THE AMPLIFII PODCAST

In this captivating episode René Rodriguez sits down with none other than Austin Ekeler, the #1 Running Back in the NFL. Get ready for an inspiring conversation that delves deep into Austin's extraordinary journey to the NFL, the moment he stood up and accepted a leadership position, and his mentality to seize every opportunity that comes his way.Austin Ekeler's story is not just about football; it's about determination, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence. René and Austin discuss the pivotal moments in Austin's life that led him to become one of the most electrifying players in the league. From his humble beginnings to his remarkable rise to the top, you'll gain incredible insights into the mindset of a true athlete and leader.But this episode goes beyond the gridiron. Austin Ekeler is not only a star on the field, but he's dedicated to growing as a person, leader and business man as well in a way that transcends the game and his place in it. Join us for an engaging and motivational conversation that goes deep into the heart and mind of Austin Ekeler. Discover what it takes to excel in the NFL, lead with purpose, and leave a lasting legacy that extends far beyond the field. Whether you're a football fan or simply looking for inspiration, this episode is a must-listen.Episode Resources:MeetRene.comAmplifiimylife.comAmplifyBook.comEpisode Highlights:02:30 - From cowboy to Charger, from the ranch to the NFL06:30- Overlooked & Underestimated09:00 - The Dark Side of Elite Performance12:00 - Attentional Narrowing16:00 - The Pressure Faced on Stage19:55 - Flow: When the Game Slows Down25:25 - “You can’t skip the reps”32:20 - Austin’s work ethic34:45 - “It was more than a game to me” Austin steps into leadership38:20 - “To get what we most want you have to face what we most fear”41:20 - Taking Leadership leads to Opportunities45:15 - What Does Football Mean to Austin?52:25 - What Does This Mean For the REST of Us?53:30 - Austin’s Simple (But NOT Easy) Principles56:00 - Austin’s entry to real estate57:00 - @austinekeler on Instagram

Join us in this riveting episode as we sit down with the multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated DJ, producer, entrepreneur, and author, Clinton Sparks. Sparks has made more than just a mark in the entertainment industry; he has become a symbol of perseverance and success.In this episode, he boldly states that "Fame doesn't make you great, but greatness can make you famous." This episode delves into the heart of what makes someone great and how adversity can be converted into the currency of influence. Clinton shares his insights on the importance of self-awareness, the powerful act of checking one's ego, and his unique parenting advice.But it doesn't stop there; he unravels the essential ingredients to success – vision, confidence, patience, and passion. Whether you're an aspiring leader or someone seeking to reignite their passion, this episode is packed with actionable wisdom and relatable anecdotes that speak to the dreamer in all of us.Learn from one of the masters of influence and discover how to build your empire of greatness. Tune in now!(Note: Clinton Sparks is an American DJ, producer, songwriter, radio, television personality, and entrepreneur. His multifaceted career is a testament to his talents, and his insights on building influence and achieving greatness are grounded in real-world experience and success.)Episode Resources:MeetRene.comAmplifiimylife.comAmplifyBook.comHow To Win Big in the Music Business@clintonsparksEpisode Highlights:01:00 - How René met Clinton03:10- The voice of excitement07:30 - Clinton’s beginnings13:50 - Clinton recognizes the skills his adversity built18:00 - “When you compete with yourself you can only get better. When you compete with others, you’re only aiming to beat their best which may never be as good as your best.”25:00 - “Being famous doesn’t make you great, but GREAT can make you famous”31:45 - “Life comes down to just actually giving a s#*+. Most people don’t.” 34:54 - “When you call people, doors open up”41:45 - Clinton’s Leadership Checklist46:00 - “You’ve still got to PROVE it”50:00 - Vision. Confidence. Patience. Passion.55:30 - Parenting (and Leading) with Options instead of Orders1:00:00 - @clintonsparks1:01:50 - How to Win Big in the Music Business1:03:45 - AMPCON 2023

“I turn chapters into paragraphs and paragraphs into sentences.”Dive deep into the world of social media growth with trial attorney Jefferson Fisher, who achieved remarkable success by embracing authenticity. In this episode, discover how Fisher's genuine approach, coupled with trust and generosity, propelled him to over 2.3 million views on Instagram.Episode Resources:MeetRene.comAmplifiimylife.comAmplifyBook.com@jefferson_fisher on InstagramEpisode highlights:01:30 - Who is Jefferson Fisher04:10 - How Jefferson got started with video08:15 - “I’m just gonna give”11:00 - How Jefferson found his style16:45 -  Jefferson’s non-formulaic formula21:00 - Jefferson’s family legacy25:15 - “if it’s not going to align with me and my values, it’s not going to happen.”28:00 - Defining “punchy” content35:00 - What drives Jefferson40:00 - Jefferson’s Book42:50 - “The first chance you have to show kindness, take it.”43:30 - See Jefferson onstage at AMPCON 2023

“You can win more in your life if you lock in, standards over feelings.”In this episode, we sit down with Ben Newman, THE NATION'S TOP CONTINUAL PEAK PERFORMANCE COACH, and author of The Standard, to explore the power of standards over feelings and how they act as a driving force in achieving greatness. We delve into the world of high achievement and discover the pivotal role that standards play in the success of legendary figures such as 7-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady and Alabama head football Coach Nick Saban. Get ready to be inspired and gain invaluable insights on unleashing your true potential.Episode Resources:MeetRene.comAmplifiimylife.comAmplifyBook.com@continuedfight on InstagramBuy Ben’s Book, Standard:www.amazon.com/Standard-WINNING-Every-Highest-Level/dp/196118950XEpisode highlights:02:45 - Where does Ben’s drive to succeed come from04:15 - Connecting to YOUR standard07:45 - Aggressive Patience14:45 - A standard of commitment17:15 - Unrequired Workout19:30 - Standards over Feelings23:30 - Stacking days27:55 - The importance of environment31:05 - How do you show up after you win?33:30 Mental Toughness Forum36:30 - Moving from Focus to Intentional Focus42:05 - How to connect with Ben44:15 - Finding the beauty in “suffering”

“Storytelling is the art form through which we express to one another that we’re all in this together and we’re not alone.”In this riveting episode, we explore the fascinating intersection of branding and storytelling in the contemporary business landscape with storytelling maestro, Neal Foard. At one point, Neal was named one of the top 10 most decorated creative directors in the world and has worked with brands that we all know and love. We dive deep into the importance of narratives in fostering connection and promoting a sense of shared experience - the foundation of the human condition. Through the lens of 'convergent validity', a principle that validates the importance of diverse perspectives and experiences, we examine how effectively told stories can inspire, evoke emotion, and ultimately drive brand success. Additionally, using the intriguing analogy of 'why zebras have stripes', we offer insights into how branding, like nature, can leverage distinctiveness for survival and growth. Join us as we unpack these themes, challenging conventional wisdom and offering fresh, impactful perspectives. Don't miss out on this intellectual feast that merges business, storytelling, and the power of narratives.Episode Resources:MeetRene.comAmplifiimylife.comAmplifyBook.comNealFoard.comMy Suit Doesn’t CareEpisode highlights:03:20 - My Suit Doesn’t Care video06:00 - Community is the Answer, What’s the Question?09:30 - The Ancient Power of Stories17:00 - René’s logo discussion26:00 - Telling Stories is the easiest, most efficient, most pleasant way to spread influence31:00 - The effect of social media on adolescents36:45 - As a Leader, can you show your fear?42:40 - Why Zebras have stripes47:00 - The key to creativity in an organization is creating a safe environment58:20 - What do people say about you when no one is looking?1:04:45 - The Brilliance of Comedians1:14:30 - NealFoard.com @nealfoard1:18:20 - AMPCON 2023 in Dallas

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the way we work and forced leaders to adapt to new ways of managing their teams. In this podcast, we explore five valuable lessons that leaders can learn from the pandemic to improve their leadership skills. Each lesson provides actionable insights that will help you to build a stronger, more engaged team and foster a culture of innovation within your organization. Join us as we explore how the pandemic has exposed poor leadership, the importance of human connection, the need for innovation, and the dangers of complacency during times of economic prosperity. Listen in to learn how you can lead through lockdown and emerge as a stronger, more effective leader.Actionable Insights:Take stock of your leadership skills and be willing to adapt to new realities to avoid being exposed as a poor leader.Find a balance between virtual communication and in-person interactions to foster a sense of community and human connection.Foster a culture of collaboration and teamwork to improve productivity and employee retention rates.Embrace innovation to stay ahead of the competition and take advantage of the opportunities that arise from constraint.Be proactive in identifying and addressing weaknesses in your organization, even during times of economic prosperity, to avoid being caught off-guard during downturns.Episode Resources:MeetRene.comAmplifiimylife.comAmplifyBook.comEpisode Highlights:01:25 - Leadership is about influence02:25 - Who was I during this time?04:30- Lesson 1 - Evaluate YOUR Leadership skills & Adaptability05:20 - Lesson 2 - Virtual Connection IS possible but not replacement for in person interaction09:00 - More people working in an environment multiplies motivation11:00 - Lesson Three - Encourage Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Support11:45 - Lesson Four - Innovation Comes from Constraint16:00 - Accelerated Innovations from the Pandemic20:00 - Lesson Five - A Good Economy Can Hide Weaknesses in Strategy, Efficiency & Character23:22 - Be Proactive in Identifying & Addressing YOUR weaknesses24:45 - Are you the leader you need to be? WERE you the leader they needed?25:40 - Follow, Share & Review the show!26:00 - Coaching at MeetRene.com

Join us on this exciting journey as we delve into the latest research on selling, and uncover the key factors that drive sales success. From the impact of voice quality and body language, to the role of empathy and grit, we'll explore how sales professionals can harness these crucial elements to build stronger relationships with their customers and close more deals. You'll also learn about the latest research on each topic and their impact on sales performance. Whether you're a seasoned sales professional or just starting out, this podcast is a must-listen for anyone looking to take their sales game to the next level. Tune in now to discover how to mesh the latest sales practices with fundamental skills and become a sales powerhouse!Show Resources:MeetRene.comAmplifiimylife.comAmplifyBook.comShow Highlights: 01:15 - René’s Basketball Dreams05:00 - “René, you learn how to sell.”08:55 - The more things change, the more things stay the same11:15 - What HASN’T changed15:40 - “I am sold myself”17:30 - Skills that never go away24:15 - The science that validates what we already know30:10 - The relationship between grit & sales performance32:30 - Recap34:30 - MeetRene.comThe Fundamentals:While the selling profession has undergone significant changes in the last 20 years, some fundamental principles remain unchanged. These include:Building relationships: Establishing and maintaining positive relationships with customers remains a cornerstone of successful selling.Understanding customer needs: Sellers must have a deep understanding of the customer's needs, challenges, and goals in order to provide solutions that meet those needs.Active listening: Effective sellers are good listeners and pay close attention to the customer's concerns, questions, and feedback.Communication skills: The ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, is critical for successful selling.Product knowledge: Sellers must have a deep understanding of their products and services, including their features, benefits, and limitations.Problem-solving: Sellers must be able to identify and solve problems, both for the customer and in their own sales process.Time management: Effective time management is crucial for sellers, as they must balance multiple tasks, priorities, and deadlines.Adaptability: The ability to adapt to changing market conditions, customer needs, and new technologies is essential for success in selling.Confidence and resilience: Confidence and resilience are important qualities for sellers, as they often encounter rejection and challenges in their work.Ethical behavior: Ethical behavior and integrity are essential in selling, as customers must trust the seller to make the right decisions on their behalf.SOURCES:Influence:"The Influence of Salesperson Behavior on Customer Trust and Attitude: An Integrative Model" by Jagdish N. Sheth, Atul Parvatiyar, and Girish Shambu (Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 2000)Body Language:"The Role of Body Language in Sales Negotiations: An Empirical Study" by Richard P. Bagozzi, Luigi Guizzo, and Ya-Ru Chen (Journal of Business Research, 2007)Voice Inflection or Quality:"The Impact of Salesperson Voice Quality on Customer Perceptions and Evaluations" by Steven J. Skarlicki and David R. Kelly (Journal of Marketing Research, 1999)Empathy:"Empathy in Sales Encounters: Conceptualization, Measurement, and Impact on Salesperson and Customer Outcomes" by R. Eric Reidenbach and Douglas A. MacKay (Journal of Marketing, 2002)Grit:"The Relationship between Grit and Sales Performance: Evidence from Field Studies" by Angela L. Duckworth, Paul A. G Bavishi, and Matthew J. O'Connell (Journal of Personal Selling & Sales Management, 2017)Note: These studies were published in peer-reviewed journals and may provide a good starting point for further research. It is important to keep in mind that these studies may have limitations and may not be applicable in all sales contexts, and that more recent studies may have different results and conclusions.

In this podcast, we will challenge the common belief that happiness is the ultimate goal in life. We will explore the idea that fulfillment and purpose go beyond the pursuit of happiness, and delve into the science of dopamine and how it plays a role in finding fulfillment. Rene shares personal stories and insights on how he has found fulfillment and purpose in life. Join us as we explore the true meaning and purpose of life.”When the flood comes, I want to be the one that built the ark.”Show Resources:MeetRene.comAmplifiimylife.comAmplifyBook.comShow Highlights:01:14 - Is it really the pursuit of “happiness”02:27 - We were wrong about dopamine04:30 - Examples of Dopamine Sources06:55 - The Downside of Pursuit of Dopamine11:00 - It’s more than the goal, it’s how we REACH the goal12:08 - The Power of Suffering14:14 - What IS suffering15:40 - “When the flood comes, I want to be the one that built the ark”18:55 - We experience joy in setting and making progress towards a goal, NOT in achievement20:10 - Why SHOULDN’T happiness be your goal?23:50 - Who I am + What I Do = Purpose25:05 - Happiness and Fulfillment are related, but happiness isn’t always fulfilling26:45 - People Aren’t Remembered for their “why”31:30 - Reframing suffering and service33:45 - http://Amplifiimylife.com33:50 - @learnwithrene on Instagram

“Frames create narratives, narratives help us give meaning to a sequence of events. We’re all just looking for a story to be a part of.”What limiting beliefs are framing your business in? What visual cues are keeping you and your business from reaching the next step?As we start this second season of the AMPLIFII™ podcast, we’re reframing the whole narrative, including the name of this podcast! We discuss that and then dive straight into science-backed studies that show the power of narrative in our personal lives, our business lives, the political sector and certainly in the marketing we digest as consumers and create for our own businesses.Don’t miss out on this enlightening discussion, and make sure all your colleagues and friends know the AMPLIFII™ podcast is BACK!Show Resources:MeetRene.comAmplifiimylife.comAmplifyBook.comClearer, Closer, BetterShow Highlights:01:19 - Defining “narrative”04:30 - Our PERSONAL narrative06:30 - A BUSINESS’ narrative07:15 - POLITICAL narratives08:02 - ADVERTISING narrative09:25 - Journal of Cognition - “Role of Storytelling”11:04 - The Journal of Personality and Social Psychology Review - The Self Narrative12:06 - Organizational Dynamics - The Role of Storytelling in Organizational Sense-Making14:00 - The Academy of Management Review - The Narrative Study of Organizational Communication15:35 - The Science that Haunts René - Vision Science18:35 - Dr. Emily Balcetis - Clearer, Closer, Better20:11 - The way products are presented visually influences how the consumer judges it23:00 - Vision Science helps us influence others, by understanding the decision process24:15 - Attentional Narrowing27:50 - Thanks for checking out season two, stay tuned for more great content!28:05 - Amplify My Influence the book28:15 - Amplifiimylife.com

“If you don’t have a relationship it only goes so far, even if what you’re sharing is what they should do!”What separates a leader from an uncommon leader? What is it that causes one to excel above their peers and create a legacy of impact on their industry and the world at large?Ben Newman knows what’s behind that uncommon leadership. A highly regarded Performance Coach, International Speaker and Best-Selling Author, Ben’s clients include Fortune 500 companies around the world, business executives, sales organizations and professional athletes in the NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, UFC and NCAA. His book, UNCOMMON Leadership , is a #1 Wall Street Journal and USA Today Best-Seller. In addition, Ben has served the last 5 years as a Mental Conditioning Coach for the 18-time National Champion Alabama Crimson Tide football team. He’s worked with players and coaches from the last six Super Bowl Champions. In this episode, René and Ben discuss the origin of uncommon leadership and how to cultivate it in ourselves daily.“If WE’RE disorganized or lack accountability to ourselves, how can we expect that we’re going to be able to hold people to a certain level or standard of heightened accountability?”Don’t miss out on this enlightening discussion, and catch René on Ben’s Podcast, The Burn soon at the link below.Show Resources:BenNewman.netThe Burn PodcastUncommon Leadership BookTheNeuroSide.comMeetRene.comAmplifiimylife.comAmplifyBook.com01:10 - Welcome Ben Newman03:10 - What does Leadership mean?05:03 - Coaching Coach Saban06:31 - The Power of Leverage09:14 - What are Leaders MISSING?10:09 - Don’t miss René’s appearance on The Burn with Ben Newman13:09 - Connection multiplies impact16:14 - Learn to listen to what people value!18:14 - THIS is what Leadership is: Seeing people for who they are and REMINDING THEM who they are19:17 - You have to find YOUR voice23:48 - Connection allows honest critique and coaching24:43 - The biggest calling for Leadership right now?25:43 - The choice to be a certain person sets the trajectory for everything else26:10 - Get the book, Uncommon Leadership26:20 - Follow @continuedfight