How '4-Hour Workweek' author Tim Ferriss went from a struggling entrepreneur to a bestselling author and podcast host with millions of fans

Sarah Jacobs/Business Insider

Tim Ferriss went from a struggling online entrepreneur to the head of a brand with millions of fans around the world.

• Tim Ferriss struggled with an online business after college and was unsure of what to do with his life.
• His 2007 book, "The 4-Hour Workweek," was based on his business and travels and became a surprise bestseller.
• Over the past 10 years, Ferriss has built a brand that has attracted millions of fans from around the world.

Just over 10 years ago, Tim Ferriss felt overworked, restless, and unsure of what he wanted to do with his life. Then he took what he learned from his experiences as an entrepreneur and traveler and wrote "The 4-Hour Workweek," a book whose massive success surprised himself most of all.

Ferriss took the momentum of that book and created a brand around being a "human guinea pig," seeking out experts in their fields to learn some of their techniques and incorporate them into his own life before passing them on to his audience. He's now had several bestsellers, including his new book "Tribe of Mentors," and a podcast that's surpassed 200 million downloads.

We recently spoke with Ferriss for Business Insider's podcast, "Success! How I Did It," and he took us through his unlikely journey.