The Playhard Podcast
By Armand Uno
A show where I talk to entrepreneurs about their habits and hobbies.
Unlike most entrepreneurship podcasts, I focus on the entrepreneur. Weekly episodes include casual conversations, thoughtful questions, and a healthy balance of personal and professional stories.
What entrepreneurs do to manage their stressful life fascinates me. My dad is a startup founder, I work at a startup, and I studied Entrepreneurship at Penn State. If you're interested in habits, hobbies, and entrepreneurs having fun, check out an episode!
The Playhard PodcastJul 08, 2022
#66. War Stories, Writing Dark Comedies, and Choosing Role Models Wisely with Danny Maher (founder of Veteran TV)
Danny Maher was a Marine Lieutenant and is currently the founder of Veteran TV and Irreverent Warriors.
After fighting in the Afghanistan War, Danny decided he was going to live out his dream of starting a production company.
In this episode, we talk about chasing your passion, choosing role models, and beating up your high school bullies!
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Quick note: THIS IS THE LAST EPISODE!!
Thanks to everyone who listened and enjoyed the show. I hope at least one of youse out there learned something about habits, hobbies, and the hardships of starting a business. I know I did!
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Show Notes:
(05:11) - Returning CEO, life in the Marines, and chasing your dreams
(20:46) - Starting a non-profit for vet suicide prevention
(31:56) - Military story of being stranded by a helicopter on a night raid
(54:46) - Beating up his highschool bully and confronting his fears changed him
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Links:
* veterantv.com
* irreverantwarriors.com
* Youtube and Insta @dannydanceparty
* His pseudonym: Donny O’Mally
* https://www.amazon.com/Embarrassing-Confessions-Marine-Lieutenant-Operation-ebook/dp/B010MYG7QE
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Let’s chat: reach me at armand@playhardpodcast.com
#65. Mastering Marketing, Multiple Languages, and a Formula for Adventure with Lauren “The Sherpa of Fun” Petrullo (founder of Mongoose Media)
Lauren Petrullo lives the kind of life you wanna live.
Her dog, Alexander Hamilpup, is a celebrity. She races dragon boats and drinks mysterious Vietnamese herb teas. She even looks like a Disney hero.
In this episode, we talk about marketing, e-comm, and Facebook ads, as well as traveling, tea, and how to have unique experiences.
This episode is great for people interested in learning marketing, new cultures, and who love living adventurous lives.
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Show Notes:
(03:40) - Laurens Dog, Alexander Hamilpup, is a LEGEND
(18:20) - How to know if your offer/product is ready for the market
(33:08) - Recommendations for world travelers
(57:02) - The “Dollar-to-Fun” ratio for unique experiences and having a good time
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Links:
* https://mongoosemedia.us/
* https://asianbeautyessentials.com/
* Type “PLAYHARD” at checkout for a limited 20% off discount
* @laurenepetrullo
#64. From Death Row Prison Guard to 40+ Exits, While Still Traveling the World by Motorcycle with Ron Douglas (founder of Mentoring Giants)
Ron Douglas has the soul of an adventurer, the heart of a Texan, and enough stories to leave you inspired and left wondering, “How the hell did he do all that.”
At 18, Ron broke his back and had to learn how to walk again.
That’s where he discovered grit.
Then, he worked as a prison guard on death row, where he discovered irony.
After that, he worked in a junkyard where he discovered his purpose: entrepreneurship.
Ron was a business coach on Discover Channel’s “Blue Collar Backers” and has exited an incredible 40 businesses.
Not to mention how he’s traveled the world on a motorcycle.
This episode is great for people with adventurous spirits and entrepreneurial minds.
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Show Notes:
(02:47) - Napoleon Hill mastermind group, Discovery Channel TV star, and breaking his back at 18
(15:09) - How to gain clarity when setting goals
(25:54) - Death row prison guard
(1:00:09) - Future journaling
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Links:
* https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-douglas/
* https://www.mentoringgiants.com/
* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDgTivLS3k8&t=1819s
#63. The Largest Rage Room Company in the US, Dopamine Regulation, and Personal Development with Steven Shortino (founder of iSmash)
At 21, Steven opened up his first rage room.
You know, those places where you go in and break shit. Now, at 26, Steven is the owner of the largest rage room company in the US. They’re opening 1-2 franchises a month.
In this episode, we talk about personal development, and how health is involved in EVERYTHING you do.
This episode is excellent for people who feel like they get treated differently because of their age. Also, for those interested in dopamine regulation, transforming themselves by starting a business, and those who need room for their RAGE.
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Show Notes:
(06:30) - Opening a rage room and fighting the pandemic
(20:30) - Looking to end 2023 with 15-20 franchises
(27:53) - Health impacts everything you do
(55:00) - Dopamine regulation and ADHD
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Links:
* https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-shortino-41183818b/
* https://ismashusa.com/
* https://www.reddit.com/r/Entrepreneur/comments/aw1a09/running_a_very_successful_rage_room/
* https://open.spotify.com/episode/708LCwBsClaNFKkOsBikFP?si=dc5788761b204b41
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Quotes I Enjoyed
“I truthfully don't think that there is a single person on this planet that has worked more hours in this industry.”
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more!
Reach me at armand@playhardpodcast.com
#62. Predatory Marketing, Finding Resources in Healthcare, and a Mission to Help New Parents with Andrea Ippolito (founder of SimpliFed)
Today’s guest is an incredibly smart & talented founder — who did this interview 2 weeks after having a baby!
Andrea Ippolito is the founder of SimpliFed, a telehealth company offering support for baby feeding. This company comes from real problems Andrea has faced while being a mom to (now) 3 little kiddos.
She previously started a company in 2012, it got acquired in 2016, and she has a Master of Engineering from both Cornell and MIT.
We talk about how to sort through research (and avoid targeted/predatory marketing), starting multiple companies, and her career in the healthcare space.
There’s so much to learn in this one! Give it a listen.
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Show Notes:
(04:03) - SimpliFed, founded on lived experience
(11:30) - Predatory marketing, validating research, and working through the noise
(25:45) - Andrea’s relationship with her health, having worked in healthcare for a while
(34:45) - Hobbies around networking
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Links:
* simplifed.com
* Insta/Twitter: @simplifedbaby
* https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreakippolito/
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more!
Let’s chat: reach me at armand@playhardpodcast.com
#61. Learn to Think for Yourself… by Writing with Ryan Love (founder of Love Language Media)
At age 7, Ryan Love was given a cane to walk with.
At age 16, he was 300 lbs. 2 different autoimmune conditions impacted his health and life. Writing is what got him through it.
At 28, Ryan is a healthy dude with a great copywriting business called Love Language Media.
In this episode, we talk about Ryan's relationship with his health, writing (and how it vastly improves your thinking), our relationship with faith and religion, and following your talents.
This was a super fun episode, give it a listen!
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Show Notes:
(05:35) - Don’t follow your passion, follow your talent
(16:00) - Formula for copywriting
(29:20) - Spirituality as a part of health
(36:36) - Living with 2 autoimmune diseases
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Links:
* https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanalove/
* www.lovelanguagemedia.com
* How to Become a Copywriter on Accident
https://www.lovelanguagemedia.com/blog/how-to-become-a-copywriter-on-accident
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Quotes I Enjoyed
“The people that end up in the Jedi master zone, they just don’t stop. Even if they fail a thousand times, it only takes one to succeed.”
“If you’ve never failed, you’ve never tried anything new.”
“Writing is Thinking. It’s the physical manifestation of thought.”
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more!
Let’s chat: reach me at armand@playhardpodcast.com
#60. Running a Business like a Band and Living Life without Any “Stuff” with Chad Passa (founder of Bookkeepers of America)
Chad spent 20 years as a rockstar and his whole life as an entrepreneur.
We talk about the similarities between being in a band and running a business. Oh, did you know I'm in a band? I totally don't mention it in every episode ;)
As a kid, he did countless odd jobs around the house for money. Until, one day, his parents ran out of money to give him! That’s when he decided to get money from others. No shit, one of his jobs was selling candy from a van.
We go deep into the minimalist mindset and his decision to sell most of his possessions and live on the road with his wife for 4 years.
This is a fun one, give it a listen!
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Show Notes:
(03:45) - Running a band vs running a company
(16:20) - What is your “enough”
(24:00) - Realizing you want to sell everything and live minimally
(35:25) - Testing your ideas
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Links:
* FB: Chad Passa, Chad Passa - Real Estate Investing
* IG: Chad_Passa, @bookkeepersofamerica, @Lisa.marie.hart
* https://fireyourbossfridays.buzzsprout.com/
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more!
Let’s chat: reach me at armand@playhardpodcast.com
#59. Wisdom and Wonder: Generative AI, First Principles Thinking, and Not Taking Yourself Too Serious with Pete Sena (founder of ThinkFWD and Digital Surgeons)
What do Starbucks, Viagra, and Netflix have in common? And no, the answer is not “a late night.”
All 3 used their brand and storytelling abilities to create a category that didn’t exist before. Pretty neat! Today’s guest is an expert in storytelling, branding, and guessing my favorite books.
We talk about AI as a tool for self-exploration, using stories to communicate your strategy, and how to approach life with a sense of play.
Check it out!
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Show Notes:
(09:35) - How you express your brand story is the difference between breakthrough and mediocre results
(30:30) - ChatGPT lies… a lot (prompt engineering and hallucinating AI)
(49:40) - Creative/Artistic thinking vs Scientific thinking – how do you know when to use what
(52:15) - Approach life with a state of play
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Links:
* https://www.petesena.com
* https://twitter.com/petesena
* https://www.linkedin.com/in/petersena/
* Pete’s Pod - Forward Obsessed: https://open.spotify.com/show/2TrkOZ7xL7WSlzc2mrwXuC?si=aa5e7790aca64e05&nd=1
* Had to do it to ‘em — check out my brother’s song “pensando en ti”: https://open.spotify.com/track/7KKkueqCLOYJMt09lLQx3s?si=bd76ed4ea5354bc5
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Quotes I Enjoyed
“When a company is too big to fail, and they’ve got that dominant market share, innovation is so much more complex because the risk of failure is that much higher.”
“As a creative professional and a creative entrepreneur, sometimes I’m a little bit of an idea masochist – i like to go through pain and that pain I think is what brings about the journey.”
“Speak your truth. Do it. Do it with empathy, do it with your core values, but do it.”
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more!
Let’s chat: reach me at armand@playhardpodcast.com
#58. Top 3 Social Media Ad Platforms, TikTok vs US Congress, and Life as a Pet Pig Papa with Alex Rossman (founder of Rossman Media)
Successful entrepreneurs carry with them an intense, often delusional, level of self-belief.
It’s essential to the recipe. In any case, there will come the point where that self-belief is put to the test. Be it through a bold claim, a big moment, or whatever.
There is a time when what you say now must be backed up with your actions.
Alex Rossman talks about such a moment when landing his first huge client: the San Diego Chargers. Since then he’s landed customers like Nike, Bose, Airbnb, and more.
We talk about how to land massive clients, how to find your target audience, and more!
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Show Notes:
(02:22) - Persistence and finding reasons to persevere
(19:36) - How to create customer profiles, customer segmentation, and top 3 channels to do social media ads
(29:11) - What you can do to pull customers like Nike, Airbnb, and Orange Theory
(49:46) - Writing music and owning a lil piggy
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Links:
* rossmanmedia.com
* @rossylive
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Quotes I Enjoyed
“If you’re not growing, you’re dying”
“Say what you’re gonna do, do it, and provide great results.”
“The best thing you can do is travel, experience new things, try new foods, meet new people”
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more!
Let’s chat: reach me at armand@playhardpodcast.com
UPDATE: Episode for the week
Title.
This message will self-destruct.... eventually.
#57. Adult ADHD, Getting Government Grants and More with Mark Cann (founder of Hyypa)
What a world we live in.
Adults are finding out they have ADHD through TikTok! During the pandemic, Mark Cann was diagnosed with ADHD. He decided to get checked due to a video hitting too close to home.
After the diagnosis, Mark create Hyypa, a company dedicated to offering resources and education for adults with ADHD.
We talk about how ADHD presents itself in adults, how Mark got a government grant to start the company, ways to improve focus, getting a dietitian and neuroscientist on board, and much more!
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Show Notes:
(11:30) - Time Blindness, Impulse Spending, and other adult ADHD symptoms
(21:25) - Regulate your ADHD and boost productivity with exercise, caffeine, and supplements
(28:25) - Routines to improve focus
(39:30) - Exploring Portsmith’s craft beer scene, basketball community, and board game cafes
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Links:
* https://www.linkedin.com/in/markcann/
* https://www.hyypa.com/
* Mark’s podcast interviewing an ADHD nutritionist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZARSouLNt0
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more!
Let’s chat: reach me at armand@playhardpodcast.com
#56. Setting Boundaries, Finding Balance, and Learning to Recharge with Tyerra Drake (Girls on Another Level)
Tyerra is on a mission to inspire and empower women to become catalysts for success.
She’s a really balanced, centered individual who consciously sets the time for rest, recharging, and self-care. All important things that are easy to ignore!
In this episode, we talk about filling your cup after being stressed, removing negative habits, and learning to say no.
Be sure to listen to this episode and subscribe if you like it!
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Show Notes:
(11:40) – Getting 1% better every day
(21:02) – Learning to set boundaries with others and say “no”
(27:50) - Using spirituality as a way to recharge
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Links:
* Book: Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab
* Instagram: @girls_on_another_level
* twitter: @wearegoalinc
* Podcast: Girls On Another Level
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more!
Let’s chat: reach me at armand@playhardpodcast.com
#55. Warm Water, Cool Drink, and Caribbean Sun: The Joys of Trinidad’s Carnival with Fayola King Lawrence (founder of Come to the Islands)
Are you dreaming of white sandy beaches and Caribbean getaways?
You will be soon.
This next guest runs a company that helps you escape the task of not being yourself and gives you a ticket to freedom through self-expression at Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival.
This holiday sounds sick. It’s like Mardi Gra but x1000.
We talk about being yourself, life in Trinidad, running a business that’s seasonal, and more!
Give it a listen!
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Links:
* cometotheislands.co
* Insta: @cometotheislands
* linkedin.com/company/come-to-the-islands/
* Song mentioned - https://youtu.be/_pPO17NZYPo
#54. Inspiring a YouTube Community, Running a Print Shop, and How to Hustle Smarter with Bhavik Dhanak (founder of Aesthetic Imprints)
No Grind, No Glory.
Those are the words Bhavik “Baav” Dhanak lives by.
He started a print shop at age 16, and now runs an online and brick-and-mortar custom imprint store!
Baav started watching YouTube videos for screenprinting, then quickly realized he was better off posting content himself. Now, he’s one of the top screen printing YouTubers out!
Check out this episode if you’re interested in time management skills, YouTube, and digital marketing by content creating, and hustling hard at an early age.
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Show Notes:
(06:30) - Time management skills
(11:16) - Learning from a YouTube community, then being a part of it
(17:37) - People overthink posting content
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Links:
* aestheticimprints.com
* Insta: @baavproductions, @aestheticimprints
* https://www.youtube.com/@baavproductions
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more!
Let’s chat: reach me at armand@playhardpodcast.com
#53. Do What Makes You Smile, Even if it Sounds Like a Stupid Ass Idea with Chris Joyce (founder of Gusher)
At 6 years old, a young Chris Joyce sold seeds door to door, which he got from a Spiderman comic book.
Fast forward to today, he’s founded 24 companies across:
Health
High tech
Manufacturing
Consumer goods
His products have sold in 11,000 stores globally and his tech product users are in 148 countries!
We discuss how to start a company from scratch, patterns he’s noticed from failed startup founders, the importance of culture and performance-based equity, and more.
If you want to hear a formula for starting and running a company, check out this episode!
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Show Notes:
(09:00) - Building a mission-focused team
(11:00) - A shortcut to sizing up founders
(29:30) - Common patterns that lead to failures in startups
(32:45) - How would you start a company from scratch, right now?
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Links:
* gusher.co
* https://www.linkedin.com/in/dealrules/
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more!
Let’s chat: reach me at armand@playhardpodcast.com
#52. Immigrants Hustle Harder, How to build a High Performing Sales Team, and Finding your North Star with Pouya Haidari (founder of PH Inc.)
Pouya Haidari trained thousands of entrepreneurs and sales professionals, helping them generate $100M+ in sales.
He has 11 years of experience spanning 7 different industries, and it really shined on this episode. We talk about how he’s built and hired for high-performing sales teams, investing in himself annually, and defining success for his life.
We get into a fun conversation about longevity and our shared quest for immortality.
Fountain of youth, here we come. We also talk about his immigrant mentality and how it’s led him to hustle harder than anyone around him. This episode is dope!!
Give it a listen!
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Show Notes:
(004:25) - Immigrant mentality, never be satisfied, and pressure is a privilege
(24:15) - How to build a high-performing sales team (what to look for when hiring)
(32:30) - What it takes to be a great closer and communicator
(35:30) - My life hot take: I WANT TO LIVE FOREVER
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Links:
* https://www.pouyahaidari.com/
* @pouyahaidari Insta, LinkedIn, and YouTube
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more!
Let’s chat: reach me at armand@playhardpodcast.com
#51. Innovating Apparel with 0 Prior Experience, Growing up in a Foreign Country, and More with Brandon Rogers (founder of LVLS Sportswear)
As a D3 basketball player, Brandon knew his problem from very early on:
Sportswear is boring.
Anyone can come along and slap a logo on a dry-fit tee and make their own brand. To truly separate himself from the pack, he knew he had to differentiate. Big time.
So he made his clothes asymmetrical.
In this episode, we talk about how he journals every day of his founder journey, hearing feedback on the different uses of his product, and an old war veteran who set up the sweetest fishing spot of all time!
Check it out.
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Show Notes:
(13:50) - Journaling the journey since Day1
(27:10) - Aggressive patience
(32:00) - Listen to the market: finding alternate uses for your product
(51:42) - The ultimate fishing setup (hidden Canadian lakes)
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Links:
* https://lvlssportswear.com/
* @lvlssportswear
* @brogers111
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more!
Let’s chat: reach me at armand@playhardpodcast.com
#50. Vertical SaaS, Rules for Prioritization, and Coin Collecting with Zach Starin (founder of Collectibles Showcase)
Zach Starin is passionate about empowering people to pursue their passions.
He's a founder of Collectibles Showcase, a vertical SaaS company serving rare collectibles dealers. Think coins, baseball cards, etc. Collectors are wildly passionate about what they’re collecting. Zach’s set out to make that process as efficient and effortless as possible.
In this episode, we talk about finding your mission statement, how to create and manage a product, and removing negative habits for a healthier life.
Enjoy!
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Show Notes:
(10:30) - How do you find a personal Mission Statement
(15:10) - Rules for prioritization
(20:20) - Process for creating a product
(33:40) - Framework for your calendar to organize days
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Links:
* https://www.collectiblesshowcase.com/
* zach@collectiblesshowcase.com
* https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-starin-33176773/
* @StarinZach
* https://www.skillshare.com/en/classes/Productivity-Habits-That-Stick-Using-Time-Theming/1216959000
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more!
Let’s chat: reach me at armand@playhardpodcast.com
#49. This Comedian/Actor/Director Started a Company to Fuel His Passions, and Did $100M+ in Sales with Michael Stein (founder of Abadak, Inc.)
At 20, Michael was the #1 club promoter in LA for his age bracket.
He leveraged his network, club-promoting company, and stand-up comedy skills to star in the 1988 short film The Dirk Diggler Story (which later became Boogie Nights). After that, Michael knew he wanted to make films, but didn’t have the means. So, he made the means.
He started a company to fund his movies, and that company has done over $100M in sales.
Michael is the definition of resourceful. Leveraging what he has, and what he can do, to reach his own goals. In this episode, he talks about making time for his company while still pursuing acting, directing, writing, and stand-up comedy.
We talk a lot about his life, how to hire well, and the value of being over-prepared for everything (especially when you have the ADHD).
Enjoy this episode! I know I did.
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Show Notes:
(10:10) - Started a company just to fund his movies
(12:50) - This acronym helps you delegate and make more time for yourself
(19:00) - Tips for hiring well
(26:50) - Prepare, Prepare, Prepare: the importance of overpreparing (and how to do it)
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Links:
* https://longshotleaders.com/
* https://www.linkedin.com/in/abadak/
* https://www.amazon.com/Outsource-Smart-Without-Letting-Business/dp/0071799796
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more!
Let’s chat: reach me at armand@playhardpodcast.com
#48. How to Focus Your Time While Operating 4 Brands at Once with James Mulvany (founder of Matchmaker.FM)
James is the founder and CEO of Cue, Radio.co, Podcast.co, and Matchmaker.FM.
We talk about how to manage multiple teams under one roof, how to keep the lines of communication open through remote work, and how to stay focused with so many different brands.
He’s a super down-to-earth, hard-working, knowledgeable guy. True founder through and through. My favorite part is towards the end when we talk about brushing off the rust from covid when going to networking events.
Give it a listen!
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Show Notes:
(05:45) - Staying competitive in a crowded space (podcasting)
(11:25) - Staying focused while growing your team and launching multiple brands
(23:20) - How to have successful communication among big teams while remote
(29:30) - Boundaries as an entrepreneur (with yourself and others
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Links:
* https://jamesm.com/
* https://radio.co/
* https://www.matchmaker.fm/home
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more!
Let’s chat: reach me at armand@playhardpodcast.com
#47. Cut Your Phone Calls, Liquidity Events in the Dot Com Bubble, and Tales from an Adventurer with Riggs Eckelberry (Origin Clear)
Water makes up 60% of the human body and we can’t go more than 3 days without it.
It’s essential for life, yet how we access, process and filter water is based on old (and aging) infrastructure. This infrastructure represents a $trillion$ dollar problem that Riggs sets out to solve with Origin Clear!
We talk about what Origin Clear is doing to solve the problem, his upbringing as a “corporate brat,” and Riggs’ awesome take on finding objective truth from biased news sources.
Check it out!
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Show Notes:
(010:00) - Origin Clear is an incubator for water tech companies solving infrastructure problems
(15:00) - Rigg’s origin story: his dad was Don Draper
(28:30) - Skiing and an unusual way to workout
(47:50) - How to sift for golden nuggets of truth amongst biased news sources
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Links:
* originclear.com
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more!
Let’s chat: reach me at armand@playhardpodcast.com
#46. A Cover Letter, ChatGPT, and Reddit Walk into a Bar with Jonah Peake (founder of We Cover Letters)
Everybody hates writing cover letters.
This much is true. But nobody hates cover letters more than Jonah Peake. Jonah hates cover letters so much, he created a site that leverages ChatGPT to write them for you.
This episode is great for those curious about how to turn an AI idea into a full-fledged product.
We also talk about how his habits changed with having a baby, cognitive biases, and tracking your eating/money habits.
Jonah has an awesome mindset and gives some excellent book recommendations in this episode.
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Show Notes:
(07:20) - Doing market research via Reddit
(15:40) - Using YouTube to turn ChatGPT into a company
(29:00) - Type 1 diabetes diagnosis changing his lifestyle
(40:00) - Philosophical chat about health, mindsets, and judging people
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Links:
* https://wecoverletters.com/
* https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonahpeake/
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more!
Let’s chat: reach me at armand@playhardpodcast.com
#45. Mastering Storytelling, Scuba diving, and Life as a 2000's Rave DJ with Seth Erickson (of Storify Agency)
Seth Erickson is one cool-ass dude.
First of all, he runs an agency that helps customers with Design, Branding, and Storytelling. He's really mastered the art of telling stories, including writing a book on the subject called How To Hack Humans. Catchy Title.
He is a marketing master who's got some epic hobbies: jiu-jitsu, scuba diving, and more!
Oh, and he's also a rave DJ who, back in the 2000's, got some serious air-time!
This was a great conversation with a great guy, good for those interested in branding, storytelling, book writing, scuba diving, music industry, and martial arts.
Give it a listen!
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Show Notes:
(04:30) - Getting into storytelling
(16:50) - Becoming an award-winning author
(32:00) - Why Seth doesn't sit down and plan his workday
(44:00) - Journey as a musician (epic DJ stuff)
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Links:
* Storifyagency.com
* https://www.linkedin.com/in/setherickson/
* Special link to Seth’s book: https://www.storifyagency.com/playhard
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Episodes Like This
https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-josh-boone-show/episode/12-seth-erickson-hacking-humans-storytelling-self-acceptance-88706281
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more!
#44. Simplify Your Morning Routine, Talk to Strangers, and Make Money Off Your Hobbies
What's up, everybody! This episode is different. I interviewed myself.
I did this so the listeners could get to know me better. I answered questions like: why am I doing the show? what am I up to? and, of course, what are my habits and hobbies?
I talk about making money from one of my hobbies, my morning and night routines, and I even go through the closing questions at the end!
Enjoy my thoughts, musings, and other observations on habits, hobbies, and entrepreneurship.
And, as mentioned in the show, if you email me to chat I'll send a copy of my book on Active Listening! Maybe a sticker too. Still working on those...
This ep. is dedicated to Kakis.
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Episode mentioned:
Episode #20. Lessons Learned from a Lifetime of Entrepreneurship, Investing, and Motorcycle Riding with Carlos Fry (Founder of CODE ÉXITOS)#43. A Powerfully Positive Mindset for Creating Value and Fulfillment: The Return of Steven Pemberton (founder of Hollowco)
Steven Pemberton is back!
In this episode, we talk about Steven’s pivot and how it impacted his business. We also talk about Steven’s incredible mindset. He’s a very giving and open-minded person. Not because he wants something from others, but out of serving the good of others.
It’s hard to come by people like that – and it’s led to great success.
If you like mindset shaping, helping others, and being someone who cares about others – you’re gonna want to hear what Steven has to say!
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Show Notes:
(08:00) - Find your niche by zooming out (instead of zooming in)
(20:00) - The importance of an open-mind
(30:00) - The simple, easy question Steven ends his calls with that provides value to his life as well as others
(45:20) - Be the person you see yourself being in 10 years
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Links:
* hollowco.com
* @stevenkpemberton
* https://calendly.com/stevenpemberton/
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Episodes Like This
Steven Pemberton first episode: https://anchor.fm/playhardpodcast/episodes/14--How-to-Go-from-58k-in-Debt-to-2MM-in-Sales-During-a-Pandemic-with-Steven-Pemberton-e1kmpjn
Josh Boone first episode: https://anchor.fm/playhardpodcast/episodes/19--A-7-figure-Exit-Doesnt-Lead-to-Happiness-but-Ill-tell-ya-what-does-with-Josh-Boone-e1m5503
Josh Boone second episode: https://anchor.fm/playhardpodcast/episodes/37--Gong-Fu-Tea--Super-Supplements--and-the-Mental-Health-Battles-of-an-Entrepreneur-with-Josh-Boone-e1sl6m3
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more!
Let’s chat: reach me at armand@playhardpodcast.com
#42. Finding Your Values, Establishing Lifelong Habits, and Mindset Coaching with Kyle Gillette (Founder of Blue Collar Business Coaching)
I live my life with these 5 values: Integrity, Curiosity, Courage, Respect, and Discipline.
A set of values acts as your north star. A guiding light during dark times.
Kyle Gillette, founder of Blue Collar Business Coaching and author of Sage Leadership, talks about establishing values. He even includes an exercise on how to really test them!
We also discuss the difference between habits and goals and how to set both properly.
Super insightful episode, give it a listen!
P.S. Check out Kyle’s Facebook group if you’re interested in business growth and development: https://www.facebook.com/groups/blueshirtgroup
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Show Notes:
(07:05) - What separates blue-collar and white-collar mindsets
(11:45) - Defining a person of high character
(45:30) - How to create habits that last a lifetime
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Links:
* https://blueshirtcoaching.com/
* https://blueshirtcoaching.com/podcast/
* https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-gillette/
* https://www.facebook.com/groups/blueshirtgroup
* https://www.amazon.com/SAGE-LEADERSHIP-4-Part-Framework-Becoming/dp/195750630X
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more!
Let’s chat: reach me at armand@playhardpodcast.com
#41. Proving the Fictional Characters in Your Head Wrong with Stefan Conic
We're all motivated by different things.
Some of us by money. Others the fame. One of the most powerful motivators in the world is proving your haters wrong.
Even if it's all in your head.
In this episode, Stefan and I talk about active listening skills, a growth mindset, and even Cuban salsa dancing!
Give it a listen!
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Show Notes:
(03:26) - Podcasting tips
(06:20) - Active listening skills learned from SDR and Podcasting
(28:41) - Defining a growth mindset
(00:00) - Training a Belgian Malinois! Do old dogs learn new tricks?
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Links:
* https://sdrhire.com/
* SDR Hire Podcast
Check out ep 21 for my feature!
* https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefan-conic/
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more!
Let’s chat: reach me at armand@playhardpodcast.com
#40. Men’s Mental Health, Consistency, and The Curse of the Social Butterfly with Will Doerr (founder of Always Check on the Homies)
Are you a man but don’t feel like a man because you feel feelings?
Feels silly, huh? Well, men struggle to face their feelings and mental health issues head-on. Instead, men tend to bottle them up and save ‘em for “later.”
It gets frustrating, exhausting, and leads to severe mental health problems! No bueno.
In this episode, our guest Will Doerr gets open about his own struggles with mental health and founded a company that fundraises for men's mental health causes.
Give the episode a listen if you're having trouble with vulnerability, being too social, or you're curious about what men have to say about their own mental health!
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Show Notes:
(05:10) - How a job like SDR makes your life better
(13:50) - Why do men hate vulnerability?
(34:00) - Bad habits of social people and how they impact you
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Links:
* alwayscheckonthehomies.com
* Insta: @alwayscheckonthehomies
* Socials for Will: @willdoerr
* Will’s article: https://medium.com/@doerrwill/my-friend-depression-761b21e0574c
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Episode Quotes I Enjoyed
“Preparation is key to consistency”
“Consistency is the bane of my existence”
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more!
Let’s chat: reach me at armand@playhardpodcast.com
#39. Living in Alignment with the Life You Design with Milena Regos
If there were one productivity tip I wish everyone could learn, it would be this: getting in the flow state outside of work helps you get in the flow state during work.
As Milena puts it, “flow drives more flow.”
Milena is the founder of Unhustle, a company that helps clients achieve a LifeWorkPlay balance.
Her company has raving reviews from:
* Julie Zhou
* Adam Weber
* Arianna Huffington
* and more, equally impressive folks.
Milena is the real deal when it comes to the Playhard mindset. We talk about the flow state, the SUNRISE morning ritual, and some of her hobbies like kiteboarding!
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Show Notes:
(11:30) - Triggers for burnout
(16:50) - Do more work in less time
(28:10) - A sneak peek into the Unhustle morning ritual: The SUNRISE Method
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Links:
* unhustle.com
* https://www.linkedin.com/in/milenaregos/
* The Unhustle Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/23RTPEawGpF7ThhV3BhFa7
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Episode Quotes I Enjoyed
“When you start finding that flow outside of work you can find it in work.”
“Between burnout and boredom, there is alignment.”
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more!
Let’s chat: reach me at armand@playhardpodcast.com
#38. New Years Resolutions, Experimenting on Yourself, and Social Deloading with Jubal Horton
This episode taught me something I once thought to be impossible.
How to play video games with healthy limits. Jubal Horton is a Playhard Jedi master or something. Maybe it’s got to do with him coaching healthy lifestyles for a living.
We cover the whole arena of work hard//play hard topics:
Panikk Attacks
Is working out a hobby?
Not knowing your goals.
Aligning habits with your romantic partner.
And more…
This is a fun one, check it out!
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Show Notes:
(11:20) - Affirmations get a bad rep
(27:10) - Habits with your romantic partner
(35:10) - New Year's resolutions: “I don’t know what my goals are”
(42:40) - Hard and fast rules for healthy videogamin’
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Links:
* coachjubal.com
* https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachjubal/
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Episode Quotes I Enjoyed
“I love the mountains because I can go down them real fast”
“Videogames can be an art form to tell stories”
“Always have a white belt activity. Always be doing something that you’re bad at and that you’re learning.
“I have not hit my ceiling on anything I do, and that is a very fun and exciting prospect for me.”
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more!
Wanna chat? Reach me at armand@playhardpodcast.com
#37. Gong Fu Tea, Super Supplements, and the Mental Health Battles of an Entrepreneur with Josh Boone
I’m actually kinda mad at Josh rn.
Because of him, I spent way too much money on my tea setup. Kidding. Not really, but I’m also not mad - tea is the best!
In episode #19 with Josh, we discussed his 7-figure exit and nomadic lifestyle.
Now, we go into more habits, hobbies, and mental health. Josh is well-researched in supplements and the art of mindfully making tea. If you're interested in supplements, mental health, and tea, this is the episode for you!
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Show Notes:
(05:00) - Tips for interview-based podcasts.
(12:00) - Battling Bipolar, Anxiety, and ADHD as an entrepreneur.
(56:20) - How to research the right supplements for you.
(1:16:00) - Why you’ve been steeping tea wrong your whole life.
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Links:
* https://show.joshboone.com/
* https://nootropicsdepot.com/
* Reputable tea vendors: Adagio.com, Teavire, White2Tea, Verdant Tea, Yunnan Sourcing
* Books recommended:
The Myth of Normal by Dr. Gabor Maté
Awareness by Anthony de Melo
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
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Episode Quotes I Enjoyed
“You turned a freight train around to go in a different direction.”
“How much of the struggle would I have just as an entrepreneur by default, and how much if it is extremely exacerbated by the mental health issues?”
“I have yet to not be able to find a tea that somebody likes.”
“The bleaker something is the more I like it.”
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Episodes Like This
https://anchor.fm/playhardpodcast/episodes/19--A-7-figure-Exit-Doesnt-Lead-to-Happiness-but-Ill-tell-ya-what-does-with-Josh-Boone-e1m5503/a-a8bjbda
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more!
Let’s chat: reach me at armand@playhardpodcast.com
#36. Serendipity, Navigating Resources, and Finding the Right Mentor with Kwaku Farkye (founder of Navi)
Kwaku Farkye has been a part of multiple startups, an accelerator program, and even helped a company get acquired by a $20B giant.
As CTO, he’s got a wealth of technical and business knowledge. He joins me today to talk about Navi, his latest venture that connects startup coaches and mentors with founders. We talk about challenges faced by developers, finding mentors for your business, and serendipity.
Give it a listen!
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Show Notes:
(15:45) - Problems faced by early-stage developers
(27:30) - What to do when habits get broken due to working harder
(01:03:00) - If you’re feeling lazy, lean into it
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Links:
* Connect with Kwaku Farkye on LinkedIn
* Barking Up the Wrong Tree by Eric Barker
* The Startup Help Desk podcast
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Episode Quotes I Enjoyed
“Jumping into things I knew nothing about and make my way around it.”
“Everything is a startup analogy.”
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more!
Let’s chat: reach me at armand@playhardpodcast.com
#35. Diversity Goals, Removing the Guilt of “Doing More”, and Excellence Defined by Jay-Z with Jorge Garcia (Founder of Hello Iconic)
The competitive mind tells us, “there’s so much stuff I NEED to be doing right now” and it leaves you feeling guilty when resting.
Jorge Garcia is familiar with this voice.
It’s led him to a lot of success. Also, a lot of guilt. In this episode, we talk about healthy ways to handle that guilt, and the different definitions of excellence.
This episode is awesome – especially as a fellow Hispanic – to hear about Jorge’s move from Honduras to LA to grow and scale a global company.
Give it a listen!
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Show Notes:
(13:30) - Diversity goals of a 99% Latino organization
(36:50) - Defining excellence
(30:20) - Jay-Z defining excellence
(40:00) - Staying innovative while learning to be a methodical planner
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Links:
* helloiconic.com
* Twitter and Insta: @jagbolanos
* From Good to Great by Jim Collins
* https://hbr.org/2001/01/the-making-of-a-corporate-athlete
* https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/labs-initiatives/slei
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Episode Quotes I Enjoyed
“A business… is successful when it generates value for others, and at the same time is able to capture a little bit of that value for the company.”
“If it doesn’t hurt in the stomach, you’re not setting [the right] goals.”
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Episodes Like This
Luis Gustavo Flores:
https://anchor.fm/playhardpodcast/episodes/27--How-to-Grow-a-Startup-Scene-in-Latin-America-with-Luis-Gustavo-Flores-Founder-of-Movitext-e1ok5t9/a-a8k532c
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more!
Let’s chat: reach me at armand@playhardpodcast.com
#34. Outsource Your Dating, Framing, and How to Talk to Yourself with Koen Geron (Founder of Hovalo)
Stanford sociologist, Michael Rosenfeld, found the #1-way couples meet today is online dating.
Koen Geron is riding the wave of this cultural shift like Cody in Surf's Up.
Koen is the founder of Hovalo, an outsourced online dating platform. Hovalo manages your profile, matches, and even messaging!
We talk about reframing to handle objections, how to block out distractions, and — you guessed it — dating.
Give it a listen!
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Show Notes:
(07:50) - How do people feel that you’re messaging dates for them
(12:20) - People’s dating lives “as a business”
(21:50) - Tips for entrepreneurs balancing their dating life
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Links:
* hovalo.com
* Insta: @koen.geron
* YouTube (online dating tips):@koengeron-hovalodatingouts1312
* Cold Turkey – a productivity app
* Gates of Fire by Stephen Pressfield
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more!
Let’s chat: reach me at armand@playhardpodcast.com
#33. The Secret to Branding is to Make it Bada$$ with Mark Drager (Founder of Phanta Media)
At age 23, Mark Drager started an ad agency.
With 0 experience he went all in. Aaand, it didn’t go well. At first…
Fast-forward 15 years, Mark does branding for countless startups, speakers, and coaches — with some big names!
In this episode, Mark talks about the easiest type of business to start. He gives me a lesson in branding the podcast, and we even talk business lessons from The Beatles!
This episode is great if you’re interested in: branding, marketing, challenging yourself, and absolutely sending it in the beginning.
Check it out!
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Show Notes:
(26:04) - The easiest type of business to start
(30:10) - Mark gives me a branding lesson using my podcast
(44:39) - Starting an ad agency with 0 experience
(52:09) - Is it impostor syndrome or performance anxiety?
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Links:
* https://www.youtube.com/c/MarkDragerYT
* https://www.phanta.com/
* Insta: @markdrager
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Episode Quotes I Enjoyed
“I get paid to make other people look good.”
“This is why it’s so important to nail down what you really want because the expression of what you do really matters.”
“Lots of things can work. My way isn’t the only way.”
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more!
Let’s chat: reach me at armand@playhardpodcast.com
#32. Email is Evil, Accidental Entrepreneurship, and Breaking Bad Habits with Jeremy Nagel (Founder of focus bear)
Jeremy Nagel has a bad bad habit — he checks his email first thing in the morning.
The man can't stop. He tried everything from app/site blockers to having his wife slap him in the face every morning he was on email. It didn't work.
So, he created focusbear.io: the ultimate focus and habit-tracking app.
In this episode, we go over Jeremy's 3 companies and the 1 he sold earlier this year. We talk about good habits and focus tactics. Finally, we talk about why you should avoid email in the morning.
This episode is great if you’re interested in: focus strategies, morning routines, running multiple companies at once, ADHD, prioritization, and cross-country skiing.
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Show Notes:
(13:13) - Entrepreneurship wasn’t the original path
(24:09) - How to track and organize 3 different companies
(30:44) - Emails are evil in the morning
(38:44) - Connecting to your heritage with hobbies
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Links:
* focusbear.io
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more!
Let’s chat: reach me at armand@playhardpodcast.com
#31. Coffee Nerds Shouldn’t Run Coffee Companies with Zach Frantz (Founder of Wildland Coffee)
Zach Frantz’s company, Wildland Coffee, makes coffee in a tea bag.
Overlanders, campers, and outdoor enthusiasts love coffee but find their usual outdoor coffee methods inconvenient (and heavy). As a lover of the great outdoors, Zach is solving a problem close to him.
We talk about narrowing a target audience, competing in the coffee industry, and thinking you know what people want.
If you’re interested in: coffee, branding, outdoors, ADHD, and pivoting, you’re going to love this episode!
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Show Notes:
(10:50) - Competition in the coffee industry
(14:20) - Attracting the right customer
(35:35) - Thinking you know what people want
(38:25) - If you’re trying to convince people your product is worth it as a small company, listen to this
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Links:
* https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachfrantz/
* https://www.wildlandcoffee.co/
* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yb5zpo5WDG4
* Ramping Your Brand by Dr. James F Richardson
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Episode Quotes I Enjoyed
“If I have a problem, and I haven’t seen a solution I like there’s probably at least 1m ppl in the US that have that same problem”
“I’m basically selling to myself versus me being the creator selling to someone else”
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more! Send any feedback to armand@playhardpodcast.com
#30. Growing SaaS and Clothing Businesses, Pioneering Remote Work, and Being Cofounders with your Brother with Kevan Sadigh (Founder of Rex Reservations)
Back in 2013, Kevan sold his first company.
They had 20 employees, full manufacturing and distribution warehouses in the US, and were a hit nationwide. He’d barely gotten out of college.
Some people are just born for this, and Kevan Sadigh is one of them.
In this episode, we talk about his lessons learned from growing both clothing and SaaS based businesses, express some distaste for grind/hustle culture, and the importance of family.
Give it a listen!
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Show Notes:
(15:00) - The key to his first company’s nationwide success
(23:20) - Lessons on growing a company, processes, and what to optimize
(37:50) - Benefits of being co-founders with your brother
(42:00) - Standup comedy, mission statements, and memes — they’re all related!
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Links:
* Insta: @kevan
* reservewithrex.com
* https://www.danmartell.com/leverage/
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Episode Quotes I Enjoyed
“If it’s gonna make you money, speed that up. If not, don’t worry about it.”
“Memes are the most efficient way we’ve come up with to exchange ideas and information — for better or for worse”
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Other Episodes Like This
https://anchor.fm/playhardpodcast/episodes/2--The-Man-with-the-Tan-Zeke-Berg-e1fecn3/a-a7hrcrf
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more! Send any feedback to armand@playhardpodcast.com
#29. When to Pivot, Finding a Morning Routine, and Animal Yoga with Ben Heymann (Former Founder at Altitude)
Ben Heymann holds the record for the most random morning routine ever — it involves sharp rocks, no lights, and a jacuzzi.
Ben was a Founder at Altitude before selling his soul to the corporate world to learn sales. We talk about his first company (which is questionable for a 16-year-old), starting your day right, and a hobby that’s just as wild as Ben.
We also talk about how to find the routine that’s right for you.
Give it a listen!
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Show Notes:
(03:25) - Selling vape juice in high-school
(09:35) - What conversations lead to pivoting
(18:55) - Using entrepreneurship skills in a corporate job
(21:26) - Ben’s morning routine
(41:15) - Animal flow
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Links:
* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLYZ-3beDeI
* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2a4LrHunsI
* Insta and Twitter: @ben-heymann
FACT CHECK: Why do pirates wear eyepatches?
https://www.childrensmuseum.org/blog/why-did-some-pirates-wear-an-eye-patch#:~:text=The%20answer%E2%80%94courtesy%20of%20the,could%20fight%20in%20the%20dark.
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Episode Quotes I Enjoyed
“When the body moves, the mind grooves.”
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more! Send any feedback to armand@playhardpodcast.com
#28. Passion, Plastic, and Pollution: One Man’s Mission to Save the Ocean with Tom Jackson (Founder of Honest Ocean)
In 2014, while working on a superyacht, Tom sailed past a horrific sight that would change his life — a plastic berg.
Plastic bergs are “icebergs” made of trash. Massive mountains — often miles long — of floating plastic in the middle of the ocean. Gross!
Today, Tom Jackson is the CEO and Founder of Honest Ocean, a startup devoted to changing the flow of ocean plastic waste.
In this episode, Tom talks about his passion for cleaning ocean plastic, as well as how to hire employees devoted to your cause and how hobbies impact your focus.
If you're interested in social responsibility, cleaning ocean plastics, and environmental protection, you’re going to love Tom’s takes!
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Show Notes:
(10:40) - Super-yachts, plastic bergs, and the birth of Tom’s passion
(15:45) - How to hire people just as passionate as you are
(28:20) - Surfing, habits, and daily routines
(34:40) - Focus tips to be high performing (even when living on a tropical island with ADHD)
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Links:
* https://honest-ocean.com/
* Tom@honest-ocean.com
* Insta: @jacko
* Had to throw it in ;) a link to the Red Hot Chili Pipers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpSgveTDtso
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Episode Quotes I Enjoyed
“As a startup, if you’re not going forward, if you’re sitting in neutral, that’s failure zone.”
“People think being an entrepreneur is a super sexy thing. In a startup, it’s really hard.”
“I don’t think people talk enough about the failures and the grit it takes to then go and do it again.”
“If you hang around four idiots, you’re the fifth one.”
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Episodes like this
Mavis Herrera - Recycling plastic into fashion
https://anchor.fm/playhardpodcast/episodes/3--Saving-the-World----So-She-Can-Backpack-Across-It--with-Mavis-Herrera-e1gn4kk/a-a7mr6vi
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more! Send any feedback to armand@playhardpodcast.com
#27. How to Grow a Startup Scene in Latin America with Luis Gustavo Flores (Founder of Movitext)
Have you tried acid?
Some people listen to Hendrix, others play in the woods. This next guest took acid and watched 8 hours of TED talks, inspiring him to host a TEDx event.
Luis Gustavo Flores is a Founder, and fellow podcast host.
We get into some wild topics, like the acid trip that led to a TEDx event, why it’s not wise to group Latin America together as a whole, and buying a plane.
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Show Notes:
(7:20) - Putting on a TEDx event (the first in his city) and Hackathons
(21:20) - The key ingredient to building a startup community in a different country
(39:00) - Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, 3 years sober, and private plane license
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Links:
* gustavo@mediosmodernos.io
* https://www.movitext.com/EN/index.html
* https://open.spotify.com/show/1IeXfwuQqKGyxCATbaBW7y?si=884e00fb56fb44f0
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Episode Quotes I Enjoyed
“How much are you willing to lose to do the things you want to do?”
“Acceptance of losing is an important thing to build blocks.”
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Other Episodes Like This
#20. Charles Fry (Mentioned in the episode)
https://anchor.fm/playhardpodcast/episodes/20--Lessons-Learned-from-a-Lifetime-of-Entrepreneurship--Investing--and-Motorcycle-Riding-with-Carlos-Fry-Founder-of-CODE-XITOS-e1mefl7/a-a8chnp4
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more! Send any feedback to armand@playhardpodcast.com
#26. Expert Hot Takes On Generational Shifts in the Workforce from a Recruiting Master with Ken Schmitt (Founder of Turning Point Executive Search)
OK, Boomer! Remember when that was a thing?
In this episode, we get into the generational gaps in the workplace, smashing corporate traditions, and why people leave companies.
Today’s guest is Ken Schmitt, a Practical Optimist, and the Founder of Turning Point Recruiting Company. Ken has 25+ years of experience as a recruiter and 15+ years as a Founder.
This episode is great for people looking to hire and retain top-tier talent. Also, for people who like Marvel.
We go innnn on the MCU.
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Show Notes:
(06:00) - The 5 reasons that dictate employee change
(23:00) - How to improve the Founder/employee relationship
(37:00) - Communicating when you have too much on your plate
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Links:
* Turningpointexecsearch.com
* https://www.youtube.com/c/Turningpointsearchnet
* Small Giants by Bo Burlingham
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Episode Quotes I Enjoyed
“Don’t become a checkmark on somebody else’s to-do list.”
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more! Send feedback to armand@playhardpodcast.com
#25. The #1 Vintage Photography App Was Inspired by Tame Impala with Darren Asaro (Creator of Daze Cam)
This guest and I have known each other since middle school, so you're either going to love or hate the episode. I'm ok with that.
Darren Asaro is an App Developer, Business Builder, and Indie Hacker. Darren talks about creating an app that gets 50k downloads per day, having copycats steal his style, and being unimpressive at music.
Maybe you should code something for that… ;)
Enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: I used a new recording format. The audio got affected. My b.
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Show Notes:
(09:30) - Finding out his app went viral
(12:00) - How Tame Impala’s unique sound inspired Darren’s 90’s vintage photo app
(23:10) - How not having a routine helps as a developer
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Links:
* http://www.paulgraham.com/makersschedule.html
* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQKKDNCpVbo
* https://apps.apple.com/us/developer/darren-asaro/id1071346846
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Episode Quotes I Enjoyed
“I’m so terrified that one day I’m gonna have a wife and kids…”
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more! Send any feedback to armand@playhardpodcast.com
#24. Gratitude and a Good Attitude is the Secret to Happiness with Steve Walker (Owner and CEO of TB Consulting)
Steve’s coolness can be boiled down to this one quote from the show: “Surfing is so much better than not surfing.”
He went to college to be a middle school history teacher but that doesn’t pay. So, he became a CEO instead. Pretty natural transition if you ask me.
Business owner, CEO, and “World's Greatest Dad”, Steve Walker talks about life as the youngest of 4 brothers, unleashing the monster within, and how he manages family time through it all.
This episode is great for people struggling with self-awareness, doubt, and having no clue wtf you want to do.
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Show Notes:
(11:00) - How did cold calling prepare you for CEO
(26:30) - Steve recommends you never get over imposter syndrome
(30:00) - Become a monster, temporarily
(01:02:00) - Lessons learned from riding waves
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Links:
* https://www.tbconsulting.com/
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Episode Quotes I Enjoyed
“Half of my success has been being dumb enough to stick with it and grit, the other half is emotional intelligence and the relationships I’ve forged”
“When you have your first child, your selfish self dies”
“If you can control you [inner demons] they’re no longer inner demons, they’re assets.”
Bradley Cooper as Henry Girard quote mentioned: “I'm not a bad man but in certain situations, I have to ask myself, ‘What would a bad man do?’”
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more! Send feedback or requests to armand@playhardpodcast.com
#23. Stop Specializing And You'll Find Your Passion with Noah Scott (The Big Possible)
Want to hear bad advice?
“Spend your whole life getting good at one thing.”
If you’re like me, you value variety in skills and experiences. This advice feels you’re doing life wrong.
Today’s guest, Noah Scott, is here to show you it can be a beautiful path!
Noah started selling soap and went on to create a fashion line, complete with a fashion show. Then he opened the #1 short-film studio in LA.
All this led him to starting The Big Possible, a company that empowers entrepreneurs with leadership, teambuilding, and creative exercises.
In this episode we talk about habits for Digital Nomads, setting “Life Changing Goals”, and finding your passion.
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Show Notes:
(16:00) - Specializing on one thing VS. Learning many different skills
(26:30) - Setting epic life-changing goals
(38:40) - Digital Nomad Tip: Set yourself up for success when leaving a location.
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Links:
* https://www.thebigpossible.com/
* Range by David Epstein
* How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie — Also, check out How to Win Friend and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
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Episode Quotes I Enjoyed
“Every month is kinda like new years day for me”
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more! Send any feedback to armand@playhardpodcast.com
#22. Whack Golf Balls Or Go For A Jog, Just Don’t Lose Your Investor’s Money with Charles Brecque (Founder of Legislate)
Breaking the Law: a great ‘80s song but a horrible business practice.
Charles Brecque (@charlesbrecque) is the Founder and CEO of Legislate, an end-to-end contract management platform that creates lawyer-approved contracts without the need for a legal team.
No more operating without contracts in place because they, “take too long to get done.”
We talk about fundraising and hiring, building a safety net, and being a first-time Founder.
Enjoy!
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Show Notes:
(12:45) - The life of a Solo-Founder
(15:50) - Fundraising tip: Create FOMO
(21:45) - One moment of super stress - how to keep going.
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Links:
* https://www.legislate.tech/
*Never Split The Difference by Chris Voss
* Twitter: @charlesbrecque @joinlegislate
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Episode Quotes I Enjoyed
“Risk is all about being able to measure what can happen… People shouldn't be afraid of risk they should be afraid of uncertainty.”
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more! Send any feedback to armand@playhardpodcast.com
#21. How to Build a Media Strategy for Bootstrapping Startups and UFO Groups with Tom Garrity (of The Garrity Group)
This guest wore a suit and bow tie while I wore a hat and t-shirt. Guess who's a professional in public image.
Armand Uno (@thenameisuno) sits down with Master of Media and Prince of PR, Tom Garrity (@tom_garrity) to talk about PR strategies, winning an Emmy, and working with UFO encounter groups.
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Show Notes:
(12:25) - The 4 different audiences in a crisis
(16:12) - PR tips for bootstrapping entrepreneurs
(24:20) - The Headline Game (making a 5-year strategy in a few minutes)
(38:00) - Donating race medals to a friend with cancer — turning it into an affinity running program
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Links:
* garritypr.com
* onemedal.com
* Insta: @tomgarrity
* Twitter: @tom_garrity
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Episode Quotes I Enjoyed
“There’s a saying that… reporters create the first draft of history.”
“Nobody wants to lay the foundation, everybody wants to build the house.”
“When everything hit..… it’s like buttah.”
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more! Send any feedback to armand@playhardpodcast.com
#20. Lessons Learned from a Lifetime of Entrepreneurship, Investing, and Motorcycle Riding with Carlos Fry (Founder of CODE ÉXITOS)
Even the best motorcyclists crash. Same goes for Founders. This next guest explains, beautifully, his crashes and how he bounces back!
Armand Uno (@thenameisuno) sits down with Founder and Motocross Menace, Charles (Carlos) Fry to talk about efficiency hacks, the most important metric to track, and some extra-spicy parts of being a Founder.
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Show Notes:
(09:50) - Successful vs Unsuccessful Founders distilled into a few expressions
(22:30) - Metrics for gauging success
(42:20) - What doesn’t get talked about as a Founder (a painful lesson from failure)
(56:40) - One thing you can do to manage stress
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Links:
* https://www.codexitos.com/
* Build by Tony Fadell
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Episode Quotes I Enjoyed
“Entrepreneurs should go selling a product before they have it.”
“Write drunk, edit sober.” - Ernest Hemingway
“Most of the news is nothing I can do anything about.”
“If I obsess about work 100% of the time, I’m much less effective.”
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Other Episodes Like This
Ep. 1 With Derek Pocoroba, mentioned in the show.
Ep. 11 with Wouter Delbaere, a seasoned entrepreneur with awesome advice similar to this episode.
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more! Send any feedback to armand@playhardpodcast.com
#19. A 7-figure Exit Doesn’t Lead to Happiness (but I’ll tell ya what does…) with Josh Boone
Ah yes, the question we love to ask, “What is happiness?” I’ll tell you what it’s not… getting what you want.
Armand Uno (@thenameisuno) sits down with Founder and Adventurer, Josh Boone, to talk about imposter syndrome, the pitfalls of high expectations, and romanticizing degenerate habits.
Oh, and the secret to happiness (hint: it's not working your @ss off).
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Show Notes:
(07:10) - Impostor syndrome as a teenage entrepreneur (adult jobs at 12)
(23:50) - My rant on why personal development in your 20’s is more important than career development
(31:10) - “When you exit, you think everything’s going to be great” — but it’s not
(46:30) - Traveling as an escape vs for fun
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Links:
* https://joshboone.com/
* https://show.joshboone.com/
* In the Weeds by Tom Vitale
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Episode Quotes I Enjoyed
“It’s easy to scale money. It’s harder to scale contentment and well being.”
We hire our jobs as a distraction. (paraphrase)
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There’s talk of Batman and Imposter Syndrome throughout this episode. The title was gonna be “Gotham City Imposter Syndrome” but that’s a deeeep cut. If you get that joke, HMU armand@playhardpodcast.com and let's be friends.
If you liked the episode, subscribe for more!
#18. Find Your Purpose, Serve Others, and More with Ibrahim Omar (Founder at LightUpp)
We humans have 3 deep core desires that are always on our minds, whether you think about ‘em or not.
Armand Uno (@thenameisuno) sits down with Founder and Psychologist turned Marketer, Ibrahim Omar to talk about finding your purpose, intentional actions, and how those 3 desires impact all of our decisions.
Give it a listen!
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Show Notes:
(06:10) - Consistency and why it works
(12:30) - Life has no meaning, only purpose
(26:00) - My rant on 9-5 vs. entrepreneurs and getting your time back
(41:00) - A challenge for YOU to check your actions
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Links:
* https://lightupp.co.uk/
* https://www.linkedin.com/in/ibrahim-omar-5a1401123/
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Episode Quotes I Enjoyed
“Intentions allow actions to have meaning.”
“When you have a skillset you have an obligation to serve.”
“We’re not judged on our thoughts, we’re judged on our actions.”
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Episodes Like This One
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If you liked the episode, subscribe for more! Send any feedback to armand@playhardpodcast.com