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#60: The Case for Going All In | Ravi Gupta

November 3, 2026 · 59 min

Show notes

Almost everyone carries a list of things they want to do in life, and almost nobody gets to it. Michael speaks with Ravi Gupta, author of The Invisible List, who went all in on one passion a year: powerlifting, screenwriting, surfing, tennis, the MCAT, and Italian cooking. He explains the four steps to develop your "invisible list," how to find the time to tackle it, why your passions make you a better human, why passions protect your health and brain, and why sucking at something has benefits. They cover:

(00:00) Cold open
(00:56) The wedding that started a quest
(03:06) What is the invisible list?
(04:49) Why we never tackle our life list
(06:32) Hobbies aren't selfish
(10:48) What he learned about learning
(14:18) Four steps of the invisible list
(18:39) Why he started with powerlifting
(21:51) All gear, no idea
(24:47) Tracking and sticking with it
(30:36) Staying focused as a beginner
(35:16) Why you have to suck at first
(39:55) The friends you make
(44:10) The MCAT as a brain marathon
(48:34) One passion a year, even with kids
(54:11) His numbers, and what's next

Get Ravi's book, The Invisible List: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/800645/the-invisible-list-by-ravi-gupta/

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Host: Michael Easter
Executive Producer: Robbie Hiser
Music: The Heater Manager
Graphics: Jackie Philips

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