Amir is Co-founder and CEO at Virtuleap, a VR startup that unlocks neuroscience in order to detect and delay the early onset of cognitive illnesses like Alzheimer’s. Previous to Virtuleap, Amir founded Gameguise, a mobile games studio based in Dubai, and Time Dirham, the first social impact startup to introduce time banking to the Middle East. He is an alumnus of York University and THNK School of Creative Leadership. Amir has been a contributing writer to tech blogs like VentureBeat and Tech Crunch on the topics of emerging tech, spatial computing, and startup ecosystems.

In this episode, Jason and Amir discuss:

• The role of virtual reality in the detection and potential delay of cognitive illnesses, exemplified by Virtuleap
• The cultivation of gratefulness and the significance of being present in everyday life
• Amir's personal and professional journey leading to the creation of Virtuleap and the fusion of VR with neuroscience
• Addressing the cognition crisis with VR tools designed for cognitive enhancement and emotional well-being
• The contrast between the negative effects of addictive social media and the constructive use of VR technology for cognitive development

Key Takeaways:

• Virtual reality holds significant promise in the early detection and treatment of cognitive health issues. Its immersive and interactive nature can aid in early diagnosis and support treatment processes.
• Gratefulness and mindfulness in daily life are crucial in maintaining meaningful relationships and personal well-being.
• Entrepreneurial ventures can emerge from diverse cultural experiences, contributing to innovative solutions in technology.
• Gamified cognitive training within virtual reality can offer a multifaceted approach to improving mental health and focus.
• Mindful technology such as Virtuleap's VR programs can counterbalance the negative impacts of social media on attention and cognition.

“If you notice a cognitive deficit, like an inability to concentrate, and work to compensate for it, it can help with emotional regulation. These aspects are deeply interconnected, and we're currently experiencing a cognition crisis. Our tool increases awareness of cognitive performance as an indicator of mental health. With this awareness, you can take action, because without it, there's no opportunity for improvement. ”

- Amir Bozorgzadeh

Connect with Amir Bozorgzadeh:

Website: https://virtuleap.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirboz/

Email: amir@virtuleap.com

Connect with Steve and Jason:

LinkedIn: Jason or Steve

Website: Rewire, Inc.: Transformed Thinking

Email: grow@rewireinc.com

Show notes by: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Mike Kaeding, the CEO of Norhart, a pioneering $200M construction company, has a deeply personal and driven path in real estate. His journey began in the heart of a family business founded by his parents. Life took an unexpected turn when his father passed away shortly after he joined. Suddenly, he found himself at the helm, not by choice but by necessity, with the immense responsibility of leading a business in an industry he was still learning about.

Today, Norhart has grown from 80 to over 1,000 units, creating $230M in assets. This growth is a testament to his dedication to change, efficiency, and sustainability in construction. He is not just constructing buildings; he is constructing a better future, addressing the US housing affordability crisis with innovation and determination.

In this episode Jason and Mike discuss:

• The vision and strategies of Norhart in addressing the US real estate affordability crisis through innovation
• The impact of Mike's childhood and family values on his work ethic and leadership in real estate
• The transformative role of hiring top talent with a focus on skills, cultural fit, and organizational values alignment
• The significance of creating a supportive company culture, offering top-market benefits, and the power of vulnerability in team dynamics
• Approaches for overcoming business challenges, including the application of lean manufacturing principles and embracing stress and failures as growth opportunities

Key Takeaways:

• Norhart's commitment to solving the affordability crisis is rooted in innovation and learning from manufacturing giants like Toyota.
• Cultivating gratitude and familial influence is integral to Mike's business approach. These values also play a crucial role in his personal growth.
• Embracing past reluctance and personal challenges has been crucial for Mike in his journey to impactful leadership.
• Hiring strategies at Norhart focus on trial periods, peer evaluations, and clear KPIs to ensure talent density and value alignment.
• Personal and professional growth is nurtured through embracing vulnerability, continuous feedback, and maintaining supportive relationships.

“You're not going to have the fortitude to get through it unless what you're doing is something you truly love and truly believe in. You need that inner energy to make it through. If you're just doing your job to make a bunch of money, when things get tough, it will be too easy to quit. ”

- Mike Kaeding

Connect with Mike Kaeding:

Website: https://www.norhart.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikekaeding/

Mike’s Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/zero-to-unicorn/id1685311966

Connect with Steve and Jason:

LinkedIn: Jason or Steve

Website: Rewire, Inc.: Transformed Thinking

Email: grow@rewireinc.com

Show notes by: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Jason is a private fund manager overseeing over $300 million in multifamily real estate and an active real estate syndicator and investor. Since 2017, his company, Yarusi Holdings, has amassed over 3,000 apartments and commercial real estate units. Jason has built and exited multiple companies, including those in construction, restaurants, a brewery, and multiple large apartment communities. He is an avid ultra runner and workout enthusiast, hosts The Multifamily Live Podcast, and runs the 7 Figure Multifamily Mastermind. He wakes up daily at 4:32 AM and, most importantly, is a husband and a father to three amazing kids.

In this episode, Jason Abell and Jason Yarusi discuss:

• Jason Yarusi's journey from a shy, unconfident kid to a successful entrepreneur
• The benefits of multifamily real estate investing through syndication
• Scaling and hiring challenges in the real estate industry
• The importance of leading by example and empowering team members
• The '4321' morning routine for reducing chaos and making better decisions

Key Takeaways:

• Syndication allows investors to benefit from commercial real estate without managing the assets themselves.
• Yarusi Holdings helps investors get into commercial real estate by following a proven system. Their approach ensures a structured and successful entry into the market.
• Typical multifamily real estate investments involve a 5–7-year hold period and targeted 13-17% average annual returns.
• Operating from a position of gratitude enables better problem-solving. This approach helps in effectively facing challenges.
• Taking action and stepping into the unknown can lead to discovering the right direction in life. Embrace uncertainty to uncover new opportunities and insights.

“Don't be afraid to take a step into the unknown. It may feel like jumping off a ten-story building, but it's often just stepping off the curb. The first step is everything – it guides you, corrects you, and leads you toward action, which is the answer to all of life's questions.”

- Jason Yarusi

Connect with Jason Yarusi:

Websites: https://www.jasonyarusi.com/ , https://www.yarusiholdings.com/ , https://www.7figuremultifamily.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonyarusi/

Jason’s Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/multifamily-live/id1228337141

Connect with Steve and Jason:

LinkedIn: Jason or Steve

Website: Rewire, Inc.: Transformed Thinking

Email: grow@rewireinc.com

Show notes by: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.