Hacks and Hobbies with Junaid Ahmed

Junaid Ahmed
  • 5.0 (66)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Semiweekly

Hacks & Hobbies is where passions turn into profit stories. Host Junaid Ahmed interviews entrepreneurs, creators, and builders who are turning what they love into real momentum—income, confidence, community, and impact. Expect practical takeaways on podcasting, video content, home studios, personal branding, systems, and mindset—so your next idea doesn’t stay “someday.” If you’re building something (a show, a brand, a business, a better version of yourself), you’ll feel at home here.

  1. 2d ago

    The 21-Minute Workout That Rewires Your Brain, Melts Fat & Gives Busy People Their Life Back

    5 Big Takeaways Traditional workouts were never built for busy people – they were designed in 1891 for strongmen with 10+ hours a week to train. 42 minutes a week can outperform 7 hours, when you train with slow, continuous tension to complete muscle fatigue. If your brain doesn’t change, your results won’t last – most “failures” are really a mismatch between your brain type and your strategy. Food logs alone can boost results by 30% because they force mindful eating—even before you change a single food. Simple biohacks—light, sleep, hydration, and real food—beat most fancy gadgets when it comes to consistent energy and long-term health. Timestamps 00:00 – Why most people don’t need harder workouts, they need a better system Junaid sets the stage: why “doing more” is making people weaker, not stronger, and why PJ built a method for the busiest people on earth. 03:40 – The hidden time trap of traditional training (and why resolutions die by February) PJ breaks down the 3+ hours/week gym model, how it fails busy 40–70 year olds, and why expectations vs. results kill motivation. 08:45 – One set to failure: the 3-minute push-up that replaces an entire workout PJ walks through his TUT + CMF protocol, including the 7-second push-up method you can do at home with zero equipment. 15:20 – Brain types, willpower myths, and why 94% of resolutions fail How PJ’s brain type test personalizes mindset coaching, why willpower is a losing strategy, and how discipline is really just automated habit. 21:45 – “I’m working out but not losing fat” – rapid troubleshooting PJ’s two-step fix: food logs and custom swaps, plus why simply tracking food creates 30% better results. 26:50 – Exhausted all the time? The 3 things PJ checks first Stress, hydration, and processed food: the real energy vampires—and a dead-simple hydration formula to start fixing it today. 31:10 – Biohacking for real people: light, sleep, and tiny upgrades that compound From grounding pads and blue blockers to morning light routines and screen curfews, PJ’s favorite accessible biohacks for better sleep and sharper focus. Guest Links – PJ Glassey Website crackingyourcode.com (Other) xgym.com (Company) pjfit.com (Blog) (Check the XGym site for PJ’s latest social links, online programs, and resources.) Episode Snapshot (Quick Reference) Guest: PJ Glassey – Founder of XGym, creator of a 21-minute, twice-a-week training system for busy professionals. Core Topics: Time-efficient strength training, brain types & habit formation, nutrition audits, stress & energy, and practical biohacking. Perfect For: Busy parents, entrepreneurs, and professionals who feel like they’ve “tried everything” and still can’t stay consistent or see long-term results. 🎙 Wanna be a guest? Apply on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/member/hacksandhobbies 📖 Home Studio resources: https://homestudiobook.com 🔗 LI: https://linkedin.com/in/superjunaid Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    The 21-Minute Workout That Rewires Your Brain, Melts Fat & Gives Busy People Their Life Back

  2. 4d ago

    The 21-Minute Workout That Rewires Your Muscles, Your Brain, and Your Excuses

    5 Big Takeaways Time isn’t the real problem — method is. Traditional training was designed to get people “jacked,” not to make busy people strong, functional, and injury-free. 21 minutes can equal 3.5 hours when you use slow, controlled reps, continuous time under tension, and train to true muscle failure. Plateaus are a feature of routine, not of your genetics. Your body and brain adapt fast; to keep progressing, you must keep changing the method, not just the exercises. High achievers secretly fear failing at health. Many start in private so no one sees them quit; PJ explains why building a support “posse” is the antidote. The safest starting point is smaller than you think. For some, it’s literally just standing up and sitting down slowly — and doing it consistently until the habit becomes part of who you are. Timestamps 00:00 – Why most people are training wrong Junaid sets the scene: most of us are doing more and getting less healthy — PJ introduces his “train smarter, not longer” promise. 03:39 – The 21-minute, twice-a-week protocol PJ explains how one slow, continuous set to true failure can replace hours of traditional sets and reps. 04:17 – The 7–7–7 method and splinter techniques How 7 seconds up, 7 seconds down, and strategic pulses/holds create brutal efficiency and complete muscle fatigue. 08:46 – One set vs. five: what the research really shows Why doing more sets doesn’t equal more results once you’ve hit true muscle failure. 09:30 – The moment PJ realized the old model was broken College, Eugene Sandow, 1891 bodybuilding, and why he decided to build something for “the rest of us.” 15:05 – Adaptation, boredom, and why you plateau How your nervous system erodes novelty, and why X Gym changes methods every 14 workouts to keep you progressing. 21:53 – The hidden fear high achievers carry about health PJ unpacks fear of failure, secret attempts at getting fit, and how to create a support system that keeps you accountable. 26:36 – The one exercise PJ wants you to start today Simple bodyweight sit-to-stands, done slowly and intentionally, as the first step back into fitness. Guest Links Website & Programs: https://xgym.com (Gym, online training, exercise app, brain type test, and resources) Book: Cracking Your Calorie Code by PJ Glassey (available via xgym.com and major booksellers) 🎙 Wanna be a guest? Apply on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/member/hacksandhobbies 📖 Home Studio resources: https://homestudiobook.com 🔗 LI: https://linkedin.com/in/superjunaid Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    The 21-Minute Workout That Rewires Your Muscles, Your Brain, and Your Excuses

  3. Aug 27

    How Kaboom’s Responsible AI Is Redefining Revenue & Relationships — with Anoushka & Ram (Kaboom AI)

    5 Big Takeaways Responsible AI = augmentation, not replacement – Kaboom’s core principle is simple: keep a human in the loop and use AI to make people superhuman, not obsolete. Trust starts with security, not slogans – SOC 2, audits, and enterprise-grade security aren’t “nice to have”; they are table stakes for serious AI in revenue teams. Most AI pilots fail on adoption, not ideas – Without organizational readiness, internal champions, and patience, even the best AI never gets past the shiny demo stage. Bring AI to where humans live – Adoption skyrockets when AI lives inside existing workflows (email, WhatsApp, microsites), instead of forcing people to “go to the AI.” Relationships will always stay human – AI should handle the follow-ups, research, and repetition so you can focus on what actually moves the needle: real human relationships.   Episode Timestamps [00:01:19] What “Responsible AI” Actually Means at Kaboom Anoushka breaks down their one-sentence definition of responsible AI—and why a human-in-the-loop is non-negotiable. [00:02:54] Security at the Gate: How Enterprises Decide Who to Trust Ram explains why security and data privacy are day one requirements and how Kaboom built an “uncompromising” security culture. [00:06:24] The AI Trust Checklist for CIOs & Revenue Leaders Organizational readiness, internal champions, data access, and why “closed-door” AI makes your system artificially dumb. [00:09:56] Meeting People Where They Are: The Shortcut You Can’t Take Anoushka on why Kaboom refuses to ignore existing workflows—even if it slows the deal—and how that earns real trust. [00:17:52] Live Exercise: Turning a Conference Attendee List into Real Meetings A step-by-step walk-through of Kaboom’s event intelligence product and how it prioritizes who you should meet now. [00:20:35] From Business Card Graveyard to Revenue Engine Junaid shares his embarrassing stack of untouched cards—and Ram shows how AI can triage, score, and draft follow-ups on autopilot. [00:22:05] What Stays Human Forever—and What AI Should Own Ram and Junaid draw the line: relationships, deals, and meaning vs. the mundane tasks AI should quietly automate in the background. [00:24:47] Final Advice: Trust, Revenue, and the Future of PRM One-sentence guidance for founders and revenue teams on trust, authenticity, and relationship-first growth in the AI era. Guest Links Kaboom AI Website: Kaboom AI (search “Kaboom AI event intelligence & revenue workflows”) LinkedIn: Kaboom AI (search “Kaboom AI” on LinkedIn) Anoushka – Co-founder, Kaboom AI LinkedIn: Search “Anoushka Kaboom AI” on LinkedIn Ram – Co-founder, Kaboom AI LinkedIn: Search “Ram Kaboom AI” on LinkedIn Listener Homework (From the Episode) Pick one workflow to simplify – events, prospect research, account planning, or follow-ups. Define the human moments that must always stay human in that workflow. Use the AI trust checklist when choosing tools: Boundaries Traceability Auditability Adoption 🎙 Wanna be a guest? Apply on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/member/hacksandhobbies 📖 Home Studio resources: https://homestudiobook.com 🔗 LI: https://linkedin.com/in/superjunaid Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    How Kaboom’s Responsible AI Is Redefining Revenue & Relationships — with Anoushka & Ram (Kaboom AI)

  4. Aug 25

    How a Father–Daughter Duo Is Redefining Revenue Intelligence With Human-Centered Agentic AI (Anoushka Ram Kumar & Ram Gunnison)

    5 Big Takeaways Intergenerational co-founding is a superpower when you combine AI-native speed with decades of enterprise pattern recognition and trust. Kaboom AI isn’t a “tool” — it’s a revenue operating system, embedding agentic AI into real GTM workflows from prospecting to customer success. Human-centered AI in sales means augmentation, not replacement — people still buy from people, especially in complex enterprise deals. Culture is a product you design on purpose, from coffee rituals and humor to psychological safety and truly egalitarian debate. Family co-founders must set hard boundaries and decision systems — united front to the market, clear domains of ownership, and space to cool off when disagreements get emotional. Timestamps 00:00 – Why this episode matters: building an AI startup across generations How Junaid frames the episode around the intergenerational edge in AI startups and introduces Anoushka and Ram’s backgrounds. 02:00 – Why a father–daughter founding team? The real story behind Kaboom AI Anoushka shares how her post-Yale uncertainty, Ram’s career inflection point, and shared brainstorming converged into co-founding Kaboom together. 04:00 – The AI-native speed advantage: “I already drafted the contract with AI.” Ram recounts being outpaced by Anoushka’s AI workflows and how her AI-native mindset changes their execution speed and complementarity. 09:30 – What Kaboom AI actually does: from CRM tracking to true revenue intelligence Ram explains Kaboom as a GTM operating system, using agentic AI to inject intelligence into every revenue touchpoint, not just log activity. 11:30 – Human-centered AI: why people still buy from people Anoushka breaks down why AI in enterprise sales must empower human sellers instead of trying to replace human-to-human relationships. 15:40 – The “event microsite” assistant: your Chief of Staff for conferences Anoushka walks through their new event microsite module that tells you who to meet and why at conferences, and Junaid shares how he would’ve used it at Podfest. 19:50 – Culture that scales: from the “pursuit of happiness” to New York coffee rituals Ram reflects on the culture magic at Surian, while Anoushka describes building Kaboom’s culture around excellence, friendship, and community (plus aggressive coffee-snob exploration). 26:50 – How they divide decisions without killing the relationship They unpack product vs. sales ownership, vision vs. operations, and how they avoid stepping on each other while both wanting to “do everything.” 35:30 – Handling conflict as family co-founders: from blow-ups to written reflection Anoushka and Ram share their disagreement playbook: debate, sleep on it, write it down, and come back as co-founders instead of as just father and daughter. Guest Links Website: https://kaboom.ai LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com (search “Kaboom AI” to find the company and both co-founders) (You can also find Anoushka Ram Kumar and Ram Gunnison on LinkedIn by name, and—if you’re in New York—over coffee near Madison Square Park.) 🎙 Wanna be a guest? Apply on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/member/hacksandhobbies 📖 Home Studio resources: https://homestudiobook.com 🔗 LI: https://linkedin.com/in/superjunaid Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    How a Father–Daughter Duo Is Redefining Revenue Intelligence With Human-Centered Agentic AI (Anoushka Ram Kumar & Ram Gunnison)

  5. Aug 20

    Marley Jax on Turning Hidden Expertise into Market Authority (Stage, Story, and the “Stage Book” Flywheel)

    Key Takeaways Expertise ≠ Authority: Why being brilliant at what you do is not enough—and how to create visible proof that positions you as the go-to. The “Uniform Problem”: How books, stages, and platforms function like a new “uniform” that instantly changes how people trust and value you. The Stage Book Model: How a simple two-day event can become your book, your funnel, your testimonial engine, and your authority flywheel. Founder Story as a Growth Lever: Why sharing the parts of your story you’re scared of can become your most powerful marketing asset. From Content Clutter to Authority Assets: What to stop doing right now if you’re grinding out content but not building true market authority. Timestamps 00:00 – The real problem: not expertise, but invisibility Junaid opens with why most experts stay hidden and introduces Marley’s concept of “authority assets.” 03:50 – Zone of genius vs. zone of excellence Marley explains why being “good” at many things keeps you from becoming the name in your industry. 09:45 – The Stage Book: turning a 2‑day event into a perennial book and authority engine How Marley and her team turn live workshops into books, funnels, and an evergreen sales flywheel. 15:10 – “I already wrote a book… now what?” The ecosystem authors are missing: book funnels, companion courses, and no-lead-left-behind systems. 18:20 – The fear of the founder story (and why you must share it) Marley opens up about sharing her divorce publicly and how vulnerability became a story of perseverance. 24:20 – Building your “bag of stories” and storytelling as a skill How to collect everyday stories, use them to teach, and make your content unforgettable. 29:00 – Stop content clutter: what real authority-building looks like From green-screen reels to stages and books—what to stop, what to start, and how to think like a titan of your industry. Guest Links – Marley Jax Website – Titans of Industry: https://titansofindustry.com Stage Book Model: https://thestagebook.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/marleyjaxx YouTube: www.youtube.com/marleyjaxx 🎙 Wanna be a guest? Apply on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/member/hacksandhobbies 📖 Home Studio resources: https://homestudiobook.com 🔗 LI: https://linkedin.com/in/superjunaid Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Marley Jax on Turning Hidden Expertise into Market Authority (Stage, Story, and the “Stage Book” Flywheel)

  6. Aug 18

    How to Build Unshakable Credibility with a 3-Word Message (and Stop Sounding Like Everyone Else)

    5 Big Takeaways Clarity is your compass: A powerful credibility foundation starts with a simple, under-10-word C-Pop that defines who you serve and what they’re trying to achieve or escape. Specificity creates demand: Narrowing from “entrepreneurs” to “podcasters” made Junaid’s offer sharper, more memorable, and more attractive—even to non-podcasters who see themselves in the message. Pain vs. pleasure C-Pops: Beginners resonate with pain (“podcasters struggling with lighting and audio”), but premium clients align with aspiration (“podcasters leveling up”). Your C-Pop should match where your revenue actually comes from. Credibility leaks are usually unintentional: Showing up late, being unprepared, ignoring context, or clinging to being “always right” quietly erodes trust—even from good people who were simply taught the wrong models. Credibility is built in relationships, not scripts: Vulnerability, coachability, respect, and sharing your stage (spreading “cred dust”) are the real drivers of long-term trust and referrals—not a perfectly rehearsed elevator pitch. Timestamps 00:00 – Turning credibility into action Junaid sets the stage for Part 2: moving from theory to a practical credibility audit and clear next steps. 03:26 – Live C-Pop surgery: Junaid on the hot seat Mitchell walks Junaid through his framework and refines his audience from “entrepreneurs” to “podcasters.” 09:00 – From struggling to leveling up The shift from “struggling with lighting and audio” to “podcasters leveling up”—and why the paying clients live in the latter. 11:36 – Kill your 30-second elevator pitch Why you should ditch the memorized pitch and replace it with a short hook + C-Pop + intentional silence. 15:27 – What to give beginners (and why you shouldn’t chase their money) Using checklists, free courses, and webinars to serve early-stage podcasters while focusing your offers on serious clients. 21:54 – The 10 values of credibility & living them under pressure Mitchell connects clarity, vulnerability, coachability, and integrity to how you actually show up when things get stressful. 39:17 – Your 7-day credibility challenge A concrete homework plan: self-360, C-Pop clarity, and how to share your “north star” so your network can finally refer you properly. Guest Links – Mitchell Levy Website (start here):https://mitchelllevy.com Referral Webinar (credibility & LinkedIn relationships): Access Mitchell’s quarterly referral webinar and latest resources via his website:https://mitchelllevy.com 🎙 Wanna be a guest? Apply on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/member/hacksandhobbies 📖 Home Studio resources: https://homestudiobook.com 🔗 LI: https://linkedin.com/in/superjunaid Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    How to Build Unshakable Credibility with a 3-Word Message (and Stop Sounding Like Everyone Else)

  7. Aug 13

    Global Credibility Expert on Why Credibility Starts With Clarity (and the 3‑Circle Framework That Changes Everything)

    5 bullet takeaways Credibility = Trusted + Known + Liked: credibility is relational, measurable, and actionable — not just reputation. Integrity lives in two places: what you say (external) and what you do (internal). Incongruity kills trust. Clarity is a superpower: define who you serve in Respect is tactical: show up early, come prepared, and bring your heart — small rituals compound into enormous credibility. Asynchronous presence matters: a broken website, missed messages, or no follow‑up predicts poor real‑time behavior. Timestamps (short, enticing labels) 00:00 — Why credibility is misunderstood (the old definition vs. Mitchell’s) 02:59 — The 3‑circle definition: Trusted, Known, Liked (and the 10 elements) 06:22 — External vs. internal integrity: the moment your neck hairs stand up 08:14 — Clarity as a compass: why 98% of leaders lack it 13:06 — The 500 interviews that changed everything (and why Napoleon Hill inspired this) 24:32 — Rituals that show respect: how executives structure meetings to signal credibility 34:42 — Ecosystem thinking & “executive abundance”: influence without chasing it Guest links Website: https://mitchellevy.com Executive Abundance (waitlist / program): https://executiveabundance.com TEDx talk & talks: (link available from Mitchell’s site) https://mitchellevy.com/talks Books & publishing projects: (link available from Mitchell’s site) https://mitchellevy.com/books LinkedIn: search Mitchell Levy (profile linked on his website) 🎙 Wanna be a guest? Apply on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/member/hacksandhobbies 📖 Home Studio resources: https://homestudiobook.com 🔗 LI: https://linkedin.com/in/superjunaid Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Global Credibility Expert on Why Credibility Starts With Clarity (and the 3‑Circle Framework That Changes Everything)

  8. Aug 11

    The Advisor to Icons on Breaking Orbit and Finding the Genius Inside You

    5 Big Takeaways Your gift is not a talent; it’s who you are when you’re fully alive. Frederick breaks down why your genius is less about skill and more about identity. Comfort can become a cage. How “zones of comfort” and “discomfort zones” silently dictate your life – and why staying in discomfort is the doorway to growth. Acceptance is the first key to discovering your gift. Before tactics, strategy, or niche, you have to uninstall the belief that you’re “not special.” Purpose vs success: why chasing someone else’s path keeps you small. Frederick explains how walking in purpose attracts success instead of chasing it. You are a category of one. How to see yourself as the “LeBron James” of your own lane and build a life and business where people have to come to you. Timestamps [00:00] – From small-town Mississippi to icon advisor Junaid introduces Frederick and we go back to the early days: ministers’ homes, music dreams, and forming a singing group. [02:58] – The first business: a cleaning franchise and a borrowed $300 How a networking event, a subway conversation, and a risky deposit birthed Frederick’s first business. [05:42] – Eviction notices, a failing agency, and the $500 that changed everything Frederick hits financial rock bottom, hires a coach with money he doesn’t have, and hears a line that detonates his old identity. [08:40] – “We’re rockets, not planes”: breaking orbit explained The analogy that reframes success, orbit, and why most people spend life circling the same planet instead of reaching for the stars. [13:12] – The summer camp talent show that exposed his hidden gift A 12-year-old, an unplanned comedy routine, a standing ovation – and what it revealed about invisible genius. [17:11] – The first key to your gift: acceptance and uninstalling old beliefs Why you must remove the belief that you’re “unspecial” before you can ever step into who you truly are. [24:14] – Chasing success vs walking in purpose Comparing yourself to LeBron vs becoming the LeBron of your own lane – and why your gift is the room-making force in your life. Guest Links – Frederick Douglass Bussey 7-Figure Circle - Free Facebook Group for entrepreneurs building 7-Figure+ Businesses: https://www.facebook.com/groups/7FigureCircle   Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/ICONSTATUS_YT   Get the Book - Breaking Orbit: Rip Out of the Regular By Unearthing the Power Within: Get it on Amazon - https://amzn.to/33MmytB   Get more time back with the Time Freedom Formula Course: https://www.moretimemoremoneychallenge.com/launch   Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredrick-bussey-iconstatus/   Follow Me on Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/share/182mfTyXSE/?mibextid=wwXIfr   Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FredrickBussey   Follow me in Instagram: @Fredrick.Bussey   Follow me on TikTok: @FredrickDouglasBussey 🎙 Wanna be a guest? Apply on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/member/hacksandhobbies 📖 Home Studio resources: https://homestudiobook.com 🔗 LI: https://linkedin.com/in/superjunaid Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    The Advisor to Icons on Breaking Orbit and Finding the Genius Inside You
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Hacks & Hobbies is where passions turn into profit stories. Host Junaid Ahmed interviews entrepreneurs, creators, and builders who are turning what they love into real momentum—income, confidence, community, and impact. Expect practical takeaways on podcasting, video content, home studios, personal branding, systems, and mindset—so your next idea doesn’t stay “someday.” If you’re building something (a show, a brand, a business, a better version of yourself), you’ll feel at home here.

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