Podcast appearances and mentions of randall kaplan

What does it really take to create global impact? This episode features Tony Robbins' January 2025 appearance on In Search of Excellence, hosted by Randall Kaplan. Tony and Randall sit down for a deep and revealing conversation about the journey behind one of the world's most influential lives. Tony opens up about his early struggles—growing up in a turbulent household, overcoming scarcity, and discovering the power of mindset. From a pivotal Thanksgiving moment that sparked his lifelong mission of giving, to a transformative encounter with mentor Jim Rohn while working as a janitor, Tony shares the foundational experiences that shaped his path. Together, they explore the beliefs, habits, and strategies that propelled Tony to coach presidents, athletes, and billionaires—and to scale more than 100 companies. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a leader, or someone searching for deeper purpose, Tony's story offers timeless lessons on resilience, belief, and the unstoppable power of contribution. Please enjoy!

John Terzian is the co-founder of The h.wood Group, one of the most influential hospitality companies in the world, known for creating iconic venues like The Nice Guy, Delilah, Bootsy Bellows, and Shore Bar. But before he built an empire in nightlife and dining, John's path was anything but conventional. From working as a DJ assistant to getting banned from the Queen Mary for throwing an out-of-control college party, John's journey is filled with unforgettable twists, relentless hustle, and big risks. A former USC walk-on quarterback and Pepperdine law school grad who never passed the bar, John chose to follow his passion for creating experiences over traditional career paths. In this episode, he opens up about growing up in L.A., being harassed by corrupt cops, dealing with failure, and how grit, creativity, and real relationships helped him build a global brand from the ground up.Timestamps:00:00 – Wild Nightlife Stories12:00 – Delilah, Club Economics, and Keeping a Venue Cool21:30 – OnlyFans, Gen Z, and the Decline of Club Culture32:15 – The Chicken in the Nightclub and the 1MDB Scandal45:00 – Brand Loyalty, Extreme Preparation, and Running the Long Game56:30 – Media, Magic Johnson, and the Future of H.WoodResources:The h.wood Group WebsiteThe h.wood Group InstagramJohn's InstagramThe h.wood Group Media InstagramWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Instagram | 1-on-1 Coaching | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Andy Elliott is a powerhouse in the world of sales training, leadership, and personal transformation. From a tough childhood filled with hardship and rejection, Andy turned his struggles into the fuel that made him one of the most successful sales coaches in history. As the founder of The Elliott Group, he has trained over 600,000 people and helped more than 13,000 companies scale their businesses through his cutting-edge sales techniques and mindset strategies. With a no-nonsense approach to personal growth, business success, and extreme resilience, Andy has built a career on breaking the mold and pushing people beyond their limits. In this episode, he shares his journey from being the least likely to succeed to becoming a self-made leader in sales and motivation, offering powerful lessons in overcoming adversity, mastering confidence, and taking complete ownership of your success.Timestamps00:00 – Introduction12:15 – Andy's Childhood33:40 – Andy's Transition to Sales53:17 – Andy's Start in Sales, Mindset, and Self-Development1:22:20 – The Strategy Behind Andy's Business GrowthResourcesAndy's InstagramThe Elliott GroupWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Instagram | 1-on-1 Coaching | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Greg Kinnear is an academy award winning actor whose career spans decades, earning him acclaim across film and television for his ability to bring depth and nuance to a wide range of roles. From his Academy Award-nominated performance in As Good as It Gets to memorable roles in films like Little Miss Sunshine and You've Got Mail, Greg has demonstrated a rare talent for combining charm, wit, and emotional complexity. As one of Hollywood's most reliable leading men, he has skillfully navigated the industry's shifting landscape, balancing critically acclaimed dramas with lighthearted comedies. Movies which Greg starred in have cumulatively sold over $2 billion in ticket sales. Timestamps00:00 – Introduction12:30 – From Indiana to Lebanon: Early Childhood and Family Influence27:15 – First Big Break (MTV to TV)41:45 – Talk Soup: How Greg Turned a Simple Concept into a Cult Hit56:20 – Leaving Talk Soup and Walking Away from Fame and Big Money1:11:00 – Lessons on Rejection and Staying Relevant1:26:30 – Transition to Movies and Earning an Oscar Nomination1:43:50 – Balancing Career and FamilyPurpose2:01:10 – Advice on Resilience, Risk-Taking, and Staying True to YourselfSponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

Anna Leigh Waters is the youngest professional pickleball player to achieve world number one status in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, a feat she accomplished at just 14 years old. As a pioneer in the rapidly growing sport, Anna Leigh has not only dominated on the court but also navigated the complexities of contracts, sponsorships, and the professionalization of pickleball. With accolades like being the top pick in the MLP Draft and endorsements from major brands, she's become a trailblazer in the sport's evolution. Beyond her athletic achievements, Anna Leigh offers inspiring insights into mental toughness, managing fame, and preparing for the future, all while balancing her role as a role model for young athletes worldwide.Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction and Anna Leigh's Pickleball IQ and Early Journey06:45 – MLP Draft and Strategies Behind Player Selections13:15 – Professional Sports Contracts: The Evolution in Pickleball20:30 – Mental Toughness and Dealing with High-Pressure Matches28:00 – Growth of Professional Pickleball Teams and Investment Opportunities35:20 – Extreme Preparation: Anna Leigh's Approach to Practice and Strategy42:10 – The Future of Pickleball: Olympic Dreams and Global Recognition47:35 – Closing Reflections: Passion, Positivity, and GoalsSponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

Anna Leigh Waters is the youngest professional pickleball player to achieve world number one status in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, a feat she accomplished at just 14 years old. As a pioneer in the rapidly growing sport, Anna Leigh has not only dominated on the court but also navigated the complexities of contracts, sponsorships, and the professionalization of pickleball. With accolades like being the top pick in the MLP Draft and endorsements from major brands, she's become a trailblazer in the sport's evolution. Beyond her athletic achievements, Anna Leigh offers inspiring insights into mental toughness, managing fame, and preparing for the future, all while balancing her role as a role model for young athletes worldwide.Timestamps:00:01:59 - Anna's Childhood00:09:12 - Anna's First Pickleball Game00:12:27 - Rules of Pickleball00:17:09 - Anna's First Tournament00:24:27 - Anna's Love for Soccer00:33:03 - Anna Playing Tennis00:38:56 - Anna's Parents00:49:30 - How to Master Pickleball00:54:20 - Different Leagues in PickleballResourcesAnna's Favorite Pickleball PaddleSponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

Gabby Reece is a former professional volleyball player who has carved out an extraordinary career as a sports announcer, fitness advocate, entrepreneur, public speaker, and author. She became the first woman to design a shoe for Nike and has been a spokesperson for major brands like Nike and Coppertone. In addition to excelling on the volleyball court, Gabby has graced magazine covers, hosted shows on MTV and CBS, and co-founded successful ventures like XPT, a fitness training program, and Laird Superfood, a popular line of coffee supplements. As the host of The Gabby Reece Show, she dives into topics like health, relationships, and business. Gabby's diverse experiences offer a wealth of insights into leadership, resilience, and personal growth.Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction and the Five Keys to Fitness06:45 – Learning from Failure08:18 – Launching XPT and Laird Superfood: From Passion to Business Success16:07 – Skiiing on a 60-Foot Wave: Trust and Overcoming Fear24:13 – The Five Keys to Fitness30:00 – Fill in the Blank to Excellence44:20 – The Best Piece of Advice Gabby HasResources:Gabby's InstagramGabby's WebsiteGabby's PodcastSponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

Gabby Reece is a former professional volleyball player who has carved out an extraordinary career as a sports announcer, fitness advocate, entrepreneur, public speaker, and author. She became the first woman to design a shoe for Nike and has been a spokesperson for major brands like Nike and Coppertone. In addition to excelling on the volleyball court, Gabby has graced magazine covers, hosted shows on MTV and CBS, and co-founded successful ventures like XPT, a fitness training program, and Laird Superfood, a popular line of coffee supplements. As the host of The Gabby Reece Show, she dives into topics like health, relationships, and business. Gabby's diverse experiences offer a wealth of insights into leadership, resilience, and personal growth.Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction to Gabby Reece: Athlete, Entrepreneur, and Icon07:20 – Childhood Challenges: Losing a Parent and Finding Stability15:45 – Lessons from Volleyball: Discipline and Team Dynamics24:10 – Modeling Career: Balancing Sports and the Fashion Industry33:30 – Pioneering at Nike: Designing the First Female Cross-Training Shoe42:15 – Transitioning to Media: MTV, CBS, and Breaking New Ground51:50 – Family Life and Parenting Philosophy: Building Connections1:02:10 – Defining Success: Authenticity, Relationships, and GrowthResources:Gabby's InstagramGabby's WebsiteGabby's PodcastSponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

Graham Weaver is the founder and CEO of Alpine Investors, a leading private equity firm managing $17+ billion in assets and boasting over 650+ investments in the past 23 years. Alpine's CEO-in-Training program is highly sought after, ranking as the top choice among MBA graduates from Stanford, Harvard, and Wharton. Beyond his leadership at Alpine, Graham imparts his expertise as a lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business, where he teaches courses on managerial skills and managing growing enterprises. His dedication to education was recognized with the Distinguished Teaching Award in 2024. Graham's multifaceted career offers valuable insights into private equity, leadership development, and business education.Timstamps:00:00 – Introduction and the Utility of Money07:30 – Starting a Fund: Key Steps and Strategies15:15 – Lessons from the First Fund: Failures and Growth22:45 – Continuous Improvement: Hiring Executive Coaches30:10 – The Three Promises of Alpine Investors38:40 – The Power of Asymmetry in Life and Investing48:05 – Overcoming Limiting Beliefs with Coaching58:30 – Time Management and Aligning Goals with ActionResources:Graham's InstagramGraham's LinkedInGraham's TikTokAlpine InvestorsSponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

Graham Weaver is the founder and CEO of Alpine Investors, a leading private equity firm managing $17+ billion in assets and boasting over 650+ investments in the past 23 years. Alpine's CEO-in-Training program is highly sought after, ranking as the top choice among MBA graduates from Stanford, Harvard, and Wharton. Beyond his leadership at Alpine, Graham imparts his expertise as a lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business, where he teaches courses on managerial skills and managing growing enterprises. His dedication to education was recognized with the Distinguished Teaching Award in 2024. Graham's multifaceted career offers valuable insights into private equity, leadership development, and business education.Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction to Graham Weaver and His Leadership Philosophy03:50 – Parental Influences: Work Ethic and Sacrifice in Graham's Early Life09:45 – Mowing Lawns, Audiobooks, and Discovering the Power of Self-Help15:30 – Wrestling, Vision Quest, and Building Resilience through Challenges23:10 – Quitting Wrestling: Lessons in Failure and Persistence32:40 – College Ambitions: Genie Goals and Writing Success into Reality46:00 – Lessons from Princeton's Rowing Team and Developing Discipline58:15 – Reflection: Leadership, Hard Work, and Achieving ExcellenceResources:Graham's InstagramGraham's LinkedInGraham's TikTokAlpine InvestorsSponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

Brock Pierce, began his career as a child actor, notably appearing in Disney's "The Mighty Ducks" series and "First Kid." Transitioning from entertainment to entrepreneurship, he co-founded the Digital Entertainment Network (DEN) in the late 1990s, aiming to deliver original episodic content online. Pierce later became a prominent figure in the cryptocurrency industry, co-founding Tether in 2014, a leading stablecoin, and serving as Director of the Bitcoin Foundation. In 2020, he ran as an independent candidate in the U.S. presidential election. His diverse experiences offer valuable insights into the intersections of technology, finance, and media.Sponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

Brock Pierce, began his career as a child actor, notably appearing in Disney's "The Mighty Ducks" series and "First Kid." Transitioning from entertainment to entrepreneurship, he co-founded the Digital Entertainment Network (DEN) in the late 1990s, aiming to deliver original episodic content online. Pierce later became a prominent figure in the cryptocurrency industry, co-founding Tether in 2014, a leading stablecoin, and serving as Director of the Bitcoin Foundation. In 2020, he ran as an independent candidate in the U.S. presidential election. His diverse experiences offer valuable insights into the intersections of technology, finance, and media.Sponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

In this episode of the GaryVee Audio Experience, I am joined by Randall Kaplan. We dive deep into the age-old debate: Are entrepreneurs born with a natural talent, or is it a skill anyone can develop? We explore fascinating stories of childhood entrepreneurial ventures—like selling flowers from a neighbor's garden—and dissect the mix of talent, grit, and curiosity that drives business success. You'll hear candid insights on what separates natural-born entrepreneurs from those who put in the work to excel. Plus, we discuss the role of environment, motivation, and what it truly takes to thrive in the business world. Whether you believe entrepreneurship is a calling or a craft, this conversation is a must-listen! Be sure to Check out Randall: https://linktr.ee/randallkaplan?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZTkLD8sQUoE48fcbhHzGzyP3lYq8hm42zef-zEzQtNUAPatW8bYCFDrRY_aem_9zsMuzYAyeEKNrJPLXGRnA

Gary Vaynerchuk, commonly known as Gary Vee, is an influential entrepreneur, speaker, and internet personality, best known for his expertise in digital marketing and social media. Starting his career in his family's wine business, Gary's innovative approach to e-commerce and content creation catapulted the business from a local enterprise to a national leader in wine retail. He later founded VaynerMedia, a leading digital agency that services Fortune 500 clients across the globe. In this episode, Gary shares his unfiltered insights on the dynamics of building and scaling businesses, the evolution of consumer engagement, and the relentless pursuit of hustle. He opens up about his journey from a Belarusian immigrant to a global business mogul, reflecting on the impact of his heritage on his work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit. With his characteristic candor and deep passion for empowering others, Gary offers listeners not only a glimpse into the competitive world of digital marketing but also imparts profound lessons on perseverance, vision, and personal branding.Timestamps:02:41 - Introduction05:21 - Gary Vee narrates the immigration challenges faced by his family leaving the Soviet Union and adjusting to life in America.08:02 - Gary Vee talks about his father's entrepreneurial journey from managing a store to owning it and the lessons learned from observing his work ethic.10:41 - Randall Kaplan praises the inherent strength and resilience of influential women in challenging environments.13:20 - Randall Kaplan shares an emotional personal story, underscoring the importance of strong family values.16:04 - Gary Vee elaborates on the supportive dynamics within his extended family and the emotional bonds that shaped his upbringing.18:41 - Gary Vee emphasizes the crucial life skill of dealing with adversity and finding comfort in uncomfortable situations.21:20 - Gary Vee reminisces about his childhood summers, filled with familial connections and simple joys.24:03 - Randall Kaplan reflects on his childhood outdoor activities, noting the less supervised yet richly interactive play of his youth.26:40 - Randall Kaplan discusses overcoming personal challenges and the motivation behind his drive to succeed despite obstacles.29:23 - Gary Vee debates the nature of entrepreneurial success, questioning if innate talent is a necessary component and sharing his personal experiences with early business ventures.32:03 - Gary Vee discusses his youthful business initiatives, including running a lemonade stand and the creative ways he expanded it.34:44 - Gary Vee recalls his childhood efforts to earn money through various small ventures, from selling flowers picked from neighbors' gardens to singing carols.37:22 - Gary Vee shares his philosophy on the value of hard work over formal education, reflecting on his personal and family experiences.40:00 - Gary Vee looks back on a defining weekend in his youth that solidified his passion for business and innovation.Sponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

Sean Mike Kelly is a serial entrepreneur and an influential advocate in the Web 3.0 space. From launching Jersey Champs during his freshman year of college to navigating the volatile world of cryptocurrency investments, Sean's entrepreneurial journey is marked by both spectacular successes and educational setbacks. In this enlightening episode of “In Search of Excellence,” hosted by Randall Kaplan, Sean delves into his unique experiences growing up with immigrant parents, his early business ventures, and the profound lessons he learned about the psychological impact of financial highs and lows. He also shares insights into the critical roles that adaptability, mentorship, and a positive mindset have played in his career. Engaging and deeply personal, this episode offers valuable perspectives on entrepreneurship, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence.0:00 - Introduction to Sean Mike Kelly and his journey from college entrepreneur to multimillionaire.2:14 - Early financial lessons and the psychological impact of perceived wealth.5:20 - Sean's multicultural background and how his parents' immigrant stories shaped his perspective on money and success.9:37 - Starting Jersey Champs and the pivot to selling masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.13:48 - Lessons learned from early business ventures and coping with financial uncertainties.18:03 - The role of influencers and strategic marketing in the growth of his businesses.22:25 - Sean discusses the importance of adapting business strategies to market changes.26:39 - Reflections on financial freedom and the volatile world of cryptocurrency investing.30:52 - The significance of networking and mentorship in Sean's career development.35:10 - Insights into managing personal and professional life, and the ongoing learning process.39:55 - How Sean's family values and work ethic have influenced his business practices.44:30 - Sean talks about overcoming introversion and the impact of positive thinking.48:45 - Final thoughts on entrepreneurship, preparation, and the importance of mindset in achieving success.Sponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

Sasha Pieterse Sheaffer is an accomplished actress and advocate, widely recognized for her role as Alison DiLaurentis in the hit TV series Pretty Little Liars. Throughout her career, Sasha has captivated audiences with her compelling performances and has become a powerful voice in promoting body positivity and mental health awareness. In this episode, Sasha delves into the complexities of acting, sharing candid stories from her time on set, the challenges of handling intimate scenes, and how she navigates the pressures of Hollywood. She also opens up about her personal journey of self-acceptance and the importance of advocating for one's own mental and physical well-being. With authenticity and insight, Sasha gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the entertainment industry, while offering valuable lessons on resilience and growth.0:00 - Introduction.3:14 - Discussion on balancing personal sacrifices with following dreams.6:41 - Considerations in casting young actors for age-appropriate roles.10:06 - Randall Kaplan shares thoughts on handling professional transitions.13:22 - Challenges of accessing opportunities in the acting industry.16:45 - Discussion on time management challenges in professional settings.19:49 - Addressing the sensitivity required in diverse professional environments.23:11 - Sasha recalls uncertain moments from her acting career.26:40 - Debates on standards of acceptability in professional conduct.30:09 - Strategies for managing early career responsibilities.33:50 - The stress of performing well under observation.37:31 - Insights into the less glamorous aspects of the entertainment industry.41:13 - Discussion on the emotional demands of acting.44:54 - Emotional highs and lows experienced within the industry.48:14 - Sasha shares a story about a significant investment opportunity.51:41 - Recounting an encounter where Sasha was recognized unexpectedly.55:06 - Reflections on working in a challenging environment.58:37 - The benefits of encountering diverse perspectives in acting.1:02:06 - The influence of family knowledge on navigating the industry.1:06:05 - The importance of trust and communication in professional settings.1:09:37 - Emphasizing the foundational role of trust in collaborative work.1:13:24 - Brief interaction emphasizing interpersonal relationships.1:17:03 - Discussing the difficulty of receiving criticism.1:20:49 - The pitfalls of seeking fame as the primary career motivation.1:24:39 - Closing thoughts on pursuing passion regardless of success.Sponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

Jon Anik is a renowned play-by-play commentator for the UFC, celebrated for his articulate and energetic commentary style that has defined the voice of modern mixed martial arts. Over the last 13 years, Anik has risen to the pinnacle of sports broadcasting, hailed by peers like Joe Rogan as the best in the field. His journey began in the Boston area where he cultivated his love for sports, influenced significantly by family and early experiences at sports events. Anik's professional path was not straightforward; he transitioned from hopeful journalism ambitions to becoming a leading figure in sports media, driven by a deep passion for MMA that developed over time. His breakthrough came when he joined UFC, leaving a stable position at ESPN to pursue more dynamic and challenging opportunities in sports commentary. Today, Jon Anik not only calls the most thrilling fights in the UFC but also hosts the popular Anik & Florian podcast, sharing his insights and extending his influence beyond the octagon. His story is one of relentless pursuit of passion, adaptation in a rapidly evolving sports landscape, and unwavering commitment to excellence in sports broadcasting.0:00 - Jon Anik kicks off with a UFC freestyle rap.0:33 - Introduction to "In Search of Excellence" by Randall Kaplan; Jon Anik highlighted as a lead UFC commentator.1:14 - Anik discusses his family's influence, especially his parents, on his personal and professional life.3:06 - Reflections on growing up as a sports fan in Boston and the familial ties to sports.5:14 - Conversation on leadership qualities distinguishing bosses from leaders.7:43 - Anik talks about his leadership experiences during high school and discovering his public speaking talent.9:41 - Insights into Anik's career path, focusing on leveraging personal strengths and the role of public speaking.11:29 - Anik's college years at Gettysburg College and early journalistic ambitions.13:46 - Details of Anik's internships, early job challenges, and strategic career moves.17:15 - The importance of preparation in achieving career success, shared through personal stories.19:00 - Discussion on work ethic and generational changes in the workforce.21:31 - Advice on identifying and developing one's strengths to navigate career paths.24:07 - Anik's major career break transitioning from ESPN to UFC, emphasizing opportunities and networking.26:36 - Initial exposure to MMA and growing passion for the sport.28:49 - Anik describes his path to becoming UFC's top announcer, stressing self-belief and seizing opportunities.31:00 - Encourages skeptics of MMA to experience a live UFC event to understand its appeal.33:29 - Career guidance for entering the competitive sports industry.36:08 - Concluding thoughts on personal development, mentorship, and engaging with aspiring professionals.Sponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

Keaton Hoskins is a serial entrepreneur, coach, motivational speaker, and author, known for his dynamic approach to business and personal development. A key figure on the popular reality TV show "Diesel Brothers," which aired on the Discovery Channel, Keaton leveraged his passion for diesel trucks into a thriving entertainment and merchandise business. His entrepreneurial journey is marked by innovative business strategies, particularly in leveraging social media and unique marketing tactics such as vehicle giveaways. Beyond entertainment, Keaton has ventured into various industries, including fitness, dental, and plastic surgery, often employing groundbreaking financial models to expand service accessibility. His story, rich with lessons on overcoming adversity and harnessing personal hardships for professional growth, is a source of inspiration. Keaton's experiences underscore the importance of resilience, strategic innovation, and the power of a well-structured business model in achieving success.0:00 - Keaton on the hard work needed to launch a business.0:55 - Podcast introduction by Randall Kaplan.1:41 - Keaton's gratitude for the podcast appearance.1:57 - Keaton reflects on his father's impactful life lessons.4:44 - Discussion on career expectations set by parents.6:15 - Keaton's early leadership roles due to his father's health.9:57 - Keaton's passion for football and its influence on him.11:17 - Keaton's aspirations and athletic career.12:41 - Introduction to diesel trucks and their influence.14:08 - Keaton's transformative spiritual mission.17:18 - Keaton explains the missionary commitment.19:49 - Pivotal moments post his father's death leading to medicine.22:17 - Reflections on his father's last words and their impact.24:25 - Transition from medicine to entrepreneurship.28:22 - Innovative business models in dental and plastic surgery.31:01 - Keaton on achieving business success through numerous conversations.33:03 - Importance of having 2000 business conversations.35:10 - Challenges and hard work in entrepreneurship.37:07 - Work ethic comparisons across generations.39:20 - Effective business models adapting to customer finances.41:08 - Expanding access to medical procedures through financing.44:23 - Popularity of breast augmentation in Utah.46:28 - Origin of the Diesel Brothers reality show.49:12 - Utilizing social media and giveaways for business growth.51:46 - Lessons learned from entrepreneurial ventures.53:36 - Sale of businesses and new ventures.56:03 - Importance of building business infrastructure.58:12 - Financial models and business scalability.1:00:25 - The necessity of perseverance in business.1:02:40 - Recap and teaser for the next podcast part.Sponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

Damon West is an inspirational speaker, author, and college professor with an extraordinary story of redemption. A former college quarterback, Damon fell into meth addiction and organized crime, leading to a life sentence in a Texas prison. During his incarceration, he transformed his life, inspired by the metaphor of a coffee bean that changes its environment. Upon his release, Damon authored four bestselling books, including "The Change Agent" and "The Coffee Bean," which have sold over 10 million copies. Now a motivational speaker and professor at the University of Houston, Damon uses his journey from addiction and crime to inspire others to embrace personal growth and resilience. His powerful narrative is one of the most compelling stories shared on this show.Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction and Damon West's initial experience with crystal meth1:29 - Welcome to the podcast and Damon's background3:03 - Damon's family and upbringing in Port Arthur, Texas4:14 - Childhood trauma and its impact6:16 - Early exposure to adult behaviors8:20 - Early substance use and athletic career10:22 - Dealing with the aftermath of molestation12:05 - Becoming a star athlete14:15 - The pressures and challenges of being a star athlete16:27 - College football and introduction to hardcore drugs20:56 - First exposure to meth and rapid addiction22:10 - Descent into criminal behavior25:50 - High-functioning addicts and the dangers they face28:14 - Becoming a criminal to fund addiction31:06 - The first burglary and escalation of crimes32:57 - Arrest by the SWAT team33:07 - Initial experiences in jail and realization of the situation35:57 - Impact on family and conversations after sentencing41:08 - Promises to his mother about prison conduct47:59 - Advice from Muhammad and the concept of being a "coffee bean"51:58 - First day in prison and the decision to fight56:39 - Earning respect through basketball1:00:02 - Final fight and handling threats in prisonSponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

Jason Derulo is a singer, songwriter, actor and author and is one of the most talented people I've ever had on my show.  He has sold more than 250 million singles worldwide, and joins Taylor Swift, Elton John, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Maroon Five, and Christina Aguilera as the only artists in history to have a number one single on US Pop Radio in three different decades.  Jason is also one of the top 20 most followed people in the world on social media – he has more than 300 million followers across all platforms.  He is also a successful entrepreneur, investor, and author of the awesome book, Sing Your Name Out Loud: 15 Rules for Living Your Dream: The Inspiring Story of Jason Derulo.   He also has some of the best advice I have ever heard on the show for people starting their careers and are struggling finding traction.Here are Jason's 15 Rules for Living Your Dream:Take risks. Failure is good.Unlock closed doors. But go through the open ones first.You are only as good as your routine. Train repetitively for your success.Success is for rent. You'll never pay it off.Stop showing off. Invite your audience to the party.Obstacles are opportunities. Grab creative blessings in disguise.Decide what is important to you. Then connect it to how you spend your time.Those who can, do. Those who can't, become critics.Respect the hive. Your copilots are as important as the destination.Trust the data. Creativity and analytics go hand in hand.Collaborate, period. Choose people you can teach and learn from.Reveal yourself in your best light. Ignore what works for everyone else.Talent is overrated. Desire is the gift.Work hardest at what comes easiest. Go from good to great.Choose your competition. And keep pushing that bar higher.Timestamps:0:00 - Intro4:49 - Jason Derulo on Family and Life Perspective after Breaking His Neck6:03 - Transition from Music to TikTok During the Pandemic10:40 - Embracing Failures and Importance of Taking Risks13:30 - Jason Derulo's Book: Message for Dreamers and Importance of Mindset17:54 - Leaning Into Strengths and Viewing Competition at a Higher Level20:21 - Work Ethic vs. Working Smarter and Value of Collaboration24:23 - Extreme Preparation and Las Vegas Residency27:57 - Business Ventures: Car Wash Industry and Billionaire Goal36:12 - How Fatherhood and Philanthropy Changed Jason's Life38:28 - Jason Derulo's Philanthropic Efforts41:18 - New Projects in Children's Education42:00 - Fill in the Blank SegmentSponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

Welcome to another episode of In Search of Excellence! My guest today is the incredible Flex Lewis. Flex is a serial entrepreneur, coach, motivational speaker, and one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time. He has won 7 consecutive Mr. Olympia titles.He's also the co-owner of Arsenal, strength gym equipment, the fastest-growing fitness equipment company in the world, and the owner of the famous Dragon's Lair Gym in Las Vegas.01:21 - Joe Gold recruiting Flex Lewis and living with John Cena and Hulk Hogan11:50 - Motivation and background of Mr. Olympia25:15 - Flex's last Mr. Olympia28:00 - Flex's parents supporting him38:20 - Hustling, relationships, and free protein powder49:45 - Having a long-term view and the shelf life of careers1:00:33 - Dana White1:10:05 - Extreme Preparation1:17:09 - Flex's family1:23:54 - Extra questions, Joe Rogan, and pigeons on creatineSponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

Welcome to another episode of In Search of Excellence! My guest today is the incredible Flex Lewis. Flex is a serial entrepreneur, coach, motivational speaker, and one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time. He has won 7 consecutive Mr. Olympia titles.He's also the co-owner of Arsenal, strength gym equipment, the fastest-growing fitness equipment company in the world and the owner of the famous Dragon's Lair Gym in Las Vegas. Time stamps:00:55 Flex's family and backgroundGrew up in a loving home in WalesHis father was a steel worker and his mother a nurseDecided to be a millionaire as a kid 03:52 Born with a rugby ball in the mouthHe started playing rugby at the age of 6His full name is Steven James LewisFlex is a nickname he got as a kid 06:27 The pressure to better himselfA pressure to become betterHis first entrepreneurial momentDelivering papers on his bikeLearned responsibility and dealing with money13:22 Investing the money he earnedBought a male and female finchStarted breeding and selling them 15:57 Starting a moving companyPowerlifting and starting a moving companyBought his first truck and developed the businessWent an extra mile to do a good job 22:05 Learning from the QuadfatherSpent weekends at his grandparentsDiscovered a book by Tom Platz at 12The book changed his lifeFound weights and started doing squats 26:23 His parents' worriesHis parents were afraid it would stunt his growthStayed away from training weights for a number of yearsFunny story about his father catching him squatting 28:30 Steve Naylor and his influenceFlex had a lot of admiration for SteveHe was drawn by his humilityStarted training with SteveBodybuilding is all about mind-muscle connection 32:19 Elbow injury and getting a tattooSpent the whole summer building his motocross bikeHad an accident and broke his elbowAfter removing the plaster cast, his arm was deadHad to make it stronger by himselfA tattoo on the weakened arm 38:53 Working in silence and achieving thingsDidn't like school but liked PE teachersHe had dyslexia or ADHD, was labeled stupidHow schools were failing kids by discouraging themPracticing a handstand and the first day at school 47:26 The first powerlifting competitionFrom high-level rugby to powerlifting showBodybuilding in Wales is a big thingThe competition was held in the Royal Princess Theatre 51:59 Getting on a bodybuilding stageWas drawn by a free gym membershipChanged his diet and watched a lot of VHS videosThe competition and the alter egoPerformed great and won the showDeciding to prepare for British nationalsA 20-year relationship with his coachThe importance of loyalty 1:01:40 Chasing dreams and making sacrificesWinning the British NationalsGot an invitation from GolSponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

Welcome to another episode In Search of Excellence! My guest today is Danielle Vasinova. Danielle is an actor, model, producer, entrepreneur, avid equestrian, and drummer, she has been in more than 50 movies and TV shows and is best known for her colorful action-adventure rolls. And she has graced the cover of many magazines, including Vogue, and Harper's Bazaar. In this episode, Danielle shares her story of overcoming shyness through cheerleading, starting a modeling career, and landing her first movie role. Randy discovers how he unexpectedly landed a role in a movie alongside Sharon Stone despite having no acting experience and emphasizes the importance of taking advantage of every opportunity you get in life. Time stamps:01:23 Danielle's backgroundHer grandmother was an actress and singer in PragueEscaped communism at 17Met her future husband at displaced persons' camps in GermanyThey came to New York City togetherHer mom worked for American AirlinesDad tested airplane engines for Pratt and WhitneyFell in love and moved to Connecticut03:46 Childhood memoriesDad bought her a ponyFarm animals became her friendsPainfully shy as a kidCreating a character is a form of protectionReluctantly became a cheerleaderHelped her to break out of the shellA training accident 11:12 Modeling at 13Competition at the local mallThe scout came up to her and offered her to be a modelWent to New York and signed a contractCastings, auditions, rejections and bookings 18:23 Taking advantage of opportunitiesDanielle's bucket listRandy's advice on how to get to peopleRandy's story about meeting a famous actressPeople do respond to bold movesMyocarditis on a date 29:16 Do you need education to be an actor?UConn collageWas a waitress the whole timeBecame a Patriots cheerleaderComing to Santa Barbara 32:31 Young and Restless castingCalled for casting through her momWent to LA and auditionedGot the part 35:05 Randy's hilarious experience with the movie industryBecoming friends with Bruce McNallCasting for the role in the movieGetting the role of a police officerMeeting Sharon StoneShooting the scenesBecoming friends with a certain directorBeing offered a role in his show 50:53 Randy's first podcast guestsMeeting Sam Zell and becoming friendsSharon Stone andCliff Kingsbury, a football coachMark Cuban responded to his emailThe greatest piece of advice Randy got from his mentorDoing things that no one else has done before Sponsors:Sandee – https://sandee.com/Bliss: Beaches – https://www.amazon.com/Bliss-Beaches-Randall-Kaplan/dp/1951836170/ Want to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website – https://insearchofexcellencepodcast.comInstagram – Sponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

Welcome to In Search of Excellence! You're listening to part two of my awesome conversation with Joe De Sena, the CEO of the global fitness and wellness brand Spartan, which has a community of more than 10 million athletes around the world.If you haven't yet listened to part one of my conversation with Joe, be sure to check that one out first. In this part, Joe shares his incredible story of perseverance, the importance of mentorship, and how pushing your limits can lead to extreme success and personal growth.Time stamps:00:58 From Cornell to Wall StreetThe entrepreneurship class at CornellWon a $5000 prize in a competition for the best business ideaThe advice from one of the judges to go to Wall StreetWent back to his pool business05:00 Joe's bold stock investmentBuys Syntax stocks and earns $ 100,000Sells his pool business for $500,000Blew it all on the wrong stock investments07:25 How to get a mentor?Mentors are looking for basic human skillsRandall's experience with his mentorsEarning a mentorship – a story about Max13:35 The importance of taking meetingsYou might add value to their life, they might add value to your lifeMoney comes from the most unexpected placesYou never know where a meeting could lead17:46 A risk to peruse your dreamLeaving the shore is uncomfortableTake the chances, you can always come backAn incredible red barn story21:20 The Spartan Company 24 years agoGetting people outside their comfort zoneIn the beginning, it didn't workPeople don't want to buy discomfortThe change that came with Facebook23:18 The Death RaceIt's like a Navy SEALs or Delta Force eventSpartan's toughest event meant to break youYou look in the mirror and find out who you areWhat does the Death Race look like?26:27 Serious health issues in JapanJoe was stressed out about his businessWoke up one morning and couldn't see anythingEnded up in the hospital – and was told a part of his brain is deadHe decided not to accept that28:59 Why do people come to the Spartan race?When people experience the transformation, it's addictiveEven if it sucked while they were doing itJoe's philosophy - nobody cares, work harderOptimize your health and wellness to be able to operate31:01 The fear of failureFailure is a learning opportunityA lot of our fear is just fiction32:48 Three most important ingredients for successPersistence, Personality, GratitudeThe level of hard work needed for successYou must be willing to sacrifice and save the fun for later35:45 The importance of extreme preparationJoe is constantly working and always preparingHe prepares months ahead37:42 Joe's ultimate dreamA year of some form of military service post-high schoolDisconnecting all water heatersKids doing burpees before they come into the schoolIs a work-life balance possible?38:55 Fill in the blanks for excellenceSponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

My guest today is Joe de Sena, a serial entrepreneur, ultra-marathoner, endurance athlete, motivational speaker, and self-described maniac. For the past 17 years, Joe has been the CEO of the global fitness and wellness brand Spartan, which has a community of more than 10 million athletes around the world.Joe is the host of the CNBC primetime show, No Retreat business boot camp, and a New York Times bestselling author of four books, Spartan Up, Spartan Fit, The Spartan Way, and his latest, 10 Rules for Resilience.Time stamps:01:46 Joe De Sena's background and childhoodHe grew up in Howard Beach, the organized crime capital of the worldMom was a long-distance runner, vegan, and yoga practitionerDad was a workaholic entrepreneurThe story about his dad and the missing package in the warehouseThe story about moving bricks all nightAn unbelievable BMX ride to Greene, New York11:33 Working for Joe Bananno as a kidLessons from the head of the organized crime familyBecame a trusting kid and gained a lot of customersThe attractiveness of the mafia lifestyle and his dad's adviceJoe Bananno as Joe's friend and mentorThe best thing we can do in life is help people 18:15 What's wrong with the mentality of today's internsHuman beings are naturally lazy and wired for comfortThe story about Shaun and moving artworksMake yourself invaluable and irreplaceable26:48 Never ask for moneyA story about a car dealer from VermontA risk worth getting numerous customersGet your foot in the door first and provide value29:23 How rejections can fuel youApplied to Cornell and was rejectedLearned hard to prove worthy of Cornell but kept being rejectedFinally, enrolled in The Textile Department of Human EcologyIf you just keep doing it, you eventually break through35:05 The ability to hang in there and finish is changing your biologyIf the obstacle you face is not fatal, it's just a lessonFailure can be our greatest asset if we use it rightFinishing hard things creates tracks in the brainQuitting creates gaps and more quittingSponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

Welcome to In Search of Excellence! This is part 2 of our fascinating conversation with Mat Ishbia!Mat is the Chairman and CEO of 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”, and is a very generous philanthropist who has given away more than $50 million. 1:10 What does Mat look for in a new hire at UWM?Mat doesn't care about the diplomaHe looks for someone with a heart, work ethic, attitude, and drive to be greatKnowledge is a commodityBe a human being, be engaged and energetic 4:56 The Importance of little things for successMat is looking for difference-makersIntangibles are much more important than the tangibles 10:23 Advice to people who have dreamsRandall's meeting with Bill DavidsonThink crazy big and then work towards itPut the work in and be the best 14:05 No meeting ThursdaysMat responds to every emailNo meetings on Thursday – talking and checking with peopleYou have to be in the weeds of your business to be successful 15:55 Advice to people who are not working as hard as they shouldWork ethic and attitude are the biggest determinators of successGo to places that provide opportunityYou have to sacrifice to be the bestMat is sacrificing for his kids and his business 19:14 The importance of extreme preparationGame plan and role playPreparation leads to successEverything is about preparation 21:40 Owning an NBA basketball teamManaging a team is much fun in all areasMaking a positive impact on team members, fans, and the communityCoaching his childrenTeaching life, skills, personality, the importance of supporting your teammates 24:35 How important is giving back to our success?Giving money is only one part of giving backYou can give your time and care 25:30 Fill in the blanks to excellenceThe biggest lesson I've learned in my life isWork ethic and attitude always winMy number one professional goal isTo get better every single dayAnd moreSponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

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 tomorrowSponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | 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 moreSponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | 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 expensesSponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | 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 offSponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | 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...Sponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | 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 researchSponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | 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!Sponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | 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 doneSponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | 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...Sponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | 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 gameSponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | 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 moreSponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | 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 24/7Sponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | 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 onSponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | 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 cancerSponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | 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 isSponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | 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 failureSponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | 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, throSponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | 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 surfingSponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

Jaspreet "Jas" Mathur is an accomplished Canadian Entrepreneur, Venture Capitalist and Innovator who launched his first business at age 12, creating and developing high traffic wrestling news websites. At 16, Mathur sold his first business to a media company and over the years he has founded and reinvented a series of successful companies in various industries, including, Satellite TV, Digital Surveillance, Downloadable Media, Online Dating And Online Gambling. As the CEO of Emblaze ONE Inc. and Limitless Performance, Inc., Mathur is responsible for running all facets of the businesses with over 20 years of proven Executive Management experience. Once weighing 450 pounds with a 68-inch waist, Mathur transformed his life based on healthy habits, a positive attitude and serious spiritual and physical dedication to self-improvement. Mathur went on to lose more than 250 pounds, and has devoted his life to health and wellness. Mathur has become a coveted expert to high-profile entrepreneurs and investors. He brings his deep-seated experience in entrepreneurship and spiritual and physical health to others. His work has helped them improve their business performance, turning risk and originality into opportunities, developing strategies and enhancing their organization's value. Jas has been featured as on MSN, TMZ, Inquisitr, HipHopDX, The Independent and RadarOnline, and in publications including Forbes, Men's Journal, Muscle and Fitness, Entrepreneur, Life & Style, Star, US Weekly, In Touch Weekly, and OK Magazine. --- Randall Kaplan is an entrepreneur and venture capitalist with a passion for working with and mentoring talented, hungry entrepreneurs who have a great work ethic and want to create long-lasting companies. Randall is the founder and CEO of JUMP Investors, a venture capital firm that also functions as his family office. Since its formation in 1999, JUMP has invested in more than 60 early-to-late-stage technology companies. JUMP is also an active investor in real estate, private equity, hedge funds, and public equities. Randall is also the founder and CEO of Sandee, a travel company focused on the promotion of beaches and beach tourism around the world whose mission is to create the world's first beach brand; the co-founder and Co-CEO of Thrive Properties, a real estate investment firm specializing in the ownership, management, leasing, and redevelopment of properties in primary markets throughout Southern California; and the owner and CEO of CollarCard, LLC, a fast-growing promotional products company that makes patented men's collar stays that are sold throughout the world. Randall is a co-founder of Akamai Technologies, the global leader in Content Delivery Network (CDN) services, making the Internet fast, reliable and secure for its customers. The company's advanced web performance, mobile performance, cloud security, and media delivery solutions are revolutionizing how businesses optimize consumer, enterprise, and entertainment experiences for any device anywhere. Akamai serves nearly 30% of the world's web traffic, is a member of the S&P 500, employs nearly 8,000 people with 64 offices in 28 countries, and had $2.9 billion in 2019 revenues. Over the past 20 years, Randall has been an advisor to more than 50 companies, has served on the board of directors of many companies, has been an active public speaker, and has mentored more than 100 students through JUMP's annual internship program on top of his millions in charity work. - The Money Mondays is a business podcast here to teach you how to make money, invest money, and donate money by showcasing some of the world's most successful people and how they do the same. Hosted by serial entrepreneur Dan Fleyshman, this money podcast gives you an exclusive behind the scenes look at how the wealthiest celebrities, entrepreneurs, athletes and influencers make, invest and donate money.

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 lifeSponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | 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 Sponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | 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 itSponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

 Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. When you thoroughly prepare for something, whether it's a job interview, a career fair, or a test in school, you are likely to drastically improve your outcome. Randall Kaplan stresses the importance of extreme preparation and provides life changing advice and strategies for how to more effectively prepare in order to succeed in your life. Connect with Randall: https://www.randallkaplan.com/ Email: randall@sandee.com