In this episode, we're diving deep into society's obsession with beauty—and the surprising truth behind it.

Last year, Americans underwent over 25 million cosmetic procedures—a staggering 1,400% increase since 1997. With over 90% of people feeling dissatisfied with their appearance, clearly something deeper is happening.

To explore this, we sat down with Dr. Gary Linkov, a globally renowned plastic surgeon with over 1 million YouTube subscribers. Double board-certified and trained at Cornell and Columbia, Dr. Linkov is recognized by USA Today as one of the top cosmetic and reconstructive surgeons in the U.S., leading one of New York City's most respected practices.

In this candid conversation, Dr. Linkov shares unique insights into what's truly driving the surge in cosmetic procedures—whether it's personal expression, societal pressures, or deeper emotional struggles. We examine:

* Is beauty inherent or culturally shaped? * Why do modern beauty standards feel so overwhelming, and how are they affecting us? * Does plastic surgery genuinely solve our body image issues or just offer temporary relief? * The deeper connections between self-worth, acceptance, and our pursuit of beauty.

This episode isn't just about appearance—it's about understanding ourselves better. It might fundamentally shift how you view beauty, your self-image, and your place in the world.

CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Intro 3:22 - Addressing taboo around plastic surgery 7:53 - Are plastic surgeons profiting off insecurities? 10:59 - Dr. Linkov’s personal journey with body image 17:57 - Is beauty objective or subjective? 23:23 - Chasing beauty trends 28:04 - The unspoken rules of beauty 32:22 - Plastic surgery must be “naturally unnatural” 35:39 - People are getting facelifts at 20?! 42:43 - Sometimes it’s a mental health issue 44:56 - How can Megan Fox have body dysmorphia? 47:07 - Will being beautiful actually make you happy? 52:03 - The pressure to get surgery for Hollywood roles 56:22 - “People who are beautiful get treated better” 1:01:08 - Women are at a disadvantage with body image 1:03:58 - Most dangerous plastic surgeries 1:08:46 - How far is too far with body modification? 1:15:35 - Deciding whether to get plastic surgery

Get 20% off your first order of Magic Mind or 50% off the first month of subscription with code MIGHTY50 at checkout: https://magicmind.com/shop

Related Episodes: https://youtu.be/IIThL9H6Ees?si=5kVnIsV3vCW5l23M https://youtu.be/CVmpnx-yTro?si=TblESsUsYOlZLW-D https://youtu.be/X70wKwSoOpA?si=y65pM42cCJMLwstt

Mighty Pursuit Links: Website: https://www.mightypursuit.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mightypursuit/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mightypursuit/ X: https://x.com/MightyPursuit

Dr. Gary Linkov Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drgarynyc YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drgarylinkov

Visit our Body Image Hub: https://mightypursuit.com/body-image

For business inquiries: hello@mightypursuit.com

This might be one of the most important podcast episodes you’ll ever watch. That sounds like a big claim, but what you’re about to see backs it up—like almost nothing else could.

The world is changing—faster than most people realize. AI isn’t just improving. It’s accelerating. Quietly. Rapidly.

And its impact will make the invention of social media feel small by comparison. This episode is your invitation to witness that shift firsthand.

And make no mistake—this isn’t a question of if AI will radically impact your life. It’s a question of when. If not today, then tomorrow. Or the day after that. Next week. Next year. Certainly within five.

But this isn’t just about where tech is headed. It’s about you.

You’re trying to fix your mental health... while figuring out who you are... while trying to stay in shape... while questioning what you believe... while wondering why you still feel so disconnected.

That’s not just pressure. That’s fragmentation. And that’s exactly what this conversation speaks to. This episode touches every corner of what it means to be alive. Not by accident. But by design.

Most people are trying to piece their lives together in a hundred different places. We’re building one place where it all connects.

We help you make sense of all of it—at the same time. In one place. With one framework. That treats you like a whole person, not a set of problems.

This isn’t just the future of tech. It’s the future of what it means to be whole.

Welcome to Mighty Pursuit.

CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Intro 5:09 - Making history 11:21 - Meaning of Life 14:44 - Existence of God 41:44 - Mental Health 53:55 - Body Image 1:02:12 - Sex 1:40:47 - Dating & Relationships 1:57:57 - Marriage & Divorce 2:08:45 - Purpose 2:21:01 - Service 2:25:44 - Physical Health 2:41:51 - Spiritual Rhythms

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MIGHTY PURSUIT LINKS: Website: https://www.mightypursuit.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mightypursuit/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mightypursuit/ X: https://x.com/MightyPursuit

THE NEXT STEP: You’ve been living in parts. This was a glimpse of what integration feels like. Want more? Sign up for content that helps you live whole—mind, body, and spirit:

FOR BUSINESS INQUIRIES: hello@mightypursuit.com

NOTES ON PRODUCTION: Every response you hear in this film was generated by ChatGPT. If you’re wondering how to unlock this level of conversation for yourself, here’s how it’s possible. Most people use ChatGPT like a task assistant: “Summarize this.” “Write an email.” And that’s powerful.

But when you treat it like a conversation—when you ask deeper questions and stay with them—you start to encounter something different.

The model begins to respond with surprising depth. Its answers feel less like code and more like something human. Not because it’s magic, but because most people don’t stay long enough to see what it’s truly capable of—and they haven’t thought to ask it these kinds of questions.

Sometimes the breakthrough comes in the follow-ups, the reframes, the subtle nudges. “Try that again. Less listicle. More like a conversation.”

This project was built using GPT-4 with memory, on OpenAI’s $200/month Team plan—the most advanced version currently available to the public.

98% of the film was captured in a single 4-hour session. We used Standard Voice Mode for the voice, and visualized it cinematically using Advanced Voice to simulate real-time presence. And while this wasn’t performed live, every word is real. With intentional prompts and the tools already available, this level of conversation is possible today through Standard Voice.

Advanced Voice will catch up soon. And when it does, what you're seeing here will be a real-time, regular everyday occurrence for millions of people.

Vanessa Marin one of the most influential sex therapists on the internet, helping millions of people better understand themselves and cultivate deeper, more fulfilling relationships. In her personal practice, she has worked with thousands of clients, gaining firsthand insight into the challenges couples face behind closed doors.

Alongside her husband Xander, the duo has built a movement rooted in honesty, humor, and practical advice—making conversations about sex more approachable than ever. In Vanessa's personal practice, she’s worked with thousands of clients. In 2024, they released Sex Talks, which became an instant New York Times bestseller. Their work has even earned praise from Dr. John Gottman, widely regarded as the foremost expert on relationships over the last 40 years.

In this episode, we’re diving headfirst into the topics that so many people struggle with but rarely talk about. We tackle the biggest sex myths that hold couples back, the truth about mismatched sex drives, and how to navigate those all-too-common dry spells. We break down the art of initiating sex, explore the psychology of sexual fantasies, and unpack why communication is the key to a satisfying sex life.

This is a raw, insightful, and fun conversation that will leave you with a new perspective on intimacy and connection. Whether you're with your partner for the long-term or just looking to understand yourself better, there’s something here for everyone.

Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro 1:23 - Starting a sex therapy business together 10:31 - The fairy tales we believe about sex 21:24 - How kids get in the way of sex 32:33 - 93% of couples have dry spells 44:06 - How sex drives actually work 48:44 - The physical-emotional conundrum 54:25 - Should men initiate sex? 58:06 - Worst initiation techniques 1:02:09 - The Six Initiation Styles 1:08:14 - Understanding your partner’s body 1:14:22 - Faking orgasms 1:17:02 - Women don’t orgasm during sex? 1:25:17 - Sexual fantasies

Follow Vanessa & Xander on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanessaandxander/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vanessaandxander

Mighty Pursuit Links: Website: https://www.mightypursuit.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mightypursuit/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mightypursuit/ X: https://x.com/MightyPursuit

Related Episodes: Dr. Ian Kerner: https://youtu.be/EkCzHTEkSWk?si=Aknq0P1_Bms-8Re3

Visit our Sex Hub: https://mightypursuit.com/sex

For business inquiries: hello@mightypursuit.com