A Practical Guide to Achieving Excellence

The Next Big Idea

Next Big Idea Club

Science, Social Sciences, Society & Culture, Education

4.4 • 1.3K Ratings

🗓️ 5 February 2026

⏱️ 66 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

If you’ve spent any time on social media in the last few years, you’ve probably noticed the rise of what Brad Stulberg calls “hustle-culture greatness” — influencers who promote labyrinthine morning routines, ruthlessly optimized habits, and ascetic self-discipline. “That is not excellence,” says Brad. “That is a bunch of elaborate kabuki that masquerades as the real thing.” The real thing is about challenging yourself in worthwhile endeavors, focusing on what matters most, and expressing the unique qualities that make you who you are. In a word, excellence. Today, we’ll teach you how to pursue it. Brad’s new book, The Way of Excellence, is out now. Pick up a copy on Amazon, Audible, or Bookshop.org. The Next Big Idea is now on YouTube! You can find our episodes ⁠⁠here⁠⁠. If you enjoyed this conversation, check out Brad’s last appearance on the show. Follow Rufus on ⁠LinkedIn⁠, subscribe to our ⁠Substack⁠, or send us an email at podcast@nextbigideaclub.com. The best way to support the show is by becoming a Next Big Idea Club member. Learn more at ⁠nextbigideaclub.com⁠, and use code PODCAST for a super secret discount (spoiler: it’s 20% off). We have two great sponsors for today’s episode. The first is Factor. Head to factormeals.com/idea50off and use code idea50off to get 50% off your first Factor box plus free breakfast for one year. The second is Shopify. Start your $1/month trial at ⁠⁠shopify.com/nbi⁠⁠.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	I'm Caleb Bissinger and I'm Rufus Griskin and this is the next big idea. Today, why anyone can achieve excellence? Even you. A few months ago, this fitness influencer named Ashton Hall went viral with a video called
0:34.7	The Morning Routine That Changed My Life.
0:38.7	He wakes up at 3.52 a.m.
0:42.7	Brushes his teeth.
0:44.3	Goes on his balcony to pound out push-ups.
0:47.3	Dunks his face in a bowl of artisanal ice water.
0:51.1	Meditates.
0:52.4	With his shirt off.
0:53.9	Journals. With his shirt off. Journals.
0:55.1	With his shirt off.
0:56.8	This all before 6 a.m.
1:00.2	This kind of video, which, by the way, has been viewed more than 700 million times.
1:07.1	This kind of video really gets under the skin of our guest today, Brad Stoolberg.
1:12.1	People think the excellence means waking up at 4 a.m., having a 37 step routine, doing four
1:17.2	cold plunges, taking 57 supplements, being an absolute robotic perfectionist on everything,
1:23.4	winning at all cost, and then posting about it on Instagram.
1:26.1	That is not excellence.
1:27.8	That is a bunch of elaborate kubuki that masquerades is the real thing.
1:31.4	The real thing, according to Brad, is about challenging yourself in worthwhile endeavors,
1:37.0	focusing on what matters most, and expressing the unique qualities that make you who you are.
1:42.9	That's excellence.
1:44.6	And it's not exclusive to professional athletes, celebrated chefs, or award-winning novelists.
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Next Big Idea Club, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Next Big Idea Club and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.