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

RELATED EPISODES: https://youtu.be/DU4XbvAat6I https://youtu.be/39kvwF6nlbU https://youtu.be/SD1_rsB-Xaw https://youtu.be/rvzMFvL0CHI https://youtu.be/ahDzqXS0-jU https://youtu.be/m-9o5aFAqrI https://youtu.be/f5mzNrdactw

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

Rainn Wilson is best known for his role as Dwight Schrute on The Office—one of the most iconic characters in television history. The Office consistently ranks among the greatest TV shows of all time and has remained one of the most watched shows on streaming services in the last five years.

But there’s so much more to Rainn than his acting career. As the co-founder of SoulPancake, he has spent years exploring life’s biggest questions and is one of Hollywood’s most outspoken voices on spirituality. He’s also a bestselling author, with The Bassoon King (2015) and SoulBoom (2023), the latter making an instant splash on The New York Times bestseller list.

In this episode, Rainn opens up about his personal journey—his battles with addiction, anxiety, and an existential crisis, and how he found healing through therapy and spirituality. We also dive into his Hollywood breakthrough, the myth that success leads to happiness, and why he believes the Western world is in desperate need of a spiritual revolution.

From consciousness and religion to human suffering and mental health, this is Rainn at his most raw, insightful, and thought-provoking.

Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro 2:43 - Sponsor: N-2 Water 3:42 - Getting rejected at Juilliard 12:22 - Rainn’s drug addiction 15:25 - Going to therapy for first time 17:58 - Why Rainn had a mental health crisis 21:41 - Constant panic attacks 26:57 - Generational trauma & Rainn’s childhood 34:18 - Becoming an atheist 38:08 - Considering spirituality 42:34 - Answered prayer or coincidence? 46:10 - Investigating the truth 54:11 - Moving to Hollywood 56:20 - Landing The Office role 1:02:55 - Becoming famous 1:04:47 - The Rocker 1:10:44 - The insatiable desire for more 1:17:53 - My Last Days 1:22:13 - The need for a spiritual revolution 1:32:54 - Psychedelics 1:39:07 - Consciousness 1:49:48 - Religion 1:56:54 - Morality 2:07:19 - Suffering, pain & struggles 2:15:45 - Are all religions the same? 2:29:08 - Biggest takeaways

Get 20% off your first order of N-2 Water with code EARLYSIPS at checkout: https://www.n-2water.com/mightypursuit

Buy SoulBoom: https://amzn.to/41N1qEc

Related Episodes: https://youtu.be/m-9o5aFAqrI https://youtu.be/f5mzNrdactw

Rainn Wilson Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rainnwilson/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rainnwilson

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

For business inquiries: hello@mightypursuit.com

Dr. Uma Naidoo is widely recognized as Harvard’s leading expert on the connection between mood and food. She has been called the world’s first “triple threat” in the fields of nutrition and medicine. Not only is she a psychiatrist but also a trained nutritionist and professional chef, uniquely blending these disciplines to pioneer the field of nutritional psychiatry.

As the Director of Nutritional and Lifestyle Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital—one of the top hospitals in the world—Dr. Naidoo has been at the forefront of research on how food impacts mental health.

Her influence has grown significantly, fueled by the success of her New York Times bestseller This Is Your Brain on Food and her follow-up book, Calm Your Mind with Food, which explores the link between diet and anxiety.

On the Mighty Pursuit Podcast, we've explored both mental health and nutrition in depth. Today, we bring those themes together as Dr. Naidoo unpacks the latest science behind how what we eat shapes our mental well-being. In this episode, we talk about the brain-gut connection, the impact that chronic stress has on the body and whether chemical imbalances are truly the cause of mental health issues.

We then dive into treatment options, discussing the effectiveness of pharmaceutical interventions like antidepressants, as opposed to using food to improve your mood. If you’re anything like us, you probably find the link between food and mood to be surprising. But ultimately what you’ll discover is that understanding this link will go a long way towards improving both your physical and mental health.

Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro 1:20 - Sponsor: N-2 Water 3:28 - The science behind mood & food 8:39 - How mental health affects the gut 10:26 - How food affects your mental health 13:50 - The important of treating both simultaneously 18:04 - The shocking truth about “chemical imbalances” 25:09 - The medical system is set up to prescribe pills 37:08 - Doctors don’t know why SSRIs work 42:21 - The primary causes of mental health issues 50:51 - Schizophrenia & gut bacteria 55:29 - Metabolism, immune system & mental health 1:03:06 - Can food treat serious mental health issues? 1:08:34 - Sugar puts you at risk of greater depression 1:17:47 - The Western diet is terrible for mental health 1:20:23 - Gluten & mental health 1:23:26 - A food protocol to become less anxious 1:30:41 - Food as medicine for OCD, bipolar & schizophrenia

Get 20% off your first order of N-2 Water with code EARLYSIPS at checkout: https://www.n-2water.com/mightypursuit

Related Episodes: Dr. William Li on cancer: https://youtu.be/4uOoilQOVAc?si=VjpjJ5dA3sR23t_q Dr. Casey Means on the medical system: https://youtu.be/ahDzqXS0-jU?si=PIiIJ_U60TAZd93P

Uma Naidoo Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drumanaidoo/ This Is Your Brain On Food: https://amzn.to/3XZp3a9 Calm Your Mind With Food: https://amzn.to/3Ril9FE

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

Nutrition Hub: https://www.mightypursuit.com/nutrition

For business inquiries: hello@mightypursuit.com

Sahil Bloom is an investor and entrepreneur who started his career managing $3.5 billion in assets at a private equity firm. Since then, he’s become one of the most respected voices in business, with a combined audience of 3 million across LinkedIn, Instagram, X, and his newsletter.

He counts Apple CEO Tim Cook among his mentors. Most recently, he published his first book, The Five Types of Wealth, which became an instant New York Times bestseller.

In this episode, we tackle the big questions on money and wealth-building—does money truly lead to happiness? What do we sacrifice in the pursuit of money? And how do we define what “enough” is in our lives?

Taking this a step further, we break down the rising cost of living, practical strategies for generating income, managing expenses, and growing your investments.

Finally, we expand the concept of wealth, exploring what it truly means to live a holistic, integrated life. Sahil breaks down the essential roles of time, purpose, and relationships in building true wealth—bringing it all together in what was nothing short of a masterclass.

Chapters 0:00 - Intro 1:02 - “Money isn’t nothing” 3:57 - The science on money & happiness 14:55 - Defining what enough looks like 20:24 - Struggling to pay the bills 25:44 - What’s the purpose of money? 36:35 - Using money to serve something greater 39:24 - Winning the battle, but losing the war 48:29 - Buying things to impress other people 56:52 - Be realistic about wealth-building 59:54 - Building pathways for income 1:04:15 - The meta skills for income generation 1:12:58 - Managing your expenses effectively 1:16:55 - Investments & financial freedom 1:18:06 - The question no one is asking 1:24:24 - Sacrificing relationships for money & success 1:26:13 - The three types of friends 1:27:53 - Making friends & conversation starters 1:34:06 - The worst question in the world 1:36:32 - Finding your purpose

Buy the Five Types of Wealth: https://rb.gy/oiuuuo

Sahil's Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sahilbloom/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sahilbloom/ X: https://x.com/SahilBloom Newsletter: https://www.sahilbloom.com/newsletter

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

For business inquiries: hello@mightypursuit.com

Every month the subject of marriage generates tens of millions of search queries across Google, YouTube, and ChatGPT.

For years, the 50% divorce rate has been widely publicized, leaving many terrified of entering a marriage that might fail. As a result, the number of people choosing to stay single has skyrocketed—and for those who do get married, prenups are becoming the norm.

So to really do this topic justice, we are exploring it through the ultimate contrast: a pastor and a divorce lawyer.

Over the last couple years, James Sexton has become the most famous divorce lawyer in the world. Even though he barely uses social media, his social following has gone up 600% since the beginning of 2024. He’s been featured on nearly every major podcast, and many of those conversations regularly get millions of views. Much of the general population loves him because he tells it as it is, with blunt and no-nonsense insights.

On the other side, we have Carl Lentz, who pastored Hillsong NYC for ten years. At its height, nearly 10,000 people attended Hillsong’s Sunday gatherings on a weekly basis, which made it the largest church in New York City. Due to its success, Carl became a fixture in the mainstream media and for a time, generated more publicity than any pastor in the world.

After a highly public downfall in 2020 and facing the brink of divorce himself, he rebuilt his marriage from the ground up. Now, alongside his wife Laura, he shares hard-earned insights on relationships through their podcast, which topped the documentary charts on Apple in 2024.

In this conversation, we tackle all the burning questions on your mind.

CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Trailer + Intro 4:11 - Sponsor: N-2 Water 8:12 - James’s background 19:20 - Carl’s background 22:04 - Spiritual vs. legal marriage 36:37 - What’s the point of marriage? 53:04 - The human condition 59:07 - Why do people cheat? 1:06:58 - Why faith-based marriages fail at same rate 1:09:30 - Getting married too young 1:13:11 - No sex before marriage 1:19:00 - Is polygyny the ideal for men? 1:25:10 - Does James believe in monogamy? 1:35:03 - Gaining control over your sex drive 1:42:56 - The sex recession amongst Gen Z 1:45:21 - Communicating about sex 2:00:49 - Are we just picking the wrong people? 2:10:10 - The primary reasons marriage fails 2:17:31 - Elon Musk & the issue of priorities 2:34:16 - The importance of getting multiple perspectives

Get 20% off your first order of N-2 Water with code EARLYSIPS at checkout: https://www.n-2water.com/mightypursuit

Carl Lentz Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carllentz/ Lights On Podcast: https://shorturl.at/jn28W

James Sexton Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nycdivorcelawyer/ X: https://x.com/nycdivorcelaw

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

For business inquiries: hello@mightypursuit.com

Tori Hope Petersen is an author and speaker who has been featured on TEDx, ABC News and Good Morning America.

Originally conceived through s*xual abuse, Tori’s chances of succeeding in life were slim to none. She grew up in a household marked by prostitution and drug abuse, was physically and s*xually abused, she was placed in foster care at 4 years old, and then again from 12 to 18 years old.

She has lived in far too many homes to count, and also spent time in juvenile detention. And yet she stands here to talk about it. Against all odds, Tori not only graduated from college but also authored two books, including her latest release, Breaking the Patterns That Break You.

So in this conversation, we dive deep into that experience. We discuss the circumstances surrounding her birth, growing up in an abusive household, and the gross injustices she faced while inside the foster care system. Discussing themes like trauma and spirituality, we discover how and why she succeeded, despite every obstacle standing in her way.

Chapters: 0:00 - Intro 1:07 - The story behind Tori’s birth 5:28 - When S.W.A.T. broke down her door 18:16 - Going into foster care at age 4 23:00 - Schizophrenia, bipolar & psych ward visits 37:41 - Being placed in juvenile detention 43:29 - Living in 12 different foster homes 57:08 - The feces, urine & bathtub incident 1:13:55 - “I hated God” 1:22:20 - How Tori beat the odds 1:26:01 - Wrestling with her trauma 1:40:58 - Does time heal all wounds? 1:45:27 - Forgiveness & closure 1:54:22 - The power of sharing your story

Grab a copy of Tori's books: Breaking the Patterns That Break You: https://shorturl.at/pmg0M Fostered: https://shorturl.at/lF9kt

Follow Tori on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/torihopepetersen TikTok: https://www.instagram.com/torihopepetersen

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

Visit our Mental Health Hub https://mightypursuit.com/mental-health

For business inquiries: hello@mightypursuit.com