In Search Of Excellence

Welcome to In Search of Excellence! We are happy to have Mat Ishbia as our guest today!Mat is the Chairman and CEO of the United Wholesale Mortgage, the largest wholesale mortgage lender in the United States, which had a $931.9 million net income in 2022. Mat owns 71% of the company shares that are worth $5.9 billion, which places Mat at 156 on the Forbes 400 in early 2023. Mat and his brother Justin bought a majority stake in the NBA, Phoenix Suns, and WNBA, Phoenix Mercury. Mat was a member of the Michigan State Spartans basketball team that went to three Final Fours and won the NCAA championship in 2000. He is the author of the book “Running the Corporate Office: Lessons in Effective Leadership from the Bench to the Boardroom”. Mat is also a very generous philanthropist who has given away more than $50 million. 01:26 Mat’s background- Born in Birmingham, Michigan, in a Jewish family- His mom was a schoolteacher and his dad lawyer and serial entrepreneur- From mom learned structure and accountability- From dad learned good work ethics and taking care of people 04:07 Mat’s life as a kid- Always competitive- Didn’t like to lose- Pretty good at school, loved sports 05:03 Sacrifices are essential for success- You can’t be good at everything- Focus and dominate one thing- Life’s goal should be happiness 09:58 Figuring out what to do as a student- Expose yourself to as many different internships, people, and networks as possible- Find what you are passionate about- Mat has a passion for competing and winning 14:01 How important is having a great personality and sense of humor for success?- Matt’s basketball career in the Michigan State team- The most popular guy on the team- It’s important to be who you are, genuine, kind, and caring- Every team needs camaraderie, leadership, culture, family atmosphere- The team is bigger than the person- A good team needs a balance of talent and chemistry (fit)- Different roles in Phoenix Suns 19:35 Deciding to choose his future career at 23- Wanted to be a basketball coach- Decided to join his dad’s mortgage company- Applied his basketball experience to the mortgage business 21:57 Is money the number onbe factor when choosing your career?- Opportunity to grow should be the no.1 factor- Also your dreams and aspirations- People focus too much on the money- Be great and successful in what you do and money will follow 24:27 What's cool or sexy about mortgages?- Became the CEO of United Wholesale Mortgage in 2013- Two years later, UWM was the no.1 wholesale mortgage lender in the country- Mat loves competing, improving, winning- Be great today and build on that tomorrowCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

You're listening to part 2 of the incredible conversation with Ben Johns, the number one pickleball player in the world and the greatest player of all time. On the business side, Ben is a co-founder of Pickleball Getaways, a vacation travel company, and the co-founder of Pickleball 360, an online instructional video subscription service.If you haven't yet listened to part one, be sure to check that one out first.Time stamps:00:58 Winning his first US OpenBen wasn’t expecting to winIncredible feeling, felt like a dreamProfessional high and low in Ben’s career 04:01 Being the lead in the beginning and todayPickleball is a new sport and requires a lot of learningMore competition leads to being a better playerWinning 108 matches in a row 08:04 Is tennis background an advantage?Tennis definitely lends a ton of advantagesDoesn’t automatically guarantee success 10:00 How long can Ben be so good?No concrete plan as to how long he will be in pickleballThe ideal age to play 12:47 Making money in pickleballThe potential of making at least seven figuresSponsors have a huge role 17:39 Ben’s mixed doubles partner Anna Leigh Waters10 years youngerVery tough and extremely talented 20:22 Ben’s diet and training routine2-3 hours every day on court5 days a week working out in the gymStandard healthy diet 21:49 A flow state in sportsA state where your body knows what to do without you thinking about itIt’s the perfect feeling that all athletes pursue 22:59 The importance of extreme preparationPreparation is crucialThe more prepared I am, the luckier I seem to be 24:39 The importance of humilityYou don’t need to talk yourself outPeople will admire you for your accomplishmentsHow do people approach him? 27:02 All-inclusive pickleball vacationsPickleball instructions from a pro playerThe cost of training with a proHow to contact Ben? 30:40 Elon Musk and Ben’s role modelsHis greatest role models are his parents and brotherAdmires Elon Musk very much 33:06 The importance of giving back to the communityBeing a good exampleContributing to the events with good cause 34:18 Fill in the blanks to excellenceBiggest lesson I learnedYou are most fulfilled by working hardMy number 1 professional goalTo be number one as long as I canMy number 1 personal goalLearn new things frequentlyAnd moreCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Welcome to another episode of In Search of Excellence! Our amazing guest is Ben Johns, the greatest pickleball player of all time. He has been the No.1 player in the world in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles for most of the last 3 years.On the business side, Ben is a co-founder of Pickleball Getaways, a vacation travel company that arranges pickleball vacations to Mexico, Portugal, Croatia, and other sunny locations. He is also the co-founder of Pickleball 360, an online instructional video subscription service that gives lessons on how to become a better pickleball player. 00:00 IntroductionWho is Ben Johns? 01:59 Ben’s backgroundSupportive, inspiring parents and 6 siblingsEncouraged to follow their own passion 04:15 Homeschooling of 7 kidsMom used online resources and textbooksKids worked at their own pacePersonal responsibilitySocial aspects of homeschoolingThey pursued their interests, and social stuff happened naturally 08:59 Sports Ben played as a kidPlayed baseball, tennis, table tennis, golfVery eye-hand oriented sports 10:32 Ben's college experienceSwitched majors from Business to Material Science and EngineeringHow Innovators Think course by Professor Mark WellmanAdvice to people who don’t know what they want to doExpose yourself to different things, experiment, research 17:24 Developing and innovating a new pickleball racketGenuinely interested in how to make paddles betterBeing genuine creates an opportunity in almost any area 19:27 Optimism and fear of failureOptimism is important, but also confidence and work ethicsDo your utmost and put 100% of your effortIf you fail, learn from it 22:56 Ben’s first business venturePickleball had the stigma of an old person's sportWanted to make it more exciting 24:04 What is pickleball?A combination of tennis and ping-pong on a badminton-sized courtVery easy to learn and very easy to play 27:19 The professional pickleballThe history of pickleball associationsThe TPA and APPThe merging of 2 leagues 32:25 The ownership and worth of pickleball teamsThe worth of major pickleball teamsTeams are part of venture capital groupsWho are the owners? 35:44 How do teams make money?A revenue modelThe vision is to make it like an NBA NFL type of leagueNo major TV contract but a rapidly growing fan basePickleball has fanatically engaged fans - a golden nugget for any investor 40:39 Pickleball statisticsIts popularity is growing among different groupsIt has a great social component 45:43 The start of Ben’s professional careerFirst professional tournament – US Open in 2016Won the US Open in 2017Making money and covering expensesCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Welcome to Part 2 of my amazing episode of In Search of Excellence with Brandi Love!Brandi has starred in more than 800 movies and her videos have been streamed more than a billion times. She has been nominated for and won 12 adult industry awards and is the author of the book Getting Wild Sex from Your Conservative Woman. She is also the owner of Traffic Stop Media and a real estate business together with her husband that renovates distressed properties.We discuss her strategies for success, making money and investing, the future of porn, and so much more. 02:53 Brandi’s great-grandfather Jesse LivermoreBrandi's savant great grandfather who was trading stocks at 14 years old04:27 Finding a nicheHoward Stern showToo old, too athletic, with a long faceThe American Pie and the term MILF08:49 The impact of Brandi’s job on her daughterBrandi’s college fan baseGreat relationship with her daughter11:12 The reaction of their parentsIt was a decision for her and her husband to make Their parents tried to stop them and take away their child17:15 The fallout from friendsA unique obstacle for adult entertainersPeople don’t want the stigmaThere are consequences to our choices19:50 How much do people make in the porn industry?Brandi is 50 and never earned more7 major revenue streams 24:57 Earnings on online porn websitesFor women, It’s possible to earn around $50.000/monthFor men, around $20.000/month 27:02 How has Only Fans changed the games for porn actresses?Only Fans is financially life-changingA lot of talent left the industry for Only Fans 32:16 Money managementDelayed gratification and investing moneyBuying a Ferrari37:54 Thoughts on porn VRNot her favorite because of the lack of interactionCan see the advantages of VR39:51 How is AI changing the porn industry?Forever VoicesAI is always available to hang out with fansBrandi trained her AI and the results were impressive 45:35 Mental health issuesSuicides in the porn industryYou have to be tough because of societal backlash 47:17 What are the elements of success?Love what you do, be passionate, be authentic47:39 The value of Extreme PreparationBrandi’s husband is an exceptionally prepared human beingShe extremely prepared for a contract with BMG49:37 Faking in the porn industryFaking means you chose the wrong careerBrandi can find something attractive in every man52:21 Issues with sexually transmitted diseasesThe industry standard is 14-day testNever had a bad test in 20 years 54:18 Sex trafficking and Porn HubHarming a child is the most disgusting crimePorn Hub is protected by the law (Netflix movie – Money Shot: The Porn Hub Story)56:54 The importance of giving backYou can donate time or money58:17 Fill in the blanks for excellenceCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Welcome to another episode of In Search of Excellence! My guest today is Brandi Love, one of the most famous and successful adult film actresses of all time.She has starred in more than 800 movies and her videos have been streamed more than a billion times. She has been nominated for and won 12 adult industry awards and is the author of the book Getting Wild Sex from Your Conservative Woman. She is also the owner of Traffic Stop Media and a real estate business together with her husband that renovates distressed properties.We are talking about her childhood, college years, finding her soulmate, first employment, and getting into the adult business. Tune in to hear Brandi’s fascinating life story!Time stamps:09:13 Brandi Love’s backgroundHad supportive parents and a great childhoodHer first passion was ice skatingAthletics and fitness in collegeGraduated with General Business degree 18:14 Meeting her soulmateMet her husband during her first year at collegeThey became inseparableMonogamous relationship and jealousy 20:39 Going into the corporate worldManaged a bagel storeLearned everything she didn’t learn at collegeShe was full of life and great with people 25:37 Cold calling and getting rejectedThe only job that made her cryHer husband helped her to understand how important that experience was 26:57 Working for Harley-DavidsonShe was a tomboy and bought her first motorcycle at 17Moving to North Carolina and getting a job at Harley-DavidsonShe was the only female and no.1 sales person every monthVery motivated and passionate 32:47 Dealing with jealousyHer husband was very successful and traveled a lotOne comment made her jealous and suspiciousThere is no plan B advice 39:41 Starting a wine label companyHaving a daughter and her husband having a heart attackDecided to have their own companyStarted a wine label company 45:23 What is porn?The definition of pornographyThe dividing line between porn and not pornNakedness on Instagram 51:25 Statistics about the porn industryThe global pornography industry brings $97 billion a year46 million Americans regularly visit porn sitesPeople don’t talk about pornography 59:35 The transition from the wine to the adult businessBrandi and her husband got an offer to build their adult content websiteStarted their first company in the adult businessThey already had an open marriageAt 18, won a bikini competitionDanced for a few years at a men's club 1:07:25 Approaching the adult industry as a businessCreated a business planBuilt a website, took photos, and uploaded themLearned a lot along the way, especially about marketingPersistently wrote letters to Howard SternGot invited to Howard Stern’s showTheir business took offCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Welcome to the second part of our interview with the amazing Joe Mansueto. Joe is the founder and former CEO of Morningstar, a financial services and investment research firm that is one of the most recognized companies in finance. It provides investment research and investment management services to many millions of people around the world. If you haven't yet listened to part one, be sure to check that one out first 00:55 The importance of parental supportJoe’s dad was buying saving bonds for his children for yearsHe gave the accumulated money to Joe to start his businessJoe made sure every dollar was spent wisely 05:07 Can parents give proper advice to children in today’s business environment?You should listen to your own instinctsBut also take into account your parents’ advice 09:06 The importance of cold callingYou learn about perseverance, handling rejection, processing, and not taking it personallyCold calling is a very valuable skill to have 13:40 Bootstrapping and raising moneyEntrepreneurs should not raise a lot of money if they can avoid itSubscription model for MorningstarThe pressures of raising outside money 20:11 Becoming rich should not be your primary goalJoe is more about independence, creativity, and autonomyOne of the byproducts is building wealthHis goal was to build a viable, enduring, independent company, that would survive for a very long timeYou should want to make money, but not at all costs 23:42 Joe’s soccer investmentsWanted to diversify his investmentsLoves soccer and it became his passionBought MLS team in Chicago 28:37 The importance of Extreme PreparationPreparation is essentialImportance of understanding the client and his needsIf you can move the needle for a company, any company will hire youShow the company how you can add value to it 33:26 Reaching out to successful peopleTrust your gut and do something that no one else doesPeople are much more accessible than you thinkSuccessful people want to help and give back 36:56 The responsibility of giving backGiving back is importantFinding meaningful ways of giving back 39:20 The pressure of giving money and being generousWe shouldn’t judge others on their philanthropyJoe signed a giving pledge to set a good exampleMost wealthy people are trying to make the world a better place 42:56 Fill in the blanks to excellenceJoe's biggest lesson in lifeJoe's number one professional goal Joe's number one personal goalThe importance of family and spending time with your childrenThe one piece of advice that you would give your 21-year-old self isJoe's biggest regret And more...Coaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Joe is the founder and former CEO of Morningstar, a financial services and investment research firm that is one of the most recognized companies in finance. It provides investment research and investment management services to many millions of people around the world. Morningstar has a market value of $10.6 billion and Joe earned his spot on the Forbes 400 with a reported net worth of $5.6 billion. Joe also owns magazines Inc. and Fast Company, as well as two professional soccer teams – the Chicago Fire in the MLS and FC Lugano in UEFA League.Time stamps:02:11 Joe’s childhoodHad a lot of unstructured timeLiked to do various projects 06:33 Joe’s first entrepreneurial experienceWent to a ham fest with a friendBought Drake 2B receiver for $20009:19 The Room 607Studied at the University of ChicagoLived in a new dorm with no place to buy soda or snacks11:20 The magic of boldnessYou grow by going beyond your comfort zoneJust give it a try and be willing to stand out16:34 The Christmas tree businessRented a truck, bought Christmas trees, and set up a shopLearned that managing your inventory is the key to successBroke even, but learned a lot 19:50 Should starting a company be fun?It should be fun and you should enjoy itFinding something you are passionate enough 21:04 How important is perseverance as part of the passion?Left it and went into investingReal entrepreneurs won’t give up until they find a solution 26:27 Funding an entrepreneur that failedJoe would fund entrepreneurs that failedFailure is a great lesson, not a black mark 28:07 A night manager at Arby’sWanted to start a concept of healthy fast foodGot a job of a night shift manager at Arby’s in ChicagoFound out he hated it32:06 How important is customer satisfaction and customer service to our success?Satisfying customers is extremely importantLearning to deal with people is highly valuable 34:18 How did Joe get excited about investing?Book mention: John Train, The Money MastersStarted working in an investing company - Harris associates 38:47 The great revelation about the mutual fund industryHad a lot of reports and other materialRealized that he had valuable dataLooked deeply at the mutual fund industryIt was a very obscure industry49:27 How important is it to do research when starting a company?Research + instincts + judgementThe data is out there and it is extremely important to researchCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Welcome to the second part of our interview with the incredible Tony Capuano, the President and CEO of Marriott International. Tony is the President and CEO of Marriott International, the world's largest hospitality company with nearly 8,600 properties in 139 countries and over 31 brands, including JW Marriott, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, BVLGARI Hotels & Resorts, The Ritz-Carlton, Westin Hotels and Resorts, and Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, among many others.Marriott also has the travel industry's largest customer loyalty program, Marriott Bonvoy, which has more than 186 million members! Tony sits on the board of directors of McDonald's Corporation and Save Venice, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the artistic heritage of Venice, Italy, which since its founding in 1971, has funded the conservation of nearly 2,000 individual artworks. 00:45 Becoming the CEO of Marriott- FILO (First In, Last Out)- Control the factors that you can control- Arne Sorensen died of pancreatic cancer - Arne was a friend, mentor, humble, iconic leader- Tony became the new CEO six days later - Had to compartmentalize his grief and start working immediately- Buying Starwood and a round-the-world tour- Bill Marriott’s advice to Arne Sorensen- Randall’s experience with Arnie - Arnie knew how to listen and connect with people 11:00 The biggest 3 lessons Tony learned from COVID- Core values and culture have never mattered more than in the pandemic- The value of authentic and transparent communication- The value of thoughtful stewardship of the company's financial position- The resilience of travel and wise business plan- Arnie’s pandemic video 16:22 Interaction with employees and customers- Reads every email he gets- A face-to-face business 18:04 The importance of Extreme reparation- Prepares extremely for earnings calls- Prepared for the audience with the Marriott board for 4 nights 22:12 The importance of giving back- It’s critically important to give back- Tony responded to every person who reached him out 23:52 Fill in the blanks to Excellence- The biggest lesson I've learned in my life is - Listen to the advice of your parents- My number one professional goal is - To give back- My number one personal goal is - To give back- And more!Coaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Welcome to another episode of In Search of Excellence. It’s a true pleasure to have Tony Capuano as our guest today! Tony is the President and CEO of Marriott International, the world's largest hospitality company with nearly 8,600 properties in 139 countries and over 31 brands, including JW Marriott, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, BVLGARI Hotels & Resorts, The Ritz-Carlton, Westin Hotels, and Resorts and Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, among many others. Marriott also has the travel industry's largest customer loyalty program, Marriott Bonvoy, which has more than 186 million members! Tony sits on the board of directors of McDonald's Corporation and Save Venice, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the artistic heritage of Venice, Italy, which since its founding in 1971, has funded the conservation of nearly 2,000 individual artworks. 01:56 Tony’s family, childhood and early years- The importance of work ethic- The impact of Tony’s father and grandfather- His parents divorced, lived with his father- Very self-sufficient from an early age- Played lacrosse at school- First job as a pot washer at Toby’s Dinner Theatre- Fell in love with the hospitality business- There are no bad jobs, everything can be a learning opportunity 09:39 Interns and the operating side of the business- Tony’s experience with his interns- A member of the Dean's Advisory Board at the Hospitality School at Cornell- Students who have a passion for the operating side of the business- Tony has a lot of optimism for the future of the industry 12:58 Job interviews after graduation- Cornell School of Hotel Administration- After 8 job interviews, got 7 offers and 1 rejection from Marriott- The importance of humility- Tony had deep admiration for the Marriott Company- Joined them in 1995 16:24 Working in a consulting firm- “A and B work” message from his boss that changed his perspective- Your work impacts your team, customers, and investors- Catchphrases from Bill Marriott and his father- Success is never final 22:02 Joining Marriott during their hardships- Worked under Kenneth Leventhal as a consultant- Got to do significant international work- But he had a burning desire to be inside the projects- Was always impressed with Marriott’s intellect, integrity, and innovation 24:36 The importance of being in the right place at the right time- Working until 10 pm- Raised with a strong work ethic- Carol Wagner and a trip to New York- Working until the job was doneCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Welcome to part two of my amazing conversation with Jason Belmonte, the greatest bowler of all time. He has won a record number of 15 major championships and has been named PBA Player of the Year 7 times. He is also the second person in PBA history that has won the Super Slam, winning all 5 PBA major titles in the same year. If you haven't yet listened to part one, be sure to check it out first. 00:00 Dealing with the defeat in 2008- At first, 60th of 63 contestants- Jason thought he was better- Watched what the best players in the world were doing- Won the eighth event 03:48 Tim Mack and the first contract- Tim was the best amateur player in the world- Called his sponsor to see Jason- Flew to Las Vegas for the tournament- Signed the contract for Storm Bowling 08:06 The courage to ask for what you want- You have to be OK to hear No- Finding the best way to ask for something- Show value and give them a reason not to say No 10:46 How to deal with hate and loneliness- Cheating accusations affected his mental health- Being constantly on a defense drained him- The jealousy of his competitors- Decided to focus on his supporters, not haters- The small inner circle of family and friends 20:24 Dealing with people that envy your success- His roommate wasn’t happy about his first win- Becoming successful very young feels lonely- The story of Norm Duke coming to his defense 36:13 Bowling with two hands- Jason doesn’t know the science behind it- Bowling with two hands became popular 39:17 The growth of the bowling industry- The industry is a wild beast- It has many opportunities to grow- The sport needs the right people in the right places 42:43 The importance of mental preparation and confidence- World Series comeback after 71 games- Self-belief is a huge element in the recipe for success- Understanding your own success 46:27 Throwing a ball outside of a NASCAR car- Promoting the game in an unusual and funny way- An incredible moment 50:25 The importance of Extreme Preparation- An honest discussion with yourself about why you are not as good as you can be- The goal is to figure out where you can improve and dedicate time to doing that52:54 Fill in the blanks to excellence- The biggest lesson I’ve learned- Number one professional goal- Number one personal goal- And more...Coaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

My guest today is Jason Belmonte, the best bowler in the history of this sport. He has won a record number of 15 major championships and has been named PBA Player of the Year 7 times. He is also the second person in PBA history that has won the Super Slam, winning all 5 PBA major titles in the same year. 01:30 Off days during world tours- It is brutally hard to compete- Tournaments are exhausting for both mind and body- Days off are mostly for sleep and relaxation 04:17 The first event outside of Australia- At 16, he traveled to Malaysia on a mini tour- Bowling conditions in Asia- That was the catalyst for understanding 10:35 The preparation for tournaments- Tries to leave Australia as late as he can- Most people like to play in the middle part of the lane- Bowling in a new tournament is a puzzle that you need to solve- Japan bowling centers 17:36 Types of lane surfaces and bowling balls- Synthetic lanes are made of tough plastic - Bowling balls are very similar to golf balls - Jason carries 20 balls on his tours- Bowling balls weigh up to 16 pounds- Materials and designs vary depending on the goal 26:32 Jason’s childhood- His parents built the bowling center after he was born- He started bowling at 18 months- The ball was too heavy so he had his own way of bowling- That difference gave him the advantage 31:16 Norm Duke and the Beast- Norm Duke is one of Jason’s favorite bowlers- Norm Duke’s ball was called the Beast- Got the Beast from his parents- Met Norm and competed against him 34:50 The culture of bowling- The popularity of bowling shirts, shoes, and other apparel- Breaking the stereotype of the burger-eating and beer-drinking bowler 39:02 Focusing on a bowling career- As a kid, besides bowling, played rugby and cricket- Realized he had to commit to one- Quit his job at Blockbuster- Dad fired him, his safety net was gone 45:07 What did Jason do with his first prize money- The first thing he bought was a Nokia 5110- Invested the money into his career- Losing and not generating income- Became incredibly analytical of his gameCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Welcome to the second part of In Search of Excellence featuring Kelly Hansen, the lead singer of the legendary rock band Foreigner which has had five platinum records and sold more than 80 million albums. He was also the lead singer of the heavy metal band Hurricane, popular in the 80s. 03:46 The importance of being proactive- Kelly was frustrated with where he was- Realized he had to be proactive- You have to handle criticism- Believe in yourself enough that you can take the risk- Keep moving forward- Is fear our greatest motivator to success? 11:47 Sex, drugs & rock ’n’ roll- Learned a huge lesson in Hurricane - They became famous rock stars - 6 months after the label went under, no one knew who they were- What popularity projects to you is not reality - You have to know who you are as a person- Experienced some things of a rock star life - Never did drugs 16:05 Playing in front of 50 000 people- There are a lot of types of audiences - You have to treat each kind differently- Responsible for converting the audience- How to keep your energy night after night?- Show hours have to be the apex of the day 23:02 Priorities in life- Re-prioritized his life- Currently on the farewell tour- Has other passions besides music- Wants to spend time with his family 26:05 Popular songs vs. “bathroom” songs- The band had 16 Top 30s- Every single song did well- Fortunate to be in a band with so many popular songs 28:28 The importance of Extreme Preparation for success- Your 100% might be somebody else's 70%- When you over-prepare, it's like muscle memory- Bands in the 70s and 80s looked rebellious and unhappy- 45 years later, not trying to prove how dark and cool they are - Smiling is a huge part of that 34:15 The current state of the music business and where's it going?- Talked with a famous rapper about his revenue stream- Live is the only place you're making any money- Everybody's stealing and no one’s paying- A cynical view of what's going forward- AI created content- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 40:44 Giving back to others- Started working with Grammy Foundation - To raise awareness about the lack of funding for school music programs- Did a lot of work for the Shriners Hospital - Helping parents pay bills for their sick children 42:18 Fill in the blank for excellence- When I started my career, I wish I had known - More about collaboration- The biggest lesson I've learned in my life is - You are insignificant- And moreCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Welcome to another episode of In Search of Excellence! My guest today is Kelly Hansen, the lead singer of the legendary rock band Foreigner, which has had five platinum records and sold more than 80 million albums. He was also a lead singer of the heavy metal band Hurricane – one of the most popular bands in the 80s. Kelly is a great musician with an amazing life story. 00:00 Kelly’s Family and Growing Up- A vivid picture from his childhood of his parents carrying albums under their arms- Mom had a GTO convertible- At school, he sang in the school choir – a part of the curriculum- Discovered that he can sing almost accidentally- Didn’t know how to use his voice, took some singing lessons- Realized he could do that as his job 09:55 The Beginnings of Kelly’s Singing Career- The first gig was at teen dance night- He was a part of a cover band- Later, they played at high school dances- Ended up playing all over Southern California- Played a military base in Yuma, Arizona- Music requires a lot of sacrifices and hard work- The band Hurricane- Parents were supportive 18:00 After High School- Left the high school band- Had his own bands - Kelly Hansen band, The Last Tango- Played around LA- His father was his manager- Also started doing sessions- Played in a couple of cover bands- Played 5-6 days a week- Tried to connect to the audience- Played with Ross Bolton, a great guitarist- The Guitar Institute of Technology - GIT 23:39 The Rise and Success of Hurricane- Met the drummer of the band- Later on, met bassist Tony Cavazo and guitarist Robert Sarzo- Started making music together- Found a new drummer - Jay Shelton- That's when they really became Hurricane- Did some demos with the producer called Kevin Beamish- Mixed them themselves- Sent them around to record labels- Made an EP with the producer Max Norman- The record label noticed them- Went on a tour- Went on the road- Made their second record- The third record- Continued doing shows and making songs- Doug Aldrich came to the band- Enigma records- Doing shows on the road, trying to sell records- Canceling the rest of the tour 41:48 Becoming a Foreigner’s Lead Singer- In the early 90s, a new style of music was coming in- Tackled the other aspects of the recording business that he loved- Album production started to slowly sank down as technology advanced- Realized he had to go back to what he does best - being the lead singer- Foreigner was trying to get back together- Set up a meeting with Tom Gimbel of Foreigner- Back and forth conversation with management of Foreigner- Received 5 Foreigner tracks - the original recordings, but without any vocals- Mick Jones got to hear that CD in New York- Kelly was one of the first ones to jam with the guys- He got into the band- Printed lyrics of songs and was memorizing 24/7Coaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Welcome to In Search of Excellence and the second part of our conversation with Dr. Mike Roizen.Dr. Mike is a world-renowned physician and author whose work has helped tens of millions of people improve their health and wellness through lifestyle changes, and whose purpose in life is to spread the message that we get to control our genes to a large degree. Dr. Mike formerly served as the Chairman of the Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, and Dean of the Division of Biological Sciences at the University of Chicago, and in 1997, he left to co-founded a company called Real Age, a consumer health media company that inspires people to adopt healthier lifestyles. Shortly after selling the company, Dr. Roizen was named Chief Wellness Officer at the Cleveland Clinic, the first such position at a major healthcare institution in the United States. Dr. Mike has published more than 185 peer-reviewed scientific papers, has written 18 books, including 4 New York Times bestsellers, and has received 13 and many foreign patents. 00:55 Stress management- Most stressful events are financial- The Christmas Eve story- Stress management technique- 10 breaths in the morning and evening 04:25 Vaccines in general and COVID-19 booster- The initial COVID vaccination and the first booster were beneficial- Long COVID and Spanish flu- Dr. Mike is scared of the inflammation- Flu vaccine 10 years in a row decreases the risk of dementia by 40% 11:15 Food recommendations- Eat things that are healthy, that you love and that will love you back- Eating bad food in moderation- Fruit is a sugar and fruit is bound to fiber and is not easily absorbed- 20g a day is fine 18:30 Obesity and fat reduction- Obesity, especially obesity around your waist, causes inflammation- White vs. brown fat- Side effects of drugs for reducing fat- We don’t know the long-term risk 22:40 Are hot sauna and cold plunge useful?- We have more data on the sauna- Sauna decreases heart disease and stroke risk- Increases longevity 24:05 Effectiveness of vitamins and supplements- The longevity playbook analyzed 53 supplements- 15 have enough data on humans- Creatine was a surprise 26:25 Can we live 120 years and do we really want to?- As a society, we need to- We are not producing enough kids- The working age will go from 40 to 60 years- The whole body will have a chance to get younger- Old people can be functional as young people 30:45 Is there just a simple checklist that we should be looking at every day?- Do what you love doing- There are many choices but do what you love and add things onCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Welcome to another episode of In Search of Excellence! My guest today is Dr. Mike Roizen – a world-renowned physician and author whose work has helped tens of millions of people improve their health and wellness through lifestyle changes, and whose purpose in life is help other control their gene expression through healthy living. Dr. Mike formerly served as the Chairman of the Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, and Dean of the Division of Biological Sciences at the University of Chicago, and in 1997, he left to co-found a company called Real Age, a consumer health media company that inspires people to adopt healthier lifestyles. Shortly after selling the company, Dr. Roizen was named Chief Wellness Officer at the Cleveland Clinic, the first such position at a major healthcare institution in the United States. Dr. Mike has published more than 185 peer-reviewed scientific papers, has written 18 books, including 4 New York Times bestsellers, and has received 13 patents. 07:32 The difference between real age and actual age- Used to think this was all physiologic- How to calculate your actual age?- Age test on a new app called Longevity Playbook at the longevityplaybook.com 13:10 The results of the Human Genome Project- What's the rest of the DNA?- Switches that control your genes- Your habits influence how your genes function 15:58 How will 20% of our genetics we cannot control negatively influence our life expectancy?- Some of us are born with dominant genetic genes that might cause sickle cell disease- Many of those 20% we're learning how to alter with CRISPR Cas9- Stress Management turns off or on over 256 genes and reduces our rate of aging very substantially 17:51 How useful is DNA testing like 23andMe?- They are designed to let you know what risk you have from a genetic standpoint- You can take action to reduce the risk- Some of these tests aren't exactly accurate 20:19 Should parents do genetic testing of their kids?- In the future, it will be more common and more useful.- Some genetic tests are mandated state by state- We're still in the infancy of this field 24:34 38 choices to improve cognitive functioning and reduce aging- Mike’s life mission is to alter your genetics to control them to improve the quality of life and life expectancy - Speed of processing games- Favorite video games- Mike jumps rope every day 36:14 How to get 10,000 steps a day when you are a very busy person?- Walking on a treadmill as you work, making phone calls- What is important is physical activity- 10,000 daily steps are optimal 40:35 The benefits of drinking coffee- If you're a fast metabolizer, drinking lots of coffee lowers your risk of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Type 2 diabetes- 8 cancers, including breast cancerCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Welcome to the second part of In Search of Excellence, featuring an exceptional man and a good friend of mine, David Kidder.David is a serial entrepreneur, active angel investor, advisor to Fortune 500 companies, sought-after speaker, and author of four books, including two New York Times bestsellers, “The startup playbook” and “The intellectual devotional”.David has been a co-founder and CEO of three venture-backed startups, including Clickable, SmartRay, and Bionic, where he is currently a CEO.We are discussing if an entrepreneur is born or made, what is the right motivation to start a business, how to learn from hardships, what is the concept of TOAD, and the concept of Becoming. Tune in to hear more! 00:35 Are you born as an entrepreneur or you can become one?- Born entrepreneurs are very rare- Mostly conditioned at home- Creativeness and problem-solving 09:52 The motivation for starting a business- Those who earn $100 million are rare- You can't be a billionaire without being lucky- Compounding is the secret to long-term wealth 16:51 Extreme preparation and its importance for the success- Extreme preparation benefits greatly- For public speaking, David prepares like hell- Do not love people just to get something from them 23:20 Transition from an entrepreneur to an angle investor- 70% of all of our returns come from 7% of all capital deployed- There are two investment signals- You have to put yourself in a network 27:47 Dealing with difficult people and hardships- You have to have the ability to say no to people- Best books about entrepreneurship- Success is a bad educator- Growth lives in discomfort 33:34 Three most important things to look for in an entrepreneur- Why them? What is their secret? What is their proprietary gift?- Timing, their understanding of the forces within the next 3-5 years- The ability to solve a problem and create an unfair advantage 35:24 Three worst things that an entrepreneur can do- Overconfidence- Ambition, not obsession, as a drive- Urgency bias 37:14 What motivates David to be self-aware and constantly grow?- The Becoming Journey- The second stage is Love Loving point- Mike Tyson – an incredible human being- Toad principle 44:28 What is a toad and how it changes people’s lives?- It's a natural psychedelic that exists in both biological and organic form- The conscious physical reality that we live in is a part of the larger nature of our creation- These are not toys, they're not recreational, they're profoundly powerful- You’d probably want to experience them later in your life, in your 40s and 50s 48:12 Fill in the blank to excellence- When I started my career I wish I had known - The biggest lesson I've learned in my life is- My number one professional goal is- My biggest regret in life isCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Welcome to another episode of In Search of Excellence! My guest today is my good friend, David Kidder.David is a serial entrepreneur, active angel investor, advisor to Fortune 500 companies, sought-after speaker, and author of four books, including two New York Times bestsellers, “The Startup Playbook” and “The Intellectual Devotional."David has been a co-founder and CEO of three venture-backed startups, including Clickable, SmartRay, and Bionic, where he is currently a CEO.We are talking about his background and early years, college experience, his first company, how to be successful as an entrepreneur, how to overcome the fear of failure, and what the future holds for our kids in this constantly changing world. Tune in to learn more! 02:15 David Kidder’s background and early childhood05:22 What is Montgomery Ward?08:26 The advice to companies that get offers to be bought by private equity firms11:45 How to hire the right person for the job?15:26 As a young entrepreneur, how to figure out what is good?19:30 The story of David's uncle, Roger Franchi23:25 How important are mentors for success?26:02 How important is the college experience today? 30:24 How to advise kids on caring for their mental health?35:04 The advice to students on how to deal with mental stress and negative thoughts 43:28 The start of David’s first company at 19 46:55 What is a roll-up?49:40 Fear of failure and how to bounce back from failureCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Welcome to Part 2 of Garrett McNamara, a legendary surfer who owns a world record for the largest wave ever surfed – 100 feet tall – which is the equivalent of the 10-story office building or the height of Niagara Falls.He is the first person ever to ride a wave created by breaking glaciers.Garrett is the author of the book “Hound of the Sea: Wild Man. Wild Waves. Wild Wisdom.” and the star of the fantastic HBO documentary TV series called “100 Foot Wave”.He is also a dedicated philanthropist. Garrett and his wife, Nicole, started an amazing Waves of Life McNamara Foundation, which helps kids to discover nature and be more environmentally conscious and self-sufficient, with a particular focus on disadvantaged kids.In this episode, we are talking about the big waves in Portugal, his team and preparation process, how to face the fear of death, his McNamara Foundation and so much more!10:10 Surfing big waves at 50/60 miles per hourExtremely dangerousIf there's no wind and it's glassy and smooth12:38 Coming to Nazare in PortugalIn 2005, got an email from Dino in Nazare, PortugalEmailed Larry Hamilton first, then Carlos BurleGarrett replied right away 15:40 How does a big wave form?The many variables that go into a waveIn Portugal, waves are formed by a shelf 30-60 feet deepComing of the swellRogue wave at the shoreWaiting on the wave and the thought processHow to know if it’s a big wave 23:54 Garrett’s team and what they doNicole, his wifeSafety drivers, trainersFirst responder, ambulance, fireman, lifeguardsVideographersPartners and sponsorsLawyers and advisersIt’s all about surrounding yourself with people with the same goals 27:05 Training and diet for big wave surfingTraining can be focused or openPeople aren’t drinking or doing drugsTraining 3-7 days a weekGarrett's current training regimenGarrett has tried all the dietsLoves a good organic, grass-fed, free-range steak, chicken and fish 37:12 Facing death and the fear of dyingNever lost a tow surfer until last year in NazareProbably drowned, but the results of the autopsy didn’t come outBig wave surfing deaths were many throughout the yearsEvery big wave is differentWhen you get pounded, the main thing is to relax and enjoy itYou have zero control you have you're at the mercy of the oceanIf you prepare properly and you have a good team, you know you're not going to dieHow many times did Garrett almost die?Fear of going out surfingHow to conquer your fears 52:31 Extreme Preparation in the world of big wave surfingExtreme Preparation is a good safety planFigure out the possible challenges and prepare solutionsPrepare for the worst but expect the bestThe power of visualizationEvery person can become what they want with a good plan 57:33 McNamara FoundationSharing meaningful nature experiences with underprivileged youthGetting them to fall in love with nature, throCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Welcome to the second part of In Search of Excellence episode featuring Garrett McNamara, a legendary surfer who owns the world record for the largest wave ever surfed, 100 feet tall, which is the equivalent of the 10-story office building or the height of Niagara Falls. He is the first person ever to ride a wave created by breaking glaciers. Garrett is also the author of the book “Hound of the Sea: Wild Man. Wild Waves. Wild Wisdom.” and the star of the fantastic HBO documentary TV series called “100 Foot Wave."He is also a dedicated philanthropist. Garrett and his wife, Nicole, started an amazing Waves of Life McNamara Foundation, which helps kids to discover nature and be more environmentally conscious and self-sufficient, with a particular focus on disadvantaged kids. Time stamps:02:05 From a hippie commune to a crazy cultBorn in Massachusetts, grew up in BerkleyRaised by a single mom in a hippie communeFound the cult The Christ FamilyHe was around 6, and his brother was 4Those were the crazy times 07:57 Life in HawaiiWas being poor motivation for his success later in life?In Hawaii, mom had a husband DarylLived on welfareAlways wanted to feel secure and not worry about the money 11:14 Surviving elementary schoolFirst went to elementary school in BerkleyIn Hawaii, he fought with Filipino gangsIn high school, fought with another guy and took him outHawaiians and Filipinos fought mostly with brass knuckles and knives 16:30 Garrett’s first surfing boardAnybody with darker skin who moves to Hawaii is accepted fasterHaole – Hawaiian term for anyone that is not a native HawaiianHis garage sale surfboardSurfed for the first time with his friend Butchy Boy Wong, a Chinese HawaiianHe fell in love with surfing at 11 21:25 Falling in love with big wavesHis bad experience surfing at Sunset and his fear of big wavesDidn’t have a father in Hawaii, but had father figures (Roy Patterson, Gustavo Liberte)Was hanging out with Gustavo, smoked marijuanaWhen he was 16, Gustavo wanted to take him to surf at SunsetGustavo literally grabbed him by the neck and took him 27:27 How Garrett quit drugs and alcoholWas using drugs often, but stopped at 19He was invited to a Triple CrownRealized that it was possible to earn a living from surfingQuit using pot, cocaine, and alcohol to become a professional surferHow much money did he earn in Japan? 33:30 Garrett’s brother LiamLiam was better than Garrett, had more sponsors, made more moneyLiam became the most photographed surfer in the worldCaught more waves than anybody at Rocky Point and PipelineHe should have won the Pipeline Masters one year but didn’tBreaking his femur and how it affected his career 41:35 What is big wave surfing?Surfing on big waves became popularAnderson Cooper described it as cruising at the side of a skyscraper but the skyscraper is collapsing on youGarrett describes his best experience with big wave surfingCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Welcome to the second part of In Search of Excellence episode featuring Ryan Sheckler, one of the greatest skateboarders of all time!Ryan turned pro when he was only 13 and became the youngest gold medalist in X Games history. At 17, he was the star of his own MTV reality show, The Life of Ryan. And in 2008, he created the Sheckler Foundation, whose goal is to support and enrich the lives of children and injured action sports athletes.Tune in to hear about his experience with the reality show, how success led him to a very dark place of alcohol addiction, how he fought hard for his recovery and found Jesus, and so much more! 00:47 The good and the bad of Ryan’s reality TV showThe first season was super funDidn’t think much about it or about anything else except himselfStopped filming at season 3 because he was absolutely over itHis parents split up in the middle of the seasonHe was a vulnerable, confused, sad, and angry teenagerWent crazy on the streets, pushed the boundaries, and filmed 08:08 A crazy lifestyle and losing controlYears 17 to 21 were crazyBought a Ferrari at 18, constantly threw partiesThose days were a learning experienceTurned into a character that people wanted him to beUsed alcohol to quiet the noiseBelieves that God had a plan for him 12:40 The drinking addiction and recoveryStarted drinking around 17Alcohol was at him to kill himHe thought he had a good tolerance to alcoholStarted partying and drinking every night, then during the dayHe was confused about who he wasThankfully, no social media back then22:10 The relapse in NorwayRyan was 25 and preparing for X Games in OsloJust ended a toxic relationshipHad a bunch of drinks and got on the planePrayed to God to make him fallFlew home the next morningLasted for 4 years and then relapsedThough he could be a normal drinker, but he could never be 31:21 Clay Thompson and Michael PhelpsClay was friends with his friend TonyThey talked a lot during the recovery phaseThey keep in touch regularlyGot in contact with Michael Phelps during his rehab 35:12 The Costco Gap and skating in TaiwanSearch on YouTube - Ryan Sheckler Costco gapHe did the basic jump successfully on the first tryFour tries later did a kick-flipIn Taiwan, almost got run over by a truck on a freewaySkateboarding in Taiwan is epicAt the time, just healed from a knee surgery51:15 Three to five most important ingredients of successPresenceFocusVariableCareBeing O.K. with failure53:53 Family life and his dogsWalter - a seven-year-old French BulldogLeo - a 10-year-old lab mixMet his wife thanks to their dogs58:10 The Sheckler FoundationHad an experience with Make a Wish FoundationRaising $240,000The Sheckler Foundation1:03:25 Fill in the blanksOne thing in life that you haven't done yet, but always wanted to doThe proudest moment of his lifeCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Welcome to another episode of In Search of Excellence! My guest today is Ryan Sheckler, one of the greatest skateboarders of all time! He turned pro when he was only 13 and, in that same year, became the youngest gold medalist in X Games history. At 17, he was the star of his own MTV reality show, The Life of Ryan. And in 2008, he created the Sheckler Foundation, whose goal is to support and enrich the lives of children and injured action sports athletes.Tune in to hear about his beginnings, the skateboarding community, Tony Hawk, the crucial X Game competition that made him famous, and so much more! Time stamps:00:50 Ryan’s first skateboarding experienceHe was around 18 months oldA wild kid that moved around a lotDiscovered skateboarding as a toddler and naturally took it to the next levelAll his neighbors skatedLoves free-falling and speedThe reaction of parents when they got hurtBroke his arm when he was 505:48 Wearing helmets and padsVery important for kids that are still learningWore helmet until 14There is always a risk of fallingToday, it’s all about social mediaSocial media can work for you or against for youKids should learn in their own way and at their own paceThere're no rules to skateboarding, you’ve got to feel itRandall’s experience in Venice skate park15:00 Meeting Tony HawkTony Hawk skated at the YMCARyan’s dad emailed him and asked to come to a birthday partyTony asked for $500 and a chocolate cakeIt was an incredible experienceHis coming and the way he treated them stuck with him17:22 Skater community is a giving communityWas in Cuba years agoThe skate scene in Cuba is epicThey build their own incredible skateboards from various materialsLeft everything he brought with himself thereThe skater community is special and very givingRyan traveled the world as a skateboarderYou don't have to speak the language, speaking skateboarding is enoughWhat they all have in common is painRyan had 12 broken bones, ligaments injuries, surgeries, and pinsDo good things for people in silenceRandall’s son skateboarding themed Bar MitzvahAs getting older, Ryan wants to be more selfless27:50 Rodney Mullen and his impact on Ryan’s lifeRodney Mullen is the best skateboarder alive everRodney is the forefather of skateboardingA Skateboard company called AlmostUnexpectedly, Rodney Mullen called RyanRyan was obsessed with skateboarding and won many competitionsBut didn’t expect to go pro before 21Started traveling with RodneyThe impact he had on Ryan’s life is immeasurable 33:57 Winning the X Games at 13Getting invited to X GamesAlways enjoyed skateboarding contestsGot the opportunity to go to X GamesHe was stoked to be around all the skateboarding superstarsPreformed excellently and his score was the bestHe won the competition but it didn’t make sense to himHad to go to school the next day 38:50 Learning wrestling in high schoolWon the X Games and turned proThat summer hadCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Welcome to Part 2 of an amazing episode of In Search of Excellence, featuring Devon Laratt, a Canadian professional arm wrestler who has won multiple world championships and is one of the best arm wrestlers of all time. He is also a former member of the Canadian Armed Forces.In today’s episode, we talk about the things crucial for success, the importance of preparation, and the ability to accept defeat. You’ll hear about his most important wins and losses, the famous arm wrestlers he fought against, and so much more.Time stamps:01:05 The importance of Extreme PreparationThings important for successConsidered the no. 1 arm wrestler in the world at 33As you age you start losing physical energyFor the last four years, only trains his right handA lot of sacrifices is needed to become Number 1You must be obsessed05:19 How does Devon prepare for a match?Devon’s training falls into 3 categoriesThe most important is actual practice on the tableBreaking new grounds and pushing forwardMuscle, tissue, and training rehabStaying current 09:07 How important is a passion for success?Passion is probably the most important thingWhen you love something, you will be extremely motivatedMotivation will never be a problemYou have to know yourself 11:38 How to bounce back from a huge loss?Lost 6:0 from Denis CyplenkovDenis is an incredible human beingLearned a lot from DennisWas defeated by an incredible arm wrestlerIt’s great to have people to keep you humble and inspiredDenis is an inspirational athlete and fighterIs there a fear of losing?There are far more serious things than a matchLoves to fight and wants to have a good timeCherishes his losesLosses make you stronger 17:18 Is wrestling like poker?In poker, you have your cardsMaybe not much like poker (random)Arm wrestling is about self-betterment and growth of selfNo Limits - a nick name given to DevonEndurance has been his gift, never fallen short of itCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Welcome to another episode of In Search of Excellence! My guest today is Devon Larratt, one of the greatest arm wrestlers in the world.Devon is a Canadian professional arm wrestler and a former member of the Canadian Army Forces. He has won multiple world championships and is considered to be one of the best arm wrestlers of all time. He is also a fantastic person and one of the most entertaining and charismatic sports figures!We talk about this very unusual sport, his grandmother who was “the best arm wrestler in Alberta," underground arm wrestling competitions, his military career, and more!Time stamps:00:00 Is arm wrestling really a sport?Arm wrestling is a very simple sportIt has federations with rule setsIt is done on a professional tableThe size of the arm wrestling tableThe elbow must stay on 7” plain surfaceWhat does it take to winNeutral position startTake a grip, ready go, pin your opponent, win the match Advantages and disadvantages of different anatomiesHow Sylvester Stallone influenced arm wrestlingThe movie Over the Top09:39 How popular is arm wrestling in US?It is very popular, but doesn’t have government support3 prominent professional leaguesArmors, King of the Table, East vs. WestAmateur arm wrestling – WAF and IFAArm wrestling as a sport is growingWorld Arm Wrestling LeagueThe deciding factor is does it bring moneyToday it does have sponsors13:50 Devon’s backgroundGrew up in Big Island, Ontario on a farmHe was a high energy kidHis grandma was an arm-wrestlerNever beat his grandma in arm wrestlingHis brother showed him The Pumping Iron bookWas fascinated with Arnold SchwarzeneggerIdentified strength with being a manObsessed with strength, fitness, performanceTraining from a very young ageAfter high school worked in oil fieldTon of young man worked thereHe arm wrestled with them and beat everybodyDion Angel was unbeatableAt the time, arm wrestling was completely underground25:08 Are mentors necessary for success?A goal is a light in the distanceSometimes you meet people who have been where you are goingThey can be amazing guides Dion was one of those peopleMentors provide guidance and save you timeWith Internet mentors are much more available27:30 Joining the Canadian MilitaryJoined the army in 1996Combat tours are scaryIt takes time to develop psychological strength to fight Spent 20 years in arm forcesComplications from arm wrestling made him leaveYou chose to serve your country and fightBeing shot you realize how lucky you areStuck for 4 days, had to take extremely strong antibioticsDestroyed gut flora and was sick for 6 monthsBeing a follower and a desire to be the best41:49 Devon’s vision of war and sportsLife is a gift and one of our jobs is to be happyOne key to happiness to find things that make you happyDevon was always attracted to fightingCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Welcome to the second part of our insightful conversation with Mircea Geoana, the Deputy Secretary General of NATO. Mircea was born and educated in communist Romania, finished his education in the West, and built a successful political and diplomatic career.He was appointed as an ambassador to the U.S.A. and became the youngest ambassador in Romania’s history. He later served as a president of the Romanian Senate, Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Deputy Prime Minister. In 2009, he narrowly lost the elections for the president of Romania when he received 49.6% of the votes.Mircea is a board member of several organizations, including the World Economic Forum, The Aspen Institute, and the European Council on Foreign Relations. He is also a published author and has written several books on foreign policy and international relations.00:00 NATO’s billion-dollar entrepreneur fundNATO created an ecosystem where young entrepreneurs can test their ideas for freeTesting ideas in DIANA – Defense Innovation Accelerator for the North AtlanticThe Innovation Fund – The first ever multi-national sovereign venture capital fundCompetition with ChinaEuropean HQ for DIANA is based at Imperial College in London10:23 Mistakes made and things learned from themDon't be satisfied with your learningAspen Institute in ColoradoStarted Aspen Institute in RomaniaWishes to become a moderator of Aspen leadership seminars 15:20 Five ingredients of being a great leaderThere are no natural-born leadersThere are many different types of leadersNever be happy with your success (make room for progress)17:55 How important it is to be funny as a team leaderA tendency to become rigid and dry from within over timeTry to be humble and listen to othersEverybody has something to offerThere is always something to learn20:32 What does it take to be successfulLife is tough and has ups and downsThere is always another chanceNever give up 21:36 Extreme PreparationRomanians are very talented people, but sometimes neglect preparationHard work is very important (talent is not enough)In NATO, everything is done with thorough preparationPreparing for the unexpectedDon’t take things too seriously26:30 The importance of mentorsBelieves in mentorship and, even more, in indirect mentorshipStarted mentorship program with NATORandall’s mentorship programMircea’s dream is to bring programs to Romania31:33 The secret to work-life balanceThe balance between mind, body, and spiritA tendency to have a foresight for bad things to happenA Randall’s intern spoke in NATO about the anti-microbial diseaseFocusing on simple things – love, compassion, giving back, improving yourselfWhat is next after leaving NATO?35:41 Fill in the blank to excellenceMircea's biggest lesson in lifeMircea's number 1 professional goalMircea's number 1 personal goalMircea's biggest regret in lifeMircea's biggest dreamMircea's advice to a 21-year-old selfCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

My guest today is Mircea Geoana, the Deputy Secretary General of NATO, who has had a successful political and diplomatic career for more than three decades.At the age of 36, he was appointed as an ambassador to the U.S. and became the youngest ambassador in Romania’s history. He later served as a president of the Romanian Senate, Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Deputy Prime Minister.In 2009, he narrowly lost the elections for the president of Romania when he received 49.6% of the votes. He is a board member of several organizations, including the World Economic Forum, The Aspen Institute, and the European Council for Foreign Relations. He is also a published author and has written several books on foreign policy and international relations.00:00 Family Background and CommunismBorn in communist RomaniaHis dad (an engineer) and mom (transportation company)Growing up in communism and feeling oppressedWhen communism collapsed, immediately went to see the WestHis fascination with AmericaApart from the U.S., dreamed of visiting France and Italy09:25 U.S. Immigration America is the land of immigrantsPeople should be welcomed, but it’s not easy to receive too many peopleThe USA was an inspiration for him on how to rebuild RomaniaThe transition from communism to the capitalistic systemWanted to transfer back home the best ideas from the West 12:00 EducationGetting his Ph.D. in Economics and studying in Romania and FranceHow important is education?America is an abundant example of success without formal educationNever be satisfied with what you know (education should be ongoing learning of new things)Many things are available onlineLearning how to learn and understanding learning is a constant processChoose whatever you want, but know you never know enoughThe importance of building a social network in college18:34 What Does NATO Do?NATO creates the foundation of peace, stability, and securityInsurance policy for 1 billion citizensExamples NATO efforts 23:05 Russian Invasion of UkraineNATO tried very hard to prevent invasion (in January 2021, tried to dissuade Russia but failed)How did Russia get it so wrong?Russian leadership lives in a different reality than the rest of the worldHe hopes that Russians will realize that their leadership is in wrongDoubts that Russian citizens have real informationHow is this war going to end (both sides need to compromise)?What makes a successful invasion (pre-conditions for counteroffensive)?Ukraine requested to join NATO when Crimea was takenThoughts on Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, and Sweden38:32 Nuclear Weapons and WW3Russia has hypersonic missiles9 countries have nuclear weaponsThree NATO countries have nuclear weaponsNuclear weapons are very dangerousThe risks of nuclear war43:47 Punishment for War CrimesSooner or later, every crime is going to be punishedWe have conventions that regulate the warAttempt to organize a war trial tribunalIt’s not easy but, in the end, justice will be servedCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Work ethic is THE single-biggest determinant of your success. In this epsidoe, learn from how the best in the world refine their work ethic and hear their thoughts on how to achieve true excellence in life and business. What is success? What are the key ingredients to success? How to overcome challenges and stay motivated? How to give back and inspire others? These are just a few of the questions they will answer. Tune in to hear more and grow and thrive on your path to excellence!(00:00) IntroductionSandee domain (www.sand.ee > www.sandee.com)Become indefatigable(03:42) Mike Horn – World’s Greatest ExplorerLatitude Zero Degree ExpeditionWe only have 30 000 days! Use them!Surviving death squadDon’t worry about the stuff you can’t change! (09:05) Bob Pittman - CEO of iHeartRadioPassion isn’t something you planHired at NBC in Chicago as a 20-year-oldWhatever you do, do something you enjoy!(10:43) Jon Gordon - Best Selling Author and Keynote SpeakerDid a lot of research on how to be positiveTalented at making complex ideas simpleCreated weekly positive tipsJon's #1 tip - Gratitude Walks!That will flood the brain with positive emotionsMind is like a garden - weed the negative! Feed the positive!(13:22) Chris VossThree most important ingredients to successBe a little bit better every dayBe a better team player vs. the team leader (if you want to go far, go as a team)Hear people out(16:27) Brian Lee - Founder of LegalZoom and The Honest Company, and CEO of Arena ClubHow important is it to be passionate about what you are doing?Always passionate about the mission of his businessesWith Arena Club – for the first time passionate about the service and offerThe start of Arena cardInnovation comes from fixing something that is broken!(23:46) Caryn Seidman-Becker - CEO of CLEAROvercoming insurmountable challengesBe proactive!Look around corners!Make predictions and act on them!Take care of your own!(27:38) Ben SherwoodWhen you’re great at something, great things happen to youWorking hard is necessary, but not sufficientGiving back is a very important piece of successThe voice that leads you to excellence can be ruthless (go easy on yourself)Constant thriving can be ultimately counterproductiveBe kind towards yourself and the people around youCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

My guest today is Craig Newmark – the Founder of the incredibly successful internet marketplace, Craigslist! Craigslist serves 700 cities in 70 countries and has 250 million users a month. In 2018, only four years after formation, Craigslist reached $1 billion in revenue. During the last eight years, Craig Newmark has been one of our country's most active and generous philanthropist. During that time, he has given away more than $200 million. In 2022 alone, he gave away $81 million, which made him the 24th most generous philanthropist in the United States that year. (01:50) Craig's parentsGrowing up in a Jewish family in New JerseyHow his father's death impacted his futureStress of going to college from a young ageThe influence of Sunday school teachers(06:29) Craig's Education (Computer Science)Mastering quantum physics and computer scienceUsing the first computer for the first timeBeing a nerd in high school and collegeBeing bullied as a kid(12:14) Advice for people who don’t want to go to college63% of people graduating college on financial aidAdvice to those who don't want to goWhy 42 is not too late to start a companyAdvice to new foundersCraigslist started as a hobbyHow Craig became an accidental entrepreneur(18:53) Turning Craigslist into a real companyHow Charles Schwab got started on CraigslistTurning a hobby into a businessThe first dollar ad on CraigslistThe monetization philosophy of Craigslist(27:04) When is the right time to leave your job to start a company?When is the right time to leave a job to start a companyThe fear of failureWhy he didn't take money from CraigslistAdvice to other entrepreneursEvaluate and make judgments on the founderAdvice to those with founder syndrome(33:55) What went into the decision to hire Jim as CEOThe decision to hire Jim as CEOEarly on, Craig asked for the privilege of not being on the phoneTreating people the way they want to be treated(40:12) Customer service is a way to make more moneyThe CEO of Verizon (customer service is important)Dunbar's number and how it's been guiding principles at CraigslistNone of the figures can be relied onTop five elements of success(57:32) HumilityThe importance of being humble in search of excellence.One of Craigslist challenges.How Craigslist has dealt with these issues throughout the years.How craigslist dealt with the issues.(1:03:04) The downsides of having a lot of moneyNet worth is estimated to be between one and $3 billionThe downsides to having a significant amount of moneyHis obsession with pigeons(1:09:32) PhilanthropyCraig Newmark Philanthropies (CNP)Pigeon rescue vs other philanthropic giftsHow to get involved in philanthropyThe one piece of advice Craig would give his 21-year-old selfCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

My guest today is Mike Tyson, a former heavy-weight boxing champion of the world and one of the greatest boxers of all time.At the age of 20, he became the youngest boxer ever to win a heavyweight title. He was the first heavyweight boxer to simultaneously hold WBA, WBC, and IDF titles and a member of the international boxing Hall of Fame.Mike has appeared in many movies and TV shows. He is the actor and creator of a one-man Broadway show Undisputed Truth, and the author of the best-selling book of the same name.Mike is also a very successful entrepreneur and a founder of two cannabis companies, including Tyson 2.0. He is an incredible person and a dedicated philanthropist through his Mike Tyson’s Care foundation, and the support of other charities including The Make a Wish Foundation and The Special Olympics.(1:52) Fame and moneyNeither will make you happyBecome your own alarm systemThe pain is the same at the top and the bottom of the world(06:43) Three years in prisonThree best years of his lifeEverything in life is psychologicalConfidence brings successPrison shifted his perspective (no one’s better than anyone else)(11:33) Mike’s famous fightsEvander Holyfield - The Bite FightFirst fight in 1996, rematch 1997The Sound and the Fury matchIn the second fight – Mike got frustrated and got disqualifiedNow they are partnersBuster Douglas – lost a fight from an underdogMike was happy that happenedHe learned that losing is not as bad as you thinkNever got discouraged in his lifeWon the title againHis message to people who want to give upThe story of Don KingAdversities never stop, it’s how you handle them that can change(19:16) Mike and Rodney JerkinsGreat friends with Rodney Jerkins DarkchildRodney is one of the nicest people he ever metOne of his best friendsGodley soul(22:31) The importance of Extreme PreparationIt’s not for everyoneBalance doesn’t existTrained more than everyone elseExtreme preparation came from fear of failingEverybody has a plan until they are punched in the mouth(26:23) Life after boxingWent totally broke after boxing and didn’t know what to do (called his wife for help and she helped him get back his life)Discovered cannabis and got into the businessPeople allowed to drink and smoke on the showRegrets he didn’t smoke pot while fightingMike Tyson's definition of successThe ingredients of successWhat motivates Mike Tyson today?The advice to a young boxer (prepare for disappointment and never give up and fight to your last breath)Mike Tyson as a dad (7 kids)Mike Tyson Cares Foundation(39:16) Fill in the blank to ExcellenceMike Tyson's 10 year visionMike Tyson's biggest accomplishment Mike Tyson's biggest regretMike Tyson's bucket listMike Tyson's heroCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

My guest today is Mike Tyson, a former heavyweight boxing champion of the world and one of the greatest boxers of all time! At the age of 20, he became the youngest boxer ever to win a heavyweight title. He was the first heavyweight boxer to simultaneously hold WBA, WBC, and IDF titles and a member of the international boxing Hall of Fame.Mike has appeared in many movies and TV shows. He is the actor and creator of a one-man Broadway show Undisputed Truth, and the author of the best-selling book of the same name.Mike is also a very successful entrepreneur and a founder of two cannabis companies, including Tyson 2.0. He is an incredible person and a dedicated philanthropist through his Mike Tyson’s Care foundation, and the support of other charities including The Make a Wish Foundation and The Special Olympics.(00:00) Mike’s childhoodHis dad was a pimp, his mom an alcoholic and a sex industry workerHe was bullied in his childhood ("you can’t run from them, you must confront them")Started robbing people to buy food for his pigeonsA traumatic event with the birds that changed himMike's first fight and from being bullied, to being the bullyWent pick-pocketing and stealing with his friendsStarted with crime at 11, by the age of 13, he was arrested more than 37 timesThe stealing mentality - nobody else mattersHis mom encouraged him to steal (his goal was to be a professional criminal)(18:13) Juvenile facilities and Mike’s first steps in boxingWatched the movie “The Greatest”, the story of Mohammed AliTransferred to Elwood CottageMike was always handcuffed in a dangerous environment Met Bobby Stewart who inspired him to finish school and started training himAt 13, Bobby wanted to take him to the next level - introduced him to Cus D'Amato (21:14) Mike’s first mentor - Cus D'AmatoRelationship with Cus D’Amato (Cus taught him to never give up)Cus became a father figure for himThe time Mike first experienced loveCus saw in him the future world championWorking out for 6 hours a day while going to schoolWanted to get kicked out of school, but Cus didn’t allow thatThere is no progress without struggle (study about rats)(29:32) The beginning of his fighting careerAt 18, a fight with Hector Mercedes - beat him in one roundWasn't afraid of losing, but being a bad loserMike's desire to be the world champion consumed him completelyBecame the youngest boxing champion everHis mother’s reaction - never got affirmed by her(34:57) From millions of dollars to bankruptcyStarted making millions of dollars (became highest paid athlete in the world)Went bankrupt being reckless, didn’t know how to manage money as a street kidBeing rich and going broke multiple timesFame and money won’t make you happyBecome your own alarm systemThe pain is the same at the top and the bottom of the worldCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Jon Gordon is a best-selling author and an amazing motivational speaker. He has written 27 books including 12 best-sellers and 5 children’s books. The most popular ones are The Energy Bus, The Power of Positive Leadership, Training Camp, Stay Positive, and The Garden.The Energy Bus has sold over 2 million copies and inspired people around the world to change their lives and achieve success. Jon also worked with many Fortune 500 companies, professional and college sport teams, school districts, hospitals, and non-profits.(01:20) Positive LeadershipComplaining is allowed only if you offer solutionNegativity sabotages the teamThe science behind the positivityOptimists are creating better future for them(16:10) The Four C’s (Communication, Connection, Commitment, Care)Communication (negativity fills lack of communication)ConnectionCommitment (to be committed team, you need to be connected team) - commitment recognizes commitmentCare (show that you care and others will care about team, customers, and results)Vulnerability as a leader(23:56) Most Important Ingredients For Success (Hope, Belief, Service, Care, Preparation)The Carpenter builds with hope and beliefFear paralyses you, love gives you power to overcome fearServe the people (as a leader, you have to serve and sacrifice)Put your heart and soul in your workThe importance of extreme preparationSharing the ideas of his books with people(32:53) Mental Health of Our SocietyOur brains are not healthy (food, chemicals, and other things effect brain)Neurotheology – how prayer influences brainPositivity elevates our state of mindA battle for the minds and souls of our kids is going on – we must help them to winSuicide and overcoming the 5 D’s (Doubt, Distortion, Discouragement, Distraction, Divide)Nothing can separate you from the love of God – love the Creator(45:30) The Story of Damon WestJon changed Damon’s lifeYou have the power to change everythingJon's final messageResources Mentioned:Be a Coffee Bean, Damon West and Jon GordonThe Garden, Jon GordonThe Carpenter, Jon GordonPower of Positive Leadership, Jon GordonCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Jon Gordon is a best-selling author and an amazing motivational speaker. He has written 27 books including 12 best-sellers and 5 children’s books. The most popular ones are The Energy Bus, The Power of Positive Leadership, Training Camp, Stay Positive, and The Garden.The Energy Bus has sold over 2 million copies and inspired people around the world to change their lives and achieve success. Jon also worked with many Fortune 500 companies, professional and college sport teams, school districts, hospitals, and non-profits.(00:00) Jon's BackgroundJohn’s father (step-father)New York City undercover narcotics officerLoving father, but with a negative world view (aught him to be stronger than the world) Learned to be tough, but had to deal with negativity laterThe Lord of the Flies neighborhood Jon's Father got shot (came out of it a bit more positive)Biological father was a social workerThe family were encouraging and supportingAt 30, John’s life crumbled (realized he had to start feeding himself with positivity)(08:34) Getting out of a negative mindsetGot married at 26Young entrepreneur with a restaurant businessRan for city council (dreamed about being in politics)Attacked with lies and didn’t winWent to law school and dropped outGot an opportunity to work for dot.com (everything crashed)Going back to your passionHad a second mortgage, credit card debt, and no savings / plan BLived in fear that he would disappoint his familyAsked God for helpSuccess and energy vampires(17:16) Advice to future entrepreneursDo the researchUnderstand what you are doingYou have to truly love it and want itEven if you fail, you still did what you lovedChoose your hardSide hustle before you make it full timeThe moment Jon became a true entrepreneurDecided never to put his family’s future in someone else’s hands Except struggle and challengesBuild a good teamLife is short, live it with no regrets(26:10) Building the newsletter and publishing a bookStarted researching positive psychologyMade complex ideas simpleNumber 1 tip: take a gratitude walk everydayYour mind is a garden, weed the negative, feed the postivieJon failed with 2 booksThe Energy Bus succeeded through the power of prayerDon't believe negative peopleOptimism is the ultimate competitive advantage(44:40) The message of the “Energy Bus”Positivity and overcoming negativityDealing with the energy vampires and sabotageNegative people suck your lifeGeorge, the miserable, negative person meets Joy the Bus Driver10 rules for the ride of his lifeCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Rodney Jerkins is one of the most successful music producers of all time – he has worked with some of the greatest artists of our time, including Michael Jackson, Rihanna, Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, and many more.He has been nominated for 18 Grammy Awards and has won 2 – for the Record of the Year and Best R&B song. He is also an incredible songwriter and musician. His journey to excellence is incredible so tune in to hear more!(00:00) Working with Michael JacksonTeddy Reilly promised him to meet Michael Jackson (Teddy organized a trip to NY with Michael)Several years later Rodney received a call to work with Michael JacksonJumped into the plane and waited in the hotelHis dream literally came true(07:50) Importance of work ethics for our successWorking with Michael was a unique experience (Michael was a perfectionist)One of the greatest experiences of his lifeRodney saved Michael's life on a four wheelerMichael being accused of molestationMichael was a kind and giving person caring for children and humanity(17:18) Extreme preparationExtreme preparation is essential (Michael was BEYOND prepared)The goal is to take the client to the next levelStudy and know everything about the clientDeliver the best version of yourself to the clientShow that you are extremely preparedSuccess is inevitable(23:26) The work ethic of Beyoncé and Lady GagaBeyoncé is similar to Michael Jackson – she strives for perfectionThe secret is extreme preparationKobe Bryant and Michael Jackson storyPractice ONE THING until you master itKiller instinct – the ability to overwork anybodyWhat’s Lady Gaga like?Outstanding and specialWorking together before she was famousShe believed she became great (32:10) The influence of faithOne of the nicest guys in the businessKnown to be a man of faithProud of his songs (hates derogatory songs)Artists are humans and go through troubling timesThere is always a bright light at the end of the tunnelMade himself available to people (36:28) Achieving success and paying it forward50 billion streams of the songs he producedFinding talent and nurturing talentPerforming Big Daddy Kane at the school talent showRodney's favorite song is Bee Gees “How Deep is Your Love” Rodney’s favorite song?Money as a factor in life and career (money should not be an idol)If you’re great at what you do, the money will come(44:32) Fill in the blank to excellenceRodney's biggest lesson learnedRodney's top professional goalRodney's top personal goalRodney's biggest regretRodney's biggest dreamRodney's advice for his 21-year-old selfCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Rodney Jerkins is one of the most successful music producers of all time – he has worked with some of the greatest artists of our time, including Michael Jackson, Rihanna, Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, and many more.He has been nominated for 18 Grammy Awards and has won 2 – for the Record of the Year and Best R&B song. He is also an incredible songwriter and musician. His journey to excellence is incredible so tune in to hear more!(00:00) Rodney’s backgroundBorn in Pomona, New Jersey (Dad was a pastor, mom a housekeeper)Rodney is the fourth childHis mom was very sick while pregnant with himMom worked for wealthy familiesListening to rap music in secretAt 10, he decided to be a producerAt 13, started making and selling songs to local artistsDad became his managerRodney was forced to play the piano(10:52) Never stop dreaming, never stop believingAt 11, he started working and saving for Akai MPC 60Went with his dad to a sellerRodney copied the manual and read it every day (Rodney's dad realized his talent and broke his insurance policy to and bought him a machine)The visit to Toledo, Ohio that changed Rodney's life foreverRodney was blown away and inspiredNever stop dreaming, never stop believingAs a child, Rodney wanted to work with Michael JacksonDream the impossible dream40-day family road trip(27:20) From washing dishes to working with James JonesSaving to buy the equipmentAt 10, he asked for a job at local dinner (washing dishes)Went to a mall and asked for a job at Foot Locker (Dug Smith let him stock the shelves)At 15, went to ManhattanJames Jones from Uptown records (Rodney sent him a tape with a letter – James LOVED the music)James Jones calls him to come to New York and work with himAt 16, dropped out of school and went to New York (Rodney's dad allowed him to go after his dreams) (38:42) The biggest deal is not always the best dealAt 17, offered a 1.8 million dollars contract from EMIAt the same time, a 2.2 million dollar offer from SonyClosed the deal with Brian Jackson (bigger money doesn’t mean a better deal)Rodney bought his mother a car and a house for his parents at 17 years oldWanted to be a blessing to themThe story about Randall’s grandmother(50:04) Strike while the iron is hotDoing local demos in South JerseyA group hired him to make a demo for the Impact music convention (playing music for Teddy Riley)Drove 6 hours to Future Recording Studios in Virginia BeachInvitation to come and learn during the summerThe internship is very important for successHaving interns and giving them a chanceThe right mentor is essentialRandall’s experience with internsAdvice to internsCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Welcome to Part 2 of my amazing episode of In Search of Excellence featuring Damon West, a man with an astonishing life story. He was a former meth addict and head of an organized crime ring, sentenced to life in prison for his crimes.Today, he is a college professor at the University of Houston, an exceptional motivational speaker, and a best-selling author. His story is one of the most incredible and fascinating stories I’ve ever heard.In this episode, we’ll hear about his prison experience, life after prison, and the importance of never giving up and losing hope! Tune in for more!(00:37) Prison experience6 weeks in prisonSports in prison is a big deal (no mixed-race teams)Basketball court (getting on all-black teams)Adversity is never as bad as you thinkYou are more capable than you think you areNo more violence(07:58) Mental health and suicidal thoughtsPrison is a very predatory environmentSuicidal thoughts in prisonChurch service and a personal talk with Miss DA secret to faithIf we lose hope, we lose allMovie mention: Shawshank RedemptionMessage to people suffering in their own mind(19:54) After prisonGetting out of prisonWorking in a law firmMeeting 8 best coaches in the US (rejected by everyone but the 8th conversation!)Presentation in Clinton, AlabamaA message from the director of football operations in AlabamaA call from John Gordon, the motivational speakerWriting a book “Coffee Bean”(27:50) The importance of preparation for successPreparation is everythingYou have to put in the work and take action3-5 elements one needs to be successful(30:44) The importance of giving backExtremely importantHelping children of incarcerated parentsGetting MA in criminal justiceProfessor at the University of Huston and teaching at Prisons in America (34:00) Fill in the blanksDamon’s biggest lesson in lifeDamon’s #1 professional goalDamon’s #1 personal goalDamon’s biggest regretDamon’s biggest dream for the futureCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Damon West is an ex-meth addict and the ex-head of an organized crime ring who was sentenced to life in prison for his crimes. Today, he is a college professor at the University of Houston, an exceptional motivational speaker, and a best-selling author. His story is one of the most incredible and fascinating stories I have ever heard – do not miss this episode!(01:56) Introduction to Damon WestGrew up in Port Arthur, Texas with supporting parentsA black athlete on the front page of a magazine (hate mail he had to read)Taking a stand and doing the right thing may mean standing aloneBeing molested by a babysitter at 9 years old introduced him to adult behaviors (started smoking, drinking, and doing drugs at 10 years old)High-school football in TexasFrom star athlete to a career-ending injury – identity shatteredGoing back to drugs being a functional addictFinished college and got a job in the US Congress and UBS(16:20) Drug addiction and descending into criminalAddicts give up their goals to meet their behaviorsSuccessful people give up their behaviors to meet their goalsEverything can be an addiction12-step recovery programFalling in love with crystal methKnown as "The Uptown Burglar"(24:52) Life sentence in prisonArrested for his crimes (6 days of a public trial and sentenced to 65 years in prison)Great advice from his motherMr. Jackson – a ray of sunshine in prisonPrison is all about race and gangsThe strongest men in prison walk aloneThe coffee bean story (the most important story of his life)His first day in prison (you don't have to win, just fight)Coaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Cold Calling is one of the best ways to grow as an individual as well as accomplish even your wildest dreams! It requires confidence, composure, and sales skills – all of which are extremely hard to master!In today's competitive marketplace, many salespeople and business owners are relying solely on digital marketing techniques to generate leads and close deals. However, there is still tremendous value in cold calling, even if it seems intimidating or old-fashioned. The very fact that so many people are scared to pick up the phone can be a major advantage for those who do.I started my Cold Calling career at Mural Stone Construction where I made 200 calls a day trying to selling aluminum siding. At the end of the summer I made one sale – it was something that changed the course of my life forever. Feeling the value of my work in a commission check was especially rewarding to me. (03:09) David SolomonTwo of his jobs in collegeExperience with Merrill LynchDifference of cold calling then and nowThe responsibilities of finishing what you start(07:14) Daymond JohnLearning to face rejectionHaving a strong rejection musclePerfecting your approachPutting yourself out there(10:09) Sharon StoneWhat to do when the odds are 1 in 1,000,000Sharon’s dad beat cancer with a 3% survival ratePeople who chose to win, winBe grateful, say “please” and “thank you”(13:39) Steve CaseThe power of MORECustomer MentalityFinding business opportunities in college(15:34) Mark CubanEntrepreneurial spirit How to sellBuilding confidence (17:39) Tim DraperTrips to San FranciscoThe importance of cold calling skillsBeing able to connect with peopleGetting over your embarrassmentElon MuskCold calling is a personal connection(25:54) Trina SpearSelling scrubs from a car to hospital workersDeveloping communication skillsBelieving in a product you sellBeing interested in your buyersServing a warm cup of cocoa or coffee(30:44) Brad KeywellAnn Arbor experienceCreating a businessSelling guidebooks and posters at collegeCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

In today's episode I’ll be the one being interviewed! I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Spencer Lodge, host of The Spencer Lodge Podcast. Spencer is a leading sales trainer in Dubai and across the Middle East known for interviewing some of the most amazing guests ranging from Tony Robbins, Marisa Peer, a NASA astronaut, and so much more.In this episode you’ll learn all about my upbringing, some of my earliest achievements, and my career path. From my early days as a failed lawyer, to finding my true purpose through the impact of the work I found myself doing shortly thereafter.You’ll also hear all about my approach on “Extreme Preparation” – a characteristic that has been the core to my success. I’ll be talking about just how I prepare for some of these events and show you the steps on how to work wherever you would like (despite your experience).Make sure to tune into the full episode today as you’ll get a ton of take aways and insights on how I truly went from having nothing to becoming the serial entrepreneur that I am today.Tell us what you think about this kind of episode, do you want to hear more from me?Please show support for Spencer's podcast by following and downloading his amazing interviews here!Coaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

The episode today is a special one – I took the best segments about Extreme Preparation to highlight the importance of using preparation as the key to our success. Extreme Preparation was the most important determinant of my success, as it was for all my guests – they out-prepared their competition by always being the most prepared person in the room!As you can see, Extreme Preparation is something very close to my heart – it has opened doors that were closed and even closed doors that would’ve ended in disaster – deals that would’ve gone wrong if I had prepared 1 hour less. Let Extreme Preparation be the one factor that leads to your success – harness it and out-prepare all your competitors.Thank you for joining us for this incredibly special episode. Some of our best guests ever found their success through preparation and hard work. Tell us what you think about this kind of episode in the comments below!(5:04) Mark Cuban(10:43) Ed Mylett(11:48) Sharon Stone(17:55) Jimmy Pitaro(25:04) Rachel Zoe(28:54) Kevin O'Leary(35:30) Daymond John(39:33) Giada DeLaurentiis(41:25) Mike Horn(46:32) Sammy Hagar(51:43) Bob Pittman(53:42) Sarah Friar(57:31) Caryn Seidman-Becker(1:01:01) Tony FadellCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Tony Fadell is an amazing and successful engineer, entrepreneur, and investor. He is the father of the iPod, co-creator of the iPhone, founder and former CEO of Nest Thermostat, and the founder of Future Shape, a global investment and advisory company.In 2014, Tony Fadell was one of the Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world. He is also a NY Times bestselling author with his book Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Work.It’s a true pleasure to have Tony on our show and hear how he searched and found his excellence!(00:24) Leaving the Silicon valley and inventing Nest ThermostatA trip around the world with his familyDesigning a new home on Lake TahoeRealized there were no good thermostats to remotely controlNest Thermostat was born in ParisThere is no need for Silicon Valley anymore, the game has changed(05:35) Money as a motivation to start a companyIt was never about making money, it was about solving a problemFocus on the inventions that fix real problemsYour success drastically changed the lives of your employees(10:14) Steve Jobs and when is the time to quitBook mention: Tony Fadell, Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things WorkWorking for Steve – one of the most important things in his lifeRumors about Steve Jobs are just rumorsSteve cared about customers and products, he demanded excellence, and he wasn’t going after people for no reasonWhen is the time to quit? (When you don’t grow anymore, when you work for someone you don’t respect, and when you work in a team with serious flaws)If you’re working for an jerk, do you quit?(18:32) The importance of Extreme PreparationWhat is Extreme Preparation for Tony?VC pitch meetingsTED talks(21:10) The importance of mentors in search of excellenceEveryone needs a mentor (even Steve Jobs)The best mentors know human natureCoaches are something different(24:25) Fill in the blank to ExcellenceWhen I started my career I wish I had known – more about understanding the customerThe biggest lesson I learned in my life – when to say no and say it more oftenNo. 1 professional goal – to help people and mentor themThe greatest innovation in the next 50 years – Artificial IntelligenceResources Mentioned:Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Worth Making, Tony FadellNest ThermostatAppleCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Tony Fadell is an amazing and successful engineer, entrepreneur, and investor. He is the father of the iPod, co-creator of the iPhone, founder and former CEO of Nest Thermostat, and the founder of Future Shape, a global investment and advisory company.In 2014, Tony Fadell was one of the Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world. He is also a NY Times bestselling author with his book Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Work.It’s a true pleasure to have Tony on our show and hear how he searched and found his excellence!(00:28) IntroductionLearning from his dad about building trust in business (relationships, not transactions build trust)50% is what you know and the other 50% is who you knowWhen rejected for a job, don’t take it personally (send follow-ups, keep the line open create the conversation, ask how to improve)(10:18) Tony’s childhoodSelling eggs to neighbors as a young kid (money = freedom)Degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science studiesAs a sophomore, made an improved processor for Apple 2 – offered it to Apple and Apple bought it!(16:44) The value of cold calling skillsThe first job in Silicon Valley – got it through cold calling (overcome the fear of cold calling)Know how to tell your story to engage people – what value you can bring?(21:13) Is education worth it?Most people attend college in the wrong wayTony’s mantra "Do, Fail, Learn"The importance of internships (do a lot of things to know what you don’t want to do)After college, go and learn from experts(28:30) Turning disappointments into opportunitiesGeneral Magic – failed6 years in Silicon Valley of failureIn 2000 Internets stocks tanked, the market frozeCalled to work for Apple when the company was about to bankruptApple was developing a new generation of WalkmanRandall’s experience with Apple(40:25) Tony at Apple6-week contract to research and design the iPodThe importance of constant improvementInnovation must never stop, even if you’re #1 (you must be ahead your competition)(48:59) What is an entrepreneur?Someone who disrupts the marketResonate with people in the first 30 secondsStart with a pain and offer the painkiller (the development of iPhone – solved the issue of taking three devices with you)Resources Mentioned:Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Worth Making, Tony FadellNest ThermostatAppleCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Brian Lee is a rock-star serial entrepreneur and incredibly successful venture capitalist. He is also a great philanthropist dedicated to leaving and impact and giving back to the community.He is a co-founder and ex-CEO of LegalZoom, a co-founder and ex-CEO of ShoeDazzle, a co-founder and ex-CEO of the Art of Sport, co-founder and current CEO of Arena Club, and co-founder of the incredibly successful venture capital firm, BAM ventures.Brian Lee is also an amazing person, dear friend, and a mentor and I am very grateful for having him on In Search of Excellence!(01:04) – Working with Celebrities (Kobe Bryant and Kim Kardashian)Learning about the power of influencers(08:45) – The Importance of PassionArena club: Passion not only about the mission, but also the serviceThe idea was to digitize the physical and build a community(14:43) – The Entrepreneurial Desire to Fix What is BrokenEntrepreneurs are not happy with the status quo – change themGood preparation is extremely important to be successful (sometimes it doesn’t work, but that’s ok)(17:40) – Extreme Preparation at LegalZoom(54:15) – Advice to Students Who Want to Pursue Venture CapitalToday we have all kinds of venture capitalUse a unique approach if you do not have industry contacts (go to events and meet people, go to LinkedIn, find mutual contacts)Raising capital for LegalZoom (persistence is the key, you are literally begging for money) – you have to be that annoying person(29:06) – What’s the Secret of Work-Life Balance?Working around 100 hours a week, no social life, things are different nowTip for organizing emails(34:20) – The Most Important Elements of SuccessWork and work ethic, being empathetic and understanding people, having a good support networkEveryone has a different path, and every company culture is different(39:43) – Philanthropy and Giving Back to the CommunityBrian’s philanthropic workThe importance of doing good and making an impactResources Mentioned:LegalZoomThe Honest CompanyCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Brian Lee is a rock-star serial entrepreneur and incredibly successful venture capitalist. He is also a great philanthropist dedicated to leaving and impact and giving back to the community.He is a co-founder and ex-CEO of LegalZoom, a co-founder and ex-CEO of ShoeDazzle, a co-founder and ex-CEO of the Art of Sport, co-founder and current CEO of Arena Club, and co-founder of the incredibly successful venture capital firm, BAM ventures.Brian Lee is also an amazing person, dear friend, and a mentor and I am very grateful for having him on In Search of Excellence!(00:00) – Brian Lee's backgroundWho is Brian Lee?Brian’s parents and their coming to AmericaHow Brian’s dad built a successful business(06:59) – Can you learn to be an entrepreneur?It can be learned, but most entrepreneurs are born with that DNAEntrepreneurs don’t wait, they seize opportunitiesIf you have an idea and want to peruse it, go and do itEntrepreneurship is mostly a young person’s game(09:09) – The advice to people who are afraid of failureIt’s ok to fail, failing is learningYou have to get back on the horse and keep going, many entrepreneurs failed several timesYou have to be focused and work very hardNothing happens out of itself(14:25) – Brian’s education and the importance of attending a collegeHigh school - wanted to be a rapper, tried it and it didn’t workCollege - went to UCLA School of LawSalesmanship is a key for everything you do in life, whatever you do, you are sellingCold calling is one of the best skills to learn(21:09) – Are grades important when hiring someone for a job?No one pays attention to the grades, but it’s important to finish what you startedWhat is important are commitment and driveImportant traits – dedication, loyalty, ability to see things throughWhat to do when you are unhappy on your job – stay or leave? A little bit of pain in life is inevitable, sometimes you have to suck it up!(21:09) – The grass is always greenerStick it out and do well with what you are given (28:02) – LegalZoomThe late-night call with Robert Shapiro at 9:00pmLegalZoom's goal was to bring trust to people, not steal informationResources Mentioned:LegalZoomThe Honest CompanyCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Since he was a child, Colin O’Brady dreamt of becoming an Olympian, but when a terrible accident burned 22% of his body, doctors told him he would never walk normally again. Luckily for Colin, he didn’t believe in being “realistic”, so 18 months later he won the Chicago triathlon, and a year after that he represented Team USA at the 2010 World Triathlon Championships. Through intense focus, intuition, and a possibility-focused mindset, Colin has continued to shatter world records at groundbreaking speeds while proving there is no such thing as impossible.Colin O’Brady is an American professional endurance athlete, motivational speaker, author, and 10-time world record holder adventurer. He is the fastest person to complete the Explorer’s Grand Slam and the 50 Highest Points in all 50 states and the youngest person to row on the Southern Ocean. He has climbed Mount Everest twice, completed marathons in over 50 countries, and crossed Antarctica solo and unassisted in just 54 days. In this episode, Randall and Colin discuss:- Creating large goals while facing insurmountable challenges- The importance of being all-in on only one project at a time- Why being “realistic” can limit your success- The extreme preparation Colin endured for the Explorer’s Grand Slam- How Colin beat an ex-British Special Forces polar explorer across Antarctica- The concept of the “possible mindset” to unlock new opportunities- Colin’s new book and movement, The 12-Hour WalkColin O’Brady is an American professional endurance athlete, motivational speaker, author, and 10-time world record holder adventurer. He is the fastest person to complete what is known as the Explorer’s Grand Slam, which includes climbing the seven summits and skiing to both the North and South Poles. In addition to this, Colin was the first person on record to cross Antarctica solo and unassisted in just 54 days and has completed more than 50 marathons on six continents.Aside from scaling mountains and racing at unprecedented speeds, Colin has authored two books, the New York Times bestseller The Impossible First and his most recent release, The 12-Hour Walk. He is also a dedicated philanthropist and creator of Beyond 7/2, a registered non-profit with the mission of inspiring kids and communities to live active, healthy lives and pursue their dreams.Resources Mentioned:The 12-Hour Walk, by Colin O’BradyThe Impossible First, by Colin O’BradyThe 12-Hour WalkBeyond 7/2 non-profitCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Since he was a child, Colin O’Brady dreamt of becoming an Olympian, but when a terrible accident burned 22% of his body, doctors told him he would never walk normally again. Luckily for Colin, he didn’t believe in being “realistic”, so 18 months later he won the Chicago triathlon, and a year after that he represented Team USA at the 2010 World Triathlon Championships. Through intense focus, intuition, and a possibility-focused mindset, Colin has continued to shatter world records at groundbreaking speeds while proving there is no such thing as impossible.Colin O’Brady is an American professional endurance athlete, motivational speaker, author, and 10-time world record holder adventurer. He is the fastest person to complete the Explorer’s Grand Slam and the 50 Highest Points in all 50 states and the youngest person to row on the Southern Ocean. He has climbed Mount Everest twice, completed marathons in over 50 countries, and crossed Antarctica solo and unassisted in just 54 days. In this episode, Randall and Colin discuss:- Creating large goals while facing insurmountable challenges- The importance of being all-in on only one project at a time- Why being “realistic” can limit your success- The extreme preparation Colin endured for the Explorer’s Grand Slam- How Colin beat an ex-British Special Forces polar explorer across Antarctica- The concept of the “possible mindset” to unlock new opportunities- Colin’s new book and movement, The 12-Hour WalkColin O’Brady is an American professional endurance athlete, motivational speaker, author, and 10-time world record holder adventurer. He is the fastest person to complete what is known as the Explorer’s Grand Slam, which includes climbing the seven summits and skiing to both the North and South Poles. In addition to this, Colin was the first person on record to cross Antarctica solo and unassisted in just 54 days and has completed more than 50 marathons on six continents.Aside from scaling mountains and racing at unprecedented speeds, Colin has authored two books, the New York Times bestseller The Impossible First and his most recent release, The 12-Hour Walk. He is also a dedicated philanthropist and creator of Beyond 7/2, a registered non-profit with the mission of inspiring kids and communities to live active, healthy lives and pursue their dreams.Resources Mentioned:The 12-Hour Walk, by Colin O’BradyThe Impossible First, by Colin O’BradyThe 12-Hour WalkBeyond 7/2 non-profitCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Bob Pittman desperately needed $10 for his first flying lesson but was turned down for a job at a retail store and another at Piggly Wiggly. Refusing to take no for an answer, he walked into his local radio station and managed to snag a position that paid $1.65 an hour – never imagining that this perseverance would set him up to become not only a pilot, but the co-founder and former CEO of MTV Networks, COO of AOL Time Warner, CEO of Six Flags, CEO of Century 21, and a co-founder and CEO of iHeartMedia – the leading audio company in the United States whose broadcast reaches over 250 million Americans every month. In this episode, Randall and Bob discuss:- Bob’s experience growing up in the segregated South- Leaving your comfort zone to identify problems and find solutions- How Bob’s passion for aviation led him to the radio industry- The necessity (or not) of a college degree- Moving a company from a $20 million operating loss to turning a profit within 18 months- How companies can create a brand without spending millions on marketing- Why success and failure are the same thing- The critical importance of marketing- The great opportunities in working for a company nobody’s ever heard of- 3 key elements to success- And other topics…Bob Pittman is a rockstar radio and TV programmer, marketer, investor, and media entrepreneur. He is currently co-founder, CEO, and Chairman of iHeartMedia, the leading audio company in the United States. iHeartMedia owns 863 radio stations, reaches over 250 million people every month, and had $3.85 billion in revenues over the last 12 months.Bob is also the former COO of AOL Time Warner after its $180 billion merger, the former CEO of Six Flags Theme Parks, the former CEO of Century 21 Real Estate, and the former CEO of Clear Channel Outdoor, one of the world's largest outdoor advertising companies. He is a founding member of the Pilot Group, a New York-based private investment firm whose investments include Huffington Post, Zynga, and Facebook. Bob is also a co-founder of Casa Dragones Tequila, a host of a podcast called Math and Magic Stories from the Frontiers of Market, and is also a dedicated philanthropist among many other organizations.Resources Mentioned:Incognito, by David EaglemanNew York’s Public TheaterRock and Roll Hall of FameTime Magazine’s Man of the YearCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Bob Pittman desperately needed $10 for his first flying lesson but was turned down for a job at a retail store and another at Piggly Wiggly. Refusing to take no for an answer, he walked into his local radio station and managed to snag a position that paid $1.65 an hour – never imagining that this perseverance would set him up to become not only a pilot, but the co-founder and former CEO of MTV Networks, COO of AOL Time Warner, CEO of Six Flags, CEO of Century 21, and a co-founder and CEO of iHeartMedia – the leading audio company in the United States whose broadcast reaches over 250 million Americans every month. In this episode, Randall and Bob discuss:- Bob’s experience growing up in the segregated South- Leaving your comfort zone to identify problems and find solutions- How Bob’s passion for aviation led him to the radio industry- The necessity (or not) of a college degree- Moving a company from a $20 million operating loss to turning a profit within 18 months- How companies can create a brand without spending millions on marketing- Why success and failure are the same thing- The critical importance of marketing- The great opportunities in working for a company nobody’s ever heard of- 3 key elements to success- And other topics…Bob Pittman is a rockstar radio and TV programmer, marketer, investor, and media entrepreneur. He is currently co-founder, CEO, and Chairman of iHeartMedia, the leading audio company in the United States. iHeartMedia owns 863 radio stations, reaches over 250 million people every month, and had $3.85 billion in revenues over the last 12 months.Bob is also the former COO of AOL Time Warner after its $180 billion merger, the former CEO of Six Flags Theme Parks, the former CEO of Century 21 Real Estate, and the former CEO of Clear Channel Outdoor, one of the world's largest outdoor advertising companies. He is a founding member of the Pilot Group, a New York-based private investment firm whose investments include Huffington Post, Zynga, and Facebook. Bob is also a co-founder of Casa Dragones Tequila, a host of a podcast called Math and Magic Stories from the Frontiers of Market, and is also a dedicated philanthropist among many other organizations.Resources Mentioned:Incognito, by David EaglemanNew York’s Public TheaterRock and Roll Hall of FameTime Magazine’s Man of the YearCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

David Solomon is the CEO and Chairman of Goldman Sachs, the second-largest investment bank in the world – but this position was far from handed to him. As a teen and young adult, David raked leaves, babysat, flipped burgers at McDonald’s, and worked at a summer camp, learning the importance of work ethic and perseverance early on.David’s career trajectory had its highs and lows just like any other, but his hard work, resilience, and self-awareness led him to become a leader for over 43,000 employees at a firm that manages $1.5 trillion in assets.In this episode, Randall and David discuss the importance of adaptability and persistent effort amidst challenges, the characteristics of leaders, how success and work-life balance are defined, and much more.Topics Include:- How consistent difficulties create resilience- David’s advice for dealing with limiting and frustrating bosses- Whether or not luck and timing impact success- Defining success- The 3 most important aspects of leadership- The connection between time management, preparation, and accomplishments- The characteristics of a Goldman Sachs employee- How to establish your work-life balance- The biggest lesson David has learned- And more…David Solomon is the CEO and chairman of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. Last year alone, Goldman Sachs managed $1.5 trillion in assets, had $60 billion in revenue, and employed 43,900 employees.David began his career with the firm in 1999 as a partner, soon becoming the Global Head of the Financing Group. In 2006, he was named the joint head of the investment banking division, where he doubled profit margins over the next decade. He later served as president and COO of the firm before succeeding Lloyd Blankfein as CEO in 2018.In addition to his work at Goldman Sachs, David is the chairman of the Board of Trustees of Hamilton College, serves on the Board of Trustees of New York-Presbyterian Hospital, and serves on the Robin Hood Foundation, New York City’s largest poverty-fighting organization.Resources Mentioned:Memos from the Chairman, by Alan C. GreenbergCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

David Solomon is the CEO and Chairman of Goldman Sachs, the second-largest investment bank in the world – but this position was far from handed to him. As a teen and young adult, David raked leaves, babysat, flipped burgers at McDonald’s, and worked at a summer camp, learning the importance of work ethic and perseverance early on.David’s career trajectory had its highs and lows just like any other, but his hard work, resilience, and self-awareness led him to become a leader for over 43,000 employees at a firm that manages $1.5 trillion in assets.In this episode, Randall and David discuss the importance of adaptability and persistent effort amidst challenges, the characteristics of leaders, how success and work-life balance are defined, and much more.Topics Include:- How consistent difficulties create resilience- David’s advice for dealing with limiting and frustrating bosses- Whether or not luck and timing impact success- Defining success- The 3 most important aspects of leadership- The connection between time management, preparation, and accomplishments- The characteristics of a Goldman Sachs employee- How to establish your work-life balance- The biggest lesson David has learned- And more…David Solomon is the CEO and chairman of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. Last year alone, Goldman Sachs managed $1.5 trillion in assets, had $60 billion in revenue, and employed 43,900 employees.David began his career with the firm in 1999 as a partner, soon becoming the Global Head of the Financing Group. In 2006, he was named the joint head of the investment banking division, where he doubled profit margins over the next decade. He later served as president and COO of the firm before succeeding Lloyd Blankfein as CEO in 2018.In addition to his work at Goldman Sachs, David is the chairman of the Board of Trustees of Hamilton College, serves on the Board of Trustees of New York-Presbyterian Hospital, and serves on the Robin Hood Foundation, New York City’s largest poverty-fighting organization.Resources Mentioned:Memos from the Chairman, by Alan C. GreenbergCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Sallie Krawcheck holds the world record for being fired the most times on the Wall Street Journal. She is also one of the most powerful and influential people on Wall Street, currently serving as CEO of an investment platform that manages over $1.5 billion in assets. By viewing success and failure as two sides of the same coin, she has overcome what few of us are capable of.Sallie is a Wall Street legend, an author, and the co-founder and CEO of Ellevest, a digital investment platform built for women. Over the last 30 years, she has continuously broken barriers on Wall Street, navigating high-profile leadership positions at companies like Citigroup, Merrill Lynch, and Smith Barney (now Morgan Stanley).In this episode, Sallie talks about how she went from a rocky and emotionally-scarring start on Wall Street to the “Eureka!” moments that defined her career. She dissects what to do when facing constant rejection, the significance of outworking others, and how to rank learning, money, and passion when it comes to work. She also discusses the importance of proactively supporting and advising others, navigating office politics as a woman, and why success and failure are two sides of the same coin.Topics Include:- The most important relationship a professional woman can have- How one person led Sallie to realize her potential- Working for money vs. passion- Biases against women and minorities in the workplace- Sallie’s world record- Why you shouldn’t be the smartest person in the room- How job candidates can separate themselves from the competition- The #1 unwritten rule of success in business- And more… Sallie Krawcheck is known as one of the most influential women on Wall Street, but the title hasn’t come without its challenges. From navigating constant workplace discrimination to being fired for maintaining her honesty, Sallie has jumped continuous hurdles, moving from investment banking to becoming one of the top business research analysts in the game.Her Wall Street career includes being named CFO of Citigroup and CEO of Merrill Lynch, the Citi Private Bank, Smith Barney, US Trust, and Sanford C. Bernstein. She is the co-founder and current CEO of Ellevest, whose mission is to put more money in the hands of women. Her recent book, Own It: The Power of Women at Work, talks about the power of resilience, risk-taking, and hard work to reach the top. Resources Mentioned:Own It: The Power of Women at WorkEllevestCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Sallie Krawcheck holds the world record for being fired the most times on the Wall Street Journal. She is also one of the most powerful and influential people on Wall Street, currently serving as CEO of an investment platform that manages over $1.5 billion in assets. By viewing success and failure as two sides of the same coin, she has overcome what few of us are capable of.Sallie is a Wall Street legend, an author, and the co-founder and CEO of Ellevest, a digital investment platform built for women. Over the last 30 years, she has continuously broken barriers on Wall Street, navigating high-profile leadership positions at companies like Citigroup, Merrill Lynch, and Smith Barney (now Morgan Stanley).In this episode, Sallie talks about how she went from a rocky and emotionally-scarring start on Wall Street to the “Eureka!” moments that defined her career. She dissects what to do when facing constant rejection, the significance of outworking others, and how to rank learning, money, and passion when it comes to work. She also discusses the importance of proactively supporting and advising others, navigating office politics as a woman, and why success and failure are two sides of the same coin.Topics Include:- The most important relationship a professional woman can have- How one person led Sallie to realize her potential- Working for money vs. passion- Biases against women and minorities in the workplace- Sallie’s world record- Why you shouldn’t be the smartest person in the room- How job candidates can separate themselves from the competition- The #1 unwritten rule of success in business- And more… Sallie Krawcheck is known as one of the most influential women on Wall Street, but the title hasn’t come without its challenges. From navigating constant workplace discrimination to being fired for maintaining her honesty, Sallie has jumped continuous hurdles, moving from investment banking to becoming one of the top business research analysts in the game.Her Wall Street career includes being named CFO of Citigroup and CEO of Merrill Lynch, the Citi Private Bank, Smith Barney, US Trust, and Sanford C. Bernstein. She is the co-founder and current CEO of Ellevest, whose mission is to put more money in the hands of women. Her recent book, Own It: The Power of Women at Work, talks about the power of resilience, risk-taking, and hard work to reach the top. Resources Mentioned:Own It: The Power of Women at WorkEllevestCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn