What if everything you thought about optimism was wrong? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Michael Gervais, high-performance psychologist who's worked with the Seattle Seahawks, Felix Baumgartner, and world-class performers across every field. We dive deep into why optimism isn't naive positivity but the ground zero of mental toughness, how Felix overcame crippling claustrophobia to jump from 130,000 feet, and why every world's best performer Michael has worked with is fundamentally optimistic. You'll discover the difference between grounded optimism and naive optimism, why your brain's survival bias is working against you, how to extinguish fear using systematic desensitization, and why mastery requires looseness, not control. Plus, Michael breaks down the power of "yes, and" conversations, becoming a researcher of amazing, and why emotions are running the whole show. If you've ever thought optimism was soft or unrealistic, this conversation will change your mind.

Dr. Michael Gervais' Website: https://findingmastery.com/

In This Episode:

Grab your very own Soundtracks: The Conversations Card Deck

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Dr. James Hewitt spent years teaching Fortune 500 companies and Formula One teams how to optimize performance—while ignoring his own advice. Then he found a lump in the shower. In this fascinating conversation, James shares how a late-30s cancer diagnosis forced him to confront a hard truth: he wasn't superhuman. We dive deep into the science of human performance, from why heart rate variability matters more than sleep tracking to how your mindset about stress can fundamentally alter your physiology. You'll discover why the "monk mode" mentality is flawed, how self-compassion beats perfectionism, why vacation research says 3-4 days works better than two weeks, and the 3P model that explains why high performers struggle to celebrate wins. Plus: why James speaks out loud in hotel rooms, his $15,000 watch collection paired with socks full of holes, and the Mount Rushmore of performance books you need to read.

Dr. Hewitt's Website: https://drjameshewitt.com

You can pre-order my NEWEST book, Procrastination Proof, right now!

In This Episode:

Grab your very own Soundtracks: The Conversations Card Deck

Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!

Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!

Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!

Book me to speak at your event or to your team!

You can grab a copy of my book All It Takes Is a Goal from your favorite bookstore or at my website!

Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today!

Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today!

This is it—the final installment of my 50 by 50 series. I've spent four episodes breaking down 50 lessons I learned in my first half-century on this planet (yes, I said half-century). In this episode, I'm covering the final 27 lessons, from "dream big, start small" to why you need at least one Cajun friend. You'll discover why your richest-looking friends might be your poorest, why you should buy an alarm clock and leave your phone in the kitchen, why the opportunity that will change your life often shows up as an annoyance, and why that glass of water on your nightstand at 3 AM is the greatest drink ever invented. Plus, I'll tell you why you should have kids before you're ready, why every industry is smaller than you think, and why you're the cavalry you've been waiting for. Whether you're turning 30, 40, 50, or beyond, these lessons will make you think, laugh, and hopefully grow.

You can pre-order my NEWEST book, Procrastination Proof, right now!

In This Episode:

Grab your very own Soundtracks: The Conversations Card Deck

Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!

Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!

Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!

Book me to speak at your event or to your team!

You can grab a copy of my book All It Takes Is a Goal from your favorite bookstore or at my website!

Episode Artwork Photo by Taylor Smith on Unsplash

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I just turned 50, and milestone birthdays make me reflective. Here's what I realized: I liked my 40s way more than my 30s. I'm happier, in better shape, more connected relationally, accomplishing more goals, but taking more vacation. Why? What did I do in my 40s that made it the best decade of my life? In this episode, I'm sharing the first 25 lessons from my list of 50 things that took me 50 years to learn. From "everyone should write at least one book" to "your phone is a casino that runs on time," these lessons cover everything—money, marriage, mentors, mountains, and why you need to own a good suitcase. Some are practical, some are profound, and all of them will make your life better if you apply them. This is part one of a two-part series, so next week I'll share the final 25 lessons to close out the year.

You can pre-order my NEWEST book, Procrastination Proof, right now!

In This Episode:

Grab your very own Soundtracks: The Conversations Card Deck

Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!

Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!

Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!

Book me to speak at your event or to your team!

You can grab a copy of my book All It Takes Is a Goal from your favorite bookstore or at my website!

Episode Artwork Photo by James Donaldson on Unsplash

Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today!

I just turned 50, and I've learned some things the hard way. In this episode, I'm sharing four more life lessons that took me half a century to figure out—lessons I wish I could tell my 30-year-old self. You'll discover why successful people are time machines who can shave years off your journey, why anxiety isn't something to fix but something to redeploy (this one changed everything for me), and why there's money on the ground everywhere if you're willing to pick it up. I'll also tell you why you should have kids before you're ready—because if you wait until you have enough money or the perfect career, you'll miss out on years with them. Ready is a myth. My 40s were better than my 30s, my 30s were better than my 20s, and I'm genuinely excited about my 50s because I know they're going to be even better. Here's to 50 and beyond.

You can pre-order my NEWEST book, Procrastination Proof, right now!

In This Episode:

Grab your very own Soundtracks: The Conversations Card Deck

Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!

Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!

Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!

Book me to speak at your event or to your team!

You can grab a copy of my book All It Takes Is a Goal from your favorite bookstore or at my website!

Episode Artwork Photo by Maud Bocquillod on Unsplash

Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today!

I'm turning 50 on December 19 (presents welcome), and as I approach the half-century mark, I've been reflecting on the lessons that have meant the most to me. When you're in your 20s, you don't have hard-fought wisdom, but at 50, there's no denying you've been around the block a few times. In this episode, I'm sharing the first five of ten life-changing lessons: how your thought life becomes your life life, why you reap what you sow (and how that's made me write 12 books), why a naturally negative person like me discovered that positivity has a better ROI, why you are the cavalry you've been waiting for, and the truth about having enough time. These aren't just philosophical musings—they're the practical principles that turned my life around at 34 and have shaped everything since. If you only steal one lesson from this list, make it the first one about soundtracks. Stay tuned for the final four lessons next week.

You can pre-order my NEWEST book, Procrastination Proof, right now!

In This Episode:

Grab your very own Soundtracks: The Conversations Card Deck

Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!

Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!

Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!

Book me to speak at your event or to your team!

You can grab a copy of my book All It Takes Is a Goal from your favorite bookstore or at my website!

Episode Artwork Photo by Jacek Dylag on Unsplash

Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today!

Don't know what to get for that person who has it all? I've got you covered. This year's Try This Gift Guide features 11 items the Acuff house absolutely loved or made in 2025—from the card game that teaches you everything about a person (SkyJo) to the weighted backpack that's making me look ridiculously in shape (GoRuck), to the brand-new Soundtracks Card Decks that are the perfect stocking stuffer. You'll also discover the best calendar ever made (yes, I'm biased), customized luggage tags that will save you at the airport, a book about bookstores that will restore your faith in humanity, and the greatest running shoes I've ever owned. Most of these are pulled straight from our Amazon order list, so they're easy to get and quick to ship. Get ready to surprise and delight everyone you know—from travelers to runners to book lovers to that spunky aunt in Santa Fe. Merry Christmas!

My Gift Guide:

SkyJo Card Game

GoRuck Backpack

Soundtracks Card Deck

The Heart Aroused by David Whyte

Galaga Handheld Arcade

150 Bookstores You Need To Visit Before You Die by Elizabeth Stamp

Tom Bihn Bags, I personally use the Pilot bag, our family has loved the Large Tote bag this year

The Greatest Year Ever Calendar

Brooks Hyperion Max 2 running shoes

Pomodoro Timer

Customized luggage tags

As a bonus gift to yourself, you can pre-order my NEWEST book, Procrastination Proof, right now!

In This Episode:

Grab your very own Soundtracks: The Conversations Card Deck

Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!

Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!

Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!

Book me to speak at your event or to your team!

You can grab a copy of my book All It Takes Is a Goal from your favorite bookstore or at my website!

Episode Photo by Nathan Lemon on Unsplash

Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today!

I am my niece and nephew's favorite uncle—mostly because I'm their only uncle, but a win is a win. Election years turn every family gathering into "squirrely uncle season," and Thanksgiving is ground zero. You've got relatives who think differently, believe differently, and this year, vote differently. Before you get into a political argument that could cost you a decades-long relationship, here's one soundtrack to remember: "Politicians are temporary, family is forever." In this episode, I'm breaking down why you shouldn't do long-term damage over short-term politicians, how to set boundaries with difficult relatives, and what Andy Stanley said about winning arguments but losing relationships. This will be the 8th or 9th president of my lifetime—I've only had one dad and one mom. Do the math before you flip the table. And whatever you do, don't grab the pecan pie on your way out. Nuts ruin dessert.

You can pre-order my NEWEST book, Procrastination Proof, right now!

In This Episode:

Grab your very own Soundtracks: The Conversations Card Deck

Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!

Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!

Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!

Book me to speak at your event or to your team!

You can grab a copy of my book All It Takes Is a Goal from your favorite bookstore or at my website!

Episode Artwork Photo by Libby Penner on Unsplash

Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today!