The Fail Journal

The New Year is a time when you have lots of momentum. With an opportunity to start fresh, it can easily feel like your commitment to growth is stronger than ever. But while this momentum may last for weeks, possibly even months, there inevitably comes a time when it runs out. Your goals don't get checked off as quickly as you thought they would - they start to require more effort than you expected - and suddenly you're enticed by a thousand excuses. That's why, in this episode, Bryant puts forward the idea that we should expect “the suck.” Even embrace it! Not only is it impossible to avoid, it's precisely where we rise to the next level. Before thinking about what you want to accomplish in 2022, give this episode a quick listen! Remember: You'll always suck if you're afraid to suck. 

“It's about the journey, not the destination” is probably the most cliche phrase in existence. But that doesn't mean it isn't true. In this episode, Bryant walks through how he's felt after winning Forbes 30 Under 30. While it feels amazing to be recognized with an award like this one, it's not nearly as fulfilling as the work that brought him to this place. And not nearly as important as the people who helped him along the way. You won't want to miss this one!

What doesn't Eliz Fulop do? She's a professional skier, a body-builder, a podcaster (The Mindset Flex podcast) and just an overall badass. Throughout all these ventures, she's learned a thing or two about risk-taking and the inevitable failures that come with them. Specifically that you can't rely on other people or outside circumstances to move you forward. You have to take control of your life. Join Bryant and Eliz for more ideas like this in this week's episode! 

Many people fall into the trap of thinking they have to choose either money or time. Either they get a job that pays well, but it takes up their whole schedule, or they have flexible hours, but not enough money to pursue the things they really care about. Believe it or not, this is a myth. It IS possible to have both. You just have to think outside the box a little! In this episode, Bryant goes through ten very practical ideas that are guaranteed to free up your schedule and make you more money. These ideas might not be right up your alley. Take em or leave em. The point is, it's possible to have both money and time if you just get creative and take some out-of-the-ordinary risks!

In this episode, Bryant sits down with Justin Stumvoll (host of "The Connected Life" podcast) to have a candid conversation on their experiences growing up in the church. They talk about the high-stakes, shame-filled mentality many religious people have around messing up and how this prevents you from actually learning and making progress. Many other interesting points are brought up! You're not gonna wanna miss this one!

You don't just wake up one morning and decide you want to be a Hollywood actor. You earn this opportunity through years of practice; through failing and learning from your failure. In this week's episode, Bryant dives deeper into this topic by introducing three phases: crawling, walking, and running. By not getting ahead of yourself and staying in this order, you know you'll be prepared for the risks you're taking. Because when you AREN'T prepared, and you try to run before you've learned to crawl, you'll end up falling flat on your face! Don't get carried away. Knowing where you are on the journey from beginner to expert is the best way of knowing what to do next. 

In this episode of the Fail Journal, Bryant explains why victimhood is the #1 reason why people don't see their dreams come true. Why? Because it takes your attention away from what you can actually control. You release the power to improve your life when your focus is placed on how you've been disadvantaged and not on the opportunities right in front of you. Listen to find out how you can take steps away from this mindset into one that is more solution-oriented!

There's a difference between what gets you attention and what makes you come alive! In this episode of the Fail Journal, Bryant talks about why we should care less about what gets us followers on social media and more about pursuing the things we're truly passionate about. It might be exciting to go viral, but it's nothing like the long-lasting fulfillment that comes with becoming a master at what you were put on this Earth to do. What about you? Would you rather be the center of attention or at the center of your passion?

You don't build a 100 million dollar company from the ground up without failing a few times along the way! In this episode of the Fail Journal, Bryant has his business partner Ben Day on to talk about the origins of The Adventure Challenge. Over the span of just a few years, Adventure Challenge went from a failed Kickstarter campaign to a multi-million dollar company, and now a hundred million dollar company with 100 employees... but this journey into success wasn't always kicks and giggles. From crappy prototypes to conflicts that almost ruined their relationship, Bryant and Ben dive into the struggles that ultimately led to where they are today. If you're an entrepreneur or artist - if you have any big dream in your heart - this episode is sure to entertain and enlighten!

When you fail, especially publicly, it's easy to feel shame. Shame wants to make it seem like you didn't just do a bad thing, YOU ARE a bad person. In this week's episode of the Fail Journal, Bryant is joined by the one and only Abi Stumvoll to talk about how we can process through shame when we fail -- and how we can learn from our mistakes so we don't repeat them in the future!Link for “The Connected Life,” the podcast Abi co-hosts with her husband Justin:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-connected-life/id1447545040

In this episode, Bryant interviews professional wakeboarder David OC. They discuss how David processes failure when stakes are high and how years of hard work turned his passion into a full-fledged career taking him to competitions all over the world. Doors were opened for him not because he had raw talent but because he simply had the willingness to get better every single day. If you're ambitious in any way - as an entrepreneur, athlete, or artist - this one is for you!

Have you seen Jimmy Dart videos?! They're some of the funniest, most wholesome videos you can find on the internet. This week Bryant has him on the podcast to discuss how he managed to snag over 2 million followers on TikTok. They also talk about where his optimism comes from and why good things happen to those who anticipate them. This is a must-listen!

In this very short episode of the Fail Journal, Bryant discusses a new series we're gearing up for called "Fail Club" - and how YOU can be involved! If you're interested in talking about risks you're taking and how you're processing failure with Bryant on the show, simply send a message to the Fail Journal Instagram or email philip@theadventurechallenge.com. Many thanks to those of you who have already contacted us! This is going to be fun!

In this episode, Bryant talks about rejecting and being rejected.  It sucks to give negative feedback and tell someone what they don't want to hear. But if you really think about it, the alternative is worse! If you tell someone exactly what they want to hear, even though it isn't truthful, you're setting them up for a bigger rejection in the future. Respectful and honest feedback gives people the chance to grow and evolve faster than they would without rejection.  If you're interested in improving and watching others around you improve, this episode is a must listen!

Aloha everybody! Unlike our other episodes, which are all recorded in Redding, CA, this week's episode of the Fail Journal was recorded on a porch overlooking the ocean in Hawaii. Bryant and his brother Trey are here to get writing done for an upcoming secret project (Shhhh! It's a television show!) and since the Fail Journal is about discussing risks, they decided to sit down and talk about the unsettling stage they're in. With a project as ambitious as this one, there are all kinds of fearful thoughts that flood in: “Are we good enough to be doing this?” But every person navigates thoughts like this before embarking on something special. If you're in a similar place, getting ready to take on a project where you feel apprehensive or ill-equipped, this episode will be right up your alley! 

In this episode, Bryant answers the question he gets asked most, “How did you grow The Adventure Challenge?” Upon reflection, there's one thing that stands out to him: It wasn't enough to have a cool idea, he had to go all in. If he had Plan Bs or other ideas he gave equal attention to, he wouldn't have gotten the company off the ground. For you entrepreneurs and creatives, make sure you're giving your ideas the attention and passion they deserve!

Watching other people succeed can be difficult. Especially if those people are succeeding in the same field you're in, it's hard not to see their win as your loss. It's hard to be excited when you feel like your chances of success just got a little smaller. But this mindset assumes there is a limited amount of success in the world  --and that simply isn't true! In fact, seeing other people succeed should give us hope that our own success is rapidly approaching. Instead of feeling insecure about the success of others, we should celebrate them. We should be excited that their hard work paid off because they deserve it. And because our hard work will eventually do the same! 

Breaking up is the worst thing in the world. Or is it?  In this episode of the Fail Journal, Bryant recruits longtime friend Jamie Schultz to discuss the art of breaking up. Yes, it can be painful. Yes, it can be embarrassing. But it can also transform us in a positive way. It can be an amazing opportunity for growth and strengthening for future relationships. Just like any other failure, break-ups may hurt in the short term, but they're educational in the long-term. Listen and find out how to break up like a champ!

“What are people thinking about me?” That's a question we all ask ourselves. We all wonder if our flaws are noticed or if we're judged for being "extra." Bryant talks in this episode about what to do with these thoughts. He discusses why the fear of being judged is directly tied to how much we judge others and why there's no reason to feel shame over passionately pursuing our dreams. Those willing to come across as "trying hard" are often the ones who achieve great things!

In this episode, Bryant delivers a quick message on the importance of taking occasional breaks. We live in a time where busyness is worn like a badge of honor. Especially if you're an ambitious person, it almost feels off-brand to slow your pace. But that hustle, that grind, can actually be detrimental to our health if we don't pause every once in a while. Through pausing, we're able to rest and regroup. We're able to practice gratitude for how far we've come. There's no shame in taking a break, guys! Listen to hear more of Bryant's thoughts!

In this episode, Bryant discusses what's next for the Fail Journal. Listen to find out! About halfway through, he introduces a new series we're doing called “Fail Club.” In these episodes, we'll hear stories from our listeners (that means YOU) about risks they're taking and what they're learning from the process. So whether your risks have to do with creativity, entrepreneurship, or dating, we want to hear YOUR stories. To enter for a chance to be apart of this series, simply send an audio recording to philip@theadventurechallenge.com

After over 20 years in the entertainment industry, starring in films alongside Angelina Jolie, and starting his own acting conservatory, Fabiano Altamura made a discovery: who you are is not what you do. Achievements are worth pursuing, but at the end of the day, they don't increase or decrease our value as people. This lesson, as well as many others, are brought up in today's interview. If you're an aspiring actor or an aspiring ANYTHING, you're gonna want to hear what Fabiano has to say!

To kick off 2021, Bryant sits down to reflect on multiple business mishaps from last year. You don't grow a small business venture into a multi-million dollar company without running into a few obstacles! But with all kinds of failure, they don't have to make you feel shame or fearful it will happen again. They're our best teachers. If you have your own entrepreneurial ambitions, or maybe you have artistic ones, if you have any sort of idea you're afraid to take a risk on, this episode is right up your alley!

To this day, no contestant on the NBC series "The Voice" has had a faster judge turnaround than this week's Fail Journal guest --Matt Schuler. However, if you listen to this episode, you'll quickly learn that vocal ability is just one part of Matt's impressiveness. His attitude toward life's setbacks and ability to endure disappointment with a smile on his face is what distinguishes him and makes this episode an incredible listen. Be sure to follow him on Instagram @mattiemattschuler and don't miss his latest music releases!

You're gonna want to take notes for this one! Case Kenny --author, Instagrammer, and host of the podcast "New Mindset, Who Dis?"-- joins the Fail Journal to discuss the best ways to maintain a healthy mindset when life is thrown at you, as well as the inevitability of rejection and why it often happens when you're just being yourself. Make sure you follow him on Instagram @case.kenny and check out all of his incredible resources!

As entrepreneurs, artists, and overall go-getters, it's easy to get caught up in chasing achievement. The only content we're interested in is the stuff we think will get us ahead --life hacks and “secrets to success.” It can be hard to see the utility in a message about self-love. But in this episode of the Fail Journal, Bryant and longtime friend Rafael Lamarche, reflect on their respective roads to achievement and why learning to love themselves was as crucial as any lesson learned along the way. Rafael speaks from the heart about his journey out of being overweight and having low self-worth to losing over 100 pounds and actually loving the person in the mirror instead of just patting himself on the back on the occasion that he did something right. You might not be reaching your fullest potential at this point in your life, but that doesn't mean you aren't worthy of love. After listening to this episode, you might even realize that being hard on yourself is what's holding you back!

Originally aired on Justin and Abi Stumvoll's podcast “The Connected Life,” this episode features the Stumvolls interviewing Bryant on everything from running after outlandish goals to the danger of prematurely giving up. If you're ready to break free from what's holding you back, you'll get a lot from this episode!

Rules are important. Life would be chaotic and unmanageable without them. But rules can also be inhibiting. They can program you into a boring and unimaginative life. In this episode of the Fail Journal, Bryant recruits his business partner Ben Day to discuss their thoughts on the subject of rule-breaking and thinking outside of accepted conventions. Coloring outside the lines isn't always constructive, but it can--when done the right way-- be the very ingredient needed for creativity and entrepreneurship. 

At some point, you'll be misunderstood. It happens to everyone. As opposed to frantically maintaining a perfect public image, Bryant talks in this episode about the courage to live authentically in spite of what others think-- and the humility to course-correct if your choices do in fact need to change! 

This week's episode of the Fail Journal features Bryant speaking on his personal struggle with anxiety and depression. He talks about how they originated and how he's gotten healthier and healthier at dealing with them. Perhaps the most important lesson learned along the way is that achievements don't make mental illness disappear. They can actually intensify mental illness. There's not a better time to work towards mental health than right now!

Continuing from where we left off last week, Trey Ellis (Bryant's brother) is back on the Fail Journal to discuss their childhood as homeschoolers, and the subsequent battle against the stereotype of being awkward and antisocial. Among many topics, they highlight what it takes to avoid the traps of overthinking and comparison. If you're someone who deals with some type of insecurity, (i.e. you're a human being) this episode is guaranteed to entertain and enlighten! 

Trey Ellis (Bryant's brother) returns to the Fail Journal to discuss their childhood as homeschoolers, and the subsequent battle against the stereotype of being awkward and antisocial. They delve into the differences between healthy and unhealthy self-talk and how people rarely notice the imperfections we often brood over. If you're someone who deals with some type of insecurity, (i.e. you're a human being) this episode is guaranteed to entertain and enlighten! Part 2 available next week!

Stories of massive failure are normally shared after recovery and comeback. This episode of The Fail Journal is different. Recorded on his iPhone only a week after it happened, Bryant opens up the costliest failure he's ever experienced and his process through it. He discusses the importance of grieving loss and being grateful for what remains. Needless to say, this episode is an exciting one. 

In this first Fail Journal Q&A, Bryant discusses everything from approaching risks to the appropriate time to stop taking them. (Or if there ever even is an appropriate time!) He drops solid advice and, believe it or not, gets a little sassy. You won't want to miss it. 

In this episode, Bryant and Abi discuss why it's important to embrace risks/failure when dating and how changing your goals can quickly turn those failures into success. Practice is the key to confidence. 

In this podcast, Peyton and Sydney talk about removing the pressure of having to release "perfect work" as an artist and embracing where you're currently at. Success doesn't look like perfection... it looks like giving it your all.

Interview with parkour enthusiast, Night Norona. This episode talks about the challenges and obstacles Night overcomes when pursing his craft - parkour. 

Giving in to the fear of failing actually causes us to not give our best performance; and in turn, creates a greater chance of us actually failing. What does it look like to create a culture where we make failures feel “low stakes”? 

David Noroña, from shows such as Jack Ryan, The Mentalist, and One Tree Hill, talks about different failures, successes, and how it's shaped him and his craft today.

We mix it up on this episode and Justin Stumvoll interviews Bryant about becoming an entrepreneur and eventually starting his company “The Adventure Challenge”

Bryant sits down with his brother Trey Ellis to discuss the failures of stand up comedy and how he has learned from it all. 

Interview with entrepreneur and public speaker, Mike Maeshiro on failures in business, career, dating, investments and more. Listen in to hear Bryant Ellis unpack Mike's thoughts on stepping out to become his own boss & taking charge of his life. 

Where does the confidence to take a risk come from? Here is the number one problem we face as creators when we can't submit to the process of growing.

Was this podcast episode an epic fail? I hope not! But even if it was, that's what this podcast is all about. So let's get started on this epic fail of a podcast, where we will talk about failure.