Episode
E189: Whoop Founder: How I Built A $3.6 BILLION Company & BEAT Apple! Will Ahmed
Description
Will Ahmed is the founder of Whoop, the fitness monitoring app worn by LeBron James and Michael Phelps, and which goes toe to toe with Apple, Google and Amazon. Will is the classic example that business and entrepreneurial drive follow on from being obsessed with a problem. After repeatedly getting injured in his college sports career, Will became obsessed with understanding his own body. He read over five hundred medical papers and realised the product he was pining for didn’t exist, so he invented it. Will has one of the most original perspectives on how to bring your personality to your business that we’ve ever seen. Employees at Whoop get a bonus if their sleep is good, and the company is ruthless in its priorities to make sure it’s only focused on a couple of things at a time. All of this means Whoop has some of the best wearable tech on the market, despite only a fraction of the resources of its competitors. Topics: Early years What was it that made you obsessed with optimising performance? Are you a curious person? Your business becoming your identity How to stay calm in the chaos Did you have doubt in the early days? Co-founders The most difficult time for you Like style hacks - your day to day routines Heart rate variability Blue light blocking Strain on the body Employee sleep bonus How do you keep your innovative nature when growing Focusing Competition The importance of the right investors We both hate networking Listening to feedback with a different perspective Being counterintuitive Were you wrong about anything with Whoop? Offers to buy whoop Whats next The last guest question Will: https://bit.ly/3VX7chq Whoop: https://bit.ly/3F46h97 Wait list for The Diary - add your name here: bit.ly/3fUcF8q Watch the episodes on Youtube: https://g2ul0.app.link/3kxINCANKsb Follow us on Telegram: https://g2ul0.app.link/E5re0ADNKsb Sponsors: Amex - https://bit.ly/3TATNKc Huel - https://g2ul0.app.link/G4RjcdKNKsb Mercedes-Benz - https://bit.ly/3yXTQI1 Craftd - https://g2ul0.app.link/gZ8in6Dsvsb
Chapters
The founder of Whoop shares insights on building a $3.6 billion company and the company's approach to health monitoring, as well as counterintuitive decisions made along the way.
00:00 - 00:38 (00:38)
Summary
The founder of Whoop shares insights on building a $3.6 billion company and the company's approach to health monitoring, as well as counterintuitive decisions made along the way.
EpisodeE189: Whoop Founder: How I Built A $3.6 BILLION Company & BEAT Apple! Will Ahmed
PodcastThe Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
A discussion on the physiological effects of overreaching and burnout in the tech industry, how technology has evolved and the challenges of choosing a career in tech versus finance.
00:38 - 10:11 (09:32)
Summary
A discussion on the physiological effects of overreaching and burnout in the tech industry, how technology has evolved and the challenges of choosing a career in tech versus finance.
EpisodeE189: Whoop Founder: How I Built A $3.6 BILLION Company & BEAT Apple! Will Ahmed
PodcastThe Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
As a young entrepreneur, it is important to do as much work as possible to build up confidence and understand that the learning will come fast once you make the commitment.
10:11 - 23:13 (13:02)
Summary
As a young entrepreneur, it is important to do as much work as possible to build up confidence and understand that the learning will come fast once you make the commitment. Disassociating one's identity from the company is also crucial.
EpisodeE189: Whoop Founder: How I Built A $3.6 BILLION Company & BEAT Apple! Will Ahmed
PodcastThe Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
The first seven years of building a startup are enormously hard, from a technology development and capital raising standpoint.
23:13 - 30:58 (07:45)
Summary
The first seven years of building a startup are enormously hard, from a technology development and capital raising standpoint. It is important for co-founders to have commitment, intensity, humility, and recognize that they may not have all the answers.
EpisodeE189: Whoop Founder: How I Built A $3.6 BILLION Company & BEAT Apple! Will Ahmed
PodcastThe Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
The CEO reflects on a difficult time where the company was struggling financially and talks about the perspective it gave her on facing future challenges with gratitude and humility.
30:58 - 37:27 (06:28)
Summary
The CEO reflects on a difficult time where the company was struggling financially and talks about the perspective it gave her on facing future challenges with gratitude and humility.
EpisodeE189: Whoop Founder: How I Built A $3.6 BILLION Company & BEAT Apple! Will Ahmed
PodcastThe Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
Tim Ferriss shares his personal morning rituals that set him up for success, including meditation, exercise, hot and cold transitions, and gratitude.
37:27 - 41:52 (04:25)
Summary
Tim Ferriss shares his personal morning rituals that set him up for success, including meditation, exercise, hot and cold transitions, and gratitude.
EpisodeE189: Whoop Founder: How I Built A $3.6 BILLION Company & BEAT Apple! Will Ahmed
PodcastThe Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
WHOOP uses heart rate variability to monitor physical health by measuring factors like dehydration, poor diet, heavy exercise, and psychological stress that can decrease it.
41:52 - 50:40 (08:47)
Summary
WHOOP uses heart rate variability to monitor physical health by measuring factors like dehydration, poor diet, heavy exercise, and psychological stress that can decrease it. This tool can also help predict future heart attacks and detect potential deception in lie detection tests used by the CIA.
EpisodeE189: Whoop Founder: How I Built A $3.6 BILLION Company & BEAT Apple! Will Ahmed
PodcastThe Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
The seven hours spent in bed are divided into time spent awake, in light sleep, slow-wave sleep or REM sleep, and the difference can significantly affect performance and mood.
50:40 - 56:51 (06:10)
Summary
The seven hours spent in bed are divided into time spent awake, in light sleep, slow-wave sleep or REM sleep, and the difference can significantly affect performance and mood. Wearing blue light blocking glasses can help boost REM and slow-wave sleep according to WHOOP.
EpisodeE189: Whoop Founder: How I Built A $3.6 BILLION Company & BEAT Apple! Will Ahmed
PodcastThe Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
The importance of sleep in fitness and physical activities is highlighted wherein how to get REM sleep, get the right supplements, and incorporate mindfulness and breathing techniques can impact recovery is explained.
56:51 - 1:02:11 (05:20)
Summary
The importance of sleep in fitness and physical activities is highlighted wherein how to get REM sleep, get the right supplements, and incorporate mindfulness and breathing techniques can impact recovery is explained.
EpisodeE189: Whoop Founder: How I Built A $3.6 BILLION Company & BEAT Apple! Will Ahmed
PodcastThe Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
Technology companies often suffer from scope creep when introducing new products, as they try to pack in more features and capabilities.
1:02:11 - 1:12:14 (10:02)
Summary
Technology companies often suffer from scope creep when introducing new products, as they try to pack in more features and capabilities. By sticking to first principles and maintaining focus, companies can avoid losing sight of their original identity and purpose.
EpisodeE189: Whoop Founder: How I Built A $3.6 BILLION Company & BEAT Apple! Will Ahmed
PodcastThe Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
Building a successful product requires intense focus and attention to detail, and success can sometimes lead to arrogance and the belief that an individual can abandon that level of intensity.
1:12:14 - 1:22:03 (09:49)
Summary
Building a successful product requires intense focus and attention to detail, and success can sometimes lead to arrogance and the belief that an individual can abandon that level of intensity. However, it's important to continue dreaming and exploring new directions for the company.
EpisodeE189: Whoop Founder: How I Built A $3.6 BILLION Company & BEAT Apple! Will Ahmed
PodcastThe Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
The importance of managing your board and investors when things go wrong, and building a positive identity for your company.
1:22:03 - 1:29:25 (07:21)
Summary
The importance of managing your board and investors when things go wrong, and building a positive identity for your company. Aligning with investors on the purpose of the company and capital is crucial.
EpisodeE189: Whoop Founder: How I Built A $3.6 BILLION Company & BEAT Apple! Will Ahmed
PodcastThe Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
Will Ahmed, founder of Whoop, shares his insights on the importance of balancing gratitude with ambition, and how challenges can ultimately help you find your identity as an entrepreneur.
1:29:26 - 1:44:46 (15:20)
Summary
Will Ahmed, founder of Whoop, shares his insights on the importance of balancing gratitude with ambition, and how challenges can ultimately help you find your identity as an entrepreneur.
EpisodeE189: Whoop Founder: How I Built A $3.6 BILLION Company & BEAT Apple! Will Ahmed
PodcastThe Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
The Mercedes-Benz EQ, an all electric car range, is changing the game in terms of sustainable benefits for businesses.
1:44:46 - 1:46:35 (01:49)
Summary
The Mercedes-Benz EQ, an all electric car range, is changing the game in terms of sustainable benefits for businesses. Through their innovative next generation technology, they are striving to create a better tomorrow.