Shatter Boundaries: Harnessing the Brain for Growth with John Assaraf

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Mick Unplugged – “Shatter Boundaries: Harnessing the Brain for Growth with John Assaraf”

Date: January 5, 2026
Host: Mick Hunt
Guest: John Assaraf

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Episode Overview

This episode of Mick Unplugged brings together leadership coach Mick Hunt and renowned entrepreneur and neuroscience expert John Assaraf. The conversation explores the limitless nature of personal growth, shattering self-imposed boundaries, and how the brain’s ‘wiring’ influences identity, achievement, and fulfillment. With practical insights and memorable anecdotes, John discusses how modern neuroscience can be applied to reinvent your self-image, overcome barriers, and achieve genuine, lasting success—both personally and professionally.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Discovering Your “Because” – Purpose Beyond the ‘Why’

• Mick’s Signature Question: Mick asks John for his “because”—the deeper purpose driving his actions (02:14).
• John’s Philosophy: John distinguishes his purpose as an obligation to honor the gifts he believes were given by a higher power, not merely driven by family but by a fear of regret and a desire to use his abilities and positively impact the world.
  • “I refuse to so-called die, meet with God, and he or she asking me, what did you do with those gifts?” (John Assaraf, 02:28)
  • Shares a meaningful quote from Jim Rohn: “Discipline weighs ounces, regret weighs tons.” (03:16)

Change Starts with Identity

• Critical Insight: “Nothing changes until the identity changes.” (Mick quoting John, 04:48)
• Identity Explained: John describes self-image as the internal limit on achievement; our actions and expectations are deeply influenced by our self-perception (05:45).
  • “We will never, ever, ever outperform our hidden self-image of ourselves.” (John Assaraf, 05:45)
• Nature vs. Nurture: Identity is not innate; it is developed through upbringing, societal influences, and personal experiences.
• Breaking Patterns: Cognitive dissonance causes self-sabotage when behavior diverges from self-image. With deliberate “practice,” we can create permanent neural patterns—effectively upgrading our subconscious ‘software.’
  • “Can I practice a role that aligns more with things I want to do, be, have, and experience so that that becomes the new default me? That’s growth.” (John Assaraf, 08:50)
• Neuroplasticity: The brain’s capacity for change means anyone can re-engineer habits and beliefs for success.

The Brain’s Prime Directive: Safety Over Success (14:29)

• Neuro-Wiring: The primary role of the brain is survival, not achievement. John breaks down the brain’s four-tiered hierarchy:
  1. Survival and safety (avoid risk at all costs)
  2. Avoid pain/discomfort
  3. Conserve energy
  4. Seek pleasure (only if safe)
• Metaphor: The “Einstein” and “Frankie’s Monster” analogy illustrates creative ambition versus protective inhibition within our brains (18:00).
  • “One foot on the gas, but we have one foot on the brake.” (John Assaraf, 19:09)
• Emotional Regulation: Most people are simply never taught how to manage fear, focus, or emotions; ignorance— not inadequacy—is the real obstacle.

The Four Buckets of Limitation (21:19)

John outlines the four main internal barriers that stop people from growing:

1. Fear: Multiple types, most notably “disappointment avoidance”—drives procrastination and repetition of old patterns.
2. Limiting Beliefs: Inherited and constructed beliefs (race, age, ability, etc.) act as filters on perception and possibility.
   • Practical Tip: To challenge these, shift from “I can’t” to “In the past I used to believe that, now I choose…”
3. Identity/Self-Image: Unconscious beliefs about worth and capability.
4. Lack of Knowledge/Skill: Uncertainty leads to doubt, which triggers fear and ultimately inaction. The “law of secondary gain” means people even get a neurochemical reward for staying in safe (but unfulfilling) ruts.
   • “We do more to avoid pain or discomfort than we do to gain pleasure.” (John Assaraf, 25:26)

Introducing the NeuroFitness Platform (28:16)

• John’s Latest Initiative: Launching a comprehensive assessment-and-training platform for mental and emotional fitness (Neurogym).
  • Features:
    • Assesses “core neuromuscles” like emotional regulation and decision-making
    • Delivers “innersizes” (mental fitness exercises)
    • Offers AI-powered, world-class coaching across 58 languages
    • Tracks performance and progress, integrates biometrics
  • Vision: “Peloton for the mind”—to unlock a billion minds in ten years.
  • “We finally have the technology to be able to do it.” (John Assaraf, 32:56)
• Crowdfunding: John invites support and investment to expand platform reach.

The Quick Five – Mick’s Rapid Fire Close (34:02)

1. Belief About Success Mistaken in 20s: John thought it was all about money; learned health and fulfillment are more important than wealth.
   • “I will not sacrifice my health ever again.” (John Assaraf, 35:05)
2. Transformative Daily Habit: Writes and reads his vision and goals daily to prime his mind and reinforce identity—“firing and wiring” his brain for the life he wants (35:19).
3. First Liquid of the Day: Water, then espresso (36:24).
4. Hottest Pepper Eaten: Ghost pepper—“ended up pulling my car over on the side of the road… it was so hot.” (John Assaraf, 36:57)
5. Emotion He Wants His Name to Trigger in 20 Years: Love—John wants to be remembered for his selfless sharing and genuine care (37:56).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Regret: “Discipline weighs ounces. Regret weighs tons.” (Jim Rohn, quoted by John Assaraf, 03:16)
• On Upgrading Identity: “I am not my identity, but I do have one.” (John Assaraf, 09:48)
• On the Brain's Design: “Your brain is wired to keep you safe—not successful.” (Mick Hunt paraphrasing John, 14:29)
• On Changing Beliefs: “In the past I used to believe that… now I’m choosing to believe…” (John Assaraf, 23:49)
• On His Mission: “I have a goal of unlocking and unleashing a billion minds in the next 10 years or less.” (John Assaraf, 33:50)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• John’s “Because” and Purpose – 02:14–04:43
• The Power of Identity and Change – 04:48–11:13
• The Brain’s Priority: Safety vs. Success – 14:29–20:57
• The Four Buckets of Limitation – 21:19–27:17
• The NeuroFitness Platform Vision – 28:16–33:30
• Quick Five (Rapid Fire Questions) – 34:02–37:56

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Conclusion

John Assaraf’s appearance on Mick Unplugged is both a masterclass in neuroscience-backed personal development and an inspirational deep-dive into the human capacity for reinvention. The conversation gives listeners a toolkit for understanding—and transcending—their own boundaries, all while highlighting the next frontier in personal growth: digital, AI-powered brain fitness customized for everyone. The overriding message? Your inner world shapes your outer one, and with the right “because,” you are unstoppable.

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Transcript

[John Assaraf]

Kraft Mac and Cheese is better than 90s hip hop. We'll remind you of your childhood without making you feel incredibly old. Kraft Mac and Cheese, Best thing ever.

[Mick Hunt]

You're listening to Mick Unplugged, hosted by the one and only Mick Hunt. This is where purpose meets power and stories spark transformation. Mick takes you beyond the motivation and into meaning, helping you discover your because and becoming unstoppable. I'm Rudy Rush and trust me, you're in the right place. Let's get unplugged. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to another exciting episode of MC Unplugged. And you know me, and I'm all about leadership. There are leaders who chase success and then there are leaders like today's guests that engineer it. Today you're hearing from a man who built neuroscience into a roadmap. He built multiple multimillion dollar companies and helped millions break free from the limits that they thought were permanent. Get ready for a call on strategy, a masterclass on development, and a serious conversation with my good friend, Mr. John Asserath. John, how are you doing today, brother Nick?

[John Assaraf]

I'm doing great. Wonderful to be with you and all of the people that are listening or watching us today.

[Mick Hunt]

I'm the honored one, brother. I've been a huge follower of you for a while. Started out following you on LinkedIn, then became a subscriber to some of the things you were doing on your website. Have a couple of your books, which I didn't say in the opener, but also just a best selling author, New York Times, two time bestselling author as well. John man, just again, huge fan. Want to give you your flowers while we're here together. Thank you. And I always ask my guests this question about their because that thing that's deeper than your why, right? Like if I were to ask you what your why is probably tell me your spouse, your children, but there's a reason that they're your why. And I call that your because. And so I'd love for John man like today because your because probably changes time to time today. What is your because? What is your purpose to continue to give like you give bro.

[John Assaraf]

Well, first and foremost my why or because are not my kids or. Or my wife. So if you're watching or listening upstairs, it's not because of you.

[Mick Hunt]

Edit that out because they're gonna. It's holiday season.

[John Assaraf]

Listen my because as to why I do what I do is I believe that our creator gave me some gifts and many, many, many blessings that I have unveiled over decades. A I refuse to so Called die meet with God. And he or she asking me, what did you do with those gifts that I gave you while I put you on that beautiful blue planet of mine? And I refused to go squandered my life and time that you gave me My biggest why? And because two, I don't want to sit in my rocking chair if I'm alive in my. I'm in my mid-60s now, in my 70s and 80s and 90s, and reflect back and feel regret. One of my friends before he died, Jim Rohn, very wonderful philosopher and brilliant man. You know, at dinner one night, he quoted one of his famous quotes, and he said, in life, you'll either pay the price of discipline or you will pay the price of regret. He says, discipline weighs ounces. Regret weighs tons. And I've had so many people in my environment over the decades that got to their 60s, 70s, and even 80s, and they had so many regrets. And the common denominator is why didn't I when I could have man? And I can now. I'm fortunately healthy, happy, able, capable. I've been blessed with the ability to take some complex stuff and make it easier for people to understand because I like it easy.

[Mick Hunt]

Yeah.

[John Assaraf]

And I feel it's my duty to. It's my reason for being.

[Mick Hunt]

Yeah.

[John Assaraf]

And in doing so, I receive the gifts of sharing and loving and caring that gives my life purpose and meaning. And with purpose and meaning, I could have impact. With impact, I can have a little bit of positive influence. With a bit of positive influence, I can make people's lives a little bit better and the environment better and animals and trees and the planet. So I'm using my life in. And I have this written down in as many ways as I can so that I feel. Not you. You think I feel I have not.

[Mick Hunt]

Squandered life, Bro, that is so deep.

[John Assaraf]

Yeah. I've thought about it a lot.

[Mick Hunt]

That is so deep, man. And like, I'm going to go back to when I first started following you because you teach a principle, or you said something that made me stop in my tracks, literally. And I went. I went to my office and just started writing. You said that nothing changes until the identity changes. And I sat there and I was like, wow. A lot of times people, including myself, we get stuck in talking about change, but what you did was actually make me introspect on what needed to change. And so you started talking about the identity. And I've always wanted to ask you. And so I'm selfishly asking this question for any of the listeners or viewers. And if you want to know the answer to this too, this is a selfish question from Mick. Talk to us about what you mean by that. Like, I know because I follow you. Yeah, but talk about why that is so critically important as like the first.

[John Assaraf]

Step of change so we will never, ever, ever outperform our hidden self image of ourselves. So there's the you that I want people watching or listening to see, there's the me that my wife and kids see, and then there's the me that I see with all my fears and insecurities and fetishes and anything else that, that I have. So my own identity of how I see me will determine what I do, it'll determine how I think, it'll determine what I expect. It'll determine, you know, I behave consistently, you know, without enormous amounts of willpower. And so that's kind of like the identity piece. And the question becomes, what were you born with that identity or did you develop an identity? And the answer is, well, I developed my beliefs, I developed my fears, I developed my confidence and certainty, or lack thereof. My self image, self worth, self esteem, these are all part of identity. And it is a result of my parents, my teachers, my school, my experiences, the meaning I gave, things that formulated this identity. And then I behave in alignment with that identity. And if I'm out of alignment, I have something called cognitive dissonance that happens in my brain and it realizes that I'm out of character. And then I will self sabotage or procrastinate my way back into the character and the results that I believe I deserve. And so the question becomes, you know, when, when we see somebody else that maybe is achieving something we're not and they're doing things we wish we could do. Question is, can I develop the identity that they have so that I behave like they do? Can I take action in spite of feeling afraid? Can I overcome obstacles and be bigger than the obstacle, you know, instead of the obstacle being bigger than me? And the answer is yes, I can practice a new identity no differently than a basketball player practices free throws. And, and with practice, we create permanent patterns. Permanent patterns create what we do automatically. It's called automaticity in the neuroscience world I come from. And so can I practice character traits so I become more like that? Can I practice like a Hollywood actor practices a role until he becomes the damn role? We can't tell that they're acting on TV or in their movies. Well, can I practice a role that aligns more with the things I want to do, be, have and experience so that that becomes the new default me. That's growth. So caterpillars become butterflies through the metamorphosis. Why can't I metamorphosize into the character, the identity, the person? Since every brain functionally works the same, since every brain operationally works the same, it's the softw that is the identity. I can upgrade my software no differently than I can upgrade my phone software no differently. I can upgrade my car's software. So I am not my software and identity is part of software. Beliefs are software. The things that causes me to be afraid is because of the memory software that triggers the fear circuit. So, so I am not my identity, but I do have one. And so an upgraded level of being is aligning my identity with the person I want to become now. And then practicing that on a day by day basis, which means I have to, I have to learn how to regulate my focus because my focus wants to be my old self. I have to learn how to regulate my emotions because when I'm becoming something different, something new, something better, something grander, there's gonna be resistance. And that means that fear might creep in, that might, might mean that self doubt creeps in, that might mean that uncertainty creeps in, self doubt creeps in. And those are all perfectly normal emotions in a transition. Yeah.

[Mick Hunt]

Yeah.

[John Assaraf]

Now we haven't been taught how to manage focus, we haven't been taught how to manage emotions. And that's like saying I have a beautiful million dollar car in my driveway, but I haven't been taught how to drive it. And so we have this hundred billion dollar brain and we've never been taught the user's manual to get it out of park and into drive and use it properly. And this has been the foundation of the work I've done for 45 years now is studying the neuromechanics, you know, to how do I use my brain a little bit better?

[Mick Hunt]

Yeah.

[John Assaraf]

And, and then how do I use that to be healthier, happier, to contribute more, to experience more, to love more, to give more, to receive more. So I have a, a fuller life.

[Mick Hunt]

Yeah.

[John Assaraf]

So that's engineering success as you mentioned before.

[Mick Hunt]

Yes, sir. And I want to do this for the viewers and listeners too. The reason I started following you, John, was because I believed in something that you said. I'm just not the neuroscience person that you are. That's all right. So when you had the evidence to support something I've always believed, I was like, John is my guy. So for everybody that's watching, everyone that's listening. I'm going to make a statement, then I'm going to let John take the statement from there. John, you here's the real truth about AI. AI didn't change my businesses because it's cool. It changed my businesses because it removed friction. My teams move fast. Podcast production, media deals, leadership development. We have systems everywhere and for a long time, speed meant chaos. Then we leaned into Zapier. Zapier is how we stopped talking about AI and started deploying it. We used Zapier to connect the tools that we already use every single day. Leads get enriched automatically, workflows trigger without reminders, systems talk without meetings. And here's what matters. You don't need to be technical, you don't need it. You don't need complexity. Zapier is built for real teams doing real work who want real results. No hype, no buzzwords, just time back and momentum forward. Join the 3.4 million companies already automating with Zapier and transform how you work with with Zapier and AI. Get started for free by visiting zapier.com Mick that's Z A P I E R.com Mik what if I told you.

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[Mick Hunt]

Proven. We were talking about the brain just now. You've proven that the human brain, the animal brain, is wired to keep us safe, not successful. Yeah. When you said that, I was like, I've been telling people this for years. Like, the reason and success is defined by however you want to quantify success. There's moments of success, there could be a portfolio of success. Whatever you call success, it's because you went to a different level than where you naturally were. Because neuroscience says the brain is wired to keep you safe, not successful. Go ahead, John.

[John Assaraf]

Yeah, so like I said earlier, from a pure, factual perspective, we know the brain, the hardware. Every brain looks like every brain, right? So the hardware looks the same. Every, every operating system in the brain, it works pretty much like every gas car or electrical car, you know, works the same functionally. And the brain operates on the hierarchy of first and foremost importance, right? Let's say 150, 200 million years of human evolution. Survival first, right? To ensure safety and survival. Second priority of the brain is avoidance of pain or discomfort. Third priority of the brain and conservation of glucose or energy for, to make sure that you can fight a saber tooth tiger, you know, or run away from danger. And then the fourth priority of the brain is pleasure. So we don't move to the pleasure circuit in the brain until survival and safety and avoidance of pain or discomfort is met, minimizing the use of glucose or energy. And our brain uses about 20 to 25% of all calories. And so it's an energy miser. Your brain produces less than 20 watt or 5 watts of power, which is what's in your fridge. But it operates at such high intensity of efficiency that it can do all those things in milliseconds. So let's say I want to achieve something new. I have this big goal, a big dream. The brain goes through this in nanoseconds, right? Can you get hurt doing this? Can you die? Yes. No. No. Okay, next box. Can you get mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually, financially hurt? Yes. No. If any one of those is a yes. Brakes go on, right? Breaks go on. In a nanosecond, cortisol is released in the, you know, through the brain to be high, high alert because it's a threat state. So high alert, heart rate pumps, you know, and blood is flowing to be able to get to the muscles in case you need to run away or fight. Anger may pop in for protection, which is one of the core emotions. But let's say that there is a chance that I'm going to fail in the pursuit of what I want to do. Whether I want to lose weight, whether I want to go and ask that guy or that girl what his or her name is, or I want to ask my boss for a raise, or I want to move up the chain of command in my company and I want to, you know, climb the corporate ladder, so to speak. Or I want to go raise $10 million for my business venture. If there's a chance of failure or there's a chance of being embarrassed, ashamed, ridiculed, judged, rejected, abandoned, unloved, hurt. Somehow we go into this preservation mode automatically. Not because there's something wrong with our brain. It's there to fulfill its priorities. Safety and avoidance of real or imagined pain or discomfort. First, behind me, you're going to see I've got Frankie's monster over there.

[Mick Hunt]

Yeah.

[John Assaraf]

But I also have Einstein over here. These represent the two parts of our brain called the left and right prefrontal cortex. So Einstein can create the idea of what we want to do. It can come up with, you know, how am I going to do this? Whose help am I going to need? What are my strategies? What are my tactics? What's the payoff? What's the benefit? Visualize it. Oh, my God, this feels so good. I'm going to do it. High five, everybody. I'm ready to go. But Frankie's monster's job is to say, hold on there, Aini. If you do that, don't you remember? Last time you tried to do that, you failed and you lost some money. You were embarrassed. The last time you spoke up, you were rejected. So there's a potential danger here. So Einstein can dream it. Frankie's monster is there to protect you, just in case. Now, here's the problem. Einstein's doing what Einstein's supposed to do. Imaginations greater than knowledge, right? Let me. Let me imagine. Let me come up with how and why and it's possible. Or. Or let me come up with ways to make it happen. But the protective side of our brain does the job beautifully and perfectly each time in the form of circuits and neuromodulators or neurochemicals to be able to keep us safe. Secure avoidance of pain, real or imagined. Yeah, so here's the problem. We kind of have this one foot on the gas, but we have one foot on the brake. Because this part of our brain's just trying to protect us. Now here's the problem. It's not the problem with imagination or coming up with plans and commitments. It's not the problem that this part of the brain's trying to protect you. The problem is most people have never been taught what to do when I feel afraid, what to do when I'm, you know. What are you afraid of? Well, I'm afraid of being embarrassed. Okay, if you're embarrassed, what does it mean? Well, it means maybe I'm not smart enough. Maybe I'm not good enough. Maybe, you know, I made mistakes. Great. Well, what does that mean? Where did you get that? Well, when I was a kid in school and I got up, you know, to give an answer, I gave the wrong answer, A few of the guys or the gals laughed at me. Ha ha, you're such an idiot. So that's what you're moving away from is judgment. You're moving away from, from maybe the reality that you are that little kid who isn't smart enough, good enough, worthy enough, good. Let's address that. Because until we address that, you're not moving forward. So there's nothing wrong with the emotions. The emotions are beautiful. Eight core emotions we've been given for protection or for soothing comfort, you know, or for feeling, love and appreciate. We have these emotions, the energy in motion. And the problem is we just have not been taught how to navigate this incredible, incredible systems, you know, that our creator blessed us with. So we're dealing with ignorance is my biggest enemy.

[Mick Hunt]

Not knowing ignorance and something that you often talk about, those inner narratives. What are some other inner narratives that people can dispel or how you help people because you also have a group of people that you'll coach or that you'll work with one on one, or companies that can bring you in. Like, what are some inner narratives that you help people overcome?

[John Assaraf]

Well, there's. There's usually four things that hold people back and they're buckets. So let's Say bucket number one is going to be fear. And there's 50 different types of fear that hold us back. So one of them is called disappointment avoidance. So let's say I commit to X, Y or Z, my health, my relationship, my business, my job. If there's a risk that I'm going to disappoint myself or somebody else again, red flag goes up. Neurochemicals deactivate the motivational circuit in the brain and we procrastinate and self sabotage and we repeat patterns to keep us safe. So fear is A big one. Even though there's nothing wrong with the fear circuit. But what triggers it is different in everybody. Yeah, right. So for some people, I might say, imagine that a snake, you know, is right behind you right now. Or it's slithering from 20ft away from you. It's 10ft long, 250 pounds, and it is moving fast. And you recognize it's a python. And you know it's going to, you know, try and get around your body, just squeeze the air and life out of you and maybe kill you. Some people, as I said, that they're already squirming because just the word snake activated. So circuits in the brain, the released cortisol into their blood flow, causing the feeling other people like it wouldn't bother me at all. I get my phone out and I just take a selfie.

[Mick Hunt]

Yeah, right.

[John Assaraf]

So it's not the snake. Part one. Part two is limiting beliefs. I have beliefs that are limiting me. I'm white, I'm black. I live in this part of the world. I live in that part of the world. I'm divorced. I'm 65. No, I'm 85. I'm 22. Whatever. The narrative is, as you mentioned before, is based on the beliefs that we have. And the question I ask is, when you were born, did you have those beliefs? When you were born, did you have those fears? 0 and 0. And so you developed what your belief system is. I'm good enough. I'm not good enough. I'm just the right age. I'm too old. You know, it's really hard to advance in my company. Whatever it is that we believe, we create. Why? Because our brain repeats narratives, reinforces narratives, and drives behaviors to align with beliefs. And it actually causes your brain not to see things that are in opposition of what you believe. It causes us not to see what's right there. Why? Because our brain doesn't want the contradiction. So we have limiting beliefs. So let's say, you know, I have a limiting belief, X, Y, or Z. So anybody that's watching or listening, give yourself a limiting belief right now. What is one limiting belief you have? I'm going to give you a little trick as soon as we have. I believe this. I'm too young. I'm too old. I'm not enough of this. I'm too much of that. It's not the right time. I don't have enough of this. I don't have enough of that. Because what if we just change the narrative? In the past, I used to believe that and now I'm choosing to believe and create the positive belief. I'm choosing to believe I am just the right age. I'm choosing to believe there's more than enough opportunities. I'm choosing to believe that there's more enough money, more than enough time, more than enough people, more than enough. Your brain all of a sudden opens up. Okay, like camera opens up, you know, from, from single, you know, mono focus lens to wide angle lens. Your brain all of a sudden opens up and you start to see things that are in alignment with the new belief. So a belief is nothing more than a reinforced neural pattern in the brain. But then reinforced neural pattern in the brain is like the lens and the programming that sees the outer world. So that's why we, you know, we often say we don't see what there is to see. We see what we believe is there to see. So that's number two. And then we talked a little bit about this earlier. So now we have limiting. Beliefs can be holding you back. Fears could be holding you back. Identity or self image can be holding you back. And if I don't believe that I'm worthy of achieving this or that I'm good enough or smart enough to achieve this or deserving enough because of my low self image.

[Mick Hunt]

Yeah.

[John Assaraf]

When I won't achieve it.

[Mick Hunt]

Yeah.

[John Assaraf]

And we always rise to the level of those three things. And then the fourth one is if we tie what I'm about to share with you with what we talked about earlier, we do more to avoid pain or discomfort than we do to gain pleasure. If I don't have the knowledge and skill of how to achieve X, Y or Z, and I say I don't have the knowledge and skill how to get in shape to stay in shape. I don't have the knowledge and skills of how to have a great relationship and keep it. I don't have the knowledge and skills of how to advance my career. I don't have the knowledge and skills how to grow my business. I don't have the knowledge and skills of how to raise money. I don't have the knowledge skills to achieve the vision goal I have. When we don't have the knowledge and skill, our brain goes into a state of uncertainty. Now, for a brain that likes and creates certainty, a lack of certainty creates doubt. A state of doubt creates fear. A state of fear deactivates the very circuits we need to take action. So it's neuromechanical. Right. So when I don't have certainty, then I'm going to move into a state of repeating the pattern that I have certainty around. And even if I don't want more of the same result, there's something in neuroscience that we teach called the law of secondary gain. The law of secondary gain. And the law of secondary gain says even though I may not get what I want, my primary gain, the secondary gain I get is the release of dopamine feel good neurochemical for keeping myself safe.

[Mick Hunt]

Yeah.

[John Assaraf]

And that's why we repeat patterns that we don't want to repeat. Because our brain is creating the correlation between repeat this pattern and at least you feel safe because you feel safe in either the misery the result you want, the weight you have, the relationship you have, the income you have, because at least it's the devil you know.

[Mick Hunt]

This is a masterclass, John. We get to talk to the guru of neuroscience here. You always have. These are the words of Mick and Mick only, and I mean this in a very charming way, Mick only have so much going on that, that you're doing because you're making impact. Right. And I wholeheartedly know that the things that you get involved with, the things that you do, your mission is to always make impact. So what are some of the things that you have going on now? Like the floor is yours. Like open us up to the world of John Asaraf.

[John Assaraf]

Really quick prank. Well, the holidays have come and gone once again. But if you've forgotten to get that special someone in your life a gift. Well, Mint Mobile is extending their holiday offer of half off unlimited wireless. So here's the idea. You get it now, you call it an early present for next year.

[Mick Hunt]

What do you have to lose?

[John Assaraf]

Give it a [e-mail] Switch limited time.

[Sponsor Voice]

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[John Assaraf]

See terms now. For the last, you know, 10 years we've been doing enormous amounts of research in neuroscience and neuropsychology fields on understanding, you know, how the brain adapts, how the brain changes, how the brain shifts from I can't to I can from, you know, from lack of motivation to, you know, more than enough motivation, you know, from fear to fuel for success, from limiting beliefs to empowering epic stories. And we've been building for the last year an entire neuro fitness ecosystem and platform where we can, we'll be able to starting beginning of next year do a neuro fitness assessment on everybody who wants to do a neuro fitness assessment. And we'll have a free neurofitness assessment and then it'll tell us which of your seven core neuromuscles is strong or weak. So for example, your emotional regulation and stress management neuromuscle, is it strong or weak? Is it controlling you or are you controlling it? It will have baselines, your, your decision making abilities and your critical thinking abilities. Are they strong or weak? And here's what we know. Just like the body has seven core physical muscles, right? You can walk or hike or do pilates or yoga or lift weights. And, and you can strengthen your muscles. Whether it's your, your chest muscles or your back muscle, you can strengthen the muscles, you can strengthen your leg muscles so you know you have a little bit more self control and strength. Why not strengthen your core neuromuscles? Why not educate people on a what are these neuromuscles that I have? And then if they're weak, why not give them inner sizes? Neuro fitness, brain training inner sizes to make them stronger. So we've developed an entire ecosystem to be able to do assessments, tie it into performance behavior and help people get stronger mentally, emotionally that'll obviously affect them physically so they can get stronger in health, wealth, relationships, career, business, finances from the inside out. So we've designed and developed the platform already. Right now we just started raising $10 million from investors to be able to put the entire platform out to the world. So for example, We've already trained 37 AI coaches to be able to coach individuals after a personalized plan is created for them at a fraction of what would it cost you to have an AI or a real coach which might be $250 a session. What if we can give you Unlimited access to three 37 different AI coaches that are world class coaches and world class at every methodology that you can have access to 24,7 every day of the week. What if we can create programs customized for you to help you overcome any of your specific limitations with inner sizes, to strengthen your mind, with programs to say here's step one, here's step two, here's step three, go do those. We'll track it, we'll measure it, we'll iterate it and you'll be able to accelerate. What if we could attach it to your oura ring or your watch and we added biometrics. What if we just had one ecosystem for mental and emotional fitness training so you can get better and as you got better, you achieve more, have more Be more. Well, we've already developed the platform, we're launching it in 58 languages in January and we're adding world renowned expert to teach Live. So think peloton for your mind. Mm. We've built it. And so Now I'm raising $10 million like right now. And we're doing a crowdfunding for the first 1.25 million. And people are investing a thousand, two thousand, five thousand. We have a couple of people that have already invested a hundred thousand because they believe in it, because they're, they're members of our programs now. And that's the big play that I've got going on for the next several years is to give people the use of AI as their companion and tool. On a platform like Netflix has for entertainment and Amazon has for shopping. Neurogym will be where people go for their mental and emotional fitness training. And it doesn't matter if you're a beginner, intermediate, advanced or pro level athlete, or if you're a kindergartener. We will have what you need to use this hundred billion dollar brain of yours. Smarter, faster, better and for a fraction of the cost of what's happening right now with our damaged health care. We have a sick care system, not a health care system. So we are making a dent to help people with a variety of different challenges by helping them use this powerful biggest pharmacy in the world is between our ears and every word we use elicits any motion and neural circuitry. Why not deliberately use your own brain to help you shatter limitations? Get rid of whatever's been holding you back for 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 years and let's use your brain better to help you. That's what I'm working on now. That's been a 10 year vision that I've had. We finally have the technology to be able to do it.

[Mick Hunt]

Dude, I can't wait. I want to be a supporter.

[John Assaraf]

Thank you.

[Mick Hunt]

I will make sure that in the show notes, in the descriptions, I'll start posting links to everything on social. I want everyone to get around this and rally with this because it's going to impact, it's going to change lives and it's going to help us as humans be better humans. And so John, I appreciate you for that. Thank you.

[John Assaraf]

I have a goal of unlocking and unleashing a billion minds in the next 10 years or less.

[Mick Hunt]

Let's do it. I'm supporting it.

[John Assaraf]

Thank you.

[Mick Hunt]

I'm supporting it.

[John Assaraf]

I need it. I'll accept and I appreciate it.

[Mick Hunt]

Yes, sir. So John, I'M going to get you out of here on my. I call it my quick five. So, rapid fire, five questions. What's one belief about success that you had in your 20s that you now know was completely wrong?

[John Assaraf]

It's not about money. Listen, I grew up. My father's a cab driver. My mother worked at a local, like Kmart, Walmart department store. And there was never enough money at the end of the month. They were always struggling. And I thought, okay, if I just make money, money, money, I'll be successful. And then I made a lot of money in my early 20s and I got ulcerative colitis. And then I had to focus on getting healthy because that was really more important. Yeah, it's not about money. It's really, you know, like, success is really about finding what gives you the balance for you, the harmony for you. And sometimes, you know, you know, you have to sacrifice things of a lower value for things of a higher value. And I will not sacrifice my health ever again.

[Mick Hunt]

Love it.

[John Assaraf]

Love it.

[Mick Hunt]

Second question. What's one daily habit that looks small on the outside but can really transform someone on the inside?

[John Assaraf]

Oh, my God. Well, I'll show you in front of me. I have my exceptional life blueprint for 2025 and 2026. So the first thing is I have my. This is like my digital vision board of my family, my kids, the lifestyle that we're living or the lifestyle that, you know, we. We want and things I want to do have achieved. But then every day, I read the story of my life. So I have the story that I wrote out with the beliefs, the habits, the results. And every day, it's sitting here on my desk. There's one upstairs. There's one of my briefcases. There's one everywhere so that I can prime my brain with the new story. So I fire and wire my brain to the level of the identity and vision and goals and results that I want every single day for five minutes.

[Mick Hunt]

Love it. Love it. Speaking of every single day for five minutes, are you coffee, tea, water? First liquid of the day.

[John Assaraf]

Well, water first. One glass of water when I wake up, followed by a double or triple espresso. And then a lot of times I'll have iced tea during the day, but right now, in my be kind mug, I have water.

[Mick Hunt]

I knew that. That's why I put all three of those. I didn't know you had water in there, but I knew you were advocate of all three, so that's why I asked, where'd you go to first? All right, so what A lot of people don't know about. My buddy John is he is a connoisseur of hot peppers and hot sauces. So, John, what is the hottest thing you have ever eaten?

[John Assaraf]

Oh, when I started getting on this hot, hot sauce kick, probably about, I don't know, 15 years ago, I tried a whole ghost pepper, and I ended up in the bathroom for a couple of hours actually pulling my car over on the side of the road and expunging the ghost pepper. It was so hot. It was beyond. So I still eat a little bit of ghost pepper, but not a whole one at a time. But the Trinidad Scorpion is also just brutal. I can have little bits of it. And I love hot sauces.

[Mick Hunt]

I'm a zero on the spice meter. I barely like pepper. Just ground pepper, black pepper. I barely like it. All right, John, last question. I'm getting you out of here on this. You talk about, you know, your. Your book for 20, 25, 20, 26, 20 years from now, when John Assaraf's name is said, what's the one emotion that you want your name to trigger in people?

[John Assaraf]

People feel the love that I shared with my. Just how I showed up and shared selflessly.

[Mick Hunt]

I love it. I love it, John. I love you too, brother man. Like, I do.

[John Assaraf]

Love you too, man.

[Mick Hunt]

Appreciate you more than you'll ever know. Like I said, I'm gonna put links to all of your things in the show notes. So the books, we didn't even talk about the amazing books, but we'll do that in part two. How about that?

[John Assaraf]

That'll be great, Mike. I love it.

[Mick Hunt]

Definitely links to your site, how people can help with the crowdfunding and be a part of what you have going on. And like I said, corporations that are out here listening and watching, individuals that are listening and watching. John has accountability, coaching, mentor programs that I think all of you should at least look at. Bring them in. Hire him as a speaker for your event. He is one. He's going to bring it. You've heard the episode today. I mean, he delivers a masterclass every time he's in front of you. And here's what separates Jon and I'm going to say this. These are the words of Mick and Mick only. He genuinely cares.

[John Assaraf]

Thank you.

[Mick Hunt]

He genuinely cares. John, I appreciate you, brother.

[John Assaraf]

Thank you, Mick.

[Mick Hunt]

Appreciate you too.

[John Assaraf]

And it was so much fun.

[Mick Hunt]

You got it. And to all the viewers and listeners, remember your because is your superpower. Go unleash it. That's another powerful conversation on Mick Unplugged. If this episode moved you. And I'm sure it did. Follow the show wherever you listen. Share it with someone who needs that spark. And leave a review so more people can find there. Because I'm Rudy Rush. And until next time, stay driven, stay focused, and stay unplugged.