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Tim Ferriss

Daredevil Michelle Khare — How to Become a YouTube Superstar, Open Impossible Doors (FBI, Secret Service, etc.), Craft Jedi-Level Cold Emails, and Use Fear-Setting to Change Your Life (#860)

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Daredevil Michelle Khare lives life to the extreme in Challenge Accepted, amassing more than 6 million followers and more than 1 billion views. Across the show, you’ll see Michelle attempt everything from Tom Cruise’s Deadliest stunt to Harry Houdini’s water torture cell to trying to earn a black belt in taekwondo in only 90 days. Michelle hopes to prove that with enough dedication and failure, anything is possible. 

Michelle’s work has earned multiple Streamy Awards, including Show of the Year, and has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes,Vogue India, and more. In 2025, Challenge Accepted made history successfully petitioning to join the Primetime Emmy® ballot. Michelle was named a TIME100 honoree for her impact as a creator and storyteller.

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Daredevil Michelle Khare — How to Become a YouTube Superstar, Open Impossible Doors (FBI, Secret Service, etc.), Craft Jedi-Level Cold Emails, and Use Fear-Setting to Change Your Life

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Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Castbox, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Audible, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Transcripts

SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

  • Connect with Michelle Khare:

Website | YouTube | Instagram | Threads | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn

Selected Challenge Accepted Episodes

Cold Emails: Best Practices

1. Subject Line

Your subject line should establish credibility, relevance, or a real mutual connection immediately.

Good options

  • Collaboration with [Name / Brand / Project]
  • [Your Name] x [Recipient / Company]
  • Referral from [Mutual Contact] | [Your Name]
  • For [Recipient] via [Mutual Contact] | [Your Name]

Rules

  • If you have a real mutual connection, put it first.
  • If you do not have big numbers, use your strongest real credibility marker: institution, publication, notable past work, relevant partnership, role, or a strong example of work.
  • Do not exaggerate or invent a connection.

2. Greeting

Default to respectful and slightly formal.

Use

  • Dear [Name],
  • Hello Mr./Ms. [Last Name],
  • Hello [Name]

Avoid

  • “Yo, Ferriss”
  • “Hey bro”
  • Fake instant familiarity

3. Paragraph 1: Who You Are + Why This Matters

Keep this to two sentences max.

Sentence 1:

Who you are, plus one clear line of legitimacy.

Sentence 2:

Why you’re reaching out, and ideally what you are offering the other person.

Template

My name is [Name], and I’m [role] at [company/project], where we [one-line credibility marker]. I’m reaching out about [specific opportunity], which I believe could be valuable to you because [clear benefit].

Important

  • Do not make the recipient click around just to understand who you are.
  • The email itself should carry the basic credibility.
  • Hyperlinks can support your point, but they should not do all the work.

4. Paragraph 2: The Idea

Again, keep this to two sentences max.

This is where you explain:

  • what you want to do
  • why it is relevant to them
  • why you are a serious person who has done the homework

Template

I’ve been following [specific work / initiative / project], and I think there is a strong opportunity to [specific collaboration or angle]. My hope would be to [briefly describe scope], in a way that is useful for your team and worthwhile for your audience / recruiting / brand / mission.

This paragraph should make them think:

“This person understands what we do.”

5. Paragraph 3: Clear Call to Action

Keep this to two sentences max.

Be specific. Do not ask vaguely to “discuss something.” Do not bury your phone number in the signature.

Template

Would you be open to a quick call next week to see whether there’s a fit? Feel free to call or text me directly at [number].

You can also add:

Happy to keep it to 10 minutes. (If you promise 10 minutes, keep it to 10 minutes.)

6. Easy-Out Line

Use this at the end:

If you’ve read this far, I really appreciate it. And if you’re too busy to get back to me, I totally understand.

Best Practices

  • Keep the body short: three short paragraphs, roughly two sentences each
  • Show credibility early
  • Make the value to them explicit
  • Make the ask specific
  • Hyperlink intelligently, but do not rely on links alone
  • Avoid attachments unless they are absolutely necessary
  • Include your phone number explicitly
  • Put the phone number in the final sentence, not buried in the signature
  • Use a clean signature
  • If you promise 10 minutes, keep it to 10 minutes

Follow-Up Rules

  • Send one follow-up only
  • Wait about a week
  • Do not keep sending “bumping this up”
  • If they do not respond, move on

Sample Email

Subject: For [NAME] via [MUTUAL CONTACT] | Collaboration with [COMPANY]

Dear [NAME],

My name is [YOUR NAME], and I’m the [ROLE] at [COMPANY], where we [ONE-LINE CREDIBILITY MARKER]. I’m reaching out about a potential [FEATURE / COLLABORATION / PROJECT].

[I’ve been following [THEIR TEAM / THEIR PROJECT / THEIR WORK], and I think there is a strong opportunity to turn it into a concise, high-quality piece that is both accessible and accurate. My hope would be to [DESCRIBE THE SCOPE], in a way that is useful for your team and worthwhile for your audience / brand / recruiting / mission.]

Would you be open to a quick call next week to see whether there’s a fit? Feel free to call or text me directly at (555) 555-5555.

If you’ve read this far, I really appreciate it. And if you’re too busy to get back to me, I totally understand.

Best,
[YOUR NAME]
[ROLE]
[COMPANY]

Books

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Films & TV Shows

People

Companies & Organizations

Concepts & Frameworks

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This episode is brought to you by AG1! I get asked all the time, “If you could use only one supplement, what would it be?” My answer is usually AG1, my all-in-one nutritional insurance. I recommended it in The 4-Hour Body in 2010 and did not get paid to do so. Right now, get a FREE Welcome Kit, including Vitamin D3+K2 and AG1 Flavor Sampler, when you first subscribe. Visit DrinkAG1.com/Tim to claim this special offer today and receive your 1-year supply of Vitamin D—a vital nutrient for a strong immune system and strong bones!

This episode is brought to you by Monarch! Traditional budgeting apps can help, but they don’t compare to the complete financial command center you get with this episode’s sponsor, Monarch. Monarch was named The Wall Street Journal’s Best Budgeting App of 2025, and it’s the top-recommended personal finance app by users and experts, with more than 30,000 5-star reviews. Get control of your overall finances with Monarch. Use code TIM at monarchmoney.com/Tim for half off your first year.

This episode is brought to you by Momentous Fiber+. Most Americans (~95%!) do not meet the recommended fiber intake. Fiber isn’t just about “staying regular”; it’s one of the most overlooked meta-nutrients for everyday health and fitness. It supports digestion, helps keep blood sugar stable, and feeds critical gut bacteria that affect nearly every aspect of life. I focus on whole foods first, but I also take quality supplements as cheap insurance for chaotic days, travel, and more. Momentous Fiber+ makes it easy. It supports your gut from multiple angles as a three-source blend: soluble fiber, insoluble fiber, and resistant starch. It mixes smoothly into water, smoothies, oatmeal, or yogurt, and it comes unflavored or in a natural cinnamon. Fiber+ is NSF Certified for Sport®, which means it’s independently tested. So what’s on the label is what’s in the product. If you’re dialing in your nutrition but lacking fiber, this is a simple fix. Get 35% off your first subscription with code TIM at LiveMomentous.com/Tim.

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