Dan Go

Body transformation coach to entrepreneurs. On a mission to help 1 million people transform their bodies by 2027. Follow me for posts on high performance & health optimization.

Over the past 18 years, at High Performance Founder we have been helping some of the sharpest Entrepreneurs on the Planet lose weight, build muscle & increase energy.

Just imagine yourself with more confidence, energy & focus watching your revenue skyrocket as a result of feeling like yourself again.

That’s what most DREAM about, but cease to ever accomplish...

After servicing over 10,000+ Clients,

I've noticed a pattern of why most Entrepreneurs can't lose weight in a sustainable way and I've distilled it down to 3 forces:

Force #1. Cookie cutter plans - You follow someone else's plan or diet and hope to expect the same result.

What you actually need is a plan customized to your body and personal lifestyle.

Force #2. Systems — No systems in place to make getting in shape easier.

A good business runs on systems. The same goes for your body.

Without systems you're gambling on success worse than a drunken bet at a Vegas craps table. 

The process of getting your body back into shape is very much about automating the habits needed to get your body lean & energetic.

No systems = having to think about your diet and workouts all the time.

This results in your spinning your wheels getting frustrated with the process and eventually giving up.

Force #3. Too much focus on losing weight. Not enough on sustainability

What's the point of losing 20 lbs in 6 weeks if you just put it back on?

The goal is to never worry or think about having an unhealthy body for the rest of your life.

But you can't be doing that if you're just thinking about doing things only to lose weight and not enough on your lifestyle.

Most entrepreneurs do unsustainable things to lose a couple pounds on the scale only to be disappointed when they're back where they started.

This results in a yo yo cycle of weight loss and weight gain until they give up.

Now, if you're facing any of these forces, I have a good news! These are completely avoidable and reversible if you just follow the right process.

At High Performance Founder, we are client-obsessed helping entrepreneurs succeed by filling in these gaps. 

Our "North Star" is our clients, focused on this axis; Fastest, most predictable and cost-efficient way possible to help you grow. Our hygiene standard is to help our client getting in shape without stressing out.

We've spent the last 18+ years dialling in a process that just works!

Don't take my word for it — check out our Case Studies below from our successful Clients.

Want to learn more?
→ https://highperformancefounder.com/testimonials/

Chief Executive Officer

We specialize in helping entrepreneurs lose the excess weight, build muscle & increase energy with ease and minimal stress.

At High Performance Founder, we are client-obsessed helping entrepreneurs become the healthiest versions of themselves.

Our "North Star" is our clients results with a big focus on sustainability. Our standard is helping clients reach their fitness goals within 12 weeks.

We've spent the last 18 years dialling in a process that just works!

Don't take my word for it — check out our Case Studies below from our successful Clients.

Want to learn more? Watch free training:
→ https://highperformancefounder.com/testimonials/

It's my birthday today, and let me share with you something that has taken me a decade to learn:

Body:
Hit the gym 3x/week. That's it.

Relationships:
Find someone whom you wouldn't mind doing absolutely nothing with. Lock that person down.

Work:
Pick something you'd do for free. Then charge for it.

Daily execution:
Show up. Do the work. Ignore everyone else's scoreboard.

The happiest people I know are not the ones with the most money. They're the ones who figured this out.

We overcomplicate success:
- 47-step morning routines
- Optimization frameworks
- Life hacks and shortcuts
- Comparison games

The truth is boring:

Lift heavy things. Love good people. Build something meaningful. Have more fun than everyone else.

That's the whole playbook.

The person having the most fun always wins. Because they're the only one who knows what game they're actually playing.

Stop collecting tactics. Start living.

Period.

♻️ Share with someone making life harder than it needs to be.

- Dan

Ps. Want the simple system to keep your body in shape? Join 460,000+ upgrading their lives and bodies👇

https://lnkd.in/gzyviRFf

I Asked 100 Entrepreneurs: 'What Would You Trade For 10 More Healthy Years?'

Every Answer Was The Same.

"Everything."

Their cars. Stock portfolios. Beach houses. Business empires.

All of it.

One founder showed me his dad's death certificate. Died at 58. Heart attack. Built a $50M company but never saw his grandkids.

Another pulled up photos. Him at 35: Running 5ks. Him at 45: Can't climb stairs without stopping.

Here's what hit me hardest:

These aren't lazy people. They work 80-hour weeks. Close million-dollar deals. Build empires.

But they treat their bodies like rental cars.

Skip workouts for meetings.
Replace meals with protein bars.
Sleep 4 hours because "hustle."
Pop pills instead of fixing problems.

Then, at 50, they'd trade their entire net worth for what they destroyed.

The math doesn't work.

You're grinding for a future you won't live to see. Building wealth while bankrupting your health.

I tell my clients: Your body is your only non-negotiable asset.

Money? You can make more.
Business? You can start another.
Health? Once it's gone, it's gone.

The entrepreneurs who get this? They schedule workouts like board meetings. Track sleep like KPIs. Treat nutrition like an investment strategy.

Because 10 extra healthy years isn't about living longer.

It's about being there when your daughter gets married. Playing with grandkids. Actually enjoying what you built.

You can't buy that back.

♻️ Share with someone drowning in complexity.

- Dan

PS. I help entrepreneurs get their health back without sacrificing their business.

Every week 460,000+ subscribers get my best tips on getting lean, boosting energy, and living longer.

Join us here 👇

https://lnkd.in/gzyviRFf

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80% of desk workers do these for 60 seconds. The other 20% will live longer.

Watch the video. These two moves will save your spine, keep your shoulders healthy, improve posture, and also help improve your chances at longevity.

The Bar Hang:
• Decompresses your spine after 8 hours of sitting
• Opens up shoulders hunched over keyboards
• Strengthens grip (predicts longevity better than blood pressure)
• Hold for 1-2 minutes

The Asian Squat:
• Reverses hip tightness from chair prison
• Mobilizes ankles destroyed by dress shoes
• Strengthens knees most people can't bend past 90°
• Hold for 1-2 minutes

My CEO clients laughed when I showed them this.

"That's your secret weapon?"

6 weeks later:
• Back pain gone
• Can touch their toes again
• Energy through the roof
• Feel 10 years younger

Your body wasn't designed for 8 hours in a chair.

These 4 minutes undo 8 hours of damage.

One opens what sitting closes. The other strengthens what sitting weakens.

Do them daily. Your spine will thank you at 70.

✍️ How long can you hold each one?

♻️ Share with someone living at their desk.

- Dan

Ps. Join 450,000+ desk workers reclaiming their bodies and operating at their fullest potential:

https://lnkd.in/gzyviRFf

Something I've realized in my 20 years of coaching is that your physical health equals your mental health.

When I was sedentary, eating a horrible diet, not getting enough sleep, and drinking alcohol regularly, it would often come with anxiety, negative thoughts, and ruminations. 

The first thing I did to clean up my act was start an exercise routine.

As I went to the gym, I found that my brain felt lighter, and I was starting to feel motivated. 

One thing led to another, and here I am writing this to you on LinkedIn. 

You can build a better brain by building a better body. 

If you don't believe me, try it out for yourself. You may be surprised at what you find. 

♻️ Share with someone who needs this wake-up call.

- Dan

Ps. Want the exact blueprint Jason used to transform?

Join 450,000+ choosing better every day 👇

https://lnkd.in/gzyviRFf

Everyone wants the shortcut. The pill. The hack. Here's what 20 years of coaching taught me:

The basics work. They've always worked.

But people hate them because they're boring.

You know what's not boring?

• Having energy to play with your kids at 45
• Thinking clearly in every meeting
• Never worrying about your blood work
• Feeling stronger at 50 than you did at 30
• Actually enjoying how you look in photos

I've watched hundreds of entrepreneurs transform their lives with these 5 simple habits.

Not supplements. Not biohacks. 

Just the unsexy stuff that actually moves the needle.

The hard truth: Your problems aren't that complicated.

Your solutions aren't either.

You just don't want to do the work.

Start with one. Then add another. In 6 months, you'll be unrecognizable.

Or keep searching for magic. Your choice.

♻️ Share with someone looking for the secret (it's not a secret).

- Dan

Ps. Getting in shape is simple and fun. Join 460,000+ learning how 👇

https://lnkd.in/gzyviRFf

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The Deathbed Calculator: How Many Years Your Current Habits Are Stealing (With Proof)

My 52-year-old client just discovered he'd been trading 14 years of his life for convenience.

The math was brutal:
- Daily alcohol: -4.6 years
- Poor sleep habits: -2.8 years 
- Zero strength training: -3.2 years
- Processed food diet: -2.1 years
- 4000 steps a day: -2.5 years

He thought he was "just living life."

Turns out he was financing his early death on a payment plan.

Here's what most people miss: Your body keeps a running tab. Every skipped workout. Every late-night scroll. Every "just one more drink."

The compound interest on bad habits is death.

But here's the plot twist – the math works both ways:

Start lifting 3x weekly: +2.5 years
Fix your sleep: +2.1 years
Cut the booze: +3.8 years
Walk 8,000 steps: +1.9 years
Eat whole foods: +2.3 years

That's 12.6 years added back. In 90 days.

My client's now deadlifting his body weight and playing with his grandkids. At 55, he's younger than he was at 45.

The calculator doesn't lie. Your habits are either deposits or withdrawals.

Which account are you funding?

♻️ Share with someone who needs to see their numbers.

- Dan

PS. Ready to flip your health metrics before 2025 ends?

Join 460,000+ entrepreneurs getting my weekly optimization strategies:

https://lnkd.in/gzyviRFf

A broom handle just fixed my CEO client's 10-year back pain in 47 seconds.

Not kidding.

After spending $10,000 on chiropractors, and massage therapy, a $5 broom handle did what nothing else could.

The move: Kneeling T-Spine Rotation.

Here's why 90% of desk workers have garbage posture:

Your thoracic spine (mid-back) is locked up from 8+ hours of hunching. When it can't rotate, your lower back and neck compensate. Hello, pain.

The 47-second fix:

1. Sit on a bench
2. Place broom handle across your upper back
3. Place a foam roller or pillow between your knees
4. Rotate your body (see video)
5. 10 reps each side

That's it. No gym required.

My client's results:
- Week 1: "Feels weird but good"
- Week 2: "Standing taller without trying"
- Week 3: "Haven't touched ibuprofen"
- Month 2: "Best I've felt in a decade"

The uncomfortable truth:

You're spending thousands on complex solutions when a broom handle and 47 seconds would fix it.

Your spine doesn't need another gadget. It needs to move the way it was designed to move.

Watch the full demo in the video above. Your future self will thank you.

♻️ Share with someone living on painkillers.

- Dan

Ps. Want more 1-minute health fixes that actually work? 👇

https://lnkd.in/gzyviRFf

People ask me how I stay lean year-round as a dad while running multiple businesses.

Here's the truth: I don't negotiate with myself.

My daily non-negotiables:

· Exercise
· No meals past 6pm
· Hydrate with water
· Give value to people
· Eat a nutrient dense diet
· Write at least 500 words
· Read at least one chapter
· Sleep at 10. Wake up by 6am.
· Always breathe through my nose

Most people think this list is extreme.

I think waking up tired, sick, and unmotivated is extreme.

The difference between successful people and everyone else isn't talent.

It's having standards you refuse to break.

Every item on this list serves a purpose:
- Exercise = Mental clarity
- 6pm cutoff = Better sleep
- Writing = Clear thinking
- Nose breathing = Calm nervous system

These aren't restrictions. They're my operating system.

When you make health non-negotiable, success becomes inevitable.

Your standards become your life.

What are yours?

♻️ Share with someone who needs higher standards.

- Dan

Ps. Building non-negotiables changed my life at 40. Learn how 460,000+ are doing it 👇

https://lnkd.in/gzyviRFf

My client dropped 18 pounds in 6 weeks drinking water at weird times.

She'd tried everything. Keto. Intermittent fasting. 10,000 steps. Nothing stuck.

Then we tested something stupidly simple: Strategic water timing.

The protocol in the image changed everything.

Here's the science most people miss:

Drinking water during meals forces you to eat faster which interferes with your digestive process.

But water BEFORE meals? Different story. Increases satiety hormones. You eat 22% less without trying.

Water between meals kills fake hunger. Most "hunger" is just dehydration wearing a disguise.

The morning water hydrates you better than coffee.

My client went from constantly snacking to forgetting food exists. Her energy doubled. Bloating vanished.

The Lean Body Water Method isn't sexy. But it works.

Because sometimes the answer isn't another $200 supplement or biohacking gadget.

It's the stuff that's been free all along.

♻️ Share with someone who needs to stop overcomplicating weight loss.

- Dan

PS. Want more simple protocols that actually work?

Join 460,000+ entrepreneurs getting lean without the BS:

https://lnkd.in/gzyviRFf

My client lost 30 lbs and made an extra $1.2M last year. Not a coincidence.

"I can't focus after lunch," he told me 18 months ago. Running a $2 million company while falling asleep in meetings.

His day: 
- Skip breakfast
- 4 coffees by noon
- Crash at 2pm
- Work until midnight (poorly)
- Repeat

We fixed his body first. Business followed.

Started simple:
- Protein breakfast daily
- Gym 3x/week
- 8 hours sleep
- Walk during calls

Month 3: Down 15 lbs. Stopped the 2pm crashes.
Month 6: Down 30 lbs. Working 2 fewer hours, getting 2x more done.
Month 12: Best revenue year ever.

Here's what nobody tells you about fitness and money:

Energy = Better decisions
Confidence = Bigger deals close easier
Discipline = Systems that scale
Health = People trust you with their business

My highest-earning clients aren't the smartest. They're the ones with the most energy.

You can't negotiate million-dollar deals when you're fighting to stay awake.

The math:
Gym membership: $100/month
Healthy food: Extra $300/month
Energy to close one more deal: Priceless

Your body is your #1 business asset. Everything else is secondary.

Period.

♻️ Share with an entrepreneur choosing between gym time and "grinding."

- Dan

Ps. Ready to 10x your energy AND income? Join 460,000+ subscribers who are getting fit and making more money 👇

https://lnkd.in/gzyviRFf

"I need to lose 20 lbs fast." Every January 2nd email ever.

Here's exactly what I'd do. No BS. No magic pills.

• Zero alcohol for 90 days
• 10,000 steps every single day
• Lift weights 4x/week (3 is maintenance, 5 is overkill)
• Sleep 7-8 hours (non-negotiable)
• Replace snacks with water
• Real food only. If it has a commercial, skip it.

That's it. That's the whole system.

My client Sarah followed this exact blueprint:

Week 1: "This is too simple to work."
Week 4: Down 6 lbs
Week 8: "My jeans are falling off."
Week 12: Down 22 lbs, deadlifting her bodyweight

The uncomfortable truth:

Everyone wants the complicated solution because simple feels too easy.

Keto? Intermittent fasting? Carnivore? 
Cool. But unnecessary.

You know what works. You've always known.

The gap isn't information. Its execution.

90 days. 6 rules. Zero excuses.

Most people will read this and look for something more complex.

The ones who just screenshot it and start tomorrow? They'll be shopping for new clothes by April.

Patience isn't sexy. But neither is yo-yo dieting for the next decade.

Pick simple. Stick to simple. Win with simplicity.

Period.

♻️ Share with someone overcomplicating weight loss.

- Dan

Ps. Want to get in your best shape in 2026? Join 460,000+ doing it right 👇

https://lnkd.in/gzyviRFf

A CEO client just turned 52. His doctor gave him two options:

"Start medication for your heart, or start moving."

He chose both cardio AND weights. Smart move.

Everyone's arguing about cardio vs weights. They're missing the point.

Here's what actually happens:

Cardio only = You'll outlive your friends but need help opening jars
Weights only = You're strong until your heart says "nope" at 65
Both = You're the 90-year-old still crushing life

The math is simple:

3x week cardio = Heart that won't quit
3x week weights = Body that won't break
6 hours total = Decades of independence

My client who started this at 52:

Month 1: Could barely walk up stairs
Month 6: Deadlifting his bodyweight
Month 12: Off heart medication
Today: Planning to hike Machu Picchu at 55

The uncomfortable truth:

Every workout you skip is a vote for a weaker future.
Every workout you complete is compound interest for your body.

Stop picking sides in a war nobody wins.

Your heart needs cardio.
Your muscles need weights.
Your future needs both.

Period.

♻️ Share with someone still choosing teams.

- Dan

Ps. Your body is keeping score. Join 460,000+ subscribers winning the health game 👇

https://lnkd.in/gzyviRFf

I just turned 46. Here’s what your 40s are trying to tell you:

Your metabolism didn’t slow down. You did.

Your back doesn’t hurt from age. It hurts from sitting.

You’re not too old to build muscle. You’re too inconsistent.

Your energy isn’t gone. It’s buried under poor sleep and stress.

At 46, I’m stronger than at 26. Better cardio than 36. More muscle, less medication, zero excuses.

The difference? I stopped negotiating with the basics: Lift heavy. Walk daily. Sleep 8 hours. Eat protein. Repeat forever.

Your 40s aren’t your decline. They’re your wake-up call.

Answer it.

If you’re tired of fitness programs that don’t work for busy entrepreneurs...

I've developed a system that fits into your demanding schedule.

Follow me and DM "SYSTEM" to learn more 👊

(For entrepreneurs, founders, and executives only)

JbMzBf1Rg

Everyone else is coasting into 2025. I'm about to disappear.

Starting today through March 31st, I'm going full monk mode.

Here's my non-negotiable protocol:

• Zero alcohol 
• Social events: 
• No processed sugar
• 1000 words written before 8am daily
• 10 minutes meditation 
• No foods after 6pm
• Business meetings that matter only

My friends think I'm crazy when I tell them this:

"Dan, it's the holidays! Everyone's slowing down!"

Exactly.

While they're nursing hangovers, I'm in the gym at 5am.
While they're scrolling, I'm writing my next book.
While they're "starting fresh in January," I'm already 90 days ahead.

Last year during monk mode:
- Lost 12 pounds of pure fat
- Wrote 45,000 words
- Had record income months
- Actually enjoyed Christmas (present, not buzzed)

The best part? My family gets the real me. Not the stressed, distracted, half-present version.

This isn't about being antisocial. It's about being intentional.

I've done this for 5 years straight. Each time, I emerge sharper, leaner, and light years ahead of where I started.

2026 isn't built in 2026. It's built right now.

The question is: Will you coast or create?

✍️ What's one thing you'll sacrifice for the next 90 days to level up?

- Dan

Ps. Want the exact monk mode protocol I'm following?

Join 470,000+ high performers getting my proven strategies 👇

https://lnkd.in/gzyviRFf

Before finding the gym, I was a massive screw-up. 
 
My life consisted of working a job I hated, playing video games to pass the time, and drinking to the point of getting blackout drunk with my friends every week. 
 
When I found the gym and started to exercise, my world changed. 
 
I started to think more positively. I started to find my self-worth. 
 
Strength training gave me energy and confidence. 
 
Nutrition helped me focus and reduce my anxiety. 
 
The actions that get you in shape are the same ones that change your brain and improve mental health. 
 
If you're stuck in life, try focusing on your health and body. 
 
Good things happen when you get healthy. 
 
✍🏼 Agree or disagree? 
♻️ Reshare if this was helpful. 
 
- Dan 
 
Ps. If you liked this post you'll enjoy my newsletter. 
 
Every week I share tips on how to get lean, boost energy, and live longer. 
 
Join 460,000+ subscribers here 👇🏼

https://lnkd.in/gSFC9CMU

I spent 20 years as a meathead who thought cardio was for quitters.

Could bench 1.5x and deadlift 2.5x my bodyweight. But walking up one flight of stairs? Winded.

That wake-up call hit at 42. I was strong but would struggle running a 5k.

So I swallowed my pride and started walking. Then sprinting. Then Zone 2 cardio.

The changes shocked me:
• Energy through the roof
• Mood more stable than ever
• Can outlast guys half my age
• Feel better at 45 than I did at 25

I still lift heavy 3x a week. But now I do cardio 3x.

Turns out I was only training half my body. The weights gave me better years. But the cardio? That's giving me more years.

Doing both is giving me the best years.

Your muscles might impress at the beach. Your heart determines if you'll make it there.

♻️ Share with anyone who needs to do more cardio

- Dan

Ps. Want to improve your healthspan and lifespan?

Join 450,000+ subscribers who are living longer and improving the quality of their lives.

https://lnkd.in/gzyviRFf

My client Marcus lost 30 pounds in 90 days.

But the real transformation? He discovered why he'd been fat for 20 years.

Week 1: "I'm too busy to meal prep."
Reality: He spent 3 hours daily scrolling social media.

Week 3: "I don't have time for the gym."
Reality: He had time for 2 Netflix episodes every night.

Week 5: "My genetics are against me."
Reality: His diet resembled that of. a7 year old adult.

Week 7: "I can't give up beer with the boys."
Reality: He was drinking alone most nights.

Here's what hit him hardest:

Every excuse was a lie he'd been telling himself.

The weight wasn't his enemy. His stories were.

Once he saw the truth, everything changed:

• Social scrolling → Walking
• Netflix binges → Cardio
• Solo beers → Sparkling water

The fat melted off. Not because of some magic diet.

But because he finally stopped lying to himself.

Getting in shape is a psychological process disguised as a physical one.

Your biggest weakness isn't your body.

It's the stories you tell yourself about why you can't change.

Drop the stories. Drop the weight.

♻️ Share with someone who needs to hear the truth.

- Dan

Ps. Join 460k high performers crushing their excuses and fitness goals 👇

https://lnkd.in/gzyviRFf

This one exercise should be mandatory for every desk worker.

I do it every single day. Takes 90 seconds. Fixes 8 hours of damage.

The Cat-Cow stretch.

Here's why it works:

Sitting compresses your spine by 40%. Your discs get squeezed like toothpaste tubes. Blood flow drops. Nerves get pinched.

Cat-Cow reverses all of it:
- Decompresses each vertebra
- Pumps fresh fluid into discs
- Mobilizes your entire spine
- Activates deep core muscles
- Resets your nervous system

The benefits compound:
• Back pain disappears
• Posture improves naturally
• Energy increases (better oxygen flow)
• Focus sharpens (spine-brain connection)
• Stress melts away

How to do it:
1. Get on all fours
2. Arch your back up like a scared cat (exhale)
3. Drop your belly down like a cow (inhale)
4. Flow between them for 10-15 reps

That's it. No equipment. No gym. Just movement.

My 38-year-old client was hobbling around his office due to his bad back. Three weeks of Cat-Cow every morning, and he's feeling pain free.

His chiropractor asked what changed. He laughed and showed him this simple stretch.

The best solutions aren't complicated. Your spine just wants to move how it was designed to move.

Not locked in a chair for a third of your life.

♻️ Share with someone whose back is killing them.

- Dan

PS. Want my complete desk worker recovery protocol?

Join 460,000+ subscribers getting it this week:

https://lnkd.in/gzyviRFf

December 5th. While everyone is waiting for January to make changes you could show up 10 pounds lighter and ahead of the pack.

December is "separation season". While everyone is getting lazy and enjoying the holidays, you are creating an unbreakable foundation. 

My client Marcus did this last December. Lost 15 pounds, doubled his energy, and closed his biggest deal of the year on December 28th.

The December Domination Protocol:

Every. Single. Day:

- No alcohol
- Lift 3x a week
- Walk 10k steps
- Limit social media
- Read a chapter a day
- Reach out to 5 people
- Set a goal and do one thing every day to achieve it

Do these non-negotiables until the end of December.

No days off. No excuses. No "I'll start tomorrow."

The math:
31 days × 45 minutes = 23.25 hours total
23.25 hours = Complete physical transformation
January 1st = You're already 27 days ahead

Most people will screenshot this and wait until Monday.

Some will try it for 3 days and quit.

Winners started their plan before finishing this sentence.

By New Year's Eve, you'll either be transformed or full of excuses.

Your competition is planning their resolutions. You'll already be living yours.

💪 Who's in? Comment "DAY 1" and let's dominate December together.

- Dan

PS. Want the advanced version with my exact meal plans?

Join 460,000+ high performers:

https://lnkd.in/gSFC9CMU

If you sit at a desk for 8+ hours a day, this 60-second stretch will save your posture.

My client Mark, a 42-year-old CEO, couldn't raise his arms above his head without pain.

Years of hunching over his laptop destroyed his posture.

His shoulders rolled forward. His back rounded. He looked 10 years older.

Then I showed him the overhead lat stretch.

Here's how:
- Find a bench, couch, or desk
- Place your elbows on the surface
- Walk your feet back
- Drop your head between your arms
- Push your chest toward the floor

Hold for 60 seconds. That's it.

Mark did this every morning before his first Zoom call.

Week 1: "I feel like I'm standing taller"
Week 2: "I can finally sit up straight"
Week 4: "People keep asking if I got taller"

He didn't get taller. He just stopped carrying his desk on his shoulders.

Most people think bad posture is permanent after 40.

It's not. Your lats are just locked up from years of typing.

This stretch unlocks them in 60 seconds.

Do it now. Your future self will thank you.

♻️ Share with someone whose shoulders live at their ears.

- Dan

Ps. Fixing your posture fixes your energy. Join 460,000+ discovering how 👇

https://lnkd.in/gzyviRFf

Codie A. Sanchez

Investing millions in Main St businesses & teaching you how to own the rest | HoldCo, VC fund, Founder

On a mission to create financially free and free-thinking humans.

I founded a media company called Contrarian Thinking that teaches people to think critically and cashflow unconventionally with boring businesses.

Our newsletter has over 1M+ weekly readers, here → contrarianthinking.biz/li

Our community has taught 9,000+ members biz buying, biz growing, and doing deals. 

We value experience over degrees.
Betting on yourself over building someone else's dream.
Main Street over Wall Street.

My mission is less suits, more boots. Meaning: we the people holding the power… and the purse strings.

🔗Join 1M+ others who get our free newsletter: contrarianthinking.biz/li
🔗YouTube: @CodieSanchezCT
🔗Instagram: @codiesanchez
🔗Twitter: @Codie_Sanchez
🔗Weekly business-buying newsletter Main Street Minute: contrarianthinking.biz/minute-li

Founder

We help free minds and build bank accounts.

Investing millions in Main St businesses & teaching you how to own the rest | HoldCo, VC, Founder | NYT best-selling author

5 uncomfortable truths about success:

1. You can't be a real leader and a people pleaser.

2. One day they'll go from judging you to bragging how they know you.

3. You win in life by being ok with people: not liking you, disagreeing with you, and wishing you'd fail.

4. It’s supposed to be hard, and you’re supposed to do it anyway.

5. The underrated part about being rich... you get to do what you want, say what you want, and people unfollowing or not agreeing matters ZERO.

Hope this one puts a little air in your tires today 😉

Btw - feel free to follow me Codie A. Sanchez if you haven’t yet

It’s a tragedy how many hate what they do.

There is nothing I love more than solving big problems.

Playing the game of business.

Having big conversations.

Meeting smart people.

You deserve to do work that makes you feel the same way.

Feel free to repost or follow if you’re a psychopath like me who’s willing to publicly proclaim how much you love working😂

3 more harsh truths about success:

- You only have to be right ONCE. One big right move can erase a lifetime of wrong ones.
- You can't be upset at the results you’re not getting from the actions you’re not taking.
- The successful don't wait for someone to come save them. You want a better life, go build it.

If you needed to hear this today, feel free to share for next person who needs it ♻️

The best founders do one thing brilliantly... 

Hire.

Here’s how we think about finding & attracting A-players for our portfolio companies:

Most owners hire like they're running a restaurant.

They think more cooks = faster service.

Instead, they get a kitchen full of people bumping into each other, burning food, and blaming everyone else.

That’s why hiring isn’t a numbers game.

You don't need more people. You need the RIGHT people.

It’s impossible to build a worthwhile business with mediocre talent.

Over the years, we've developed a framework to find, attract, and close the top 0.001%. 

I call it the 4 C's to Top-Level Talent:

1. CURATE

Start hiring before you start hiring.

Follow smart people in your niche on Twitter. Connect on LinkedIn.

Bookmark stuff that makes you say, "Damn, I wish I wrote that."

Treat talent like a portfolio. Study first, invest later.

The best hires happen when you're NOT desperately hiring.

1. CULTIVATE

Engage without being weird.

Compliment their stuff. Comment. Ask smart questions. Send them ideas.

The best talent moves when THEY'RE ready, not when you need them.

Plant seeds early. Water them consistently.

3. CLOSE

When it's time to close the sale, go HARD.

Fly them in. Meet their spouse. Pay more than you're comfortable with.

I wasn't even looking for a company President when I met Marc. I wanted a CRO.

But after one conversation, I knew he was our guy.

So I changed the org to fit HIM.

That's how good hires work. They change you.

Don't squeeze top talent into your current structure.

Bend your business around exceptional people.

4. CONTINUE

Top performers won't always stay forever. That's okay.

Even when they leave, keep them close.

My old Head of Content now runs a 7-figure business. We still trade notes.

They send better talent than any recruiter ever could.

As someone who’s hired 100s of people, take it from me:

Your best hires won't walk in the door with a resume in hand.

They're already working somewhere else, crushing it.

It’s your job to go find them.

Hiring the right people is one of the most powerful growth levers for any business.

If you want to see exactly how we attract and retain top-tier talent across our portfolio, I’ll be breaking it all down in an upcoming workshop (tomorrow).

This is just one of several proven scaling strategies we’ll cover— more info here: https://lnkd.in/emd63SuT

Don’t be afraid of outgrowing EVERYONE.

Your friends. Yes.

Your family. Likely.

If you are great... Even the people you hire today you will outgrow.

Don’t apologize a f*cking second for outgrowing people who can not keep up with you.

You need to make the hard call to move on, and move on FASTER than you think.

I was on the phone with a friend the other day runs another portfolio and famous on the internet and we both had to fire a csuite executive. We talked on Friday, I asked on Tuesday when she was doing it, she said she already did it that morning.

“Once I know I have to, I rip the bandaid off.”

Tough truth I’ve never regretted ONCE parting ways with someone who isn’t going as fast as I am.

THIS is the hard and brutal truth of greatness.

Formula is do, fail, learn, fail, do again.

A reminder that it’s ok to rise a lil earlier and grind a lil harder…

The faster you move, the more money you make.

How to win in your 20s:

1. Choose your hard. If you don't choose your hard, hard will choose you.

2. Ask more questions. As Socrates said: “Smart people learn from everything and everyone. Average people learn from their experiences. Stupid people already have all the answers.”

3. Do whatever it takes

4. Chase purpose. A friend once told me: “I wish you not one penny over $299 million. Reality gets lost somewhere after that.”

5. Not every moment has to be productive. Silence is not your enemy.

6. Be bored more often

7. Get in shape, stay in shape (applies to both finances and fitness)

8. If someone you just met is talking shit about their ex, friend, partner, or boss, they will do the same to you next. Character matters.

9. Behind every successful person is a story that gave them no choice.

10. Put your relationships first. My number one regret in life is not prioritizing my marriage above just about everything.

11. You become the person you want when no one else is watching. It's the quiet, private reps that will never be cheered that actually lead to greatness.

12. Never take advice from someone who hasn't achieved what they're advising about. If you don't want their life, don't listen to their advice.

13. Inconvenience yourself. This generation went way too hard setting boundaries. Show up for those you love, even when it's not convenient.

14. The greatest muscle you can build is urgency.

15. If it's not a hell yes, it's a no.

16. You will be richer when you understand leverage. But you'll also be aware of when people are trying to take advantage of you. Learn it so you can spot it.

17. Learn to be disliked or you will find yourself stuck in a prison of other people's beliefs.

18. You don't have time to hate someone when you're busy building. The less you build, the more you criticize.

19. Your input eventually becomes your output.

20. 99% of people don't move fast enough. Every time you say "one day," you cost yourself future dollars.

21. Complexity makes you seem smart. Simplicity makes you money.

22. The longer something has been successful, the more likely it is to continue being successful.

23. Say you will do a thing, then actually do the thing.

24. The fastest way to build a memorable brand is to pick a fight.

25. Never let your worry be bigger than your faith. God doesn't give you a seed without provision for it to grow.

26. Nobody cares about your life.

27. Someone not as good as you is making more money because they're not afraid to start.

28. You will wish you started earlier and worked harder when you are young.

29. Waking up at 5:45 a.m. solves 99.9% of daily issues.

30. Work smarter, not harder is a beautiful lie. You will not know how to work smart until you've worked very hard for an irrationally long time

31. The size of the problems you solve equal the size of your bank account.

32. The smartest people I know obsess over their reputation. Do not play short-term games with your name.

Money = options. Poverty = trapped.

It's not the money we want. It's the freedom.

↓ ↓ ↓

You’re either the hammer or the nail.

Hammers make things happen. They drive the point home. They aren’t afraid to swing hard, take calculated risks, and make an impact. They don’t wait for things to happen; they make things happen.

Nails? They get pounded. They hold things in place, but only because *someone else* decided that’s where they should be.

Nails wait for instructions. They stay put, keep their heads down, and hope they don’t get bent out of shape. Nails might hold things together, but hammers built the house.

No one remembers the nails — they remember who hammered them in.

It can be easy to look at the work of a hammer and think, “Must be nice.” But don’t be mistaken, the toll on a hammer is rough.

What you don’t see are the years of blunt force trauma on the hammer’s head, face, neck, cheek, throat, eye, and claw (all real parts of a hammer). Years of being thrown around. Years of missing the mark and smashing a finger.

Are you starting to get it now?

Hammers are owners.

Nails? The owned.

(PS: This is an excerpt straight from my newsletter. Get it every Thursday here → https://lnkd.in/euh-mDd8)

What they dream of: Starting the next Apple

What I dream of: Owning a painting biz...

Trillions of dollars are about to fall into the hands of those who are paying attention.

Let's talk numbers:

• 33.3 million small businesses in the US.
• That's 99.9% of all businesses.

What does this mean?

A sea of opportunity. 

Over 80% of these businesses have no employees. Just solo owners, doing their thing.

But of the other 20% (aka 6.6 million)... Many are ready to sell.

Problem is, most people are still daydreaming about sexy startups and AI breakthroughs.

They’re not daydreaming about plumbing companies. Laundromats. Self-storage units.

Because they’re not sexy.

In fact, they kind of smell like hard work. They smell like Main Street.

But the thing about these businesses is:

They quietly cashflow.

So.. why don’t you just start one?

A few reasons why starting sucks:
• Cashflow takes time
• You start with 0 employees (aka, you do all the work)
• You start with 0 customers (aka, even more work)
• You have to find a profitable biz model.

But there’s another option…

BUYING a business (done right) means:
• Instant cash flow.
• Existing customers.
• Proven business model.

You're not reinventing the wheel. You're taking something that works and making it work better.

It's a path to financial freedom that most people overlook.

The opportunity of a lifetime is hiding in plain sight.

So here's my challenge to you:

Stop dreaming about the next big startup.
Start looking at the businesses in your backyard.

Then go big and DO the damn thing.

↓↓↓↓

Disclaimer: I know I've made this sound easier than it is. 

Buying & running a biz is NOT easy. 

One of the reasons why I'm hosting a (free) Masterclass next week on biz buying. I'll break down the 10-step process I've used to buy dozens of cashflowing businesses.

My goal? You leave with the confidence & roadmap to buy your first biz. 

More info here → https://lnkd.in/e24qgbuh

Work smarter not harder is a beautiful lie.

Hard lesson for me and you...

The people doing better than you aren’t smarter than you. They aren’t better than you. They aren’t luckier than you.

They’re just working so much harder than you, you can't even imagine.

The only thing separating you from them is:

Grit + Time + Consistency

The difference between a $1M business and a $100M business:

Systems.

Here’s how we think about building systems for our portfolio of 30+ businesses:

Think of systems like a car. You need:

- Vision = windshield (see where you're going)
- Dashboard = gauges (track your speed)
- Goals = GPS (know your destination)
- Communication = alerts (stay coordinated)
- People = maintenance (keep everything running)

Miss any one and you're broken down on the side of the road.

1. Start With The Foundation

Most owners focus on tiny processes instead of the big stuff.

It's like saying "I want to build the Sistine Chapel" then starting out by picking out what candles you want inside.

You have to start with the foundation first or you'll never get the thing done.

2. Use 'Proven' Frameworks

Everyone on the internet acts like they have the best new "battle-tested" system, when realistically it's often a lot of fluff.

That said, there is a lot of merit in implementing systems that have worked for someone else - just make sure you're getting them from the right place.

3. Follow Dual North Stars

The danger of single metrics is it creates tunnel vision.

But when you have two, they keep each other honest. It could be:

- Revenue + Followers
- Sales + Customer satisfaction
- Growth + Team retention

Just remember to keep one qualitative and the other quantitative.

4. Keep Pace With Your Yearly Vision

Without systems, it’s easy to get caught up in busywork.

I’ve met hardworking owners who thought they were moving the needle only to realize the opposite at EOY.

Building the right systems prevents that:

5. Use Scorecards

It’s not enough to give deadlines when assigning tasks.

You also want to create a dashboard where you can track:

- Completion rates
- Who’s responsible for what
- Color-coded status updates

That way, you can see a bird’s eye view of what's moving along and what isn’t.

6. Apply The Rule of Three for Documentation

Do you like repeating yourself? Me neither.

Anything you do more than 3 times in a week (or has at least 3 steps) should get documented.

Use Loom + Google Docs to create playbooks so specific that even a highschooler can follow.

- 

Only so much I can get into in a single post.

If you’re curious to learn more, I’m hosting a workshop on November 12th where we’ll walk you through the four simple levers every business owner can pull to unlock new profit in their business.

Last time, we helped owners uncover $5.4 million in hidden cash. Now, it’s your turn.

Save your post here: https://lnkd.in/emd63SuT

This reminds me of a study I learned about.

It found what's called The Spillover Effect:

Kellogg Insight did a study across 58,000 hours in 11 companies.

There were two main findings.

1) Positive Spillover

If you sit within 25ft of a HIGH performer, your performance increases by 15%.

You are no smarter, you work no harder... and you're 15% better.

These highest performers are not impacted by the low performance of their neighbors.

My takeaway = the strong lift up the weak.

But there was a second finding too, a much more concerning one...

2) Negative Spillover

If you sit near a LOW performer… Things get bad fast.

How they define “low performer” in the study is important:

These are “toxic workers.”

A “toxic” person = someone who ends up being fired for their behavior/performance.

On average:

- A toxic worker costs a company $12,800
- 2% of all workers are toxic
- They infect FAST.

And actually – the poison of a toxic worker spans way beyond 25ft:

Researchers said, “You can see their negative imprint and negative effect across an entire floor.”

So remember:

Success is contagious.

But so is toxicity.

↓ ↓ ↓

The same is true for the media you consume. Doomscroll hate on social media, you become a hateful person.

But if you'd rather surround yourself with stories of business owners & freedom finders, read this instead → https://lnkd.in/euh-mDd8

The 6 secrets to increasing your biz's value all start with one term: 

Recurring revenue.

The holy grail of business.

It's predictable, stable income that comes in month after month, year after year. Plus, there are a ton of other benefits:

• Higher Customer Lifetime Values (CLVs)
• for lower acquisition costs
• More predictable cashflow
• which makes budgeting & planning easier

Potential buyers LOVE recurring revenue. It makes it 10x easier to hire an operator, secure funding, and scale.

As an owner, your end goal is likely an acquisition... And recurring revenue increases your chances.

There are 6 types of recurring revenue:

(Ideally, your biz has at least 3 of these)

1. Long-term contracts

These are agreements of over a year that lock in guaranteed revenue. The longer the contract term, the more valuable it makes a business.

2. Auto-renewal subscriptions

This is the "set it and forget it" model. Customers sign up once, and their card is charged every month, quarter, or year.

3. Sunk money subscriptions

This is also known as the 'razor and blades' business model: You buy a base product (a razor), then have to continually buy refills (blades). Since the real money's in the refill, the base product is often sold cheap.

4. Pay-as-you-go

Customers only pay for what they use, but are still subscribed long-term as there’s friction in moving to another platform.

5. Loyalty programs

Giving your customers points & perks makes a customer feel they're "losing out" on potential savings if they go elsewhere. No one does this better than airlines.

6. Simple consumables

These are one-off items that are repurchased out of sheer habit & loyalty. Think, regulars at coffee shops, your favorite brand of toothpaste, transportation you have to take every day.

Recurring revenue is a HUGE key to retirement as a business owner.

With so many different types, the options are limited only to your creativity.

↓ ↓ ↓

Best way to track & forecast recurring & non recurring revenue? 

A cashflow tracker. 

Because the only real business advice you really need is...don't run out of cash. 

Feel free to use my template: https://lnkd.in/eHEiMUr9

MBA graduates aren't chasing jobs at Goldman or Google anymore.

They want ownership.

Here’s why some MBA graduates are choosing acquisitions over startups: 

In the 70s, 80s, 90s, MBA grads bought fancy suits and gloated about their big corner offices.

Now, they’re being taught to acquire companies.

We’re living in a GOLDEN ERA for business buying...

Baby Boomers hit ‘peak 65’ last year and it was the largest surge of in our beautiful nation's history. 

An average of 4.1 million Americans will retire EVERY year until 2027. 

And many own businesses they don’t know what to do with…

It’s up to us to continue their legacy and keep their businesses alive. 

Use my 3-6-12 framework to go a-z in buying your first biz... 

The TL;DR is this: 

• 3 months minimum to learn dealmaking
• 6 months to source and secure your deal
• 12 months post-purchase to master the business

Now, let’s break each step down: 

Your first 3 months should be pure learning.

There’s no such thing as a perfect business. Only a perfect business for YOU.

Figure out exactly what that business looks like before you start searching for it.

Terms, financials, tactics, structuring.

Acquisitions is a language. You need to get fluent.

The next 6 months are about finding YOUR deal:

• You'll look at 50+ businesses
• Submit 10-25 offers
• Perform due diligence on 3-5
• Close on 1

The numbers game isn't sexy. But it works.

Once you buy, give yourself 12 full months to master the business.

Why?

• Month 1-3: Learning systems
• Month 4-6: Stabilizing operations
• Month 7-9: Building team trust
• Month 10-12: Growing strategically

Rush this timeline and you'll destroy what you just bought.

I can’t stress this last point enough — you need to be patient. 

As the wonderful Warren Buffett once said: 

"You can't produce a baby in 1 month by getting nine women pregnant."

You CAN have the business you want. But it comes on its own timeline, not yours.

And that’s it!

Remember, before buying ANYTHING, ask yourself:

1. What kind of business would I actually ENJOY running?

2. What skills do I bring that would ADD VALUE?

3. Can I handle the pressure of other people's livelihoods depending on me?

Then, execute on the 3-6-12 framework.

↓↓↓↓

If you've read this far... I've got something for you. 

I'm sure there are a bunch of questions running through your mind like: 

• How do I buy a business?
• Which is the right one to buy?
• Would I be capable of running it?
• How do I know if this would be the right path for me?

Give me 90 minutes and I'll answer you.

I'm hosting a live Masterclass next week on all of this. Completely free.

Get details & save your spot here → https://lnkd.in/e24qgbuh

We’ve completely forgotten why we're entrepreneurs.

When did we become a group of vitamin-D-deprived, Allbird-wearing, alternative-milk-drinking, extreme PowerPointers?

Many of us got soft.

We don’t climb mountains, we only take risks with other people’s money, we sit behind keyboards bragging about how ChatGPT did all the work.

What a terrible thing to strive for.

How can you make the most money by employing the fewest people and doing the least amount of work? How can you get mailbox money? Or a fast exit so you can tweet about it?

The secret:

Entrepreneurs don’t exist just for a bunch of zero’s and some big exit, but because we are crazy people willing things into very existence.

We are supposed to be the next generation of explorers, risk-takers, adrenaline junkies. Addicts to the masochistic mission of achievement and ownership.

The feeling of being so damn unemployable your only option is owner. The inability to sleep because of visions so big they pull you from bed in the dead of the night. Dreams so futuristic people laugh when you tell them.

Those are the entrepreneurs I admire.

My husband and I have a saying: “Protect those who can’t, cast aside those who won’t, enable those who want.”

Here’s to all of you who want so badly your wants become realities.

↓
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