Mike Tyson: How To Overcome Your Ego To Stop Suffering In Silence & Sabotaging Your Relationships

Exploring the deep-seated human need for external validation, Mike Tyson and Lewis Howes delve into the psyche behind ego, the wearing of masks, and the subsequent loss of true self.

Shedding the false identities and projections we use to fit in or seek approval

Mike Tyson humorously notes the extent of people's egos by saying they would want to attend their own funerals to see who else showed up, exemplifying the desire to be acknowledged and remembered. Tyson and Lewis Howes discuss the prison of achieving success on the outside while feeling unfulfilled on the inside.

The prison of achieving success on the outside while feeling unfulfilled on the inside

Howes speaks about his new book aimed at eliminating self-doubt, the killer of dreams. He believes this self-doubt is fueled by concern for what others think which restricts individuals from reaching their full potential. Howes has explored the concept of men wearing "masks" in his book "The Mask of Masculinity," explaining how these masks may lead us to success but leave us feeling imprisoned and unfulfilled internally.

Tyson talks about the ego as constantly seeking self-validation, which can result in the loss of family, love, and human warmth. He explains how the ego pushed his loved ones away and that no amount of external success could fill the void within him. Tyson admits that his past desire for validation and to be told he was great was driven by ego rather than a search for genuine connection.

Recognizing how masks and ego prevent us from finding inner peace and genuine connection

Tyson shares his realization that despite achieving everything he ever wanted, his ego took much more from him, a sentiment that Howes echoes, pointing to the essential need to shed the false identities we use to fit in or seek approval.

Confronting the need for respect and validation stemming from childhood experiences

Both Tyson and Howes acknowledge that many of our present actions and desires for respect stem from childhood experiences, such as being bullied, which leads us to adopt roles or masks like that of the tough guy. This need for an identity can persist into adulthood, affecting our actions and self-perception.

Overcoming the insecurity and powerlessness of being bullied as a child

Tyson describes donning the tough guy mask in pursuit of respect, a reaction to the helplessness felt when he was bullied as a child. He discusse ...

Mike Tyson opens up about his profound personal and financial struggles and how these experiences led him to reinvent himself with a new sense of purpose and fulfillment.

Hitting rock bottom and losing everything, including the respect of one's own children

Tyson candidly reveals that he was in a state of despair, admitting that he nearly lost the respect of his children, which led him to the brink of not wanting to live anymore. Howes asks Tyson about the process of shifting his life and how he worked to regain respect, emphasizing the necessity of showing up, being available, and practicing gratitude.

Facing bankruptcy and struggling to regain financial stability without material possessions

He opens up about his financial woes, confessing, "I had everything, and next thing you know, I'm $60 million in debt." As Tyson tackled his financial turmoil, including bankruptcy, he had to maintain a semblance of his former lifestyle even as creditors loosened their grip, gradually adjusting the amount he owed due to prolonged non-payment. Though at one point he couldn't afford to put gas in his luxurious cars, he eventually managed to whittle down his debt to two million dollars, which he paid off. Tyson shares that during this period, he struggled with drug addiction. His now wife, optimistically projected a future where they would overcome their financial instability by creating shows and movies.

Experiencing the death of a child and the profound impact it had on one's outlook

An intensely personal tragedy, the loss of his four-year-old daughter, left a lasting mark on Tyson's outlook, compelling him to strive for positivity and to do good as a means of honoring her memory. He speaks about the painful prospect of living to see the rest of his family grow old and die, which subsequently impacted his perspective on his own longevity.

Discovering new forms of fulfillment and purpose through creative expression

Collaborating on a successful one-man show that allowed vulnerability and authenticity

Inspired by seeing Chazz Palminteri perform "A Bronx Tale," Tyson undertook a one-man show penned by his wife. Initially unsure of how to produce it, ...

Mike Tyson reveals his transformative experiences and a profound shift in how he perceives success, happiness, and his role in the world after the tragic loss of his daughter and impactful psychedelic experiences.

Undergoing a transformative experience with the psychedelic toad medicine

During his intense experience with the toad medicine, 5-MeO-DMT, Tyson felt the collective pain of every person he had ever hurt and was overcome by profound remorse. This psychedelic substance, derived from toad venom, changed his perspective on life, allowing him to feel deeply interconnected with all things. Tyson describes this state as being like death, with absolute vulnerability, no ego, and total fear.

Feeling the immense pain and suffering one has caused others, leading to profound remorse

In his psychedelic journey, Tyson personally felt the pain he had caused others throughout his life, leading to an earnest need to seek forgiveness.

Gaining a sense of interconnectedness and a deeper appreciation for the beauty in all things

After his experience, Tyson felt a powerful sense of oneness with the world, including a connection to inanimate objects and nature. He came to understand the world and his role in it from a more interconnected and less materialistic viewpoint.

Redefining success and greatness beyond material accomplishments

The conversation with Lewis Howes explores the notion that greatness should not be equated with material success but rather with the impact one has through service and kindness.

Recognizing that being a "good" person is more valuable than being a "great" person

Tyson’s discussions with individuals like John F. Kennedy Jr. led him to realize that though many people may be considered great, not all are good. Tyson himself c ...