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“If you get to a point where you’re not happy doing what you’re doing, you need to find something different. We all should be doing what we love to do.”- Jerilynn StephensJerilynn Stephens and Kimi Messina are both award-winning Hollywood hair stylists with over 60 years experience between the two of them. Jerilynn’s recent credits include Legendary, The Voice, and Shark Tank. And Kimi has worked on films such as Almost Famous, Pirates of the Caribbean, Master and Commander, and The Last Samurai. She’s also been the key hairstylist on Dancing with the Stars for 27 seasons and Legendary Seasons 2 and 3.Building a fulfilling career path in the entertainment industry is no easy feat (and often requires constant sacrifices). If you truly want to excel in a career you ENJOY (while also‌ having quality time & energy to enjoy your life outside of work), these two women demystify how to make this your reality. In this candid conversation Jerilynn and Kimi share their personal experiences of climbing the ladder in Hollywood and talk openly about how they have learned to place healthy boundaries around their work so that they can continue to love their jobs without sacrificing their lives in the process. We also discuss the importance of saying yes vs saying no to the right opportunities, and most importantly how the quality of your life is dictated by the quality of the problems you get to solve every single day.This conversation continues our Hollywood On the Record series where I speak to other guild members to learn what they do in various departments & crafts, understand the challenges they face, and how they’ve achieved high levels of success despite the exploitative nature of the entertainment industry. If you love what you do but you don’t want your career to destroy you, Jerilynn and Kimi can definitely guide you in the right direction!Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode Here's What You'll Learn:Jerilyn and Kimi’s two different pathways into becoming award winning Hollywood hairstylistsKEY TAKEAWAY: Loving your job comes down to knowing when to say yes and when to say noKEY TAKEAWAY: You know you’ve found the right job when you enjoy the problems you are required to solve every dayThe hidden job requirements of a hair stylist HINT: people skills are not optionalWho really sets the mood for the day on film and tv setsHow to do the job while still having energy for life outside of workA day in the life of a hair and make up stylistThe vast differences in hours and expectations between working in hair and makeup for Scripted and Unscripted showsHow IATSE’s latest contract has not improved the hours on set and the workarounds studios haveWhy staying physically fit will make you better at your jobKEY TAKEAWAY: Hard work is always behind every success storyAdvice from Kimi and Jerilynn to up-and-coming hair stylists that is good advice for anyone in trying to find a fulfilling careerThe one thing you can’t ever stop doing no matter how long you’ve been at your jobThe key element people miss when hearing about manifesting your dreamsUseful Resources Mentioned:Album - Wikipediawww.JerilynnStephens.comThe Five "F" Words To Manifesting Your Life: Stephens, JerilynnHollywood Hairstylist ✂️ (@jerilynnstephens) • Instagram photos and videosKimi Messina (@cutdrytease) • Instagram photos and videosContinue to Listen & LearnEp113: The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace TashjianDear Hollywood...We Create Entertainment For a Living. We’re Not Curing Cancer.Dear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn’t Working.Ep128: How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel LevyEp168: Hollywood On the Record: What’s REALLY Happening On Set? | with Shay’La Banks and Nickolaus BrownEp126: On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi ArmaganianEp136: Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACEEp118: Legendary Editor Walter Murch On Optimizing Creativity, Productivity, and Well-Being In Hollywood For 50+ YearsEp132: How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-ShaharEp117: Carol Littleton, ACE on The Secret to Surviving 40+ Years Working In HollywoodI Was Tired of Putting My Kids to Bed via FaceTime Every Night. Here’s What I Did About It.Guest Bio: Jerilynn Stephens Jerilynn Stephens is a two-time Guild Award-Winning and ten-time Emmy nominated hairstylist. She is the head hairstylist on Legendary, The Voice, Shark Tank & other top rated shows.She has worked as a hairstylist and or makeup artist for the past 27 years. She has attracted a personal client list that includes both celebrities and non-celebrities alike.Jerilynn's motto is “Dream Big or Don’t Bother." She loves sharing her experience of how five simple "F" Words transformed her world and helped her manifest the life of her dreams. She is the author of The Five "F" Words To Manifesting Your Life. Her mission is helping others to dream bigger than they ever thought possible and manifest the life of their dreams through The Five “F” Words. Kimi Messina Kimi Messina is a two-time Emmy and eight-time Makeup and Hair Guild Award winning hairstylist. She has worked as a hairstylist for 40 years and in the industry for 35 years.She has worked on films such as Almost Famous, Pirates of the Caribbean, Master and Commander, The Last Samurai, He’s All That and Anglyne in Peacock Streaming Service.She has been the key on Dancing with the Stars for 27 seasons, Legendary Seasons 2 and 3, and numerous TV sitcoms, single camera, and Nickelodeon shows throughout her career.Kimi’s motto is “Quality through continuous improvement”.Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Yvette M. Amirian, ACE is an award-nominated film and television editor who’s recent credits include Animal Planet’s Whale Wars, John Singleton’s L.A. Burning: The Riots 25 Years Later, and most recently the scripted feature for critically acclaimed filmmaker Robert Machoian, The Integrity of Joseph Chambers. She's spent most of her career bouncing back and forth between editing scripted and unscripted documentary content, a feat that is coveted by many editors and creatives. (And in case you missed it, my conversation with Stephanie Filo is another shining example of someone who balances the unscripted and scripted worlds very successfully). No one wants to be pigeonholed, whether you are an editor, an actor, a writer, a director or any other creative professional. Many of us would love the opportunity to stretch our creative muscles and jump across genres and formats with ease. But how many of us really understand what it takes to be able to do so? How many of us know the different challenges that arise and different skills that are needed in each discipline? How many of us assume that since we are good storytellers that should automatically make us good at whatever genre or format we want to work in? Yes, being a good storyteller and good at your craft is an essential piece of the puzzle. But it's just one small piece. And as Yvette tells us in this conversation, each discipline has its own language and you need to learn the vocabulary before you can be fluent in speaking it. If you are someone who has been trying to make a career transition or wanting to diversify your experience and grow your creative skills, this conversation is what you've been waiting for…especially if you’re terrified that it can’t be done if you’re also raising a family (Spoiler alert: It can totally be done!).Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode  Here's What You'll Learn: How Yvette has been able to switch between unscripted and scripted editing Telling your story so that people see how your skills are transferable The power of saying no to the wrong projects What to do when your intuition and logic disagree KEY TAKEAWAY: A fulfilling life comes from solving problems you enjoy solving What it takes to be able to bounce back and forth between scripted and unscripted The key differences between the two editing worlds How Yvette proved she was the right person to edit her latest film that went to Tribeca Film Festival Navigating parenting while editing Agents and publicists: What they will and won’t do for you and your career Important questions to ask at every job interview KEY TAKEAWAY: Know your list of non-negotiables for every project you take Useful Resources Mentioned: Panel with me, Yvette, & Dan Lebental moderated by Norman Hollyn: Tackling New Projects - Part 1 of 2 - YouTube  Tackling New Projects - Part 2 of 2 - YouTube Yvette's Web Page Yvette’s Facebook Page Yvette’s IMDB Page Yvette’s Instagram Page Yvette’s Linked in PageContinue to Listen & Learn Ep11: Making It In Hollywood as a "Creative" (What They Don't Teach You In Film School) | with Norman Hollyn Ep141: Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Career (Instead of Checkers) - pt1 Ep142: Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Health & Well-Being (Pt2) I need help making a career transition | Optimize Yourself Ep134: Leveraging Your Skills to Get Hired (When You Don’t Have the Experience) | with Steve Lang, ACE (pt1) Ep135: The “Playbook” For Building a Successful Career in Scripted TV | with Steve Lang, ACE (pt2) Ep104: How to Keep Working As An Editor (After You’ve Made the Transition From AE) | with Susan Vaill, ACEGuest Bio: Yvette Amirian Yvette M. Amirian, ACE is an award-nominated film and television editor. After graduating from the University of Southern California’s (USC) School of Cinema-Television, she built a successful career and has been transitioning seamlessly between editing scripted and documentary content for the better part of two decades. In 2011, she and her team received an Eddie Award nomination from the American Cinema Editors (ACE) for their work on Animal Planet’s Whale Wars. In 2017, she edited and produced John Singleton’s L.A. Burning: The Riots 25 Years Later for A&E, which was nominated for a Primetime Emmy (Outstanding Documentary Special). Her most recent project is an upcoming scripted feature for critically acclaimed filmmaker Robert Machoian, The Integrity of Joseph Chambers. Yvette is a proud member of the Motion Picture Editor’s Guild, the Academy of TV Arts & Sciences, and ACE. She also teaches editing as an adjunct faculty member at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, and loves educating future generations of aspiring filmmakers. Yvette lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two sons.Show Credits: This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Stephanie Filo, ACE is a two-time Emmy and Peabody Award-winning TV/Film Editor based in Los Angeles, CA and Sierra Leone, West Africa. She earned an Emmy win for her unscripted editing on the Mental State episode Separated (making herself and Nzinga Blake the first Sierra Leonean women to ever win an Emmy award). Most recently, she won a Primetime Emmy award for her work on HBO's A Black Lady Sketch Show, making her team the first all-women of color editing team to take home the award for Outstanding Picture Editing for Variety Programming. This is just a tiny, tiny smattering of the credits and accolades which Stephanie has earned in her very young career (which doesn’t even begin to cover her social activism work in the documentary space). In short, if you’ve ever wondered if it’s possible to successfully build a fulfilling creative career jumping between multiple mediums and genres - from scripted, to unscripted, to docs, and beyond - then Stephanie Filo’s story is for you. In this conversation Stephanie shares how she has climbed to award-winning levels of both scripted and unscripted television…despite a lot of the barriers that unfortunately come with being a black woman in a white-male-dominated industry. She candidly opens up about how she has had to work harder to prove herself but also her own challenges around work-life balance and the sacrifices she’s made getting to this level in her career. This is a wide ranging conversation appealing to anyone looking to make a career transition, find purpose and fulfillment in life, and wanting better strategies for choosing the right projects to match both your lifestyle needs and your creative needs.Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode  Here's What You'll Learn: How the movie Seven influenced her decision to get into editing The struggles she encountered growing up as a first generation Sierra Leone African in Colorado Why Stephanie as a black woman is a better fit for certain types of stories than I am as a white male Stephanie shares the struggles she's endured as a black female editor How to avoid getting pigeonholed How to transition from one genre or format to another How to sell your skills as an unscripted editor so that they are valuable in the scripted world Is scripted editing equivalent to paint by numbers? What Lee Daniels taught me about how my life experience informs my choices as an editor What the cost was to Stephanie in order to diversify her resume The toxic work-life balance culture that is pervasive in the industry and how to fight against it Consequences of putting up boundaries against unreasonable deadlines Are scripted or unscripted editors respected more by producers? How scripted projects compare to unscripted projects in terms of pay and lifestyle KEY TAKEAWAY: You are interviewing the show as much as the show is interviewing you Why Stephanie recently turned down a job that was offered to her Stephanie’s go to interview questions to determine if a project is the right fit for her Useful Resources Mentioned: Cutting Comedy with "A Black Lady Sketch Show" - Frame.io Insider  Emmy & Peabody Award Winning Editor, Stephanie Filo: Episode 2 of Post in Black Season 2 - YouTube Boris FX | Ask the Artist with Stephanie Filo, TV/Film Editor  Ep112: On Signing COVID Waivers, Kit Rental Fees, and Working Humane Hours | with Cathy Repola, MPEG National Executive DirectorContinue to Listen & Learn Ep128: How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy Ep168: Hollywood On the Record: What’s REALLY Happening On Set? | with Shay’La Banks and Nickolaus Brown Ep113: The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian Ep134: Leveraging Your Skills to Get Hired (When You Don’t Have the Experience) | with Steve Lang, ACE (pt1) Ep135: The “Playbook” For Building a Successful Career in Scripted TV | with Steve Lang, ACE (pt2) Ep80: How to Avoid Getting Pigeonholed, The ‘Concentric Circles of Networking’ & More | with Doc Crotzer, ACE Ep126: On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian Ep114: Breaking Into (and Making It) In the Industry as People of Color | with Mirra Watkins, Ariel Brown, and Isaiah CaryGuest Bio: Stephanie Filo Stephanie Filo, ACE is a two-time Emmy and Peabody Award-winning TV/Film Editor and activist based in Los Angeles, CA and Sierra Leone, West Africa. She serves on the board for Girls Empowerment Sierra Leone, a social impact and feminist-based organization for Sierra Leonean girls aged 11-16. She is one of the co-founders of End Ebola Now, an organization created in 2014 to spread accurate information and awareness about the Ebola Virus and its impact through artistic community activism. Aside from editing television and film, with a passion for bringing a voice to social issues and telling stories of the under-represented, Stephanie spends much of her spare time producing and editing social action campaigns and documentaries, primarily focused on the rights of women and girls worldwide. Some of her notable campaigns include her work with the United Nations, International Labour Organization, and the Obama White House Task Force's It's On Us campaign to combat campus sexual assault. Her charitable work has been featured in Forbes Magazine, Entertainment Tonight, Telegraph UK, Yahoo, Al Jazeera, XWhy Magazine, and various others. Her work on the news documentary series "Mental State" earned her an Emmy nomination for the episode "Aging Out" about youth aging out of the American foster care system. She earned an Emmy win for her editing on the Mental State episode "Separated" which covered ICE deportations, making herself and Nzinga Blake the first Sierra Leonean women to ever win an Emmy award. Most recently, she won a Primetime Emmy award for her work on HBO's "A Black Lady Sketch Show", making her team the first all-Women of Color editing team to take home the award for Outstanding Picture Editing for Variety Programming.Show Credits: This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

“You are not networking to get jobs. You are networking to meet people. By knowing people you get jobs.” - Troy Takaki Troy Takaki, ACE is a Hollywood film & TV editor as well as the founder of the ACE Diversity Mentorship Program. His varied credits include feature films like Sweet Home Alabama, Hitch, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul and more recently the television series You on Netflix and Mr. Mercedes for Direct TV. He is also the author of the book Don't Miss Out On Any Avocado Milkshakes: The Art and Joy of being a Film Editor. As an editor, Troy has worked hard throughout his career to avoid becoming pigeonholed (Quick tip: You don’t actually get pigeonholed, you allow yourself to be pigeonholed…more on that in our conversation) such that he can go back and forth between cutting features, television, and even documentaries because as he says, "The more different kinds of stuff you edit, the better editor you will be." As a mentor (and one of the best in the business, I might add), Troy believes that mentoring is not only valuable for those who are being mentored, but arguably even more valuable to the mentor. We also dig even deeper into his meta concept of mentorship in which the mentees in his program are asked to become mentors from day one, no matter how little experience they might have. Because as I often like to say, “You are the world’s foremost ‘expert’ to whomever wants to do next what you are doing now.” If you struggle with building your network, finding a mentor, and reaching out to strangers you admire, this conversation will help you take your networking game to the next level so you can connect with any industry ‘expert’ in the biz.Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode  Here's What You'll Learn: Troy’s roundabout way into becoming an editor How much of a role did luck play in Troy’s career path? The best parts of the editing process for Troy How to assess what is fulfilling work Becoming an extrovert and the skills Troy learned to save his marriage KEY TAKEAWAY: Learning small talk can be a lot of fun once you break through the nervousness. How Troy is able to switch from editing features to television consistently KEY TAKEAWAY: Always be thinking two jobs ahead before accepting a job KEY TAKEAWAY: You have to let people know what you want to work on. How Troy was able to write a book while continuing his editing career The number one reason Troy continues to mentor people. HINT: It’s not about the mentee PRO TIP: If you want to connect with someone who has a resource (i,e., book, podcast, etc.), do your homework first. Mentoring: It's not about finding an expert, it's about finding YOUR expert. The ACE Diversity Mentoriship program and the three different types of mentors KEY TAKEAWAY: Try to find someone at your level and one level above you to be your mentor KEY TAKEAWAY: Make sure you ask a question that gets you results. The most important thing you should NOT to do when looking for a mentor. Useful Resources Mentioned: Troy Takaki - IMDb Don't Miss Out On Any Avocado Milkshakes : Troy Takaki Ace How to Find the Right Type of Mentor For You (and When You Should Seek the Best) Ben Franklin effect - WikipediaContinue to Listen & Learn Ep141: Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Career (Instead of Checkers) - pt1 Ep134: Leveraging Your Skills to Get Hired (When You Don’t Have the Experience) | with Steve Lang, ACE (pt1) Ep135: The “Playbook” For Building a Successful Career in Scripted TV | with Steve Lang, ACE (pt2) Insider's Guide to Writing Cold Outreach Ep106: On the Vital Importance of "Being Nice" | with Jesse Averna, ACE How to Find the Right Type of Mentor For You (and When You Should Seek the Best) How to Go From Cold Contact to Your Ideal Mentor In Seven Simple Steps IMDbPro for Networking: The 10 Features That Will Take Your Outreach to a New Level Ep80: How to Avoid Getting Pigeonholed, The ‘Concentric Circles of Networking’ & More | with Doc Crotzer, ACE The Socially Awkward Introvert’s Guide to Networking with Industry “Experts” Ep126: On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian Ep129: How to Cultivate a “Service-Centric” Mindset (and Why It Will Make You More Successful) | with Agustin Rexach Ep127: Chasing After the Next Gig vs. Building Your Career | with Kabir Akhtarr, ACEGuest Bio: Troy Takaki Troy Takaki, ACE is a top film editor who has cut such box office hits as Sweet Home Alabama starring Reese Witherspoon and Hitch starring Will Smith. He is one of the few picture editors that splits his time between features and television. He recently edited shows such as You for Netflix and Mr. Mercedes for Direct TV. He recently edited Cheaper By The Dozen for Disney Plus and the Dead Boy Detective pilot for HBO MAX.Show Credits: This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Evan "Ultra-OCR Man" Perperis is an active duty Army Special Forces Soldier with 44 months of combat deployments who is now a professional Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) athlete. He is best known for running insane multi-day, self-created (!!!) OCR endurance challenges to raise money for charity (and push him to his physical & mental limits). If you want to know what it really takes to overcome obstacles (or hundreds of them in a row), whether it’s out on a legit race course or just the everyday obstacles you encounter in life, Evan has the answers. What’s interesting is that Evan hasn’t always been the overachiever and ultra-extreme athlete that he is now. In fact, he describes himself as a clone of the main character in the Goldbergs, the stereotypical nerdy teen who was in high school musicals and not at all athletic. But when he joined the military, he knew he had to get himself in shape, and that became the first of many more obstacles to conquer and defeat. So it just goes to show that you can’t judge a book by its cover…especially someone who could rip that book in half with his bare hands. Evan’s simple, no-nonsense approach to extreme OCR racing very simply translates to practical mindsets you too can apply to any obstacle you encounter in life (and if there’s one thing life is throwing at all of us right now, it’s a lot of obstacles). Whether it’s simply getting into better physical shape so you have more mental & creative energy to kick ass at your job or training for your very first Spartan Race or Tough Mudder, the advice Evan shares in our conversation today is invaluable to anyone trying to level up their fitness goals, their career, or their entire life.Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode  Here's What You'll Learn: What drives Evan to do the crazy endurance events that he does The power he found in being outside of his comfort zone When personal development becomes an addiction as dangerous as any other How to balance family life with career and work obligations, including training for races Why racing for charity is so important to Evan Hear how Evan transformed from nerdy musical kid to Ultra OCR guy The mindsets that Evan finds essential for reaching his goals The eerily similar American Ninja Warrior failures that I share with Evan Managing the disappointment of unmet expectations How to reframe failure to continue persevering The incredible impact the OCR community has had on his life The double edged sword of the “never say quit” mentality Finding meaning in the combat losses he’s endured Advice Evan offers anyone looking to do their first obstacle course race HINT: Don’t wait until you ‘get into shape’ Useful Resources Mentioned: David Goggin Ep74: How to Master the Metaskill of 'Ultralearning' | with Scott Young Ep182: Staying True to Your Core Values (When Hollywood Tries to Steal Your Soul) | with Sean CorvelleContinue to Listen & Learn Ep165: How to Overcome Doubting Yourself When You Know You’re Meant For More | with Sandy Zimmerman, ANW Ep122: 'Superfood Hunter' Darin Olien On How To Be Healthy, Fit, and Eternally Awesome Ep98: P90X Creator Tony Horton on Covid-19, Staying Healthy During Quarantine, Boosting Immunity, & More Ep120: The Ninja Warrior Mother-Daughter Dynamic Duo, Part 1 | with Ginny MacColl, ANW Ep121: The Ninja Warrior Mother-Daughter Dynamic Duo, Part 2 | with Jessie Graff, ANW Ep06: Defining Your Purpose and Living Large | with Tony Horton Ep68: How to Go From Couch to the (Spartan) Course | with Rose Wetzel, ANW Ep60: Getting 1% Better Every Single Day | with Westley Silvestri, ANW Ep49: Mastering The Mental Game of Focus | with Kevin Bull, ANW Ep67: How to Be 'Better Than Yesterday' | With Jimmy Choi, ANWGuest Bio: Evan Perperis Evan "Ultra-OCR Man" Perperis is an active duty Special Forces soldier and professional Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) athlete. He's come a long way since his days in high school which were primarily spent acting in drama club/musicals and participating in Boy Scouts. He draws lessons on perseverance and overcoming obstacles from experience from 44 months of combat deployments, 17 years of service and appearances televised obstacle course events (including CBS's coverage of the 8 hour Toughest Mudder, Lebanon's Hannibal Race and American Ninja Warrior). These have helped him achieve success with more than 70 race podium finishes including a world championship title in the team division of the 24 hour long World’s Toughest Mudder, 3x individual top ten finishes at World's Toughest Mudder and 2nd place Pro Coed Team at North American OCR Championship. He’s best known in the obstacle course racing (OCR) world as “Ultra-OCR Man” where his self created endurance stunts like 24 hours of treadmill OCR, ultra-OCR at simulated 21,000 feet of altitude, 48 hour OCR and 8 days in a row of OCR marathons in winter have raised more than $26,000+ for the charity Folds of Honor (scholarship money for children whose parents were killed or wounded in military service). In 2021 he also started organizing the Tough Mudder 10 hour team building charity event Infinite Hero Honor Challenge which has raised more than $20,000 for Infinite Hero Honor Foundation. As an athlete and author, he has written 350+ articles, produced 180+ podcasts, written 7 books and owns the small business Strength & Speed.Show Credits: This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

It was one of those things in my life that just clicked...boom. This is where I'm supposed to be, and I've been doing it ever since. - Sean Corvelle Sean Corvelle has played a variety of different roles in his career as an actor, a comedian, and a television host. But for the last eleven years he has been inspiring and motivating athletes and weekend warriors across the world at the Tough Mudder starting line. He is also the host of Tough Mudder’s No Excuses podcast of which I was recently a guest on (you can hear my interview with Sean here.) Like most of us, Sean came to Hollywood with stars in his eyes hoping to build a career that would bring out the best in him - a career that fulfilled him while also allowing him to be creative, to perform, and to ultimately be successful. Similar to my own path, Sean discovered that the more success he attained in Hollywood, the further away he got from himself and his core values. The higher he climbed the ladder, the more it burned him out, and the less he wanted to be on the ladder at all. Tough Mudder became the unexpected calling that Sean never imagined. In today’s conversation Sean shares his advice, experience, and stories about what it took to listen to his soul in order to leave behind a career in Hollywood. If you have ever felt stuck or you’re unsure of the right path for you, get ready to be inspired and motivated to take just one small step towards forward progress today. Whether you have run an obstacle course race or not (or if you could honestly care less about mud runs), the lessons Sean shares in this conversation apply to every aspect of life.Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode  Here's What You'll Learn: How does Sean answer the question, "what do you do for a living?" How he got the job as Tough Mudder's starting line inspirational speaker. What Sean's first ever Tough Mudder starting line speech was like and how it evolved. Sean discusses the audition process in Hollywood from his perspective. Why it's important to not let success define you. How he became known as "The Mirror Man". Instrumental quotes from Tough Mudder and what Sean learned from the requests for them. Lessons learned from Hollywood. Why Sean believes our souls don't change, instead they just expand. How Tough Mudder is designed to be done together and what people learn from that experience. The two common excuses people use to avoid signing up for a race. How to overcome your hesitations to race. The lessons learned in Tough Mudder apply to every aspect of life even if you just show up to volunteer and not race. Inspiring stories of Tough Mudder runners never quitting. Sean’s advice to his younger self in his darkest moment. Useful Resources Mentioned: No Excuses Episode 61: Zack Arnold on How to Optimize Yourself - Tough Mudder Carlos Alazraqui - Comedian/Actor/ProducerContinue to Listen & Learn Ep165: How to Overcome Doubting Yourself When You Know You’re Meant For More | with Sandy Zimmerman, ANW Ep122: 'Superfood Hunter' Darin Olien On How To Be Healthy, Fit, and Eternally Awesome Ep120: The Ninja Warrior Mother-Daughter Dynamic Duo, Part 1 | with Ginny MacColl, ANW Ep121: The Ninja Warrior Mother-Daughter Dynamic Duo, Part 2 | with Jessie Graff, ANW Ep06: Defining Your Purpose and Living Large | with Tony Horton Ep68: How to Go From Couch to the (Spartan) Course | with Rose Wetzel, ANW Ep60: Getting 1% Better Every Single Day | with Westley Silvestri, ANW Ep49: Mastering The Mental Game of Focus | with Kevin Bull, ANW Ep67: How to Be 'Better Than Yesterday' | With Jimmy Choi, ANWGuest Bio: Sean Corvelle Born in Annapolis MD, Sean Corvelle grew up partly in Baltimore and the other half of his childhood in the San Francisco Bay Area. It was soon after high school when he began his professional journey in the field of entertainment as a stand-up comedian. With his instant likability and fresh enthusiasm on stage he quickly became a favorite act in clubs across the country and eventually moved to Los Angeles where he also enjoyed success acting in commercials, hosting and guest starring in TV shows. The three highlights in his professional career that stood out for him are: hosting a travel show, guest starring in an episode of “Friends,” and now working with Tough Mudder.Show Credits: This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

“With my life story, I could ask for any antidepressant I want and they would prescribe it to me. Instead, I chose to be an antidepressant.” - Christopher Titus Christopher Titus is quite simply one of the best and funniest comics working today. In addition to having ten stand-up comedy specials to his name he’s also an actor, a writer, a director, and producer of TV series, feature films, and he also produces his own daily podcast featuring his infamous “Armageddon Updates.” Though his list of credits and accomplishments may not show it, Christopher Titus has every reason to be a failure. He was raised in what he calls "total chaos" by "a mentally ill genius" who was his bi-polar and schizophrenic mom and an "alcoholic, hardworking badass" who was his dad. He was a D/F student, ran away from home at age 12, and was on a first name basis with the sheriff. Despite the numerous hardships in his earlier years, Titus has taken what most would use as excuses and flipped them around to become his superpowers. In short, Titus has built an incredibly successful career…on his failures. This conversation is a deep dive into what it took for Titus to get to where he is today and succeed in Hollywood. And after throwing him on the ‘hot seat’, he makes it public what the next step in his career will be (and when it will happen). If you’re familiar with Titus, it’s probably no surprise that he holds NOTHING back in this conversation. If you struggle to succeed due to the voices in your head or a dark past that overshadows your present, this episode will flip your mindset and give you a whole new perspective on how to approach your life.Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode  Here's What You'll Learn: How Zack & Titus met in Tony Horton's backyard (and the life-changing benefits of challenging each other every Sunday) What is The List? Why I immediately didn't like Titus upon watching his comedy, and the 5 min YouTube video that totally changed my mind How Lily Tomlin almost made Titus give up comedy completely What he means by "growing a tumor on my soul". The huge risk he took in his comedy act that changed his career KEY TAKEAWAY: Authenticity is the key to success. How Titus transformed the voices in his head to achieve his goals. How a personal development course led him to create his own tv series The value of naming the critic in your head KEY TAKEAWAY: Positive people in your life help you see what you can’t. What Titus views as the worst drugs in the world LESSON LEARNED: Sometimes the bad answer is the answer you need. The epic story of how Titus’ sitcom got canceled. KEY TAKEAWAY: Find out what you're good at and apply it to every aspect of your life. KEY TAKEAWAY: Pick the impossible thing. Useful Resources Mentioned: Christopher Titus - The Word Retard - Voice in My Head Christopher Titus • Norman Rockwell Is Bleeding • Full Special - YouTube Watch Special Unit | Prime Video Nukka chiropractic Landmark Forum - Landmark Course Syllabus and Landmark Forum details. Christopher Titus | Comedian Christopher Titus | Titus Podcast Christopher Titus | Tour Dates christophertitustv - YouTubeContinue to Listen & Learn Ep06: Defining Your Purpose and Living Large | with Tony Horton Ep60: Getting 1% Better Every Single Day | with Westley Silvestri, ANW Ep49: Mastering The Mental Game of Focus | with Kevin Bull, ANW Ep115: How to Be So Thorough You Can’t Be Denied | with James Wilcox, ACE Ep132: How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar Ep105: Ramit Sethi on Forging The Path Towards Your Own ‘Rich Life’ Ep162: Stop Waiting For Permission to Make Sh*t Happen | with Mark GanttGuest Bio: Christopher Titus Employing what he’s labeled “hard funny,” Christopher Titus is a comedian who has released seven ninety-minute albums in as many years. He has six one-hour comedy specials currently running on Comedy Central, and his seventh special, Born With a Defect, spent four weeks on the Billboard Top Ten Comedy Chart. Inspired by such greats as Woody Allen, Steve Martin, and Cosby, who wrote, directed, produced and performed, Titus has sold ideas to NBC, ABC, FOX and Comedy Central. Aside from being a comic he is also an actor, writer, director, producer and a podcaster.Show Credits: This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

“If the pressure is building so much and you're just trying to 'keep it all together', at some point it's going to crack.” - Traver Boehm Traver Boehm is the founder of the UNcivilized Men’s Movement, the fastest growing men’s movement in the world. He is the author of Today I Rise, and Man UNcivilized as well as a two-time TEDx speaker, men’s coach, and podcaster. Traver’s approach challenges the stereotyped “Marlboro Man” we have been conditioned to believe is “masculine” and instead has men unpack the suppressed emotions that are dictating their unhealthy behaviors and destructive actions (that negatively affect all of us). I get it: If you’re thinking that a men’s movement is the LAST thing the world needs right now, I would have agreed with you 100%. I too was skeptical about two white guys talking about “men’s work,” but I’m always willing to entertain different viewpoints if there is a clear benefit to society at large (standing desks and shorter work hours come to mind). And it doesn’t take long for Traver to convince me that the men’s work he is doing is vital to moving towards a more equitable and empathetic society for all genders, races, and other. During the course of this conversation, I even realized my Sunday ninja training group is actually my unofficial men’s group (for which my wife will attest to the benefits!). Whether you self-identify as a man, or if you simply have men in your life, this episode will help you better understand what it means to be a “man” in today’s society (and spoiler alert: It includes having real emotions and being able to express them honestly).Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode  Here's What You'll Learn: What is men's work? Where personal development falls short and what the missing piece is. The elephant in the room: why should we listen to two white guys talk about men’s problems? Why it’s important to look at trauma instead of suppressing it. How Traver got involved in men’s work. Traver’s story of hitting rock bottom. Two important questions he asked himself to change his situation. Why does it have to be a men’s only group? Why my wife insists I train with my Ninja group every Sunday. The history of why men are culturally encouraged to suppress their emotions. Why men need a healthy release for the pressure they are under. The gender difference between acceptable emotions to express. Knowing when to be vulnerable and when to be strong. Is it true that a ‘happy wife equals a happy life’? Why all healthy relationships need conflict. The value in doing hard things. Useful Resources Mentioned: Man UNcivilized The Man UNcivilized Book The UNcivilized Podcast with Traver BoehmContinue to Listen & Learn Ep28: The Science Behind Depression and Anxiety | with Dr. D and Dr. Michael Mark Ep175: Defining Your Own Version of Success & Overcoming the Loneliness of Being a Freelancer | with Michael Bauman How I burned out as a burnout coach (and then bounced back) Dear Hollywood...We Create Entertainment For a Living. We’re Not Curing Cancer. Dear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn’t Working. Ep128: How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy Ep149: How Modern Society Is Damaging Your Brain (and the Simple Steps to Reverse It) | with Dr. Dave Jenkins Ep82: Real Talk About Mental Health and Depression | with Michael Kammes Ep01: Understanding the Link Between Creativity and Depression with Dr. Edison de Mello Ep165: How to Overcome Doubting Yourself When You Know You’re Meant For More | with Sandy Zimmerman, ANW Ep161: Managing Limiting Beliefs, Imposter Syndrome, and all the “Chatter” In Our Heads | with Ethan KrossGuest Bio: Traver Boehm Traver Boehm is the founder of the UNcivilized Men’s Movement, the fastest growing men’s movement in the world. He is the author of Today I Rise, and Man UNcivilized as well as a two time TEDx speaker, men’s coach and podcaster. Drawing upon an eclectic background ranging from professional bodyguarding and Mixed Martial Arts to a Master’s Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine and meditation, Traver counsels men, women, and couples on how to better understand men’s mental health and relationship difficulties. Although he’s not quite sure how to feel about the title, he has been dubbed, “The Man Whisperer” as he has the unique ability to speak to men in a way they can hear and understand. With a passion for people and a unique lens through which to view the human experience, Traver is a highly sought after teacher in the fields of consciousness, intimacy, and personal development. When not teaching workshops or radically shifting the way men experience their masculinity, Traver can be found obsessing over a single word in front of his laptop, chasing surf around the globe, and being awful at yoga.Show Credits: This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

"I've been tuning into what feels right for me versus what I think I should be doing." Melissa Costello is a transformational eating coach who has spent the last 15 years helping people who struggle with emotional eating (including me, which you can hear all about in my first interview with Melissa), but is now in the middle of what she calls “the messy middle” of a major career transition struggling to define the next stages in her career while managing an identity crisis along the way. The conversation today is centered around the feelings of doubt, confusion, and uncertainty that come with major transitions (imposter syndrome, anyone?). Once you get past the excitement of pursuing a new path, you get thrust into the messy middle of trying to navigate the challenges that come with building a new identity and letting go of the safety & security of the old one. Melissa speaks openly and honestly about refocusing her coaching from emotional eating towards empowering women through Equine partnered therapy. Being a life coach does not make her exempt from the common feelings of imposter syndrome, perfectionism, doubt, and anxiety over whether she's following the right path. In this conversation we discuss the tools, habits, strategies, and most importantly the mindsets we can use on ourselves to make sure we're staying aligned to our values and true to our deeper why's. If you find yourself struggling with a major life or career transition and thinking you’re not good enough, or you’re going to fail, or [insert 1000 other excuses for not taking a chance], this interview will inspire you to continue forging ahead with the confidence you can succeed…even in the middle of an identity crisis.Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode  Here's What You'll Learn: How she manages and honors her personal needs and challenges while being a coach The lessons Melissa has learned from being a coach who is struggling with anxiety Why it's so important for coaches to show up as relatable. The importance of building and creating communities so that the support system is strong. The challenges in transitioning from one career path to another and how it's tied with your identity. Saying no to job opportunities based on lifestyle needs. Learning how to move towards new opportunities that feel scary but also feel right. How to navigate changing identities within yourself and with others who see you in a different identity. How to tap into your intuition when making decisions. The difference between feeling nervous and feeling anxious. The story of how I got invited to Tony Horton's workout for the first time. The 'woo-woo' factor: What is it? How do we explain it? Melissa's deeper why and how it is the thread that ties together all her different passions. KEY TAKEAWAY: Your deeper why is your compass to guide you on the right path. Useful Resources Mentioned: Internal Family Systems Gestalt therapy Ep98: P90X Creator Tony Horton on Covid-19, Staying Healthy During Quarantine, Boosting Immunity, & More Ep06: Defining Your Purpose and Living Large | with Tony HortonContinue to Listen & Learn Ep105: Ramit Sethi on Forging The Path Towards Your Own ‘Rich Life’ Ep55: How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear Ep132: How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar Tired of Holding it Together All the Time? Here are Five Basic Needs to Get You Back On Track Ep161: Managing Limiting Beliefs, Imposter Syndrome, and all the “Chatter” In Our Heads | with Ethan Kross Ep35: FOCUS: The Superpower of the 21st Century | with Cal Newport Ep04: The Zen-like Art of 'Getting Things Done' | with David Allen Ep144: Redefining What It Means to Be “Productive” (and Aligning Your Values With Your Time) | with Tamara Torres Ep101: How to Transition From 'Technician' to 'Entrepreneur' | Community Q&A with Misha Tenenbaum Ep143: Mastering the “Chess Mindset” to Achieve Any Difficult Goal (and Get Really Good at Failing Along the Way) | with Misha Tenenbaum Ep106: On the Vital Importance of "Being Nice" | with Jesse Averna, ACEGuest Bio: Melissa Costello Melissa Costello has spent the last 15 years For the last 15 years empowering and coaching humans across the globe to end the on-going battle with yo-yo dieting and body shame, so they can reclaim their power and come back home to themselves. Melissa's own personal struggles with her body image along with her in-depth training in Spiritual Psychology, Clinical Nutrition and holistic coaching provides the foundation for her clients to experience powerful breakthroughs and sustainable, profound transformation.Show Credits: This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

"In this industry we are conditioned to believe that our voice is not important." Erica Wernick, former graphic designer and founder of Hollywood Success Coach, has always been goal-oriented, systems-based, and a Type-A personality (at this point I’m convinced we’re separated at birth). But when she found herself during the pandemic wandering aimlessly without a clear goal and unable to “fix it” with her usual strategies and frameworks, she quickly spiraled down into the dark holes of doubt, insecurity, and ultimately a deep depression. Identity can be a double-edged sword, especially when your livelihood is creative work. No doubt like me at one point or another you’ve said “What I do isn’t just a job, it’s who I am.” Yes your identity can help guide and motivate you to achieve the success you’ve always dreamed of, but it can also be incredibly dangerous when you completely define yourself by what you do, especially during unemployment..and especially during pandemics. It wasn't until Erica learned to let go of her long held identities and listen to something deeper that she could lift herself out of the darkness, accept help, and become herself again. This conversation dares you (and me!) to test your beliefs about who you are and what you do beyond your job. Erica challenges me on my own beliefs about what the success path for creative professionals really looks like and questions whether it can truly be distilled into simple action steps. And most importantly, Erica and I hope to normalize the discussion of mental health and depression and remind anyone who’s struggling with their own issues to know you are absolutely not alone - there are resources to support you.Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode  Here's What You'll Learn: Erica no longer identifies herself as a graphic designer. Erica’s thoughts on how dangerous it can be to assign your identity to your career. How Erica got her start in Hollywood and fell in love with Los Angeles. The book that was pivotal in influencing her career path to coaching. What Erica’s purpose is and how she identified it. What the #wins channel in my Slack community means to me. The Ripple Effect: what it means and how it helps others. My 3 step process for climbing the success ladder in Hollywood. Erica calls me out for “mansplaining” and challenges my “simplified process.” KEY TAKEAWAY: A coach’s number one priority should be to help people believe in themselves. How Erica fell into a depression prior to writing her latest book, You are the Magic. The decision to take medication for her depression. The challenges she faced with her physical health during her depression. How she recorded and produced her own audio books. Useful Resources Mentioned: The Hollywood Success Podcast: How To Change The Culture In Hollywood With Zack Arnold on Apple Podcasts Meant For This by Erica Wernick You Are The Magic by Erica Wernick — Hollywood's Success Coach | Official Website of Author + Coach Erica Wernick Gabby Bernstein - #1 NYT Best Selling Author, Speaker & Spirit Junkie Gabby Bernstein - #1 NYT Best Selling Author, Speaker & Spirit Junkie The Official Website of Rachel Platten Brené Brown Ramit Sethi Podcast Interview on Forging Your Own Rich Life: Episode 105 How I burned out as a burnout coach (and then bounced back)Continue to Listen & Learn Ep161: Managing Limiting Beliefs, Imposter Syndrome, and all the “Chatter” In Our Heads | with Ethan Kross Ep144: Redefining What It Means to Be “Productive” (and Aligning Your Values With Your Time) | with Tamara Torres Ep132: How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar I Was Tired of Putting My Kids to Bed via FaceTime Every Night. Here’s What I Did About It. Ep113: The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian Ep82: Real Talk About Mental Health and Depression | with Michael Kammes Ep01: Understanding the Link Between Creativity and Depression with Dr. Edison de Mello Ep28: The Science Behind Depression and Anxiety | with Dr. D and Dr. Michael Mark Ep175: Defining Your Own Version of Success & Overcoming the Loneliness of Being a Freelancer | with Michael Bauman  Ep165: How to Overcome Doubting Yourself When You Know You’re Meant For More | with Sandy Zimmerman, ANWGuest Bio: Erica Wernick Hollywood’s Success Coach, Erica Wernick helps artists create success in one of the most “impossible” industries so they can live the life they’ve always dreamed of. After breaking into Hollywood with no connections, and booking her first TV show just two weeks after moving to LA, Erica has spent over a decade living her dream designing graphics for television. You can see her work on hit shows like Glee, Superstore, and most recently, This Is Us. Author of Meant For This: The Mindset And Strategy To Achieve Your Most “Impossible” Dreams, Erica now helps Hollywood artists get to the next level of their career, no matter how “unrealistic” it seems. From actors to writers to directors and every craft in between, Erica has developed a reputation for helping artists access their inner greatness and achieve the goals that used to feel out of reach. Erica is a member of the Television Academy, and between herself and her clients, they’ve booked work on over 60 television shows and films on Netflix, Hulu, HBO, FOX, ABC, and CBS just to name a few.Show Credits: This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

“It’s your duty as a professional working with a director & producer that you tell them when it becomes impossible to do the job on your own.” Eddie Hamilton, ACE is the editor of Top Gun: Maverick, the last 3 Mission: Impossible films, Kick-Ass 1 & 2, and X-Men: First Class, just to name a few. And in my second interview with Eddie (here’s part 1 if you haven’t listened yet), he and I candidly discuss his experience editing Top Gun: Maverick and what drove him to asking for help before it was too late. The grueling work hours required to produce blockbuster content can literally be deadly if you don’t care for yourself properly. When your livelihood depends on your creativity, your mental health is no longer a luxury, it’s a job requirement. But many of us have spent so many years (maybe our entire lives), ignoring our self-care needs at the expense of our jobs - no matter the cost - we don’t actually know how to care for ourselves when the time comes we have no other choice. Eddie recognized early in his career that he would have to take control of his mental health and set boundaries if he was going to survive working in Hollywood at the highest level, but not even that was enough on this job. In this conversation (which as a crazy aside was actually recorded before the pandemic, and I had to wait to release this interview until the film released!), Eddie honestly shares the immense challenges and responsibilities he bared working on Maverick and he gives an inside look into challenges like managing burnout, summoning the courage to ask for help, and whether or not working at the highest level in the business is worth the sacrifices.Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode  Here's What You'll Learn: How Eddie got started in editing. Eddie went from being his own assistant for his first ten movies to having 7 AE’s for Top Gun: Maverick. What a typical day looks like while Eddie is cutting dailies on Mission Impossible and Top Gun: Maverick. Why Eddie had to ask for help on Top Gun: Maverick The challenge and responsibility of being an editor on high budget films and how listening to Optimize Yourself reminded him to stay healthy. My story of the pressure I felt on Burn Notice when I had to cut a season opening montage with found footage from past dailies. Eddie’s healthy habits of running and watching movies keep him fit and creatively informed to do his job well. Fever dreams of close ups of actors in his head wake him up at 3am. The hours Eddie worked when he went on location with the film. When burnout kicked in and he found himself frozen in front of his laptop unable to cut dailies. The foresight Eddie had to mention he was going to need help to the producers early on. Not only could Eddie not keep up to camera in cutting dailies, he couldn’t keep up to watching all the dailies. Eddie values having another editor to bounce ideas off of and get immediate feedback. Does Eddie think the work is worth all the sacrifices he make? Eddie insists his team attends all important events in their lives. Why Eddie took a week off to do a personal development course and what changes it brought about in his life. The importance of asking lifestyle questions in job interviews. Eddie sees an appreciation for mental health growing in the past few years. Finding employers that respect your mental wellbeing is essential and should be prioritized whenever possible. Useful Resources Mentioned: Eddie Hamilton previous episode Hoffman ProcessContinue to Listen & Learn Ep175: Defining Your Own Version of Success & Overcoming the Loneliness of Being a Freelancer | with Michael Bauman  I Was Tired of Putting My Kids to Bed via FaceTime Every Night. Here’s What I Did About It. Ep113: The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian How I burned out as a burnout coach (and then bounced back)  Dear Hollywood...We Create Entertainment For a Living. We’re Not Curing Cancer. Dear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn’t Working. Ep128: How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy Ep168: Hollywood On the Record: What’s REALLY Happening On Set? | with Shay’La Banks and Nickolaus Brown  Ep149: How Modern Society Is Damaging Your Brain (and the Simple Steps to Reverse It) | with Dr. Dave Jenkins Ep82: Real Talk About Mental Health and Depression | with Michael Kammes Ep01: Understanding the Link Between Creativity and Depression with Dr. Edison de MelloGuest Bio: Eddie Hamilton Eddie Hamilton, ACE is currently editing the next chapters in the Mission: Impossible movie series. Before that, Eddie cut Paramount Pictures' Top Gun: Maverick, directed by Joe Kosinski, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, and Mission: Impossible - Fallout and Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation for director Christopher McQuarrie. Other credits include Kingsman: The Secret Service, Kingsman: The Golden Circle, X-Men: First Class and Kick-Ass for director Matthew Vaughn. After 23 years in the industry Eddie has cut over 20 feature films (both indies and studio movies) in a wide variety of genres as well as TV dramas, documentaries and award-winning short films. His enthusiasm for big screen storytelling is matched only by his total dedication to the craft of film editing, his nerdy technical expertise and his undisputed love of chocolate. He has given presentations on Avid Media Composer editing at NAB and IBC. Eddie is a member of the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, American Cinema Editors and BAFTA, and was on the feature film panel at EditFest London in 2013 and 2018.Show Credits: This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Eddie Hamilton, ACE is the editor of Top Gun: Maverick, the last 3 Mission: Impossible films, Kick-Ass 1 & 2, and X-Men: First Class, just to name a few. And in my first interview with Eddie (here’s part 2 where he talks about editing Maverick specifically), he and I talk about his early career choices and how he was able to become one of the top feature editors in the world…without ever going to film school. With all the unique stories that come with ‘making it’ in Hollywood (or any creative career), it’s easy to assume the way someone else became successful could never happen for you. Which is why I’m always trying to boil the process down to simple, actionable steps that anyone can follow to get real results. And those steps include: Choosing the ladder you want to climb (with laser-sharp specificity) Learning, honing, and becoming awesome at your craft Making sure the right people know you're awesome at your craft In today’s conversation Eddie and I talk about his rise from runner to editor in only six months (working in sports journalism of all places), his journey from editing indie films to becoming an “overnight success,” and the various choices that Eddie made - and more importantly didn’t make (i.e. what he strategically said ‘no’ to), that helped forge his path to the top. Just a quick note this interview is pulled from deep in the archives way back in the Fitness In Post days, but I promise every single one of Eddie’s knowledge bombs are just as relevant today as they were when we originally spoke.Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode  Here's What You'll Learn: Eddie’s background and how his love of film began at seven-years-old How to recover from rejection His first job in post and how he moved up from a runner to editor in only six months! His big break: working with Matthew Vaughn Editing with VHS recorders Is grad school worth the time and money? A day in the life of Eddie Hamilton His focus on diet and exercise while working The sacrifices necessary to succeed in this industry His process for cutting scenes The meals and snacks he chooses throughout the day...chocolate included How easy it can be to get some exercise into your day -- you don’t need to do it all! Good eating habits at work Standing vs. sitting How what you eat can affect your work for the day The differences between working in the US versus other countries If you want to succeed more than everyone else, you will succeed! Useful Resources Mentioned: Eddie Hamilton Maverick episode Ep11: Making It In Hollywood as a “Creative” (What They Don’t Teach You In Film School) | with Norman Hollyn How 'Mission Impossible' Editor Eddie Hamilton Skipped Film School & Worked His Way to Cutting Blockbusters How To Get Ahead In Editing Cutting Mission: ImpossibleContinue to Listen & Learn Ep175: Defining Your Own Version of Success & Overcoming the Loneliness of Being a Freelancer | with Michael Bauman  I Was Tired of Putting My Kids to Bed via FaceTime Every Night. Here’s What I Did About It. Ep113: The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian How I burned out as a burnout coach (and then bounced back)  Dear Hollywood...We Create Entertainment For a Living. We’re Not Curing Cancer. Dear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn’t Working. Ep128: How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy Ep168: Hollywood On the Record: What’s REALLY Happening On Set? | with Shay’La Banks and Nickolaus Brown  Ep149: How Modern Society Is Damaging Your Brain (and the Simple Steps to Reverse It) | with Dr. Dave Jenkins Ep82: Real Talk About Mental Health and Depression | with Michael Kammes Ep01: Understanding the Link Between Creativity and Depression with Dr. Edison de MelloGuest Bio: Eddie Hamilton Eddie Hamilton, ACE is currently editing the next chapters in the Mission: Impossible movie series. Before that, Eddie cut Paramount Pictures' Top Gun: Maverick, directed by Joe Kosinski, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, and Mission: Impossible - Fallout and Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation for director Christopher McQuarrie. Other credits include Kingsman: The Secret Service, Kingsman: The Golden Circle, X-Men: First Class and Kick-Ass for director Matthew Vaughn. After 23 years in the industry Eddie has cut over 20 feature films (both indies and studio movies) in a wide variety of genres as well as TV dramas, documentaries and award-winning short films. His enthusiasm for big screen storytelling is matched only by his total dedication to the craft of film editing, his nerdy technical expertise and his undisputed love of chocolate. He has given presentations on Avid Media Composer editing at NAB and IBC. Eddie is a member of the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, American Cinema Editors and BAFTA, and was on the feature film panel at EditFest London in 2013 and 2018.Show Credits: This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

What I’d love to do is give you an insider’s glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.’ What you’ll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success. In the following hot seat session, I talk to community member Jonathan Hodges who is a promo editor in Baltimore looking to make the transition to Assistant Editor in scripted television. He has gone through my Insider’s guide to writing cold outreach and has received a lot of great responses from the people he's contacted. But he's feeling stuck on how to continue the conversation, build a long term relationship, and possibly even secure a mentor. Listen in on how I coach Jonathan to effectively build a relationship and continue to add value to the people he is connecting with. Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you! → Click here to let us know what you think of this format Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session? → Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

What I’d love to do is give you an insider’s glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.’ What you’ll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success. In the following hot seat session, community member James Crouch is looking for help writing a cold outreach email. We discuss the importance of carefully selecting who you want to build relationships with and how you can provide value to that person. And we discuss the magic formula for all outreach emails that you can apply to just about any outreach situation. This session is loaded with top level overview tips for crafting successful outreach emails as well as the nitty gritty details such as writing effective subject lines. Listen in to discover how you can improve your outreach email skills. [As a bonus for listening to this episode, you can get my Insider's Guide to Writing Cold Outreach by going to www.optimizeyourself.me/emailguide] Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you! → Click here to let us know what you think of this format Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session? → Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

What I’d love to do is give you an insider’s glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.’ What you’ll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success. In the following hot seat session, Denise Chan is preparing to negotiate her contract as an Assistant Editor for an upcoming Netflix series. Negotiating salary, work hours, and additional benefits is something we all have to do regardless of what position we hold. The paradigm shift that I am advocating for (and have been for years) is that we as creative professionals should not get paid for the hours we work but instead for the value we provide. Listen in on how I coach Denise to approach her meeting from this perspective and how you too can use this approach for your own negotiations. Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you! → Click here to let us know what you think of this format Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session? → Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

What I’d love to do is give you an insider’s glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.’ What you’ll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success. In the following hot seat session, community member Marcella Garcia is debating a job offer. She’s not sure if it is the right fit based on her career goals, but it pays well and she has a good relationship with the people she would be working with. This is a familiar situation for many creative professionals working in the gig economy. How do we know when to say no and when to say yes? What are we willing to risk losing in order to progress towards our goals? Listen in on how I coach Marcella through this common challenge and learn how you can apply the same questions to your own situation. Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you! → Click here to let us know what you think of this format Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session? → Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

"You have to think how can I create those moments, those celebrations, the appreciation, the presence in this moment so that I can actually enjoy the accumulation of my life of days rather than trying to hang it all on one momentous achievement."- Michael BaumanAs a freelancer or entrepreneur, it’s easy to get caught up in “the grind,” endlessly pursuing what others define as “success,” but one of the overlooked effects of doing so is often loneliness (whether you are at the bottom or the ladder or the very top).When I first started my career in Hollywood, I was so focused on perfecting my craft and building a resume of credits that I literally had no social life outside of work. Having friends, hobbies, and doing things outside the job simply wasn’t a priority for me...until I realized how detrimental it was for my work to become my identity, not only to my physical and mental health but also to my creativity and overall well-being.My guest today, Michael Bauman, knows all too well the pain of loneliness as a creative professional and entrepreneur. Michael is the CEO of Success Engineering and a Tony Robbins certified coach who after failing at starting his own personal training business and having no money to support his wife (and soon-to-be child) uncovered and untangled his own feelings of loneliness and not "enough-ness" so that he could pursue a more fulfilling version of his goals. He now uses his own experiences of failure, loneliness, and hitting rock bottom to help others redefine their own meaning of success in their lives.If you struggle with defining what success means to you, and you are often so consumed by your work and running on the empty hamster wheel chasing success that you find yourself burned out, this candid conversation is a must-listen.Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episodeHere's What You'll Learn:Michael's origin story of how he started his own podcast called Success Engineering.How the book, Start with Why, helped him climb his way out of rock bottom in his life.What led Michael to realize that success and happiness wasn’t about money or financial gains.The many moves and transitions Michael has navigated in his life.Why Michael was interested in helping entrepreneurs feel like they're enough and not alone.What the different layers of success are and how you can equate it with being enough.What Michael believes to be the greatest gift he can give to the people in his life.The link between identity and behavior change.KEY TAKEAWAY: Emotions are a warning system or a fundamental need that is going unmet.A valuable tool to deal with emotions in order to enable behavior change.The unexpected link between my lifelong snacking addiction and my job satisfaction.Questions to ask yourself when you are caught in a bad habit or behavior you don't like.The difference between subjective and objective loneliness.KEY TAKEAWAY: The quality of your relationships is a better predictor of health than your cholesterol levels.Tools for dealing with loneliness.The paradox of vulnerability in others vs. ourselves.Why you should be “upgrading your interactions” and how to do it.What James Clear’s Goldilocks rule has to do with habit change.Dan Sullivan's approach called the Gap and the Gain.Using a "Done" list to celebrate what you've done at the end of every day.What Michael does to celebrate his own accomplishments each day.Michael's advice to his younger self.BONUS: The secret to upgrading your networking game. Useful Resources Mentioned:Start With Why | Simon Sinek The Gap and The Gain: The High Achievers' Guide to Happiness, Confidence, and Success: Sullivan, Dan, Hardy, Dr. BenjaminPodcast - Success Engineering - Michael BaumanMax HeadroomContinue to Listen & LearnEp82: Real Talk About Mental Health and Depression | with Michael KammesEp01: Understanding the Link Between Creativity and Depression with Dr. Edison de MelloEp165: How to Overcome Doubting Yourself When You Know You’re Meant For More | with Sandy Zimmerman, ANWEp84: How to Use 'Intuitive Eating' To Change Your Relationship With Food | with Melissa CostelloEp161: Managing Limiting Beliefs, Imposter Syndrome, and all the “Chatter” In Our Heads | with Ethan KrossEp35: FOCUS: The Superpower of the 21st Century | with Cal NewportEp04: The Zen-like Art of 'Getting Things Done' | with David AllenEp144: Redefining What It Means to Be “Productive” (and Aligning Your Values With Your Time) | with Tamara TorresEp136: Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACETired of Holding it Together All the Time? Here are Five Basic Needs to Get You Back On TrackEp118: Legendary Editor Walter Murch On Optimizing Creativity, Productivity, and Well-Being In Hollywood For 50+ YearsEp55: How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James ClearEp132: How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-ShaharEp75: The Four Tendencies’ (aka ‘The Matrix’ For Understanding Yourself & Others) | with Gretchen RubinEp105: Ramit Sethi on Forging The Path Towards Your Own ‘Rich Life’Guest Bio: Michael Bauman is the CEO of Success Engineering and Tony Robbins certified coach. He help entrepreneurs feel that they are enough and not alone, along with optimizing every other area of their lives including their habits, productivity, health and relationships.He is also the host of the podcast, Success Engineering, where he interviews experts and industry leaders, from Broadway Directors and actors, to multi-millionaire CEO’s, to neuroscientists and more to uncover how they define success, how they create it on a daily basis, and explore the challenges they have overcome both internally and externally to achieve their personal definition of success.Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

What I’d love to do is give you an insider’s glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.’ What you’ll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success. In the following hot seat session, community member Denise Chan is struggling with perfectionism while she’s editing. She finds herself consumed with the minutiae of the cuts and bogged down in doubt that her choices are the right ones. As a recovering perfectionist myself, I am all too familiar with this problem. Listen in to hear what systems and processes I use to work with perfectionism, doubt, and procrastination that Denise can implement right away in her daily editorial workflow. Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you! → Click here to let us know what you think of this format Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session? → Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

What I’d love to do is give you an insider’s glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.’ What you’ll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success. In the following hot seat session, community member Melanie Annan wants help preparing for a meeting with a potential agent. Melanie is an independent film editor and wants to know if an agent would be valuable at this point in her career to help her get to the next level. In this hot seat we cover the types of questions Melanie should ask when meeting with an agent as well as some common misconceptions about what working with an agent is like. Listen in to hear my thoughts on how to make the most of a meeting with an agent. Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you! → Click here to let us know what you think of this format Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session? → Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

At the epicenter of the conversation last August during the most contentious portion of the IATSE contract negotiation was perhaps the IA stories Instagram account where literally hundreds of thousands of IATSE members discovered they weren't alone in enduring the horrors of working in Hollywood: Burnout, abusive working conditions, and sacrificing everything - including even their lives - to simply keep their jobs in the entertainment industry was apparently everyone’s story. Pandora’s Box opened, and it was clear people demanded change. Among those people are my guests today from Local 871 - Script Coordinator Amy Thurlow, and Art Department Coordinator Marisa Shipley.Marisa Shipley is the President of Local 871, as well as one of the founders of the IA Stories page. She has been on the front lines of the living wage and pay equity fight since 2018 and is committed to finding a collaborative approach to tackling these issues.Amy Thurlow was elected to represent Script Coordinators on the Board of Directors of Local 871 in December of 2021, and has been outspoken about the pay equity issues that have plagued her classification for decades.This conversation has been a long time in the making, and we go deep into the stories of abusive practices in their local, the criminally low wages they have endured, and the systemic nature of these problems across many other IATSE locals. You'll also hear Marisa describe the severe toll that running the IA stories page took on her health and well-being (which is ironic given how hard she works to protect the well-being of others), as well as her deep struggle with the negative blowback she received during the IATSE contract negotiations. Trust me when I say that standing up for what you believe is never easy. But our industry and the world needs more Marisa’s and Amy’s advocating for all of us.Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episodeHere's What You'll Learn:Why Local 871 has the moniker of The Island of Misfit Toys.What a script coordinator does and what their day to day looks like.The duties of the art department coordinator.The importance of these two roles to making sure things run smoothly between departments.What the hours and schedules are like for both of these jobs.The difference between being flexible and putting up boundaries.Why Marisa hates the words "can't you just..."The challenges that come with running a huge Instagram page like IA Stories.How Marisa got involved in pay equity issues in Local 871 and beyond.What motivated her to start the Instagram page IA stories and the intentions behind it.The incredible responsibility Marisa felt in taking on IA Stories.Dealing with the blowback of contract negotiations and how that affected Marisa.Why they made the intentional choice to not post about the specific contract negotiations and only focus on the stories.KEY TAKEAWAY: Setting boundaries is a personal responsibility that can also be supported collectively.Why it's important to get more involved in your guild's local.The unintended expectation that came from the IA Stories page and why it caused such anger in people after the contract vote.How different perspectives determine whether the contract was a win or a loss.KEY TAKEAWAY: We need systemic culture change AND we need personal responsibility.Optimize Yourself aims to show people HOW to set boundaries and take responsibility to create better working lives. Useful Resources Mentioned:Dear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn’t Working.IATSE Stories (@ia_stories) • Instagram photos and videos How I burned out as a burnout coach (and then bounced back)Continue to Listen & LearnI Was Tired of Putting My Kids to Bed via FaceTime Every Night. Here’s What I Did About It.Ep113: The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace TashjianDear Hollywood...We Create Entertainment For a Living. We’re Not Curing Cancer.Ep128: How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel LevyEp141: Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Career (Instead of Checkers) - pt1Ep142: Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Health & Well-Being (Pt2)Ep106: On the Vital Importance of "Being Nice" | with Jesse Averna, ACEEp168: Hollywood On the Record: What’s REALLY Happening On Set? | with Shay’La Banks and Nickolaus Brown Ep112: On Signing COVID Waivers, Kit Rental Fees, and Working Humane Hours | with Cathy Repola, MPEG National Executive DirectorGuest Bio: Marisa Shipley is the President of Local 871 and a freelance Art Department Coordinator, Set Dec Coordinator and Construction Estimator for tv/film in Los Angeles. She initially got involved with the Local as a member of the ad-hoc Art Department Coordinators Public Relations Committee, working to get signatures on a petition showing support for better wages for her craft prior to 2018 negotiations. As the chair of the Local 871 #ReelEquity pay equity committee Marisa has focused on a collaborative approach to tackling pay equity issues affecting women in entertainment, particularly those working behind the camera.  Amy Thurlow is a writer and filmmaker currently living in Los Angeles, California. Amy has worked in television for many years. She started her career as a Writers' PA on the groundbreaking show GOSSIP GIRL and most recently Script Coordinated for Fox’s OUR KIND OF PEOPLE. Her other credits include TWO SENTENCE HORROR STORIES, SLEEPY HOLLOW, WITCHES OF EAST END, KRYPTON and NO TOMORROW. In December 2021, Amy was elected to represent Script Coordinators on the Board of Directors of Local 871. Amy graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts with a degree in Film and Television Production. Her work has been recognized by the WB Writers’ Workshop, Sundance Institute, Austin Film Festival and Final Draft Big Break Contest. Outside of writing and activism, Amy has a myriad of interests including performing the occasional stand up routine, teaching friends how to cook the perfect roast chicken, and deciding to run marathons even though she hates running. Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).