Arnold Schwarzenegger and Ann Miura-Ko (#754)

This episode is a two-for-one, and that’s because the podcast recently hit its 10-year anniversary and passed one billion downloads. To celebrate, I’ve curated some of the best of the best—some of my favorites—from more than 700 episodes over the last decade. I could not be more excited. The episode features segments from episode #60 “Arnold Schwarzenegger on Psychological Warfare” and #331 “Ann Miura-Ko — The Path from Shyness to World-Class Debater and Investor.”

Please enjoy!

Bios of guests may be found at tim.blog/combo.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Castbox, YouTube, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Audible, or on your favorite podcast platform.

This episode is brought to you by AG1 all-in-one nutritional supplement, Eight Sleep’s Pod 4 Ultra sleeping solution for dynamic cooling and heating, and Shopify global commerce platform, providing tools to start, grow, market, and manage a retail business.

Transcript for the full Arnold Schwarzenegger episode | Transcript for the full Ann Miura-Ko episode | Transcripts for all episodes

Listen onSpotify

Listen onOvercast

This episode is brought to you by Eight Sleep! Temperature is one of the main causes of poor sleep, and heat is my personal nemesis. I’ve suffered for decades, tossing and turning, throwing blankets off, pulling them back on, and repeating ad nauseam. But a few years ago, I started using the Pod Cover, and it has transformed my sleep. Eight Sleep has launched their newest generation of the Pod: Pod 4 Ultra. I’m excited to test it out. It cools, it heats, and now it elevates, automatically. With the best temperature performance to date, Pod 4 Ultra ensures you and your partner stay cool, even in a heatwave. Plus, it automatically tracks your sleep time, snoring, sleep stages, and HRV, all with high precision. For example, their heart rate tracking is at an incredible 99{c87e2df4b343d0515d304e127afe4653a549475791ab451641a18e09bd64e760} accuracy.

Pod 4 Ultra also introduces an adjustable Base that fits between your mattress and your bed frame to add custom positions for the best sleeping experience. Plus, it automatically reduces your snoring when detected. Just add it easily onto any bed. 

And now, listeners of The Tim Ferriss Show can get $350 off of the Pod 4 Ultra for a limited time! Click here to claim this deal and unlock your full potential through optimal sleep.

This episode is brought to you by AG1! I get asked all the time, “If you could use only one supplement, what would it be?” My answer is usually AG1, my all-in-one nutritional insurance. I recommended it in The 4-Hour Body in 2010 and did not get paid to do so. I do my best with nutrient-dense meals, of course, but AG1 further covers my bases with vitamins, minerals, and whole-food-sourced micronutrients that support gut health and the immune system. 

Right now, you’ll get a 1-year supply of Vitamin D free with your first subscription purchase—a vital nutrient for a strong immune system and strong bones. Visit DrinkAG1.com/Tim to claim this special offer today and receive your 1-year supply of Vitamin D (and 5 free AG1 travel packs) with your first subscription purchase! That’s up to a one-year supply of Vitamin D as added value when you try their delicious and comprehensive daily, foundational nutrition supplement that supports whole-body health.

This episode is brought to you by Shopify! Shopify is one of my favorite platforms and one of my favorite companies. Shopify is designed for anyone to sell anywhere, giving entrepreneurs the resources once reserved for big business. In no time flat, you can have a great-looking online store that brings your ideas to life, and you can have the tools to manage your day-to-day and drive sales. No coding or design experience required.

Go to shopify.com/Tim to sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period. It’s a great deal for a great service, so I encourage you to check it out. Take your business to the next level today by visiting shopify.com/Tim.

What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments.

SHOW NOTES

• [04:08] Notes about this supercombo format.
• [05:11] Enter Arnold Schwarzenegger.
• [05:45] Where did Arnold develop his cast iron confidence?
• [09:15] Mastering the psychological warfare of bodybuilding.
• [13:58] Transferring this skill set to Hollywood.
• [17:13] On making millions before becoming a movie star.
• [19:48] Playing good bricklayer/bad bricklayer with Franco Columbu.
• [24:41] How Twins came together.
• [29:14] Meditation as one of many answers.
• [35:47] Enter Ann-Miura Ko.
• [36:14] Ann’s childhood shyness.
• [38:14] The Japanese phrase Ann used as a hostile kid in Michigan.
• [40:20] How Ann overcame introversion.
• [43:13] Ann’s first solo stage speech.
• [44:22] Why Ann continued with speech and debate.
• [45:17] Ann’s love for competition.
• [46:54] Ann’s extreme efforts for pizza.
• [48:57] The catalyst for Ann’s debate improvement.
• [53:01] Debate competition format.
• [56:56] Ann’s recommended resources for improving debate skills.
• [59:56] Observations on modern debate in politics and family.
• [1:02:01] The most important lesson from Ann’s debating years.
• [1:04:50] Differences between debate and negotiation.
• [1:06:53] Ann’s father’s journey to America and favorite phrase.
• [1:10:29] Ann’s world-class effort in menial job tasks.
• [1:13:15] How a Yale tour led to shadowing a CEO.
• [1:18:36] Ann’s first job experience.
• [1:20:20] Ann’s favorite office supplies.
• [1:21:32] Ann’s cherished personal artifacts.
• [1:23:06] Ann’s experience teaching Mayfield Fellows at Stanford.
• [1:24:42] A reading list and plans for Ann’s Stanford startup class.
• [1:28:05] Spotting artificial inflation in startup valuations.
• [1:31:29] Why Ann changed her career path from medicine.
• [1:34:45] What Ann knew about herself that her parents and test scores didn’t.
• [1:38:55] Ann’s entry into venture capital and startup investing.
• [1:39:29] An encounter with Steve Jobs.
• [1:40:40] A job offer based on shared interests.
• [1:44:40] Ann’s experience at CRV during 9/11.
• [1:47:55] The most expensive words in investing.
• [1:48:16] First principles thinking and common leadership decisions.
• [1:50:52] Winning strategy vs. strategy not to lose.
• [1:51:59] Manifestations of hedging as a defensive strategy.
• [1:53:46] The importance of focusing on your own race.
• [1:55:47] A need for aggressiveness to win.
• [1:56:38] How Ann met Mike Maples, Jr.
• [1:59:26] Ann’s PhD plans and shift to working with Mike.
• [2:02:12] Ann’s reaction to Mike’s unusual proposition.
• [2:06:40] Ann’s hectic first year at Floodgate.
• [2:08:41] Ann’s real first name.
• [2:09:21] Ann’s struggles and coping mechanisms.
• [2:14:56] Ann’s superpowers.
• [2:18:44] Thunder lizards and Ann’s pursuit of them.
• [2:20:20] Ann’s view on AI and machine learning’s impact.
• [2:23:11] Philosophy exercises and real-world applications.
• [2:24:50] Aligning collective and self-interests in problem-solving.
• [2:27:08] Books Ann has gifted or reread most.
• [2:29:09] A recent, game-changing purchase under $100.
• [2:30:28] Ann’s billboard.
• [2:31:19] The meaning of Ann’s Japanese name characters.
• [2:32:19] Ann’s online presence and Floodgate’s name origin.
• [2:34:58] Parting thoughts.

SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

Connect with Arnold Schwarzenegger:

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Connect with Ann Miura-Ko:

Floodgate | Twitter | Instagram

PEOPLE MENTIONED

Related

The Tim Ferriss Show is one of the most popular podcasts in the world with more than one billion downloads. It has been selected for “Best of Apple Podcasts” three times, it is often the #1 interview podcast across all of Apple Podcasts, and it’s been ranked #1 out of 400,000+ podcasts on many occasions. To listen to any of the past episodes for free, check out this page.