Optimize Coach

Based on what we learned from the 1,000+ Coaches from our inaugural class, the Optimize Coach program is for two basic categories of people:

1. Masters. Individuals who want to live their most heroic lives by mastering themselves and the Optimize perspective while integrating the wisdom gained from the program into their various leadership roles—from entrepreneurs, CEOs, venture capitalists, military leaders and HR executives to therapists, school principals, yoga teachers, personal trainers, and world-class moms.
2. Coaches. Individuals who want to live their most heroic lives by mastering themselves and the Optimize perspective while integrating the wisdom gained from the program into their new or existing coaching practice.

Pretty much exactly HALF of our first 1,000 Optimize Coach participants did the program simply to Optimize their own lives. While the other half did it because they wanted to be better at coaching others personally and professionally.

Whether you’re joining us as a Master or as a Coach, the most important thing we’ll help everyone do to boost their professional success and personal well-being (whether that’s the CEO or the Coach or the Mom) is to move from Theory to Practice to MASTERY—closing the gap between who they are capable of being and who they are actually being to become a radiant Optimizing exemplar, heroically giving their greatest gifts in greatest service to the world.

And… if you are inspired to create a coaching business (and/or to take your practice to the next level), we have a Coaching Skills track to help you master the process of using the Optimize protocol to help others actualize their potential.

All of that said, our program requires a very high-level of consistent performance. We are going to demand that you do your best to show up as your best.

As such, this program is not for the faint of heart and/or anyone looking to get a quick certificate that somehow magically makes them money. (lol)

Our Optimize Coach-Class II certification program is $1,000. (With 5-month/$200 and 10-month/$100 payment plans available.)

Having said that...

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: Although we intend to make this the most astonishingly priced program in terms of money invested to return on your life, the cash you invest will be the smallest part of your investment.

Expect to invest a lot more in time, energy, courage, grit and actually DOING THE WORK to change your life.

Yes! Optimize Coach can be purchased in one bulk sum of $1000 USD, 10 monthly payments of $100 USD, or 5 monthly payments of $200 USD. You'll find all of these options on the checkout page.

The program is 300 days long and 100% online (although we really hope you can join us in Los Angeles December 4th-6th for an in-person Graduation Weekend and Team Spartan Race!).

For certification you’ll invest roughly 300 hours over the 300 days, approximately broken down by:

That said…. this isn’t for the faint of heart! If you’re looking for an easy, passive, information-based coach certification program, this isn’t for you.

Optional additional time:

Becoming a Certified Optimize Coach requires a high level of consistent performance and an investment in time, energy, and courage. You’ll be supported every step of the way by the Optimize Team and our community (you even get paired with a personal “Swim Buddy” from day 1!).

We believe that THE #1 most important thing we can do as aspiring Coaches (and parents and colleagues and, well, humans) is to become RADIANT EXEMPLARS of what a life of deeper integrity and operationalized virtue looks like.

So...

To become an Optimize Coach you need to actually DO all the stuff we talk about in the Mastery Series and demonstrate the fact that you’ve gone from Theory to Practice to Mastery in your Energy + Work + Love.

With that solid base, we also help you develop your actual Coaching Skills while mastering the Optimize Coaching protocol and we help you build your Coaching Business as well.

But...

Again...

It ALL starts with (and always comes back to!) us actually being RADIANT EXEMPLARS.

Which is why our diploma reads:

Having demonstrated a commitment to areté through the mastery of ancient wisdom, modern science, and the fundamentals of Optimal living—both in their own life and in service to others—let it be known that [INSERT YOUR NAME HERE] is hereby recognized as a Certified Optimize Coach and granted all privileges thereunto appertaining, for as long as they continue to demonstrate their commitment through practice. In witness whereof, we hereby commit to do our best to operationalize virtue and live with areté, honoring the fundamentals and striving to be our Optimize = Optimus = Best = Eudaimōn = Hērō selves in Energy, Work, and Love.

So… to become an Optimize Certified Coach you’ll need to:

Wisdom

Practice:

* 5/7 days a week

Community:

If it takes you longer than 300 days—all good! Your diploma will be ready for you when you’ve done what it takes to earn it.

And, MOST importantly, (as the diploma declaration states), your certification will be valid “for as long as [you] continue to demonstrate [your] commitment through practice.”

Translation? It must be re-earned every day via your commitment to continue being the Optimize = Optimus = Best = Eudaimōn = Hērō version of yourself.

The focal point of our program is OPERATIONALIZING all the wisdom into consistent, virtuous behavior—such that your prior best becomes your new baseline. THAT is the hard part. THAT is what we are committed to helping you (and your clients/colleagues/family/etc.) truly MASTER as a result of your participation in our program. And THAT is what will be required in order for you to successfully graduate.

Basically (echo!): Moving from THEORY to PRACTICE to MASTERY as we close the gap between who we’re capable of being and who we’re actually being as we become radiant Optimizing exemplars, heroically giving our greatest gifts in greatest service to the world.

The first part of the program is all about practicing for ourselves what we’ll support others with as coaches - everything from living in alignment with our personal values, identifying and going after SOUL goals, installing good habits (and deleting the bad ones), navigating obstacles, using challenges as fuel for growth, practicing our fundamentals (how we sleep, move and eat!), learning to LOVE what is, and giving our greatest gifts in greatest service.

THEN (lol!) in the second part of the program, we’ll take everything we’ve studied and practiced and learn to apply it via Coaching skills and tools. We’ll work through connecting with potential clients, structuring coaching relationships, how to use the Optimize tools (and worksheets!) in service to your clients, and how to serve profoundly as a world-class coach.

We’ll also cover how to use these Coaching skills and tools in non “coaching” roles: whether that’s as an executive, a manager, a team-mate, a (super) parent, a friend, or any other leadership-type role.

And, while you will be required to regularly connect with and support another Coach program participant (your “Optimize Buddy”), we don’t currently require you to coach for any number of hours or to follow a strict coaching protocol in order to be certified.

Brian Johnson is the founder, Chairman, and Philosopher in Residence at Optimize. He’s spent half of the last twenty years as a Founder/CEO creating (and selling) two market-leading social platforms (eteamz + Zaadz) and the other half as a Philosopher reading, writing, teaching. He’s the creator of PhilosophersNotes and was featured in the documentary on Joseph Campbell/the modern hero’s journey: Finding Joe.

Brian has dedicated his life to teaching us how to more consistently show up as the best version of ourselves—closing the gap between who we’re capable of being and who we’re actually being so that we can give our greatest gifts in heroic service to the world while creating a life of deep meaning, connection and joy.

Michael Balchan is the Head Coach and President at Optimize. He studied behavioral economics and psychology at Harvard University (including Tal Ben Shahar’s Positive Psychology and Michael Sandel’s moral philosophy course, Justice) and built a thriving 1:1 coaching practice using the Optimize protocol. He’s been a student of Brian’s for nearly a decade, using the Optimize Wisdom library to excel as a commodity-option trader, complete an Ironman, be a committed husband and father, and transform his and his client’s lives.

Michael is committed to helping you put theory into practice—for yourself and for anyone around you that you’re inspired to support—and to become a master at serving profoundly.

Optimize Coach is a 300-day, semi-self-paced online program. Each week Brian and Michael will share a new module for you to watch (or listen to), along with worksheets and tools for you to practice in your own life (and share with your clients too).

You can join sessions live, or watch the recordings at your own convenience.

Each day (technically 5/7 days a week) you’ll also be expected to practice fundamental habits of Optimal living - things like journaling, meditation, movement, optimal nutrition, and sleeping. And, each week, you’ll connect with your Optimize Buddy to practice coaching and provide additional support and accountability.

The first part of the Coach program - Mastery Series - will be filmed live (via Zoom) on Tuesdays at 9am PST. There will be around 60 minutes of wisdom, followed by a brief overview of the accompanying worksheets and practices. Video recordings will be made available 24-48 hours after the live session, and will stay in the Optimize Library. As an Optimize Coach, you can watch and participate in live Coaching with Brian sessions following the main content. They'll take place around 10:45am PST on the same day (We’ll take a short energy-boosting break in between.)

Once we complete the Mastery Portion of the program, the Coach Training Series and Live Coaching with Head Coach Michael (+ guests) will begin - taking place on Thursdays at 9am PST on the first three weeks of every month (with a scheduled off weeks in between).

Yep! We’ll send out reminders for every Coach session, as well as a follow-up with notes + worksheets + action items for the week. you'll also find a "What's Important Now" section in your coach dashboard with all the latest news and updates.

The Mastery Series is a self-paced, online program that also includes viewing-access to the live Coaching with Brian sessions.

Optimize Coach uses the Mastery Series as a key part of the curriculum, but we add additional components—like the ability to receive 1:1 Coaching from Brian (and Head Coach Michael) + Optimize Buddies + Coach Standards + group pacing + Coaching Training + Luminary Coaching (+ more!)—to provide additional levels of support, accountability, and training.

In addition, Coaches also get training and tools for helping others express the best versions of themselves more and more consistently—whether family, clients, teams, or organizations.

That phase of the program includes:

Coach program participants also get access to special live and interactive sessions featuring some of our favourite big thinkers including the ability to watch recordings of those sessions.

Yep! Just make sure that you’re ALL IN and want the deep level of accountability and support that comes with Coach.

You won’t have to declare whether or not you’re pursuing certification. And, if you do decide you’d like to earn a Diploma Declaration, you’ll also have the option to take your time with it beyond the 300 days. It will be ready for you when you’ve done what it takes to earn it.

Short answer: Yes.

Longer answer: Everyone has their own reasons for joining Coach.

Some do it because they want to master their own lives and reach increased levels of self-discipline, or health, or joy. Others want to be better leaders, managers, executives, teachers, or teammates.

And, of course, some do it because they wanted to learn coaching skills—either to start a new practice or expand an existing one.

Bottom line: Optimize Coach is a great resource for anyone looking to master themselves and/or support others—in any capacity.

We’re inspired by the astonishingly high standards of elite special forces training programs (SEALs, Rangers, etc.) and the importance of having a buddy throughout training and beyond. So, we’ll be connecting everyone in the program with an Optimize Buddy.

Basic idea: you’ll support and hold each other accountable to being and becoming your Optimus Best selves.

Previous participants in Optimize Coach said that having an Optimize Buddy was one of their favorite and most impactful parts of the program.

And for those of you seeking to be certified as Optimize coaches, one of your requirements will be that A) you maintain an Optimize Buddy relationship throughout the program, and B) that your buddy confirms you’ve been an awesome buddy at the end of the program.

We’ll be meeting in person to close the Coach program, celebrate our success, and (hopefully) break a record as the largest Spartan team EVER as we complete a Spartan Sprint together.

It all happens the weekend of December 4-6, 2020, in Los Angeles, CA. Travel and accommodation is at your expense, and there is an event fee of roughly $100USD. Last year this time together in person was EPIC!

Now.😄

Currently, enrollment in Optimize coach is only offered once a year. To get certified in 2020, join today!

We hope you do!