Key Moments
Tim Ferris Vlog: Day 5 & 6 | Tim Ferriss
Tim FerrissKey Moments
Tim Ferriss answers fan questions on topics from investments to personal routines.
Key Insights
Ferriss prefers long-term, non-liquid investments like real estate and art over quick flips, citing emotional attachment to stocks as a deterrent.
He avoids political and religious discussions due to their lack of productive outcomes and potential for unproductive conflict.
Ferriss is interested in unconventional practices like sungazing and tDCS, and has found ketosis helpful for inflammation and psoriasis.
He values genuine connection, emphasizing active listening and good eye contact as key skills when meeting people.
Despite his achievements, Ferriss stresses he is not superhuman and encourages followers to be aware of their own 'demons'.
His writing process involves dedicated time, often in a sauna, and he generally gets 8-9 hours of sleep to ensure quality output.
ROUTINES AND PRODUCTIVITY
Tim Ferriss typically wakes between 9 and 10 a.m., often going to bed late, though he occasionally rises earlier. He engages in significant amounts of writing, often using a sauna for focused reading sessions. He still uses kettlebells, primarily for two-handed swings. Ferriss advocates for quality sleep, aiming for 8-9 hours to maintain high-quality work, especially during writing deadlines. He also mentions ongoing gymnastic strength training.
INVESTMENTS AND FINANCE
Ferriss approaches investments with a long-term perspective, particularly for real estate and artwork, which he's willing to hold indefinitely. He avoids trying to flip assets quickly, contrasting this with stocks, where emotional attachment can lead to poor investment decisions. While not a stock investor himself, he recommends Warren Buffett's annual letters to shareholders as beneficial reading for understanding life and success. Regarding making a million dollars, he believes exceptional skill in one area is key, not necessarily networking prowess, citing Michael Burry as an example.
PERSONAL HABITS AND HEALTH
He is actively trying to reduce coffee intake due to increased anxiety, opting for matcha or cold brew matcha instead. Ferriss takes a low-dose of DHEA (10mg) daily, emphasizing that this should be based on blood test results and not recommended for most women. He has explored various health approaches, finding ketosis highly beneficial for issues like psoriasis and inflammation, and using Branch Chain Amino Acids (BCAA) to manage strong cravings on the slow-carb diet. He also notes that limiting carbohydrate intake helps keep his triglycerides low.
COMMUNICATION AND CONTENT CREATION
Ferriss avoids political and religious topics in his content, not out of a desire to avoid alienating audiences, but because he believes such discussions rarely lead to productive outcomes or genuine persuasion. He finds live Q&A sessions enjoyable, unlike pre-recorded performances. He actively seeks out guests for his podcast, expressing interest in having Joe Rogan, Jim Lee, and Chris Hardwick on, though acknowledging their busy schedules. He also mentions having had Casey Neistat on his podcast previously.
LEARNING AND INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY
Ferriss speaks about 4-5 languages conversationally, including English, Japanese, Chinese, and Spanish. He rereads passages from Marcus Aurelius's 'Meditations'. If he were to return to school, he would study fiction writing to exercise a different part of his brain. He also expresses interest in topics like sungazing and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). He believes that while we absorb chemicals that can handicap us, our bodies generally possess the necessary chemicals for success.
PERSPECTIVES ON LIFE AND SOCIETY
Hunting, which Ferriss now practices occasionally, has shown him that non-hunters can be overly opinionated and judgmental about subjects they know little about. He views responsible, legal hunting as a highly sustainable way to consume animal protein. He is not superhuman and reassures viewers that he experiences personal struggles, advising against the 'superhuman' belief as it's not enabling. He cherishes simple, free pleasures, like stargazing and contemplating the vastness of time.
MISCELLANEOUS INTERESTS AND EXPERIENCES
Ferriss hasn't tried escape rooms but would like to with non-irritating people. He has never been a cigarette smoker but occasionally partakes in a hand-rolled, unfiltered Amazonian tobacco cigarette (maCHO). He advises that the best way to read faster is by implementing the scientific techniques outlined in his article on increasing reading speed. He is also interested in tiny houses and plans to build one in a remote location. He's a fan of New York-style thin crust pizza with various toppings and considers San Francisco his favorite city as he lives there most of the year.
DRUG USE AND PSYCHEDELICS
He does not use marijuana recreationally. Regarding psychedelics, he has worked with Ayahuasca, emphasizing it must be approached with extreme seriousness and proper preparation, akin to brain surgery. He does not use other 'smart drugs' or nootropics, unless one considers yohimbine an exception. He finds ketone bodies to be potent anti-inflammatories, suggesting they likely help with inflammation and potentially psoriasis. He confirms he has been in love.
VIEWS ON VARIOUS TOPICS
Ferriss feels that juicing fruits and vegetables is not particularly beneficial compared to other dietary approaches like ketogenic diets, clean eating, or fasting. He is not a regular drinker and can easily take breaks from alcohol for extended periods. He has tried kiteboarding and found it awesome but too gear-intensive for his current lifestyle. He also owns hurling sticks and enjoys watching boxing matches, appreciating both McGregor's entertainment value and Diaz's skill.
FAVORITE MEDIA AND BOOKS
He finds 'Zen in the Art of Archery' to be a mix of genius and 'Babbel,' though he appreciated it due to his own background in archery training and psychedelic experiences. He lists 'Stranger in a Strange Land,' 'Dune,' 'Ender's Game,' and 'Snow Crash' as favorite sci-fi novels, and 'The Name of the Wind' as a fantastic fantasy book. His favorite scene in 'The Godfather' involves Mo Green's demise after an ego clash. He admits he has not read any Ayn Rand books but is interested in 'Atlas Shrugged'.
EXCEPTIONAL INVESTMENTS AND SKILLS
Ferriss considers his time as an advisor in Uber to be his most impressive literal investment. His go-to kettlebell weight is 53 pounds, finding it versatile for various exercises. He notes that building a million-dollar business without strong networking skills is possible, especially if one excels at a particular task. As for the most impressive thing someone can do when meeting another person, he lists listening carefully, asking questions, and maintaining good eye contact – skills he finds to be rare.
PERSONAL PREFERENCES AND GUNS
Ferriss prefers whole eggs over egg whites and plans to bow hunt, aiming for a good shot at a reasonable distance. He enjoys the entertainment value of Conor McGregor and appreciates Nate Diaz as a fighter. He does not currently collect artwork but buys pieces that deeply resonate with him. He currently lives primarily in San Francisco and considers it his favorite city. Regarding firearms, his preferred handgun is a modified Glock 34, and for hunting, a customized Remington 7mm rifle. He expresses disdain for impractical firearms like the first 12-gauge he bought.
ADVICE FOR ENTREPRENEURS AND LIFE
For a 21-year-old entrepreneur finishing college, Ferriss's best advice is to choose associates carefully, as one becomes the average of the five people they spend the most time with. He finds Paris, Argentina, and British Columbia to be fantastic vacation spots. He humorously avoids answering a question about breaking up with a doctor girlfriend and a marriage proposal. He confirms he has been on Joe Rogan's podcast twice, addressing a question about the reverse scenario.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS TIPS
The best advice for the 4-Hour Body involves the slow-carb diet combined with high-rep kettlebell swings (50-100 reps) two to three times a week. When asked about the best way to eat healthy on a budget, he reiterates the slow-carb diet, mentioning it can be done for less than $2 per meal. He believes that most people do not lack chemicals needed for success, but rather absorb substances that hinder them. He encourages meditating for 20 minutes in the morning as something everyone should be doing.
Mentioned in This Episode
●Supplements
●Products
●Software & Apps
●Companies
●Organizations
●Books
●Drugs & Medications
●Concepts
●People Referenced
Common Questions
Tim Ferriss typically wakes up between 9 and 10 a.m. on average, as he tends to go to bed late. Occasionally, he might wake up earlier around 7 a.m.
Topics
Mentioned in this video
Mentioned as a place where the author has written about hunting.
Listed as excellent fictional material, specifically for sci-fi.
A book whose passages the speaker rereads, stating he had all the letters recorded in audio.
A book the speaker finished reading recently, finding it partially genius and partially 'psycho babble'.
The best advice for the '4-Hour Body' involves the slow carb diet and high rep kettlebell swings.
Listed as excellent fictional material, specifically for sci-fi.
Recommended for understanding what makes a business sellable, in response to a question about difficulty selling a first business.
Recommended as an example of becoming a millionaire without exceptional networking skills.
A book by Ayn Rand that the speaker wants to read based on recommendations.
Listed as excellent fictional material, specifically for sci-fi.
Described as a 'fantastic' fantasy book.
The speaker expresses love for tiny houses and contemplates building one.
One of the languages the speaker is conversationally fluent in.
One of the languages the speaker is conversationally fluent in.
Mentioned as a more beneficial alternative to juicing for health.
Exclusive content shared weekly via email newsletter, highlighting the five coolest things discovered.
One of the languages the speaker is conversationally fluent in.
Recommended for cravings, with a suggestion to take BCAAs. Also mentioned as a budget-friendly diet in the '4-Hour Body'.
Discussed as potentially helpful for psoriasis or inflammation, as ketone bodies are anti-inflammatory.
One of the languages the speaker is conversationally fluent in.
The speaker states he is not currently training Jiu-Jitsu.
The speaker confirms they do not speak Farsi, although they knew a few words once.
Found to be helpful for Lyme disease and also mentioned as a way to keep triglycerides low.
Advice is given to a 21-year-old entrepreneur on choosing associates carefully.
Discussed as an investment the speaker is comfortable holding indefinitely, preferring it over stocks due to its difficulty to sell quickly.
The speaker does not think juicing with fruits and vegetables is very beneficial, especially compared to ketogenic diets, clean eating, or fasting.
Speaker confirms he lucid dreams and suggests searching for 'lucid dream 101' and his name for more information.
The speaker's favorite type of pizza, specifying thin crust with veggies and sausage.
The speaker discusses the ketosis diet and recommends listening to a podcast with Dominic Agustino for in-depth information.
The speaker rates their Russian speaking ability as zero, mentioning learning the Cyrillic alphabet.
Mentioned in the context of learning to pronounce Russian words.
His annual letters to shareholders of Berkshire Hathaway are recommended for beginners in stock investments.
Expressed a desire to have Joe Rogan on his podcast, acknowledging his busyness.
A comic book artist the speaker would love to have on his podcast.
Mentioned as someone the speaker is not trying to emulate in vlogging style, though acknowledges his skill. Also mentioned as a past podcast guest.
Author of 'Built to Sell,' a book recommended for understanding business salability.
The speaker hopes to have Elon Musk on the podcast someday, acknowledging his busyness.
Mentioned in relation to 'The Big Short' and becoming a millionaire without networking.
Mentioned alongside McGregor as an excellent fighter, though McGregor's entertainment value is noted.
A character in The Godfather, mentioned in a favorite scene.
Mentioned as a comparison for physical attractiveness against Jessica Alba.
Has offered good advice regarding women, but the speaker doesn't practice pickup artistry and considers themselves terrible at openers.
The speaker refers to himself in relation to a blog post about doubt and his identity.
Customized the speaker's preferred Glock 34 handgun and is a national shooting champion.
Guest on a podcast episode discussing float tanks.
Considered an excellent fighter with significant entertainment value due to his persona.
Mentioned in the context of a favorite scene from The Godfather.
The speaker chooses Jessica Alba when discussing physical attractiveness.
Mentioned as having a high opinion of Ben Affleck.
Mentioned as a guest on a podcast who covers the ketosis diet in depth.
The Yellowstone tour guide the speaker used, potentially found on Instagram.
The speaker expresses a desire to have David Cho (or Choy) on the podcast.
The speaker has not read Ayn Rand's books but would like to read 'Atlas Shrugged' based on podcast guest recommendations.
His success with pendulette (likely referring to weight loss via cold exposure) is praised by the speaker.
Discussed as something the speaker is trying to drink less of due to increased anxiety.
The speaker confirms still eating sardines for breakfast daily.
Mentioned as a possible 'smart drug' or nootropic that the speaker might use.
The speaker addresses a question about BCAAs elevating blood triglyceride levels, suggesting limiting carbohydrate intake helps keep triglycerides low.
Mentioned as a possible precursor alongside testosterone and cortisol.
The speaker has some cold brew matcha and notes that one can overdo it.
Mentioned as something the speaker occasionally smokes, described as an unfiltered cigarette.
Chosen over egg whites in a discussion about dietary choices.
The speaker uses R-lipoic acid very rarely, before and after large cheat meals.
Mentioned as a hormone that DHEA is a precursor to.
Mentioned as a hormone that DHEA is a precursor to.
Discussed as a precursor to testosterone and cortisol, with the speaker taking 10mg daily, but advises caution for women and dependence on blood tests.
Recommended to counteract cravings on the Slow Carb Diet, with a note about liver conversion for glucose.
The speaker mentions not having seen the new Jason Bourne movie, but is an addict and prefers the first one.
Listed as excellent fictional material, specifically for sci-fi.
An episode of the Tim Ferris Experiment TV show where the speaker demonstrates poor cold approach skills.
The speaker confirms knowledge of Game of Thrones.
The speaker discusses a favorite scene involving Al Pacino's character and Moe Greene.
The speaker would love to visit Kyoto again, having last been there at age 15, but has no current plans.
The speaker's primary residence, considered their favorite city.
Considered a fantastic vacation spot.
Mentioned as a recent favorite vacation spot.
Considered a very high contender for a favorite vacation spot.
Equipped on the speaker's customized Remington 7mm rifle.
Mentioned as an amazing recommendation from a viewer.
Mentioned as a device used for recording video, with a note about its orientation settings.
An ingredient the speaker orders for their Chipotle burrito bowl.
The speaker confirms still using kettle bells, primarily for two-handed swings.
Used for highlighting books, with notes then exported to Evernote.
Mentioned as the speaker's preferred handgun, a modified version customized by Taran Butler.
The speaker's preferred rifle for hunting, described as highly customized.
The speaker's go-to kettlebell weight is 53 lbs, though they have used heavier ones for swings.
A meat option ordered by the speaker in their Chipotle burrito bowl.
Warren Buffett's company, whose shareholder letters are recommended for stock investment advice.
Mentioned as the previous hosting provider for the speaker's website, where issues arose during migration.
The speaker considers their time as an advisor for Uber to be their best financial investment.
The speaker describes their preferred burrito bowl order at Chipotle.
The speaker discusses tDCS and recommends listening to a podcast episode with Adam Gazali for more information.
The speaker is very bullish on float tanks and recommends listening to a podcast episode with Dan Engle.
The speaker expresses interest in trying sungazing.
Recommended as part of the best advice for the '4-Hour Body,' specifically high reps 2-3 times a week.
Used to store notes from highlighted Kindle books.
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