination, and boosting creativity. Experts emphasize intentional planning, focusing on high-impact activities, and setting boundaries. Learn about energy management, personal rhythms, and optimizing productivity through time blocking.

Cal Newport is an associate professor of computer science at Georgetown University, and he’s also the author of six (amazing) books including Deep Work and So Good They Can’t Ignore You. You will NOT find Cal on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or any other social media platforms. And if you’re wondering why, you’ll learn a lot more in today’s interview when we discuss his brand new book Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life In a Noisy World.In my previous conversation with Cal we did a deep dive into his area of expertise: Deep work. And what Cal discovered after publishing that book is that one of the main distractions keeping people from regularly getting into ‘the zone’ and accomplishing deep work was social media. This led him down the path of learning more about how social media affects our lives, our attention spans, our emotions, and our psyche. And what he has discovered is not good.Beyond simply breaking down in very clear terms the detriments of spending too much time on social media, Cal has taken the step of creating a philosophy for technology use that has already improved the lives of thousands of people that have implemented it.If you have the nagging suspicion that your smartphone and social media are commanding far more of your time, energy, and attention than you would like, perhaps adopting a little digitial minimalism isn’t such a bad idea. Learn how to drastically reduce your addiction to social media and your smartphone and live a more calm, distraction-free, and present life from the expert himself in this interview.Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episodeHere's What You'll Learn:Creating a philosophy of digital use, not just tips & tricksIs there still a healthy place for social media?Do you need to digitally declutter or digitally detox?How to do a 30-Day declutterMaximalist vs. Minimalist view of embracing technologyThe mental health detriments of social mediaHow to healthily reintroduce technology into your lifeThe designs and intentions of social media companiesUseful Resources Mentioned:CalNewport.comDigital Minimalism BookDaily Rituals: How Artists WorkLead Yourself First: Inspiring Leadership Through SolitudeFOCUS: The Superpower of the 21st CenturyOur Generous Sponsors:This episode is made possible for you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat, my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation. The Topo is super comfortable, an awesome conversation starter, and it’s also scientifically proven to help you move more throughout the day which helps reduce discomfort and also increase your focus and productivity. Click here to learn more and get your Topo Mat.Guest Bio:Cal Newport is an associate professor of computer science at Georgetown University and the author of six books, including Deep Work and So Good They Can't Ignore You. You won't find him on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, but you can often find him at home with his family in Washington, DC, or writing essays for his popular website calnewport.comShow Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared and published by Elyse Rintelman. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).Note: I believe in 100% transparency, so please note that I receive a small commission if you purchase products from some of the links on this page (at no additional cost to you). Your support is what helps keep this program alive. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Chryss Terry is an Emmy-nominated documentary and unscripted television editor who began her career editing independent feature films (that have played at the Toronto, Sundance and Berlin film festivals). But after recently discovering her true life’s purpose - to use her challenging upbringing to create scripted television that inspires women worldwide to lean into adversity - she has begun the transition into the role of narrative assistant editor.Chryss is driven, ambitious, motivated, and a borderline workaholic (like me). And while all of these character traits have served her extremely well in her career, they haven’t exactly done wonders for her mental or physical health. A few years ago Chryss hit a giant wall in her career that had very little to do with her talent and lack of opportunities. Instead it was her mindset holding her back which included a vicious bout of imposter syndrome that led to fear, anxiety at work, and eventually burnout.In this case study Chryss and I talk through the mindset shifts she made so she could approach her work, her goals, her health, and her career differently so she could stop always chasing after the next accomplishment and instead begin patiently playing ‘the long game.’ In short, you’ll learn how Chryss stopped playing checkers and started playing chess.My purpose for sharing this case study is to help explain the process that Chryss and I worked through together in my one-on-one career coaching & mentorship program, ‘Optimize Yourself Elite.’ That way you can use some of these same ideas and techniques mentioned in our conversation to move yourself forwards this year, whether or not you’re interested in working with me one-on-one.Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episodeHere's What You'll Learn:Overcoming the fear of both success and failureStopping yourself from setting overly ambitious goals that lead to burnoutHandling anxiety rising due to imposter syndromeTime management leading to perfectionism leading to not meeting deadlines...Breaking down big goals into single action stepsThe power of 'the 3 words'Our Generous Sponsors:This episode is made possible for you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat, my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation. The Topo is super comfortable, an awesome conversation starter, and it’s also scientifically proven to help you move more throughout the day which helps reduce discomfort and also increase your focus and productivity. Click here to learn more and get your Topo Mat.Guest Bio:Twitter|LinkedIn|FacebookChryss Terry is an Emmy-nominated documentary and unscripted television editor (Lost In Transition, Little People, Big World, Vanderpump Rules) who began her career editing independent feature films that have played at the Toronto, Sundance and Berlin film festivals.After recently discovering her true life’s purpose—to use her challenging upbringing to create scripted television that inspires women worldwide to lean into adversity—she has begun the transition into the role of narrative assistant editor in order to work with some of her most admired writers, showrunners and editors; those who are changing people’s lives in this “New Golden Age” of television.Chryss lives in Los Angeles with her boyfriend and two dogs, Amelia and Quigley. She continues to work on stress management and self-care while learning more about personal development; she shares everything she’s learned with friends, family and co-workers. You can learn more about Chryss at chryssterry.com.Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared and published by Elyse Rintelman. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).Note: I believe in 100% transparency, so please note that I receive a small commission if you purchase products from some of the links on this page (at no additional cost to you). Your support is what helps keep this program alive. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Moni Salazar is a Mexican assistant editor (and now editor) for feature films who has been KILLING IT since she moved to Los Angeles. In fact her first feature film as an editor, Honey Boy, is about to screen at Sundance! As an assistant editor she has also worked on such films as Netflix’s All Day and a Night, The Beach Bum, and Zoe. In addition to the many hours she spends in dark rooms, she is also the Vice President of Blue Collar Post Collective.Moni approached me last year because she found it nearly impossible to focus on creative tasks. She was constantly distracted by little things that kept her from doing the creative work that she loved, so much so at one point she didn't get her Visa application done in time...and she was forced to move back to Mexico! We worked together one-on-one for the next 12 weeks to help her clarify her goals and find the most important ‘One Thing’ in her life that she had to accomplish every day in order to get focused, avoid constantly procrastinating, and get her life organized!My purpose for sharing this case study is to help explain the process that Moni and I worked through and the steps she took to get her life more organized and establish daily habits to help her increase her focus and productivity while actually creating more time in her day to relax. That way you can use some of these same ideas and techniques to move yourself forwards this year, whether or not you’re interested in working with me one-on-one in my coaching program.Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episodeHere's What You'll Learn:Practicing focus and awareness during work hoursLearning when it's okay to say 'no'Recognizing when you are creating your own obstaclesMoving forward with your necessary tasks even when they seem overwhelmingHow time blocking enhances your creativity even if it feels like having a schedule will restrain itWhat's the 'one thing' you need to focus on to complete your goals?The domino method of task managementDefining the qualities you want to see in yourself before anything elseUseful Resources Mentioned:www.monisalazar.comFinding Your "One Thing" with Jay PapasanOur Generous Sponsors:This episode is made possible for you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat, my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation. The Topo is super comfortable, an awesome conversation starter, and it’s also scientifically proven to help you move more throughout the day which helps reduce discomfort and also increase your focus and productivity. Click here to learn more and get your Topo Mat.This episode is made possible by SitTight, my new #1 recommendation if you’re searching for a healthier, more ergonomically-friendly office chair that turns sitting into an activity that actually improves your health rather than damaging it. Yes, you can actually get fit while you sit. If you’ve never seen one, just imagine the most comfortable bar stool on the planet on top of a Bosu Ball. Trust me...it’s awesome. SitTight can provide fitness for your body, focus for your mind, and fun for your spirit. BONUS: Use the coupon code OPTIMIZE for 10% off your order!Guest Bio:Twitter| InstagramMónica Salazar is a Mexican editor and assistant editor for feature films. She enjoys crafting stories on a daily basis, and is usually found hidden in the darkness of an editing room with a cup of coffee serving as her safety blanket. Her editing credits include Honey Boy set to premiere at Sundance in 2019, and the Los Angeles Emmy award winning documentary Montage: Great Film Composers and the Piano. Mónica has also worked as an assistant editor for various films, including Netflix’s All Day and a Night, The Beach Bum, and Zoe.Monica also serves as the Vice President of Los Angeles for Blue Collar Post Collective, an accessible and focused grassroots non-profit organization that supports emerging talent in post production.Mónica takes pride in her taco-expertise and has found the best pastor tacos in LA.Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared and published by Elyse Rintelman. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).Note: I believe in 100% transparency, so please note that I receive a small commission if you purchase products from some of the links on this page (at no additional cost to you). Your support is what helps keep this program alive. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Len Ciccotello is an editor literally at the top of his specific craft: Video content marketing. This includes documentary shorts, long-form behind-the-scenes making-of documentaries, and all of the many cool bonus features you’ll find on Blu-Ray discs or even now on iTunes. He’s worked on such films as Bohemian Rhapsody, Avatar, Ready Player One, The Post, Deadpool, Argo, and several films in the X-Men Franchise, just to name a small few.Len came to me last year telling me he was ready to make a big transition in his career to editing scripted television and features...except he had no idea where to start. He’s driven, motivated, organized, and focused, but without a roadmap none of that mattered. He had no path and no idea where to focus his energy.Should he network? Quit his job first, or wait until he had a gig? Does he need to edit more scripted and build a reel? Become an assistant first? Jump right into editing? There were so many paths to choose, so over 12 weeks Len and I worked together one-on-one to design his unique path to success. And in fact he did so well that we had to cancel our last two sessions because he landed a job on his first scripted show by week 10!My purpose for sharing this case study is to help explain the process that Len and I worked through and the steps he took to make this transition happen and take a huge step forwards in his career, that way you can use some of the same ideas and techniques to move yourself forwards this year, whether or not you’re interested in one-on-one coaching. If after listening to this interview you want to learn more and apply for 'Optimize Yourself Elite,' enrollment is currently open but time slots are extremely limited since this program is extremely time-intensive for me.Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episodeHere's What You'll Learn:What to do when you're stranded on the wrong career ladderLen's 18-year career in video content marketingBeing willing to step out of your comfort zone when you're not being challenged anymoreHow to be patient with the chess game of healthy progressGenerating the motivation to get things done by establishing 'why' you want to complete themThe common pitfalls the occur when writing out your goalsFocusing on the things you can control rather than hoping for what you can'tOur Generous Sponsors:This episode is made possible for you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat, my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation. The Topo is super comfortable, an awesome conversation starter, and it’s also scientifically proven to help you move more throughout the day which helps reduce discomfort and also increase your focus and productivity. Click here to learn more and get your Topo Mat.Guest Bio:LinkedInLen’s career in post production started in New York City working for editor Hank Corwin’s commercial shop Lost Planet where he began as an intern. After 6 years at Lost Planet he moved to Los Angeles in 2000 to pursue working in film and television. For the past 15 years he has been a marketing and documentary editor, working most recently for Mob Scene Creative + Production. There he had the opportunity to work on documentaries for the Blu-ray releases of Avatar, Deadpool, Hidden Figures, Ready Player One and Bohemian Rhapsody. Recently, a constant desire to learn, challenge and improve his work lead him to take a step back to role of assistant editor in order to transition into scripted television.Len lives in Los Angeles with his wife and 2 dogs and works hard every day to bring love, joy and a sense of calm to those around him.Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared and published by Elyse Rintelman. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).Note: I believe in 100% transparency, so please note that I receive a small commission if you purchase products from some of t

My guest today is Allon Khakshouri, a sports agent who managed three of the world’s #1 tennis players including Novak Djokovic. He is also a best-selling author who specializes in high performance habits and helping ambitious entrepreneurs (and creative professionals) to feel more energized, productive, and inspired.Having worked with some of the world’s top athletes, Allon is a master at understanding the psychology behind the highest levels of performance, and this interview is SUPER dense with a ton of information. Our conversation hits a wide variety of topics, but at the core of our conversation is deciphering the fundamental differences between “amateurs” and “professionals.”What is it that makes top achievers so unique, no matter their field of expertise? Is it their skills? Their work ethic? Is it genetic? Or are they just luckier than everyone else?Do those at the highest level of their craft set goals differently than everyone else?Or do the most successful people simply have a different mindset? And if so, how can you cultivate the mindset of a true professional at the top of their game.If you have ever felt like you could be or should be further along in your career or your business and you want to break through to your next level of potential, Allon is definitely someone who can help you get there. If after listening to this interview you are inspired to dig even deeper, Allon has been kind enough to offer all of you listening a free copy of his 26,000 word ‘Ultimate Guide to High Performance’ which will show you how to accelerate your business or career growth and get more high value work done in a day than most people accomplish in a month.Here's What You'll Learn:Developing the ability to perform your best in those career defining momentsPushing yourself beyond your limits by embracing new challenges with optimismThe important differences between Amateurs and ProfessionalsBeing intentional and setting a clear vision for your goalsMastering skills so you can adjust to difficult tasks quickly and produce at an elite levelWhat it means to have a Growth Mindset vs. a Fixed MindsetHow your goals feed into your identity and your characterStarting meditation and training your focus as a skillLearning to rely on more that just your talentUseful Resources Mentioned:‘Ultimate Guide to High Performance’Allon KhakshouriOur Generous Sponsors:This episode is made possible by our proud supporters Adobe. Leave a review of this episode in iTunes or Apple Podcasts and you’ll be entered to win a yearly subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud, an essential package of video creation tools that I personally can’t live without. What’s so cool about creative cloud is how easily you can move from ingest to editing, and from color grading to 3D compositing, thanks to smooth integration between Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Audition. To win yourself that yearly subscription, just leave an honest review of this show in iTunes or Apple Podcasts.You can also enter to win the 12 month 'Pro Plan' from our sponsor Frame.io, an amazing online collaboration tool where you can comment and interact directly with your videos providing instant feedback, rather than constantly going back and forth via endless email chains. (And you know how I feel about email and productivity.) Even cooler your comments can be imported directly into your editing software of choice, and it’s so intuitive, easy to use, and dare I say “pretty” that Frame.io won an Apple Design Award. Leave a podcast review in iTunes to be entered to win your 12 month 'Pro Plan.'This episode is made possible for you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat, my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation. The Topo is super comfortable, an awesome conversation starter, and it’s also scientifically proven to help you move more throughout the day which helps reduce discomfort and also increase your focus and productivity. Click here to learn more and get your Topo Mat.This episode is made possible by SitTight, my new #1 recommendation if you’re searching for a healthier, more ergonomically-friendly office chair that turns sitting into an activity that actually improves your health rather than damaging it. Yes, you can actually get fit while you sit. If you’ve never seen one, just imagine the most comfortable bar stool on the planet on top of a Bosu Ball. Trust me...it’s awesome. SitTight can provide fitness for your body, focus for your mind, and fun for your spirit. BONUS: Use the coupon code OPTIMIZE for 10% off your order!Guest Bio:Facebook|Twitter|InstagramAllon Khakshouri is a sports agent who managed three world #1 tennis players, including Novak Djokovic. He is also a best selling author and helps ambitious entrepreneurs introduce high performance habits and strategies to feel more energized, productive and inspired to become leaders of their industries. He is also a Member of the ATP Council.Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared and published by Elyse Rintelman. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).Note: I believe in 100% transparency, so please note that I receive a small commission if you purchase products from some of the links on this page (at no additional cost to you). Your support is what helps keep this program alive. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

My guest today is Westley Silvestri, a two-time American Ninja Warrior, a highly decorated and award-winning real estate professional, a Spartan Racer, a Tough Mudder, the creator of ‘Ninja Beach’ in Santa Monica, CA, and he’s also a former golfer and stand-up comedian. Using Westley’s own words, he has “Professional ADD” and wants to do everything...but also do it well!Westley also happens to be one of my primary ninja warrior training partners who has inspired me to push past my abilities and become a stronger and more well-rounded human being. There are few people I’ve met in my life who are more positive, energetic, and encouraging...all while being brutal and relentless all at the same time.In our conversation today Westley and I focus on what it takes to become 1% better every single day. We talk about the hardship he’s faced in his life including waking up one morning to find his roommate dead, and battling a year of depression because of this. And we dig into the idea of being intentional about progress...because it’s not just about “putting in your 10,000 hours,” it’s about WHAT YOU DO with those 10,000 hours that actually counts.Here's What You'll Learn:Finding your way off the hamster wheel of modern lifeYou find out who you are when you're faced with hardshipIncremental improvement as the true path to changeBeing intentional about progress and getting better instead of "just putting in your 10,000 hours"The importance of running your own raceIt's not about how many hours or days you work, it's HOW you do those hours and WHAT you accomplishWestley's "try something new every week" philosophyIf you're not pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, you won't growOur Generous Sponsors:This episode is made possible by our proud supporters Adobe. Leave a review of this episode in iTunes or Apple Podcasts and you’ll be entered to win a yearly subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud, an essential package of video creation tools that I personally can’t live without. What’s so cool about creative cloud is how easily you can move from ingest to editing, and from color grading to 3D compositing, thanks to smooth integration between Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Audition. To win yourself that yearly subscription, just leave an honest review of this show in iTunes or Apple Podcasts.You can also enter to win the 12 month 'Pro Plan' from our sponsor Frame.io, an amazing online collaboration tool where you can comment and interact directly with your videos providing instant feedback, rather than constantly going back and forth via endless email chains. (And you know how I feel about email and productivity.) Even cooler your comments can be imported directly into your editing software of choice, and it’s so intuitive, easy to use, and dare I say “pretty” that Frame.io won an Apple Design Award. Leave a podcast review in iTunes to be entered to win your 12 month 'Pro Plan.'This episode is made possible for you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat, my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation. The Topo is super comfortable, an awesome conversation starter, and it’s also scientifically proven to help you move more throughout the day which helps reduce discomfort and also increase your focus and productivity. Click here to learn more and get your Topo Mat.This episode is made possible by SitTight, my new #1 recommendation if you’re searching for a healthier, more ergonomically-friendly office chair that turns sitting into an activity that actually improves your health rather than damaging it. Yes, you can actually get fit while you sit. If you’ve never seen one, just imagine the most comfortable bar stool on the planet on top of a Bosu Ball. Trust me...it’s awesome. SitTight can provide fitness for your body, focus for your mind, and fun for your spirit. BONUS: Use the coupon code OPTIMIZE for 10% off your order!Guest Bio:Facebook|InstagramWestley Silvestri was born Feb. 4, 1986 in Glendale CA. He was the first born son to Jan and Brian Silvestri. His baby brother, Tyler would join the family a couple of years later. They lived quite modestly in several homes the east San Gabriel Valley. By 7th grade, his parents divorced and Wes moved to Glendora with his mom and brother and a couple of years later to Saugus.After high school, Wes attended COC for one semester and then transferred to New Mexico to seek a degree in Multi Media Communications. At 18 he bought his first home while working full time and carrying 18 units of college courses.In 2013, Wes and his best friend Ian, wrote a sitcom and were in the process of pitching it to various networks when Ian died suddenly in his sleep. This knocked Wes into a severe depression for a year.As he emerged from the effects of this tragedy, Wes examined his life goals and earned his CA real estate license. He was honored as the Rookie of the Year at HomeSmart NCG. After only 3 in the business, Wes has closed over $35M in real estate transactions! His aspiration is to become a broker and open the first of it's kind, Ninja Real Estate Office. Wes admits to a severe case of “Professional ADD,” and wants do everything; but do it well!Always the adrenaline junkie, Wes is currently in training for Ninja Warrior and enjoys hiking, cliff jumping, snowboarding, surfing, rock climbing, scuba diving, and wake boarding. He has also participated in 25 obstacle course races such as Tough Mudder, Spartan Race, Gladiator Run, and Warrior Dash. Wes loves to catch these and many other life events on film and edit the movies for family and friends.Wes believes in paying it forward and helping those in need. He is a Sobriety Coach and helps others deal with their alcohol addiction through exercise. In 2015, Wes produced and participated in stand-up comedy events which raised over $55,000 for local charities and people in need. These include New Leash on Life Animal Rescue, Bridge to Home Homeless Shelter, Feed the Children (a local food bank) and financial assistance for a close friend with Stage 3 breast cancer as she goes through chemo and radiation.Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared and published by Elyse Rintelman. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).Note: I believe in 100% transparency, so please note that I receive a small commission if you purchase products from some of the links on this page (at no additional cost to you). Your support is what helps keep this program alive. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Joe Trapanese is a friend, colleague, and film composer who has worked on some of the coolest project and film scores of the last 5-10 years including The Greatest Showman, Jean Claude Van Johnson, Straight Outta Compton, Tron: Legacy, Oblivion, Only the Brave, Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G., and The Raid series (which is my #1 secret weapon as a film editor). Rarely is there an episode of TV where I don’t use a track from The Raid if I’m working with a fight scene or a suspense sequence. It’s MONEY.In this interview Joe and I break down his path from a kid in New Jersey to moving out to Los Angeles and how he climbed from nowhere to the top of his profession in record time. In addition, Joe and I also do a deep dive into the creative process of collaborating with composers.If you have ever wondered how composers approach their work, or more importantly if you’re an editor like me and you want to know some cool tips for working with composers, this is an incredibly useful and insightful interview.Win a One 1-Yr Subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud or Frame.io» Click here to leave a review of this episode in iTunes (or Apple Podcasts)Here's What You'll Learn:Focusing on what is in your controlIt's about who you know, so start meeting peopleEstablishing relationships rather than networking for jobs"You won't get hired until you are the solution to someone's problem."Confidence vs. arroganceKeeping your cool in the reputation-driven world of professional composingHow to searching for the best solutions in collaboration, rather than just inserting your ownDedicating yourself to a specific career ladderHow to know when you're not getting enough in return for your work"Talking about music is like dancing about architecture"Useful Links:Joe Trapanese's IMDb PageOur Generous Sponsors:This episode is made possible by our proud supporters Adobe. Leave a review of this episode in iTunes or Apple Podcasts and you’ll be entered to win a yearly subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud, an essential package of video creation tools that I personally can’t live without. What’s so cool about creative cloud is how easily you can move from ingest to editing, and from color grading to 3D compositing, thanks to smooth integration between Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Audition. To win yourself that yearly subscription, just leave an honest review of this show in iTunes or Apple Podcasts.You can also enter to win the 12 month 'Pro Plan' from our sponsor Frame.io, an amazing online collaboration tool where you can comment and interact directly with your videos providing instant feedback, rather than constantly going back and forth via endless email chains. (And you know how I feel about email and productivity.) Even cooler your comments can be imported directly into your editing software of choice, and it’s so intuitive, easy to use, and dare I say “pretty” that Frame.io won an Apple Design Award. Leave a podcast review in iTunes to be entered to win your 12 month 'Pro Plan.'This episode is made possible for you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat, my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation. The Topo is super comfortable, an awesome conversation starter, and it’s also scientifically proven to help you move more throughout the day which helps reduce discomfort and also increase your focus and productivity. Click here to learn more and get your Topo Mat.This episode is made possible by SitTight, my new #1 recommendation if you’re searching for a healthier, more ergonomically-friendly office chair that turns sitting into an activity that actually improves your health rather than damaging it. Yes, you can actually get fit while you sit. If you’ve never seen one, just imagine the most comfortable bar stool on the planet on top of a Bosu Ball. Trust me...it’s awesome. SitTight can provide fitness for your body, focus for your mind, and fun for your spirit. BONUS: Use the coupon code OPTIMIZE for 10% off your order!Guest Bio:Facebook|Twitter|InstagramJoseph Trapanese is best known for his sleek score work for blockbuster films like “Tron: Legacy,” “Straight Outta Compton,” “Oblivion,” and the “Raid” series. As a composer, arranger, and producer for movie, television, theater, and video game music, he has collaborated with a number of mainstream musical acts. His first major break came in 2010 when he worked with Daft Punk on the sweeping digital soundtrack to Disney's “Tron” reboot/sequel. Trapanese followed that success by creating a score with Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park for the American release of the 2011 Indonesian martial arts film “The Raid: Redemption” (he would continue without Shinoda in 2014 with “The Raid 2”). That same year, he helped with arrangements on a handful of tracks for M83's breakthrough hit “Hurry Up, We're Dreaming,” which led to the pair's collaboration on the 2013 Tom Cruise sci­fi epic “Oblivion”. For 2017’s “The Greatest Showman,” Trapanese worked alongside Pasek & Paul and John Debney, producing songs and co­ composing the score.Notable solo scores include “Only The Brave” (2017), the landmark rap biopic “Straight Outta Compton” (2015), the second and third installments of the “Divergent” series, “Insurgent” (2015) and “Allegiant” (2016); “Earth to Echo” (2014); USA’s “Unsolved” (2018); Amazon’s “Jean­Claude Van Johnson” (2017); ABC’s “Quantico” (2016­17) Freeform’s “Dead of Summer” (2016); EA’s video game “Need for Speed Payback” (2017); and Ubisoft’s video game “The Crew” (2014).In the studio and in concert, in addition to Daft Punk, M83, and Mike Shinoda, he has worked with Dr. Dre, Dierks Bentley, Zedd, Kelly Clarkson, Mike Shinoda, Kendrick Lamar, Moby, Aloe Blacc, Alessia Cara, Haim, The Glitch Mob, Active Child, Halsey, Sohn, John Newman, Dia Frampton, 3OH!3, Steven Price, and James Newton Howard. Born in New Jersey, Trapanese earned his B.A. in classical composition from the Manhattan School of Music. He went on to study at UCLA for his M.A. in music for visual media and taught electronic music composition at the school from 2008­2011. In 2016, he became a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He is a founding member of The Echo Society.Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared and published by Elyse Rintelman. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).Note: I believe in 100% transparency, so please note that I receive a small commission if you purchase products from some of the links on this page (at no additional cost to you). Your support is what helps keep this program alive. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Kyle Long is a Hollywood feature film and television writer, producer, and the showrunner of the recent limited series 'Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac & the Notorious B.I.G.' He has also worked on the popular USA series 'Suits.'For those who may already know, I edited the pilot, the finale, and two more episodes of the series Unsolved, and Kyle and I spent A LOT of time together working on a very complex story for months on end. And during that time we both learned a lot about each other. And what I was most impressed about with Kyle was his work ethic...not to mention his creative abilities, his ideas, and his unwillingness to compromise when he knew exactly what he wanted. And that’s what we talk about in this interview today:What does it take to get something made in Hollywood?What does it take to become a successful writer?What is the magic formula for delivering high quality work project after project?Hint:The answer to all three is just one thing. Consistency.Kyle and I talk about the whole process of going from brainstorm to idea to pitch to being in production on a multi-million dollar tv series. We also chat about his habits and systems for consistently writing every single day. And we also talk about the cost of prioritizing work above everything else including sleep, wellness, health, and even family.Here's What You'll Learn:Getting a film from spec to being madeThe importance of consistency in writingThe tension between working long hours and doing good workAppreciating negative and positive aspects of the creative processDeveloping productive writing habitsHow losing sleep is sabotaging your own workMortgaging and blocking your timeUseful Resources Mentioned:Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted WorldOur Generous Sponsors:This episode is made possible by our proud supporters Adobe. Leave a review of this episode in iTunes or Apple Podcasts and you’ll be entered to win a yearly subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud, an essential package of video creation tools that I personally can’t live without. What’s so cool about creative cloud is how easily you can move from ingest to editing, and from color grading to 3D compositing, thanks to smooth integration between Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Audition. To win yourself that yearly subscription, just leave an honest review of this show in iTunes or Apple Podcasts.You can also enter to win the 12 month 'Pro Plan' from our sponsor Frame.io, an amazing online collaboration tool where you can comment and interact directly with your videos providing instant feedback, rather than constantly going back and forth via endless email chains. (And you know how I feel about email and productivity.) Even cooler your comments can be imported directly into your editing software of choice, and it’s so intuitive, easy to use, and dare I say “pretty” that Frame.io won an Apple Design Award. Leave a podcast review in iTunes to be entered to win your 12 month 'Pro Plan.'This episode is made possible for you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat, my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation. The Topo is super comfortable, an awesome conversation starter, and it’s also scientifically proven to help you move more throughout the day which helps reduce discomfort and also increase your focus and productivity. Click here to learn more and get your Topo Mat.This episode is made possible by SitTight, my new #1 recommendation if you’re searching for a healthier, more ergonomically-friendly office chair that turns sitting into an activity that actually improves your health rather than damaging it. Yes, you can actually get fit while you sit. If you’ve never seen one, just imagine the most comfortable bar stool on the planet on top of a Bosu Ball. Trust me...it’s awesome. SitTight can provide fitness for your body, focus for your mind, and fun for your spirit. BONUS: Use the coupon code OPTIMIZE for 10% off your order!Guest Bio:TwitterKyle has made a living -- sometimes good, sometimes far from it -- in film and television for almost twenty years. If you know him at all, it is for creating the USA show Unsolved or working on the Queen's favorite show Suits.Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared and published by Elyse Rintelman. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).Note: I believe in 100% transparency, so please note that I receive a small commission if you purchase products from some of the links on this page (at no additional cost to you). Your support is what helps keep this program alive. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.