702: Blake Mycoskie (Founder of TOMS) - Hitting Every Goal & Still Feeling Worthless... Gratitude, Mantras, and Hiring Like a Champion

Blake Mycoskie, the visionary behind TOMS Shoes, achieved what many would consider the pinnacle of success. He built a company that donated over 100 million pairs of shoes, became a celebrated entrepreneur, and sold TOMS for hundreds of millions of dollars. Yet, despite hitting every marker of success, Mycoskie found himself in a deep depression, feeling empty and worthless. In a candid conversation, he shares his journey through this challenging period, revealing the practices and philosophies that helped him find his way to the other side.

The Unexpected Benefits of Surfing and Gratitude

Mycoskie begins by describing his current lifestyle in Costa Rica, where he finds solace and clarity through surfing. He explains that surfing isn't just about riding waves; it's largely about waiting, which he uses as a form of meditation. This downtime allows him to practice gratitude, a habit he credits with significantly improving his mental well-being. His gratitude practice is highly specific: instead of general thanks, he focuses on concrete details, like seeing photos of his daughter happy at camp. This specificity, he notes, forces him to expand his perspective and find new things to be grateful for each day, preventing him from dwelling on negativity. He even uses an Apple Watch hack to record ideas and gratitude moments while in the water, ensuring he doesn't forget them.

Mycoskie emphasizes that this practice isn't always easy, especially during his darkest times. For five years, he struggled to find even one or two things to be grateful for daily. However, he believes that consistently trying, even without feeling it, was crucial for his eventual recovery. He encourages listeners to embrace this practice, even if their current life feels challenging, as it helps shift focus and reveal the abundance that often goes unnoticed.