The Surprising & Unbelievable Dark Side Of Open Relationships: Aubrey Marcus | E242

In this solo episode, Aubrey Marcus reflects on his remarkable journey from philosophical seeker to successful entrepreneur and wellness advocate. He discusses how his early mission to optimize human potential evolved into the founding of Onnit in 2010, a company built on the belief that individuals deserve access to supplements and equipment necessary for total human optimization. The pivotal moment came with the development of Alpha BRAIN in 2011 and the subsequent partnership with Joe Rogan, which catapulted Onnit into rapid success and mainstream recognition. Aubrey credits his parents' influence as foundational to his worldview and approach to personal development. He speaks candidly about the role of vision quests in his life as transformative experiences that clarified his purpose and direction during critical junctures. When discussing the business landscape, Aubrey offers valuable advice to entrepreneurs who believe they've arrived too late to their markets, emphasizing the importance of authentic vision and differentiation rather than first-mover advantage. A significant portion of the conversation centers on relationships and the complexities of open relationships and polyamory. Aubrey reveals the surprising and often unbelievable dark side of open relationships, challenging common assumptions and discussing the emotional vulnerabilities that emerge when partners pursue non-traditional arrangements. He emphasizes that the dark side often stems from unresolved personal issues and lack of true communication rather than the structure itself. Aubrey stresses that successful relationships of any kind require radical honesty and the willingness to have difficult conversations about unmet needs and uncomfortable truths. He argues that most relationship problems stem from avoidance of these conversations rather than incompatibility. The episode transitions into discussions about his Fit For Service coaching platform, which applies his philosophy to help individuals and leaders achieve greater alignment between their values and actions. Throughout the conversation, Aubrey maintains that self-awareness and truth-telling are the foundations of all personal and professional success. He encourages listeners to examine what they're doing wrong and have the courage to fix it, emphasizing that growth requires radical honesty with oneself and others.