The Tim Ferriss Show #826 — Q&A with Tim: Supplements I’m Taking, Austin vs. SF, Training for Mental Performance, AI Tools, Surgery Recovery, Intermittent Fasting, and More

Date: September 9, 2025
Host: Tim Ferriss (Solo Q&A Episode)

Episode Overview

In this solo Q&A session, Tim Ferriss fields a diverse range of questions from his private No Book community, touching on personal health regimens, tech tools, professional decision-making, creative and business ventures, life philosophies, and behind-the-scenes insights. Listeners get an unfiltered look at Tim’s evolving thought processes, current routines, and the meta-strategies he applies to health, learning, entrepreneurship, and life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Current Challenges: Coyote Game Retail, Surgery Recovery ([04:40]–[18:30])

• Coyote Game Retail Problem-Solving

  • Tim details efforts to optimize retail sell-through for his new game, Coyote, now in 8,000 stores.
  • Emphasizes gathering information before acting, referencing Dale Carnegie’s approach: “Step number one is more information.” ([06:15])
  • Describes data collection via Discord and fan communities for real-world shelf placement photos to diagnose issues.

• Surgery Recovery Process

  • Tim underwent elbow surgery for lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), an old jiu-jitsu injury.
  • Recovery protocol includes:
    • Mark Pro device (electrical muscle stimulation)
    • Lymphatic drainage massage
    • Peptides (e.g., BPC-157, with cautions)
    • Collagen + vitamin C before movement
    • Blood flow restriction (BFR) training recommended by Kelly Starrett
    • Professional physical therapy oversight
  • Key insight on healing: “Sequencing is the magic sauce.” ([14:05])
  • Stresses the risk of “doing too much too soon” for Type-A personalities and the necessity of restraint ([18:15])
  • Emphasizes sleep, patience, and working with athletic-minded surgeons.

2. Austin vs. San Francisco for Entrepreneurs/Builders ([19:00]–[22:40])

• SF still has highest density of AI talent, especially for venture-backed and technical teams.
• Austin is viable for certain industries (fintech, hardware, etc.) but may lack top AI ecosystem.
• Hybrid approach: “Perhaps you just treat a month or two or three in Silicon Valley as your MBA… and then port it back to Austin.” ([21:36])
• Taxes in CA are high “for good reason”—reflecting value/density.

3. Tim’s Workflow for Using AI Tools ([22:50]–[27:20])

• Uses ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and especially Consensus App for scientific literature summaries with conviction ratings (green/yellow/red).
• Example: Prepping for surgeon appointments by synthesizing BFR research.
• Cross-references answers for verification, submits findings to experts for feedback.
• Quote: “Much like the person who is his or her own lawyer has a fool for a client. I think that could apply to PT and medicine.” ([24:15])
• Also uses Reddit and subreddits for collective intelligence on topics.

4. Tim’s Supplement Stack & Medical Protocols ([27:35]–[41:00])

• AG Stack (Alpha Lipoic Acid, Green Tea, Garlic) & prescription meds (details for context, not advice).
• Surgery Recovery Add-ons: BPC-157, NAC, collagen, whey protein, vitamin C, maca root, magnesium L-threonate, AREDS2 for ocular health, fish oil, THC & CBN for pain/sleep.
• Special Case: Intermittent use of sleep medications (investigating DORA drugs for potential Alzheimer’s benefit) ([37:45])
• Cautions: Reiterates multiple times not to copy supplement routines without medical advice.

Notable Quote

• “People love taking prescription meds for sleep. I’m probably going to modify that.” ([36:38])

5. Family, Location Choices, and Nature ([42:00]–[44:10])

• Open to many states besides CA or TX for raising a family; wants “access to immersive nature.”
• Worries about regulatory/family friendliness; “not wedded to either coast.” ([42:58])

6. Saying No to Good Offers: The ‘No’ Book & Life Lessons ([44:18]–[47:05])

• Recent victory: Said NO to a lucrative European speaking event to go “off the grid” for a week in Montana with friends, learning survival skills.
• Practice: “The Art of Letting Bad Things Happen.” ([46:07])
• Treats “NO” as key for creating “hell yes” opportunities.

7. Lessons Learned in Philanthropy and Angel Investing ([47:20]–[51:00])

• Advice to younger self:
  • Act early: “Don’t wait—you don’t have to wait until you have a ton of money.”
  • Don’t act out of guilt.
  • Approach it like for-profit investing: Separate feel-good from impact-driven giving.
  • Focus on skills and relationships, not just outcomes.

8. Changing Mind on Intermittent Fasting ([51:20]–[56:10])

• Initially skeptical due to apparent lean muscle loss.
• Switched views after seeing dramatic blood work and performance improvement with 16:8 fasting post keto-adaptation.
• Myth busting: “You can absorb a lot more protein than you’d expect in single sittings… As you get older, more protein in fewer sittings can be absorbed.” ([53:54])
• Stresses essential role of resistance training to preserve muscle.

9. Disaster as Catalyst, Coyote’s Joy, and the Importance of Fun ([56:30]–[01:04:40])

• Disaster = Gift: The Four Hour Chef boycott led directly to launching The Tim Ferriss Show.

  • “Had it not been for that burnout, I would not have decided to take a cold turkey break from books and launch my own podcast.” ([58:20])

• Coyote’s success and impact: “It feels really great to have something that costs 10 bucks and reliably inject it into a family evening… you need recovery, and fun is a great way to recover.” ([1:03:09])

10. Old Ideas for the Future & Fasting Science ([01:04:55]–[01:09:25])

• Advocates revisiting old research on extended human fasting (lost due to IRB/ethics changes).
• “Fasting is the oldest cure… It’s more interesting because it’s less discussed and more neglected.” ([01:06:55])
• Suggests subtractive, not just additive, approaches in medicine and health.

11. Meta-Skills for the AI Era ([01:10:15]–[01:12:00])

• “The only insurance you have is being hyper-adaptable and a world-class learner.” ([01:10:30])
• Learners > specialists in a fast-changing world. Points to The Four Hour Chef (meta-learning).

12. Creative Projects: Cockpunch, Film, and AI Animation ([01:12:01]–[01:18:30])

• Working on an AI-generated movie trailer for Cockpunch/Varlata universe for creative fun.
• Plans a proof of concept before pitching bigger projects.
• “If I can make someone speechless with it… that’s going to be my test.” ([01:17:24])

13. High Performance in Mental Sports (Chess Training) ([01:19:00]–[01:26:55])

• Treat chess prep as for athletic sports:
  • Identify and plan for failure modes (fatigue, emotional dysregulation, energy dips, lack of sleep, etc.).
  • Glucose management is #1; advocates intermittent fasting and ketogenic diet as energy stabilizers.
  • Use of MCT oil for cognitive boost (more affordable than exogenous ketones).
  • Surveys possible smart drugs (Modafinil, beta-blockers, nicotine, microdosing) but adds strong cautions.

14. Behind the Scenes: Clean Energy, Future Protein, and Philanthropy ([01:26:55]–[01:30:00])

• Invested in fusion energy, methane-reducing algae feed additives, scalable protein sources, etc.
• “Trying to incentivize humans to unfuck the planet a bit.” ([01:27:15])
• Invests in meat alternatives despite enjoying meat—wants future-proof solutions.

15. Other Lightning Round Topics

• Countries to visit: Taiwan tops Tim’s list for culture, nature, food, and accessibility ([01:30:51])
• On “not yet” vs. “no”: Openness is valuable for discovering strengths; once found, tighten focus ([01:34:10])
• No new games until Coyote has reached “Escape Velocity” ([01:37:30])
• Podcast equipment preference: Over-ear, hardwired Audio-Technica headset for reliability ([01:39:00])
• Undercrowded opportunity channels: In-person, legacy digital platforms (email, Pinterest, Quora, etc.) ([01:40:00])
• Fasting and gender: Notable gender differences; recommends medical supervision and Dr. Mindy Pelz’s work ([01:41:20])
• Best family gathering locations: Recommends places like Mohonk Mountain House (NY)—“Dirty Dancing in upstate New York” ([01:45:02])
• Notebook meetups: Plans to organize after book completion ([01:46:30])

Memorable Quotes

“Sequencing is the magic sauce, I think, for a lot of things.”
— Tim Ferriss, on recovery and learning ([14:05])

“Much like the person who is his or her own lawyer has a fool for a client. I think that could apply to PT, I think it could apply to medicine.”
— Tim Ferriss, cautioning on DIY medical advice ([24:15])

“You’re picking a story that works for you… productivity is important… but the more you study history the more you realize: the idea of leaving your legacy by putting in an extra 10 hours a week… probably not going to matter in the grand scheme.”
— Tim Ferriss ([01:02:25])

“Fasting is the oldest cure.”
— Tim Ferriss ([01:06:56])

“The only insurance you have is being hyper-adaptable and a world-class learner.”
— Tim Ferriss ([01:10:30])

Selected Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Topic | |------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 04:40 | Major current challenges (Coyote game retail/distribution; surgery recovery) | | 14:05 | Philosophy of “sequencing” for solving hard problems | | 22:40 | Austin vs. San Francisco for entrepreneurs; hybrid approach | | 24:15 | AI tools workflow for research and medical queries | | 36:38 | Supplement stack and sleep protocols (cautions about copying protocols) | | 44:10 | Family location priorities, immersive nature, not tied to CA or TX | | 46:07 | Saying “no” to create “hell yes” moments (Montana trip vs. lucrative Europe event) | | 58:20 | Four Hour Chef as failure/catalyst for podcast; disaster as unexpected blessing | | 01:03:09 | The value and necessity of fun and laughter—Coyote’s mission | | 01:06:55 | Old fasting research and the subtractive approach to health | | 01:10:30 | Hyper-adaptability and meta-learning as the only sure bets in the AI era | | 01:17:24 | Movie trailer experiment with AI as creative proof of concept | | 01:19:00 | Mental sports prep: applying biological, dietary, and nootropic strategies to chess | | 01:26:55 | Clean energy, scalable protein, investment for planetary “unfucking” | | 01:30:51 | Taiwan as an overlooked travel gem | | 01:34:10 | The importance of “not yet” in the journey to “no” | | 01:41:20 | Fasting and gender: Dr. Mindy Pelz’s work | | 01:45:02 | Best locations for family gatherings | | 01:46:30 | Notebook community meetups in the works |

Summary Tone

Candid, exploratory, playful, at times self-deprecating but always methodical. Tim maintains a scientific, systems-based approach even with deeply personal questions, cautioning listeners often not to copy his protocols directly (“I am not a doctor!”). The episode oscillates between tactical deep-dives (supplements, recovery, fasting, AI research) and reflective big-picture philosophies about learning, creativity, fun, and legacy.

Recommended for Listeners Who…

• Are interested in self-experimentation and performance optimization
• Want unvarnished, practical perspectives on health, productivity, and the creative process
• Appreciate Tim’s “deconstruction” of challenges in real time, including business, tech, and personal development strategies
• Want to understand Tim’s current personal routines, tools, and high-leverage frameworks

For full details—refer to the segments above by timestamp and dive deeper into any topic discussed.