Ben Smith: Designing Your Life, Quitting Booze, & Bio-Optimizing for Success | MMP #214

On today's episode we had on an entrepreneur from Austin, TX, Ben Smith. We were excited to have Ben on because he shares a number of unique perspectives on health as a founder. Here are the biggest takeaways from our conversation: Ben shares his journey with health and fitness, starting weightlifting at 16 years old. He believes focusing on the basics like sleep, training, nutrition, and community can get you 80-90% of the way to optimal health. He's launched several successful direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands and has sharp instincts for identifying new product opportunities before they go mainstream. Ben is a proponent of quickly and cheaply testing new ideas before investing heavily. Having faith and trusting your intuition is very important as an entrepreneur, according to Ben. Surrounding yourself with the right advisors and team is also key to success in business. Ben avoids alcohol and finds activities like travel, adventure, and dance parties more mentally stimulating and fulfilling. He aims to live intentionally while still having fun and enjoying life. Business Advice Ben advises thoroughly testing ideas in small pilots before going all in. Build a minimal brand, run targeted ads, analyze metrics like CAC and LTV to validate opportunities. He recommends taking a 1-year sales job early in your career to gain valuable experience. Sales teaches important skills applicable to business. He offered great perspectives as both a successful founder and biohacker. The conversation covered entrepreneurship, health/wellness philosophy, self-experimentation, and lifestyle design. SPONSORS Fond Bone Broth - 15% OFF - REAL bone broth with HIGH-QUALITY ingredients! It’s a daily product for us! Fold App - Earn Bitcoin on all of your purchases by using the Fold Debit Card - it's simple, easy, and a fun way to earn bitcoin as you spend money on healthy foods! Use code MEATMAFIA to earn 100,000 sats when you sign up for Fold's FREE bitcoin rewards debit card & spend $20 with the card.  NOBLE ORIGINS Complete and simple, animal-based protein powder with an organ blend for additional nutrition! AFFILIATES LMNT - Electrolyte salts to supplement minerals on low-carb diet The Carnivore Bar - CODE MAFIA for 10% OFF - Delicious & convenient Pemmican Bar Perennial Pastures - 10% OFF - Regeneratively raised, grass-fed & grass-finished beef from California & Montana Farrow Skincare - Use the CODE 'MAFIA' at checkout for 20% OFF Heart & Soil - CODE ‘MEATMAFIA10’ for 10% OFF - enhanced nutrition to replace daily vitamins!