I have been told by a friendly contact that “my writing was not antagonistic but was forcing people to think,” a qualifier I understood was not necessarily a good thing. Another friend mentioned “the underlying anger” in my writing. Even if these comments were, one, their opinions, and two, their personal projections, I do tend to agree that my body of work doesn’t really scream toxic positivity or “let’s dumb it down.” 😭 If anything, though, it is authentic.
Anyone who knows me a bit knows that I am highly critical, honest, and independent, which obviously translates as being a fiercely independent, honest, and critical thinker. I can’t write about bubblegum and rainbows, nor post videos of myself lolling about my sandwich.
Anyone who knows me a bit better knows that I love a good laugh and that I am actually very funny—yes, in a caustic, acerbic, thoughtful way. So today, I decided to share a bit more of that side of me because, well, it did make me snicker thinking about this special/off-cycle edition.
I hope it will make you snicker too (or at least nod if you are more of a Miranda Priestly). If you are an entrepreneur (or just a human), be on the lookout for people and situations you might recognize😼 And if you enjoyed it and want a bit more, here are two editions you will enjoy:
👺 Top 5 Trolls of 2023
Top attributes I now ABSOLUTELY avoid when I invest 🛑
Happy reading!
🍄Is It a Good Product?
I have to say, this one has been a bit of a "pinch me" moment—and it has happened more than once. Obviously, we will protect the anonymity of the offenders throughout this newsletter, even if, technically, they definitely don’t deserve it.
So, let’s set the stage: I’m meeting a friend for coffee, going to an appointment with a service provider (think hairdresser versus generative AI), or any scenario in between that involves someone who knows me well—or very well—and knows what my business is about. That includes selling microdosing products (with or without psychedelics), writing a book about my microdosing protocol, coaching, public speaking, etc.
And then, at the beginning of the discussion, they straight-up ask me if the product they bought from my competitor is a good product, if the formula is right, and what the best protocol to follow would be.
Not freaking joking!
In 100% of these cases, they show me the product in question on their phone and expect me to oblige on the spot. Which, I am ashamed to admit, I do.
First—WTF! Why don’t you drop by your dentist of 10 years, show them the filling you got across the street, and, to add insult to injury, expect a free consultation on how good or bad that filler is?!
So here I am, supposed to evaluate the quality of my competitors’ mushrooms and share my insights. Well, guess what?! Mushrooms are no different than tomatoes. Some are carefully and organically grown and sold at the farmers market, and others are found in cans at Dollarama.
Considering that some of my friends seem more inclined to save $15 on random products rather than buy mine—despite knowing mine are organic and premium—my first thought is: I hope they are of very poor quality. And guess what, genius? Obviously, they are. That’s why they’re cheap.
Then come the questions about the formulation: “Do I believe the formula is well-balanced?” They proceed to show me, in excruciating detail, all the products they hesitated between (never mine, obviously). If their better half is using another formulation, I am also supposed to provide guidance on that product too.
And then, the cherry on the pie: “What would be the best protocol to follow?”
I’ve written and spoken about that topic multiple times—it’s even available for free on Substack, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts—but apparently, even checking that is too much effort for them.
My best hope? That the microdosing might enlighten them a little, and they might realize that their behavior is so wrong (discourteous, impolite, f***ed up?).
My secret hope? That I get asked again, and this time, I’ll answer: “Oh, there was a recall on that product because fentanyl was found in it.”
At least that would give me a laugh. And there goes your $15 saving, genius.
"I actually feel really good"—experience the Legal Brain Power Microdose here: themicrodosediet.com/product.
🤑I Bought It
This one is a good one. Let’s be honest—whether people buy my products or not is their business. As long as they don’t ask me to weigh in and guide them on competitors’ products, I could not give a rat’s ass. I would prefer if they didn’t rub my nose in it, but that might be too much to ask.
There are always the well-intentioned (stupid?) people who dissect my fierce competition at length. My dream? Let’s all be very polite and pretend this is not a topic of discussion.
The same way I don’t bring up sensitive subjects to others—such as the layoffs happening in tech to someone working in tech, the falling share price of a bank to one of its executives, or the huge challenge of fundraising for fintech startups to a fintech entrepreneur—this delicate approach, unfortunately, doesn’t seem to be well-practiced.
Obviously, there’s always the frenemy who sandwiches a mean comment between two innocuous ones. I deeply appreciated hearing a “friend” mention that “my next book will be great.” Guess what? This one is pretty great already—or at least that’s what HBR wrote when they reviewed it. How good was your last book? Oh, you’ve never written anything? Here we go.
But the Palme d’Or goes to people who tell me, unprompted, that they bought one of my microdosing products—while they didn’t.
Well, I have news for them: there’s something called a CRM system. While I don’t spend my life looking at it, I’m pretty sure I’d notice if a friend or friendly contact was on the customer list. The book is obviously impossible to track, though I don’t need to be a mind-reader to see who is skating around the topic.
Didn’t buy my book? Good for them, bad for them—please, just don’t lie about it. It’s pathetic and unnecessary.
If, for whatever reason, someone doesn’t want to write a book review, that’s fine. I understand that it might be frightening for someone to think that others (the neighbor, the mother, the wax person) might think they’re interested in psychedelics.
However, posting about Michael Pollan’s How to Change Your Mind or sharing Huberman’s podcast on psychedelics? That’s fine. True, they’re already widely successful—millions of people listen to or read their work—so it’s different. It does show how open-minded, innovative, and au courant one is. Totally different!
💭What Do You Think?
A variant of the “Is it a good product?” scenario is the friend or friendly contact who confuses a coffee catch-up with free coaching or a mastermind session. My dream—and I know I’m pushing it—is to actually have a two-way conversation where I ask people how they’re doing, and miracle of miracles, they actually ask me how I’m doing. And, let’s dream big—they are genuinely interested in my answer. We might even talk about movies, books, travels, or shows. Groundbreaking!
Instead, more often than not, the “let’s grab coffee—or rather lunch, so we have more time to talk” invitation means they are vomiting their problems all over me. As if that weren’t enough, they expect me to take it to heart and offer free coaching. Of course, I’m not referring to the friend who is suddenly in a tough spot and needs space to voice their concerns. I’m talking about the people who plan to meet with me solely to talk about themselves—their venture, their marriage, their constipation.
Unfortunately, I’ve experienced this dynamic before, back when I was in the financial services industry. Entrepreneurs would line up for my advice but would lose interest the moment I mentioned an advisory agreement. Their expectation was for me to share my time and insights so they could increase the value of their company—without offering anything in return.
I don’t know—call me pedestrian, but that hardly seems fair.
My consolation was learning that most (all?) coaches and advisors, regardless of their specialty, end up dealing with people who ask for free services. Even dentists and dermatologists have horror stories of being asked for free consultations in the middle of a party. TMI, anyone?🤢
Being curious about human behavior, I once asked someone who specializes in the “free-stuff mindset” about it. Their answer? Some people don’t dare say no, so it’s worth asking. It’s not about sincerely believing that people love sharing or thinking they will eventually offer the advisor some form of compensation. No, it’s a cold calculation, banking on others’ kindness and inability to say no.
I admit that most of the people I meet are simply self-centered and unaware—there’s no sophisticated calculation. Not sure which is worse. Often, I leave these chats thinking about all the information I now know about them while they know absolutely nothing about me. Maybe I have enough material to start a side business: blackmail and extortion. Think about that next time someone asks for a coffee chat. ;)
🙀Oh, You Don’t Want to Meet Them?
In the category of “What planet am I living on?”, this is a solid contender.
I was asked by someone I barely know to meet someone they barely know, so I could explain to that person how to start and grow a competing business to mine! When I turned down this gratifying and expansive opportunity, the person was visibly hurt. Apparently, they had already committed me for me.
For context, this person was not Gen Z or a Millennial. They were a good old Gen Xer, so there’s no excuse related to a potential lack of experience or life context here.
I don’t know this person well enough to conclude whether it was entitlement, stupidity, or pure naivety, but either way—not impressed.
I am still baffled by:
The “value proposition.”
The displeasure at my boundaries.
I wonder how this person would feel if I turned the table on them with a similar “opportunity.” It’s high time I start thinking about “great opportunities” to offer when the time comes.
🤔We Don’t Know Each Other, Do We? + IOU
It has been quite enlightening to see friends asking me not to tag them—or even hint at them—anywhere, anytime, forever (until I get very successful, and then no doubt it will be, “Please tag me on Everything Everywhere All at Once—refer to Pollan & Huberman in the ‘I Bought It’ section”).
However, these same friends have no problem remembering my contact information when they need an introduction, information, or free coaching (a.k.a. ad-lib moaning).
A variation of this scenario is the friend who buys my $25 book and expects lifelong devotion—and a lap dance.
For context: Over the years, I’ve likely picked up checks for a nice multiple of that amount and allocated my fair share of time and insights. But who’s counting when it’s going in that direction?! I’ve also had a few “friends” mention how much they’ve supported me while they’ve literally asked me twice in 18 months how my book is doing.
I have to say, any executive who has found themselves jobless at some point in their career will see these scenarios play out very quickly too. Especially if they no longer have anything “valuable” to offer—no career favors to dole out, no money to allocate, no powerful last name to drop, no cottage to share.
"I have these moments of illumination where everything looks really illuminated. It's really wild"—experience the Legal Brain Power Microdose here: themicrodosediet.com/product.
👶I Will Take Your Firstborn With That
Bait and switch is obviously going strong with solopreneurs and early-stage companies because, again, why not ask? Maybe the entrepreneur will be afraid to say no or get confused, and they’ll end up with the short end of the stick. In this category, the winner for me has been an event space run by a real estate agency I was introduced to in my neighborhood.
It started with a talk I would give on microdosing to their “community.” They would promote it to their large network and host the guests with an elegant wine and cheese. The entry fee would be $20 to cover their costs and ensure attendance. They had a nice room that could host more than 30 people, complete with A/V equipment and a tech person.
At the time, my book hadn’t come out yet, and I didn’t have products to sell either, so I thought it was a good and fair opportunity for everyone.
Well, within three weeks, this turned into an event I had to promote myself to my community. They refused to contact their client base but generously offered to put the event on Eventbrite (as a free event) and post it on the social media feed of their new event space (which had less than 100 followers at the time).
As if that wasn’t enough, I was asked to buy the plug to connect to their A/V system (seriously, who isn’t working with a Mac?!) and to come the day before the event to test and set up the tech on my own.
I had a bit of whiplash.
When I pushed back and reminded them of what we had agreed upon, the tone quickly changed. That’s when we decided to part ways.
Days later, I was still wondering where things had been lost in translation. From a verbal agreement to access their client base, charge a cover, and leverage their tech person to I bring the audience, I manage the talk, I deal with the A/V—this was quite a big "lost in translation."
But guess what? On one hand, people will try—which is the principle of bait and switch—and unfortunately, it’s your job as an entrepreneur to spot it and say no. On the other hand, people sometimes commit to things they don’t have the approval for, then get angry and try to bully you into unreasonable terms when you push back because they can’t deliver what they promised internally. I believe that might have been the case here.
🪙The Golden Partnership Opportunity
In 2024, before I launched my wonderful microdosing product (worth every penny, as you might have guessed), I was offered a “marvelous” partnership opportunity by a serial entrepreneur.
He had been introduced to me by two people at the same time and seemed really legit. He got interested in my business right away, as he was already in the space through another partnership and was keen to double down.
At the time, I was playing with the idea of launching my own microdosing product but was still hesitating. He introduced me to his business partner, whom I liked immediately—professional, kind, super ethical.
We discussed the option of working together on the product, and it was a super easy process—pretty much turnkey.
A week later, the serial entrepreneur reached out to say he had left the partnership (suddenly, but not really) and wanted to work with me.
There were many red flags in this potential partnership, but the first and biggest one was that he criticized his former partner. FMP, this is a big no-no. You don’t disparage others, especially to their business network.
Nonetheless, I played it out and heard him out. He wanted us to develop this new product together under my brand.
Essentially, I would bring the brand, the protocol, the content, the audience, and eventually the book to support the product, while he would bring a fraction of what I could get with a simple partnership agreement—for 50% of the new business.
Meanwhile, the offer on the table from his former business partner was a simple turnkey arrangement—minimum headache and quantity, premium quality, and decades of expertise in the space.
Obviously, that wasn’t appealing to me. How could it have been?
He knew exactly the situation I was in, which was making it a no-brainer for me to work with his former partner, but rather than bow out gracefully, he pressured me and was visibly displeased when I decided to go in another direction than his. He had told me he wanted to learn about the space and clearly intended to do so on my dime, and thus no matter how detrimental that agreement would be for me.
Meanwhile, I had spoken to another company I’d been introduced to, which wasn’t ideal but still better. After waiting several weeks for their proposal—which ended up being not what we discussed despite multiple back-and-forths—I closed the loop and mentioned my decision to go with the best solution for me (shocker!).
They didn’t even acknowledge my answer.
This situation was another eye-opener:
Don’t expect rational people to shy away from offering wildly one-sided deals.
Don’t expect them to avoid pressuring you to sign said one-sided deals.
Don’t expect them to be polite when you decline.
I’ve never been one for ghosting business contacts, but I’m starting to see more and more reasons to do so. What better way to avoid difficult explanations with unreasonable people?
"My focus with my work and meetings has been great"—experience the Legal Brain Power Microdose here: themicrodosediet.com/product.
🤣WTF Is She Doing?!
One thing about Toronto, NYC, and SF—they are all big villages. Everyone knows everyone, and people talk. Unfortunately, they don’t talk about books, ideas, travels, and exhibits but mostly about people. Nothing bonds as much as a good bitching session.
Also, when everyone knows everyone, and people talk, things leak eventually. So, the “friend” (or let’s call them the friendly contact) who was bitching about my business to another “friend” will eventually get outed—on purpose or not. Let’s be honest, though—I don’t need to learn who said what to whom to know what’s going on behind my back. I just have to listen to people when they’re with me, which, on top of that, usually happens during their uninterrupted monologues.
If they spend quite a bit of time criticizing others, it’s fair to say that when I’m not there, it’ll be my turn.
Some are a bit more calculated. The sophisticated backstabber won’t criticize anyone outright, leaving them in a position to claim deniability. Instead, they hint or ask “innocent questions” to bait you into showing your cards. If you take the bait, all bets are off. If alcohol is involved, the party has started.
I don’t mind people not liking my business, my independence, or my “straight talk.” I get it—and I probably don’t like many of the attributes of these people either anyway. But seriously, aren’t there better topics to discuss than my business and career?
I loved it when, a couple of months ago, I had a chat with a frequent flyer of this edition who is not super subtle and quickly ratted out a common friend for criticizing my work. Again, I already knew these two people well enough to know where I stood.
It wouldn’t be an issue—everyone is entitled to their opinion—if, every time I saw them, they weren’t glorifying how they were supporting my business (but under wraps, obviously because still so much stigma with psychedelics for personal and professional development).
People—even my family and close friends—don’t owe me anything. Some don’t even pretend to be interested, and while it’s slightly rude considering that I sincerely ask about their lives, at least there’s no double-faced behavior happening.
As an entrepreneur, putting yourself out there is the name of the game, which also means you need to be prepared for rejection—big time.
🎙️Be A Guest On My Podcast!
Attention has been touted as the only way to grow a successful business, and this means online presence. From podcasts to social media, it’s clear that it’s impossible to succeed without that elusive following and the accompanying likes and comments. Or at least that’s what’s being repeated day in and day out (by whom? Social media platforms, of course!).
Knowing this state of affairs (or at least the state of affairs presented to us), entire companies are banking on the panic entrepreneurs feel when they don’t have a sizable following (or a “community,” the polished version of the same concept).
And this is where the free-for-all starts.
I’ve been offered opportunities to be interviewed on podcasts, shows, and in magazines for amounts ranging from $200 to $10K. There’s an entire industry catering solely to authors. Here too, authors are sold the idea that the only way to succeed is to have dozens of Amazon reviews, be a category best-seller (on Amazon, again), and, of course, reach the ultimate grail—being featured on influencers’ book club lists or bestseller lists.
An author, whether self-published or traditionally published, can even pay to guarantee a spot on a bestseller list (and yes, many authors appearing on these lists do). Book reviews can easily be bought too. The minute a LinkedIn profile says “author” or “writer,” the offers start flooding in.
Another good bait-and-switch is the podcaster who, after you’ve spent 45-60 minutes being interviewed, tries to sell you their marketing package for your episode, their mastermind, their advisory services, their directory, and so on.
If you turn down this “great opportunity,” your episode will very likely get lost and you would have lost quite a bit of time (and hope in human nature.)
I even once booked a podcast that turned out to be a podcasting platform where I was supposed to download their software (for a free trial requiring my credit card, of course) to record the interview. Needless to say, I had to decline this “wonderful opportunity.”
It’s gotten so bad that podcasters like me now run into challenges booking potential guests for interviews because everyone is so guarded, afraid they’ll be arm-twisted into some type of “upgrade.”
If you’re interested in this topic, I wrote 💡3 Marketing Truths from Starting a Platform From the Ground Up. FMP, most PR, marketing and social media activities are the ultimate cons, with extremely low conversion rates and negative ROI for the vast majority of participants.
🤲Gimme, Gimme, Gimme More!
And last but not least, the friend—or just a random contact—who wants free products, free books, free anything, and isn’t afraid to ask. They don’t even inquire if there’s a friends-and-family price (breaking news: there isn’t!); they just go straight to asking for it free. Once again, they believe that putting you on the spot, ideally in front of people, will make you cave.
And I admit, I did cave a couple of times, which I deeply regret. Not necessarily for the financial loss (which it obviously is for me), but for giving in to, at worst, bullies, and at best, selfish, unaware people. But who knows—maybe they do this to everyone: ask for free meals at restaurants, free haircuts at barbers, and free toilet paper at Costco.
If I were a freeloader, I’d understand people wanting to get back at me, but that couldn’t be further from who I am—which might be why people feel comfortable asking me for free stuff! Once again, it’s the “free stuff mindset.” Maybe I’ll say yes, even if it’s not fair to me. Who cares—it’s worth the try, right? It’s free stuff, after all!
‘Wonderful! I am finding one tablet is more than enough for me'—discover the Legal Brain Power Microdose here: themicrodosediet.com/product.
🫣Tout N’Est Pas Perdu!
Hopefully, this newsletter made you laugh, maybe squirm a bit, and also alerted you to the real dangers of entrepreneurship ;-) And if you recognize yourself in the offenders’ behaviors, I’m crossing my fingers that you’ll now be on your best behavior—not just for peace, kindness, and justice, but because you now know it shows!
I’m so glad I started microdosing—it helps me see through the BS (see 🤥 Seeing Through the BS and Gaslighting & Musk's "Work for Free" Department of Efficiency? Calling BS! 🐂) and establish much stronger boundaries. Without that, as an entrepreneur constantly bombarded with “opportunities” to be taken advantage of, I’d already be out of business.
Of course, on this journey, I’ve also had incredible support from my family, friends, and friendly contacts. People who go out of their way to make introductions, promote my products and services, and share my content. It has been heartwarming to witness this. Even though, let’s be honest, I’m usually the first one to do it for others in every possible way.
And I’m not naive. Most people focus on themselves first. Some are overwhelmed with their failing marriage, lackluster career, or challenging health, leaving no room for anything but their own problems. Others are plagued by huge insecurities, and putting someone else down gives them a five-minute jolt of self-worth. Still, others might simply be too immature to look beyond themselves.
All of this is to say that in this incredible endeavor called entrepreneurship, pressure comes from all directions. This is when your value system, beliefs, and relationships (as well as your financials!) are tested like never before.
It’s a basic law of physics: when pressure is applied, things bend, break, or sometimes become a diamond.
In the last couple of years with The Microdose Diet, I’ve learned so much about business (especially in such a fringe area), about myself, and about others. I’ve shed a lot of my naivete while building self-confidence, resilience, and assertiveness.
Some people I now know to avoid, others I limit, and a select few I embrace—not because they supported my business, but because they showed their true colors, and those colors were beautiful. 💞
This steep learning curve is similar to any big challenge one might face in life: separation, disease, death, dismissal, etc. Apply enough pressure, and the truth comes out—for better or worse.
I’ve chosen to see the consequences as the best for me, starting with learning to say no and right-sizing my inner and outer circles.
I hope you laughed and found this edition thought-provoking. It certainly was for me, as I realized one person in particular was represented multiple times—and I’ll have to address that sooner rather than later.🙄
🛸To always growing!
💡Transforming Health and Success: Meet Peggy Van de Plassche 🧠
I’m Peggy Van de Plassche, a former banker and venture capitalist with 20 years of experience in financial services, technology, and public service. Today, I leverage my expertise in navigating innovation, highly regulated environments, and large-scale transformation to bring fresh solutions to the healthcare space.
I focus on two core areas:
1️⃣ Advising Large Organizations: I work with companies and public service entities to navigate the tectonic shifts in healthcare, driving systemic improvements through innovation, technology, and strategic insights.
2️⃣ Empowering Individuals and Companies: I help leaders, professionals, and teams achieve greater success by strengthening their physical and mental health. This means calming the body, rewiring the brain, mastering emotions, and raising energy to unlock their full potential.
How I Can Help You
📘 Order My Book: MORE! The Microdose Diet, The 90-Day Plan for More Success, Passion, and Happiness—a comprehensive guide to personal transformation. Available on Amazon and Indigo.
🤝 Work With Me:
For Organizations: Let’s strategize on healthcare system improvements, from leveraging technology to embracing patient-centric models.
For Individuals and Teams: My 90-day coaching programs (one-on-one or group) focus on achieving optimal mental and physical health for sustained success.
🎤 Keynotes and Workshops: Bring actionable insights to your organization with “Microdosing for Personal and Professional Development” or customized workshops on health-driven performance.
🧠 Try Brain Power Microdose: Enhance cognitive function, reduce stress, and elevate creativity with this science-backed supplement.
💻 Explore My Online Course: The Microdose Diet: The 90-Day Plan for More Career Success, Passion, and Happiness is a proven system to transform your health and career trajectory.
A Trusted Voice in Health and Wellness Innovation
My work bridges the worlds of healthcare reform and individual wellness. With two decades of experience in technology and public service, I offer a unique perspective to help organizations navigate seismic changes in healthcare while empowering individuals to thrive in their personal and professional lives.
I believe true success begins with a foundation of strong mental and physical health. Whether through advising large organizations or guiding individuals, my approach focuses on creating tangible, lasting impact.
Let’s Work Together
📨 Whether you’re a leader in the healthcare space looking for strategic advice or an individual seeking personal growth, I’d love to help.
Follow me on Twitter and Instagram for thought leadership, actionable tips, and behind-the-scenes insights.
Disclaimer: This newsletter is for inspiration and information. Always consult a medical professional for health-related decisions.
Here’s to reshaping health, redefining success, and building a better future.
Peggy 🌟
