The Elite Performance Podcast

9-Figure Health Coach Shares Which Biohacks Make You Weak w/ Ben Pakulski | Elite Performance Podcast #91

"I couldn't care less if you have a six pack or can run a four minute mile." Most people chasing performance end up dependent on it, one bad night of sleep or a missed workout and the whole day falls apart. Ben Pakulski, who coaches nine-figure founders on physical and mental capacity, builds the opposite: people who don't need to feel optimized to function at the highest level. This episode is about the difference between optimizing for a number and building a body that can actually take on more, and why almost nobody starts there. Topics Covered: Why 99% of biohacking creates a psychological trap instead of an edge The 4 capacities Ben uses to diagnose why high performers quietly plateau What actually happens in the body and mind of a founder who's quietly burning out from unsustainable highs and lows The 3 things Ben stabilizes in every client before anything else matters Why "solving for trajectory, not outcome" changes everything Connect with Ben: https://www.muscleintelligence.com/ * Get the "Elite Performance" book at https://itamarmarani.com/book/ If you’re ready to get unstuck and take both yourself and your business to the next level, apply to The Arena here: https://itamarmarani.com/apply Get the Extreme Clarity Tool To Uncover The #1 Action To Grow Your Business: https://itamarmarani.com/clarity Sign up for “3 Quick Ideas Tuesday” (weekly 2 minute newsletter around mindset and emotional fortitude): https://itamarmarani.com/3-ideas/

The Special Forces Framework for Tough Conversations w/ Niels Zee “Blue on Blue Manipulation” | Elite Performance Podcast #90

Most entrepreneurs mistake discomfort for danger. That single mistake keeps them from having difficult conversations, making bold decisions, and building the business they actually want. Entrepreneur Niels Zee shares how one breath hold exercise exposed the same survival instincts driving his business decisions, and how learning to stay calm under water changed the way he leads, negotiates, and handles conflict in his business. In this episode, Niels breaks down how he resolved years of tension with his co-founder, why avoiding uncomfortable conversations quietly drains your ambition, and the exact mental frameworks that let you perform when the pressure is highest. Topics covered: The framework for difficult conversations that keeps everyone calm and cool headed How to spot hidden resentment that destroys motivation How to become 4.3x more capable in 2 days Connect with Niels: https://www.linkedin.com/in/niels-zee/ Read the article: https://itamarmarani.com/how-to-become-4-3x-more-capable-in-two-days/ * Get the "Elite Performance" book at https://itamarmarani.com/book/ If you’re ready to get unstuck and take both yourself and your business to the next level, apply to The Arena here: https://itamarmarani.com/apply Get the Extreme Clarity Tool To Uncover The #1 Action To Grow Your Business: https://itamarmarani.com/clarity Sign up for “3 Quick Ideas Tuesday” (weekly 2 minute newsletter around mindset and emotional fortitude): https://itamarmarani.com/3-ideas/

Why Entrepreneurs Stay Stuck w/ James Feng | Elite Performance Podcast #89

Knowing something is wrong and being able to fix it are two completely different things. James Feng built a great business. Solid results, real clients, genuine value. And still couldn't break past $300K. The block wasn't effort, he had plenty of that. He came on the pod to share how it was a belief wired in at 16 that had quietly shaped how he saw sales, risk, and what he was willing to go after… And how it took an outside perspective to surface it. This episode exposes what actually creates a plateau that’s common in so many entrepreneurs and what it takes to break one. Topics Covered: Why protecting your emotions costs you money How one early experience builds a rule you live by for decades without knowing it Why self-help has a ceiling Connect with James: https://www.instagram.com/jameszfeng/ * Get the "Elite Performance" book at https://itamarmarani.com/book/ If you’re ready to get unstuck and take both yourself and your business to the next level, apply to The Arena here: https://itamarmarani.com/apply Get the Extreme Clarity Tool To Uncover The #1 Action To Grow Your Business: https://itamarmarani.com/clarity Sign up for “3 Quick Ideas Tuesday” (weekly 2 minute newsletter around mindset and emotional fortitude): https://itamarmarani.com/3-ideas/

How Top Entrepreneurs Stay Calm and Negotiate Better Deals w/ Antoine Rousseaux | Elite Performance Podcast #88

"When results dip, you think: let me occupy my brain with something new that I don't have rejection on yet. Nothing has failed there. It feels safer. It is the recipe for disaster." Most entrepreneurs are basing their confidence on the wrong thing, and it's costing them deals, momentum, and peace of mind. Crypto and media entrepreneur Antoine Rousseaux breaks down why skill confidence beats revenue confidence when it comes to deal making. In this episode, Antoine reveals how he navigated extreme crypto market volatility, built a media-first business from scratch, and discovered how peace of mind can be a revenue multiplier, not a luxury. Topics covered: Why shiny object syndrome is a self-trust problem, not a focus problem How patience, built on skill confidence, wins negotiations before they start The "offseason" business strategy: how to build your war chest during slow or volatile markets Why your entrepreneur mindset is worth more than your current revenue stream Connect with Antoine: https://www.youtube.com/@HandsomeFinance https://x.com/AntoineRSX * Get the "Elite Performance" book at https://itamarmarani.com/book/ If you’re ready to get unstuck and take both yourself and your business to the next level, apply to The Arena here: https://itamarmarani.com/apply Get the Extreme Clarity Tool To Uncover The #1 Action To Grow Your Business: https://itamarmarani.com/clarity Sign up for “3 Quick Ideas Tuesday” (weekly 2 minute newsletter around mindset and emotional fortitude): https://itamarmarani.com/3-ideas/

From One Man Army to Portfolio CEO w/ Alan Gould | Elite Performance Podcast #87

"I didn't expect it to hit as hard again." Alan shifted from operator to executive thinking after his first run through the Arena program, but there was an even bigger shift ahead of him. He came on the pod after his second time in the program to discuss humility, ongoing personal development and how it all comes together in your business. Topics Covered: Why staying in operator mode felt like productivity and was quietly strangling growth How emotional rewards sabotage the goals you say matter most Why feeling competent is one of the most dangerous traps a founder can fall into Connect with Alan: https://www.salespulse.com.au/ * Get the "Elite Performance" book at https://itamarmarani.com/book/ If you’re ready to get unstuck and take both yourself and your business to the next level, apply to The Arena here: https://itamarmarani.com/apply Get the Extreme Clarity Tool To Uncover The #1 Action To Grow Your Business: https://itamarmarani.com/clarity Sign up for “3 Quick Ideas Tuesday” (weekly 2 minute newsletter around mindset and emotional fortitude): https://itamarmarani.com/3-ideas/

Scaling to Eight Figures: The Identity Shift Every Founder Needs w/ Natalia Scheidegger | Elite Performance Podcast #86

"I was afraid coaching would reveal the real blocker was me." Most founders never say that out loud, but Natalia Scheidegger had the courage to face that and overcome it. Natalia’s business was growing and she was hitting milestones, but she sensed she was capable of more, and decided to find out. This episode is about what it takes to close the gap between the founder you are and the one your business needs you to become to achieve your dreams. Topics Covered: Why the narrative "I'm being held back by X" is almost always a lie you're telling yourself What it actually costs to keep hiding behind hope instead of demanding an answer from yourself The weekly accountability structure that makes the difference between good intentions and real change Connect with Natalia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalia-scheidegger/ * Get the "Elite Performance" book at https://itamarmarani.com/book/ If you’re ready to get unstuck and take both yourself and your business to the next level, apply to The Arena here: https://itamarmarani.com/apply Get the Extreme Clarity Tool To Uncover The #1 Action To Grow Your Business: https://itamarmarani.com/clarity Sign up for “3 Quick Ideas Tuesday” (weekly 2 minute newsletter around mindset and emotional fortitude): https://itamarmarani.com/3-ideas/

We’re Back! And Why Momentum Can Be Dangerous | Elite Performance Podcast #85

Momentum feels like traction. But it can also keep you locked into the wrong things, long past the point you should have stopped. And the scariest part? It still feels like progress. In this episode, Itamar breaks down the shadow side of momentum and how to make sure it’s working for you and not against you. You'll learn why "just keep going" is sometimes the worst advice you can follow, and what to do instead.  What you'll learn: Why momentum can be a trap disguised as traction The critical difference between execution mode and decision mode (you can't do both well at the same time) What "performance anchors" are and how they quietly drag down your output * Get the "Elite Performance" book at https://itamarmarani.com/book/ Check out the new YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ItamarElitePerformance If you’re ready to get unstuck and take both yourself and your business to the next level, apply to The Arena here: https://itamarmarani.com/apply Get the Extreme Clarity Tool To Uncover The #1 Action To Grow Your Business: https://itamarmarani.com/clarity Sign up for “3 Quick Ideas Tuesday” (weekly 2 minute newsletter around mindset and emotional fortitude): https://itamarmarani.com/3-ideas/

The Audiobook Is Free This Week (I.e The Smartest ROI You Can Make With 3 Hours) | Elite Performance Podcast #84

The Elite Performance audiobook is now live. This week only, it's completely free. No opt-in, no paywall. Just hit play. After Friday midnight, it goes to Audible. https://itamarmarani.com/audio-free/

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2025 Debrief: What This Year Cost, Taught, and Clarified | Elite Performance Podcast #83

Emotions that don't drive action are pointless. They just drain your energy. In this episode, Itamar opens up about a challenging year and the lessons learned when his old playbook stopped working, how small integrity compromises create massive energy drains and lessons to move forward. Topics covered: Why unexercised emotions are the worst of both worlds How identity can trap you when you need mobility The real price of exceptional results nobody talks about Why he turned down money to prioritize family time If you have read the book, Elite Performance, and would be open to leaving an honest review, you can do so here.

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My Book Is Finally Out + A $50,000 Giveaway

You're trading your time for someone else's effort. In this quick episode Itamar breaks down how to leverage content and get the highest ROI on your time while covering the one trade that lets you cash in on 15 years of someone else’s effort in under 5 hours. Also the Elite Performance book is now live… And for two days only, it’s free! On top of that, you can win more than $50,000 in performance coaching by entering our book launch giveaway for free. Order the book: https://itamarmarani.com/book/ Enter the raffle: https://itamarmarani.com/book-raffle/ * If you’re ready to get unstuck and take both yourself and your business to the next level, apply to The Arena here: https://itamarmarani.com/apply Get the Extreme Clarity Tool To Uncover The #1 Action To Grow Your Business: https://itamarmarani.com/clarity Sign up for “3 Quick Ideas Tuesday” (weekly 2 minute newsletter around mindset and emotional fortitude): https://itamarmarani.com/3-ideas/

How The Special Forces Taught Me To Make Hard Things Feel Easy | Elite Performance Podcast #81

You're stuck not because life is hard, but because you expect it to be easy. In this episode, Itamar shares a brutal mindset shift learned in Special Forces: want things to be hard. When obstacles feel personal, we shrink. When they feel purposeful, we level up. Topics covered: Why short-term goals can hurt your performance When ego helps performance and when it stunts it The shift from “proving something” to “becoming someone” Hard isn’t the problem. Your relationship with it is. * Pre-order Itamar's book "Elite Performance" at https://itamarmarani.com/book/ If you’re ready to get unstuck and take both yourself and your business to the next level, apply to The Arena here: https://itamarmarani.com/apply Get the Extreme Clarity Tool To Uncover The #1 Action To Grow Your Business: https://itamarmarani.com/clarity Sign up for “3 Quick Ideas Tuesday” (weekly 2 minute newsletter around mindset and emotional fortitude): https://itamarmarani.com/3-ideas/

The 5 Steps To Get Unblocked | Elite Performance Podcast #80

If you feel like your results aren’t matching your ambitions and desires, there’s a reason for that. Whether the barrier is internal or external, in this episode Itamar walks you through a 5-step system to uncover why you’re underperforming… and how to break through it. Topics covered: The clarity mistake business owners aren’t aware they make. Why most “action plans” can also give you permission to stall. The hidden performance anchors that kill momentum, and how to know if you’ve got one. A brutal but necessary episode. If you’re ready to go to the next level and are ready for harsh truths, this episode is for you * Pre-order Itamar's book "Elite Performance" at https://itamarmarani.com/book/ If you’re ready to get unstuck and take both yourself and your business to the next level, apply to The Arena here: https://itamarmarani.com/apply Get the Extreme Clarity Tool To Uncover The #1 Action To Grow Your Business: https://itamarmarani.com/clarity Sign up for “3 Quick Ideas Tuesday” (weekly 2 minute newsletter around mindset and emotional fortitude): https://itamarmarani.com/3-ideas/

From $20k to $100K Months: What Actually Changed w/ Vlad Khvatov | Elite Performance Podcast #79

How do you go from burnout cycles and self-doubt to crushing $100K months with clarity and control? Vlad breaks down: Facing the exact fear that quietly ran his life. Ditching a fluffy “WHY” for a more practical one and what that means Accepting the cost of growth - ego hits, discipline, discomfort - and paying it anyway. No hype. No hacks. Just a hard look at what actually moved the needle for this entrepreneur! * Pre-order Itamar's book "Elite Performance" at https://itamarmarani.com/book/ If you’re ready to get unstuck and take both yourself and your business to the next level, apply to The Arena here: https://itamarmarani.com/apply Get the Extreme Clarity Tool To Uncover The #1 Action To Grow Your Business: https://itamarmarani.com/clarity Sign up for “3 Quick Ideas Tuesday” (weekly 2 minute newsletter around mindset and emotional fortitude): https://itamarmarani.com/3-ideas/

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10 Travel Rules for Peak Performance | Elite Performance Podcast #78

You’re not tired. You’re unprepared. High performers prep for keynotes but wing the travel. That gap kills performance. Itamar shares the exact system he built as an air marshal and now uses when travelling for business. Most people confuse efficiency with output. The real mistake? Optimizing for speed, not performance. * Pre-order Itamar's book "Elite Performance" at https://itamarmarani.com/book/ If you’re ready to get unstuck and take both yourself and your business to the next level, apply to The Arena here: https://itamarmarani.com/apply Get the Extreme Clarity Tool To Uncover The #1 Action To Grow Your Business: https://itamarmarani.com/clarity Sign up for “3 Quick Ideas Tuesday” (weekly 2 minute newsletter around mindset and emotional fortitude): https://itamarmarani.com/3-ideas/

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3 Steps To Get Less Frustrated At Others | Elite Performance Podcast #77

Are you actually angry or just confused about what you should be expecting? Entrepreneurs don't get angry without cause, they react when expectations aren’t met. In this tactical breakdown, Itamar reveals how to intercept frustration before it escalates. The “expectation gap” reframe that kills 90% of unnecessary anger How to spot your personal early warning signs (before the blow-up) Why working out beats any mindset hack when you’re stuck If you’re stuck in a vortex of frustration, this episode gives you the way out. * Pre-order Itamar's book "Elite Performance" at https://itamarmarani.com/book/ If you’re ready to get unstuck and take both yourself and your business to the next level, apply to The Arena here: https://itamarmarani.com/apply Get the Extreme Clarity Tool To Uncover The #1 Action To Grow Your Business: https://itamarmarani.com/clarity Sign up for “3 Quick Ideas Tuesday” (weekly 2 minute newsletter around mindset and emotional fortitude): https://itamarmarani.com/3-ideas/

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How Pressure Hijacks Performance (And How to Fix It) | Elite Performance Podcast #76

Raising capital should elevate your game. For one entrepreneur, it did the opposite. When stakes rose, his performance tanked. Why? He didn’t anticipate the emotional cost of failing with other people’s money. This episode breaks down: Why “logical prep” isn’t enough, how to plan for emotional punches. The shift from external goals to internal identity that reignited his performance. The real bottleneck most entrepreneurs miss: staying calm under pressure. If you’re chasing big goals and aren’t ready for the emotional hits, you’re setting yourself up to spiral. Prepare better. Perform better. This episode shares how. * Pre-order Itamar's book "Elite Performance" at https://itamarmarani.com/book/ If you’re ready to get unstuck and take both yourself and your business to the next level, apply to The Arena here: https://itamarmarani.com/apply Get the Extreme Clarity Tool To Uncover The #1 Action To Grow Your Business: https://itamarmarani.com/clarity Sign up for “3 Quick Ideas Tuesday” (weekly 2 minute newsletter around mindset and emotional fortitude): https://itamarmarani.com/3-ideas/

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Which Kind Of Therapists Will Be Replaced by AI | Elite Performance Podcast #75

If C-players in most industries are getting replaced by AI, why won’t this happen with therapy? Itamar breaks down why the therapy industry is broken, how AI will expose big parts of it, and why emotional baggage plus zero KPIs equals stagnation, not healing. You’ll hear: Why AI’s lack of emotional wounds can make it more effective How therapy often turns into paid validation, not progress The real split coming: truth-seekers vs. validation-seekers This isn’t about feelings. It’s about results. * Pre-order Itamar's book "Elite Performance" at https://itamarmarani.com/book/ If you’re ready to get unstuck and take both yourself and your business to the next level, apply to The Arena here: https://itamarmarani.com/apply Get the Extreme Clarity Tool To Uncover The #1 Action To Grow Your Business: https://itamarmarani.com/clarity Sign up for “3 Quick Ideas Tuesday” (weekly 2 minute newsletter around mindset and emotional fortitude): https://itamarmarani.com/3-ideas/

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How to Beat Imposter Syndrome | Elite Performance Podcast #74

Still chasing confidence before taking action? That’s the trap. This episode breaks down why imposter syndrome isn’t about competence, it’s a psychological glitch from survival wiring. You’ll learn how to strip emotions from decisions, use objectivity as a weapon, and move even when it feels uncomfortable. Itamar shares two practical tools to beat imposter syndrome fast that he uses both with himself and his biggest clients. * Pre-order Itamar's book "Elite Performance" at https://itamarmarani.com/book/ If you’re ready to get unstuck and take both yourself and your business to the next level, apply to The Arena here: https://itamarmarani.com/apply Get the Extreme Clarity Tool To Uncover The #1 Action To Grow Your Business: https://itamarmarani.com/clarity Sign up for “3 Quick Ideas Tuesday” (weekly 2 minute newsletter around mindset and emotional fortitude): https://itamarmarani.com/3-ideas/

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Is "Being Comfortable Being Uncomfortable" BS? | Elite Performance Podcast #73

Have you ever found yourself feeling frustrated when you’re taking action but it doesn't flow and feels clunky? In this episode, Itamar breaks down why the belief that you should feel “comfortable being uncomfortable” can drain energy and kill your momentum. He shares a story of a nine-figure client who was struggling to be “comfortable while being uncomfortable” and how they shifted the frame to improve its performance. You’ll learn how to: Stop second-guessing and avoid energy leakages Reclaim your edge Push with clarity * If you’re ready to get unstuck and take both yourself and your business to the next level, apply to The Arena here: https://itamarmarani.com/apply Get the Extreme Clarity Tool To Uncover The #1 Action To Grow Your Business: https://itamarmarani.com/clarity Sign up for “3 Quick Ideas Tuesday” (weekly 2 minute newsletter around mindset and emotional fortitude): https://itamarmarani.com/3-ideas/

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Breaking Through Plateaus with w/ Peter Shallard | Elite Performance Podcast #72

"A lot of people are mistaking intensity for consistency." In this episode, I talk with Peter Shallard, the "Shrink for Entrepreneurs," about why executing on big goals scares entrepreneurs and how to break through plateaus in business. We discuss how burnout for entrepreneurs doesn’t stem from overwork, and why playfulness and creativity are essential for breaking through plateaus. Key Topics: Why burnout for entrepreneurs is rooted in disappointment, not overwork The principle of "minimum effective dose" for effective productivity How gamification can help you avoid burnout Connect with Peter: Website: www.commitaction.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petershallard/ * If you’re ready to get unstuck and take both yourself and your business to the next level, apply to The Arena here: https://itamarmarani.com/apply Get the Extreme Clarity Tool To Uncover The #1 Action To Grow Your Business: https://itamarmarani.com/clarity Sign up for “3 Quick Ideas Tuesday” (weekly 2 minute newsletter around mindset and emotional fortitude): https://itamarmarani.com/3-ideas/

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