Advertise on podcast: The Adversity Advantage with Doug Bopst

John Kiriakou is a journalist, author and host of Deep Focus. He was a former senior counterterrorism officer for the CIA until he blew the whistle on its torture program. Today on the show we discuss: how a CIA whistleblower risked everything to expose the truth, what it actually takes to think independently in a world full of propaganda, how to spot liars, manipulators and gaslighters before they gain control, the hidden ways people are influenced without realizing it, how power, fear and incentives shape human behavior, and the real-life consequences of standing up for what you believe in and much more. ⚠ WELLNESS DISCLAIMER ⚠ Please be advised; the topics related to health and mental health in my content are for informational, discussion, and entertainment purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your health or mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your current condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard from your favorite creator, on social media, or shared within content you’ve consumed. If you are in crisis or you think you may have an emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. If you do not have a health professional who is able to assist you, use these resources to find help: Emergency Medical Services—911 If the situation is potentially life-threatening, get immediate emergency assistance by calling 911, available 24 hours a day. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org. SAMHSA addiction and mental health treatment Referral Helpline, 1-877-SAMHSA7 (1-877-726-4727) and https://www.samhsa.go Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg Kelley is a former high school football standout whose life was derailed at 18 when he was wrongfully convicted of a crime he didn’t commit and sentenced to 25 years in prison. After enduring years inside maximum security facilities, Kelley never stopped fighting for the truth—and was ultimately exonerated, exposing major failures within the justice system. Today, he shares his story to raise awareness about wrongful convictions, resilience, and the power of maintaining faith and discipline under extreme adversity. Today on the show we discuss: what it’s really like to walk into prison at 18 for a crime you didn’t commit, how Greg Kelley survived a brutal system designed to break him and the mindset that kept him alive, the hidden failures inside the justice system that led to his wrongful conviction and why innocent people still get locked away, the moment he was forced to choose between a plea deal and risking his entire life for the truth, how discipline purpose and faith became his anchor in the darkest environment imaginable, and what it takes to rebuild your identity after everything you worked for is taken from you and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mastin Kipp is an entrepreneur, best-selling author, and renowned public speaker and the creator of Functional Life Coaching™. Today on the show we discuss: why modern life is keeping you stressed and overwhelmed and how your environment is programming your behavior, how to stop letting your past control your life and build a healthier relationship with your patterns, the difference between a healing season and a performance season and why confusing them keeps you stuck, why real nervous system regulation isn’t about being calm but building capacity under stress, the dangerous belief that trauma is a gift and what actually creates growth, and how to stop avoiding discomfort and start using it to build a better life and much more. ⚠ WELLNESS DISCLAIMER ⚠ Please be advised; the topics related to health and mental health in my content are for informational, discussion, and entertainment purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your health or mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your current condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard from your favorite creator, on social media, or shared within content you’ve consumed. If you are in crisis or you think you may have an emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. If you do not have a health professional who is able to assist you, use these resources to find help: Emergency Medical Services—911 If the situation is potentially life-threatening, get immediate emergency assistance by calling 911, available 24 hours a day. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org. SAMHSA addiction and mental health treatment Referral Helpline, 1-877-SAMHSA7 (1-877-726-4727) and https://www.samhsa.gov Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Todd Rose is the co-founder and President of Populace, a think tank dedicated to building a world where all people have the chance to live fulfilling lives in a thriving society. He was a faculty member at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where he founded the Laboratory for the Science of Individuality and directed the Mind, Brain, and Education program. Dr. Rose is the author of the bestselling books Collective Illusions, Dark Horse, and The End of Average. Today on the show we discuss how rock bottom can become the turning point that forces real change, why identity is shaped by actions not circumstances, how perseverance and refusing to quit can completely rewrite your life, why creating the right environment is critical for success, how adversity reveals who you are and what you’re capable of, and why taking responsibility for your future is the key to building a life worth living and much more. ⚠ WELLNESS DISCLAIMER ⚠ Please be advised; the topics related to health and mental health in my content are for informational, discussion, and entertainment purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your health or mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your current condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard from your favorite creator, on social media, or shared within content you’ve consumed. If you are in crisis or you think you may have an emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. If you do not have a health professional who is able to assist you, use these resources to find help: Emergency Medical Services—911 If the situation is potentially life-threatening, get immediate emergency assistance by calling 911, available 24 hours a day. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org. SAMHSA addiction and mental health treatment Referral Helpline, 1-877-SAMHSA7 (1-877-726-4727) and https://www.samhsa.gov Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stefanos Sifandos is a relationship educator who bridges nervous-system work, trauma-aware intimacy, and sacred partnership for high-capacity people. His work integrates behavioral science with embodied practice— helping successful men and women stop performing their way through life and start building relationships rooted in truth, devotion, and felt safety. Today on the show we discuss: how to heal the hidden childhood wounds that quietly shape your adult life, the warning signs you’re being driven by unresolved trauma, hwhy awareness alone isn’t enough to create real change, how nervous system regulation is the foundation for transformation, how to break free from victim mentality and stepping into personal responsibility, the role of relationships and co-regulation in true healing, how to reconnect with your body to access deeper emotional work, and why success without inner work still leaves you feeling unfulfilled and much more. ⚠ WELLNESS DISCLAIMER ⚠ Please be advised; the topics related to health and mental health in my content are for informational, discussion, and entertainment purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your health or mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your current condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard from your favorite creator, on social media, or shared within content you’ve consumed. If you are in crisis or you think you may have an emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. If you do not have a health professional who is able to assist you, use these resources to find help: Emergency Medical Services—911 If the situation is potentially life-threatening, get immediate emergency assistance by calling 911, available 24 hours a day. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org.  SAMHSA addiction and mental health treatment Referral Helpline, 1-877-SAMHSA7 (1-877-726-4727) and https://www.samhsa.gov Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andy Stumpf is a former U.S. Navy SEAL, combat veteran, and entrepreneur who served with one of the most elite special operations units in the world. After his military career, he transitioned into aviation, business, and media, becoming the host of the Cleared Hot podcast, where he breaks down leadership, decision-making, and real-world performance. Today on the show we discuss: why people quit when life gets hard and how overwhelm leads to bad decisions, the mindset shift from victim to taking full responsibility for your life, how breaking goals into small steps builds real momentum and lasting change, why discipline is choosing short-term difficulty to avoid long-term suffering, the hidden cost of chasing shortcuts instead of doing the work, and how adversity can either break you or become the foundation for who you’re meant to become and much more. Buy Andy's book here: https://www.clearedhotpodcast.com/book ⚠ WELLNESS DISCLAIMER ⚠ Please be advised; the topics related to mental health in my content are for informational, discussion, and entertainment purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your current condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard from your favorite creator, on social media, or shared within content you’ve consumed. If you are in crisis or you think you may have an emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. If you do not have a health professional who is able to assist you, use these resources to find help: Emergency Medical Services—911 If the situation is potentially life-threatening, get immediate emergency assistance by calling 911, available 24 hours a day. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org.  SAMHSA addiction and mental health treatment Referral Helpline, 1-877-SAMHSA7 (1-877-726-4727) and https://www.samhsa.gov Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jen Fisher is Deloitte's former first Chief Wellbeing Officer, a former lecturer at Harvard and UCLA, host of the popular WorkWell Podcast, and author of the book: Hope Is the Strategy: The Underrated Skill That Transforms Work, Leadership, and Wellbeing. Today on the show we discuss why hope isn't just wishful thinking, the three-part science-backed framework that turns it into a real strategy, how hope and hopelessness can coexist and why that's actually the key to moving through your darkest moments, the "Pollyanna trap" and why unrealistic expectations leave you worse off than when you started, why tunnel vision kills progress and how to keep moving when one door closes, the one daily action that builds momentum when life feels like it's falling apart, and much more. ⚠ WELLNESS DISCLAIMER ⚠ Please be advised; the topics related to health and mental health in my content are for informational, discussion, and entertainment purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your health or mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your current condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard from your favorite creator, on social media, or shared within content you’ve consumed. If you are in crisis or you think you may have an emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. If you do not have a health professional who is able to assist you, use these resources to find help: Emergency Medical Services—911 If the situation is potentially life-threatening, get immediate emergency assistance by calling 911, available 24 hours a day. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org.  SAMHSA addiction and mental health treatment Referral Helpline, 1-877-SAMHSA7 (1-877-726-4727) and https://www.samhsa.gov Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Schafer is one of the host’s and founders of the highly popular brand and podcast Mind Pump. Today on the show we discuss: how kratom addiction quietly takes control of your life, why high-performing men are especially vulnerable to hidden addictions, the brutal reality of withdrawal and what no one tells you about it, how to break free from something that feels impossible to quit, the role of discipline faith and suffering in true transformation, and why doing hard things is the fastest way to take your life back and much more. ⚠ WELLNESS DISCLAIMER ⚠ Please be advised; the topics related to health and mental health in my content are for informational, discussion, and entertainment purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your health or mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your current condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard from your favorite creator, on social media, or shared within content you’ve consumed. If you are in crisis or you think you may have an emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. If you do not have a health professional who is able to assist you, use these resources to find help: Emergency Medical Services—911 If the situation is potentially life-threatening, get immediate emergency assistance by calling 911, available 24 hours a day. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org.  SAMHSA addiction and mental health treatment Referral Helpline, 1-877-SAMHSA7 (1-877-726-4727) and https://www.samhsa.gov Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Christle Guevarra, DO, MS, specializes in Family Medicine, Sports Medicine, Obesity Medicine, Nutrition, and is a former powerlifting champion. Today on the show we discuss: the truth about GLP-1s and why weight loss isn’t just willpower, how food noise works and what happens in your brain when it disappears, the right way to use GLP-1s without losing muscle or energy, why most people fail fat loss and how to fix it, how to build a sustainable routine with training, nutrition, and realistic expectations, and the deeper mindset work required to create lasting transformation beyond the scale and much more. Today's sponsor: Ax3 Get 20% off your first order of Ax3: ⁠⁠https://ax3.life⁠⁠ and use code "Doug" at checkout ⚠ WELLNESS DISCLAIMER ⚠ Please be advised; the topics related to health and mental health in my content are for informational, discussion, and entertainment purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your health or mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your current condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard from your favorite creator, on social media, or shared within content you’ve consumed. If you are in crisis or you think you may have an emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. If you do not have a health professional who is able to assist you, use these resources to find help: Emergency Medical Services—911 If the situation is potentially life-threatening, get immediate emergency assistance by calling 911, available 24 hours a day. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org.  SAMHSA addiction and mental health treatment Referral Helpline, 1-877-SAMHSA7 (1-877-726-4727) and https://www.samhsa.gov Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nir Eyal is a globally recognized authority on behavior change and human potential. His frameworks have empowered millions to build better habits, enhance focus, and unlock greater agency in their lives and work. A former lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford, Nir has collaborated with leaders and organizations worldwide to boost performance through behavior design. Today on the show we discuss: the two types of beliefs that control everything you do and why most people are stuck in the wrong ones, why motivation is not a straight line and the real reason people keep quitting on their goals, the wild rat study from the 1950s that proves a single belief shift can make you 240 times more persistent, why positive thinking and vision boards are actually working against you, the four questions that can tear down any limiting belief in real time, and why your beliefs about aging may be more powerful than your diet, your workouts, or whether you smoke and much more. ⚠ WELLNESS DISCLAIMER ⚠ Please be advised; the topics related to health and mental health in my content are for informational, discussion, and entertainment purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your health or mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your current condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard from your favorite creator, on social media, or shared within content you’ve consumed. If you are in crisis or you think you may have an emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. If you do not have a health professional who is able to assist you, use these resources to find help: Emergency Medical Services—911 If the situation is potentially life-threatening, get immediate emergency assistance by calling 911, available 24 hours a day. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org.  SAMHSA addiction and mental health treatment Referral Helpline, 1-877-SAMHSA7 (1-877-726-4727) and https://www.samhsa.gov Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hilary Phelps is a holistic performance coach, speaker, and founder of The Right Room, dedicated to helping women navigate recovery, burnout, and major life transitions with clarity, compassion, and somatic tools. Today on the show we discuss: why Hilary waited 15 years to speak openly about her sobriety and the shame that kept her silent, the rise of mommy wine culture and why women are drinking more than ever, how being a high-functioning blackout drinker made it easy to deny she had a real problem, the role bullying and the need to fit in played in fueling her addiction, why alcohol was never the real issue and what she was actually trying to numb, the power of community in early sobriety and why you cannot do it alone, and much more. ⚠ WELLNESS DISCLAIMER ⚠ Please be advised; the topics related to health and mental health in my content are for informational, discussion, and entertainment purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your health or mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your current condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard from your favorite creator, on social media, or shared within content you’ve consumed. If you are in crisis or you think you may have an emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. If you do not have a health professional who is able to assist you, use these resources to find help: Emergency Medical Services—911 If the situation is potentially life-threatening, get immediate emergency assistance by calling 911, available 24 hours a day. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org.  SAMHSA addiction and mental health treatment Referral Helpline, 1-877-SAMHSA7 (1-877-726-4727) and https://www.samhsa.gov Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aliia Roza is a former secret agent who was trained in psychological influence, persuasion, and undercover operations targeting criminal networks involved in human and drug trafficking. After leaving that world, she rebuilt her life and now shares the lessons she learned about manipulation, human psychology, self-confidence, and personal transformation to help people protect themselves and build stronger relationships. Today on the show we discuss: how manipulation shows up in everyday life and the subtle psychological tactics people use to control others, the red flags that someone may be manipulating you in dating and relationships, the seduction and influence techniques used in intelligence operations and honey trap scenarios, Aliia’s story of being recruited into a Russian military program and working undercover against criminal networks, the trauma and identity struggles that came after leaving that world, the mindset shifts, self-awareness and confidence needed to protect yourself from manipulation and build healthier relationships and much more. ⚠ WELLNESS DISCLAIMER ⚠ Please be advised; the topics related to health and mental health in my content are for informational, discussion, and entertainment purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your health or mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your current condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard from your favorite creator, on social media, or shared within content you’ve consumed. If you are in crisis or you think you may have an emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. If you do not have a health professional who is able to assist you, use these resources to find help: Emergency Medical Services—911 If the situation is potentially life-threatening, get immediate emergency assistance by calling 911, available 24 hours a day. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org.  SAMHSA addiction and mental health treatment Referral Helpline, 1-877-SAMHSA7 (1-877-726-4727) and https://www.samhsa.gov Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ken Rideout is the fastest marathoner in the world over fifty and a former prison guard, Wall Street trader, and opioid addict. His life story has been chronicled in such publications as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Outside. Since getting sober more than a decade ago, he has won some of the world’s toughest races, including, at age fifty-two, the Gobi March—a 155-mile, self-supported race across the sweltering Gobi Desert in Mongolia—and a few months later, the Masters (50+) Marathon World Championships. In addition to his many running victories, he has completed more than ten Ironman triathlons. In 2018, Ken founded capital solutions firm Camrock Advisors. More recently, he founded talent agency Rideout Sports and Entertainment. Today on the show we discuss: overcoming a devastating opioid addiction and rebuilding life through endurance sports, why discipline and consistency beat talent when it comes to success, the brutal mental battles that happen during elite endurance racing, how to respond when life hits you with unexpected chaos, the difference between quitting and losing and why quitting haunts you forever, and the mindset shift that turns adversity into fuel for growth and much more. Connect with Ken: Book: https://www.theothersideofhard.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ken_rideout/ Podcast: https://lnk.to/the-other-side-of-hard Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Patrick Bet-David is an entrepreneur, investor, and founder of Valuetainment, one of the largest business and personal development platforms in the world. He also hosts the PBD Podcast, where he interviews world-class entrepreneurs, leaders, and thinkers about business, leadership, and building a meaningful life. Today on the show we discuss: how to stay optimistic when nothing in your life suggests things will get better, why taking personal responsibility instead of playing the victim changes the trajectory of your life, how changing your habits and environment can completely transform your future, the three forces that often shape highly successful people, why keeping your word and stacking small wins builds real confidence and credibility, how adversity and belief in your future self can help you build a life that once felt impossible and much more. Connect with PBD: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VALUETAINMENT Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrickbetdavid/ X: https://x.com/patrickbetdavid ⚠ WELLNESS DISCLAIMER ⚠ Please be advised; the topics related to health and mental health in my content are for informational, discussion, and entertainment purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your health or mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your current condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard from your favorite creator, on social media, or shared within content you’ve consumed. If you are in crisis or you think you may have an emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. If you do not have a health professional who is able to assist you, use these resources to find help: Emergency Medical Services—911 If the situation is potentially life-threatening, get immediate emergency assistance by calling 911, available 24 hours a day. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org.  SAMHSA addiction and mental health treatment Referral Helpline, 1-877-SAMHSA7 (1-877-726-4727) and https://www.samhsa.gov Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Pradip Jamnadas is a renowned interventional cardiologist and a trusted voice in preventive medicine, reaching millions through his engaging educational YouTube content, appearances on leading podcasts, and featured in the upcoming powerful documentary Keto Is Key. Today on the show we discuss: why sugar addiction hijacks the brain’s dopamine reward system, how fasting can help break cravings and reset metabolic health, the connection between gut health, mental health, and inflammation, why the vagus nerve plays a key role in stress recovery, mood, and resilience, the lifestyle habits that make healthy eating sustainable long term, and how mastering your attention can help you break free from addictive behaviors and much more. Today's sponsor: Ax3 Get 20% off your first order of Ax3: ⁠https://ax3.life⁠ and use code "Doug" at checkout Connect with Dr. Jamnadas: YouTube:  @pradipjamnadasmd  Website: https://aristotleeducation.com/ ⚠ WELLNESS DISCLAIMER ⚠ Please be advised; the topics related to health and mental health in my content are for informational, discussion, and entertainment purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your health or mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your current condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard from your favorite creator, on social media, or shared within content you’ve consumed. If you are in crisis or you think you may have an emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. If you do not have a health professional who is able to assist you, use these resources to find help: Emergency Medical Services—911 If the situation is potentially life-threatening, get immediate emergency assistance by calling 911, available 24 hours a day. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org. SAMHSA addiction and mental health treatment Referral Helpline, 1-877-SAMHSA7 (1-877-726-4727) and https://www.samhsa.gov Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices