The Elite Performance Podcast

Hosted by Itamar Marani

Business Entrepreneurship Education

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Ex Israeli Special Forces, undercover agent and BJJ black belt, Itamar Marani, shares the actionable tactics to Elite Performance he’s honed from coaching 100+ 7-9 figure entrepreneurs and being mentored by The Mossad’s top performance psychologist. No motivational rah rah or biohacking nonsense, just clear systems to get clarity, uncover your blindspots and confidently execute at an elite level.

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60 recent

September 8, 202659 min

Special Forces Mindset From Scared to Strong: How to Build Courage in Your Kids | #92

How do you help your kids be brave when fear feels so big? Itamar and Ben get honest about parenting through fear. In this episode Itamar and Ben have an honest conversation about fear, as parents, not just as coaches. Itamar shares how he's translated his special ops lessons to fatherhood. Ben opens up about raising three kids 13, 14, and 19 who are bright and capable but sometimes hold themselves back in a fear bubble. It's not about pushing harder or lowering the standard. It's about feeling safe enough to try, and steady enough to keep going. What you'll learn for you & your kids: Why kids can't hear logic when emotions are high and how to calm the feeling first, together How to help your child tell real danger from just feeling uncomfortable with the swimming story that finally clicked How to hold a loving, high standard let them choose what they love, then stand with them while they do the hard part Why one small win I didn't listen to my body. I knew I didn't have to be scared builds real courage fast The simple ABC Triangle to catch big emotions early: Affect (how I feel), Body/Behavior (what my body does), Cognitive (what I'm telling myself) For parents to try this week: notice the spark early, name it together, question if it's always true, choose one small brave action, and move your body after to let the stress out. Connect with Ben: https://www.muscleintelligence.com/

August 25, 20261 hr 3 min

9-Figure Health Coach Shares Which Biohacks Make You Weak w/ Ben Pakulski | Elite Performance Podcast #91

"I couldn't care less if you have a six pack or can run a four minute mile." Most people chasing performance end up dependent on it, one bad night of sleep or a missed workout and the whole day falls apart. Ben Pakulski, who coaches nine-figure founders on physical and mental capacity, builds the opposite: people who don't need to feel optimized to function at the highest level. This episode is about the difference between optimizing for a number and building a body that can actually take on more, and why almost nobody starts there. Topics Covered: Why 99% of biohacking creates a psychological trap instead of an edge The 4 capacities Ben uses to diagnose why high performers quietly plateau What actually happens in the body and mind of a founder who's quietly burning out from unsustainable highs and lows The 3 things Ben stabilizes in every client before anything else matters Why "solving for trajectory, not outcome" changes everything Connect with Ben: https://www.muscleintelligence.com/ * Get the "Elite Performance" book at https://itamarmarani.com/book/ If you’re ready to get unstuck and take both yourself and your business to the next level, apply to The Arena here: https://itamarmarani.com/apply Get the Extreme Clarity Tool To Uncover The #1 Action To Grow Your Business: https://itamarmarani.com/clarity Sign up for “3 Quick Ideas Tuesday” (weekly 2 minute newsletter around mindset and emotional fortitude): https://itamarmarani.com/3-ideas/

August 11, 202640 min

The Special Forces Framework for Tough Conversations w/ Niels Zee “Blue on Blue Manipulation” | Elite Performance Podcast #90

Most entrepreneurs mistake discomfort for danger. That single mistake keeps them from having difficult conversations, making bold decisions, and building the business they actually want. Entrepreneur Niels Zee shares how one breath hold exercise exposed the same survival instincts driving his business decisions, and how learning to stay calm under water changed the way he leads, negotiates, and handles conflict in his business. In this episode, Niels breaks down how he resolved years of tension with his co-founder, why avoiding uncomfortable conversations quietly drains your ambition, and the exact mental frameworks that let you perform when the pressure is highest. Topics covered: The framework for difficult conversations that keeps everyone calm and cool headed How to spot hidden resentment that destroys motivation How to become 4.3x more capable in 2 days Connect with Niels: https://www.linkedin.com/in/niels-zee/ Read the article: https://itamarmarani.com/how-to-become-4-3x-more-capable-in-two-days/ * Get the "Elite Performance" book at https://itamarmarani.com/book/ If you’re ready to get unstuck and take both yourself and your business to the next level, apply to The Arena here: https://itamarmarani.com/apply Get the Extreme Clarity Tool To Uncover The #1 Action To Grow Your Business: https://itamarmarani.com/clarity Sign up for “3 Quick Ideas Tuesday” (weekly 2 minute newsletter around mindset and emotional fortitude): https://itamarmarani.com/3-ideas/

July 28, 202637 min

Why Entrepreneurs Stay Stuck w/ James Feng | Elite Performance Podcast #89

Knowing something is wrong and being able to fix it are two completely different things. James Feng built a great business. Solid results, real clients, genuine value. And still couldn't break past $300K. The block wasn't effort, he had plenty of that. He came on the pod to share how it was a belief wired in at 16 that had quietly shaped how he saw sales, risk, and what he was willing to go after… And how it took an outside perspective to surface it. This episode exposes what actually creates a plateau that’s common in so many entrepreneurs and what it takes to break one. Topics Covered: Why protecting your emotions costs you money How one early experience builds a rule you live by for decades without knowing it Why self-help has a ceiling Connect with James: https://www.instagram.com/jameszfeng/ * Get the "Elite Performance" book at https://itamarmarani.com/book/ If you’re ready to get unstuck and take both yourself and your business to the next level, apply to The Arena here: https://itamarmarani.com/apply Get the Extreme Clarity Tool To Uncover The #1 Action To Grow Your Business: https://itamarmarani.com/clarity Sign up for “3 Quick Ideas Tuesday” (weekly 2 minute newsletter around mindset and emotional fortitude): https://itamarmarani.com/3-ideas/

July 14, 202634 min

How Top Entrepreneurs Stay Calm and Negotiate Better Deals w/ Antoine Rousseaux | Elite Performance Podcast #88

"When results dip, you think: let me occupy my brain with something new that I don't have rejection on yet. Nothing has failed there. It feels safer. It is the recipe for disaster." Most entrepreneurs are basing their confidence on the wrong thing, and it's costing them deals, momentum, and peace of mind. Crypto and media entrepreneur Antoine Rousseaux breaks down why skill confidence beats revenue confidence when it comes to deal making. In this episode, Antoine reveals how he navigated extreme crypto market volatility, built a media-first business from scratch, and discovered how peace of mind can be a revenue multiplier, not a luxury. Topics covered: Why shiny object syndrome is a self-trust problem, not a focus problem How patience, built on skill confidence, wins negotiations before they start The "offseason" business strategy: how to build your war chest during slow or volatile markets Why your entrepreneur mindset is worth more than your current revenue stream Connect with Antoine: https://www.youtube.com/@HandsomeFinance https://x.com/AntoineRSX * Get the "Elite Performance" book at https://itamarmarani.com/book/ If you’re ready to get unstuck and take both yourself and your business to the next level, apply to The Arena here: https://itamarmarani.com/apply Get the Extreme Clarity Tool To Uncover The #1 Action To Grow Your Business: https://itamarmarani.com/clarity Sign up for “3 Quick Ideas Tuesday” (weekly 2 minute newsletter around mindset and emotional fortitude): https://itamarmarani.com/3-ideas/

June 30, 202640 min

From One Man Army to Portfolio CEO w/ Alan Gould | Elite Performance Podcast #87

"I didn't expect it to hit as hard again." Alan shifted from operator to executive thinking after his first run through the Arena program, but there was an even bigger shift ahead of him. He came on the pod after his second time in the program to discuss humility, ongoing personal development and how it all comes together in your business. Topics Covered: Why staying in operator mode felt like productivity and was quietly strangling growth How emotional rewards sabotage the goals you say matter most Why feeling competent is one of the most dangerous traps a founder can fall into Connect with Alan: https://www.salespulse.com.au/ * Get the "Elite Performance" book at https://itamarmarani.com/book/ If you’re ready to get unstuck and take both yourself and your business to the next level, apply to The Arena here: https://itamarmarani.com/apply Get the Extreme Clarity Tool To Uncover The #1 Action To Grow Your Business: https://itamarmarani.com/clarity Sign up for “3 Quick Ideas Tuesday” (weekly 2 minute newsletter around mindset and emotional fortitude): https://itamarmarani.com/3-ideas/

June 16, 202653 min

Scaling to Eight Figures: The Identity Shift Every Founder Needs w/ Natalia Scheidegger | Elite Performance Podcast #86

"I was afraid coaching would reveal the real blocker was me." Most founders never say that out loud, but Natalia Scheidegger had the courage to face that and overcome it. Natalia’s business was growing and she was hitting milestones, but she sensed she was capable of more, and decided to find out. This episode is about what it takes to close the gap between the founder you are and the one your business needs you to become to achieve your dreams. Topics Covered: Why the narrative "I'm being held back by X" is almost always a lie you're telling yourself What it actually costs to keep hiding behind hope instead of demanding an answer from yourself The weekly accountability structure that makes the difference between good intentions and real change Connect with Natalia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalia-scheidegger/ * Get the "Elite Performance" book at https://itamarmarani.com/book/ If you’re ready to get unstuck and take both yourself and your business to the next level, apply to The Arena here: https://itamarmarani.com/apply Get the Extreme Clarity Tool To Uncover The #1 Action To Grow Your Business: https://itamarmarani.com/clarity Sign up for “3 Quick Ideas Tuesday” (weekly 2 minute newsletter around mindset and emotional fortitude): https://itamarmarani.com/3-ideas/

June 9, 202610 min

We’re Back! And Why Momentum Can Be Dangerous | Elite Performance Podcast #85

Momentum feels like traction. But it can also keep you locked into the wrong things, long past the point you should have stopped. And the scariest part? It still feels like progress. In this episode, Itamar breaks down the shadow side of momentum and how to make sure it’s working for you and not against you. You'll learn why "just keep going" is sometimes the worst advice you can follow, and what to do instead. What you'll learn: Why momentum can be a trap disguised as traction The critical difference between execution mode and decision mode (you can't do both well at the same time) What "performance anchors" are and how they quietly drag down your output * Get the "Elite Performance" book at https://itamarmarani.com/book/ Check out the new YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ItamarElitePerformance If you’re ready to get unstuck and take both yourself and your business to the next level, apply to The Arena here: https://itamarmarani.com/apply Get the Extreme Clarity Tool To Uncover The #1 Action To Grow Your Business: https://itamarmarani.com/clarity Sign up for “3 Quick Ideas Tuesday” (weekly 2 minute newsletter around mindset and emotional fortitude): https://itamarmarani.com/3-ideas/

April 1, 20265 min

The Audiobook Is Free This Week (I.e The Smartest ROI You Can Make With 3 Hours) | Elite Performance Podcast #84

The Elite Performance audiobook is now live. This week only, it's completely free. No opt-in, no paywall. Just hit play. After Friday midnight, it goes to Audible. https://itamarmarani.com/audio-free/

January 21, 202620 min

2025 Debrief: What This Year Cost, Taught, and Clarified | Elite Performance Podcast #83

Emotions that don't drive action are pointless. They just drain your energy. In this episode, Itamar opens up about a challenging year and the lessons learned when his old playbook stopped working, how small integrity compromises create massive energy drains and lessons to move forward. Topics covered: Why unexercised emotions are the worst of both worlds How identity can trap you when you need mobility The real price of exceptional results nobody talks about Why he turned down money to prioritize family time If you have read the book, Elite Performance, and would be open to leaving an honest review, you can do so here.