Podcast Summary
Transforming Adversities into Success: Arnold Vandenberg, a Holocaust survivor, defied the odds and built a prosperous life through self-control, mindset, and resilience.
That no matter the adversities we face in life, it's possible to transform our circumstances and build a successful and abundant life. Arnold Vandenberg, the guest on this episode, is a testament to this. Born in Amsterdam during the Holocaust, Arnold and his family went into hiding, and he barely made it through high school. Despite these challenges, he taught himself to invest and built an exceptional record as a money manager over the last 4 decades. What sets Arnold apart, though, is not just his financial success but his likable, generous spirit and enthusiasm for helping others. In this conversation, Arnold shares insights on how he transformed his life by taking control of his mind, and we can all learn from his experiences to improve our own lives. Despite the odds being stacked against him, Arnold defied them and built a prosperous life that goes beyond just financial success.
A girl's journey to escape the Holocaust with her family's help: Deeply held beliefs can inspire people to risk their lives to protect them or others, demonstrating the profound impact of principles.
During the Holocaust, a 17-year-old girl and her brother took a dangerous journey, risking their lives to escape Nazi persecution. They relied on the deep faith and principles of their Christian family, who went to great lengths to help them, even if it meant risking their own lives. The girl's father, a minister, played a crucial role in their escape, moving people and resources to help them. When Arnold Van Den Berg, the survivor, asked a psychiatrist why they would risk their lives for him, the doctor explained that people prioritize their principles over their lives or their lives over their principles. The story of this girl and her family illustrates the profound impact of deeply held beliefs and the lengths people will go to protect them.
The importance of following the truth: Discovering the truth, even when difficult or conflicting, is essential for personal growth and understanding. The power of emotions and the subconscious mind can influence our beliefs and actions.
Following the truth, no matter how difficult or conflicting it may be, is essential for personal growth and understanding. Arnold Van Den Berg's story illustrates this principle as he struggled with the conflict between Christian and Jewish beliefs about Jesus. He realized that worrying about who was right was not as important as discovering the truth itself. This shift in thinking opened up a new world for him, allowing him to question and challenge the beliefs he had accepted without question. Meanwhile, Arnold's parents were also dealing with the uncertainty of his whereabouts during the Holocaust. Despite the risks, his mother's emotional need to know led her to go to a butcher shop with Arnold to use the phone. Unfortunately, they were caught and sent to a holding tank, where they eventually were taken to Auschwitz. Arnold's mother's constant worry and fear for her children's safety, and the power of her subconscious mind, led her to instill in Arnold the belief that he should never have children. However, Arnold later discovered that he had three brothers, and when he remarried and wanted to have a child, he and his wife were unable to do so for several years. Throughout his life, Arnold's experiences taught him the importance of following the truth, even when it is difficult or goes against societal norms, and the power of the subconscious mind and emotions.
The Power of Unconscious Beliefs: Childhood experiences and beliefs can deeply influence our decisions and actions, sometimes unconsciously. Self-awareness and therapy can help uncover and address these mental blocks for personal growth.
Our subconscious mind can significantly influence our decisions and experiences, often shaped by past experiences and beliefs instilled in us as children. Arnold Van Den Berg shared his personal story of how his mother's wishes against having children had deeply influenced his mind, leading him to believe he couldn't have a family. This belief remained unconscious until he underwent hypnosis therapy, where he discovered the root cause in his childhood memory of starvation in an orphanage. The smell of certain plants, reminiscent of their meager meals, triggered this memory and the associated emotions and physical sensations. By recognizing and addressing this mental block, Arnold was able to have a child and overcome the influence of his past. This powerful demonstration of the mind's capabilities highlights the importance of self-awareness and the potential for healing and growth through introspection and therapy.
Story of Arnold Van Den Berg in a Christian orphanage: Empathy, understanding, and compassion are crucial during hardships, but their impact can last a lifetime
During the war, Arnold Van Den Berg was hidden and cared for in a Christian orphanage, where conditions were extremely harsh due to the scarcity of food and water. The risks taken by the people running the orphanage to hide Jewish kids were commendable, but the lack of essential resources led to challenging circumstances. Arnold shared a story of how he once disobeyed the rules to get water for the kids, only to be severely punished by the lady in charge. Despite her apology and visit after the war, Arnold held a grudge, illustrating the deep impact of childhood experiences. This incident underscores the importance of empathy, understanding, and compassion, especially during challenging times.
The Power of Focus and Determination: Focusing on important goals and staying determined can help us overcome challenges and make informed decisions in business, investing, and beyond
Focus and determination can help us overcome even the most challenging circumstances. As shared by Arnold Van Den Berg, his father's ability to focus on moving his leg during the grueling 24-hour death march helped him survive Auschwitz. Similarly, Rainn Wilson's focus on bringing his unique business idea to life with AT&T's support led to the success of Sleep with Rain. In our busy lives, it's essential to stay informed, and Yahoo Finance is a valuable tool to help us do just that. By focusing on the most important financial news and trends, we can make informed decisions and stay ahead of the curve. Whether it's business, investing, or surviving adversity, the power of focus and determination can help us achieve our goals.
The enduring power of love and connection: Both Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl and Arnold Van Den Berg's stories illustrate the profound importance of love and connection in providing hope, healing, and meaning during times of hardship.
The power of love and connection was evident in both the harrowing experiences of the Holocaust survivor, Viktor Frankl, and Arnold Van Den Berg's own story of reunion with his family. Frankl's account of focusing on his wife's presence, even in the face of uncertainty and extreme conditions, underscores the profound importance of love and connection. Van Den Berg's story of not recognizing his parents at first but later being reassured by their love and care demonstrates the transformative impact of familial bonds. Both men's experiences highlight the human capacity to find meaning and salvation through love. Despite the hardships and challenges they faced, their stories remind us of the enduring power of love to bring hope, healing, and connection.
The power of beliefs and determination: Beliefs, whether formed from past experiences or external influences, can impact our self-perception and performance. Setbacks and failures do not define our abilities, but rather our response to them does.
Beliefs, whether formed from past experiences or external influences, can significantly impact our self-perception and performance. The speaker's experience of being removed from a class and labeled as having learning difficulties led him to believe that he was not intelligent, which in turn affected his academic performance and self-esteem. However, through perseverance and determination, he was able to overcome his physical handicap and become a champion in gymnastics. A pivotal moment came when he challenged a stronger competitor in a race, resulting in a humiliating defeat. Instead of quitting, he chose to reflect on the experience and adopt a new technique to improve his performance. This experience taught him that setbacks and failures do not define our abilities, but rather our response to them does. The power of belief is demonstrated in the speaker's transformation from a struggling student to a successful athlete. And it goes to show that with the right mindset and determination, one can overcome challenges and achieve their goals.
The power of belief in achieving goals: Belief in oneself and abilities is crucial for overcoming obstacles and achieving success. Excitement and positive visualization can trigger the subconscious mind, shaping feelings, attitude, and ultimately, reality.
Belief plays a crucial role in achieving goals. Arnold Van Den Berg, who struggled with bullying and malnourishment, found a new climbing technique that ignited his determination to become the next champion. Despite the challenges, he remained positive and visualized himself succeeding. His unwavering belief in his abilities led him to perfect the technique and ultimately reach his goal of becoming the league champion. The psychiatrist later explained that Arnold's excitement and belief in himself had triggered his subconscious mind, shaping his feelings, attitude, and ultimately, his reality. This experience underscores the importance of having a strong belief in oneself and one's abilities to overcome obstacles and achieve success.
Believing in oneself leads to great achievements: Unwavering belief in oneself can propel you to overcome challenges and achieve remarkable goals, even when faced with skepticism or doubt.
Having unwavering belief in oneself and one's abilities, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, can lead to remarkable achievements. Arnold's experience with rope climbing showcased this concept. Despite being behind other competitors, he believed he could beat them and ultimately did. This mindset propelled him to win the league and qualify for the National AAU meet, where he placed 9th. This experience instilled in him a strong confidence that carried over into his business ventures, allowing him to start Synchrony Management despite not having a college education or formal training. However, not everyone shared his belief in his abilities, and he faced skepticism from others. Yet, Arnold's unwavering belief in himself remained unshaken, and he continued to pursue his goals with determination. The lesson here is that believing in oneself and one's abilities, even when faced with doubt or adversity, can lead to incredible outcomes.
The Power of Self-belief and Determination in Investing: Anyone can succeed in investing with the right mindset and dedication, even without a record, assets, or education. Learn from experts and apply their principles to overcome challenges.
Self-belief and determination can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles in the world of investing. The speaker, Arnold Van Den Berg, faced numerous challenges, including a lack of investment record, assets, or education, but he refused to let these factors deter him. Instead, he focused on learning from the experts, such as Benjamin Graham, and applying their principles to his own approach. The experience of observing the performance of funds managed by Graham's disciples and his mother's business acumen instilled in him the importance of buying stocks at a discount, or "wholesale price," and led him to develop a deep appreciation for Graham's teachings. Ultimately, Van Den Berg's story demonstrates the power of perseverance and the belief that anyone can succeed in the investment world with the right mindset and dedication.
Buying undervalued companies in bear markets: Identifying undervalued companies in bear markets and having financial discipline and belief in analysis can lead to significant returns.
Understanding the value of a company and buying it when everyone else is bearish can lead to significant returns in the market. The speaker, who learned this lesson during the bear market of 1974, emphasized the importance of financial discipline and belief in one's analysis, even when faced with widespread pessimism. He also highlighted the impact of market sentiment on stock prices and the importance of not letting fear dictate investment decisions. The speaker's success story demonstrates that even in the most bearish markets, opportunities for profit exist, and those who can identify undervalued companies can reap substantial rewards.
A turnaround for commodities and potential oil crisis: Successful investor Arnold Van Den Berg predicts a commodity rebound and an oil crisis by 2022. Unconventional education and common sense can lead to financial success despite a conventional MBA or CPA background.
The commodities are poised for a turnaround after a long period of disinterest due to the bull market in technology. Arnold Van Den Berg, a successful investor, believes we are heading in the direction of an oil crisis by the end of 2022. While a conventional education may provide valuable knowledge, Van Den Berg emphasizes the importance of common sense and self-learning. He shares an example of his brother, a CPA with an MBA, who underestimated his ability to help clients price their services correctly due to his unconventional education. The success stories of individuals like Van Den Berg demonstrate that unconventional paths can lead to financial success.
Believing in yourself and your abilities: Believing in yourself and focusing on growth can lead to success, even during tough times. Visualize success and be influenced by positive teachings.
Having a strong belief in yourself and your abilities, even during tough times, can lead to success. The speaker in this conversation shared an experience where he was advised by a friend to charge for his time and focus on growing his business, rather than working for clients who couldn't pay. Although the friend's advice was difficult to hear, the speaker believed in his potential and continued to work towards his goals. He also emphasized the power of the subconscious mind and the importance of visualizing success. The speaker's experiences were influenced by the teachings of authors like J.K. Williams and Napoleon Hill, who emphasized the role of the mind in shaping one's destiny. Ultimately, the speaker's dedication and belief in himself paid off, and he became a successful money manager.
The Power of Believing and Visualization in Success: Using visualization and self-hypnosis, Arnold Van Den Berg transformed limiting beliefs and achieved success in money management.
Visualization and self-hypnosis played crucial roles in Arnold Van Den Berg's success as a money manager. After being rejected from writing an article for a magazine, he was surprised when they asked him to be the subject instead. During the photo shoot, he stood next to a panel that caught the photographer's eye, and the resulting cover image shocked him. Van Den Berg also shared his experience with self-hypnosis, explaining that the subconscious mind responds to images and repetition. He used this technique to change limiting beliefs from his past. To practice self-hypnosis, one can find a quiet and comfortable place, focus on calming breathing, and use positive affirmations or visualizations to reprogram their subconscious mind. This story illustrates the power of believing in oneself and using the mind to create a desired reality.
The Power of Our Subconscious Mind and Thoughts: Through neuroplasticity, we can change negative beliefs and reprogram our subconscious mind with positive affirmations, visualizations, and feelings. Focusing on positivity can improve our lives and overall well-being, as we have thousands of thoughts daily, mostly negative.
Our subconscious mind is influenced by everything we've experienced and the beliefs we hold, which can shape our attitudes, feelings, and ultimately, our lives. Negative beliefs and feelings can lead to self-punishment and a cycle of negativity. However, through neuroplasticity, we have the power to change our beliefs and reprogram our subconscious mind with positive affirmations, visualizations, and feelings. By focusing on positive thoughts and actions, we can improve our lives and overall well-being. Additionally, the number of thoughts we have each day, estimated to be between 6,000 and 80,000, with the majority being negative, highlights the importance of shifting our mindset towards positivity. By doing so, we can expand our potential and lead more fulfilling lives.
Accessing subconscious mind for personal growth: Relax, set clear goals, believe in change through neuroplasticity, seek truth, and repeat focus for effective subconscious programming.
The key to success and improving brain function involves getting into a relaxed state to access the subconscious mind and set clear goals. The speaker shared his personal experience with hypnosis, which helped him overcome depression and increase his work capacity. He explained that our belief systems are formed based on past experiences and can be changed through neuroplasticity. Repetition and consistent focus on goals are also crucial in influencing the subconscious mind. The speaker emphasized the importance of honesty and seeking truth in personal growth, as it brings us back to a place of integrity and reduces stress. By accessing the subconscious mind in a relaxed state, we can reprogram our beliefs and achieve our goals more effectively.
Believe in yourself and focus on your goals: Belief in self and focus on goals can help overcome obstacles and manifest success through effective use of subconscious mind
Setting a clear goal, focusing your efforts on achieving it, and maintaining a positive mindset are key to personal growth and success. This involves repeating affirmations, visualizing success, and even using techniques like hypnosis to reinforce your beliefs. The subconscious mind is a powerful tool that can help you manifest your goals if you use it effectively. By focusing your energy on a specific goal, you can overcome obstacles and even surpass the abilities of those who may seem to have an advantage due to external factors. This was illustrated in the speaker's own experiences, from climbing a rope to helping his son excel in shot put. Ultimately, it's not just about having the right knowledge or working hard, but also about having the right mindset and belief in yourself.
The power of inner drive and commitment: Successful people deeply program their goals into their subconscious mind, making them as essential as survival instincts. Inner drive and commitment come from within, not from external sources.
True motivation and determination come from within, not from external sources like pep talks or rallies. Arnold Van Den Berg, a successful entrepreneur, emphasized this point in a speech he gave in 1979. He shared that the difference between individuals who achieve their goals and those who don't lies in their inner drive and commitment. If you want to build a building, you need a blueprint with all the details. Similarly, to achieve your goals, you must deeply program them into your subconscious mind, making them as essential as your basic instincts for survival. When you have a burning desire for something, you won't need external motivation to keep going. Instead, you'll be driven by an inner force that will propel you towards your goal. This requires a well-defined goal, a deep commitment, and a sacrificial attitude. By following this approach, you'll have the power to shape your future and never lack drive or motivation.
The power of dedication and focus in achieving goals: Dedication and focus are essential for success. Prioritize time and energy towards goals, and be aware of the impact of mental stress on physical and professional well-being.
Dedication and focus are crucial to achieving one's goals. The speaker shares his experience of wanting to become a money manager but realizing that his time spent on hobbies like chess and golf was hindering his progress. He learned that the subconscious mind can help him meet clients and be successful, so he decided to prioritize his time and energy towards his goal. Additionally, the speaker shares an interesting anecdote about Dr. Sarno and his discovery that most back problems are not physically based but rather caused by mental stress. The speaker applied this principle to his own life and found that when he was behind in his work, his back would go out due to the mental tension. This insight helped him understand the importance of managing mental stress to maintain both physical and professional well-being. Overall, the speaker emphasizes the importance of making deep commitments to one's goals and being mindful of the impact of mental stress on both physical and professional success.
Understanding and communicating with the subconscious mind: Believe in ability to overcome challenges, avoid physical treatments, and address repressed emotions to regain control over life using Sarno's methods.
The key to overcoming various physical and emotional issues lies in understanding and communicating with the subconscious mind. The book "The Genie Within" by John E. Sarno provides practical steps to do so, as discussed by Arnold. Sarno, who wrote the book to help others based on his own healing experience, emphasizes the importance of believing in one's ability to overcome challenges, refraining from physical treatments, and addressing repressed emotions. By following his methods, individuals can visualize a strong, healthy self and regain control over their lives. The author's dedication to helping people, despite selling only 70,000 copies, is a testament to the transformative power of this approach.
The power of consciousness in shaping reality: Our inner state determines our outer experiences, focusing on desires rather than fears can lead to profound changes, and being open-minded to unconventional paths is crucial for personal growth.
Our consciousness plays a significant role in shaping our reality. Arnold Van Den Berg and William Green emphasized the importance of this concept, which they learned from James Allen's book "From Poverty to Power." They both spent decades experimenting with various techniques to transform their thoughts and subconscious minds, believing that our inner state determines our outer experiences. Van Den Berg shared how he applied this concept to his own life, focusing on his desires rather than fears and experiencing profound changes as a result. Green noted how this idea challenged his intellectual arrogance and opened him up to the transformative power of self-discovery. Ultimately, the conversation underscores the importance of being open-minded and willing to explore unconventional paths to personal growth.
The power of our thoughts and beliefs in shaping reality: Quantum physics and neuroscience support the idea that our thoughts and beliefs shape our reality. Repetition of positive thoughts through affirmations or prayer can bring about change in our lives.
Our thoughts and beliefs have a profound impact on our reality. This idea, which may seem counterintuitive, is supported by quantum physics and is validated by both personal experiences and scientific research in neuroscience. The power of repetition, whether through affirmations or prayer, can help embed positive thoughts in our minds and bring about change in our lives. This concept was exemplified by a French pharmacist who discovered that his belief in the effectiveness of his medicines was the key to curing people, rather than the medicines themselves. By focusing on the power of the mind and using techniques like autosuggestion, we can make significant improvements in our lives.
The Power of Positive Thinking and Affirmations: Consistent practice of positive thinking and affirmations can lead to personal growth and achievement. Learning from suffering and adversity can provide valuable insights and motivation.
The power of positive thinking and affirmations, combined with consistent practice, can lead to significant personal growth and achievement. This concept has been explored in various ancient texts and modern experiments, such as the story of Scott Adams and his experience with affirmations and the stock market. The speaker, Arnold Van Den Berg, also emphasized the importance of learning through suffering and adversity, as it can provide valuable insights and motivation to overcome challenges. While he wouldn't want to relive the same experiences, he acknowledges that they have shaped him into the person he is today. Overall, the discussion highlights the transformative potential of the mind and the importance of maintaining a positive and determined mindset.
Embracing Challenges as Opportunities for Growth: Focusing on doing good and living the right way can lead to inner joy and happiness, while embracing challenges and suffering as opportunities for growth and learning.
The way we perceive and respond to suffering in our lives can greatly impact our future growth and happiness. The speaker, Arnold Van Den Berg, shared his experience of growing up with financial responsibilities at a young age, which initially seemed painful but ultimately led him to become a responsible and successful man. He emphasized the importance of identifying the root causes of pain and taking action to alleviate it, leading to inner joy and happiness. Abraham Lincoln's quote, "when I do good, I feel good. And when I do bad, I feel bad. That's my religion," highlights the connection between our actions and emotions. Arnold encouraged listeners to focus on doing good and living the right way to experience joy instead of pain. He also recommended reading James Allen's book "From Poverty to Power" for further insight. Overall, the conversation emphasized the importance of embracing challenges and suffering as opportunities for growth and learning.
