Daredevil Michelle Khare lives life to the extreme in Challenge Accepted, amassing more than 6 million followers and more than 1 billion views. Across the show, you’ll see Michelle attempt everything from Tom Cruise’s Deadliest stunt to Harry Houdini’s water torture cell to trying to earn a black belt in taekwondo in only 90 days. Michelle hopes to prove that with enough dedication and failure, anything is possible.
Michelle’s work has earned multiple Streamy Awards, including Show of the Year, and has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes,Vogue India, and more. In 2025, Challenge Accepted made history successfully petitioning to join the Primetime Emmy® ballot. Michelle was named a TIME100 honoree for her impact as a creator and storyteller.
Please enjoy!
This episode is brought to you by:
Daredevil Michelle Khare — How to Become a YouTube Superstar, Open Impossible Doors (FBI, Secret Service, etc.), Craft Jedi-Level Cold Emails, and Use Fear-Setting to Change Your Life
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Transcripts
SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE
- Connect with Michelle Khare:
Website | YouTube | Instagram | Threads | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn
Selected Challenge Accepted Episodes
Cold Emails: Best Practices
1. Subject Line
Your subject line should establish credibility, relevance, or a real mutual connection immediately.
Good options
- Collaboration with [Name / Brand / Project]
- [Your Name] x [Recipient / Company]
- Referral from [Mutual Contact] | [Your Name]
- For [Recipient] via [Mutual Contact] | [Your Name]
Rules
- If you have a real mutual connection, put it first.
- If you do not have big numbers, use your strongest real credibility marker: institution, publication, notable past work, relevant partnership, role, or a strong example of work.
- Do not exaggerate or invent a connection.
2. Greeting
Default to respectful and slightly formal.
Use
- Dear [Name],
- Hello Mr./Ms. [Last Name],
- Hello [Name]
Avoid
- “Yo, Ferriss”
- “Hey bro”
- Fake instant familiarity
3. Paragraph 1: Who You Are + Why This Matters
Keep this to two sentences max.
Sentence 1:
Who you are, plus one clear line of legitimacy.
Sentence 2:
Why you’re reaching out, and ideally what you are offering the other person.
Template
My name is [Name], and I’m [role] at [company/project], where we [one-line credibility marker]. I’m reaching out about [specific opportunity], which I believe could be valuable to you because [clear benefit].
Important
- Do not make the recipient click around just to understand who you are.
- The email itself should carry the basic credibility.
- Hyperlinks can support your point, but they should not do all the work.
4. Paragraph 2: The Idea
Again, keep this to two sentences max.
This is where you explain:
- what you want to do
- why it is relevant to them
- why you are a serious person who has done the homework
Template
I’ve been following [specific work / initiative / project], and I think there is a strong opportunity to [specific collaboration or angle]. My hope would be to [briefly describe scope], in a way that is useful for your team and worthwhile for your audience / recruiting / brand / mission.
This paragraph should make them think:
“This person understands what we do.”
5. Paragraph 3: Clear Call to Action
Keep this to two sentences max.
Be specific. Do not ask vaguely to “discuss something.” Do not bury your phone number in the signature.
Template
Would you be open to a quick call next week to see whether there’s a fit? Feel free to call or text me directly at [number].
You can also add:
Happy to keep it to 10 minutes. (If you promise 10 minutes, keep it to 10 minutes.)
6. Easy-Out Line
Use this at the end:
If you’ve read this far, I really appreciate it. And if you’re too busy to get back to me, I totally understand.
Best Practices
- Keep the body short: three short paragraphs, roughly two sentences each
- Show credibility early
- Make the value to them explicit
- Make the ask specific
- Hyperlink intelligently, but do not rely on links alone
- Avoid attachments unless they are absolutely necessary
- Include your phone number explicitly
- Put the phone number in the final sentence, not buried in the signature
- Use a clean signature
- If you promise 10 minutes, keep it to 10 minutes
Follow-Up Rules
- Send one follow-up only
- Wait about a week
- Do not keep sending “bumping this up”
- If they do not respond, move on
Sample Email
Subject: For [NAME] via [MUTUAL CONTACT] | Collaboration with [COMPANY]
Dear [NAME],
My name is [YOUR NAME], and I’m the [ROLE] at [COMPANY], where we [ONE-LINE CREDIBILITY MARKER]. I’m reaching out about a potential [FEATURE / COLLABORATION / PROJECT].
[I’ve been following [THEIR TEAM / THEIR PROJECT / THEIR WORK], and I think there is a strong opportunity to turn it into a concise, high-quality piece that is both accessible and accurate. My hope would be to [DESCRIBE THE SCOPE], in a way that is useful for your team and worthwhile for your audience / brand / recruiting / mission.]
Would you be open to a quick call next week to see whether there’s a fit? Feel free to call or text me directly at (555) 555-5555.
If you’ve read this far, I really appreciate it. And if you’re too busy to get back to me, I totally understand.
Best,
[YOUR NAME]
[ROLE]
[COMPANY]
Books
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