January 6, 2011 52 Comments

Is Julien Smith the New Tim Ferriss

I’m pretty darned biased on this one. Julien Smith wrote a New York Times Bestselling book with me. He also wrote a Wall Street Journal bestselling book with me. Okay, it’s the same book. But you now have my bias.

Julien Smith is also why I am pursuing my fitness and nutrition goals for 2011 with a renewed vigor. (Well, him and my doctor.) I’ve learned more from drafting behind Julien’s research and his recent stream of blog posts than I would have learned on my own.

So, why did I mention Tim Ferriss?

Improvement and Lifestyle Design is the Rage

I’ve met Tim Ferriss a few times so far, and I like him. He’s a really smart guy, really passionate, motivated to do some great stuff on his blog. Tim’s first book, THE FOUR HOUR WORK WEEK, was really really successful. His new book, THE FOUR HOUR BODY, looks to be poised to do darned well for itself, too. I’m thrilled for his success.

Tim experiments with lifestyle design, a term he coined (and a nifty one). Julien lives it. Since long before you knew a lot about Julien, he was experimenting with gatejumping in a lot of forms and methods. The way he lives his life today is the result of a lot of choices in his lifestyle as well as some very clever business moves. But where Tim shows you some ways to mess with your physiology and he gives you some experiments that showed you his success with business models that take less direct obvious effort than a 9-5, Julien lives that life.

And I guess it’s not really an either/or, but I’m going to stick with following Julien Smith closely on all that he does because I think that he’s showing me a smart way of living, and he’s taking away excuses that I used to use in various parts of my life.

Decide for yourself by reading more about Julien.

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http://decori.st Decorist

I hope he’s not the new Tim Ferriss. Tim smiles and doesn’t flip off the camera. Apparently this guy’s lifestyle design requires being pissed off.

http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

The photo is a bit of a joke. I had that from 2008, and had asked Julien for a recent pic, but he’s traveling, so I ran with that. He’s quite pleasant, actually. :)

http://twitter.com/JDoubleA JDoubleA

Honestly, I have no desire to even to see what this guy is about. Why? Simple, the photo used in this posting.

http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

I changed the photo. It was an inside joke between Julien and I, the photo, and I used it because I was teasing Julien for not sending me a better one. But I did, indeed, learn a lesson. : )

http://charis.danbutcher.com Dan Butcher

Chris, I, too, was put off by the original photo when I saw it in my feedreader. You made a wise decision to change the photos.

I’ll add that I think Julien’s got some great content on his blog, but I find the profanity off-putting–I don’t think it adds to his message and has the potential to alienate readers.
http://charis.danbutcher.com Dan Butcher

Chris, I, too, was put off by the original photo when I saw it in my feedreader. You made a wise decision to change the photos.

I’ll add that I think Julien’s got some great content on his blog, but I find the profanity off-putting–I don’t think it adds to his message and has the potential to alienate readers.

http://merlenepaynter.com Merlene

Julien always fascinates and educates. He’s such an original thinker. I know I’ve shared more of his posts than probably of anyone else the last few months and I’ve found myself quoting him to my teens more than a few times.
http://diyblogger.com/ Dino Dogan

I dont know either gentlemen personally but going by what you’re saying I cast my vote for Julian and here’s why. What people say or do is much less important than who they are.

We dont remember specific times and events, and even words uttered by Gandhi but we remember who he was and what he stood for.

We dont remember specific times and events, and even words uttered by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr (except maybe the “I had a dream” line) but we remember who he was and what he stood for.

We dont remember specific times and events, and even words uttered by Hitler but we remember who he was and what he stood for.

For good or bad, its not what we say or even do that leaves a mark, its who we are.

hope that wast too preachy…I’ve been up all night working on backlinks :-)
Sherman Rockwell

I have been following Julien for several months now and he is a brilliant thinker. He’s unpredictable and outspoken as well. But, he thinks through his posts and even his rants are logical. The one thing that makes Julien stand above the crowd is he doesn’t make excuses – he performs passionately.
http://www.margieclayman.com Marjorie Clayman

Aww, I liked the original photo. Well, I guess that says something about me.

Anyway, I thought Julien was Spiderman.
http://hannahsharvest.com Hannahmarcotti

It confuses me why anyone would be the new anyone else.

Aren’t we all doing what we do and trying to be the most amazing us we can be?

I haven’t really connected with either of them, though we have 4 hour body on the shelf and I subscribe to Julien’s blog.

I am glad that you are finding the drive and support to become healthier in 2011. I don’t disagree with the the bullets he wrote in his post, I just think there were some things missing. Such as each of us has a bio-individuality that must be addressed for long term success. And I think his tone spoke more to men than most women. Though not all men.

In creating a connection or a want to be informed or inspired by someone, you have to feel it. Julien will be someone that maybe takes me a bit more time to get, or ease into.

Chris Brogan, continues to be on the top of my list. I just would rather learn about people you love Chris, as themselves, and not in comparison to others.

xo

http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

It’s just a way at poking the connection/contrasts. I like your points, Hannah. : )

http://matthewm.org Matt Medeiros

And his blog writing is freaking awesome.

One of two NYT best selling authors I enjoy chatting with on Twitter :)
http://trafficcoleman.com/blog/official-black-seo-guy/ Black Seo Guy

Don’t know if he is the next Tim Ferriss, but if he keeps this up then he will be even bigger then Tim sooner or later..I like the blog also..

“Black Seo Guy “Signing Off”
http://trafficcoleman.com/blog/official-black-seo-guy/ Black Seo Guy

Don’t know if he is the next Tim Ferriss, but if he keeps this up then he will be even bigger then Tim sooner or later..I like the blog also..

“Black Seo Guy “Signing Off”
http://trafficcoleman.com/blog/official-black-seo-guy/ Black Seo Guy

Don’t know if he is the next Tim Ferriss, but if he keeps this up then he will be even bigger then Tim sooner or later..I like the blog also..

“Black Seo Guy “Signing Off”
http://damangmedia.com/ Matt Clark – Damang Media

You know it is just good to see people that push the limits of lifestyle design. The more people that can inspire us to get out of the box and stretch the way we live our life the better.

The trick is to get out up alongside or out in front, look to push those limits ourselves. The view is always clearer at the front of the pack! Thanks for sharing!
Anonymous

Chris, I usually agree with your posts but this one made me jump. Several reasons.
1. I think you are not doing Julien any favors when you say he is the new TF.

2. TF didn’t coin the term lifestyle design, it has been around for a while. Remember the American dream, that is the original lifestyle design. As for outsourcing Tim picked up on Thomas Friedman’s the World is Flat and AJ Jacobs My Outsourced life. I do agree with you Tim know how to market his books, he is very good a it.

Lifestyle design is a term which is used and abused these days, everyone does it and it seems to turn around a few very simple themes, leave your 9 to 5, go live in some remote country, write a blog and sell e-books.

Bring back the older version of Chris Brogan! I still enjoy reading you but I am not sure where you are going with this.

http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

What older version of Chris Brogan? Have you read the last handful of posts before this? It’s great that you disagree, and further, that you point out that Tim doesn’t own the term. But what do you mean about the older Chris Brogan?

Anonymous

I meant your previous posts, I subscribe to your blog so I enjoy receiving my two scoops of Brogan everyday and enjoy it. Until today. Keep going though, because I get suspicious when I agree with everything someone says :)

http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

What older version of Chris Brogan? Have you read the last handful of posts before this? It’s great that you disagree, and further, that you point out that Tim doesn’t own the term. But what do you mean about the older Chris Brogan?

http://www.twitter.com/ganeca Tim Gane (@ganeca)

I’ve been enjoying Julien stuff for some time now. I was turned onto his blog and writing because of the book the two of you wrote together. Really enjoy both your work. :) Keep it up.
http://twitter.com/susangiurleo susangiurleo

Based on Julien’s weight loss post, I”m tryinf to cut out sugar from my diet. This is hard. :-) Personally, I’ve never read Tim’s stuff – it feels too ‘packaged.’ And you are right, doing an experiment and writing a book about it is much different than living a unique life.

And as an aside, all this food talk actually makes me sad for the majority of Americans who have weird food issues. There’s no “magic bullet” diet. Eat less of everything, eat healthy stuff, treat yourself once in awhile, move your body more…now if I could just make that sexy enough to sell books :-).
http://twitter.com/susangiurleo susangiurleo

Based on Julien’s weight loss post, I”m tryinf to cut out sugar from my diet. This is hard. :-) Personally, I’ve never read Tim’s stuff – it feels too ‘packaged.’ And you are right, doing an experiment and writing a book about it is much different than living a unique life.

And as an aside, all this food talk actually makes me sad for the majority of Americans who have weird food issues. There’s no “magic bullet” diet. Eat less of everything, eat healthy stuff, treat yourself once in awhile, move your body more…now if I could just make that sexy enough to sell books :-).
Robin Mallery

Whatever it was/is that motivates you to “pursue your fitness and nutrition goals for 2011″, congrats. All of your life will be benefited as you move forward with renewed vigor. Best to you!
Robin Mallery

Whatever it was/is that motivates you to “pursue your fitness and nutrition goals for 2011″, congrats. All of your life will be benefited as you move forward with renewed vigor. Best to you!
http://www.debbieweil.com Debbie Weil

Thanks Chris. I’m a HUGE Julien fan and your little love note is right on target. In case you or he hasn’t noticed, the “Archive” link on his site doesn’t work. I read the latest blog post and then wanted to look at older posts. Couldn’t do it. Got an error message.
http://www.ryanhanley.com/about Ryan Hanley

I just picked Julien up on my RSS feed… I am constantly searching for Original Thinkers and I’m glad that I have found another one.

Thanks for bring him to my attention.

Ryan H.
http://www.ryanhanley.com/about Ryan Hanley

I just picked Julien up on my RSS feed… I am constantly searching for Original Thinkers and I’m glad that I have found another one.

Thanks for bring him to my attention.

Ryan H.
Anonymous

I’m thinking that to conclusively answer the question you pose, I’d have to know who Tim Ferriss is in the first place.
Anonymous

I’m thinking that to conclusively answer the question you pose, I’d have to know who Tim Ferriss is in the first place.
Anonymous

I’m thinking that to conclusively answer the question you pose, I’d have to know who Tim Ferriss is in the first place.
http://ClimbingEveryMountain.com Mary E. Ulrich

I just read a couple awesome posts on Julien’s blog. He talks a lot about clarity and experiements. That struck home.

Can’t remember if it was Sophicles who did “thought experiements” or Thomas Edison or both. I think that’s what I’m going to be thinking about as I begin my day. Thanks.
http://www.danieldecker.net Daniel Decker

I don’t know Julien but have indeed learned much from his blog and even though I am a heterosexual male who is married with two kids, I have to say he has cool eyes too. :) And… because I have kids, I must also admit that I think “King Julien” every time I see his name due to watching Madagascar (cartoon movie) multiple times. I digress… sorry.

Side note and real reason of my comment… one thing I am always impressed by with your relationship with Julien and others is how giving you are in lifting him/them up and pointing out the great things about them. I know a lot of influential people who won’t do that. Call it fear of sharing the spotlight or perhaps an internal insecurity that someone might like someone else more… not sure but you do it differently than most. I like it and I think it echoes that you’re more about WE than ME (you).
http://twitter.com/maryli22 Mary Li

Tim Ferriss is a genius. Period.

Not to say Julien isn’t one, but I can’t think straight and objectively about it right now with that picture. This is the first time I’ve matched the face to the voice on Media Hacks and now all the vulgar cursing is spitting out at me from that photo. Love it!
http://thehealthydesign.com Mike Marinelli

Julien’s writing over the past 6 weeks has been especially outstanding and provocative and it’s got me moving and I think that is its greatest value. He helps you identify and eliminate excuses. Once the excuses are gone, there are no barriers. You can only kid yourself for so long. Looking forward to your new book together!
http://bryanvillarin.com Bryan Villarin

I’m four days into the slow-carb because of Tim’s book, but I promise I’ll subscribe to Julien’s blog now. (Confession: I’ve been following Julien on Twitter for awhile.)

P.S. I realize Julien’s photo is a joke, but it’s pretty awesome. Nice work, Chris. :)

http://bryanvillarin.com Bryan Villarin

(I must have missed the original photo embedded in your post. Boo.)

Deborah Mourey

chris you and julien freakin’ rock and help me to focus and lighten up at the same time. hope you can feel the love. glad more ppl will read julien’s blog, it’s not for the faint of heart! deborah from rochester
Sarah Keogh

Why do you feel the need to put down someone in order to make your friend seem better? Surely Julien is good enough to stand on his own merit? Knocking copy is an easy out – in advertising and in blogs. You come across as suggesting that Tim is inauthentic – “…he experiments with lifestyle design”, whereas Julien is authentic “… lives it”. If Tim doesn’t live everything he writes about, I don’t know who does. BTW, I don’t know either Tim or Julien from Adam, but your cheap shot at Tim rankled.

http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

I know TIm. I’ve met him a bunch of times. I don’t feel he’s inauthentic. I believe he’s experimenting to prove that he can reach a successful goal. I don’t think he’s inauthentic. And it wasn’t a cheap shot. It was a comparison.
http://www.nourishingbyheart.com Gina

They both sound like snake oil salesmen in guru clothing.

http://www.TheDADvocateProject.com Anonymous

I’m such a fan of Julien. I couldn’t agre more that he us an example and pushes us far beyond what we are to become what we should be.
http://flavors.me/40deuce 40deuce

I’m a big fan of Julien’s, but perhaps I may have to follow him more closely to notice more of these things.
http://mrtunes.ca/blog Mr. Tunes

i was a little put-off by the tone of Julien’s post on losing weight in 2011, and since you’re reminding me of it again I will make a comment.

I found the whole thing a little childish, as if he had a bone to pick with Tim getting the attention again. This post is just a continuation of that attitude, and it wasn’t even written by him.

OTOH what i *do* like about this is something from the book ReWork – “pick a fight”. It gets people talking like myself!
http://twitter.com/RyanCritchett Ryan Critchett

I think Tim is absolutely unique to the world, just like you Chris, Me, Julien, Tony Robbins and Elmo!

This is very cool, I’ve never heard of this guy, he seems awesome though! I’ll read his stuff for sure!
http://www.redheadwriting.com The Redhead

I follow Julien because of one reason and one reason only: it’s impossible NOT to. His writing style hits home. As a writer and communicator, there’s no greater gift than someone’s words firing you up or turning you sideways. Julien consistently delivers.

I have no knowledge of his eating habits or lifestyle, except we’re both of the opinion that ink is alright. He inspires me to think. Write. And if he wants to get a taste of going fast and turning left on a bike with one gear and no brakes on 45 degree banking, he can find out about muy fit lifestyle. Until then, I’ll keep reading Julien – even if he was poised to become the next Hamburglar.
http://www.nourishingbyheart.com Gina

Right on Susan “There’s no “magic bullet” diet.” …and it is NOT about eating less and moving more the human body is much more complex than that, yes even more complex than eating low carb (eliminating sugar and flour). Step away from the gurus and read the science. Start with Good Calories Bad Calories by Gary Taubes and read deeper from his notes into the research. Why we get fat has been researched and documented for decades but never packaged as a “get rich (thin) quick scheme” so goes over the top of the general public’s heads.
http://martynchamberlin.com/blog/ Martyn Chamberlin…

Oh come on Chris. Tim makes better money than Julien. Tim is just as healthy – his muscle mass is greater than Julien’s. (Ok, j has a smaller frame, so maybe that’s not fair of me to say).

That being said, Julien is living a cooler story. He’s got a cooler blog. But Tim’s got a bigger audience, and some of them are key players, even in the “offline” world.

Bottom line: Julien will be the next Tim when Robert Scoble and Brian Clark interview him like they’ve done Tim.
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Is Julien Smith the New Tim Ferriss

Improvement and Lifestyle Design is the Rage

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