The Results

Based on the HUNDREDS (and HUNDREDS!) of testimonials we received (← check them out there!) After and during the program, we were able to tell. QualitativelyThe program was running. The question was: What would the *quantitative* data show?

And…

According to our research leader, the effects were “massively positive.” (For geeks: “The effect sizes were huge!! They were all around Pearson correlations of .6 (Cohen’s ds of 1.7), which is unheard of!!”)

At the start of our program, for example, 29% of our Optimizers felt they were connected to the best version themselves at the beginning. 93% of the Optimizers felt connected to the best version of themselves at the end. 93% (!) felt the Optimus best version within them. (!!)

37% of participants exercised for more than 25 minutes per day at the beginning. This number was 64% by the end. Meditation? The same thing. 43% of those who meditated daily on Day 1 were at least four-thirds. (Which is actually quite a high number! lol.) 89% (!!) Meditations every day for Day 300.

How about confidence? On Day 1, 37% reported feeling calm, confident, and present for most of the day. That number was 88% on Day 300.

This is perhaps the most inspiring aspect of the program, as it is one of the central themes and key ingredients to living happy AND heroically.Only 23% of Optimizers in the program were willing to face challenges on Day 1. 79% of our Optimizers were embracing their challenges on Day 300! (#OMMS!)

58% of respondents felt that they could handle any challenge faced on Day 1. This number grew to 90% by Day 300. 83% of respondents felt more anxious than excited at the end, while 41% said the same in the beginning.

These same statistics are repeated at Work. The overwhelming majority of our Coaches feel a deeper sense and engagement with their work. As a result of learning how to manage digital distractions and optimizing not only their productivity, but their sense for what we call their “voice” “Energized Tranquility.”)

And, the same stats showed up in their Connections with friends/family/colleagues/community and humanity in general.

Healthy habits are then possible. Eating. Moving. Sleeping. Etc.

ALL Optimized

Food-wise: 53% of respondents said they adhered to their nutrition philosophy from Day 1, while 84% stated that they did the same on Day 300. This is why we saw a shift in attitudes from 46% to say it was easy to maintain their ideal body weight to 76% to the end. (btw: I was perhaps most astonished by the number of people who told us they’re back to a weight they NEVER thought they’d see again!)

Sleep-wise: We spend a lot time helping people to a) understand the importance of sleep and b) get great rest!

Science has shown that turning off your electronics at least one hour before bed is the best way to get a good night’s sleep. (We call that a Digital Sunset.) This is why I was delighted to see the percentage of people who did not use screens before going to bed rise from 32% on Day 1, to 87% (!!!). Day 300

All of this translated into feeling more energized at the start and end of the day. This is what 46% of participants said on Day 1: They felt more energized. That was 85% on Day 300!!

All this brings us back the most important step.

Did we help people feel more connected with the best version themselves?

Yes. This was again an increase of 29% to (a shocking) 93%. ← !!!

Why is this important?

Well, because that’s pretty much what ALL the great wisdom traditions have told us is THE most important thing we can do and what our program is, ultimately, ALL about.

You can check out illustrations of all the data here. Yasmine, our talented sketch artist and creator of all the worksheets within our program, transformed them into visually appealing sketches like these.

So I can confidently and humbly state that we KNOW ours. Coach program (formerly known as Optimize Coach It is now known as Heroic Coach) can help you truly change your life.

Now, let’s talk more about who the program is for (and who it’s NOT for) and then I’ll give you a high-A high-level overview of what to expect and how we get there (in the words our research partner!) astonishing results.

The 300-Day Heroic Coach Program

The Heroic Coach Certification training programs last 10 months. It is technically 300 days in length. Yes, that’s a nod to our ancient Spartan Heroes.)

Once COVID allows, we’ll have a special graduation weekend to celebrate the greatest year of our lives and to commit to changing the world together. More on that in a moment…

Our foundation is the basis of this program. Optimize content: PhilosophersNotes, Optimize Optimal Living 101 classes and +1s

But…

The Mastery Series is what makes the program so strong.

Imagine me distilling the best wisdom from the 600+ PhilosophersNotes and 1,000+ Optimize +1s and 50 classes of Optimal Living 101 into ONE super-A practical program to transform your life.

That is the Mastery Series.

It’s the cornerstone of all of our work together in our Heroic Coach program.

The program has 7 Modules (+1)

Here’s the overview…

Module O: The Optimize Mastery Series

The first week of our time together is a preview for the whole curriculum. Module O: The Optimize Mastery Series.

We’ll look at what’s next in each of 7 Modules. Then we’ll take a few trips (to heaven, hell and your funeral) and learn how flipping works.-The-Change into the best version you can be.

(Note: You can access Module O in its entirety, including the Practice video, worksheets, and even a related Live Coaching session, here.)

Module I: Eudaimonology

• We officially start the party. Module I What we call “Eudaimon-ology” (The Study of a Good Soul), in which we define the game we’re playing and how to play it well.
• (Hint: Become the best version of yourself and close the gap between who you’re CAPABLE of being and who you’re ACTUALLY being by living with virtue RIGHT NOW!!)
• Aristotle and Martin Seligman join us as proxies for Ancient Wisdom + Modern Science as we commit to moving from Theory to Practice to Mastery as we operationalize virtue and give the world all we’ve got.

Module: Hero-ology

• This super-important foundation set, we’re ready to move on to Module II What do we call it? “Hero-ology” (aka: The Study of a Good Hero). (Note – That would be you!)
• As you may know, I’m in a documentary about Joseph Campbell and the modern hero’s journey called Finding Joe. Deepak Chopra is also there with Laird Hayman, Robin Sharma, and other great teachers.
• I HIGHLY recommend it in general and ESPECIALLY if you’re thinking about taking your life to the next level.
• You can join over a million people and watch the entire movie for free on YouTube. Patrick Solomon (heroically!) is the director. It was posted when COVID took place. (You can also check it out at FindingJoetheMovie.com and on Amazon.)
• So…
• Module II on Hero-I basically OPERATIONALIZE the wisdom of that movie in ology.
• Of course, it’s nice to get all inspired by a movie or a weekend workshop or whatever.
• But… ECHO! … (Am I repeating myself? Yes. I’m repeating myself!) …
• It’s an ENTIRELY different thing to ACTUALLY FUNDAMENTALLY AND PERMANENTLY change your life.

Module III: The Big 3 (x2)

• You helped us to cultivate our Antifragile Confidence. Heroic Courage. And Response.-We move forward with our ability Module III Called The Big 3 (x2).
• It’s time to move from the abstract to the concrete.
• Who is your greatest energy + work + love?
• What are your Identities + Virtues & Behaviors?
• That’s our Big 3 (x2). This is our Big 3 (x2). Many of our Masters + Coaches tell us that clarity on this topic can make a huge difference in your life.
• Feeling inspired? Take a moment to imagine your best self. What are you like? What do you think? Do you want to be your best self? Have more purpose and are you more productive? Love wise, how can you feel more purposeful and productive? Are you more present, connected, joyful?
• Helping you connect with and BE Optimus-You are your best self. This is again what the program is about.
• Do you remember the statistics on people feeling more connected to the best versions of themselves?
• Only 29% of participants felt connected to the best version of themselves on Day 1. That connection was made possible by our Big 3 (x2) and all other things we do. On Day 300, the astonishing (!) 93% feel more connected with the best version themselves.

Module IV: Carpe Diem

• We ask these questions: “OK. When should we actually apply all this?”
• It is obvious that the answer is “unambiguously!” TODAY!!! That is why Module IV It is also known as “Carpe Diem.”
• We spend a few months (!!!) Helping you to become a MASTER at creating Masterpiece Days.
• After a Big Picture discussion we start with the PM Bookend. We’ve gotta know that our days ACTUALLY started the night before. This is life-changing information. It is said that good sleep can be like walking across a bridge between despair and hope. Here are the practical tools you need to get up feeling refreshed and ready to rock.
• Then we help you architect your AM Bookends—making your mornings awesome—before walking through how to Optimize Our Energy + Work + Love is about creating truly amazing days.
• Our work together has one powerful theme: helping you to create a “protocol.” Basically, we’ve gotta know what we do when we’re at our best. DO THIS (goosebumps).!
• Note: Life really isn’t THAT complicated. What works? Do more of it. What doesn’t work? Stop doing this! (!!!)
• It is a program that helps you implement this wisdom. When you really get it and practice it, it can change your life in a way that is permanent and FUNDAMENTAL.
• (btw: Here’s a note one of our Coaches sent to his friends about our program telling them how he’d tried all kinds of programs before but it wasn’t until our program that he (and now I’m misty typing this), GOT IT and changed his life.)
• That’s Module IV. You are now well-equipped to play the game well as an Optimizing Hērō TODAY.

Module V: Algorithms

• Now it’s time for us to get REALLY (!) It’s time to master the art of moving from Theory to Practice.
• It’s time for Module V. We call this one “Algorithms” We could have called it! “Self-Mastery 101.”
• This is the theme that we covered in all four sessions.
• You can use your willpower to create habits that are automated via algorithms.
• That is what I will continue to repeat over and over.
• You can use your willpower to create habits that are automated via algorithms.
• You can use your willpower to create habits that are automated via algorithms.
• You can use your willpower to create habits that are automated via algorithms.
• This Module integrates the best of Ancient Wisdom & Modern Science to help master behavior design. Installing THE #1 habit will most (! The #1 kryptonite sin that is most destructive to your life?
• On that note, let’s pause for a moment.
• What would be the most important habit you could instill to change your life?
• Seriously.
• What’s the FIRST thing that just popped in your head?
• Imagine being able to create that habit. What would it do for your life?
• Quick-Forward x years. What would it look like? What would it look like if you were to show up?
• Now…
• Imagine not only installing this habit, but also mastering how to install habits so that you can add all the great habits.
• How?
• Use your willpower to create habits that are automated via algorithms by using your willpower.
• Now…
• What would be the best thing you could do to change your life?
• Seriously.
• What’s the FIRST thing that just popped in your head?
• What’s the kryptonite habit that you KNOW needs to go? (No shame. We ALL have stuff we’re working on. What do you have to work on?
• Imagine having the tools you need to finally (! It’s time to get rid of that habit. How could your life be transformed?
• Quick-Forward x years. What would it look like? What would it look like if you were to show up?
• Now…
• Imagine getting rid of not only that bad habit but ALSO mastering the process of deleting all the other bad habits so you can finally quit giving away your power and give us all you’ve got!
• (btw) This is the fastest way to transform your life. STOP DOING SURPRISING STUFF! (lol) (Seriously!!))
• Our Head CoachMichael wraps this Module in a session. “Power Algorithms”—sharing the Optimize Challenge: Top 10 Power Algorithms-The meaning of life-It is time to change your habits.
• btw. Every one of our 25 sessions within the 7 Modules, over our 300-day program feature an hour-Oder-So “Theory” class from me followed up by set of “Practice“ videos led by Michael in which he walks you through the various Reflection and Action exercises that are part of our 150-page Workbook you’ll get as well.
• So…
• With Modules I through V under our belt, if you’ve done ANY work at all (lol), you’re a different person.
• (Side note – I will always keep an eye on this). Optimize Coach Zoom meetup I joined in which one of the guys at this stage of the program (goosebumps again as I type this) told me that he’d dropped something like 25 pounds and had TRIPLED his sales. Hah. And, he was doing the program with his wife who said he’s also a better husband and father and human. #misty)

Module VI: The Fundies

• Now we’re ready for what might be THE most important part of the program: Module VI: The Fundies.
• In this Module—we spend THREE MONTHS applying ALL the stuff we’ve learned to truly (!) The most important aspects of optimizing.
• We have seven core fundies.
• Eating. Moving. Sleeping. Breathing. Focusing. Celebrating. Prospering.
• They each get their own dedicated session (along with a Fundamental behavior that you’ll need to Practice every day in order to earn an Optimize Coach Certification includes things like following your nutritional philosophy and moving for twenty-Five minutes, 10,000 steps per day, closing down your electronics an hour before bedtime. Creating energized tranquility via the breath, spending 11 minutes training your mind through meditation, appreciating all that you have and completing your Daily Big 3 (x2) Carpe Diem Journal. This is way too much! so let’s skip the details on The Fundies for now.

Module VII: Optimus You

• Then, we wrap it up. Module VII This brings us back to the beginning. It’s called “Optimus You: Practicing Your Philosophy.”
• This one connects all the dots. Then, challenge yourself to create a little Handbook with THE most important things in your life.-changing lessons you’ve learned as we re-commit to giving the world all we’ve got.
• As you can tell, I’m fired up about this stuff.
• I’ve spent (literally) THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS (and THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS!!!) Many hours spent studying, teaching and, most importantly trying to embody! The fundamental principles of Ancient Wisdom and Modern Science.
• This Mastery Series is The distillation of my life’s work.
• * As I typed that, I realized I could share a little behind-the-scenes video I did giving an overview of the program (aka My Life’s Work) in 1 hour 11 minutes and 35 seconds. This is it.
• That’s the Mastery Series.
• Again, it’s the foundation of all of our work together. But, it’s not the only thing…