The Zack Arnold Podcast

Prioritizing sleep is absolutely essential if you want to consistently generate creative thoughts and stay focused (and no...caffeine and Red Bull are not adequate replacements). But what options do you have if you work insane hours and getting the right amount of sleep isn't always an option? The next step is finding way to improve the  quality of your sleep. If you missed the episode with Sh...

In many creative industries it is not uncommon to wear a 'Sleep Deprivation Badge of Honor' to the office every morning and champion how hard you work despite barely getting any sleep. Let me put this simply...this needs to stop. NOW. There is nothing more detrimental to your energy levels, your productivity, your focus, and your creativity than sleep deprivation. And beyond how poor sleep...

If you've ever found yourself stumbling to reach the finish line and you often fail to achieve your most important goals (don't worry, you're no different than the 92% of people who also don't achieve their goals), the problem isn't you, it isn't lack of "willpower," and it's not because you don't have any motivation. The problem is that you haven't prop...

Grit. Determination. Perseverance. Are these qualities you can build, or are you just born with them? In today's episode I interview the founder and CEO of The Spartan Race   Joe De Sena. We discuss his background starting several businesses (including being a pool boy for the mob as well as making women's clothing), why and how he started the Spartan Race, and most importantly, how to bui...

I'm commonly asked, "How in the world do you balance so many different projects at once?" In this episode I give away my secret weapon and the foundation of my entire productivity system - GTD. In my never ending quest to eliminate as much busy work from my life as possible and take clear action towards my goals, I've spent years navigating the world of productivity and learning ev...

If you work in a creative profession and put your heart and soul into everything you do, burnout (and ultimately depression) seems inevitable. You work crazy hours, you eat crap, your deadlines are insane, and you're stuck in front of a computer for what seems like an eternity. But creative burnout isn't as inevitable as you might think. Even though you may feel like you're spinning yo...

It's no secret: Sitting all day just plain sucks.  But when working an intensely creative job for long hours, what other options do you have? The good news is there are now TONS of options, and if you're not sure where to start, this episode is your first step. If you have any interest in leveling up your energy, your focus, your mental stamina (and possibly even saving your life), you&#39...

Creativity and mental health issues go together like peanut butter and jelly...or do they? According to the"Mad Genius Paradox," that may not be as true as we think. In the inaugural episode of the Optimize Yourself podcast I dive deep into the connection between creativity and mental health with Dr. Edison de Mello, the founder of the Akasha Center for Integrative Medicine in Santa Monica...

If you're a "creative professional" the chances are extremely high that you live in the dark. As a film editor, I have to spend all day in a dark room...it's just a requirement of the job. And while many people in my profession like to joke about occasionally exposing themselves to that "funny glowing ball in the sky," there's nothing funny about the long term effects o...

The standing desk revolution is upon us, but the number one complaint I hear from those who convert is that the transition is painful, and standing for long periods of time can get uncomfortable very quickly. After years of searching for a solution for myself, I have finally solved these problems thanks to the Topo Mat . This is the best anti-fatigue mat I've ever used. It's literally like...

Welcome to Optimize Yourself! If you’re a first-time listener, I’m grateful to have you with me and I appreciate you taking a little bit of time out of your crazy day to focus on finding a little balance and sanity amidst the chaos of 21st century living. And if you’re a longtime listener of my previous podcast Fitness In Post , welcome back. If you enjoy this introductory episode and you’re excit...

This episode is the latest Q&A episode with my trusty sidekick Natalie Boschan, and in this episode we answer the question “How do I know when it’s worth it to take a great career opportunity that might mean sacrificing time with my family?” plus I reveal big news for the future of the Fitness In Post program. Spoiler Alert: This is the final episode of the Fitness In Post podcast. Now before...

"What is ACE, how do I become a member, and what are the benefits?" are common questions I'm asked often by fellow film editors (that I've also asked myself). Beyond simply breaking down the criteria for entry into the most prestigious organization in the post-production industry, in this episode I speak with Steve Rivkin, ACE President and editor of such films as Avatar, Pirates o...

Let’s be honest...many of the poor habits that we have living in front of our computers did not materialize overnight. Instead they formed very slowly over years and years, and most likely many of the bad habits that you carry with you today started way back in college, or when you were a recent graduate killing yourself trying to “make it” in the film industry. Recently I was approached by Austin...

Let’s be honest...many of the poor habits that we have living in front of our computers did not materialize overnight. Instead they formed very slowly over years and years, and most likely many of the bad habits that you carry with you today started way back in college, or when you were a recent graduate killing yourself trying to “make it” in the film industry. Recently I was approached by Austin...

Film editing is a magical art form that very few people truly understand. Frankly, there are people within the film industry that don't understand the power the editor yields in shaping the finished product. In this episode I have an in-depth conversation with Steven Hullfish, a feature film and tv editor, instructor, and author of multiple books on editing (and the entire post-production proc...

Let's face it: When you routinely work 16 hours a day in front of a computer, one of the greatest challenges is maintaining a healthy diet. On Monday morning you resolve to do better this week, but as the deadlines pile on and the time begins to disappear, your willpower quickly erodes and you'll grab whatever you can quickly to keep moving. If you're lucky it's Chinese or Thai pro...

No matter how passionate, energetic, and dedicated you are to your creative profession, you will inevitably reach a point of exhaustion and burnout. It happens to the best of us including me . In today’s episode I have a conversation with post-production guru Michael Kammes that runs the gamut from tech all the way to really in-depth and honest conversations about mental health. If you’ve ever fou...

As a creative professional you most likely fuel yourself on a daily basis with caffeine and afternoon sugar rushes, you fend off brain fog and the inevitable afternoon nap, and you'll spend however long it takes to make your latest project perfect (whether you're getting paid or not). But how is your modern lifestyle not only affecting your general health but also your brain health? In thi...

I’m often asked via social media, via email, and in my member coaching calls about proper posture at a seated or standing workstation. Where should my elbows go? What’s the best desk chair? Why do my shoulders hurt? Why is my lower back on fire all the time? In this episode I have a conversation with Zeena Dhalla, a certified posture specialist, self-proclaimed posture geek, and the founder of the...

In this episode I have a conversation with Nick Harauz, a certified Adobe, Apple, and Avid trainer. And for those of you listening that aren’t specifically in the editing field, that’s like saying Nick teaches people how to drive Ferrari’s, Mercedes, and BMW’s. Teaching one is tough, but knowing how to teach all three effectively? That’s quite an accomplishment. Nick is also an author, graphic des...

This episode is yet another installment of the Q&A series with my trusty sidekick Natalie Boschan. In this episode we discuss the psychology behind pursuing your passion as opposed to just getting the job done, we chat about the dangerous and slippery slope of devaluing yourself just to land the next gig, we talk about ways to stay active while traveling, and we also addressing the giant quest...

If you’re sitting while reading this and grimacing at lower back pain, neck tension, or you experience regular headaches, you’d be surprised at how easy it is to alleviate all of these issues in just a few minutes a day…right at your desk. In today’s interview I chat with returning guest Dr. Sadie Sanders, a doctor of chiropractic, biomechanical guru, and the CEO of Health & Human Performance...

Award-winning editor Jeffrey Ford has worked on some of the biggest films on the planet that have amassed multiple BILLIONS of dollars at the box office. His short list of recent credits includes Captain America: Civil War , The Avengers , The Avengers: Age of Ultron , and Ironman 3 , just to name a select few. And you would be right if you assumed that editing films like these is an all-consuming...

Do you know the difference between a thermometer and a thermostat? And seriously, what the heck does that have to do with building teams anyway? Why do some teams with similar talent levels succeed and others simply maintain? Why are some families more connected while others are pulling in opposite directions? And why do some companies expand with excitement and others just limp along? CULTURE. Gl...