RWH061: How To Thrive No Matter What w/ Arnold Van Den Berg
Timestamps are as accurate as they can be but may be slightly off. We encourage you to listen to the full context.
Podcast Summary
This episode features Arnold Vandenberg, the star of the epilogue of "Richer, Wiser, Happier," sharing breakthrough insights about mastering the mind through techniques like one-pointed attention, flow states, and self-hypnosis. (06:25) Arnold reveals how his father's survival techniques from the death marches at Auschwitz sparked his lifelong 50-year study of the subconscious mind, and how recent discoveries about scientific validation of yogic practices have revolutionized his understanding.
- Main themes include the power of focused attention, breath work, self-hypnosis, and how controlling your mental state can transform every area of life from investing to athletic performance to overall happiness
Speakers
Arnold Vandenberg
Arnold Vandenberg is the founder of Century Management, a successful investment firm he has run for 50 years. Born in Amsterdam during WWII, he survived being smuggled into an orphanage while his parents were in Auschwitz concentration camp. Despite early challenges including malnutrition that affected his development, he became a champion rope climber and self-taught investor following Benjamin Graham's principles. (30:23)
William Green
William Green is the host of the Richer, Wiser, Happier podcast and author of the bestselling book "Richer, Wiser, Happier." He interviews the world's greatest investors and explores how to win in both markets and life, with Arnold Vandenberg featured prominently in his book's epilogue as an embodiment of a truly abundant life.
Key Takeaways
Master One-Pointed Attention for Peak Performance
Arnold's father survived Auschwitz death marches by focusing exclusively on moving his legs, discovering that extreme focus actually generated energy rather than depleting it. (10:47) This principle of "one-pointedness" - maintaining unwavering focus on a single object or task - is the foundation of extraordinary achievement. When you achieve this state, your brain releases seven powerful neurochemicals including endorphins (the bliss chemical), dopamine (motivation), and others that create optimal performance conditions. (70:08) Arnold applied this same focused intensity to become a champion athlete and successful investor.
Harness the Power of Self-Hypnosis for Daily Excellence
Arnold learned to hypnotize himself in just 10 days using a simple countdown technique from 100 to 1, which allowed him to take 20-30 minute "hypno-naps" that were equivalent to 3 hours of sleep. (51:04) This technique involves lying down, counting backwards while feeling your arms get heavy, and entering alpha/theta brain wave states (4-7 hertz). In these states, you can program positive suggestions directly into your subconscious mind. Arnold uses this daily, combining it with affirmations like "I am a loving, kind person, and I'm happy, healthy, wealthy, and wise." (100:05)
Transform Your Beliefs Through Conscious Programming
Your subconscious mind operates like a computer that accepts whatever you input without judgment, analysis, or argument. (96:41) Arnold discovered he could overcome physical limitations and mental blocks by repeatedly programming positive beliefs. He even used hypnosis to remove a psychological block preventing him from having children - after three sessions, his wife became pregnant within a month. (61:58) The key is understanding that repetition and emotional intensity during relaxed states can literally rewire your beliefs about what's possible.
Use Breath Work as Your Gateway to Flow States
Most people breathe 16 times per minute, which creates anxiety, but yogis can reduce this to just one breath per minute through practice. (13:00) Arnold recommends Dr. Weil's 4-7-8 breathing technique: inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds, exhale for 8 seconds, reducing your breathing to 3 times per minute. (37:55) Through consistent practice, Arnold doubled his lung capacity at age 86 from 2,200 to 4,500 milliliters. Proper breathing is the foundation of longevity and mental clarity - top scientists say lung capacity, not diet or exercise, is the primary determinant of how long and well you live.
Character and Truth Are Your Ultimate Foundation
Dostoevsky discovered in the Russian gulag that people with the highest character survived best under extreme conditions. (25:24) His core principle: "Above all, do not lie" because lying destroys your ability to discern truth in yourself and others, leading to loss of self-respect and ultimately the capacity to love. (26:54) Arnold applies this to investing - an analyst's ability to discern truth is more critical than intelligence. Character-based decision making, combined with mental training techniques, creates the foundation for both life and investment success.
Statistics & Facts
- Arnold's lung capacity doubled from 2,200 to 4,500 milliliters at age 86 through breathing exercises, when the normal range for his age group is considered excellent at just 2,200. (37:58)
- Stig Severinsen, a deep diver using yogic breathing techniques, can hold his breath for 22 minutes - far exceeding the 5-6 minutes most doctors consider the maximum human capacity. (35:07)
- The average person breathes 16 times per minute (a state of anxiety), while trained yogis can reduce this to just 1 breath per minute through practice, achieving profound states of calm and focus. (13:00)
