Many people know Bruce Lee as a martial artist and film star. But he was also a  philosopher, who articulated principles that apply beyond engaging in artful combat, to grappling with life itself.

Shannon Lee, daughter of Bruce Lee, caretaker of his legacy, and author of Be Water, My Friend: The Teachings of Bruce Lee, unpacks those principles on today's show. We begin our conversation with what Shannon remembers of her late father, and how she discovered the power of his philosophy after sinking into a depression following the death of her brother, Brandon Lee. We then dive into some of the sources of Bruce Lee's philosophy, his reading habits, and what books he kept in his extensive library. Shannon shares the story behind how her father first started formulating his ideas around becoming like water, how he engaged in forms of moving meditation, and what you can learn from his journaling practice. We end our conversation with the resilient, proactive way Bruce Lee responded to a potentially crippling back injury. 

Great inspiration in this show on what should be every man's ideal: the combination of contemplation and action.

Get the show notes at aom.is/leephilosophy.

#690: The Life Philosophy of Bruce Lee

Romanticism, not in terms of courtship and bouquets of roses, but as a philosophical approach to life which blossomed in the 19th century, embodies many tenets, including a nostalgia for the past, a heroic view of the world, a firm sense of right and wrong, and the idea that an individual can shape his own destiny, as well as have an outsized impact on the world.

It is through this lens of Romanticism, my guest says, that we can best understand one of the most memorable, influential, and legendary figures in American history: Theodore Roosevelt. His name is H. W. Brands, and he's a professor of history and the author of numerous books and biographies, including T.R.: The Last Romantic. Today on the show, Bill explains how Teddy Roosevelt was one of the last bearers of the Romantic spirit, where his Romanticism came from, how that spirit motivated him to push and challenge himself from boyhood 'til death, led him both to egoistic excesses and worthy, epic deeds, and influenced everything from his familial relationships to his time as president to his second and third acts in life. 

Get the show notes at aom.is/rooseveltromantic.

#696: Theodore Roosevelt, The Last Romantic

Victims make excuses. Leaders deliver results.

Your excuses are liars, your doubts are thieves. The more times in a day that you rationalize why you can’t become all that you wish to be or handcraft the life that your best self wants, the more you’ll hardwire the neural circuit of that belief into your brain.

And that which you keep practicing is that which you’ll become a pro at. We become amazing at the things we repeat.

If you keep excusing away your power to do remarkable things, grow stronger amid adversity, and live the life of your ideals, you won’t do the work required to realize these feats.

So your very mental habit will become a self-fulfilling prophecy. And actually limit the glory of your potentially awesome reality.

The Game-Changer's Protocol

In today's episode, Robin Sharma deconstructs the transformational power of "Hardwired Strengthening Scenarios" into your weekly game plan.

Hardwire Strengthening Scenarios Into Your Weekly Blueprint

Getting good at communicating is like getting good at tennis: the more you practice, the better you’ll get.

There’s zero doubt in my mind that you were made to become a masterful communicator. And by making this trait your default, you’ll get to genius in the way you connect quicker than you might imagine.

1 Potent Tactic to Become a Masterful Communicator

Following the crowd and behaving as the mass of humanity does will not get you into the rare-air that very few know.

Legendary requires one to become a member of the anti-majority. Especially during these deeply uncertain times you and I find ourselves in.

So what I pray you’ll do is to begin to install the beliefs of genuine greatness via daily practice and then, when those who misunderstand and deflate and resist your enthusiastic ambitions come out to play, you keep going.

The Future vs. Past Mentality

Total Relax Music - Slow and Soft Relaxation Meditation Music Chillout for Deep Relaxation, Anxiety Relief & Mindfulness Meditation

Lullabies

This week, Tom and Laugh-A-Minute Bill Barnaby pay tribute to Steve Jobs and celebrate his legacy. Also covered: KB Toys vs. Toys R Us, racist Commodore 64 games, prank calling the Home Shopping Network instead of going on spiritual journeys to India, using a computer with a weird cassette tape drive, doctors chopping their own salads, Tom's ill-fated trip to the doctor's office and seeing your pediatrician when you're 20 years old.

Steve Jobs

Duey Saxton - I Plan To Live FOREVER

When you think of areas of life that speak to the soul, and elicit poetry, you likely think of things like romantic relationships and natural landscapes. You probably don't think of office work and cubicles.

But my guest today says that the soul is involved in every kind of work, and poetry is an essential vehicle for examining what your work is doing to your soul, and for learning to bring more soul into what you do. His name is David Whyte and he's a poet, a philosopher, and the author of multiple books of both poetry and prose, as well as a corporate consultant who uses poetry to help companies with their organizational leadership. We begin our conversation with David's background in marine zoology and how his experience being a naturalist guide in the Galapagos Islands influenced his ideas on the conversational nature of reality. We discuss how the amount of time you spend at your job is greatly shaping who you are, the way we lose youthful idealism for our work, and the importance of inviting the right kind of danger into your life. David then unpacks what the ancient tale of Beowulf can teach men about having hard conversations both personally and professionally, and bridging one's outer and inner lives. We talk as well about the importance of men having good friendships outside the office. Along the way, David reads a few short, stirring poems that speak to these themes.

Get the show notes at aom.is/whyte.

#667: Bringing More Soul (and Poetry) Into Your Work

Groundbreaking research on elite performance and ultra-achievement has confirmed that keeping a journal on a regular basis boosts mental focus, increases self-confidence, elevates your mental attitude and increases the levels of happiness that you feel.

It’s a fine place to record your gratitude, process through pain, note your victories and reclaim your most luminous self in hard times.

Keep a Lockdown Journal to Magnify Your Positivity

Bestselling author of 15 books (including The 5AM Club), globally celebrated leadership expert and philanthropist; Robin Sharma is considered to be one of the top 5 leadership experts in the world. His work is embraced by rock stars, royalty, billionaires and many celebrity CEOs. 

Deeply passionate about helping children in need live happier, healthier lives, Robin founded The Robin Sharma Foundation for Children (RSFC) as a registered charitable foundation. 

Visit www.robinsharma.com to learn more.