7 Powerful Insights From A Founder's Retreat

read on: themovementmemo.com

read time: 7 minutes 

Welcome to The Movement Memo, a bi-weekly newsletter where I share actionable tips to help you live your best day ever, every day.

Housekeeping Note: Apologies for the disruption in delivery last week, we migrated to a new platform to be able to impact more people, and had to build an entirely new back end.

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Today's Programming 

• Movement: Friday Morning Metcon

• Quote: Hugo on powerful ideas

• Lesson: 7 Powerful Lessons From A Founder’s Mastermind

• Optimization: A Pre-Bed Routine

Today's Movement

Compete for time:

• 10 Shuttle Runs

• 20 Sandbag Lunges (85 lbs/ 60 lbs)

• 10 Shuttle Runs

• 20 Sandbag Squat (85 lbs/ 60 lbs)

• 20 Sandbag Lunges (85 lbs/ 60 lbs)

• 10 Shuttle Runs

• 20 Sandbag Squat (85 lbs/ 60 lbs)

• 20 Sandbag Lunges (85 lbs/ 60 lbs)

Today's Quote

Change is not just inevitable, it’s vital.

But innovation only happens when you challenge the status quo.

Whenever I feel stuck, I return to three principles that have shaped my lifestyle transformation:

1. Embracing Uncertainty: Get out and try something new. Stop predicting and start adapting.
   

2. Leveraging Feedback: Every interaction, deal, or conversation is a learning opportunity. But learning does not happen from experience alone; learning requires space to reflect to grow.
   

3. Active Skill Development: Commit to 30 minutes a day to picking up a new skill. Prepare for the job you want, not the job you have.

This approach has not only spurred growth but also fostered a habit of creativity and resilience.

Today's Lesson Learned

7 Powerful Insights from a 48 Hour Founder’s Mastermind

Last week I hosted a 48-hour Mastermind for health and wellness founders and investors in Austin, TX with my good friend, Bobby Ryan.

The mission is simple: to bring together a diverse group of entrepreneurs to build deep relationships fast by enduring self-imposed obstacles.

Everyone left tired and sore but with a new perspective of what is possible in 48 hours.

This event was not just another meet-up, but a pivotal reset for the innovators shaping the future of health and wellness in the U.S. 

The biggest takeaway? Your tribe dictates who you become. 

Life is about the people you surround yourself with -- their curation, their mindset, and their relentless pursuit of progression.

Here's a breakdown of eight powerful lessons that emerged from 48 hours with this community of like-minded achievers:

Lesson 1: The Power of the Right Crowd: 

It's clear that when you bring together people who are not just successful but also share similar values and life approaches, something extraordinary happens. 

The environment created was one where everyone contributed to and benefited from the collective wisdom. The sum was greater than each individual.

Something I’ve changed my mind about recently is that it’s not just about being in a room full of achievers; it's about being in a room where everyone's contribution elevates the group as a whole. 

That's the key to creating a space where magic happens.

Lesson 2: The Impact of Sharing Stories: 

We broke the ice with an exercise I love:

Share #1: What are you most proud of from the past year?

I thought these would be revenue figures or entrepreneurial accomplishments.

I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Because we set the stage with a hard workout, everyone broke down and got vulnerable. 

The Founders shared about impactful life milestones: ranging from how becoming a father reframed their decision-making process to how company culture was more meaningful than a $55M valuation. 

Takeaway: When people open up to celebrate their wins, it's not just talk. It's an invitation for others to engage, offer support, and form lasting bonds.

Share #2: What’s your Superpower? (What are you the best in the world at?)

When you curate the right people, no one wants to brag about previous accomplishments, but this can be a disservice to the group as a whole.

(We had one of the original founders of Venmo in the room, and if we didn’t allow time for each person to share their background, superpowers, and victories we never would have known).

This became a catalyst for founders to seek others in the room who have accomplished what they are trying to do, the fastest way to accomplish any goal.

Share #3: What is your biggest challenge?

I fundamentally believe problems are best solved with a group because if you’re struggling with something, that likely means one of two things:

• Either someone else is struggling with the same issue
• Or, someone else has already solved your problem and can help you get past it faster.

Takeaway: By providing an opportunity for everyone to share what they are most proud of, what their superpower is, and what they are struggling with, it set the stage for meaningful discussions later on in the event. 

People paired off in downtime before meals broke open spreadsheets and made introductions to people in their network who could move the needle.

Not everyone had the same problem, nor was everyone able to provide value in every situation, but everyone provided tremendous value to someone who was there.

 That is the power of being in a room with a diverse group of people.

Lesson 3: Sauna Is The Ultimate Conversation Starter: 

This isn’t a new idea, but this event further reinforced this concept. The sauna is not just a place to sweat; it's where you get to the heart of authenticity. In the sauna, conversations strip down to their core, revealing genuine thoughts and feelings.

The best conversations often happen where you least expect them. In the sauna, everyone is vulnerable and real, leading to some of the most honest and impactful dialogues.

Lesson 4: Bonding Over Discomfort

Incorporating self-imposed obstacles into the event was more than just a wellness trend. It was the catalyst that sparked deep, meaningful conversations that went beyond the usual business talk.

By overcoming shared discomfort, with the 2,000-calorie team workout or The Hardest Mile, people built bonds that transformed how they interacted and learned they are capable of more (physically and mentally) than they originally thought.

This wasn't just a networking event, it was an environment to form genuine connections through shared, challenging experiences.

Lesson 5: The Inspiration from Being Around Passionate Individuals: 

The energy of being around other high performers – those who are inquisitive, thoughtful, and deeply passionate – is exhilarating. By getting around people who are constantly moving forward, and not content with the status quo, you re-evaluate your goals.

By surrounding yourself with people who live their passion every day, and who push the boundaries, you start to zoom out and start to think bigger. 

Drive and determination are contagious; getting around other high performers pushes you to strive for more.

Lesson 6: Create an Environment That Values Diverse Perspectives: 

This event wasn't just about sharing insights; it was about creating a space where everyone is obsessed with bettering themselves and those around them.

Diversity in thought and experience is crucial. It challenges your beliefs, opens up new possibilities, and enriches the collective understanding.

The youngest person in the group was 24, less than 8 months out of school and the oldest was in their late 50s, a serial entrepreneur, and fund manager.

Both provided unique insights based on their experiences. 

In a normal context, they had no business speaking on the same platform.

Their lives and expertise could not be further apart.

But it's not just about agreeing with each other; it's about learning from differing perspectives.

The 24-year-old is an expert on AI and was able to speak on how AI will continue to disrupt.

The oldest was able to share actionable principles based on 30 years of experience from scaling companies. 

Takeaway: The best in the world do not see age as a limiting factor; they value others based on clarity of thought and subject matter expertise. When you're in an environment focused on growth and improvement, you can't help but expand your horizons.

Lesson 7: A Commitment to Constant Improvement: 

The most striking characteristic of this group was their unanimous commitment to incremental progress.

While everyone in the room had big ideas, they don’t just dream; they execute their vision daily.

The lesson here is clear - success isn't a one-time event. 

It's a daily commitment to pushing forward, never settling, and always aiming higher.

A Harsh Truth: Your Life Will Transform When You Get In The Right Circle 

In wrapping up, these insights highlight a fundamental truth: being in the right room with the right people can dramatically alter your trajectory.

One of my biggest goals for 2024 is to create events where passion, vulnerability, and a relentless drive for improvement converge. 

I hope these lessons inspire you as much as they've inspired me.If you would like to join us at our next event, we will be hosting 2

Today's Optimization

Sleep is the single most important protocol in my recovery and I have used Beam every night for years. I control everything about my pre-bed routine, from when I stop looking at screens to what time I take Beam. The importance of the routine is almost as important as the product; the action of the making and dreaming beam signals to my body that it is time to get ready for bed.  

Since taking Beam my sleep schedule has become way more consistent, from what time I am able to fall asleep, to consistently waking up at 6:30 am every day. I sleep through the night, every night, and wake up feeling energized, ready to train. Today Beam is offering Movement Memo subscribers a deal: 35% off your first order when you subscribe and then 20% off all following orders! Plus, when you subscribe, you will receive a FREE frother with your first order! Use code “EHINMAN” at checkout. 

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Publisher: Eric Hinman

Editor-in-chief: Bobby Ryan