From $100M Exit to Breathwork Breakthrough (Ft Adam Ludwin)

What if your biggest breakthrough came from something you’ve been doing your whole life—breathing? I sit down with Adam Ludwin, founder of FivePointFive, a cutting-edge breathwork app that uses real-time biometrics and music to transform your mental, emotional, and physical state—anytime, anywhere. But Adam didn’t start here. We unpack his journey from building and exiting a $100M+ marketing tech company, to nearly burning out, to rediscovering meaning through breathwork. He shares how fatherhood shaped his views on education and well-being, how functional breathwork saved his health, and why he believes personalized, science-backed breathwork is the future of performance and longevity. Show Notes [00:03:00] Adam’s early entrepreneurial drive and family influence [00:07:00] Why he dropped out of university and what he did instead [00:12:00] Teaching mental fitness to his kids: gratitude, journaling, nasal breathing [00:17:00] Burnout, tight chest, and discovering functional breathwork [00:19:00] Selling his company and taking a year to reset with purpose [00:23:00] The emotional side of exits: friendship shifts and family grounding [00:28:00] Founding FivePointFive and the breathwork tool he wished he had years ago [00:34:00] Why FivePointFive is unlike any wellness app you’ve seen before [00:40:00] Habit stacking, wearables, and functional breathing in real life [00:44:00] The future of health isn’t more tech—it’s better use of what we already have   **** Release details for the NEW BOOK.   Get your copy of Personal Socrates: Better Questions, Better Life   Connect with Marc >>>  Website | LinkedIn | Instagram |   Drop a review and let me know what resonates with you about the show! Thanks as always for listening and have the best day yet! * A special thanks to MONOS, our official travel partner for Behind the Human! Use MONOSBTH10 at check-out for savings on your next purchase. ✈️ * Special props 👇 Music: Clouds - Joakim Karud

What if the friction you feel isn’t a flaw—but a misalignment with how you’re designed to operate? Meet Erin Claire Jones—author, teacher, and one of the world’s top voices in human design—to explore how this mystical-yet-practical framework can unlock more flow, purpose, and clarity in every part of life. From business to parenting to personal growth, this conversation blends wisdom and real-world tools to help you stop forcing what’s not working and start aligning with your true energetic blueprint.   Show Notes 00:02 – Erin introduces herself and shares how motherhood has shifted her sense of identity 00:04 – Why human design feels like “permission to be yourself” 00:08 – The mystical origin story of human design (and why usefulness matters more than belief) 00:14 – Erin’s personal story of discovering her design at a dinner party in NYC 00:21 – How she navigated early failures trying to bring human design to business 00:24 – The role of invitation and visibility for Projectors like Marc & Erin 00:25 – Breakdown of all five human design types 00:33 – Real-world examples from Erin’s family and client sessions 00:41 – Human Design vs. AI: what can’t be automated 00:47 – Erin’s personal mental fitness rituals and boundaries with technology   🔗 Get your chart & Erin’s book: humandesignblueprint.com Join Erin for a live 12-week course all about how to use Human Design as a tool to transform lives, starting with your own: https://erinclairejones.com/hdcc-level-1   **** ✨ Personal Socrates is on SALE! >>> Use UPGRADE20 at baronfig.com for 20% off through May and June.    Release details for the NEW BOOK.   Connect with Marc >>>  Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Drop a review and let me know what resonates with you about the show! Thanks as always for listening and have the best day yet! * A special thanks to MONOS, our official travel partner for Behind the Human! Use MONOSBTH10 at check-out for savings on your next purchase. ✈️ * Special props 👇 Music: Clouds - Joakim Karud

Meet Anthony McLean—keynote speaker, screenwriter, and long-time youth advocate. We unpack why mental fitness is “everything you do so you can be at your best for the longest, with the least wear and tear.”  Show Notes Why “your authentic self is your superpower” and how to use it at work Mental fitness vs. hustle culture—Mr Beast as cautionary tale The “big-rocks” calendar hack for protecting creative time Fun as a non-negotiable productivity tool Parenting teens & first-year university students without losing influence Using AI as a creative co-pilot (and where the human stays irreplaceable) Rapid-fire takeaways: breathwork, journaling, therapy, and micro-recovery   **** ✨ Personal Socrates is on SALE! >>> Use UPGRADE20 at baronfig.com for 20% off through May and June.    Release details for the NEW BOOK.   Connect with Marc >>>  Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Drop a review and let me know what resonates with you about the show! Thanks as always for listening and have the best day yet! * A special thanks to MONOS, our official travel partner for Behind the Human! Use MONOSBTH10 at check-out for savings on your next purchase. ✈️ * Special props 👇 Music: Clouds - Joakim Karud

What if you could stop achieving your way into feeling worthy—and simply be enough as you are? Meet Melissa Arnot Reid / @melissaarnot — the first American woman to summit and descend Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen. But this conversation isn’t about records. It’s about the inner Everest we all face. Melissa reveals how a life of achievement masked wounds of not-enoughness, and how the journey of healing—not summiting—became her most important climb. We discuss shame, self-forgiveness, parenting, and the quiet power of curiosity. This is a raw and rare look at what it means to shift from proving your worth to simply knowing it.   **** ✨ Personal Socrates is on SALE! >>> Use UPGRADE20 at baronfig.com for 20% off through May and June.    Release details for the NEW BOOK.   Connect with Marc >>>  Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Drop a review and let me know what resonates with you about the show! Thanks as always for listening and have the best day yet! * A special thanks to MONOS, our official travel partner for Behind the Human! Use MONOSBTH10 at check-out for savings on your next purchase. ✈️ * Special props 👇 Music: Clouds - Joakim Karud

What if every screen you looked at had the power to improve your mental health—would you change what you watch? Meet Muhammad Lila, former CNN war correspondent and founder of Goodable—a platform that delivers clinically backed positive news to nourish your mind. We unpack the invisible cost of constant negativity in media, the neuroscience behind uplifting storytelling, and why the future of journalism could be the very antidote to our global mental health crisis. Muhammad shares his journey from reporting in war zones to launching one of the most impactful positive media platforms in the world. We discuss what happens when people finally feel seen, supported, and hopeful—and why this shift isn’t just good for our minds, but for business, society, and leadership.   **** ✨ Personal Socrates is on SALE! >>> Use UPGRADE20 at baronfig.com for 20% off through May and June.    Release details for the NEW BOOK.   Connect with Marc >>>  Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Drop a review and let me know what resonates with you about the show! Thanks as always for listening and have the best day yet! * A special thanks to MONOS, our official travel partner for Behind the Human! Use MONOSBTH10 at check-out for savings on your next purchase. ✈️ * Special props 👇 Music: Clouds - Joakim Karud

Are you building a business—or burning out trying? In this conversation, Marc sits down with Michael Spivak, the 25-year-old co-founder of Canada’s #1 cold plunge company, Coldture. Together, they explore what it really takes to thrive as a young founder in the wellness space, how Michael integrates breathwork and contrast therapy to maintain mental clarity, and why his family's journey through failure and resilience shaped how he leads today. From Dragons’ Den (Canada’s Shark Tank) deals to deep inner work, this episode is a powerful guide for anyone navigating the highs and lows of building something meaningful—without losing yourself in the process.   **** ✨ Personal Socrates is on SALE! >>> Use UPGRADE20 at baronfig.com for 20% off through May and June.    Release details for the NEW BOOK.   Connect with Marc >>>  Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Drop a review and let me know what resonates with you about the show! Thanks as always for listening and have the best day yet! * A special thanks to MONOS, our official travel partner for Behind the Human! Use MONOSBTH10 at check-out for savings on your next purchase. ✈️ * Special props 👇

“Who are you?” What if the real question is: What are you? Paul M Vincent—human performance expert, psychedelic researcher, and co-host of the Demystifying Psychedelics series—sits on the other side of the mic to explore the layered evolution of identity. From training elite performers to studying with indigenous shamans, Paul opens up about mental health battles, inexplicable mystical experiences, and the profound impact of ceremony, flow, and community on human healing. This is a masterclass in surrender, wisdom, and the art of being.   **** ✨ Personal Socrates is on SALE! >>> Use UPGRADE20 at baronfig.com for 20% off through May and June.    Release details for the NEW BOOK.   Connect with Marc >>>  Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Drop a review and let me know what resonates with you about the show! Thanks as always for listening and have the best day yet! * A special thanks to MONOS, our official travel partner for Behind the Human! Use MONOSBTH10 at check-out for savings on your next purchase. ✈️ * Special props 👇 Music: Clouds - Joakim Karud

What if everything you’ve built was just the beginning? In this episode, I sit down with Anne Mahlum – serial entrepreneur, founder of Solidcore and Back on My Feet, and a powerhouse of personal transformation. Anne shares her journey from a $100 million exit to a life of deep contentment and empowerment, emphasizing the power of simplicity, self-trust, and deliberate life design. We talk about the art of letting go, the strength found in creating boundaries, and the often-overlooked importance of defining your own metrics for success. If you’ve ever wondered how to keep moving forward without losing yourself in the process, this episode is for you. Opening Reflection: What would your life look like if you truly lived by your values, not just your goals? Anne’s Journey: From negative net worth to a $100 million exit – the power of purpose-driven work Letting Go for Growth: Why your identity should never be tied to just one role or outcome Building a Game You Can Win: The importance of setting clear, simple goals in business Lessons in Risk and Reward: How Anne navigated her exits and built companies that outlast her Non-Negotiables for High Performance: The simple daily habits that fuel Anne’s energy and clarity Empowering Others: Anne’s current chapter of impact through public speaking and mentorship Closing Takeaway: Why simplicity is the ultimate sophistication in business and life   **** ✨ Personal Socrates is on SALE! >>> Use UPGRADE20 at baronfig.com for 20% off through May and June.    Release details for the NEW BOOK.   Connect with Marc >>>  Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Drop a review and let me know what resonates with you about the show! Thanks as always for listening and have the best day yet! * A special thanks to MONOS, our official travel partner for Behind the Human! Use MONOSBTH10 at check-out for savings on your next purchase. ✈️ * Special props 👇 Music: Clouds - Joakim Karud

What if the life you’re meant to live is just one courageous choice away? In this episode, we dive deep into the journey of alignment and self-discovery with Tonya Papanikolov, founder of Rainbow, a medicinal mushroom company transforming lives. Tonya shares her personal evolution, from navigating crippling anxiety to building a business centered on intention, sustainability, and healing. We explore the moments that tested her resolve, the courage it took to step away from societal norms, and the power of listening to your inner voice. If you’ve ever felt stuck, disconnected, or uncertain about your path, this episode is your reminder that sometimes, the answers you seek are already within you — it just takes the right questions to unlock them. Key Discussion Points: The pivotal moments that shaped Tonya’s journey from misalignment to deep purpose How embracing discomfort can lead to clarity and fulfillment The transformative power of small, intentional shifts in daily life Building a business from the heart, even when it seems impossible Lessons from ancient wisdom and modern wellness practices   ****   Release details for the NEW BOOK. Get your copy of Personal Socrates: Better Questions, Better Life   Connect with Marc >>>  Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Drop a review and let me know what resonates with you about the show! Thanks as always for listening and have the best day yet! * A special thanks to MONOS, our official travel partner for Behind the Human! Use MONOSBTH10 at check-out for savings on your next purchase. ✈️ * Special props 👇 Music: Clouds - Joakim Karud

Have you ever realized mid-fall... that there’s no ground below—and that’s the freedom? Ashli Blumenfeld—co-leader of the 90-year-old Standard Meat Company—takes us behind the curtain of a business renaissance grounded in emotional intelligence, bold risk-taking, and the messy middle of personal transformation. From navigating imposter syndrome to building a company culture that breathes creativity and connection, Ashli shares what it’s really like to let go of old identities and trust the fall. You’ll hear how a “mad scientist chef,” a surprise ice business, and wisdom from powerful coaches helped her rewrite her own story—and how her leadership is helping others do the same.   Meet Ashli Blumenfeld: President of Standard Meat Co. and 4th generation industry disruptor The journey from NYC fashion to Texas beef—and why coming full circle changed everything What it's like winning Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and still doubting yourself Rewriting identity in your 40s: reflections on parenthood, perfectionism, and permission The “Dragon’s Gap” and why Ashli believes in falling with no parachute Building an ice business in 45 minutes (literally) The ugly duckling metaphor that changed everything How Standard Meat is integrating personal growth into a 1,100-person operation The acorn theory: planting legacy for the next 90 years Why the biggest competitive advantage in business is still the human mind   ****   Release details for the NEW BOOK. Get your copy of Personal Socrates: Better Questions, Better Life   Connect with Marc >>>  Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Drop a review and let me know what resonates with you about the show! Thanks as always for listening and have the best day yet! * A special thanks to MONOS, our official travel partner for Behind the Human! Use MONOSBTH10 at check-out for savings on your next purchase. ✈️ * Special props 👇 Music: Clouds - Joakim Karud