The Greatness Machine

Today I had the opportunity to appear on the Young and Profiting Podcast hosted by Hala Taha, where I talked about the entrepreneurial lessons I learned from my father, my experience working at the White House, how I built and grew my businesses through partnerships, my reason for stepping down as CEO of Money Source, and the importance of running a core value-driven organization. After realizing I was unemployable during my internship at the White House, I decided to pursue my dream of becoming my own boss and built my first business, Twin Capital Mortgage, with my twin brother. Things, however, did not come easy as I spent years and years pivoting, learning, and figuring out how to build a business through partnerships. I ranked #9 on Glassdoor’s list of Top CEOs of Small and Medium Companies in the US running The Money Source and have led organizations that have won numerous Stevie awards, been named “#3 Best Place to Work” by San Francisco Business Times, and have landed at #40 on the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing companies. But despite achieving all these recognitions, I decided to step down as the CEO of TMS. That move allowed me to reassess what I truly wanted to do, resulting in the release of my first book, The Core Value Equation, and the launch of the Greatness Machine Podcast. And just recently, I launched a product called Scale MAP Method, where I help CEOs grow their companies. In this episode, you will learn about my entrepreneurial journey, the epiphany that made me step down as the CEO of my previous company, how I learned about the importance of core values, and my inspiration for launching my book and podcast. Here are some of the things Hala and I get into: The entrepreneurial lessons I learned at an early age. The reason why I was almost fired from my work at the White House. How my first business, Twin Capital Mortgage, turned out to be. Why I stepped down as the CEO of the Money Source. Launching The Core Value Equation, The Greatness Machine Podcast, and Scale MAP Method. You can also stream it on: iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-greatness-machine/id1555334180 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-greatness-machine/id1555334180) Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Vbu3kqMBgfGnu3vMyW5pd?si=f46b738ce5fb4217 (https://open.spotify.com/show/0Vbu3kqMBgfGnu3vMyW5pd?si=f46b738ce5fb4217) Grab a copy of The Core Value Equation book here: https://therealdarius.com/book-order/ (https://therealdarius.com/book-order/) Learn how to leverage my proprietary and simple ScaleMAP Method Frameworks here: https://www.dariusclass.com/training-video (https://www.dariusclass.com/training-video) Enjoy the show, and don’t forget to spread greatness to the world! Peace, Darius This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of https://therealdarius.com/the-greatness-machine-series/ (The Greatness Machine,) Darius is flying solo during his mini-sabbatical/pseudo vacation in Mexico to discuss who's living in your emotional house and what we're doing about our past. In this episode you'll discover: - How a chance encounter with Ed Mylett and his book, 'The Power of One More,' changed Darius' thinking. - The concept of 'cleaning your emotional house' and identifying what type of emotional house you have. - The importance of dreaming with imagination and dreaming about a compelling future for yourself. Join Darius as he challenges you to consider your emotional house and the emotions you want to have living there each day. Enjoy! What You'll Learn in this Show: How Ed Mylett’s book, 'The Power of One More,' has become a game changer in Darius' life. Your ‘emotional house’ and the emotions you choose to fill it with. Why dreaming with imagination and dreaming about a compelling future for yourself is so vital to happiness and success. And so much more... This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sometimes, our mistakes can offer powerful revelations, which can lead to incredible success. Today's guest reveals what inspired him to start his current business, recalling how he did not get real offers from collegiate football programs, because he failed to understand the recruiting process. In this episode of https://therealdarius.com/the-greatness-machine-series/ (The Greatness Machine,) Darius chats with Chris Krause, founder and CEO of NCSA Athletic Recruiting. Since it began, NCSA has helped more than 100,000 student-athletes commit to colleges with 8 billion in scholarships awarded to NCSA athletes. It has quickly become the leader in helping match college coaches with qualified high school athletes through education and technology and is now part of the Reigning Champs family of purpose-driven companies assisting the Collegiate athletic community- building the world’s first Athletic Recruiting Network with a mission of Athleadership- Empowering leaders through sports. Chris realized his passion for recruiting after his own determination and hard work paid off and he earned a full football scholarship to play in the SEC at Vanderbilt University. After graduating in four years, Chris made it his goal to make sure no other student-athlete gets left behind and misses out on the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play college sports in return for education and lifelong empowerment. In this episode you'll discover: - How Chris' path led him to athletics. - The early days of NCSA and how it was formed. - The process of recruiting student-athletes. Join Darius and Chris as they discuss sports, athletes, recruitment, sales, business, core values, and a lot more! Enjoy! What You'll Learn in this Show: The path that eventually led Chris to athletics. How the NCSA was formed in the early days. Details on the student-athlete recruitment process. And so much more... Resources: https://www.ncsasports.org (NSCA website) https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriskrause/ (Chris' LinkedIn) https://therealdarius.com/the-greatness-machine-series/ (Community) https://www.dariusclass.com/training-video (ScaleMAP video) https://therealdarius.com/book-order/ (TCVE Book) https://therealdarius.com (The Real Darius) https://www.facebook.com/therealdariusm/ (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/whoompdarius/ (Instagram) https://therealdarius.com/YT (YouTube) https://twitter.com/kingdarius (Twitter) https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ (LinkedIn) This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of https://therealdarius.com/the-greatness-machine-series/ (The Greatness Machine,) Darius chats with John Jackson, the Director of Correctional Partnerships for Hustle 2.0, an evidence-based, trauma-informed curriculum used in more than 450 jails and prisons across the country. He is a co-author of ten books, a TEDx speaker, and a keynote speaker for multiple organizations advocating for second chances. However, he wasn't always so successful... John was introduced to a life of crime at the age of 17 by a person who promised to protect him. After serving 18 years in prison, he became entrenched in gang culture. He was locked up in one of California's most notorious supermax prisons, Pelican Bay, as "the worst of the worst." Since then, his life has been transformed and now he works with gang leaders nationwide to interrupt generational cycles of violence and incarceration. In this episode you'll discover: - How John entered a life of crime at an early age. - His experiences during his 18 years in prison. - How, during his time in prison, he became deeply rooted in gang culture. Join Darius and John as they discuss why being massively successful comes down to being prepared, reliable, and obsessed! Enjoy! What You'll Learn in this Show: How John's criminal life began at age 17. Some of the things he experienced during his time in Pelican Bay prison. How he became entrenched in gang culture while an inmate. And so much more... Resources: https://www.hustle20.com (Hustle 2.0 website) https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnjackson/ (John's LinkedIn) https://therealdarius.com/the-greatness-machine-series/ (Community) https://www.dariusclass.com/training-video (ScaleMAP video) https://therealdarius.com/book-order/ (TCVE Book) https://therealdarius.com (The Real Darius) https://www.facebook.com/therealdariusm/ (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/whoompdarius/ (Instagram) https://therealdarius.com/YT (YouTube) https://twitter.com/kingdarius (Twitter) https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ (LinkedIn) This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of https://therealdarius.com/the-greatness-machine-series/ (The Greatness Machine,) Darius chats with SuperBowl Champion Jimmy Farris. Jimmy is a former NFL wide receiver, author, national speaker, coach and master trainer for Kaizen Unlimited, best known for his signature “Be A PRO” platform. After six seasons as a wide receiver in the NFL, where he won a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots, Jimmy now uses the lessons he learned in the NFL and beyond to train high performing individuals, teams and organizations on the championship level disciplines and winning mindset that make anything possible. In this episode you'll discover: - How Jimmy raised and raced a horse on his own in college. - His first impressions upon entering the NFL and training with the legendary Terrell Owens. - Information on his new book, 'Be a Pro: Your Blueprint to Professional Level Achievement.' Join Darius and Jimmy as they discuss why being massively successful comes down to being prepared, reliable, and obsessed! Enjoy! What You'll Learn in this Show: How Jimmy raised and raced a horse on his own in college. How he entered the NFL and what it was like to train with the legendary Terrell Owens. Information on his new book, 'Be a Pro: Your Blueprint to Professional Level Achievement.' And so much more... Resources: https://jimmyfarris.com (Jimmy's website) https://www.instagram.com/jimmyfarris (Jimmy's Instagram) https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmyfarris/ (Jimmy's LinkedIn) https://www.amazon.com/Be-Pro-Blueprint-Professional-Achievement/dp/1953153607 (Be a Pro book) https://therealdarius.com/the-greatness-machine-series/ (Community) https://www.dariusclass.com/training-video (ScaleMAP video) https://therealdarius.com/book-order/ (TCVE Book) https://therealdarius.com (The Real Darius) https://www.facebook.com/therealdariusm/ (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/whoompdarius/ (Instagram) https://therealdarius.com/YT (YouTube) https://twitter.com/kingdarius (Twitter) https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ (LinkedIn) This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you aware of the tests you've had to endure throughout your life? As we move through life, levelling up and growing, we all experience various tests designed to help us expand and meet the new challenges the future brings, even if we're not aware of it. In this episode of https://therealdarius.com/the-greatness-machine-series/ (The Greatness Machine,) Darius is recording from Wahaca, Mexico to discuss the tests we all have to pass in order to level up in our lives. In this episode you'll discover: - Why the most successful people are always focused on the next goal, and the next target. - Some of the tests Darius has had to endure to grow and expand in his life. - Why recognizing these tests and persevering through them is a key component of success. Join Darius as he discusses the tests we all must face as we level up to a new form of greatness! Enjoy! What You'll Learn in this Show: Why do successful people always have one eye on the future? Some backstory on Darius' life and the tests he has undergone. Why meeting every test and pushing through is a key component of success. And so much more... Resources: https://therealdarius.com/the-greatness-machine-series/ (Community) https://www.dariusclass.com/training-video (ScaleMAP video) https://therealdarius.com/book-order/ (TCVE Book) https://therealdarius.com (The Real Darius) https://www.facebook.com/therealdariusm/ (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/whoompdarius/ (Instagram) https://therealdarius.com/YT (YouTube) https://twitter.com/kingdarius (Twitter) https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ (LinkedIn) This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why are values important to succeed in business and in life? Today's guest shows us what really happens behind the scenes of a successful company and how values factor into the equation. In today's episode of https://therealdarius.com/the-greatness-machine-series/ (The Greatness Machine,) Darius is joined by Matthew Stewart, co-founder and CEO of National Service Group (NSG), which operates College Works Painting, Empire Community Construction, Home Genius Exteriors, and SMJJ Investments. From a small Southern California company, NSG has grown into an international company with offices throughout the U.S. and Canada. Matthew currently serves on the boards of several organizations in addition to his role at NSG. In his past role, he was chairman of the global board of Entrepreneur's Organization (EO), a worldwide business network representing more than 142 chapters across 46 countries. In this episode you'll discover: - The entrepreneurial advice Matthew would give to his younger self. - How values help his company succeed. - The secrets to running a successful business. Join Darius and Matthew for this fascinating discussion as they explore how our values and even our mistakes provide lessons that we can use to create success. They also discuss the reasons why being patient and having a strategy are vital to achieving greatness. Enjoy! What You'll Learn in this Show: The advice Matthew would offer to his younger self as an entrepreneur. How values have become vital to making his company a success. The inside scoop on running a successful business. And so much more... Resources: https://nationalservicesgroup.com (National Services Group website) https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-stewart-5257314/ (Matt's LinkedIn) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-edge-of-excellence-podcast/id1554338077 (Edge of Excellence podcast) https://therealdarius.com/the-greatness-machine-series/ (Community) https://www.dariusclass.com/training-video (ScaleMAP video) https://therealdarius.com/book-order/ (TCVE Book) https://therealdarius.com (The Real Darius) https://www.facebook.com/therealdariusm/ (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/whoompdarius/ (Instagram) https://therealdarius.com/YT (YouTube) https://twitter.com/kingdarius (Twitter) https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ (LinkedIn) This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you living the life you want to live, or the one you want others to see? That was the question on the mind of today's guest when he hit his first year of university. At the time. life seemed good. He had an academic scholarship to a top-tier school and a dream of making the U-19 Canadian Rugby Team had become a reality. But then it all came crashing down... In this episode of The Greatness Machine, [https://therealdarius.com/the-greatness-machine-series/] Darius chats with Ben Nemtin, a #1 New York Times bestselling author of 'What Do You Want To Do Before You Die?,' co-founder of The Buried Life movement and inspirational keynote speaker. He has delivered over 500 keynotes to brands and Fortune 500 companies around the globe. In this episode you'll discover: - How Ben overcame crippling depression, including his list of 100 things to do before he dies (of which he has achieved 96!) - How a poem called 'The Buried Life' led him to a TV show on MTV, where he played basketball with President Obama among other things. - Answers to questions such as: 'What do you want to do before you die?' And 'What are the top five things people regret on their deathbeds?' Join Darius and Ben as they discuss creating the life you want for yourself - not the one you want others to see. Enjoy! What You'll Learn in this Show: How Ben conquered depression in his youth to create a list of 100 things to do before he dies. Why a 150 year-old poem called 'The Buried Life' by Matthew Arnold led Ben to create a show for MTV. How to discover what you want to do before you die, and how you can avoid having regrets at the end of your life. And so much more... Resources: https://www.bennemtin.com (Ben's website) https://www.linkedin.com/in/bennemtin/ (Ben's LinkedIn) https://www.instagram.com/bennemtin/?hl=en (Ben's Instagram) https://linkpop.com/bennemtin (The Bucket List Journal) https://therealdarius.com/the-greatness-machine-series/ (Community) https://www.dariusclass.com/training-video (ScaleMAP video) https://therealdarius.com/book-order/ (TCVE Book) https://therealdarius.com (The Real Darius) https://www.facebook.com/therealdariusm/ (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/whoompdarius/ (Instagram) https://therealdarius.com/YT (YouTube) https://twitter.com/kingdarius (Twitter) https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ (LinkedIn) This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's episode covers business, real estate investing, strategic planning, software development, adventure, and a lot more. Our guest takes us back to his teenage years and how he started breaking sales records as the #1 sales representative in a company of more than 30,000 at the age of 20. In this episode of https://therealdarius.com/the-greatness-machine-series/ (The Greatness Machine,) Darius chats with Brad Weimert, entrepreneur, investor, and adventurer. In 2012, he founded Easy Pay Direct, a payment gateway for businesses selling between $1 million and $100 million online. Brad is also the host of the Beyond A Million podcast, where he interviews world-class experts in sales, marketing, operations, hiring, technology, and wealth building to discover the strategies and tactics that are most effective today. In this episode you'll discover: - The many lessons Brad has learned through the years. - How he first got into real estate investing. - Why a 5- or 10-year plan does not work. Join Darius and Brad as they discuss entrepreneurship, sales, BlockChain, adventure, relationships, and much more. Enjoy! What You'll Learn in this Show: Some of the key lessons Brad has gleaned from his years of experience. Brad's first entry into real estate investing. The reasons why 5- or 10-year plans don't work. And so much more... Resources: https://www.instagram.com/bradweimert/?hl=en (Brad's Instagram) https://www.easypaydirect.com (Easy Pay Direct website) https://beyondamil.com/podcast (The Beyond a Million podcast) https://therealdarius.com/the-greatness-machine-series/ (Community) https://www.dariusclass.com/training-video (ScaleMAP video) https://therealdarius.com/book-order/ (TCVE Book) https://therealdarius.com (The Real Darius) https://www.facebook.com/therealdariusm/ (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/whoompdarius/ (Instagram) https://therealdarius.com/YT (YouTube) https://twitter.com/kingdarius (Twitter) https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ (LinkedIn) This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It seems the economy at the moment is in turmoil. We're seeing Bitcoin under 20,000. The markets are down. The Dow Jones has reached 30,000, S&P was around 3600. On top of this volatility, there's a housing boom happening all around us. In today's episode of https://therealdarius.com/the-greatness-machine-series/ (The Greatness Machine,) Darius goes solo to offer some insights on housing based on his past experience running one of the largest servicers and lenders in the United States. That business managed hundreds of billions of dollars of mortgages, and Darius uses that experience to offer his thoughts on the current boom. In this episode you'll discover: - Straight talk to cut through the media speculation. - New information recently made available around the monthly supply of new houses in the US. - Why we're really looking at a "very short term demand shock" that will require some normalization before the market stabilizes. Join Darius for this eye-opening discussion into the housing market and benefit from his insights and tips! Enjoy! What You'll Learn in this Show: Why we need to focus more on hard facts than on media speculation. Data on the monthly supply of new houses in the US provided by the St. Louis Fed. The "very short term demand shock" that is causing much of the volatility we're seeing in the market. And so much more... This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices