At 30, I had already experienced the highs and lows of life. I’d made—and lost—$6 million, burned myself out chasing success, and was left wondering what I was doing wrong. Fast forward 20 years, and my journey has taken me through reversing aging, building multi-million-dollar companies, and unlocking what truly matters. Along the way, I’ve learned invaluable lessons that I wish my younger self had known. Here’s what I’ve discovered —insights that might just change the trajectory of your own life. 

1. Say No More Often

Time is your most valuable asset. Focus on what matters—your health, family, and personal growth. Say no to distractions and unnecessary obligations.

2. You Don’t Find Yourself—You Create Yourself

Stop looking for yourself. Instead, make conscious choices about who you want to be.

3. Stop Saying “Try”

Language shapes reality. Saying “I’ll try” programs your subconscious for failure. Either do it or don’t.

4. Your Beliefs Shape Your Reality

Question your beliefs regularly. If they’re holding you back, change them.

5. IQ Alone Doesn’t Make You Smart

Learning fast and applying knowledge beats having a high IQ. Learn how to learn.

6. Smart Drugs Are a Cheat Code

Nootropics and cognitive enhancers help optimize your brain. If you’re not using them, you’re leaving potential on the table.

7. Face Your Inner Demons

Whether it’s neurofeedback, breathwork, or meditation, deep self-exploration is key to growth.

8. Breath is the Most Powerful Drug

Proper breathing changes brain chemistry and enhances performance.

9. Fear of Failure Creates Failure

Failure doesn’t kill you. Fear does. Learn to control your fear and take action.

10. Average is the Enemy

Innovators are always hated at first. If you’re not pissing someone off, you’re not doing anything meaningful.

11. Push Hard, But Rest Hard Too

Burnout happens when you never rest. Balance intense effort with intentional recovery.

12. Mornings Set the Tone for Miracles

If you start your day reacting to the world, you’ve already lost. Start by focusing on yourself.

13. Master Your Sexual Energy

Redirect sexual energy into creation and mastery. Avoid porn; it rewires your brain in damaging ways.

14. Waking Up Early Doesn’t Make You a Better Person

What matters is getting high-quality sleep when your body needs it, not forcing yourself to wake up at 5 AM.

15. Sleep Quality Beats Sleep Quantity

Six hours of great sleep trumps eight hours of bad sleep. Track and optimize your rest.

16. Running a Marathon Won’t Make You Healthier

Too much cardio can be harmful. Train smarter, not harder.

17. Hunger Isn’t Always About Food

Often, hunger signals a need for love, connection, or rest—not calories.

18. Your Gut Microbiome Controls More Than You Think

Healthy gut bacteria improve mood, energy, and overall well-being. Feed them well.

19. Track What Matters

You can only improve what you measure. Whether it’s sleep, diet, or performance—track it.

20. Chronic Stress Will Kill You

Short bursts of stress make you stronger. Constant stress destroys you. Remove unnecessary stressors.

21. Money Buys Happiness—Up to a Point

After covering basic needs (around $100K annually), more money won’t increase happiness. Focus on what truly matters.

22. Happiness Creates Wealth

Happy people perform better, make better decisions, and attract more opportunities.

23. Less Stuff, More Freedom

Owning too much weighs you down. Clear space in your life for things that truly matter.

24. Your Social Circle is a Drug

Surround yourself with inspiring, growth-oriented people. Avoid toxic, negative influences.

25. Relationships Make or Break You

Love alone isn’t enough. Choose a compatible partner who supports your growth.

26. Learn the Box Breath

Navy SEALs use it to instantly reduce stress. Inhale, hold, exhale, and hold again—all for equal counts.

27. Meditate Smarter, Not Longer

You don’t need hours of meditation. Use technology and techniques that maximize efficiency.

28. Nature Unlocks Higher Performance

Urban life drains energy. Get outside, breathe fresh air, and expose yourself to natural light.

29. Gratitude is Stronger Than Fear

Gratitude shifts your nervous system away from stress. Make it a habit.

30. Forgiveness Frees Your Energy

You don’t have to tell someone what they did was okay, but letting go of resentment frees up mental and emotional bandwidth.

31. Start With Three

If this list feels overwhelming, just pick three lessons to implement today. Small changes compound into massive transformation.

Implement these lessons and see how they change your life. Who knows what you might do?