Tim Ferriss

September 20, 2024

Q&A with Tim — Reinvention, Visualization Techniques, Making “Risky” Decisions, Parenting Considerations, Intuition, New Hobbies, Dating, and More (#769)

Welcome to another episode of The Tim Ferriss Show, where it is usually my job to sit down with world-class performers of all different types to tease out the habits, routines, favorite books, and so on that you can apply and test in your own life.

This time, we have a slightly different format, and I’m the guest!

This past April was the podcast’s 10-year anniversary, and the platform River (getriver.io) helped listeners organize parties around the world in more than 180 cities! More than 4,000 people RSVP’d. I was able to join about 40 cities via Zoom for quick hellos and drinks (huge thanks to Rae and Ana for the quarterbacking), and I had a blast dropping in on the Paris meetup in person. Thanks to everyone who gathered for wine, celebration, and meeting like-minded people!

After all the parties, and as a thank you for their hard work, I invited all of the hosts to a private Q&A. And that’s what you’re about to hear.

Please enjoy!

This episode is brought to you by Momentous high-quality supplements, Shopify global commerce platform, providing tools to start, grow, market, and manage a retail business, and LinkedIn Ads, the go-to tool for B2B marketers and advertisers who want to drive brand awareness and generate leads.

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

The transcript of this episode can be found here. Transcripts of all episodes can be found here.

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#769: Q&A with Tim — Reinvention, Visualization Techniques, Making 'Risky' Decisions, Parenting Considerations, Intuition, New Hobbies, Dating, and More

This episode is brought to you by Momentous high-quality creatine! I’ve long benefitted from creatine for athletic and gym performance, and now I’m increasing my daily intake to enjoy the cognitive benefits as well. A pilot study in Alzheimer’s patients demonstrated that supplementing can increase brain creatine levels in just 8 weeks, improving measures of memory, reasoning, and attention. And a double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that creatine can restore aspects of memory and attention within hours in adults who are sleep deprived. I use Momentous Creatine made with Creapure®, which is sourced from Germany and has the strictest lab standards to ensure it’s at least 99.9% pure. And try Momentous’s Creatine Chews—clean chewable tablets with 1 gram of Creapure® creatine per chew—and their whey protein isolate and magnesium threonate, all of which meet their same, exacting standards. Check out Momentous for yourself and get 35% off your first subscription order with code TIM at LiveMomentous.com/Tim.

This episode is brought to you by Shopify! Shopify is one of my favorite platforms and one of my favorite companies. Shopify is designed for anyone to sell anywhere, giving entrepreneurs the resources once reserved for big business. In no time flat, you can have a great-looking online store that brings your ideas to life, and you can have the tools to manage your day-to-day and drive sales. Go to shopify.com/Tim to sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period. It’s a great deal for a great service, so I encourage you to check it out. Take your business to the next level today by visiting shopify.com/Tim.

This episode is brought to you by LinkedIn Ads, the go-to tool for B2B marketers and advertisers who want to drive brand awareness, generate leads, or build long-term relationships that result in real business impact. To redeem your free $100 LinkedIn ad credit and launch your first campaign, go to LinkedIn.com/TFS!

Want to hear my last Q&A? Listen to the episode here, in which I answer questions on resurrecting “forgotten” languages, dog training, writer’s block, reducing alcohol intake, AI companions, training the “good enough” muscle, low-back pain, the importance of weight training and muscle mass, travel recommendations for Japan, managing fear of death and the descent to death, breaking negative self-talk, and much, much more.

What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments.

SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

SHOW NOTES

[07:08] A focus on reinvention.
[07:43] Optimization.
[08:30] Recent joy.
[09:22] A CØCKPUNCH update.
[10:19] How the day’s going so far.
[10:55] Argentina affection.
[11:51] Intriguing investments.
[12:53] Top three snacks.
[13:12] AI thoughts.
[14:15] Modern dating.
[16:32] Self-experimentation to come.
[17:42] Analyzing the past decade’s risks.
[20:06] Outthinking a career bottleneck.
[21:09] My current big project.
[22:19] Peptides.
[22:37] Be wary of high conviction.
[23:06] Preparation for high-stakes presentations.
[24:42] Kid stuff?
[24:56] Getting the most out of a Tim Ferriss meetup.
[26:13] In-person conferences planned?
[26:18] IBS relief.
[27:03] Personal heresies.
[28:26] What makes conferences worthwhile for me?
[29:00] Longevity and healthspan.
[33:21] Tips for a father-and-son Kumano Kodo walk.
[34:49] A barbell distribution approach to life.
[35:31] Who would I resurrect for a podcast interview?
[36:24] Do I consult any mentors regularly?
[36:54] Ayahuasca and antidepressants.
[38:16] Incentivizing potential mentors.
[39:13] Adventures in babysitting.
[40:04] GLP-1 for depression/anxiety.
[40:37] Cheap but choice art.
[41:05] Finding a book agent.
[41:28] Making positive, in-person connections.
[41:44] Unmentioned things I’d like to talk about.
[43:39] Is there room for the irrational?
[45:59] Blogging in the age of AI.
[46:39] Binaural beats.
[46:56] 4-Hour Dog Training?
[47:00] Best $1,000 spent lately.
[47:55] Javier Milei.
[48:07] Best thing I spent an “assload” on.
[48:34] Painting.
[48:45] 10-20 minutes on the acupuncture mat.
[49:15] Dating apps.
[50:15] Favorite sci-fi movies.
[51:21] Reflecting on the impact this show has had on others.
[52:23] Why was I in Europe for six to eight weeks?
[52:31] The mood-altering effects of Q&A.
[52:48] Where do I see myself in 30 years?
[53:08] Workout routines for older parents.
[54:13] How I walk and talk for podcasts.
[54:33] Would I consider becoming a single parent?
[55:38] A $1 million coffee mug?
[56:52] Brazil.
[56:59] A small but mighty staff.
[57:07] Attracting event attendance.
[59:08] Visualization or affirmations?
[1:00:20] Today I learned this about Hodinkee.
[1:00:26] What would this look like if it were easy?
[1:00:32] What I ask show listeners when I meet them.
[1:00:50] Eschewing endorsement remorse.
[1:01:19] Music I like.
[1:01:52] State, story, strategy.
[1:01:59] The (not-so) funny thing about interviewing comedians.
[1:02:17] Parting thoughts.

PEOPLE MENTIONED

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.)

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Jaelyn Wolf

1 year ago

I just wanted to take a moment to express how much I appreciate the content and comments you’ve been sharing about modern dating. Navigating this space isn’t easy, especially for someone who knows what they want and is selective about the people I surround myself with. It’s refreshing to see someone dating with intention, confidently knowing what they want, and sharing that approach publicly. I resonate with it quite a bit. I hope it has a positive impact on both men and women. Not trying to ‘slide into your DMs’—just wanted to share some gratitude.

Stephen Fitzgerald

1 year ago

After almost a decade of listening and learning I, like Jaelyn, wanted to express how much I appreciate your content. I’ve taken so many lessons from your shows and books over the years and I’ve done my best to pass along the wisdom to my thousands of students over the years.

You mentioned wanting to get involved in content with students at University or at a Business School level and I finally have something to give back! If there is any way I can remotely help you or someone from your team please let me know.

Pauline

1 year ago

Happy 10th anniversary! Thanks for taking all of us on this journey and sharing your insights and bits of life along the way. Excited for the next chapter of your projects and hope that parenthood will be a part of that for you. Sharing two of my favorite Cheryl Strayed/ Dear Sugar columns on choosing parenthood and creating a life on your terms: The Ghost Ship that Didn’t Carry Us & No Mystery About Sperm (archived column at the bottom of the newsletter). Her words gave me and my husband comfort and clarity during a similar crossroads time in our lives.

Mercy

1 year ago

Thank you for your hard work. Your content is deep, well researched, interesting, getting better over time.
I wonder what is your opinion on Stem Cell Educator Therapy, a process that claims to provide lasting reversal of autoimmunity.
See thronebio dot com for details.
Thanks!

Lily

1 year ago

Very informative blog i find

Joe Schroeter

1 year ago

Hope the new adventure into finding a relationship that is right for you and a new partner goes well. I’m longer in the tooth than you.. but a few years ago w no dating app experience to speak of, I did a lot of research and Opted for a narrow interest smaller audience app called meetmindful…I think it’s in Colorado. Where I am. Worked as the women on it fit my interest in general and honestly they just seemed a little more trustworthy. 6 years later, married after 4years of dating.
ps. stick with the foundational fitness work-it’s worked well for me and I am definitely average genetics.
Joe

-1

Lily

1 year ago

I am really vert thankful to you , you are really providing very useful information.

James Wittering

1 year ago

Another 4HWW+ gratitude shoutout! 4000 weeks and all that, so I’ll keep it brief.

4HWW gave me the courage to become self employed and to design my life around spending time with my kids post divorce. So important.
From that core, I’ve continued to use your books and of course, your show, to filter the wheat from the chaff in terms of strategy in business and physical and mental wellbeing.

Building on what I’ve learned I’ve subsequently started a Paddleboarding school and a wellbeing business from which recently emerged my first genuine muse (17 years after reading your book) and have just launched Supstep, our SUP self rescue stirrup.

The trough of despair and self doubt that the ‘haters’ created after a our pre-kickstarter campaign sent me right back to your Keynote in 2010 abut dealing with haters. Exactly what I needed to hear and we’re calmly carrying on.

I’m more than aware of the nature of a content producer / consumer relationship but the connection is very often more life-changing than you personally will get to see. I hope you take the time to reflect on that occasionally and know that the ripples are far, wide and powerful. I wouldn’t be able to help the people I do without the support you have provided.

I’m incredibly grateful and always more than happy to be a case study should you ever need another one. Thank you, Tim.