What were Ric Elias's biggest regrets during the 90 seconds before impact?

During the 90 seconds before impact, Ric Elias regretted not having asked for forgiveness, not having said 'I love you' enough, and having let his ego become too active in his life. He also deeply regretted prioritizing everything else over his primary responsibility of raising his children to be their best selves. (975 seconds)

How did Ric Elias feel about dying during the plane crash?

Ric Elias found dying not scary, but incredibly sad. He didn't want to go because he liked his life and felt he wasn't done, despite having many regrets. (1073 seconds)

What gift did Ric Elias receive from his near-death experience?

Ric Elias considers his survival the 'ultimate gift'—a second chance at life and the clarity of knowing he needs to live with no regrets. He committed to asking himself, 'Did I earn my gift?' when he eventually dies. (2400 seconds)

What is the 'collect bad wines' philosophy?

Ric Elias's 'collect bad wines' philosophy is a reminder to not postpone anything. If a good bottle of wine is ready and the right person is there, he opens it. The idea is not to leave life with unexperienced joys or unfulfilled actions, living every moment fully. (2645 seconds)

How does Ric Elias apply 'The Infinite Game' concept to his life?

Ric Elias applies the 'Infinite Game' philosophy, where the purpose is to keep playing the next game, not to win an endpoint. This inspires him to prioritize health to maintain his ability to keep playing the game of life, rather than pursuing short-term, instant gratification that might compromise his longevity. (2752 seconds)

What is Ric Elias's advice on parenting today?

Ric Elias advises parents to remember that raising teenagers is a tug-of-war they must ultimately lose, incrementally. The goal is to meet kids where they are, find their natural gifts, and encourage them to be their best selves, avoiding shaming. He also emphasizes that parents should model good behavior and kindness, rather than just using words. (3515 seconds)

What is Ric Elias doing to help undocumented youth through the Golden Door Scholars program?

Through the Golden Door Scholars program, Ric Elias supports undocumented kids, many of whom are high-achievers but cannot afford college due to their immigration status. The program helps them access higher education and work permits, providing opportunities they wouldn't otherwise have. (4379 seconds)

How does Ric Elias approach business operations at Red Ventures?

At Red Ventures, Ric Elias advocates running the business with 'verbs' (belief statements) rather than 'nouns' (values), such as 'running up the escalators,' which emphasizes pace and iteration. They use a unique business review format with 20-minute, no-PowerPoint meetings to force prioritization, train employees, and make quick decisions, fostering a 'three-fer' or 'four-fer' approach to maximize positive outcomes from every activity. (5011 seconds)

What drives competitive spirit in leaders, according to Ric Elias?

Ric Elias observes three drivers: competing to defeat a rival, being driven by fear of failure (which often leads to burnout), and loving to compete as a race against oneself for continuous improvement. He believes the last type of competitor has better balance and longevity. (5638 seconds)

Key Moments

#79 – Ric Elias: Earning the gift of life

Peter Attia MD

People & Blogs4 min read102 min video

Jan 14, 2020|5,819 views|128|7

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Key Moments

TL;DR

Ric Elias recounts surviving Flight 1549, the profound shift it caused in his life, and his ongoing commitment to purpose and community.

Key Insights

The near-death experience on Flight 1549 radically altered Elias's perspective, prioritizing family, purpose, and community over prior stresses.

Elias learned profound lessons about regret, ego, and the importance of living authentically, particularly in his relationships and work.

His approach to business, philanthropy, and parenting shifted dramatically, focusing on 'earning the gift' of life through meaningful action.

The flight instilled a deep appreciation for 'the infinite game,' emphasizing continuous improvement and playing for the long term rather than short-term wins.

Elias has dedicated significant energy to philanthropy, particularly focusing on educational and economic opportunities for underserved communities.

His business philosophy emphasizes 'verbs' over 'nouns' (actions over values) and a culture of humility and continuous adaptation, exemplified by 'The Business Review'.

THE FATEFUL FLIGHT AND RADICAL SHIFT

Ric Elias shares the harrowing experience of being a passenger on US Airways Flight 1549, recounting the moment he knew with certainty he was going to die. The immediate aftermath, characterized by a surreal calm and then rescue, triggered a profound personal transformation. This near-death experience became the catalyst for a complete re-evaluation of his life, priorities, and perspectives, moving him away from the stress of building his company and towards a deeper appreciation for life's fundamental gifts.

REFRAMING PRIORITIES: FAMILY, REGRET, AND EGO

The flight experience forced Elias to confront significant regrets, particularly concerning his work-life balance and the time he delegated to his wife in raising their children. He realized how much energy he had wasted on ego-driven pursuits, striving to be right rather than happy. This led to a commitment to live a life with fewer regrets, to forgive more readily, and to focus on what truly matters: his family and being present in their lives.

THE 'INFINITE GAME' AND LIVING WITH PURPOSE

Elias adopted the philosophy of 'the infinite game,' where the goal is to continue playing rather than to win a single outcome. This perspective reshaped his approach to business and life, emphasizing continuous growth, adaptation, and long-term sustainability. He learned to prioritize health and well-being not just for longevity, but to remain capable of participating in life's ongoing 'game.' This also influenced his business strategy, focusing on sustained value creation over short-term gains.

BUSINESS ACUMEN AND THE POWER OF 'BUSINESS REVIEWS'

Elias discussed his innovative approach to business management, particularly the 'Business Review' process at Red Ventures. This format, characterized by rapid-fire, focused discussions, trains leaders to prioritize effectively, make decisive choices, and communicate concisely. It fosters a culture of iteration and continuous improvement, emphasizing actions ('verbs') over abstract values ('nouns') and valuing adaptability by operating with the understanding that 'everything is written in pencil.'

PHILANTHROPY AS A FORCE FOR GOOD

Driven by a sense of responsibility to 'earn his gift,' Elias has channeled significant energy into philanthropy. His initiatives focus on addressing systemic injustices and creating opportunities, particularly for underserved youth through programs like 'Route to Hire' and 'Life Sports.' He is also actively working to reverse negative trends in Puerto Rico by fostering digital skills and creating economic opportunities to combat brain drain.

RAISING CHILDREN IN A CHANGING WORLD

Elias shared insights on parenting, particularly the challenges of raising teenagers in the digital age. He advocates for parents to focus on finding their children's natural talents and supporting their unique paths, rather than imposing their own expectations. He emphasizes the importance of modeling hard work, kindness, and positive interactions, recognizing that actions speak louder than words in shaping children's values and futures.

THE LESSON OF 'EARN THIS'

Drawing a parallel to the movie 'Saving Private Ryan,' Elias reflected on the idea of 'earning' the gift of life. He views his survival not as a passive event, but as an ongoing responsibility to live meaningfully and contribute positively. This principle guides his decisions in business, philanthropy, and personal life, constantly pushing him to use his platform and resources to make a difference and advance the 'game' of life.

HUMILITY AND CONTINUED GROWTH

Despite his significant achievements, Elias maintains a strong sense of humility, acknowledging the challenges of business leadership and the importance of continuous learning. He emphasizes that true leadership, especially in crisis, is about preparedness and execution. His journey is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the profound impact of a single, transformational event on a life's direction and purpose.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Products

●Software & Apps

●Companies

●Organizations

●Books

●People Referenced

Common Questions

Before the crash, Ric Elias admitted his life was completely out of balance, skewed 95-5 towards work. He rationalized it as 'quality over quantity' but acknowledged his wife carried most of the burden of raising their children. (490 seconds)

Topics

Mental Health & Psychology Mindset & Self-Improvement Business & Entrepreneurship Leadership Philosophy Decision Making Personal Transformation Work-life Balance Negotiation Strategies Parenting Challenges

Mentioned in this video

Companies

Red Ventures

Ric Elias's company, which had about 700 employees in 2009 and has grown significantly since, now operating a network of digital assets with deep integrations into various service providers, serving 130 million unique visitors monthly.

Bank of America

One of the companies in Charlotte hiring young adults trained through Road to Hire.

AT&T

An example of a company with which Red Ventures might be negotiating deals during a business review.

US Airways

The airline that operated Flight 1549. They sent Ric Elias a $10,000 check, which he refused to cash, viewing it as 'bad karma'.

The Points Guy

A website and company, now part of Red Ventures, that hosted an award show where Ric Elias introduced Captain Sullenberger.

Amazon

Mentioned for its unique meeting structure, where attendees write extensive memos prior to discussions.

Locations

Hudson River

The body of water in New York City where Captain Sullenberger successfully landed US Airways Flight 1549.

LaGuardia Airport

The New York City airport from which US Airways Flight 1549 departed.

Puerto Rico

Ric Elias's birthplace and childhood home. He is motivated by reversing negative trends there, especially after Hurricane Maria.

Teterboro Airport

An airport in New Jersey that Captain Sullenberger considered for an emergency landing, but decided against due to insufficient thrust.

Fenway Park

The baseball park where Ric Elias worked as a security guard during his college years in Boston.

Charlotte

Ric Elias's home city and the destination of US Airways Flight 1549.

Upper East Side

A neighborhood in New York City where Ric Elias played basketball the morning of the plane crash.

Golden Gate Bridge

Mentioned by Peter Attia in the context of jumping into water, illustrating the force of impact even from a lower height.

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

The venue in New York City where The Points Guy held its award show to honor Captain Sullenberger.

George Washington Bridge

A bridge over the Hudson River that the plane nearly hit during its controlled descent.

Mexico

Discussed in the context of US immigration policy and border control debates.

Media

Saving Private Ryan

A movie mentioned for its scene where Tom Hanks' character tells Private Ryan to 'Earn this,' which resonated with Ric Elias's post-crash philosophy.

Forrest Gump

A movie character mentioned by Ric Elias, playfully comparing himself to Forrest Gump in facing the new challenges of Red Ventures' rapid growth and diversification, feeling he has 'no idea what I'm doing'.

Ghost

A movie mentioned by Ric Elias, comparing his post-crash feeling of observing life as if he were a ghost, having been given a second chance.

TED Talk

A specific presentation given by Ric Elias that Peter Attia considers his favorite of all time, sharing the story of his near-death experience.

People

Milton Friedman

A Nobel laureate economist, mentioned in the context of the historical challenge of shareholder-centric business philosophy.

Patrick Swayze

The actor who played the ghost in the movie Ghost, which Ric Elias related to his sensation of observing life after his near-death experience.

Muhammad Ali

Mentioned as an example of a competitor driven by the desire to 'kill a competitor,' a different motivational style than those who compete to improve themselves.

Jason Fried

A friend of Peter Attia who echoed Ric Elias's philosophy that saying 'yes' to one thing means saying 'no' to many others.

Sully Sullenberger

The pilot of US Airways Flight 1549, Captain Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger, who successfully landed the plane on the Hudson River, saving all lives onboard. Ric Elias credits him with saving his life and was later honored to introduce him at an event.

Tom Hanks

The actor who played a character in Saving Private Ryan whose dying words 'Earn this' provided a framework for Ric Elias's new outlook on life.

Doug Flutie

A famous football player and Boston College alumnus, whose legacy influenced Ric's decision to attend Boston College due to his Catholic background.

Simon Sinek

Author of 'The Infinite Game,' whose philosophy resonates with Ric Elias's view on life and business.

Organizations

Red Cross

An organization that provided support and supplies, like hot chocolate and blankets, to survivors at Pier 42 after the plane landing.

Road to Hire

A 501(c)(3) program founded by Ric Elias to train underserved young adults (18-24, citizens) in coding and tech skills, leading to apprenticeships and jobs with companies in Charlotte.

Stanford University

Mentioned as an example of an institution educating PhDs who are then forced to leave the US due to immigration policies.

Boston College

The university Ric Elias attended after leaving Puerto Rico, having chosen it due to his uncle's recommendation and its Catholic affiliation.

Golden Door Scholars

A program launched by Ric Elias supporting undocumented students (DACA and non-DACA) to attend college, emphasizing their untapped talent.

Business Council

Mentioned as an example of an organization where business leaders are beginning to discuss a broader focus than just shareholders, including other stakeholders.

Products

iPhone

Ric Elias had just switched to an early model iPhone two days before the plane crash.

BlackBerry

Mentioned as one of the dominant cell phone brands in 2009, alongside the iPhone.

Books

The Infinite Game

A book mentioned by Ric Elias, written by Simon Sinek, which aligns with his philosophy of life as an ongoing process rather than a race to win.

Legislation & Policy

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

An Obama-era executive order providing work permits to undocumented youth who came to the US as children. Ric Elias's philanthropy supports DACA kids in pursuing college education and employment.

Software & Apps

LifeSports

A program for 8th graders in Title I schools in Charlotte, focusing on reading and exercise to 'extend their hope,' addressing educational disparities.

787 Forward

A program launched by Ric Elias to reverse the brain drain in Puerto Rico by training young Puerto Ricans in digital skills and moving businesses to the island.