Jason Karp was living what he thought was a successful life in his 20s. He graduated near the top of his class from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and was well on his way to becoming a successful hedge fund manager. But when he noticed a series of health issues cropping up – including the frightening diagnosis that he would go blind by the age of 30 – he made a series of life-altering decisions focused on his health and wellness. On this episode Karp dives deep into the changes he made that saved his life, and offers valuable insights into what you can do to live a healthier life.
Available Now on: YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Transcript
Karp is the Founder and CEO of HumanCo., a private holding company that invests in and builds brands focused on healthier living and sustainability, including Snow Days, Cosmic Bliss, and Against The Grain. He also co-founded Hu Products and Hu Kitchen, and Hu is now one of the fastest growing snacking companies in the U.S. with a strict focus on transparent, simple ingredients to help everyone live a healthier life. Prior to founding Hu, Karp was the founder CEO of Tourbillon Capital Partners, an investment fund that managed over $4 billion.
Here are a few highlights from our conversation:
So there was an old, old quote basically about [the idea] that everybody has something to teach you, regardless of who they are.
I had three teachers through high school that had a profound impact on me because they saw something in me that I didn’t see.
…you have a few moments in your life that change the trajectory of your life forever.
And it’s all about how you position your board without necessarily knowing what’s coming. Now, chess is what’s called a “deterministic” game.
It’s not that hard work necessarily makes you luckier. It’s that putting in a lot of work positions you so that you will see more opportunities and be prepared to pounce on those opportunities because you’re prepared.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro
01:10 – Jason’s childhood
10:26 – Jason’s quote collection
13:50 – What happened in college that changed Jason’s trajectory
36:37 – What Jason learned about chess and decision making
48:48 – What most people miss about financial bubbles
55:00 – How Jason almost died…
01:03:04 – On Jason’s health and clean eating mission
01:11:30 – The problems with dairy and gluten
01:24:11 – On Jason’s health food business
01:42:11 – Why Jason is so hands-on in his businesses
01:45:36 – On Jason’s ingredients to success
