In the latest episode of The Turning Pro Podcast, hosts dive deep into a conversation with Dan Freed, co-founder of Thesis, a company revolutionizing the nootropic industry.
Dan’s story is one of resilience, perseverance, and a relentless quest for self-improvement, ultimately leading him to build a business that helps others unlock their cognitive potential. Here's a closer look at his journey and how his experiences shaped Thesis.
Dan Freed's battle with ADHD began in childhood, where his inability to focus and excel in traditional academic settings led him to drop out of high school and work in fast food. Without ADHD medication due to parental concerns, Dan found himself feeling demoralized and out of place. However, a fortunate encounter while waiting tables sparked a dramatic career shift. Dan was hired by a chef who recognized his work ethic, launching his culinary career in prestigious kitchens around the world.
While working in the high-pressure environment of a Michelin three-star restaurant, Dan experienced severe burnout. Despite achieving his dream, the unsustainable lifestyle pushed him to leave the culinary world and seek a new path. As Dan prepared to take the GMAT to pursue an MBA, he discovered nootropics - supplements designed to enhance brain function. These cognitive enhancers helped him dramatically improve his focus, ultimately leading him to score in the 99th percentile on the GMAT.
Dan’s personal success with nootropics inspired him to experiment with different combinations, tailoring them to individual cognitive needs. In 2017, he founded Thesis, a company that personalizes nootropic blends based on users’ unique brain chemistry. By taking a quiz on the Thesis website, customers can identify the blend that best suits their cognitive goals, whether it's boosting focus, clarity, or creativity.
A key part of Thesis’s growth stems from Dan’s leadership style, which draws heavily from his culinary background. Dan’s approach focuses on “betting on people”—giving team members opportunities to grow, even if they lack the perfect resume. This principle mirrors the chances that others gave him earlier in his career, and it has become a cornerstone of Thesis’s company culture.
In this episode, Dan explains how nootropics became an integral part of his daily routine, allowing him to maintain high levels of focus and productivity. However, he stresses the importance of pairing nootropics with healthy habits like proper sleep, exercise, and diet. He contrasts nootropics with more traditional ADHD medications like Adderall, noting the potential side effects of the latter and advocating for safer, long-term solutions.
As any startup founder knows, the journey is filled with obstacles. Dan shares how running a business has changed him, pushing him to grow both personally and professionally. From dealing with rejection to managing stress, Dan’s experiences have shaped him into a stronger leader. His candid reflections also include his exploration of psychedelics, such as Ketamine, as part of his mental health regimen.
Dan’s journey, from struggling with ADHD and dropping out of high school to founding a successful nootropic company, illustrates the power of perseverance and personal growth. Through Thesis, Dan is helping others unlock their cognitive potential while continuing to evolve as a leader and entrepreneur.
To learn more about personalized nootropic blends, visit Thesis. For those who rely on stimulants like Adderall, Dan recommends checking out Thesis's sister product, Stasis, designed to mitigate the side effects of stimulants.
This episode of Turning Pro is delivered by ShipPlug.
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