In Search Of Excellence
Episode: Dave Asprey: Silicon Valley to Bulletproof — A Biohacking Journey | E135
Release Date: October 29, 2024

Introduction and Background (00:44 - 01:52)

In this episode of In Search Of Excellence, host Randall Kaplan welcomes Dave Asprey, a luminary in the biohacking movement. Dave Asprey is a serial entrepreneur, lifestyle guru, and four-time New York Times bestselling author. He is renowned for founding Bulletproof Coffee and other ventures such as Bulletproof360, Danger Coffee, and Upgrade Labs. Asprey's influence extends to being a pioneer in e-commerce, famously recognized as the first individual to sell a product on the Internet. Additionally, he hosts the widely downloaded podcast, The Human Upgrade, and served as the ex-chairman of the Silicon Valley Institute, a nonprofit focused on anti-aging research.

Notable Quote:
Dave Asprey: “It's a pleasure. I love getting to talk about entrepreneurship. It's one of my favorite things. It's how we change the world.” (01:52)

Early Life and Family Influences (02:17 - 06:04)

Dave Asprey delves into his upbringing in Albuquerque, New Mexico, highlighting a family steeped in scientific prowess. His grandfather contributed to purifying plutonium for nuclear reactors, while his grandmother was a Ph.D. nuclear engineer involved in the Manhattan Project. Asprey describes his grandmother as exhibiting traits consistent with Asperger's Syndrome, a condition he also identifies with. His parents, both engineers, instilled a profound skepticism towards natural and alternative practices, despite their own appreciation for nature and gardening. This environment shaped Asprey’s early academic pursuits in computer science and information systems, where he gravitated towards hacking and technology.

Notable Quotes:
Dave Asprey: “... anything spiritual was just not worthy. And they would, I would say, actively make fun of anyone who would consider anything spiritual.” (03:11)
Dave Asprey: “I had Asperger's syndrome. I grew up in a basement that had toxic mold, which is one of the causes for that kind of a thing.” (04:43)

Entrepreneurship Beginnings and the First Online Sale (08:37 - 11:49)

Asprey recounts his entrepreneurial spirit emerging during his time at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). Facing financial pressures, he launched a business selling Halloween T-shirts online via Usenet, an early predecessor to platforms like Reddit. His venture quickly expanded, reaching customers in 16 countries and garnering attention from major media outlets, including Entrepreneur magazine. This early success inadvertently coined the term "e-commerce," with Asprey acknowledging his pivotal role in its inception. Despite the promising start, the operational demands of fulfilling international orders led him to discontinue the venture.

Notable Quotes:
Dave Asprey: “... you were the first person ever to sell something on the Internet.” (09:09)
Dave Asprey: “E-Commerce wasn't a name. We had invented the name E-Commerce.” (10:30)

Advice for Entrepreneurs and Rejection Therapy (11:55 - 17:00)

Randall Kaplan and Dave Asprey discuss essential advice for budding entrepreneurs, particularly the importance of overcoming the fear of rejection. Asprey introduces the concept of "Rejection Therapy," encouraging individuals to set daily goals of asking for unreasonable requests over 30 days. This practice aims to desensitize individuals to the fear of hearing "no," thus enhancing their resilience in sales and negotiations.

Notable Quotes:
Dave Asprey: “You’re going to ask for unreasonable things until you get a no... by the end of 30 days, you’ll be sitting there going, I can’t think of anything to ask for that people won’t say yes to.” (15:23)
Dave Asprey: “If you’re afraid of hearing no, you’re going to have a hard time selling because you may have to ask more than one time.” (00:00)

Business Journey with Exodus Communications and Akamai (21:37 - 29:06)

Asprey shares his pivotal role in Exodus Communications, where he co-founded the professional services group that significantly contributed to the company's growth, culminating in a $36 billion valuation. He discusses the competitive dynamics with Akamai Technologies, highlighting strategic decisions that ultimately impacted both companies. Asprey reflects on the challenges of navigating corporate politics and the importance of team quality over individual ideas in entrepreneurial success.

Notable Quotes:
Dave Asprey: “... it's about who's the person. And having worked for a venture capital firm... I look at the person and the best investors are saying, well, who's the team?” (13:06)
Dave Asprey: “But if you have a great idea and a team of people who aren't good people, it's not good.” (13:06)

Financial Management and Stock Options (29:06 - 43:24)

The conversation shifts to financial strategies, with Asprey emphasizing the significance of understanding and managing stock options. He shares his personal regrets about not capitalizing on a lucrative stock option sale, highlighting the common entrepreneurial oversight of not securing financial gains despite company success. Asprey advises entrepreneurs to diversify their investments and secure "safe" assets to mitigate potential losses, advocating for a balanced approach between pursuing growth and financial security.

Notable Quotes:
Dave Asprey: “...money doesn't make you happy above about $70,000 a year in income... always having more is a realm of hell.” (37:30)
Dave Asprey: “If you're raising venture capital money, you tell them, look, you just gave me a $10 million check. I want to sell you additional shares. I just want to take $2 million off the table...” (34:21)

Personal Development and Mental Health (56:01 - 59:48)

Asprey opens up about his personal struggles with mental health, including anxiety and depression, exacerbated by his high-pressure entrepreneurial life. He underscores the importance of seeking professional help and destigmatizing mental health issues. Asprey advocates for behavioral modifications and biohacking techniques to enhance mental resilience, emphasizing that taking care of one's physical health can significantly impact mental well-being.

Notable Quotes:
Dave Asprey: “If you're feeling anxious and depressed, you're not going to tell anyone because you might lose social standing... you're probably not alone.” (56:34)
Dave Asprey: “A good therapist is more like a coach to help you improve wherever you are.” (56:34)

Conclusion and Final Thoughts (59:48)

As the episode wraps up, Randall Kaplan teases the continuation of the conversation, indicating that listeners can look forward to more in-depth discussions in future segments.

Key Takeaways

1. Overcoming Rejection: Embrace practices like Rejection Therapy to build resilience in entrepreneurship.
2. Financial Savvy: Understand and strategically manage stock options to secure financial stability.
3. Team Over Idea: Prioritize building a reliable and ethical team to enhance the likelihood of business success.
4. Mental Health Matters: Acknowledge and address mental health challenges to maintain overall well-being.
5. Diversify Investments: Balance aggressive growth strategies with safe investments to mitigate risks.

Final Notable Quote:
Dave Asprey: “... there's an innate invisible wisdom inside of. In fact, the best investors harness that as well when they're picking a team.” (43:24)

This comprehensive discussion between Randall Kaplan and Dave Asprey offers invaluable insights into the multifaceted journey of entrepreneurship, highlighting the balance between ambition, financial prudence, and personal well-being. Asprey's experiences serve as a testament to the complexities of building and sustaining excellence in both professional and personal realms.