Episode 497: Nick Thompson: How Running 100 Miles Taught Him to Run a $13 Billion Media Empire

How does a CEO who runs 100-mile races turn around a struggling media company? In this episode on the Habits and Hustle podcast, Nick Thompson, CEO of the Atlantic, joins me to share how the mental strategies that get you through mile 40 of a mountain race are the same ones that grow a publication from 800,000 to 1.35 million subscribers. We dive into why daily practice beats talent in both running and business, and the dark side of elite running culture that creates eating disorders. We also discuss the Signal chat scandal that drove tens of thousands of new subscriptions. Nick Thompson is the CEO of the Atlantic, which has grown profitable under his leadership after years of losses. He's also the American record holder in the 50K for runners 45+ and author of The Running Ground, a memoir exploring how running shapes life, business, and relationships. What We Discuss:  03:14 - Why Nick started running at age 5 with his father during a family crisis 08:46 - How running is a microcosm for life and teaches grit through hard things 14:24 - The Alexander Technique: How a guitar wrist injury prevented 25 years of running injuries 28:16 - Why consistent daily practice is the most important lesson from running 50:04 - How Nick got faster in his 40s by training smarter with specific workouts 55:40 - How the Atlantic grew from 800K to 1.35M subscribers through paywall optimization 1:01:10 - The Signal chat scandal: How Jeff Goldberg was accidentally added to the White House group chat 1:12:10 - Trump's "fixed heartbeats" theory and whether ultra running shortens your lifespan 1:17:25 - The dark side of running: Why elite coaches tell athletes to look like "a skeleton with a condom on" 1:19:19 - How running culture creates eating disorders and destroys young athletes' bodies …and more! Thank you to our sponsors: Therasage: Head over to therasage.com and use code Be Bold for 15% off  Air Doctor: Go to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code HUSTLE for up to $300 off and a 3-year warranty on air purifiers. Magic Mind: Head over to www.magicmind.com/jen and use code Jen at checkout. Momentous: Shop this link and use code Jen for 20% off  Manna Vitality: Visit mannavitality.com and use code JENNIFER20 for 20% off your order  Prolon: Get 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit https://prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift.   Find more from Jen:  Website: https://www.jennifercohen.com/ Instagram: @therealjencohen   Books: https://www.jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: https://www.jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagement Find more from Nick Thompson:  Instagram:@nxthompson Website: https://www.nickthompson.com/

Listen to the full episode: https://youtu.be/trGbcAqF2dA?si=qG5E_F-gP4x8qQhp  Why do you wake up at 3:30 AM and can't fall back asleep? In this Fitness Friday episode on the Habits and Hustle podcast, Michael Breus, the Sleep Doctor, says it’s not your fault.  We unpack the science of why everyone wakes up between 1-3 AM, the shocking Alzheimer's connection to Benadryl, and why CBN (not CBD) is the cannabis compound that actually helps sleep. Plus: the truth about melatonin, why magnesium beats most sleep aids, and the supplement deficiencies sabotaging your rest. Dr. Michael Breus is a clinical psychologist and one of only 168 psychologists in the world board-certified in sleep medicine. Known as "The Sleep Doctor," he's the author of five books including Sleep, Drink, Breathe and has treated celebrities from Carson Daly to Paris Hilton to DJ Steve Aoki. What we discuss: Why every human wakes up between 1-3 AM The 4-7-8 breathing technique Navy SEALs use to lower heart rate below 60 Yoga nidra gives you 20 minutes of sleep benefit for every hour of rest Regular Benadryl/ZzzQuil use directly linked to Alzheimer's disease CBD does nothing for sleep. What actually reduces nighttime awakenings The three deficiencies destroying your sleep Why melatonin affects birth control, SSRIs, and is NOT for children Natural alternatives to melatonin Thank you to our sponsor: Therasage: Head over to therasage.com and use code Be Bold for 15% off  Air Doctor: Go to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code HUSTLE for up to $300 off and a 3-year warranty on air purifiers. Magic Mind: Head over to www.magicmind.com/jen and use code Jen at checkout. Momentous: Shop this link and use code Jen for 20% off  Manna Vitality: Visit mannavitality.com and use code JENNIFER20 for 20% off your order  Prolon: Get 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit https://prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift. Find more from Dr. Michael Breus: Website:https://sleepdoctor.com/  Books: https://sleepdoctor.com/books  Find more from Jen: Website: https://www.jennifercohen.com/ Instagram: @therealjencohen   Books: https://www.jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: https://www.jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagements

What really happened behind Amazon's $13.7 billion acquisition of Whole Foods? In this episode on the Habits and Hustle podcast, John Mackey, founder and former CEO of Whole Foods, reveals why he walked away from the company he built over 44 years. We dive into how Whole Foods went from a single vegetarian store to a 540-store empire that revolutionized American eating habits. We also discuss why only 0.5% of Americans are vegan despite the plant-based movement, why protein obsession is misguided, and how Erewhon is disrupting the company he created. John Mackey founded Whole Foods Market in 1980 and served as CEO until 2022, growing it from a single store in Austin to a Fortune 250 company. He's the author of "Conscious Capitalism" and "The Whole Story," and now leads Love.Life, a revolutionary wellness center combining health, fitness, and medical care under one roof. What We Discuss:  03:27 - Why Erewhon has become "the new Whole Foods" and John's strategy to compete 07:46 - How John built Whole Foods with zero business education 14:50 - From pickles on hamburgers to vegetarian: John's food awakening at age 22 21:21 - The 100-year flood that almost destroyed Whole Foods after 9 months 26:50 - The hostile takeover attempt 29:17 - Meeting Jeff Bezos: The six-week whirlwind romance with Amazon 51:56 - Why John only took $1 salary for his last 16 years (and never got paid) 59:26 - Conscious Capitalism: The four pillars of building a purpose-driven business 01:09:00 - Love.Life: The one-stop wellness center that's "Whole Foods for health" 01:21:14 - Why only 0.5% of Americans are vegan and vegan restaurants are failing 01:24:42 - The protein myth: Why Americans eat too much protein and not enough fiber …and more! Thank you to our sponsors: Therasage: Head over to therasage.com and use code Be Bold for 15% off  Air Doctor: Go to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code HUSTLE for up to $300 off and a 3-year warranty on air purifiers. Magic Mind: Head over to www.magicmind.com/jen and use code Jen at checkout. Momentous: Shop this link and use code Jen for 20% off  Manna Vitality: Visit mannavitality.com and use code JENNIFER20 for 20% off your order  Prolon: Get 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit https://prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift.   Find more from Jen:  Website: https://www.jennifercohen.com/ Instagram: @therealjencohen   Books: https://www.jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: https://www.jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagement Find more from John Mackey:  Instagram:@iamjohnmackey Website:  https://johnpmackey.com/

Listen to the full episode:  https://youtu.be/NrHBimydPBU?si=mI2cLamva379hWMy  Why do 70% of personal trainers sleep with their clients, and how does this statistic explain why most fitness professionals never build real wealth? In this Fitness Friday episode on the Habits and Hustle podcast, Adam Schafer from Mind Pump drops truth bombs about what separates successful trainers from those who plateau at $40K a year. We unpack the psychology of professional boundaries, why "motivation is bullshit but self-belief is everything," and how the same insecurities that lead to sleeping with clients also trap people in toxic relationship patterns.  Adam Schafer is the business strategist behind Mind Pump Media, a fitness podcast generating over $10 million annually. With eight national certifications, a pro-card in bodybuilding, and experience managing some of the largest fitness clubs in the Bay Area, his greatest achievement remains creating a media empire that disrupted the entire fitness industry. What we discuss: Why trainers sleeping with clients is second only to hospitals for workplace affairs How breaking professional boundaries costs you the highest-paying, long-term clients Why your peers lose respect and won't work for someone who crosses these lines "Motivation is bullshit, self-belief is everything" - the mindset shift that creates success Breaking addiction to "broken people" - how ego-feeding relationships mirror bad business choices The confidence factor: Why self-belief matters more than looks, talent, or connections Why successful people keep dating the wrong people despite self-awareness Thank you to our sponsor: Therasage: Head over to therasage.com and use code Be Bold for 15% off  Air Doctor: Go to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code HUSTLE for up to $300 off and a 3-year warranty on air purifiers. Magic Mind: Head over to www.magicmind.com/jen and use code Jen at checkout. Momentous: Shop this link and use code Jen for 20% off  Manna Vitality: Visit mannavitality.com and use code JENNIFER20 for 20% off your order  Prolon: Get 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit https://prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift. Find more from Adam:  Instagram: @mindpumpadam  Podcast: https://mindpumppodcast.com/ Find more from Jen: Website: https://www.jennifercohen.com/ Instagram: @therealjencohen   Books: https://www.jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: https://www.jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagements

What happens when biohacking's biggest evangelist spends $40,000 replacing his blood with young plasma? In this episode of Habits and Hustle, I sit down with Ben Greenfield, the ultimate biohacker and author of "Boundless," for a deep dive into the science of optimization.  We discuss the real science behind fat loss, his daily skincare routine that keeps him looking decades younger, and why he believes faith is just as important as physical optimization. We also dive into his controversial take on GLP-1 microdosing, why the 12-3-30 treadmill trend is overrated, and how he went from extreme experimenter to finding balance between optimization and spirituality. Ben Greenfield is a biohacker, human performance consultant, and New York Times bestselling author. He's one of the world's leading experts on performance, recovery, sleep, digestion, brain optimization, and anti-aging. His revised book "Boundless" is considered the encyclopedia of health optimization. What We Discuss:  (04:00) Why most people need digestive enzymes after 40 and how they unlock nutrients (18:00) Cold plunging for women: What the research actually shows  (36:00) The 12-3-30 treadmill trend: Why it's overrated for body composition  (51:00) GLP-1 agonists: Why microdosing might be the future of appetite control  (1:05:00) The plasma replacement therapy that cost $40K but made him feel "unstoppable" (1:27:00) Faith, forgiveness, and finding purpose beyond biohacking  (1:37:00) His anti-aging skincare routine that keeps him looking decades younger  …and more! Thank you to our sponsors: Therasage: Head over to therasage.com and use code Be Bold for 15% off  Air Doctor: Go to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code HUSTLE for up to $300 off and a 3-year warranty on air purifiers. Magic Mind: Head over to www.magicmind.com/jen and use code Jen at checkout. Momentous: Shop this link and use code Jen for 20% off  Manna Vitality: Visit mannavitality.com and use code JENNIFER20 for 20% off your order  Prolon: Get 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit https://prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift. Find more from Jen:  Website: https://www.jennifercohen.com/ Instagram: @therealjencohen   Books: https://www.jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: https://www.jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagement Find more from Ben Greenfield:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bengreenfieldfitness/  Website:  https://boundlessbook.com/

Listen to the full episode: https://youtu.be/6jLhl8Zaznw?si=jaBuMbIWQApYpeEv  Why does starting your day with protein reduce anxiety for the rest of the day? In this Fitness Friday episode on the Habits and Hustle podcast, Sal Di Stefano joins me to break down the science of blood sugar control, why intermittent fasting is "a terrible way to lose weight," and the shocking truth about cardio versus strength training for fat loss. We also unpack the biggest mistake women make when tracking progress: obsessing over the scale instead of body composition. Sal explains why 40% of weight lost through cardio comes from muscle, shares a study where strength training alone beat cardio AND strength training combined for fat loss, and reveals why psychologists now prescribe high-protein breakfasts to anxious patients. Sal Di Stefano is a fitness expert with over 20 years of personal training experience and co-host of the Mind Pump podcast, one of the top-rated fitness shows in the world. What we discuss: How protein at breakfast controls blood sugar and reduces anxiety throughout the day The two-question filter for any fitness advice: "Will I do it?" and "Is it realistic?" Intermittent fasting's original purpose and why it fails for weight loss Cortisol addiction and the binge-restrict cycle fasting creates When cold plunges hurt more than help for overstressed people Cardio vs strength training: why 40% of cardio weight loss comes from muscle The study where strength training alone beat cardio for fat loss Ditching the scale: better metrics for tracking body transformation Thank you to our sponsor: Therasage: Head over to therasage.com and use code Be Bold for 15% off  Air Doctor: Go to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code HUSTLE for up to $300 off and a 3-year warranty on air purifiers. Magic Mind: Head over to www.magicmind.com/jen and use code Jen at checkout. Momentous: Shop this link and use code Jen for 20% off  Manna Vitality: Visit mannavitality.com and use code JENNIFER20 for 20% off your order  Prolon: Get 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit https://prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift. Find more from Sal:  Instagram: @mindpumpdistefano   Podcast: https://mindpumppodcast.com/ X: https://x.com/mindpumpsal  Find more from Jen: Website: https://www.jennifercohen.com/ Instagram: @therealjencohen   Books: https://www.jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: https://www.jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagements

From cutting lawns for $5-$10 each to building a business empire worth millions, Jay Jenkins has never played it safe. In this episode of Habits and Hustle, I sit down with the artist better known as Jeezy for a raw conversation about betting everything on yourself.  We discuss why he spent $4 million of his own money before getting signed, and the unconventional way he built relationships with mentors like Tony Robbins and Robert Greene. We also dive into his transition from music mogul to business empire builder, his upcoming Vegas residency with a 101-piece orchestra, and why he believes pain is a prerequisite for leadership. Jeezy is a Grammy-nominated rapper, entrepreneur, and New York Times bestselling author. He's built million-dollar businesses including Avion Tequila, launched his own energy drink Edge, and is known for his mentorship programs and philanthropic work through his Street Dreams Foundation. What We Discuss:  (03:00) From lawn mowing to watermelon entrepreneur: His first business ventures  (07:00) Why he spent $4 million of his own money before getting a record deal  (14:00) His secret "board of directors" including Tony Robbins, Robert Greene, and TD Jakes (20:00) The seven-question strategy that gets him face time with billionaires  (27:00) Building and selling Avion Tequila: The $100M+ exit strategy  (35:00) Why he gave away half a million mixtapes for free  (46:00) Mental health, self-development, and finding peace after chaos (51:00) The Vegas residency with 101-piece orchestra that's making history  (54:00) Why Tony Robbins doubles his charity donations every year ...and more!  Thank you to our sponsors: Therasage: Head over to therasage.com and use code Be Bold for 15% off  Air Doctor: Go to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code HUSTLE for up to $300 off and a 3-year warranty on air purifiers. Magic Mind: Head over to www.magicmind.com/jen and use code Jen at checkout. Momentous: Shop this link and use code Jen for 20% off  Manna Vitality: Visit mannavitality.com and use code JENNIFER20 for 20% off your order  Prolon: Get 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit https://prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift. Find more from Jen:  Website: https://www.jennifercohen.com/ Instagram: @therealjencohen   Books: https://www.jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: https://www.jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagement Find more from Jay “Jeezy” Jenkins:  Instagram: @jeezy

Listen to the full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThY-UBFtGK8  What does a billionaire's morning routine actually look like? In this Fitness Friday episode, I'm sharing an expert from my conversation with Mark Cuban about the daily habits and routines that fuel his billion-dollar empire.  Tune in to discover why Mark sleeps only 5-6 hours but takes strategic naps, how he processes hundreds of emails daily while still prioritizing family time, and the surprising workout that helped him meet his wife. This isn't your typical morning routine - it's intentional living from someone who's built multiple billion-dollar companies. Mark Cuban is a billionaire entrepreneur, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, and star investor on Shark Tank. At 64, he maintains his competitive edge through basketball, Zumba classes, and a vegetarian diet while building companies that disrupt entire industries. What we discuss: Why Mark Cuban Wakes Up at Exactly 5:30 AM Every Day The Email Management System That Keeps Him Accessible to Anyone How He Balances Billion-Dollar Businesses with Being Present for His Kids Why He Refuses to Take Meetings or Phone Calls (and What He Does Instead) The Sleep Tracking Strategy That Maximizes His 5-6 Hour Nights The "Sales Cures All" Philosophy That Built His Empire How Strategic Napping Became Part of His Success Formula Thank you to our sponsor: Therasage: Head over to therasage.com and use code Be Bold for 15% off  Air Doctor: Go to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code HUSTLE for up to $300 off and a 3-year warranty on air purifiers. Magic Mind: Head over to www.magicmind.com/jen and use code Jen at checkout. 99designs by Vista: 99designs.com/jen20  – click "Claim my discount" to get $20 off your first design contest.  Momentous: Shop this link and use code Jen for 20% off  Manna Vitality: Visit mannavitality.com and use code JENNIFER20 for 20% off your order Find more from Mark Cuban: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcuban/  Find more from Jen: Website: https://www.jennifercohen.com/ Instagram: @therealjencohen Books: https://www.jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: https://www.jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagements

Listen to the full episode: https://youtu.be/fWvBYBO3ssE?si=M7K4oJWnVAOWKWnz  At 60, JJ Virgin looks better than most people half her age, but her approach to hormones and supplements might surprise you. In this Fitness Friday episode, we dive into her specific protocols and why the "most studied" supplement isn't always the best choice. We also discuss a shocking body composition case study: how someone went from 25% to 10% body fat with only a 3-pound scale change, proving why tracking the right metrics matters more than the number on your bathroom scale. JJ Virgin is a 4-time New York Times bestselling author and celebrity nutrition expert who's been in the health and wellness space for over 30 years. She's the creator of the Virgin Diet and founder of the Well Beyond 40 podcast. What we discuss: Why Starting HRT at the First Signs of Hormone Shifts Changes Everything The Specific Symptoms That Signal It's Time to Consider Hormone Therapy How to Navigate HRT When Doctors Aren't Trained in Menopause Why 85% of Regular Creatine Never Enters Your Bloodstream The Real Science Behind Creatine HCL vs Monohydrate for Women Using Creatine for Jet Lag, Mental Performance, and Brain Health Why Women Over 40 Should Prioritize Creatine Above Most Other Supplements Thank you to our sponsor: Therasage: Head over to therasage.com and use code Be Bold for 15% off  Air Doctor: Go to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code HUSTLE for up to $300 off and a 3-year warranty on air purifiers. Magic Mind: Head over to www.magicmind.com/jen and use code Jen at checkout. 99designs by Vista: 99designs.com/jen20  – click "Claim my discount" to get $20 off your first design contest.  Momentous: Shop this link and use code Jen for 20% off  Manna Vitality: Visit mannavitality.com and use code JENNIFER20 for 20% off your order  Prolon: Get 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit https://prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift. Find more from JJ Virgin: Website: https://jjvirgin.com/  Podcast: https://jjvirgin.com/main-podcasts/  Instagram: @jj.virgin Find more from Jen: Website: https://www.jennifercohen.com/ Instagram: @therealjencohen Books: https://www.jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: https://www.jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagements

What happens when you take quitting completely off the table? In this episode of Habits and Hustle, I’m joined by Alvaro Nunez as he shares how his father's cancer diagnosis turned a seemingly impossible cycling race into an unbreakable commitment. We dive into his journey from tennis courts to Miami real estate deals, and why he voluntarily puts himself through extreme physical and mental challenges. We also discuss his unconventional networking strategies, why he runs a marathon every Monday, and how he combines helicopter flying, skydiving, and real estate into one cohesive business model.  Alvaro Nuñez is a 31-year-old entrepreneur, ultra-endurance athlete, helicopter pilot, and author of "Level Up." He owns a real estate brokerage and marketing agency in Miami, has completed extreme races like Race Across America and Marathon des Sables, and uses physical challenges as platforms for mental health awareness and personal development. What We Discuss:  (07:50) Race Across America: 3,000 miles in 12 days on 1 hour of sleep per night  (15:12) The phone call that changed everything: his father's cancer diagnosis (22:27) Why eliminating the option to quit creates only one possible outcome  (34:22) Sneaking into Miami buildings to teach tennis and build a client base  (45:01) Marathon Monday: why he runs 26.2 miles every single Monday  (50:30) Seven days in complete darkness and what he discovered about himself  (57:56) Carrying "the weight of depression" across the Sahara Desert  (01:04:15) His non-negotiable daily habits and why he quit alcohol completely  (01:18:05) Flying helicopters into real estate events and skydiving out of them  …and more! Thank you to our sponsors: Therasage: Head over to therasage.com and use code Be Bold for 15% off  Air Doctor: Go to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code HUSTLE for up to $300 off and a 3-year warranty on air purifiers. Magic Mind: Head over to www.magicmind.com/jen and use code Jen at checkout. 99designs by Vista: 99designs.com/jen20  – click "Claim my discount" to get $20 off your first design contest.  Momentous: Shop this link and use code Jen for 20% off  Manna Vitality: Visit mannavitality.com and use code JENNIFER20 for 20% off your order  Prolon: Get 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit https://prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift.   Find more from Jen:  Website: https://www.jennifercohen.com/ Instagram: @therealjencohen   Books: https://www.jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: https://www.jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagement Find more from Alvaro Nuñez: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alvaronunez/    Website: https://alvaronunez.com/