What is Devon Levesque's philosophy on living a non-boring life?

He believes in prioritizing adventure, fun, and personal growth by scheduling these activities first. His approach involves continuous learning through experiences, pushing personal limits, and maintaining a sense of curiosity, all while striving for inner calmness.

How did Devon Levesque build his businesses?

Levesque attributes his success to relentless curiosity, giving 110% in every endeavor, and a blue-collar work ethic learned from his father. He emphasizes starting at zero, being passionate about what you do ('puke and rally'), and building businesses based on genuine needs and an honest approach.

What is 'Running Man' and how does it differ from a typical race?

Running Man is an annual running festival founded by Levesque and Jesse Itzler that challenges participants to run as much as they want over three days, with no emphasis on winning. It encourages a festival atmosphere with saunas, music, and other activities, described as 'Burning Man without the drugs, and more running'.

How does Devon Levesque handle mistakes and failures?

He views mistakes as crucial learning experiences. He makes it a point to remember what went wrong, share the lessons learned (reading, speaking, teaching), and ensures he won't repeat the error, even if it means a costly lesson, like a significant investment loss due to not knowing how to cash out.

What is the significance of the Sweet Honey Farm?

Devon Levesque's Sweet Honey Farm is a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) venture that offers members access to farm products. It emphasizes simplicity and community, serving as a hub for friends and founders, and aims to be a sustainable business model with plans for expansion nationwide.

What is the Baobab seed and why is it important for gut health?

The Baobab seed, found in Tanzania, is rich in Vitamin C and potassium and contains natural prebiotics. Levesque incorporated it into his 'DeBloat' supplement to support gut health, which he considers crucial for overall well-being, mood, and disease prevention.

What advice does Devon Levesque have for young men struggling with loneliness and modern societal pressures?

He stresses the importance of building a strong community and focusing on basic health practices like drinking water and getting morning sun. He advocates for leaning on a trusted group of friends for decision-making and guidance to combat negative thought cycles.

How can someone discover their personal values and why are they important?

Levesque suggests identifying five core 'no matter what' values (like family, health, community) and using them as a filter to decide what to say 'yes' or 'no' to. This process helps simplify your schedule, protect your time, and ensure your life aligns with what truly matters to you.

What are Devon Levesque's core values?

His five core values that guide his decisions are Family, Health, Community, Freedom of Time, and Giving Back. He uses these as a framework to evaluate opportunities and commitments.

How does Levesque define success?

He defines success as being oneself 100% of the time, regardless of who you are interacting with. This involves authenticity and aligning your actions with your true self and core values.

What does Levesque say about school and learning?

While acknowledging the value of traditional schooling for some, he emphasizes that learning should be tailored to individual styles. He views his own challenging experiences, travels, and adventures as his 'school,' providing unique and practical education.

Key Moments

WATCH THIS EVERY DAY To Brainwash Yourself! I Devon Levesque

Codie Sanchez

People & Blogs5 min read75 min video

Feb 12, 2025|23,589 views|591|33

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TL;DR

Devon Levesque on living adventurously, building businesses, and finding simplicity.

Key Insights

Prioritize adventure and fun by scheduling it, not as an afterthought.

Simplicity is key; reducing possessions and focusing on essentials brings freedom.

Embrace curiosity and learn through experiences, not just traditional education.

Build businesses and life around core values to ensure longevity and fulfillment.

Mistakes are learning opportunities; own them and embed the lesson to avoid repetition.

Community and strong relationships are vital for navigating life's challenges.

PRIORITIZING ADVENTURE AND FUN

Devon Levesque advocates for intentionally embedding adventure and fun into daily life by scheduling these activities first. He suggests prioritizing mountain biking, cold plunges, and workouts before even considering work. This approach challenges the conventional mindset that fun is a reward for hard work, arguing instead that by making adventure a priority, other aspects of life, including work and wealth generation, tend to follow more harmoniously. This philosophy aims to prevent a life filled with regret over missed experiences.

THE POWER OF SIMPLICITY AND MINIMALISM

A recurring theme is the pursuit of simplicity, which Levesque believes is the source of true freedom and reduced stress. He contrasts the desire for more possessions and experiences with the peace found in having less. By minimizing material possessions, focusing on essential needs, and decluttering, individuals can reduce self-imposed stress. This minimalist approach extends to daily habits, such as wearing similar clothing and reducing kitchen equipment, reflecting a conscious effort to live with fewer complexities.

LEARNING THROUGH EXPERIENCE AND CURIOSITY

Levesque views unconventional paths and diverse experiences as his primary form of education, preferring them over traditional schooling. He highlights how engaging with different cultures and individuals during his global adventures has provided invaluable business and life lessons that a classroom could not offer. His journey from construction work to entrepreneurship is a testament to this, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and actively seeking out learning opportunities in the real world.

BUILDING LIFE AND BUSINESS ON CORE VALUES

Defining core values, such as family, health, community, freedom of time, and giving back, is central to Levesque's philosophy. He uses these five pillars to inform all his decisions, whether in business partnerships, investments, or personal commitments. This value-driven approach helps in saying 'no' to opportunities that do not align, ensuring that time and energy are dedicated to what truly matters and preventing the dilution of focus and essence.

MISTAKES AS CATALYSTS FOR GROWTH

Levesque embraces mistakes not as failures but as crucial learning experiences. He recounts a significant financial loss due to not understanding how to cash out an investment, which, though costly, embedded a vital lesson. By openly acknowledging and discussing these errors, he reinforces the learning, ensuring they are not repeated. This perspective shifts the focus from the mistake itself to the growth and resilience gained from navigating the consequences.

THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY AND CONNECTION

In an era of increasing loneliness, Levesque stresses the indispensable role of community. He advocates for actively seeking and participating in groups that share similar values, providing a support system for life's decisions and challenges. This communal aspect is seen as a buffer against societal pressures and the 'vicious cycle' of overthinking, offering a space for shared experiences and mutual support, whether through run clubs, social gatherings, or even shared hobbies like Dungeons and Dragons.

ABRACISM AND BUILDING LONG-TERM VALUE

Levesque differentiates between fleeting trends and sustainable businesses, likening his approach to building restaurants over nightclubs. He prioritizes longevity, integrity, and genuine value creation, as demonstrated by the development of Promix and his farm initiatives. This long-term vision guides his business decisions, focusing on creating products and experiences that serve a genuine need and have lasting impact, rather than chasing quick wins that lack substance.

THE GRIT REQUIRED FOR SELF-DISCOVERY

Pushing personal boundaries, particularly through physical challenges, is presented as a powerful method for self-discovery and building mental fortitude. Levesque highlights that extreme physical exertion, such as climbing Everest or enduring marathons, reveals one's true capabilities and resilience. This 'grit' is transferable to all areas of life, enabling individuals to overcome obstacles and achieve more than they initially believed possible, thereby separating them from those who avoid such challenges.

ADVENTURES AS EDUCATION AND BUSINESS SCHOOL

From climbing major peaks to hosting parties in Antarctica, Levesque views his grand adventures as immersive learning experiences. These pursuits exposed him to diverse cultures, unique business models, and innovative individuals. These experiences serve as his 'school,' teaching him practical lessons about problem-solving, human connection, and entrepreneurship that traditional academic settings cannot replicate. He believes this hands-on, experience-driven learning is crucial for developing a well-rounded perspective.

FINDING JOY IN SIMPLICITY, INCLUDING THE FARM

Levesque's ownership of multiple farms, including a working honey farm, exemplifies his commitment to a simpler, more grounded lifestyle. These farms are not just investments but spaces for community and connection, offering activities like pickleball, saunas, and farm-to-table dining. By operating a farm with an open-door policy and a CSA model, he integrates his values of health and community into tangible experiences, demonstrating that a fulfilling life can be built on nature and shared resources.

THE ROLE OF FAMILY AND UPBRINGING

Levesque's free-spirited nature and independent mindset are partly attributed to his blue-collar upbringing and family values. His father's determination and independent spirit, alongside his mother's and sisters' free-spiritedness, instilled a sense of self-reliance and a belief in defining success on one's own terms. This familial influence encouraged him to forge his own path, unswayed by societal norms or expectations of conventional success.

THE CHALLENGE OF HOOKING CAMBODIA AND DEBT

The conversation touches on common struggles like the temptation to overcommit, the difficulty in saying no, and the pressure to conform to others' expectations. Levesque's advice to prune yearly, audit one's schedule daily, and strictly adhere to core values serves as a practical guide for reclaiming control over one's time and life. The analogy of a gardener pruning a bush highlights the necessity of cutting away non-essential elements to foster growth and well-being.

ADVENTUROUS SPIRIT AND ENTREPRENEURIAL DRIVE

Levesque's personal journey, starting from humble beginnings in construction to building and selling multiple successful businesses, underscores a relentless drive for growth and adventure. His ascent involved taking calculated risks, from the daring Everest climb to launching innovative ventures like Promix. This pattern of pushing boundaries, both physically and professionally, demonstrates a core belief in maximizing potential and living life to its fullest extent.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Supplements

●Products

●Companies

●Organizations

●Concepts

●People Referenced

Living a Life of Adventure and Purpose

Practical takeaways from this episode

Do This

Prioritize fun and adventure by scheduling them first.

Be endlessly curious and use life experiences as your education.

Give 110% in everything you do, from small tasks to big ventures.

Build a strong community around yourself for support and decision-making.

Define your core values and align your life and business choices with them.

Embrace mistakes as learning opportunities and share them to embed lessons.

Focus on what you truly need, not just what you want, to simplify your life.

Protect your reputation and build businesses with longevity and sustainability.

Avoid This

Don't let external pressures or societal definitions of success dictate your path.

Avoid people, places, or things that do not add value to your life based on your core values.

Don't be afraid to say 'no' to opportunities that don't align with your priorities.

Don't wait too long to prune non-essential commitments or ventures.

Don't get too serious about life; it's too short to not have fun.

Avoid the 'rat race' mindset of constantly needing more; seek calmness instead.

Don't fall into the trap of comparison; focus on your own journey and growth.

Common Questions

Devon Levesque summited Everest, a process that took 47 days and involved significant risks including extreme weather, treacherous terrain like the Kumbho Icefall, and the potential for dangerous encounters with other climbers. He highlighted the constant need for vigilance regarding health, gear, and human factors at high altitudes.

Topics

Everest

Mentioned in this video

Supplements

Beets

An ingredient in the blood flow product developed by Promix.

Baobab seed

A seed from Tanzania with high levels of Vitamin C and potassium, used in the DeBloat product.

Berries

An ingredient in the blood flow product developed by Promix.

Locations

Mount Baker

A mountain in Washington State where the speaker had a notable hiking experience.

Cedar Trunk Ranch

One of Devon Levesque's farms located in Austin.

Sweet Honey Farm

Devon Levesque's farm and CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) venture near New York City.

Everest

The highest mountain in the world, which Devon Levesque successfully summited.

Companies

All Day Running

A company co-founded by Devon Levesque and Jesse Itzler, encompassing various health and wellness concepts.

Promix

A company founded by Devon Levesque that offers health and wellness products, focusing on clean ingredients and sustainability.

Products

Sir Peppercorn

Devon Levesque's prized horse, a spotted thoroughbred costing $75,000.

DeBloat

A gut health supplement by Promix derived from Baobab, turmeric, and organic oranges.

Concepts

Owner Nation

A movement and virtual event focused on helping individuals acquire and grow businesses.

People

Devon Levesque

The guest of the podcast, an entrepreneur who has sold multiple businesses, climbed Everest, and runs several ventures including a farm and a health supplement company.

Tenzing Norgay

One of the first two individuals confirmed to have reached the summit of Mount Everest.

Organizations

Valley Forge Military Academy

The military academy where Devon Levesque was a student and had to sneak out to buy food.

Media

Chinese Farmer

A story used as an analogy for accepting life's events as they are, without judgment of good or bad.