Most of you have never seen this. I really hope you enjoy it. To download, just sign into Vimeo and you’re set. If you Final Cut it up, please set to a Crystal Method or Sevendust soundtrack 🙂
In other breaking news:
I need only 120 more Amazon reviews to beat The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell, a dream I’ve had since 2007! Not because I dislike him, but precisely the opposite — he’s one of my writing role models and I long viewed his book as untouchable.
If you’ve read the 4HWW but haven’t left a short review on Amazon, please take 30 seconds and help me here! The stars are, of course, up to you.
It would really mean a lot to me, and what a milestone it would be as a late Christmas present 🙂
Odds and Ends Elsewhere:
Tim Ferriss on Facebook (includes new videos)
Tim Ferriss – Smash Fear, Learn Anything (TED video)
Afterword – Common Questions
Thanks for all the kind words and questions in the comments! Here are answers to a few common questions:
“Gaijin [foreigner] resentment from the Japanese?”
None whatsoever. Major point of conflict with the production company, as they wanted me to show I was ‘proving my teacher’ wrong, etc. for manufactured drama. Total nonsense. The Japanese teachers and students were some of the most gracious and generous people I’ve ever met. The Japanese get a bum rap for xenophobia, mostly by Americans who go over, speak to them in English, and them call them ‘inscrutable’ when they don’t respond in fluent, idiomatic English. Learn some Japanese and they are 100% fine. Business settings = negotiating = not a representative interaction. Get with the people and interact, preferably with something physical. I’ve never felt this artificial insider/outsider wall people talk about.
“Pre-bed and other preparations for physical only or also mental?”
Also for mental and learning. Pre-bed and mid-night language review is incredibly effective for improving recall.
“How much story arc vs. real issues?”
It was real. The fear of falling off was real. It came up only after arrival that injuries were much more common and severe than expected. The editing didn’t do justice to the drama. We had 100+ hours of footage, and there were some gems that could have replaced other bits in this 45 minutes. It rained for 2-3 days of the practice time, for example, and we couldn’t use the horses. The non-yabusame human-to-human interactions with the Japanese were also missing. Some really hysterical moments.
“Have I been back to train?”
Not yet. I love Nikko and would love to go back. I have spoken with both my teacher (Hayashi) and some of the Japanese crew, however. Truly wonderful people.
“Superhuman book to include cooking?”
The way I do it, yes. Simple stuff that tastes great and works. Boys, don’t worry — it’s bachelor screw-up proof.
“Doing a traditional Japanese martial art myself for many years do you ever get frustrated when you learn a skill and then to a certain extent ‘move on’ that you’re just scratching the surface?”
A few people asked this. I don’t try and “hack” everything and move on. I do believe in the enjoyment of constant practice as an exercise, almost like meditation. It’s important to balance achievement with appreciation, and there are skills that I continue to practice without abandoning them. In fact, I don’t feel like I abandon much. Even if I haven’t really practiced tango since 2006, for example, the skills and awareness I developed in tango are applicable to other things, even yabusame. I feel like each is intertwined with the next, so I’m — on a macro-level — constantly working on a process of skill-development that spreads across these various experiments.
In simpler terms, I’m just having fun and doing what makes me most excited. I see nothing wrong with this. For some, that will mean 1 skill a year, others 1 skill a month, and others still, one skill a lifetime.
All are fair.
The Tim Ferriss Show is one of the most popular podcasts in the world with more than one billion downloads. It has been selected for "Best of Apple Podcasts" three times, it is often the #1 interview podcast across all of Apple Podcasts, and it's been ranked #1 out of 400,000+ podcasts on many occasions. To listen to any of the past episodes for free, check out this page.
Comment Rules: Remember what Fonzie was like? Cool. That’s how we’re gonna be — cool. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation! (Thanks to Brian Oberkirch for the inspiration.)
Finally available on internet. Great episode! I would like to learn more about your learning techniques and principles.
Tim,
This video was truly amazing and absolutely inspiring! Do women also participate in Yabusame?
Thank you for sharing your display of courage, determination, and success with us.
I just recently stumbled upon your blog. I am looking forward to reading more of your work.
Behave yourself in Frankfurt. I hear those airport waitresses like to play hard to get. =)
Enjoy writing your new creation.
Fondly,
Angie <3
Watched it, thanks, I’d been looking for it before.
Reviewed the book (the natural 5 stars) and realized I wasn’t needed to help you anymore (1300+ reviews) at beating Malcolm Gladwell but at least I helped making life harder to the-guy-who-will-want-to-beat-tim-ferriss.
Thanks for helping so many of us
Tim
If I understand correctly this was, for the time being, the only Trial by Fire -episode, right? Or are the more to come?
If so, here’s a suggestion for your next challenge: “Master the ‘art’ of finishing a marathon under 3:30h within 5 days”. Lots of people all over the world are more or less involved in running and many of the ones who are usually have that ‘dream’ of at least finishing a marathon once (without intending to break any world records) but don’t do it because they think it involves too much preparation and involvement. If you master that it can inspire lots of people to overcome their ‘fear’ of failing at it.
Have a good time in South Africa,
David
Nice video, very interesting !
I really appreciate the human adventure behind the story and the fact that you both take the traditionnal teaching and then adapt it to suit your own body.
Just posted my review.
Thanks Tim
Loved the video. Well done. Got your book for Christmas, 2008. Never read it. Starting to read it today.
Hi Tim;
Just finished watching the video and it was inspiring. Learning a complex set of skills takes time, hard work, dedication and, most of all, a willingness to make a fool out of oneself. Fear of failure keeps most of us from trying new things or pushing hard.
The editing may not have shown this part, but you did mention that you didn’t have time to put all the elements together before the actual runs. There’s a big difference between shooting from a stationary position versus a moving and unstable one. It’s clear that you were able to break down every element of the sport, but practicing putting it all together is crucial.
Keep up the great work.
Stephan
Awesome video !
Thanks Tim
Tim, where on earth do you come up with such out-in-left-field ideas like taking up yabusame? And how do you stay hungry to keep striving for bigger, better, and badder (eg: trying to produce that TV show) when it would be much easier to rest on your laurels and enjoy the fruits of your previous successes? I’ve read your stuff on dreamlining–but for those of us who are weary at the thought of a new year and perilously close to turning into “fat men in red BMWs,” could you offer a few words of advice (or perhaps recommend a book) on how to hack that unique combination of creativity and drive that inspired this video in the first place?
Tim, just an fyi. Your site doesn’t appear to load the CSS properly in Chrome. I’m on 4.0.249.43.
Thanks, Mike. I’ll check on it with my designer.
Best,
Tim
Very nice video tim i learned several things just by watching it although will need to watch and do =P next. nice alarm clock at 12:33 have you seen this tim?
sleep cycle alarm clock (basically it can tell by how your body rest what state of sleep your in.) here is the link http://www.lexwarelabs.com/sleepcycle/ not sure what it is for besides iphone.
best
steve
I’d seen Chris Crudelli show the art on his show Mind Body and Kick Ass Moves but not actually learn it!
Well done Tim 😀
I just reviewed your book at Amazon, Tim. I love the new version as much as the first one. I’m eagerly anticipating becoming superhuman under your tutelage. 🙂
Amy
Thanks for all you have shown! I think my life has been changed. I know that seems like a somewhat out-there remark, but after discovering you, your book, and they way you think and live, I am convinced I can not keep living the way I am – full of fear to really live.
Thank you, thank you.
Dear Tim,
I just follow your suggestion and post a comment – even if it has nothing to do with 4HWW.
I am an entrepreneur from Germany, running my familiy company (www.fripac-medis.de) and building “my baby”: beingoo (www.beingoo.com).
Recently I saved the domain “goobing.com” (the comparison between Google and bing which is online right now is just for fun because on June 1st my domain-name got interesting); and that is why I write you:
I read in your Bio that you “work” as an “angel investor”; this is what I am looking for regarding “GOOBING” which is the project that I need to let come true. It is my unique idea that I developped in my head for the last 2 years. GOOBING is a platform for sales of each kind with a unique selling system that is different from Amazon, ebay or any price search machine. At the moment a german professor for IT programs a demo with money that I got from the government plus some own money. When the demo is finished I need to find an investor to help me found the company, implement the structure and expand to the first 33 countries – with the necessary capital for introducing it widely.
The target of GOOBING ? To optimize trade and make it as “pareto-efficient” as possible, to generate “fair prices” for all kinds of categories of goods, to balance the interest of buyer AND seller (Amazon prefers the buyer, ebay the seller!) and to reallocate a percentage of each sale directly to projects to develop the economies of the so-called third world via the “beingoo Foundation” which will be founded as soon as GOOBING is running.
Maybe it is crazy to write you – but it was already crazy to start bulding GOOBING, and now I found a professor programming the demo with money from the government 😉
No, if you read this, Tim, please give me somehow, somewhen and somewhere the chance to show you my idea – and I hope I will be able to convince you that this world needs GOOBING. It is just “some” money missing, everything else is done and ready in my head.
Kindest regards and congratulations to your book; I’ve read the first 2 chapters and I know that we think in the same way, I very rarely state something like this –
yours Benjamin.
Hey Tim,
I’ve recently begun following your blog (started in August 2009 I believe), and this has been one of my favorite posts to date! I’ve tried to apply the strategies you’ve stated in your book, but reading only teaches me so much. I feel like watching you through the process of studying, hacking, improvising, etc. taught me ten times more than I learned by just reading the book.
Great video and thanks again! I’d love it if you could post up more real life examples of you applying your method to overcome seemingly impossible tasks for the common man. They’re truly inspirational and very educational!
Regards,
Andy
effing AWESOME
I thought the visuals they used to show your thought process was cheesy, but tons of potential
Great episode. Definite potential, but I can see programmers being antsy since it’s so dependent on you. You should get a backup Tim in case you end up in traction. No twin brothers?
Also, can’t help wondering at the actual battlefield applications the sport is based on… were the riders supposed to ride along the front of a static line of soldiers who just waited to be skewered? It looks awfully close, within polearm reach if the target was uncooperative. Imagine the added complexity of enemy soldiers jabbing things at you while riding past them…
Dude, that was absolutely baller.
You should consider pitching the show to Discovery. It would be a better fit for their audience and would fit very well with the other educational/experiential reality shows in their lineup.
What’s this ‘Boys, don’t worry — it’s bachelor screw-up proof.’ Crap I cook for my family and have been cooking since I was little. Lately I run into a lot more women in my area who can’t cook 🙂
BTW love the new book
A critical key to success per Tim
1. Do your absolute best to learn/achieve X
2. Set a ‘put your back against the wall’ deadline
3. Make a decision as well as create an attitude of ‘I have no excuses’
4. At the point of massive action, stop analysis and let conditioning put the pieces together
Hi Tim,
Digging the new edition of the book, especially the bits where you’re writing / journaling “post release” of first book. Looking forward to reading your new book as well. Any ETA on the book you’re writing now?
Ciao,
Steve
This video definitely beats most of the stuff the History channel airs.
I’m just to the point of you applying ice and heat to your muscles and had to comment. I am starting to love sports medicine now that I can finally touch my toes even though i couldn’t until my mid 20’s and have started my transition away from 9-5 to capture my 30’s and be an aerialist for almost half my income. I would say almost all of my workouts, too. I can see in your eyes how excited you are in this video and how you have tasted the badass flavor before and want to achieve it here. I am recalling one of my own experiences where I wrote some serious meditations down while being flown to my first aerial silks show and found some faith in my aethiest existence. Too bad I had a serious fear of heights and had already melted all the skin on the fronts of my upper thighs due to costume idea failure 2 days prior. I was pushing hard and changing my cardiovascular system in 6 months, I was fighting lockup in my forearms on a daily basis and taking a crash course in dealing with 55 feet of space in front of thousands of people. Wrap, heat, ice, tegaderm, biafine indeed. And oh yeah, Trust, Faith and Surrender or you choke.
But ok, your book is blowing my mind and one of my friends read it and took a plane to Bali 2 days ago and is now reading a book on the beach while it snows in my hometown.
My other friends that read it can tell you stories themselves.
If a another network wanted to produce the show, would you be interested in continuing the project?
I’m glad I got to see the video Tim! I was trying to find somewhere to download it, since those of us east of the Atlantic couldn’t watch it live. Thanks for sharing!! Great to see you in your learning element in video form 🙂 The editors and your commentary did a good job in building up the suspense until you hit that first target. Congrats!
Just thought you’d like to hear that I met no less than three people this week (I’m travelling through Bangkok) who say that your (original) book has literally transformed their lives! I had already been travelling for several years myself when I read it, but still appreciated a lot of what you said, although it’s incredible to see second hand how many people you’ve touched. I’m sure it gives you a great buzz to see that you are genuinely making a difference!
Rather than a how-to guide, I really loved your first book to relate to someone else showing that a location independent life is possible and as a means of answering questions and formulating the wording that I couldn’t manage myself when others say how they aren’t “lucky enough” for that kind of lifestyle. As soon as I see it physically for sale somewhere in my travels I’ll get your second book! (Postal address not currently possible!)
We never did cross paths at Burning Man in 2008 as I was hoping; maybe another time!
BTW I just noticed you have a Mormaii shirt on in the top-pic (feeding squirrel). I was at their main centre in Garopaba, Brazil. Some really cool people work there! Brazilians always love it when people sport their gear.
Hey All,
I kindly request you take a moment to cast a vote for me, it would mean the world to me. To do so, please RT “@DynastyDC <3s #EG10", to help me win a ticket to the #EG10 Event 🙂
Boy, oh boy- I would appreciate it. Thank you! A million thanks in advance.
Hey, this is gross but true. I figured out that 10% of my body surface was creating 90% of my odor, so if I want to save time in the morning, I just clean there instead of showering. Saves me a good 10 minutes.
Tim,
Added my review of 4hww on Amazon. Sure hope you are able to beat Tipping Point 😀
Beau
That was intense… I just got done reading your book, again… I gave the original to a friend and bought the expanded and updated. I was thinking while reading the latest version, “why did I forget all these things Tim discussed the first time I read this?”. I was trying to figure out a way to sustain the teachings and motivation for lifestyle design, and this blog just might be the solution…
Thanks in Advance 🙂
Gabriel
BTW, your book is now a mandatory read at our office 🙂
Finally got to see the video from our quirky internet connection in Spain that just now let me see it (after many attempts).
Loved it! Hubs & our 9 year old daughter looked over my shoulder to see what it was and we were all mesmerized!
This should definitely be a series on air!
I had been looking for this for a while, great I finally got to see it. I’ll go comment.
Tim, great video, I watched this when it aired, and consider it to be real reality television. It leaves you with a sense of accomplishment when finished. Hopefully I will have time to ride horses again in the future, once had a girlfriend who owned several and taught me to ride. I was bucked off of a green relatively unbroken thoroughbred, flying off and doing a total superman 12 ft in the air!(one of many) Really though, there is nothing quiet like it, not unlike hawaiin waves, utah powder or a nice concrete bowl
Wow. Tim, congrats on hitting both targets! What an amazing accomplishment for you and so cool of you to focus on the pressure that your trainers felt at the prospect of your faiure reflecting on them. Anyone who’s ever put thier heart into training someone (at anything) knows some extent of this feeling.
You’re a never ending inspiration, my friend. And, yes, why the hell don’t you have your own TV series going on? You could do even more good than you already are.
Alight, I’ll stop kissing your ass now… until the next post. Later.
Tim,
My GF and I just wrapped up watching the video, and really enjoyed it. I can see how there could have been some improvements in the editing to make it flow a bit more for a TV audience, and am not surprised that they wanted you to ham up the artificial drama a bit more. . .glad you stuck to your guns.
It was great to see you finally hit those targets!
Nice job. . .look forward to seeing more of this sorta’ thing!
Cheers,
Dr.
Isn’t there a litte Yabusame in all of our lifes – and isn’t your book exactly about this?
“Normal” life is at full speed – but having the focus to get your body up and balanced and hit some targets – which really matters – once in a while…
…well, Tim: Life-changing to many. Globally. Highest regard!
Awesome!
Here comes Discovery Channel…
Congratulations!
You practice what my business coach speaks about. Once you know how to learn a discourse, you can use that skill and learn many.
Tim,
I’m Japanese and it was fun watching you speak Japanese!!!
You speak Japanese very good indeed.
I love it when you say “Ah!… Watashi no namae wa…”
That “Ah!” (faking being shocked) part is very crucial in
Japanese and never seen any foreigners do it as well as
you do Tim!
Ex. “Ah!… hai… Ah! Onegaishimasu… Ah!…”
No body taught us to say “Ah” in every sentence,
but if we speak without “Ah!” it just sounds too confident
and showing too much confidence to respectful people is
considered rude, that’s why we have to “fake” being
little shocked, surprised, and nervous. (even if you’re not)
Tim does it so artfully and love it.
How did you learn our secret “Ah!” ???
Taka
Hi Taka,
Thank you so much for the kind comment. I learned the art of Japanese conversation — including “ah!” and scratching the head — when I was in Japan as an exchange student from age 15-16.
Ja mata ne,
Tim
@steve, I grabbed a copy of sleep cycle for the iphone last night…seems to have worked this morning, interesting sleep stats
Ordered a wakemate before xmas and interesting to see the results when it arrives
Tim,
Thanks for your help in replying to my question two days back. My 9 year old son is impressed that I merited a response from you, so another thanks is in order for the status-boost. 🙂
Britt
Long-time subscriber, first-time commenter. 😉 Loved the video! Awe inspiring, educational and well produced. Hope to see more in the future.
Also wanted to let you know that 4HWW really opened my eyes and introduced a new way of living to my husband and I, and we are embarking on a no-end-in-sight, round-the-world trip in two months thanks to you. Cheers
In the last 5 mins my hands were getting sweaty, so nerve racking and your as calm as a hindu cow!!! Incredible.
Tim,
Thanks ever so much for all you have and will be doing! I expect you to be able to spend 10 minutes of your globe trotting time for advise on nailing down an exact plan of attack, i am so stoked on the book 4hww that your my first interview! Dude, eye gazing is a total trip! My abilities are focused for many inexplicable crazy fun future years of fulfillment, please advise ASAP for a no holds barred exchange of Q&A’s …. im in LA 20 mins from LAX , espresso on me for 10 minutes of your time dude! [A] is for action ****
do you pay people to comment? serious question.
Your awesome man, thanks for all the help.
I didn’t like the show at all but it did look fun. what were the serious consequences you had to face, if you failed?
liked the new book, looking forward to superhuman.
please answer questions
Tim,
The pilot was amazing. Evolving as a person, embracing another culture and its people, using science to put learning into hyper-drive… much too enlightened for the masses. Had this been Paris Hilton in a bikini learning how to ride a donkey in Amarillo… instant hit. 🙂
Take care my friend.
Hey Tim,
Needed the review? It’s done. Best of luck in whipping The Tipping Point.
Rock on,
Martin
Watched through the entire 45mins vid. Glad to see you hit all targets at the end. 🙂
Golly I’m late for a meetup. Gotta get going!
Hi Tim,
I totally agree with this comment of yours:
“The Japanese teachers and students were some of the most gracious and generous people I’ve ever met. The Japanese get a bum rap for xenophobia, mostly by Americans who go over, speak to them in English, and them call them ‘inscrutable’ when they don’t respond in fluent, idiomatic English. Learn some Japanese and they are 100% fine.”
One problem some people have when they come here to Japan is that they are too busy talking to stop, listen and learn…
I like the way you picked up Japanese by mimicking Japanese mannerisms (the “Ah… Watashi…” business etc). That will certainly be appreciated by Japanese, just as hearing “please” and “thank you” is in English speaking countries.
All right…this is awesome stuff. Finally something inspiring and useful. Discovery should have a few more channels on the TV. Hope to see more of this.
Tim- how about a life hacking for parents?
thanks!
2nd comment on this post. I’ve had some flashbacks of the documentary ater I watched it so I decided to come back with a question.
You’re a reference for many of us in at least deconstructing concepts like “vacations” or “work”, in sports (you just showed it in the doc) and language learning. But something that I’ve been looking for (because I’d love to play the guitar) is to find someone deconstructing guitar learning. Asked my friends who are musicians if they could somehow apply pareto’s law to it, no luck. They say it’s not doable…
Are you also good at deconstructing musical instruments learning ? If so, can you show some of it ?
Thanks
Dude, your revised tome is so last week ;>) I just read this trivia: “Forecasters at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair (i.e., 117 years ago) predicted that by the year 2000, Americans would work no more than 3 hours a day (source: Wall Street Journal).” Get us down to 60 minutes and you’ll have another Tipping Point-ha.
Just amazing dude, congratulations for the effort and the result, i’been long interested in japanese traditional arts like yabusame and i got to say you touched the thing itself on this challenge, great job. It is not only about skills, but spirit and close.understanding of the art and its heart.
Yoku dekimashita, omedetou gozaimasu.
Hi,
If you don’t mind asking. How many attempts did it really take to shoot up those two targets? Because it seems like it was a whole lot more than just those three.
Just out of curiosity 🙂
Radek
And I paid $25 for the DVD on History Channel a while back: http://shop.history.com/detail.php?p=82130
Tim, if you received any of the proceeds, it was well worth the cause 🙂
******
TO READERS OF THE BLOG: Here is my 80/20 notes of the DVD with a focus on ACCELERATED LEARNING.
Tim Ferriss Trial by Fire – Accelerated Learning
1. He found the best coaches in the world. Learning on your own is 10 times harder than learning from someone who has already filtered out the BS.
2. He focused on one thing for a short period of time, not multiple things over a long period of time. The former allowed his concentration to soak in more information, wheras the later leads to being overwhelmed and less learning.
*Note to self: Perhaps go through life with a maximum number of projects to focus on (e.g. 3 per week)
3. He did multiple things to improve his memory. He went through the motions right before bed so it would go into his LTM. He also woke up 4.5 hour later (after 3 REM cycles) and did the motions again.
4. Observation, iteration and fast-learning. He was able to quickly implement what he learned, and breakdown what he wasn’t learning quite right by FOCUSING.
Tim: I have a couple of ideas for a TV show or to supplement the one you are working on.
1. Instead of you doing the thing that turns you on, you could accompany a real person and assist them in learning a skill or engaging in an experience that was meaningful to them.
2. You said you’re not doing individual 4 hour coaching now unless there were 7 zeroes in front of the decimal, but maybe you could have a show of you teaching somebody to create their own 4 hour work week life and then see what happens from there. Instead of the around the world trip, this could be the prize.
3. Last idea, see if you could do a documentary of people who have followed your advice and created a new life. You could recreate their previous overworked life and then show their life after following the book and making a new life.
That’s it! My sister gave me your book for Christmas and I’m on my second reading of it. Kevin
3.
Tim,
This video was truly inspiring, I was on the edge of my seat when it came to the challenge time, and was cheering for you when you got the targets, amazing!
Kacper
great vid tim! keep it up man! by the way, is that a chiropractor session at around 29:31? thanks man!
Hello Sir,
Allow me to voice some constructive criticism about your video.
I agree with almost everyone who commented you on the video, that this is quite a remarkable achievement. What I think would need some improvement is just the video itself.
First off, I (as many others) have no idea how hard it is to shoot an arrow. It looks quite easy. I also have no idea how hard it is to ride a horse without holding on to it, again it looks easy. For future videos, give us viewers some visual comparison on how you performed to the others, like the sensei. Display some graph, or anything that shows how much time he approximately invested to reach a skill level equaling yours. Something like 600 : 1 hours. Just repeat it for the other skills. Another thing that devalued the display of your abilities is the fact that we have no idea how good hitting 2 targets from 9 (if I counted it right) really is. How do they do in competitions? Intellectually (PFC) I understand you did something amazing, but it just does not convey it on an emotional (subconscious = limbic system) level. I believe graphs would be helpful for people like me.
Other than that, thanks for uploading it so we people in Japan can see it as well.
?????
Tim – shouldn’t you be on vacation?
Go back to taking tons of pictures, cant wait to see them.
This is so badass. Love it.
Tim,
What an experience!
Big respect for you understanding and explaining the concept of ‘gaijin.’
I’ve lived in Japan for 2 years and a lot of Americans I came across belittled and demanded the Japanese speak fluent English to them. In Japan.
Anyway, otsukaresama! Tim no nihongo pa-fe-ku-to!
Hi Tim. I read The Four Hour Work Week when it first came out. What I was able to put into practice allowed me to focus on what matters for the growth of my business and automate all of the rest. The principles in it helped me to pare down the time I spent running my business to just about 5 a week!
The resulting free time also allowed me to put all the rest of my creative energy into a long-time project that I just completed (but had not been able to finish for 6 years prior!). Great work.
Thanks again!
Scott
Hi Tim,
Your book has helped me immensley since I bought it in 2008, so I just wanted to say thanks (again) and let you know I’ve left a review. Good luck reaching your goal!
Nacie
Tim – My nine-year-old son Morgan asked me to tell you that he really loves your book The 4HWW. He has listened along as my wife and I listen to it in the car and at home, and last week he surprised the hell out of us when he started to read my paper copy with no prompting from either of us. He’s a very industrious and imaginative kid with his own Etsy store (managed by mom, of course) and I’m excited that he’s getting a 20 + year head start on me with lifestyle design. Thanks so much!
-Jason
Wow! Sounds like you have a little Doogie Howser on your hands! I’ll look to vote for him in a few decades 🙂
Thanks much for the comment,
Tim
LOL
” … more commonly translated … as balls.”
” Thanks! Your review is being processed.” another one to add 🙂 Loved the episode, I have been waiting for this and looking all over the internet for it! Finally! I’m glad that you accomplished the goal!
When will 2nd episode come out?
Thanks a lot!
– Saulius
Tim,
I know that you’re busy but
could you expand a bit more on the pre-bed / midnight technique you’re using please? I’m a student and currently undergoing my examination period so I’m trying to do some “study hacks” for better learning and any help would be much appreciated!
Or if you prefer to provide me with some links explaining the technique you use that would do too!
Thanks in advance!
Regards from a fan!
Tim,
Great show – I seriously hope this gets some network support and syndication.
Your work on the chair reminded me of my days in pilot training (US Air Force) – we called it ‘chair flying’ and we would make the radio calls, look out the ‘window’ and ‘turn dials’ on our cardboard cutouts while flying with the plunger stuck to the floor. Worked wonders. Also audio recorded airplane ops limits (etc) and jogged with it – seemingly strange, but for a guy like me who is no academic rock star, training smarter was the key. It also worked for practicing contingencies like emergency procedures.
This process of establishing routine, habit pattern, and role playing through scenarios applies to less physical interactions like negotiating (‘negotiation mapping’ I later learned as a Harvard Business School student) and business dealings, but I’ve either had trouble determining how to ‘chair fly’ situations or have become lazy and don’t try to do it in my business life.
But I’ll stop navel gazing – really great book (1st edition for me so far) and awesome blog. Keep it up!
@TIM!
Hi Tim,
First off…thank you, thank you, thankyou! for posting this…we were at an uproar when we heard that Trial by Fire would not be shown in Canada, and so I have been brooding and plotting the last couples of months as to how I would be able to procure me a copy of this vid…and then loe and behold you post it for FREE!
Anyways my REAL motive for commenting tonight is Buenos Aires. After hearing your rave reviews about the place and from personally hearing about it from a future family member my fiancee and I have decided to make it our honeymoon destination.
In your personal opinion, if you had to boil the trip down to 5 critical things to see or (my preferred option) DO in Buenos Aires, what would they be? Please keep in mind that we will be going at the end of August / beginning of September period.
Thanks in advance,
Norman
Yes!! Finished the book…..
Tim I didn’t think you were going to make it. Keep these vids coming. Ever thought of writing a book strictly on “life- hacking”?
Hi Tim,
Very inspiring to see you keep experimenting and pushing the limits. There are so few people doing this AND sharing it with the world. I noted your fear of falling. This was the fear of the expected. I wonder if you ever fear the unexpected, or the unknown.
Also, your “Japanese warrior-style” shout was quite convincing. Are you going to try kloofing around The Table Mountain?
Have a safe trip. 🙂
Annie
Tim
Again a great video about what is possible when one decides to make it happen. Your new book is just packed with information. I stopped trying to soak it all in at once. Taking in only 3 things then move to the next page of the book.
Cheers
Hey Tim,
I finished reading the 4HWW a couple days ago and I’ve got one word: mind blowing. I expected to have all my assumptions challenged but not to the extent that they were. I’m just getting started and I think with that under my belt I’m gonna get started on the right foot.
I shot off a review to Amazon as soon as I finished. Hope you hit your target. As an aside, why don’t you do that whole kickboxing thing with the TV execs who didn’t sign you for a season of these shows? 😉 That was fascinating.
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Hello Tim,
Your book is fantastic. I know you will you reach your goal 🙂
Love the video and your teachings. Maybe one of your next adventures will include becoming a Reiki Master… and letting Reiki master you. You’d be great.
Peace and blessings, Grace
Tim-
Like all of your other content this video is stuffed with useful content.
Question: Do you think the art of deconstructing tasks and re-mapping them can be applied to any skill?
I have a hard time seeing the path to deconstruct certain things. Right now I am learning the guitar and trying to come up with a way to deconstruct it. But it just seems like there are to many factors involved and everybody has a different opinion on the best way to learn it. To me it just seems like the best way to get good at it is daily practice of the fundamentals. But somehow i think i may be missing something. Maybe to learn fast is not the goal, but to learn well?
I have struggled with skill aquisition my whole life, but never took a serious look at the actual process. I have just started to really look at how I learn since I read your book in late 07. What I’m hoping is that the process has a snowball effect and skills will come easier and easier as I experiment. like you said, as you learn one skill you can carry over some fundamentals. That is so Arthur Jones.
As a side note, I think one of the best nuggets of information I have gotten from your blog is when you said “become a student of Arthur Jones” somewhere in one of your posts. Thanks to that I have been able to get more results from my workouts in six months than I have from the last 3 years of doing standard weight training. (P.S. Bodyquick really helps with HIT workouts)
R
Ben
Hey Tim, thank you so much for putting up the video, I’ve been wanting to watch it since it aired. It would have been the best show on A&E / History Channel as everything else on there sucks.
Congratulations on out tippin’ the tipping point – I added my review on there as well.
—
I’m currently sitting in my beach bungalow on the tropical island of Koh Lanta, Thailand. I spend my days scuba diving, training in Muay Thai boxing, and sipping Pina Coladas with my beautiful Scandinavian girlfriend.
18 months ago – Before I read “The 4-Hour Workweek” I was working 40+ hours a week, checking email 10 times a day, and stressed out beyond belief. I traveled, but only for business, and never actually got to see the world.
I had nice stuff, sure…a Porsche, a nice apartment, and designer clothes.
But now I can say that I’m much much happier. How I did it:
1. I read Tim Ferris’ book “The 4-Hour Workweek” and became inspired. – If he could do it, I could as well.
2. I went on a mini-vacation to Thailand – just for 3 weeks to see if my world would fall apart…it didn’t.
3. I practiced his chapter on Automation and Elimination – My goal was to free myself from stress and material things. I don’t regret it for a second.
4. I planned a mini retirement for 3 months – Which has turned into 18 months so far, and I have more money in my savings account than when I first started.
I HIGHLY recommend this book. It changed my life, and all it took was me reading it three times and implementing each section step by step.
P.S. His two page article in the book about “How to become a professional in anything” worked like a charm, I am now an official Guest Lecturer at Harvard University.
Also thanks to the book I am now also a Professional Muay Thai Fighter and a Certified Scuba Divemaster.
Awesome video Tim, you are such an inspiration!
What is the manual therapy that you received? It looked like joint manipulation, do you use this routinely or was it just convenient for your situation?
As an aside: I really hope this show continues someday so we get an episode where Tim goes back in time, meets Jesus, and hacks a way to walk on water. I refuse to die until I’ve seen that.
What a great video on so many levels. It was almost like watching a combination of Rudy and the Last Samurai. Showed both the honor that the Japanese teachers had in their craft and the work that Tim did. Hats off. Very enjoyable.
If The History Channel passed on this, are you able to shop it to other networks? Any luck if so?
It sounded like in past replies you had other pilots are filmed for TBF, ready to air. Will we get to see anymore?
I was interested by what you said about hyperclocking the body. Would any basic stretching before exercise also be a form of going that bit further to make it easier to almost reach the same point the next time?
I have been noticing as I was stooped forwards in a lecture, that all efforts to sit up straight, failed. However, when I arched my back and stretched backwards for a moment first, I found it then a lot easier then to settle back to sitting properly with a better posture.
Awesome! I got goose bumps also after you hit your mark.
Tim, I’ve lived about 4 years in Japan, on and off over the course of 12 years, have learned Japanese (passed a proficiency exam), was a teacher and foreign correspondent there, and met my (American) wife in Tokyo.
I love many aspects of it, and agree they are often mischaracterized. Americans can, indeed, be more nationalistic. But there is one “outside”/”inside” aspect I have seen. It’s not about whether you’re a foreigner or not, but whether you’re an insider or not, have put in the time, effort, schmoozing, behaved appropriately and the rest, so as not to be the “deru kugi” — the nail that sticks out and needs to be hammered back in, or pulled out and discarded.
You can be an outsider as a Japanese, or an insider as a foreigner. But you have to put in the time and effort.
Awesome! Tim I hope this makes it mainstream UK! Would love to see more trial by fire. Loved the parts where you are using modern techniques/science to improve your performance in an ancient art form. Excellent.
Any chance this will be put up on a different player? I tried on multiple computers, and this vimeo refuses to play properly even after buffering. Keep up the good work. Hopefully i will get to see it before it gets taken down.
Tim, I played basketball today and sprained my ankle. I used your 2min cold, 30sec hot. Ankle feels great, but still swollen, which I understand will take some time to heal. For the heck of it, I googled “contrast therapy” and saw many recommendations for the opposite: Hot first for longer time, followed by shorter timed cold. What is the explanation between your method and the traditional method?
Jeffrey
Good job and nice ideas,Tim!
I read today an interesting article about your book, in a german newspaper. I will buy it tonight.
Nice video, by the way.
If you ever need someone to try these experiments with you, I am down.
Amazing concept, hope it happens for ya.
WOW ! Great video Tim! So interesting, exciting and entertaining! It is very inspirational to see someone without prior skills (as far as I know besides general good physical and mental health) master this extreme art. Kudos to you for it, and for sharing it. Looking forward to more of your work! Now, I’m heading over to Amazon to vote. Take care! Jacob
DANG,
Let me just stop whining and get to work. ’nuff said.
YOU are so my babe daddy in my head! This short film was an awesome achievement thank you for sharing!
Tim,
Sugoi. Jozu!!
Hi…This entire documentary is phenomenal but I draw your attention to an ancient equestrian war ‘game’ from the middle-east that blew me away (starts around 36:50 for 10 minutes). Tim, if you get this, maybe you could try this out one day with some descendants of Genghis Khan (apparently he has quite a few lol). Dangerous as hell but it would make some riveting video footage!