The Optimist

Jake Hurwitz
  • 5.0 (5)
  • HEALTH & FITNESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

In an era of unprecedented success and isolation, The Optimist tackles the silent crisis facing ambitious men. Through powerful conversations with leaders and visionaries, we're creating more than just another podcast—we're building a blueprint for modern masculine wellbeing. Each week, we explore raw, honest truths about identity, connection, and what it truly means to thrive. Whether you're a founder, veteran, or someone seeking deeper meaning beyond achievement, join us in forging a new path that embraces both strength and vulnerability. Welcome to the future of modern masculinity.

  1. JAN 7

    Why Comfort Is the Most Dangerous Thing in Your Life, with Tanner Waite

    Why are so many men stuck…anxious, restless, and disconnected…even though their lives look “fine” on paper? In this episode of The Optimist, Jake sits down with Tanner Waite; big-wave surfer, endurance athlete, and creator, for a raw conversation about fear, comfort, anger, and the moments that actually shape a man. From nearly drowning at Nazaré to experiencing a full mental breakdown in college… from surfing as an escape to surfing as a mirror… Tanner shares how chasing comfort almost cost him his sense of purpose, and why voluntarily choosing difficulty changed everything. This episode explores: - Why comfort is more dangerous than failure - How fear, anger, and pressure shape modern men - What happens when you remove structure after college - Why most men are afraid of the wrong things - The difference between pain that breaks you and pain that builds you - How nature, endurance, and stillness rewire the mind - Why sunsets became Tanner’s most powerful mental health practice This isn’t motivation porn. It’s not “grind harder” advice. And it’s definitely not about becoming fearless. It’s about learning how to meet fear, sit with discomfort, and build a life that actually feels alive. If you’ve ever felt numb, restless, or stuck in a comfortable life that doesn’t fulfill you, this conversation will hit close to home.

    1h 15m

  2. 12/09/2025

    Be Hard to Kill But Soft Enough to Speak - Christian De La Torre on PTSD, Brotherhood & Being a Man

    Veteran & former infantry officer Christian De La Torre gets real about delayed PTSD, rockets over Bagram, and the blueprint men need now: the “King’s Council.” We break down how to ask for help without feeling weak, why every man should learn self‑defense (and change a tire), building real brotherhood, and staying level in hard seasons. What you’ll learn PTSD that shows up years later—how triggers work and what to do The King’s Council: a practical playbook for men’s friendship & accountability ROTC vs. enlisted: respect, leadership, and earning trust Why trained men fight less—and why confrontation can be healthy AARs (after‑action reviews) for life, not just the military Sunday as a barometer for your life & stress protocol that actually helps Chapters 00:00 Cold open 02:58 ROTC vs. enlisted, earning respect as a young officer 06:03 Afghanistan, Bagram & what combat looked like in his era 10:13 Movies vs. reality—how the battlefield changed 16:13 “Closest call” — rockets, alarms and fear management 18:27 PTSD didn’t hit right away: the delayed wave 20:07 Triggers: motorcycles, helicopters, fireworks 23:12 “Pain is pain” — don’t compare your trauma 27:12 “It ain’t weak to speak” — how to start the convo 31:12 Vulnerability invites vulnerability: the car & bar stories 36:41 Creating safe space with men: trust > performance 40:14 What to take to your partner vs. your guys 44:40 King’s Council rules: cadence, honesty, accountability 50:55 AARs for civilians: debriefs, sustains, improves 54:52 Where to find brothers: jiu‑jitsu, run clubs, retreats, even gaming 57:11 Veterans & civilians: step‑by‑step to build your squad 1:02:20 What it means to be a man today (integrity, service, vulnerability) 1:05:00 Why “change a tire” still matters (competence & calm) 1:12:14 Self‑defense & fitness: be capable, not reckless 1:18:41 Hard seasons: mindset, journaling, small wins 1:21:15 Action is vitamin A — get vertical, get moving 1:36:03 Do 4 hard things a year; compound the average 1:37:35 Sunday as a life barometer; make it the best day 1:44:18 What’s next for Christian (content road trip, The Trace Club) 1:45:57 Where to find him & wrap Resources mentioned Men’s groups/retreats (e.g., Everyman), jiu‑jitsu & martial arts, run clubs After‑Action Review (AAR) framework for life debriefs “It ain’t weak to speak” (mental health ethos) About the show Tactical conversations at the intersection of men’s mental health, performance, and modern masculinity, grounded in actions you can use today. Disclaimer This conversation includes adult language and mentions of war. It’s for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. If you’re struggling, talk to a qualified professional or someone you trust today. If this helped you: Like 👍 • Subscribe 🔔 • Comment: Who’s in your King’s Council—and what’s your next “hard thing”?

    1h 43m

  3. 12/02/2025

    Test, Don’t Guess: Superpower’s Max Marchione on Labs, Testosterone & HRV

    If your energy crashes after meals, your HRV is low, or you suspect low T, this episode is your blueprint. Max Marchione—Founder/CEO of Superpower—breaks down the health “foundations” that actually move the needle: lab testing, gut & metabolic health, endocrine disruptors, HRV, and micro‑habits you can stack into a busy life. We also get into risk, culture, and modern masculinity. What you’ll learn Why testing beats guessing (labs, ApoB/Lp(a), vitamin D, prediabetes) How gut health and metabolism drive mood, energy, and stress HRV 101: what it is, why high performers often have high HRV, and how to raise it Micro‑habits that compound (elevator meditations, 5.5/5.5 breathing, “micro‑moments”) Testosterone & today’s environment: behavior, toxins, and practical fixes Building teams & culture where fun is a performance input Risk math for founders: “price risk right” and move fasterChapters (approx.) 00:00 Cold open 07:05 Teenage Max: rule‑breaking, early ventures, health struggles 09:43 DIY diagnostics: CGMs, gut tests, mercury, pushing doctors 11:31 Stress & anxiety: fix sleep, gut, hormones first 12:57 Small levers: breathing, supplements, “micro” stress management 15:08 Why lab testing changes behavior 16:26 Common 2025 patterns: vitamin D, ApoB/Lp(a), prediabetes 18:04 Why Superpower now; consumer health turning point 21:19 Focus > doing everything; killing v1 & dropping price 23:46 Risk math: “I don’t take much risk—I price it better” 25:57 Culture, failure, parenting & school conditioning 28:39 Testosterone & modern behavior 32:49 Endocrine disruptors, BPA, mold, air quality 36:39 The Superpower protocol: from data to action 37:51 Transformation story 40:12 Social health & community 43:26 Burnout: find the “why” 44:08 HRV explained; why high performers often have high HRV 47:16 Passive optimization: elevator meditations 50:09 Micro‑moments that compound 51:58 Building a healthy office; fun as a performance input 54:17 Banking vs ideal culture 57:07 What it means to be a man today 59:45 2026 goal: do 5 years in 1

    51 min

  4. 11/05/2025

    Being Gay Doesn’t Make You Less of a Man, with Michael C Bryan

    Michael C Bryan grew up in the 70s and 80s, queer, flamboyant, and full of light, in a world that told him he was too much, too different, and not a “real man.” In this raw, emotional, and often hilarious conversation, Michael shares the truth about growing up gay in a violently homophobic time, surviving sexual trauma, reclaiming his identity after being kicked out by his family, and what it really means to be a man today. We talk about: How gay men internalize shame around masculinity The forgotten trauma of queer boyhood Reparenting your inner child Why rage can be a creative force And how emotional freedom is spiritual freedom Michael also leads a powerful guided visualization at the end of the episode that left me almost in tears. If you’ve ever felt like you didn’t belong in the “rules of manhood” you were handed, this episode will meet you exactly where you are. Full episode is now live.

    1h 40m

  5. 10/21/2025

    Why Your Lighting May Be Destroying Your Mental Health, and A Quick Fix with Alex Elsaadi, Founder and CEO of Ozarke

    Your home might be making you anxious, and you don’t even know it. In this first-ever documentary-style episode of The Optimist, filmed in partnership with Ozarke, Jake explores how something as simple as your lighting and décor can drastically affect your mental health, focus, and recovery. From cold, white fluorescent bulbs that trigger stress to warm, ambient light that helps your body relax, the way your space is designed might be quietly shaping how you think, feel, and perform every day. Featuring Alex Elsaadi, founder of Ozarke, this episode goes deep into how lighting impacts mood, productivity, sleep, and even sex, plus the design choices that can completely change your energy at home. If you’ve ever wondered why you feel drained in your own apartment or restless at work, this one’s for you. Timestamps 00:00 — Intro: Why your environment matters more than you think 03:00 — Alex Elsaadi: From oil & gas to lighting design 06:00 — The science behind light and mood 09:00 — Warm light vs. white light: what your brain prefers 13:00 — Why bad lighting triggers anxiety 16:00 — How lighting affects productivity and creativity 20:00 — The simple home upgrades that change everything 23:00 — Why your couch, coffee table, and lamp all matter 26:00 — Smart lighting, circadian rhythm, and better sleep 30:00 — How lighting impacts recovery and athletic performance 33:00 — The psychology of lighting for sex and intimacy 38:00 — Why most men underestimate their space 44:00 — The small design details that completely shift your mindset 48:00 — The hidden connection between home design and mental health 52:00 — Final thoughts: your space is your nervous system

    50 min

  6. 10/14/2025

    Missionless Men Are the Real Epidemic, With Chris Griffin

    Most men aren’t depressed. They’re bored, comfortable, and missionless. Chris Griffin built one of the biggest podcasts in Australia and was nearly canceled for speaking his mind. Instead of backing down, he doubled down. In this brutally honest conversation, we talk about pain, purpose, authenticity, cancel culture, and the epidemic of weak men. This episode isn’t for the easily offended. It’s for anyone who’s tired of excuses and ready to take radical ownership of their life. ⏱️ Episode Timestamps: 00:00 – Building the biggest podcast in Australia 03:00 – Why the podcast industry is outdated 05:00 – The truth about fame, money, and losing brand deals 10:00 – Jake explains The Optimist and why modern masculinity is broken 13:00 – Discipline, ownership, and mental toughness 14:00 – The making of Chris Griffin: from small-town kid to global creator 17:00 – The “curious educator” and how he found his purpose 22:00 – Why blaming your parents keeps you stuck 25:00 – Escaping victimhood and staying present 28:00 – The problem with entitlement and soft culture 31:00 – Getting canceled, owning your truth, and finding freedom 33:00 – Why nothing is ever personal 34:00 – Purpose, power, and The Alchemist 36:00 – You don’t find your purpose — you evolve toward it 37:00 – How to find your thing: authenticity over noise 41:00 – Matthew McConaughey and the art of being yourself 43:00 – Confidence, ego, and learning to be unfazed by chaos 46:00 – Missionless men and the cost of comfort 50:00 – The truth about pain, purpose, and personal accountability 54:00 – What men and women actually want from each other 01:03:00 – The rise of weak men and the confusion of modern masculinity 01:07:00 – How to rebuild strength, purpose, and meaning 01:20:00 – What it really means to be a man today This episode is a mirror. If you’ve been coasting, if you feel stuck, if you’re wondering where your fire went — watch this. Chris Griffin doesn’t hold back. And maybe that’s exactly what we need right now. 🎧 Subscribe to The Optimist for more real conversations about modern masculinity, mental health, and meaning.

    1h 14m

  7. 10/07/2025

    Psychedelics Might Be the Cure for Modern Masculinity, with Ben Forest, Psychedelic Speaker, Author and Coach

    Ben Forest spent 25 years in the Air Force, rose to Lieutenant Colonel, and hit rock bottom. On Veterans Day, he walked into a hospital and told the nurse, “I want to die.” That moment changed everything. He quit his job. He left the military. And in one heroic dose of psilocybin, he found something he never thought he’d feel again…peace. In this conversation, Ben and I dive deep into psychedelics, masculinity, healing, and the emotional constipation that keeps so many men stuck. This isn’t a drug story. It’s a story about awakening, and what happens when men finally face themselves. 00:00 – The day Ben almost ended his life 07:00 – The “American Dream” that became a nightmare 10:45 – Walking into the psych ward: the moment everything changed 14:00 – The first psilocybin ceremony that rewired his life 18:45 – What it feels like to release generations of pain 22:00 – From military commander to spiritual seeker 27:30 – Why psychedelics are so hard to describe 32:15 – DMT, ego death, and seeing “God” for the first time 40:00 – Why psychedelics help men feel again 43:00 – Shame, masculinity, and the epidemic of emotional constipation 46:15 – The courage to say “I’m sad” 49:00 – The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek 51:00 – Psychedelics as a rite of passage for men 57:00 – The rise of “grandfather energy” and secure masculinity 01:00:00 – The crisis of modern manhood 01:07:00 – What rites of passage and adversity teach men 01:15:00 – How men can heal men 01:22:00 – What it truly means to be a man This episode is a mirror. For men who’ve shut down. For men who’ve lost their fire. And for anyone ready to turn their pain into purpose. 🎧 Listen now. Subscribe to The Optimist. Because healing isn’t soft. It’s dangerous. Episode Timestamps:

    1h 20m

  8. 08/26/2025

    Are You Too Soft? Why Doing Hard Things Might Save Your Life, With Alvaro Nuñez 

    Alvaro Nuñez has done what most people would call impossible:- 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days. - A 6-day ultra in the Sahara Desert with a 35-pound vest. - A 3,000-mile bike race across America. - Ironman and Ultraman World Championships. But beneath the superhuman résumé is a much deeper story: one of heartbreak, vulnerability, mental health battles, and the raw conversations he had with himself in total darkness. In this episode of The Optimist, we talk about:- Why doing “impossible” things can’t just be about validation. - How to channel pain, anger, and heartbreak into fuel. - The Japanese concept of Misogi and why one impossible challenge a year can change your life. - What it means to be a man today and why listening might be the hardest challenge of all. Timestamps 00:00 – Intro: Alvaro’s insane list of endurance feats 05:40 – What Alvaro is really struggling with right now 10:25 – Social media, validation, and emptiness 16:40 – Finding your purpose: an engineer’s guide to your “why” 23:55 – Silent retreats, darkness caves, and the hardest conversations with yourself 32:10 – Vulnerability, fear, and turning lessons into action 39:45 – The Japanese concept of Misogi: one impossible challenge a year 49:20 – Race Across America: fighting for his father, not quitting, and finding a deeper why 1:05:10 – Using heartbreak and betrayal as fuel 1:17:30 – Why doing hard things matters for men and mental health 1:28:15 – The Sahara Desert race: carrying the weight of depression—literally 1:43:10 – Breaking big goals into small steps when everything feels impossible 1:52:20 – The role of community and surrounding yourself with high achievers 2:00:00 – What it means to be a man today: provide, protect, and communicate 2:09:50 – The most powerful story Alvaro has never shared—saving a friend from suicide 2:20:15 – Call to action: Who in your life needs you to really listen?

    1h 8m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

In an era of unprecedented success and isolation, The Optimist tackles the silent crisis facing ambitious men. Through powerful conversations with leaders and visionaries, we're creating more than just another podcast—we're building a blueprint for modern masculine wellbeing. Each week, we explore raw, honest truths about identity, connection, and what it truly means to thrive. Whether you're a founder, veteran, or someone seeking deeper meaning beyond achievement, join us in forging a new path that embraces both strength and vulnerability. Welcome to the future of modern masculinity.

Information

  • Creator
    Jake Hurwitz
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jake Hurwitz
  • Show Website
    The Optimist

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