🔑 The Key Connector: Brian Johnson (Heroic)
Travis worked directly for Brian at Optimize/Heroic. Evan Shoemaker (Travis's best friend) is close friends with Brian.
Brian has interviewed virtually every person in the Optimist people list — Ryan Holiday, Neil Pasricha, Derek Sivers, Arthur Brooks, Matt Haig, and hundreds more.
A single warm introduction from Brian could unlock the entire endorsement strategy.
Travis worked directly for Brian at Optimize/Heroic. Evan Shoemaker is close friends with him.
Why They Fit
Has interviewed Ryan Holiday, Neil Pasricha, Derek Sivers, Matt Haig, Arthur Brooks, and essentially every person in the Optimist people list. His entire platform is daily philosophical practice — he is the closest natural endorser in the world for this book.
Areté: Activate Your Heroic Potential
Derek Sivers
🤝 Direct warm
⏳ Not yet
Priority #4
Author, Anything You Want / Founder CD Baby
Connection Path
Travis saw Derek in person at World Domination Summit. Wrote a dedicated page about his ideas at travishellstrom.com/derek. Also in Kindle library.
Why They Fit
His 'Anything You Want' philosophy aligns with the Simplicity pillar. His $22M-to-charity story is one of the book's entries. He's known for writing short, direct, genuine blurbs — not formulaic praise.
Outreach notes: Personal connection from WDS. Direct contact via sive.rs possible. Known for responding to genuine emails.
Anything You WantHell Yeah or NoHow to Live
Leo Babauta
🤝 Direct warm
⏳ Not yet
Priority #7
Founder, ZenHabits.net
Connection Path
Travis has followed Leo's work for years and models his website approach after ZenHabits. Leo is in the original Optimist inspirations list.
Why They Fit
The Simplicity pillar is essentially Leo's life work. His platform is built on daily habits, stripped-down wisdom, and radical simplicity. His endorsement reaches the minimalism/habits community.
Outreach notes: Leo is known for responding directly to genuine fan emails. Direct contact via zenhabits.net.