In A Turn Of Events

Darin Olien is an American superfoods and sustainable living expert with a mission of sharing healthy living habits with people all over the world, and impacting the planet for the better through his work. 

He is the author of the best selling book "Superlife: The 5 Forces That Will Make You Healthy, Fit, and Eternally Awesome", and the host of the #1 Health and Wellness podcast, The Darin Olien Show. 

Darin was the co-host of the Netflix educational documentary series "Down To Earth" in which he and Zac Efron travel the globe in search of more sustainable food, energy, and living practices. 

I was moved when I saw the final episode in which Darin's Malibu home burned to the ground, sparing nothing. 

Our conversation weaves through some of life's most profound lessons and how we can continue to focus on self-awareness to awaken the best version of ourselves, and ultimately, how Darin learned to harness grief as a mechanism for healthy change in his life. 

www.darinolien.com

Jeff Weirdo Jacobson is a Seattle-based artist and muralist who has become one of the most recognized urban visionaries of our time. His work is known for being hyper-realistic.

Jeff has focused on a wide range of work, including a once-in-a-lifetime project collaboration with Russell Wilson that caught my attention in an ESPN article back in January. Jeff created a pair of custom graffiti-style cleats for Russ to represent his Why Not You Foundation, urging kids to chase their biggest goals and dreams. (Link to article below)

Jeff has developed a keen and intense focus on leaving behind a story of what life on Earth was like for future generations to ponder.

We got into a great discussion about how we as individuals, and humanity as a whole, have been effected by social media, and how he foresees, and attempts to capture in his work, a world in Post-Internet Dystopia.


https://www.weirdocultmurals.com/

https://whynotyoufdn.org/latest/2019/12/6/my-cause-my-cleats

Chef Joseph "JJ" Johnson is an American Chef, Author, and Cooking Show Host who has been recognized as a trailblazer amongst the culinary elite over a very decorated career.

His cookbook collaboration with Alexander Smalls, "Between Harlem and Heaven: Afro-Asian-American Cooking for Big Nights, Weeknights, and Every Day" took home the coveted James Beard Foundation Award in the  American Cookbook category in 2019.

He has spent his entire culinary career bringing culture to the center of the table, and his new venture in Harlem, FIELDTRIP, a global dining experience with community and comfort at the core of it's mission, is no different.

Throughout the pandemic, FIELDTRIP has become a staple in the community and served over 50,000 meals to front-line medical workers and others in need.

Check out Chef JJ's story, achievements, and accolades here:

https://www.chefjj.co

Jordan Paris is an American Podcaster, Author, and Marketing guru who at the young age of 22 years old, has focused on Designing A Life rather than making a living. He has been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, Yahoo Finance, Men's Health, and Market Watch.

His podcast, Growth Mindset University, is one of Apple's top podcasts in the world in multiple categories. Collaborating with some of the brightest minds on the planet, (Grant Cardone, Robert Greene, Mark Manson, James Altucher, Seth Godin), Jordan is recognized as a top notch interviewer by world-renowned guests from all walks of life. 

We get into why it's never to late to pursue the life you truly desire, how to take full control of your own education, and the core of high level communication, even if your audience is a global influencer. 

This conversation for me is a clear reminder that the world is your oyster if you are willing to recognize it as such. It is all about perspective, and Jordan Paris is a living example of that. 

When was the last time you let random reviews on the internet influence a decision you had to make for YOUR life. A purchase, where to stay at a hotel, where to eat your next meal and what to order. 

We have built a foundation in our society where we truly rely on the opinions and judgements of everyone else to determine what WE do next. 

For me, the toughest part about this cycle is recognizing it. It starts out as an opinion on a simple meal,  and morphs into counting on others (that we don't really know) to help make major life decisions. 

We don't take time to think about the logic behind relying on someone we have never met to tell us what a good place to eat would be, where we should work next, if a contractor is the best fit for the job, etc. The list goes on and on. 

Think about it this way....what if you had a big job interview tomorrow, and you picked a pin drop on your map, drove to that area of town, and then knocked on a random door, and asked whoever answered the door "how should I best prepare for my interview tomorrow"

And then...take whatever advice they give you. Sound like a winning plan? 

We can't forget who we are and what we like, desire, and want to accomplish. 

Ponds can be a really beautiful addition to a neighborhood, back yard, or even in a shopping mall.

But would that be the case if the body of water didn't have a fountain or aerator of some kind? The Fountain helps the water remain clear and full of oxygen as to avoid the build up of harmful algae.

Without proper aeration, not only will the pond look less aesthetically pleasing, but will also become an unhealthy habitat for the wildlife that call the pond home.

Just like a still body of water, WE need oxygen, fresh life, fresh perspective..... to keep our minds and bodies from being tainted by negativity and adversity. 

We absorb a lot of different experiences, many positive, and many negative, on any given day. The tough thing seems to be, we choose to focus more on the negative than we do the positive, which can perpetuate if we don't identify an effective way to cleanse. 

Find something you can use daily to pump fresh oxygen into your life. It will help you flush out the bad and not only look, but feel much better to start the day. 

It doesn't have to be an hour, or even 30 minutes. Even a 1-minute quote or daily devotion will provide oxygen for your body of water!

We have all had to manage the battery life on our cell phone. The first step is usually to review all of the apps/browsers we have working in the background and close out the ones we are no longer using, as to not waste the battery life on something worthless. 

When it comes down to that last bar, we save it for the most critical usage....that one emergency phone call, or the text to let our family know we landed on our plane, or even to make sure we can use the Uber App to get a ride to the hotel. 

Either way, we know how our energy will need to be spent when crunch time arrives. 

The energy we carry into each day is no different than a battery. There will be countless interactions, decisions, and experiences daily that pop up just like apps on our phone. 

Some we will close out after using,. some we will forget about and let run in the background, using up our limited energy. Some bringing us positive energy in return, some draining our battery as if we are roaming looking for a signal. 

It's a good practice to identify where your battery power is being allocated, and if it isn't delivering the longevity you hoped for, there may be some apps running that you can make the choice to close out and preserve your battery life for those vital moments, and necessary actions. 

The first day of school can be really hard. There are alot of new emotions, fears, expectations, and standards that can make the experience a stressful one.

That's from a Dad's perspective!

Think of the whirlwind of emotions kids go through when navigating their first day of school. New faces, new teacher, new situations where they will be forced out of their comfort zone.

However, regardless of how many fears and uncertainties both parents and kids may have, when the time comes there is only one choice...to go to school and face the fears head on.

The amazing thing for me to witness about my daughter's first day of school was the spectrum of emotions she and I both lived through.

Upon drop off it was fear and stress...upon pick up it was pride and joy, and what I hope will be a lesson in what it's like to take on your fears and win for my daughter.

Whatever it is you're not sure how to take the first step at accomplishing, remember how our kids are forced to handle the First Day Of School, and all the memories and fun they will have from that point on. 

 

Have you ever gotten halfway (or all the way) done putting something together only to realize one piece is on backwards, or incorrectly, and the only way to fix it is to take it apart and start over?

I'm humble enough to admit that it's happened to me more than once.

The reason for my failure was/is simple.....I didn't take time to read through the Instruction Manual. The big booklet that gets tossed aside when we anxiously rip into our new furniture, kitchen gadgets, lawn equipment, or iPhone.

Reading an instruction manual and truly understanding the capabilities and limitations your product has only sets you up for an easier assembly, or ongoing use of that product.

We can look at our goals the same way. I am yet to meet a person who doesn't have something in their mind and at their core that they want to accomplish. Whether a certain income, a lower golf score, losing a few pounds, or learning a new hobby...it all requires thoughtful planning, and an outline for the action needed.....an instruction manual.

As a matter of fact, if there is something that comes to mind that you've always wanted to do, but you haven't yet....try designing your own Instruction Manual for what steps you will need to take and the features/benefits you will enjoy (and even how you will feel) once you assemble this goal! 

There are some people who just find a way to get things done. Not because they have unlimited resources, but because of their unlimited resourcefulness.

They can take items they have access to (ideas, people, objects) and build upon that starting point to achieve a desired solution. They can make it happen with whatever is available.

It's only fair to stop for a moment and admire the resourcefulness of a Barn Swallow. One of the most resilient species of bird I've come across. The story of their fortitude goes far beyond just the materials used to build their Bird's Nest.

Look at the material they use to build their home....sticks, leaves, old feathers from other birds, mud. A bunch of stuff we see as useless and disgusting.

I watched them build a house, have 5 babies, raise their young, and take off as a new family all within a one month span.

It made me feel ashamed of the extra items I sometimes think I need to have in order to find fulfillment or success with a particular task.

I learned from the Barn Swallows, that it's important to remember that we have everything we need. It's in our habitat, all around us. We just have to be willing to simplify, be resourceful.

The lesson learned is one we have all heard before. Home isn't made by what type of material you use, or how fancy it looks. Home is where the heart is. Look around at the things you have, and you will realize that it's more than enough. 

If you've seen any superhero movie, you've wondered what it would be like to be able to fly.

Sean "Air Ninja" Ray can tell you first hand. Since being introduced to the new-age sport, HydroFlight back in 2015, Sean has made a name for himself as one of the top FlyBoarders in the world.

He has turned a curious side hustle into an international corporation, and been introduced to some of his childhood heroes along the way.

We get into why it's important to learn to take risk in life, how he willed his way to working with Travis Pastrana, and why a private show for Bill Gates will be the gift that continues to give for an entire career.

The most memorable thing for me about this conversation was how much hustle and grit this guy has. He is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals. Hope you enjoy his story as much as I did!

Check out what The Air Ninja is all about below:

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CCnFbgEHKGy/?igshid=1k0l7wqi77jkn

Nothing worse than coming around the corner on a two lane highway and seeing a long row of brake lights. Traffic Jam!

Sometimes there is no way around it. There are cars coming from both directions but only one lane to work with.

Isn't a Traffic Jam a lot like two differing opinions on any topic? Religion, Politics, Education, Social Injustice? The list goes on on and on. It seems like strong differing opinions are an everyday part of our lives right now.

How can we continue to move forward if everyone has a different perspective?

It's quite simple...we just need a little traffic control. Give and Take.

Let a few cars go through while one side waits, and then vice versa. Give....and Take.

What would happen if you sat at a traffic jam and wouldn't let oncoming cars approach or pass? The gridlock would literally never end. 

It's Labor Day weekend and if nothing else, you can expect to see a lot of Garage Sales and Yard Sales popping up in suburban neighborhoods across America.

When I drove by a few of them this morning, I wanted to identify the reason why I felt "good' when I saw that sign. So I took a minute to dissect why there is a positive nostalgia connected to this American tradition.

I realized that aside from being a friendly gathering point, a Garage Sale represents the universal struggles, challenges, joys , and successes we ALL go through. It's a warm sense of belonging when you identify commonalities with other people. 

Think about it, if we didn't all go through the same experiences at different points in our lives, there would be no popularity in Garage Sales. Everyone would have different "stuff" and passing things down, or along wouldn't be prudent. 

Today, when you see a Garage Sale sign, take the time to stop and share a human connection with someone. Look at the items they are opening up to others with a different perspective, and understand that whether its yesterday, today, or tomorrow, we are all connected and need each other's help to get by. 

It's a huge bonus when you get help for such a low sticker price :)

I know fisherman of all ages who have committed an entire day to throwing casts, and come home without anything in hand to show for their time and effort...including me.

That is considered a failure if you're fishing, right? To not catch anything is the worst case scenario.

Yet the fisherman always looks forward to the next time out on the water. Why is that?

It's because the fisherman has fallen in love with the process of going fishing. 

The early morning coffee, and stopping at the gas station while it's still dark to fill up the boat, or the intense preparation of tying all the lines the night before and organizing the tacklebox, or studying the lake map to find the best potential spots. 

There is much more to fishing than meets the eye, and its hardly ever about the catch of the day. Every hobby that brings us joy is worth so much more than any payment we could receive for doing it. 

Do you have a hobby that you haven't focused on much because you don't think it's worth your time if you can't make money, etc....Like fishing, there are other things that will bring you just as much joy as money will. 

Sometimes it may even require an investment on your end (kayak, camera, hiking boots, journal) but you'll find the process as a whole is much more than you bargained for. 

For me, there is nothing like the first perfect cup of coffee early in the morning to start the day. One of my most enjoyable routines. 

On the flip side, nothing quite like a mouthful of coffee grounds that made it through into your cup.

A  FILTER is quite literally the difference between a highly enjoyable experience and a terrible one.

What if you could put a filter on your day...and it would catch all of the negativity, doubt, and bad decision-making that leads to life's least-favorite moments. 

The great thing about our daily mindset...we are the ones who filter what we let in and what we keep out. 

Think of your day/week like a cup of joe, and put a filter above your head to keep all the grounds out....Negative people, dead end job, news that highlights only the bad stuff. 

Only let the good stuff get through. 

Going to the movie theater to see a great flick is one of my favorite hobbies.

I prefer to be there early as part of the entire experience is seeing the 4-5 trailers for all the new movies that are soon to come out. It gives you an idea of what you want to see next.

Some trailers are riveting, and leave you on the edge of your seat, anxious to see the movie in its entirety. Others, not so much.

Some trailers have passion and vision, and give you goosebumps. Others leave you with the feeling the project was given half an effort.

If you could direct only one movie about your life, just one script...What would YOUR Movie Trailer be like? 

Would it leave your friends and family with goosebumps because of how big your dreams are and how much zeal you have to accomplish them? Or will it be like watching a sequel of something they've already seen several times? 

You can decide. Your trailer represents all of the best parts of you and the things you love to do at your core. Make sure your trailer captures the vision that matters...for YOUR life, no one else. 

I think everyone has gotten excited and taken a little too big of a bite of their favorite food at times.

I sure have. Much more prone to take massive bites when I was younger. As I wise up, I enjoy the flavor and ingredients of each bite, so much so that I coined a term for it...the "Perfect Bite"

Its a good way to really enjoy and get the most out of the wonderful meal we have been blessed with.

You can actually utilize a Perfect Bite mentality to accomplish any task or goal you want to.

The achievements that will bring us the most joy are certainly the hardest to accomplish.
Many times for me, without a perfect bite mentality, goals worthy of daydreaming about can seem insurmountable when staring them face to face, as a whole.


Whatever your goal may be...
Lose 30 pounds.
Complete a 30 page presentation.
Write a book.
Be a better husband or father.
Start a new job.

Looking at a list like this can be tough to swallow, and even harder to digest.
But ironically, after a week, a month, a year or two of postponing our goals, we are malnourished from not taking action.

There is a way to accomplish your goals, and it is one bite at a time.


Lose 30 pounds------> just start walking every morning for 10 minutes.

Complete a 30 page presentation---> focus on 2 pages per day, and outline your next two so the following day is easier.

Write a book----> Write 30 minutes every day.

Be a better husband or father----> start with quality time, pick one activity per day to do with the family.

Start a new job----> Focus on updating your resume over the weekend. 

Anyone who has ever watched the Super Bowl, or any sporting event, has the image burned into their mind of the star player sitting quietly alone with headphones on and eyes closed. Getting ready for the battle that's going to take place on the playing field. 

Everyone has their own Pregame Ritual, and they are all a little different. What matters most, is having one in the first place. 

For so many years, I would set my alarm to wake up and get ready for the day, giving myself maybe 5 minutes of cushion. I would rush through the morning check list and by the time I was in the car on the way to the office, I would start speed-sorting through all of the things I needed to do that day.

I started to identify how that pregame ritual, or lack thereof, was effecting my attitude, organization, productivity, and ultimately results. I wasn't winning the game. 

Then I made a change, to "own my mornings" I started to get up an hour early and really enjoy my cup of coffee instead of pouring it in a to-go mug on the way out the door and burning my lips on the first sip. 

The purpose of any pregame ritual is to prepare from the Inside-Out. To make sure we are mentally prepared for the curveballs that will be thrown our way, or the trick play the other team may try.

If you want to give yourself a shot at winning every day, you have to prepare as if it means something to you. 

Every person that walks planet Earth has goals, dreams, and ambitions they have yet to take action towards.

As one of those people, I’m on a mission to put myself to the test against some of my lingering dreams that seem to only bounce around in my head and never really come to fruition.

In most cases, the reasons I haven’t taken action can be whittled down to one of the following:

Fear of failure, fear of criticism, fear of not being as good at something as we think we are, waiting for the perfect time to start, waiting on someone else to tell us it’s a good idea and we should pursue it.

All of these things have stopped me from taking on the challenges I KNOW will deliver the most gratitude and joy.

Speculating how it will feel or what it will be like to relish in your accomplished goals is a phenomenal mental exercise...but disastrous if you never take action.

You’ll morph into a day-dreamer and not a dream-catcher.

Today, regardless of what you have on your list of life goals....write a book, start a new job, get out of a relationship that’s draining you, start a podcast, start a new hobby....

Challenge your goals/dreams to a Cage Fight, where there is no longer ways to sneak around, away, over, or under your fears. The only way is to go right through them.

You’ll find it’s never as scary as the picture you painted in your mind. 

Even with the bumps and bruises, you’ll have a much better gague on what your capabilities are. 

I have done too many things over the years...small projects to big life moments, without focusing on the details.

Sometimes we focus so much on being "done" that we overlook all the small things that truly make a COMPLETE. There is a huge difference between the two.

The difference for me between putting time and effort into the smaller details, is the way I feel when reflecting on a project.

Looking at my lawn after I've taken the extra 30 minutes to trim and edge around the sidewalk, pull weeds, etc. It delivers an entirely different feeling/level of pride. Sure it feels good to cross something off the list and get it done, but I promise it isn't the same as when you focus on the details as well.

Wash your car, or detail the inside as well? One result will make you feel different than the other. 

Cook a quick dinner with one of your favorite foods, and then just throw the sides together because your out of time? Make the meal extraordinary with the PERFECT sides.

It even reminds of the times I would finish a large painting on a canvas...and then I wouldn't take my time on signing a consistent and creative signature. Sometimes I didn't even sign it at al! I was too happy I was "done"

I just now realized how often I look at the bottom right corner of a painting in a gallery to see how unique an artist's signature is when I am moved by their artwork.

Next job, task, project you do....imagine putting your signature in the corner. Is it just done, or COMPLETE?

The devil, and victory over him, are in the details!