Welcome to In Search of Excellence! In this episode, we are joined by Oz Perlman, the most sought-after and famous mentalist in the world. Known for his incredible run on America’s Got Talent in 2015, and working with many celebrities and athletes, including Tom Brady and man sports teams, Oz reveals the "super secrets" to success that go far beyond the stage. We dive into his journey from being a math prodigy who aced the SATs at age 12 to becoming a master of communication and human behavior.

Oz shares his philosophy on relentlessness, the importance of doing "shit work," and why offering to work for free is the ultimate "one-way call option" for your career. Whether you are an entrepreneur, a student, or someone looking to sharpen your communication skills, Oz’s insights on capturing attention and overcoming the fear of failure will provide a roadmap for your own excellence.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

●  The Power of a Name: How Oz’s name, meaning "strength and bravery" in Hebrew, became a theme in his life after a miracle birth.

●  The Math Prodigy Mindset: How quantifying everything—from grocery taxes to stairs—sharpened his mind for high-level mentalism.

●  The "Work for Free" Strategy: The exact approach Oz used at age 14 to land a residency at an Italian restaurant and how it can help you land your dream job.

●  The Art of Communication: Why mastering tone, modulation, and audience assessment is the key to capturing and holding attention in any field9.

●  The Importance of "Shit Work": Why volunteering for the tasks no one else wants to do—like cleaning bathrooms—builds the resilience needed for leadership.

●  Adapting to the Future: Oz’s thoughts on AI, AGI, and how humans must adapt to a rapidly changing technological landscape.

Timestamps

● 00:00 – The "Super Secret" to getting any job.

● 01:21 – Oz Perlman’s background and the meaning of "Oz".

● 04:12 – Growing up as an "engineering brat" and moving to the US.

● 06:10 – Developing communication skills through restaurant magic.

● 08:45 – Skipping 4th grade and winning the Spelling Bee.

● 10:30 – Getting a perfect 800 on the Math SAT at age 12.

● 15:05 – The seminal moment: A cruise ship magic show that changed everything.

● 19:22 – Learning from books vs. videos: Why "sweat equity" matters.

● 23:40 – AI, ChatGPT, and the future of human creativity.

● 30:15 – Cleaning bathrooms and the value of "shit work”.

● 36:12 – Managing time, blocking schedules, and delegating admin tasks.

● 40:10 – The Zia’s Restaurant story: How to sell yourself by offering zero risk.

Guest Bio: Oz PerlmanOz Perlman is a world-class mentalist, speaker, and entertainer. After a breakout performance on America's Got Talent in 2015, he became one of the most sought-after performers for A-list celebrities and Fortune 500 companies. Beyond magic, Oz is an expert in human behavior, relentless preparation, and the "street smarts" required to navigate the highest levels of business and entertainment.

Check out Oz Pearlman’s book “Read Your Mind” at this link: https://www.ozpearlman.com/book

Connect with Oz:

● Website: https://www.ozpearlman.com/

● Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/rcf9529j

● X: https://x.com/OzTheMentalist?s=20

If you found Oz’s insights on relentless success and the "work for free" strategy helpful, please give this video a LIKE, leave a COMMENT with your biggest takeaway, and SUBSCRIBE for more interviews with the world's most excellent people!

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For more information about this episode, visit https://www.randallkaplan.com/

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