Doug LarsonIf you want to be more successful, put more effort into asking great questions. Your thinking will become more refined and effective as you listen and consider other points of view.
This week we had 3-time New York Times best selling author Tim Ferriss on the Barbell Shrugged podcast. But Tim recently started his own and I’ve really enjoyed plowing through all the episodes.
If you check it out The Tim Ferriss Show you’ll notice that he always asks his guests a few leading questions. That’s of course by design. It sparks plenty of fresh conversation for the podcast, but more than that, it creates an incredible opportunity to learn and expand one’s thinking.
We’re Shrugged buddies with Tim now, so I thought I’d rip off his idea and start asking our friends some of those same questions, including:
- When you think of success, who’s the first person to comes to mind, and why?
- What’s the most life-impacting purchase you’ve made for less than $100 in the last 6 months?
- What are your morning rituals?
- What does the first 60 minutes of your day look like?
Q&A with Julie Foucher
The first person I thought to call was Julie Foucher. She’s proven her fitness time and time again, year after year at the CrossFit Games, even making the podium this last year in 2014! But the crazy thing is that she’s also in med school. I had to figure out what makes her tick…. how she can be such a great competitor AND take on the tall task that is med school.
She also happens to be a big fan of Tim’s, which isn’t much of a surprise given her productivity.
Balancing competing interests and still achieving word class results is incredibly hard. So, I thought I’d ask Julie THE questions to learn more about what motivates her, and how she manages to be so successful.
The power of systems
If you listened to our episode with Tim you’ll know that he’s big on systems. If you can automate recurring daily decisions you can free up valuable free time for other important things. You can make the, more critical decisions during your day.
That’s a fundamental behavior of very successful people.
A simple example that you’ll here mentioned in my interview with Julie that you can implement quickly is Pure Pharma’s “3” subscription plan. You might be just like Julie, juggling work, training, school, you name it. So, a simple thing you can do to make things easier and increase effectiveness is to automate your supplement routine. Having pre-dosed packets of goodness on hand makes taking the right stuff the easiest decision, which is just what you want.
I hope you enjoy our chat. Please watch and share with your friends. Also, if you’ve got ideas about who I should interview next, and what I should ask, just toss your ideas in the comments below. I’d love to hear it.
Reign Supreme!
CTP
For more
- Check out Julie’s site, JulieFoucher.com. Also, make sure to follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
- Don’t miss our interview with Julie on episode 65 of Barbell Shrugged.
CTP, you seem a like a cool dude. You’re obviously on point when it comes to the technology side of things. Nevertheless, I’m not sure that you’re built to be the on camera talent. Your interview was somewhat uncomfortable and unnatural. Who knows, maybe you just need to find your groove. I may be wrong. However, many people waste a lot of time trying to do something that they aren’t built for, rather than investing in the things that they are obviously gifted with. Might that be the case with you?
Ha! If this was my 5th interview you might have a point. I had a blast! Wouldn’t life be a bitch if we all made decisions off our first time trying something. But I do appreciate your concern with my time, I’m sure you mean well!
CTP, don’t let anybody tell you that you are not cut up for things that you are trying to explore. Great interview. I had a pleasure to be a member of the CrossFit gym where Julie workout outs on the regular bases while in medical school in Cleveland. She is all business and the fact that you made her open up on here is a huge accomplishment. Your video skills are dope btw.
Sean, motivation might not be your strongest skill. If your kid was a little shaky on their the first bike ride, would you tell them to stick to walking? I hope not.
Right on! Keep going CTP!!!
Well put. Feedback should be delivered with the intent to improve, not to discourage others from following their curiosities or pursuing their passions. I love the podcast. I think that your team delivers value added content for athletes at all levels and it comes from a place that makes you feel that you are learning together versus I am better than. I personally have found that the podcasts make me laugh, they remind me why training is fun, they help me overcome obstacles and realize that it’s not about being perfect. Thank you for doing what you do 🙂
Have you seen barbellshrugged episone 1? 2?…Not the most comfortable or smooth. Episode 1 of ANY successful podcast for that matter? Seriously dude, chill. CTP, do your thing.
Right on! Keep seeking and thanks for the show!
Oh, and I disagree with the comment Sean made above. I thought the interview was very natural and well done. If either of you ever want to talk about spirituality feel free to e mail me. I am always looking for intelligent people to discuss the deeper aspects of life with. Thanks again
I felt CTP took over the interview instead of adding too it. Allow for the guest to expand more instead of adding personal experience. Practice makes perfect, so don’t stop with just this one. Thanks
Why is everyone an armchair quarterback on all of these videos? If you feel the need to point it out, these guys know it already. They are an esoteric group of self-improvers and are certainly aware of their shortfalls. Good job CTP, keep them coming. Reign Supreme.
Thanks dude! May you reign supremely as well!
i love this … i always listen to you guys when im working, its great just listening to the conversations, and i learn so much each time
CTP cool to see you for a change 🙂
hi from Australia xxx
BTW you did a great job … dont listen to the haters
Good interview! I was interesting seeing you Chris; you’re someone that we don’t really “know” that well yet. Odd to think that you’ve been there for the vast majority of the shows (maybe all of them, I don’t know). I almost enjoyed listening to you as much as Julie; you bring up some pretty interesting ideas. I shouldn’t be surprised, it would be hard not to have some interesting ideas when you get to hang out with/observe the dozens of unique people you guys have on the show 😉 Keep it up!
Thanks! Yea I’ve been there for ALL of them… in fact I’m the only one of the 4 of us who has been there for every episode 🙂
Ha, great to see you get some cam time CTP, i’m going to check this out when i’m at work!
Hey man, that was super cool!
Not used to the webcam thing but it doesn’t alter the interesting topic that you guys came with in any way.
Keep up the amazing stuff! (either side of the camera.)
Can anyone clarify what documentary Julie said she liked?
It’s called “Fed Up,” really great film.
Nice work CTP. Didn’t realize Julie was on the god-squad…strange how many of the top folks fall in that camp IMO.
All I want to know is…did Julie Foucher just do an entire interview in a Snuggie? Was I the only one who wondered? CTP, I really enjoyed seeing you in front of the camera. Thanks for all the work you put in.