The Adversity Advantage with Doug Bopst How To Build Discipline, Find Purpose & Win Through Adversity | John Sapiente
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Jan 1, 2026 John Sapiente, an entrepreneur and mission-driven brand builder, shares his journey of taking over his family's manufacturing business during a crisis. He argues that passion follows competence and warns against the pitfalls of instant gratification. John dives into the power of volition—choosing habits that shape our lives—and discusses balancing family and work while building Volition America, a brand dedicated to patriotic values. He emphasizes the importance of hard work, systems, and dedicated focus in overcoming adversity and thriving in business.
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Thrown Into The Deep End
- John Sapiente was forced to run his family's failing molding business after an ERP rollout collapsed and he barely knew POs from invoices.
- He worked 80–100 hour weeks, learned systems, and says the crisis made him much smarter and stronger.
Trust But Validate
- Trust others' expertise but validate their recommendations before acting on them.
- Ask lots of questions and use your instincts to push back when you disagree.
Passion Follows Competence
- Passion often follows competence, not the other way around.
- Find an industry, work hard, get good, and passion will grow from success.