The Rich Roll Podcast Rich Roll

Insane feats of endurance. Space-traveling billionaires. Dystopian musical comedy specials. Record-breaking freediving depths. And of course, UFOs. Today is a little bit of everything, all of the time.
Welcome to another edition of ‘Roll On’, wherein myself and my podcast co-pilot Adam Skolnick break bread on matters high-minded and mildly entertaining.
For those new to the show, ‘Roll On’ is about stories that deserve a brighter spotlight, buttressed with a bit of show and tell, wins of the week, and rounded out with answers to questions posed on our voicemail, which you can ring up at (424) 235-4626.
Aside from serving as my magnanimous sidecar hype-beast, Adam Skolnick is an activist and veteran journalist best known as David Goggins’ Can’t Hurt Me, co-author. Adam writes about adventure sports, environmental issues, and civil rights for outlets such as The New York Times, Outside, ESPN, BBC, and Men’s Health. He is the author of One Breath and is currently using the ‘new dad’ excuse to avoid working on his novel.
Some of the many topics covered today include:
Richard Branson’s successful spaceflight and the billionaire race to space;the Pentagon’s efforts to de-stigmatize reporting UFO sightings and their recent release of unclassified reports on aerial phenomena;Our summer must-watch list;Robbie Balenger’s Colorado Crush & Timothy Olson’s PCT FKT attempt;Lachlan Morton’s Alt-Tour;a 2021 Tour de France wrap-up; andVertical Blue freediving recordsIn addition, we answer the following listener questions:
How do you adjust to post-pandemic parenting?How do you create a healthier body image?Will there be future RRP gatherings and events?Thank you to Eric from South Bend, Zach from West Virginia, and Chris from Rockland, California for your questions. If you want your query discussed, drop it on our Facebook Page or better yet leave a voicemail at (424) 235-4626.
To read more click here. You can also watch our exchange on YouTube. And as always, the podcast streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Peace + Plants,

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Thanks to this week’s sponsors:
Blinkist: Unlimited access to read or listen to a massive library of condensed non-fiction books from self-help, to business, health, and history—all for one low price. Join me and 12 million others gleaning from the best and brightest. Try Blinkist FREE for 7 days AND get 25% off a Blinkist Premium membership at blinkist.com/richroll
Four Sigmatic: Nutritious and delicious organic, Fair-Trade, single-origin Arabica mushroom coffee made with only the highest quality adaptogens like Lion’s Mane and Chaga. Visit foursigmatic.com/roll and get up to 40% off + Free Shipping on Mushroom Coffee bundles.
Navitas Organics: Fine purveyors of delicious organic superfoods on a mission to forge a better world by supporting organic farmers & plant-focused lifestyles. For a limited time you can get 30% off your entire order by using the code RICHROLL at navitasorganics.com/richroll.
Ritual: Ritual is the multivitamin, reimagined. I take it every morning, and I love that its clean, vegan-friendly formula is made with key nutrients in forms your body can actually use—no GMOs, synthetic fillers, or other shady extras. You deserve to know what’s in your multivitamin. That’s why Ritual is offering my listeners 10% off during their first 3 months. Visit ritual.com/RICHROLL to start your Ritual today.
SHOW NOTES:
Connect With Adam: Website | Instagram | TwitterTikTok: @iamrichrollYouTube: Rich Roll Podcast Clips ChannelThe Guardian: ‘Peppa Pig, with better parenting’: the bounding success of canine cartoon BlueyThe New York Times: She Never Saw Herself in Children’s TV Shows. So She Created Her Own.Hulu: The Cho

What happens when one of—if not the—greatest restaurants in the world suddenly goes 100% plant-based?
For perspective, out of the 132 three-star Michelin star restaurants around the world, not a single one is vegan. Suffice it to say, most would say such a move is tantamount to financial suicide.
But Chef Daniel Humm—the world-renown chef and owner of Eleven Madison Park—sees it as the greatest purpose-driven, creative challenge of his lifetime.
A former pro cyclist and 2:51 marathoner, this Swiss native began cooking at 14, preparing exquisite meals in some of the finest Swiss hotels and restaurants before earning his first Michelin star at the age of 24. In 2003, he moved to the U.S. to become the executive chef at Campton Place in San Francisco, where he received four stars from the San Francisco Chronicle. Three years later, he moved to New York to become the executive chef at Eleven Madison Park, revitalizing the restaurant so completely that in 2017 it was named #1 on the coveted list of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
Like most restaurants, when the pandemic hit Eleven Madison Park closed its doors and grappled with bankruptcy. But it was during this time that Daniel started thinking more deeply about purpose. What he stands for. How he could leverage his talent and resources to meaningfully participate in solutions to food insecurity and the inherently unsustainable nature of food systems more broadly.
Bold leaps followed. He converted the EMP kitchen into a commissary to provide free meals to food-insecure New Yorkers. He kitted out a food truck to distribute those meals. He partnered with Rethink Food, a non-profit committed to creating sustainable and equitable food systems, to work on solving food inequality at scale. But his coup de grace involved re-opening the most revered restaurant in the world with a completely plant-based menu—and ensuring that every EMP meal enjoyed pays for five meals freely distributed to those in need.
It’s a move that sent shockwaves throughout the food world. But Daniel’s bet is more than paying off, denoted by a waitlist that currently exceeds 15,000 people.
On the very day Eleven Madison Park announced its new menu, I committed to making this podcast happen. My friend, past podcast guest, and former Esquire magazine Food & Drinks editor Jeff Gordinier connected the dots. In turn, Daniel agreed to do the show. But there was a condition: first I must dine at EMP. Deal. I immediately booked a flight to NYC. I joined Jeff for said dinner—an exquisite experience like no other—and the day following convened with Daniel for this exchange.
This conversation is about why cuisine at the highest level—food as art—plays a vital role in moving culture forward. It’s about what makes a great chef. What pursuing a passion truly entails. And the magic of embracing constant reinvention.
It’s also about the role that art, minimalism and essentialism have played in the evolution of Daniel’s craft and life philosophy.
But more than anything, this is a deeply personal tale of evolution. It’s about the search for purpose beyond accolades—and what it means to devote your talents in service of a better world.
To read more click here. You can also watch our exchange on YouTube (Audio Only). And as always, the podcast streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Special Thanks to Daniel’s team for arranging this dining & podcasting experience and to Joseph Hazan at Newsstand Studio in Rockefeller Center for allowing us to record in his facility. Also, gratitude to photographers Sebastian Nevols (kitchen portrait) and Craig McDean (black & white portraits) for permitting use of their images.
Now one of the most important and influential figures in the plant-based movement, it was a privilege to experience Daniel’s talents and company. And it’s a

Our time is defined by a crisis of consciousness and broken spiritual connection. Driven by a materialist, zero-sum approach to everything, we seek answers in ego, money, power and consumption. It’s an addiction that’s wreaking havoc on the planet—and ultimately leaves us empty.
Short of a spiritual reconciliation or outright revolution of the heart, I fear for the future well-being of humanity.
It is this terrain that today we tread with spiritual psychologist, historian, philosopher, and the world’s only rabbi with a black belt in jiu-jitsu, Rabbi Mordecai Finley, Ph.D.
The co-founder of Ohr HaTorah Synagogue in Los Angeles, Rabbi Finley holds a doctorate in Religion and Social Ethics from the University of Southern California. He’s taught Holocaust Studies, Talmud, Rabbinic Literature, Jewish Law and Ethics, and other courses at USC, USC School of Law, and Loyola Law School. And he is a founder and the former president of the Academy for Jewish Religion.
Rabbi Finley’s gift lies in wisdom counseling, and today we are gifted just that.
This is a rather extraordinary deep dive into the teachings of moral philosophy, spiritual psychology, skepticism, and stoicism. We deal with anger & fear, the relationships that divide ourselves and others, and what Rabbi Finley calls The Inner Pharaoh, the internal oppressor who keeps us trapped with the crushing persistence of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh. In addition, Rabbi Finley helps answer questions like:
what does it mean to pursue a life of virtue, wisdom, depth, purpose, and meaning beyond the material?how do we parse our inner voice from the ego?how do we connect our inner consciousness to the divine?how do we end cycles of anger, disappointment, and dissatisfaction? and most importantly, what is the role of spirituality in 2021?But the most powerful lesson imparted is the importance of thinking well. Exploring the depths of your motivation. And understanding that only you can heal yourself.
To read more click here. You can also watch our exchange on YouTube. And as always, the podcast streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Rabbi Finley is a beautiful soul. I sincerely hope you find this conversation as powerful and fascinating as I did.
Peace + Plants,

Listen, Watch & Subscribe
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Thanks to this week’s sponsors:
LMNT: A science-backed electrolyte drink mix with everything you need and nothing you don’t. The formula is super high-caliber, it’s plant-based with no sugar, fillers, gluten, or sketchy ingredients. For a limited time receive a FREE LMNT sample pack—just cover 5$ for shipping. Try it out at drinkLMNT.com/RICHROLL.
Whoop: The world’s most powerful fitness tracker. Get smarter about how you sleep, recover, and train, so you can unlock your best self. Go to WHOOP.com and use the promo code Richroll at checkout to save 15% off WHOOP.
Daily Harvest: Daily Harvest makes it easy to eat more fruits and vegetables with thoughtfully sourced, chef-crafted foods that are ready in five minutes or less. Go to dailyharvest.com/RICHROLLto get up to $40 off your first box.
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Connect with Rabbi Finley: Website | Facebook | Instagram | TwitterOhr HaTorah Synagogue: AboutPatreon: Rabbi Mordecai FinleyYouTube: Rabbi Finley On Narrative & RealityYouTube: Ohr HaTorahLos Angeles Times: The Rabbi Who Challenges JudaismJewish Journal: Rabbi Mordecai FinleyJewish

For too long, talking about mental health has been a social taboo.
Shame prevents confronting our struggles. The pressure of our daily lives exacerbates the problem. Compound that with society’s lack of mental health education and you create an epidemic of mental health disorders ranging from chronic stress and anxiety to loneliness and depression. PTSD. And of course, suicide.
The solution to these problems is complicated. But it always begins with talking about them.
Today we do just that. Introducing a masterclass on all things mental health, my second in a new ongoing series of compilation-based deep dives.
The conversations excerpted for this episode feature some of the best, most inspiring exchanges I’ve had on the topic of mental health, with practical takeaways and bite-size chunks of advice that you can apply in your life today.
The full episodes for guests featured in this episode can be enjoyed here:
RRP 464: Lori Gottlieb: Stories From A Therapist In TherapyRRP 416: Johann Hari: On Lost ConnectionsRRP 579: Alexi Pappas Is BraveyRRP 468: Quelling Stress With Rangan Chatterjee, MDRRP 565: Caroline Burckle On The Power Of VulnerabilityRRP 584: Steven Pressfield On The War of ArtRRP 330: Drs. Dean & Ayesha SherzaiRRP 393: Guru Singh On Disrupting DepressionRRP 424: Sarah Lee On The War InsideRRP 557: Hakim Tafari On ReinventionTo read more click here. You can also watch our exchange on YouTube. And as always, the podcast streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Special thanks to new team member Dan Drakefor his help crafting this very special episode.
Note: If you missed our first deep dive, a masterclass on all things microbiome, click here.
Final Note: This conversation traverses difficult emotional terrain. If you are struggling, please raise your hand and reach out for help. For a catalog of resources, you can visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness and if you are experiencing suicidal ideation, know you’re not alone. I encourage you to call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1(800) 273 – TALK.
I sincerely hope you find this experiment helpful, instructive, and inspiring.
Peace + Plants,

Listen, Watch & Subscribe
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Thanks to this week’s sponsors:
Athletic Greens: 75 whole food sourced ingredients designed to optimize 5 key areas of health, Athletic Greens is the delicious daily habit that sets you up for a healthy future. I take the packets everywhere I go. Invest in your health without compromise! Go to: athleticgreens.com/richroll to get a FREE year supply of Vitamin D ​AND​ 5 free travel packs​ with your first purchase.
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ROKA: Cutting-edge eyewear & apparel built for top performance. Ultralight construction. Arms-Up Design. Official USAT Partner. If you’re active like me and wear prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses, ROKA combines the no-slip performance you’ve been waiting for with fashionable frames. Visit roka.com and enter code RichRoll for 20% off.
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SHOW NOTES:
Guests featured in this episode (all hyperlinked to their respective episodes) include:RRP 464: Lori Gottlieb: Stories From A Therapist In TherapyRRP 416: Johann Hari: On Lost ConnectionsRRP 579: Alexi Pap

How do you stay committed to your goals when sh*t gets hard?
There’s an entire industry built on answering this question—and a litany of #lifehacks meant to assuage intolerance for hard work and discipline.
But if you ask today’s guest, he’ll tell you the answer is found in consistently doing what you feel called to do—and doing it for something greater than yourself. It’s about making friendships along the way. And seeing the process of pursuing your dreams as a privilege—not just a self-serving opportunity.
Meet Hellah Sidibe.
Born in Mali, Hellah emigrated from to the States from West Africa when he was a teen, becoming a professional soccer player and now, a U.S. citizen and the first Black person to ever run 3,000 miles across America. It’s a truly extraordinary feat eclipsed only by his incredibly inspirational positive vibe and another noteworthy accomplishment: a 4+ year run streak.
Hellah has run every single day, without missing one single day, for over 1500+ days in a row.
I first came across Hellah’s story when my friend Robbie Balenger joined Hellah for a segment of his transcontinental run through the Navajo Nation. Captivated by Robbie’s Instagram Stories documenting the experience, I was immediately taken by Hellah’s energy. I followed his journey through the conclusion of his run in New York City, and immediately got to work trying to book him here as soon as I could.
And so, here we are.
We talk running of course, but this conversation is about so much more. It’s about reimagining your own personal potential. It’s about chasing dreams, taking risks, putting yourself out there, and of course, what it takes to accomplish seemingly outlandish goals.
We also discuss Hellah’s decision to go plant-based. The impact this lifestyle has had on his running and, beyond that, his broader awareness.
In addition, we talk about his work with Soles4Souls, a non-profit that provides repurposed shoes to empower the developing world. We discuss his relationship with social media, his growing YouTube presence, and the impact Casey Neistat has had on how he shares his personal perspective online.
But mostly, this is about mindset. It’s about living with intention—and the beauty of sharing the journey to self-actualization unfiltered, in real-time.
To read more click here. You can also watch our exchange on YouTube. And as always, the podcast streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Hellah’s energy is infectious. It rubbed off on me. It will rub off on you too.
Peace + Plants,

Listen, Watch & Subscribe
Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts
Thanks to this week’s sponsors:
Salomon: The creators of my favorite lineup of road and trail running footwear & hydration gear, perfect for any runner, on any terrain, no matter the challenge. Check out my top picks at www.salomon.com/richroll and use the code RICHROLL at checkout to get 20% OFF – exclusions apply.
Ten Thousand: The World’s Most Durable Training Shorts. Built for Your Needs. Designed for Performance. Every order gets FREE shipping, FREE exchanges and FREE returns. Save 20% OFF your first purchase at tenthousand.cc with promo code “RICHROLL”.
Whoop: The world’s most powerful fitness tracker. Get smarter about how you sleep, recover, and train, so you can unlock your best self. Go to WHOOP.com and use the promo code Richroll at checkout to save 15% off WHOOP.
Squarespace: The easiest way to create a beautiful website, blog, or online store for you and your ideas. Save 10% on your first purchase when you visit Squarespace.com/RICHROLL and use the discount code RICHROLL at checkout.
SHOW NOTES:
Connect with Hellah: Website | Twitter | InstagramYouTube: HellahGoodYouTube: Why I’m running across America | Hellah SidibeYouTube: Running Back to

A cornerstone of this podcast is the power of sport to catalyze personal and societal change, cultivate confidence, and ultimately transform lives.
But what happens when sport breaks you?
If you’ve listened to my conversations with Lindsay Crouse and Lauren Fleshman, you know this story is all too familiar within athletic institutions—particularly Nike. Today’s guest is busting this paradigm.
Meet Mary Cain.
Established as the fastest girl in a generation by the time she reached high school, Mary was only 16 when she qualified for the Olympic Trials. At 17, she became the youngest American track and field athlete to make a world championship, competing in Moscow in the 1500 meters.
Olympic glory seemed a foregone conclusion. Until that is, she joined Nike’s elite Oregon Project team run by infamous coach Alberto Salazar.
And that’s when everything changed.
Under severe pressure from Salazar and others to lose weight, her mental and physical health began to crumble. Ultimately, her body collapsed—and her running career behind it. Then she just disappeared.
Until November of 2019 that is, when Mary broke her silence on what happened and why, bravely exposing the abusive system that derailed her in a New York Times Video OpEd entitled, “I Was the Fastest Girl in America, Until I joined Nike”.
Here’s the thing about Mary: she’s emerged from this whole experience stronger—both as an athlete and as an advocate resolute on creating positive change for the next generation of female athletes.
Now 25, she continues to run while serving as the New York Community Manager for the running apparel brand Tracksmith.
In addition, this podcast announces her new role as CEO of Atalanta, a new NYC-based elite running team & community non-profit Mary founded with the dual mission of promoting running community, inclusivity & diversity, while also rewriting the rule book on professional women’s athletics.
Today we get into all of it.
To read more click here. You can also watch our exchange on YouTube. And as always, the podcast streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
I have a ton of respect for this young woman. Her story is powerful. It’s instructive. And I’m proud to help share it.
Peace + Plants,

Listen, Watch & Subscribe
Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts
Thanks to this week’s sponsors:
Calm: The app designed to help you ease stress and get the best sleep of your life with guided meditations, sleep stories, and more. Right now, my listeners can get a special limited-time promotion of 40% off a Calm Premium subscription at calm.com/richroll. It includes unlimited access to ALL of Calm’s amazing content. Get started today!
Four Sigmatic: Nutritious and delicious organic, Fair-Trade, single-origin Arabica mushroom coffee made with only the highest quality adaptogens like Lion’s Mane and Chaga. Visit foursigmatic.com/roll and get up to 40% off + Free Shipping on Mushroom Coffee bundles.
ROKA: Cutting-edge eyewear & apparel built for top performance. Ultralight construction. Arms-Up Design. Official USAT Partner. If you’re active like me and wear prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses, ROKA combines the no-slip performance you’ve been waiting for with fashionable frames. Visit roka.com and enter code RichRoll for 20% off.
Seed: Stewarding the future of how we will use bacteria to restore and sustain human and planetary health, Seed’s DS-01TM Daily Synbiotic combines 24 clinically verified and naturally-occurring, probiotic strains with plant-based prebiotics. Visit seed.com/RICHROLL to learn more.
SHOW NOTES:
Connect with Mary Cain: Facebook | Twitter | InstagramAtalanta: atalantany.comAtalanta on Instagram: @atalantanyAtalanta on Twitter: @atalantanyTracksmith: The Comeback TrailNew York Times: I Was the Fastest Girl