100 The 3 Biggest Lessons in Finding Powerful Mentors That Will Change Your Life

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: Lewis Howes marks episode 100 with a solo lesson on mentorship, distinguishing mentors from coaches and explaining how to build mutually valuable relationships with people who can accelerate growth. Using examples from his post-football transition and career, he emphasizes specificity, preparation, gratitude, teachability, and giving value first as the foundations of effective mentorship.

Main Topics: Episode 100 milestone and listener-driven format (Priority: 5/5): Lewis celebrates the 100th episode, thanks listeners for shaping the show, and fulfills requests for a solo episode focused on mentorship. Mentors vs. coaches (Priority: 5/5): He distinguishes mentors as people he admires and learns from, while coaches are often paid professionals hired for specific performance outcomes. Finding the right mentor with a specific purpose (Priority: 5/5): Lewis argues that the best mentor relationships start with a clear goal and a specific type of expertise, not a vague desire to be inspired. Examples from his own mentorships (Priority: 5/5): He shares stories of Chris Hawker, Stuart Jenkins, and Frank Agen to show how mentorship can begin, evolve, and eventually become friendship and mutual support. How to approach and keep a mentor (Priority: 5/5): Key practices include adding value, being coachable, asking concise questions, preparing in advance, listening well, and taking action on advice. Paying it forward and mutual benefit (Priority: 4/5): Lewis stresses that mentorship should not be one-sided; the relationship should create value for both people and can evolve over time rather than follow a fixed structure.

Key Arguments: The worst way to get a mentor is to ask someone directly to "be my mentor" without offering value or showing initiative. A strong mentorship begins with a clear, specific need—such as product development, public speaking, or business growth—so the right person can be identified. You should add value before asking for time, whether through hustle, help, promotion, research, or simply making it easy for the mentor to share wisdom. Mentorship is often an evolving relationship rather than a formal title; it can shift from advice-giving to collaboration and friendship. Being teachable matters as much as being talented; if you do not act on guidance, you waste the mentor’s time and damage the relationship. Respecting a mentor’s time means being prepared, concise, and flexible to their schedule rather than demanding access on your terms. The healthiest mentor relationships are mutually beneficial and should eventually involve both parties supporting each other in different ways.

Data Points: Episode number: 100 - Lewis frames the episode as a milestone in the School of Greatness podcast Podcast start date: End of January 2013 - He notes when the podcast began Chris Hawker initial work arrangement: $500/month - Lewis says he was paid this amount while working nearly full time for his mentor Chris Hawker work schedule: 4 days a week for 5 hours a day - Describes the early mentorship/work arrangement Initial mentorship duration: About 6 months - Lewis says the arrangement started as a six-month commitment and evolved beyond it Mentorship with Frank Agen: About 1 to 2 years - He estimates the period they worked together on a book and related projects Run distance with Stuart Jenkins: Minimum of 3 miles - Lewis says Stuart ran this amount daily and he joined him occasionally Marathon/college timeline: Almost 10 years since college graduation - He references how long Stuart has remained a mentor since college Frequency of some mentorship communication: Once a month - He describes mentoring a man over email on a monthly basis Number of questions in that email exchange: 3 questions - The mentee emailed Lewis three important questions each month

Pivotal Quotes: "asking someone to be a formal mentor is the absolute best way to never have a mentor" — Lewis Howes: He explains why direct, formal mentorship requests usually fail "You want to add some type of value" — Lewis Howes: Core principle for approaching potential mentors and sustaining the relationship "It’s really about creating a win-win, mutually beneficial relationship" — Lewis Howes: He summarizes the ideal structure of mentorship

Implications: Listeners should treat mentorship as a value exchange built on clarity, respect, and action. For creators and professionals, the message is to identify specific needs, contribute first, and build long-term relationships rather than chasing titles.