Life is an adventure. But with so many different paths, how can we navigate through it? I’m Tom and I’m a personal development nerd. I’ve read all the books, watched all the TED talks and tried all the life hacks.

Based on this, I wrote my 12 principles for an Extraordinary Life. Aged 26, I thought I had designed the new bible for how to live. But then I started doubting myself. Do these principles make sense in practice? Is it possible to live every day according to them? The only way to know is to find people who do.

Join me on my quest to discover the ultimate formula for living an extraordinary life. Each episode I’ll share one principle and interview a guest who embodies it.

If you want to live an extraordinary life, then this podcast is for you. Let’s go on this journey together to gain confidence and direction to navigate the adventure that is life.  

Follow me on Spotify or subscribe on your favourite platform. Do this by going to tommarshall.life/podcast

How can you find the courage to live life on your terms? Tom explores Principle 1: You are more than enough, be yourself. Show your authentic self to attract what you desire. Together with guest Brian Bloom, a relationships coach, they discuss how we can discover and unleash our authentic selves.

Selected Links

·       Connect with Brian Bloom

            Website | LinkedIn

·       Connect with Tom Marshall
             Website | LinkedIn

·       Landmark education

·       Non-Violent Communication workshop series, Marshall Rosenberg

·       Burning Man

·       Nowhere, regional Burning Man in Spain

Show Notes
Tom’s personal story about why he created this principle. [1:25]

Challenges with the principle that are explored in this episode. [3:50]

Introduction to Brian Bloom. [4:27]

What does authenticity mean to Brian? [05:40]

How Brian realised he’d succeeded by the societal scripts but was incredibly dissatisfied. [06:45]

Brian shares how he redefined the meaning of divorce. [08:45]

How does Brian now relate to his ex-wife? [11:20]  

Not everyone will understand your life choices and it’s not your responsibility to make them. Don’t bow to the expectations of others. [13:00]

How Brian explored his sexuality and alternative relationship structures. [14:10]

Thank people who express concern about your life choices. [15:55]

How does Brian find the courage to be his authentic self? [17:15]

How showing his authentic self has helped Brian attract what he desires. [21:35]

Surrounding yourself with people like you gives you permission to be more self-expressed. [22:10]

Why Brian deserves the “purple heart of weirdness” medal. [23:55]

How Brian invests in finding his people by being his authentic self [25:50]

Brian shares his experiences of radical inclusion at Burning Man, an experiment in creating community. [27:45]

Unconditionally accepting people around you helps them be authentic. [29:03]

Brian shares his exploration of wearing dresses. [30:02]

“Until you try stuff on, you don’t really know who you are.” [32:03]

What advice Brian has for early career professionals who have trouble being fully authentic [33:11]

Brian shares how he “threw his hat over the fence” to overcome the challenge of moving to Europe. [35:21]

Always accept free samples. [37:51]

How to use social accountability to live more authentically [39:32] 

“How much energy are you going to waste trying to live up to others’ expectations instead of exploring your own?” [42:15]

Summary of the episode. [42:27]

How Brian’s story challenges us. [43:49]

How can you stay focused on your own desires?
Tom explores Principle 2: Know yourself better than anything else. Explore your purpose and define your own success. Together with guest Sabrina Jammy, a mindfulness teacher, they discuss how we can better connect with both our body and mind.

 Selected Links

·       Connect with Sabrina Jammy

            Website | LinkedIn

·       Connect with Tom Marshall
             Website | LinkedIn

·       Extraordinary Life, Tom’s non-profit personal development foundation

·       Tom’s Graduation Speech

·       Tom’s Blog about his experiences with meditation 

Show Notes

Tom’s personal story about why he created this principle. [01:25]

Challenges with the principle that are explored on this episode. [05:00]

What does self-awareness mean to Sabrina? [07:13]

You can better navigate a changing world if you know yourself. [08:34] 

How did Sabrina wake-up to the importance of self-awareness? [09:26]

Our mind and emotions can change so quickly. Just like the ocean, we have good waves and bad waves, but our essence remains the same. [12:23]

How has self-awareness helped Sabrina stay focused on her purpose? [13:43]

Mindfulness helps prevent external influences such as social pressure from contaminating your purpose. [14:35]

How Sabrina re-defined her success. [16:25]

How did Sabrina push away the influence of others when setting up her meditation studio? [17:55]]

Focus inwardly on your bodily sensations to understand whether you’re making the right decisions. [18:30]

How can we use thinking and feeling together to create honest reflection? [20:20]

One of the biggest myths of the 21st century is that our minds and bodies are not connected. [22:13)

How does Sabrina build meditation into her daily routine? [23:25}

The danger of doing mindfulness for utilitarian benefits is you stop practicing it when you don’t receive them. [26:25]

The benefits of self-awareness only come when you can sit with both your angels and demons. [28:15]

How has Sabrina’s self-awareness helped her focus on her purpose? [28:39]

How does Sabrina make decisions when she feels conflicting desires? [30:12]

We are curious about our external world but have lost our curiosity about the world within us. [33:08]

We all just want to be seen, loved and heard. [35:15]

Sabrina’s advice for early career professionals who feel like they’re living by other’s definition of success. [36:20]

Sabrina explains her “finding your why” exercise. [36:40]

Take a breath during the day, even if it’s just for three seconds. Self-awareness will arise. [37:59]