You know when you see a guy and think, “That guy’s got it figured out?” That’s John Sanei. Entrepreneur. Thought leader. Author. Speaker. Podcast host. At 50, John is a walking masterclass in personal growth, transformation, and reinvention. He’s been ahead of the curve in industries like hospitality, fitness, and now artificial intelligence—constantly evolving, always adapting.

John’s journey hasn’t been all wins and smooth sailing. He’s faced and conquered mental, physical, emotional, spiritual, and financial challenges. But instead of letting them define him, he’s used them as fuel—leaning into surrender, connection, curiosity, and collaboration. Now, he’s sought after around the world for his insights, intellect, and perspectives. And the best part? He brings both style and substance to everything he does.

Based in Dubai, John is leading the charge in biohacking, sustainability, and longevity. He’s a student and practitioner of Joe Dispenza’s meditation principles, blending spirituality with real-world action. He has a unique ability to take complex ideas—whether it’s cutting-edge tech or deep human truths—and distill them into practical, actionable insights that actually make sense.

In this conversation, we go deep. John opens up about his intentional approach to what he puts in and on his body, his dedication to staying in peak shape, and his impeccable sense of style. But more than that, we get inside his mindset—how he sees, operates, and thrives in today’s world. And most importantly, how you can take what he’s learned and apply it to your own midlife journey.

This is our interview with John Sanei. To hear the full, unedited conversation, join our inner circle—where members get exclusive access to all of our in-depth interviews.

How I See It with John Sanei

Greg Scheinman: John, it’s great to meet you. I’ve been following you for a while, and your work is truly inspiring. I appreciate you taking the time to chat.

John Sanei: Thank you so much, Greg. I really appreciate your warm welcome. I’ve been watching your work as well—congratulations on everything you’re doing.

MLM: I like to record right from the start because sometimes the best conversations happen off-air. That sound good to you?

JS: Absolutely. Some of the best stuff happens when you least expect it.

MLM: One thing I try to highlight in my work is sharing perspectives from people like yourself. My audience often asks how these conversations happen. Do you already know these people? Do you just reach out? There’s this perception that successful connections come easy, but there’s often a lot of persistence and effort behind the scenes. What’s your take on networking and building relationships?

JS: I once did a podcast on networking and the idea that “you are the sum of the five people you spend the most time with.” But I think that gets misused by people trying to force their way into circles they haven’t earned. My belief is: If you want to be around certain people, become like them. It’s about frequency. When you’re on the same level of ambition, integrity, and openness, connections happen naturally. It’s an energy thing—you can just sense it.

MLM: That makes a lot of sense. You attract what you put out into the world. If you’re drinking and partying, you attract that crowd. If you’re waking up early, hitting the gym, and fueling yourself properly, you attract those kinds of people instead.

JS: Exactly. And if you’re trying to be something you’re not, it’s obvious. If you’re forcing yourself into circles you haven’t earned, it doesn’t feel right for anyone involved. Instead, focus on doing the work, and you’ll naturally end up in the right places.

MLM: That’s a great perspective. Quick side note—I noticed your tattoos when you lifted your arm. What’s the story behind them?

JS: (Laughs) Good eye. One of them is tied to an experience I had during an Ayahuasca ceremony. The message I received was: “Wear your favorite outfit every day.” That really hit me. Why would I ever not wear what makes me feel my best? So I created a personal uniform—tailored pants, the best T-shirts I could find (One Golden Thread, which you might know), and Tom Ford glasses. And then, interestingly, Tom Ford reached out and offered to send me frames. They saw that I was authentically wearing what I love, and they resonated with it. That was a big moment of validation.

MLM: That’s an incredible example of being authentically influential versus trying to be an influencer. You weren’t seeking sponsorships—you were just living your truth, and brands recognized that.

JS: That’s exactly it. They saw me as the kind of person they design for. That’s when you know you’re on the right path.

MLM: Where are you living now?

JS: I’m currently based in Dubai, but I travel constantly—last year, I took 70 flights. Dubai is great because it’s centrally located for the markets I work in: Europe, the Middle East, South Africa, and the U.S. But I’ve been looking into spending more time in the States, possibly Austin.

MLM: You said “we” earlier—who’s the “we” in your travels?

JS: It depends. Sometimes it’s my manager, sometimes it’s my girlfriend, sometimes it’s my team that helps coordinate everything. Moving around that much requires a solid support system.

MLM: Speaking of your background, where were you born and raised?

JS: My parents are Iranian, but they were missionaries, so I was born in Swaziland, a small country next to South Africa. I grew up between Swaziland and Cape Town, then moved to London at 20. This was pre-internet—before Google!—so it was a wild experience. That move opened my world.

MLM: What did you think your future would look like when you were younger?

JS: At first, I was obsessed with the idea of being a Wall Street trader—Michael Douglas in Wall Street was the pinnacle of success to me. But when I tried, I realized I didn’t have the right brain for it. I lacked the killer instinct. I failed hard at it. Then I got into hospitality—restaurants, retail, vending machines—and by 26, I was a multimillionaire. But I was running away from something rather than toward something. And at 30, I lost everything. That failure cracked my ego wide open and forced me to rebuild with a different mindset.

MLM: That’s a major shift. What helped you through that period?

JS: I did everything. I said yes to every personal growth opportunity—workshops, meditation, Ayahuasca, therapy, deep self-exploration. I had to unlearn my old programming around money and success. From 30 to 45, I committed to evolving myself completely.

MLM: Was there a turning point in your comeback?

JS: Yes—consulting. After my bankruptcy, I started helping hospitality businesses with what I had learned. That led to speaking engagements, which turned into a full career. The methodology I created for consulting became my first talk, and that talk became my brand. But none of that would have happened if I hadn’t done the inner work first.

MLM: What would you say to someone who feels like it’s too late to start over?

JS: It’s never too late. But you have to change your thinking. People get stuck because they crave certainty—our education, business, and even religious systems teach us to seek predictable outcomes. But real success comes from adaptability. The more you embrace uncertainty, the more opportunities you see.

MLM: How do you personally stay in the right mindset?

JS: Meditation. Twice a day, every day. It keeps my brain waves in a calmer, more creative state. I follow Dr. Joe Dispenza’s work—his meditations help rewire your brain for new possibilities.

MLM: A lot of guys hear “two hours of meditation” and think, I don’t have time for that. How did you start?

JS: I started with 15 minutes a day. It’s incremental. You don’t go from zero to two hours overnight. But if you’re highly stressed and constantly making bad decisions, you need to change your state. Your best decisions come from a place of calm, not anxiety.

MLM: That’s a great takeaway. Before we wrap up, what’s your advice for people navigating all the changes in AI and technology?

JS: First, let go of the need for certainty. The future is unpredictable, and that’s okay. Instead of resisting, lean into curiosity. People who succeed in this new era are the ones who stay adaptable and open to learning.

MLM: I love that. John, this has been an incredible conversation. Thanks for your time and insights.

JS: My pleasure, Greg. Thanks for a great chat!