Imagine if you had two years to travel the globe in order to better understand happiness. Where would you go? I’m assuming the Nordic countries who I hear always rank high on the World Happiness Report. Potentially Australia and New Zealand? They seem to be happy down there. What about places that aren’t known for happiness but more so the opposite? I feel like it would be important to understand that perspective.   Well, that’s exactly what today’s guest did. Joining me on the podcast is Dr. Ali Binazir who is an author, speaker, and clinical hypnotherapist. But if you asked Ali today, his primary title would be Happiness Engineer.   During this episode, we are going to dive into happiness, particularly why it isn’t something you are trying to find but instead engineer into your life. This is a great conversation to tune into if you’ve been looking for practical ways to feel more fulfilled. Dr. Ali shares many prescriptive methods that you could act upon today.   Show Notes: [1:42] What Ali learned traveling the globe studying happiness [17:20] 5 Pillars of Human Thriving [21:53] Why do good people stay in bad relationships [26:41] 3 C’s of an optimal venue [35:01] Novelty Night [39:13] The story of 3 bricklayers [43:25] Why is sleep so critical? [52:41] How meditation can help balance you in this chaotic world [58:36] How to stay motivated to workout   Favorite Quotes: [11:40] “We are designed to cooperate. That is how this wimpy little creature with no fangs or claws or fur became the most dominant species on the planet.” [21:25] “I always say texting is how I lose friends. Talking is how I make friends.” [34:43] “Just recognize if you’re the one that is willing to do that you have a huge advantage but so many people are still cowering in fear.” [43:58] “My time at McKinsey was when I looked like I was on top of the world but I was really at the very bottom.”   Mentions: Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World by Vivek Murthy The WEIRDest People in the World: How the West Became Psychologically Peculiar and Particularly Prosperous by Joseph Henrich Mating in Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence by Esther Perel Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker Exercised: Why Something We Never Evolved to Do Is Healthy and Rewarding by Daniel Lieberman   More of Ali: https://happinessengineering.com/ drali@happinessengineering.com http://taoofdating.com/ Medium: https://dralibinazir.medium.com/ (I suggest checking out “9 Simple Strategies to Read More Books: How I Read 150+ Books a Year”) Clubhouse: @DrAliB   Books: The Tao of Dating: The Smart Woman's Guide to Being Absolutely Irresistible by Ali Binazir Should I Go to Medical School?: An Irreverent Guide to the Pros and Cons of a Career in Medicine by Ali Binazir   Courses: Super Charisma: How to Be a Transformative Speaker (https://drali.teachable.com/p/super-charisma-public-speaking)   More of Justin & The Struggle is Real: Show Notes: https://justinpeters.co/thestruggleisreal/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justinleepeters/ YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0yHxQvHpSdx_gJiQJpVCIQ?view_as=subscriber Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sandbox-with-justin-peters/id1496701179?fbclid=IwAR26mTFgNRnMCdJjzA4FHTT6MvLKkuqGbx3rWm7J7UBM8ERVIiIV1Baj0IY Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/701hEq4AKxseYuY79xjpSJ