The Greatness Machine Darius Mirshahzadeh

Ever wonder why some of the most successful people seem unfazed by rejection?

Today I am flying solo to talk about the concept of “collecting nos” – a powerful mindset shift that can transform how you can approach challenges and opportunities. Discover why every “no” is a valuable step towards a “yes” and how it can fuel your growth and resilience. 

This episode of The Greatness Machine will highlight the importance of seeking out rejection as a sign that you are pushing the limits of your comfort zone and striving for more. Join me as I share personal anecdotes and practical insights on how embracing the “nos” in life can lead you to unexpected yeses and monumental success.

Topics include:

The importance of learning how to embrace rejection

Pushing your boundaries versus staying in your comfort zone

The process of asking and receiving both “yeses” and “nos”

Achieving success through persistence

And other topics…


Connect with Darius:
Website: https://therealdarius.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/
YouTube: https://therealdarius.com/youtube
Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708
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What if the darkest moments of your life could become the foundation for your greatest transformations?

Imagine feeling hopeless, lost, and overwhelmed by the shadows of your own choices. Now, imagine that these very shadows, the darkest moments of your life, could be the foundation for your greatest transformations. A story such as Garrain Jones vividly illustrates the transformative power of adversity.

His life took a dramatic turn when he found himself imprisoned in France for drug smuggling. At the time, Garrain was torn between a bright public image and a shadowy private life full of poor decisions and misguided priorities. But instead of succumbing to despair, he used his incarceration to reflect on his life.

This episode of The Greatness Machine will delve into Garrain’s extraordinary journey from the depths of imprisonment in a foreign land to becoming a beacon of hope and empowerment. Through his harrowing experiences and transformative insights, Garrain shares how he turned his darkest moments into the foundation for his greatest transformations.

Topics include:

The disparity between appearance and actual success in the entertainment industry

The lasting effects of childhood trauma in terms of decision-making and worldview

The importance of building grit and resilience

The impact of intergenerational trauma and the power of individual choice in breaking such cycles

The concept of mindset and behavioral change

Honoring one’s true self and addressing unmet needs from childhood

Garrain reflects on his experiences of imprisonment in France

Garrain talks about his company Artist Power and what they offer

And other topics…


Connect with Garrain:
Website: https://garrainjones.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garrain.jones/ 
Membership: https://go.garrainjones.com/apply-artist-power-expressed
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrainjones 

Connect with Darius:
Website: https://therealdarius.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/
YouTube: https://therealdarius.com/youtube
Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What makes a great Chief Operating Officer (COO)?

A Chief Operating Officer (COO) plays a crucial role in the success of a company. The COO is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the business and ensuring that everything runs smoothly. This includes managing internal operations, such as finance, human resources, and IT, as well as external operations, such as sales and marketing.

Hiring a great COO can have a significant impact on the growth and success of a company. A strong COO will have a deep understanding of the industry and the company's operations and will be able to identify areas for improvement and implement effective strategies to drive growth. They will also be able to lead and motivate employees, and work closely with the CEO to develop and execute the company's overall strategy.

Cameron Herold, a top business consultant, best-selling author, and speaker, joins us on the Greatness Machine for the second time around to talk about his newest book, The Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO, where he shares details of the process of hiring a COO and successfully working with them.

In this episode, Darius and Cameron lay down the characteristics that make a good COO, the roles and responsibilities of a Second in Command, and the most common mistakes entrepreneurs and CEOs make when hiring and onboarding a new COO. Cameron also talks about his decision to become a digital nomad and even shares a piece of advice to those who want to follow the same path. 

Topics include:

How and why Cameron was asked to leave 1800-GOT-JUNK

The must-have traits of a great COO

The motivation behind Cameron’s first book Double Double


Cameron shares inspiration for writing The Second In Command


The biggest failure point most entrepreneurs and CEOs make in looking for a second in command

What caused Cameron to become a digital nomad and travel the world with his wife

Cameron shares a piece of advice for those who are hesitant to travel

And other topics...


Resources mentioned:
Traction by Gino Wickman: https://www.amazon.com/Traction-Get-Grip-Your-Business/dp/1936661837 
Cameron Herold on TGM (Part 1): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/35-cameron-herold-the-power-of-a-second/id1555334180?i=1000532262742 

Connect with Cameron:
Website: https://cameronherold.com/ 
Website: https://cooalliance.com/ 
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Second-Command-Unleash-Power-Your/dp/1544537603 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coo-alliance/ 
Course: https://investinyourleaders.com/ 

Connect with Darius:
Website: https://therealdarius.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/
YouTube: https://therealdarius.com/youtube
Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is it true that maintaining a habit of going to bed and waking up early can result in good health, wealth, and wisdom?

Waking up early can be a powerful tool to boost productivity throughout the day. By starting your day earlier, you give yourself extra time to accomplish important tasks, prioritize your to-do list, and set a positive tone for the rest of the day.

One of the key benefits of waking up early for productivity is that it allows you to establish a routine. When you wake up at the same time every day, your body becomes accustomed to the schedule and you can train yourself to be more productive during your waking hours. This can lead to increased efficiency and focus throughout the day, as you're already in the mindset of getting things done.

Waking up early also allows you to tackle your most important tasks when you're at your freshest and most alert. This is because you're able to start your day with a clear mind and fewer distractions, allowing you to focus your energy on the tasks that require the most brainpower and creativity.

Today, I am flying solo to talk about Hal Elrod’s book, The Miracle Morning, and how it changed me to become a morning person. 

In this episode, I will talk about my morning routine and what my day looks like after learning about the SAVERS productivity routine. I will also share my manifestations and what I do to achieve them.

Topics include:

How Hal Elrod’s book The Miracle Morning changed my life

Practical steps to becoming a morning person

How the SAVERS routine help boosts my productivity

How to visualize and manifest what you want

The benefits of having an accountability partner

And other topics…


Resources mentioned:
The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod: https://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Morning-Not-So-Obvious-Guaranteed-Transform/dp/0979019710 
The Self-Aware Leader by John Maxwell: https://www.amazon.com/Self-Aware-Leader-Play-Strengths-Unleash/dp/078526664X 

Connect with Darius:
Website: https://therealdarius.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/
YouTube: https://therealdarius.com/youtube
Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you navigate the steepest slopes of mental health challenge and merge stronger than ever?

Just like traversing a mountain, overcoming mental health obstacles requires preparation, resilience, and a solid support system. 

Drew Petersen, a professional skier and mental health advocate, has faced some of the most treacherous terrains, but his toughest battles were fought within his own mind. His journey is a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit and the importance of addressing mental health with the same dedication and care as any physical challenge.

In this episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius is joined by Drew to open up about his struggles with mental health, his near-suicidal experiences, and the pivotal moments that led him to seek help and ultimately, find a path to recovery. Drew will also talk about his newest film, “Feel It All,” which documents his successful ultramarathon attempt. 

Topics include:

Drew talks about his professional journey and becoming a skier at 15

Breaking the stigma around mental health and suicide through films

Raising awareness and promoting mental health within the outdoor sports community

Drew shares how his passion for storytelling started

The importance of teamwork in creative endeavors

Drew discusses his short film “Ups & Downs” and the message it aims to convey

The importance of embracing the continuous cycle of ups and downs in life

Drew gives a sneak peek into his newest film “Feel It All”

And other topics…


Connect with Drew:
Website: https://drew-petersen.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drewpeterski/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/drewpeterski/
Campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1786995813/feel-it-all/ 

Connect with Darius:
Website: https://therealdarius.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/
YouTube: https://therealdarius.com/youtube
Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What defines an effective leader? What are the qualities employers look for in a leader?

In an ever-changing workplace, an effective leader is an excellent communicator and someone who empowers their team. Integrity, honesty, and authenticity are essential attributes of a good leader. Good leadership involves defining outcomes and then helping team members use their talents to achieve them.

Larry Yatch, an elite leadership strategist and the creator of the SEAL Success programs, joins us on the Greatness Machine for the second time around to talk about his book, How Leadership (Actually) Works: A Navy SEAL’s Complete System for Coordinating Teams.

In this episode, Darius and Larry dive deep into leadership and discuss the six-pillar system that teaches companies how to effectively structure teams, manage behavior, and maximize self-regulation. They also discuss purpose alignment and the power of language in coordinating action with others. 

Topics include:

Larry talks about his book How Leadership (Actually) Works


An overview of the 6 pillars of leadership

Why Larry used to feel unfulfilled despite his achievements

How to produce success as an individual or as a company

Leveraging language for building a good team

Language as a tool to coordinate action with others

The difference between ego and confidence

How to align individual, team, and organizational purpose

The effects of social media and news on a person’s self-regulation

Larry defines culture and leadership

And other topics…


Resources mentioned:
Larry Yatch (Episode 1): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/141-larry-yatch-leading-like-a-navy-seal/id1555334180?i=1000583007928&l=ru 
Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins: https://www.amazon.com/Cant-Hurt-Me-Master-Your/dp/1544512287 

Connect with Larry:
Website: https://www.sealteamleaders.com/
Book: https://www.howleadershipactuallyworks.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-yatch/

Connect with Darius:
Website: https://therealdarius.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/
YouTube: https://therealdarius.com/youtube
Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices