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Taking the Leap

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Sep 26, 2023 • 1h 27min

The Longevity Code: Exploring Health and Wellness with Dr. Darshan Shah

Dr. Darshan Shah is a health and wellness specialist, well-known surgeon, published author, tech entrepreneur, and founder and CEO of Beautologie and Next|Health. As an expert on all body systems, he has performed over 10,000 surgical procedures, including trauma surgery, general surgery and plastic/reconstructive procedures. As a health and wellness specialist, he has advised thousands of patients on how to optimize their well-being and extend their lifespan, culminating in the creation of Next|Health, the "Apple Store" of Health and Wellness offering healthspan and lifespan-extending technology and treatments in a beautiful, welcoming environment.  Dr. Darshan Shah started his training at an accelerated MD program at the age of 15 at the University of Missouri and earned his medical degree at the age of 21, becoming one of the youngest doctors in the United States. After surgical training in central California, Dr. Shah then continued his training at the Mayo Clinic, one of the most prestigious medical institutes in the county. After earning his board certification, he went on to open medical/surgical centers throughout California, as well as starting innovative tech companies, creating patented medical devices, and advising dozens of startups in medicine, finance, and tech. Dr. Shah's belief in continual education and self-improvement has earned him alumni status at Harvard Business School, Singularity University, and is a member of YPO (Young President’s Organization.) Dr. Darshan Shah is the oldest of three children. He is very close to his family and attributes his success to the values of hard work, passion for everything you do, and relentless tenacity taught to him by his parents. He lives in Malibu, California with his wife, and two children and loves to travel, exercise, and has a passion to continuously educate himself and others.SHOW NOTES: 2:20 – Bob asks Dr. Shah to share his origin story and how he was one of the youngest doctors in America to earn his medical degree. Dr. Shah shares what inspired him to pursue this career. Quote: “Going into surgery saved my medical career.” – Dr. Shah 5:30 – Dr. Shah shares how he found himself being 15 years old going into medical school. 6:50 – Dr. Shah discusses what inspired him to pursue medicine, even when discouraged. 11:20 – Bob asks Dr. Shah how he decided to operate his own business as well as practice medicine.Quote: “You quickly realize that [running a business] is a completely different skill set from being a doctor, and it is an additional skill set to be a leader.” – Dr. Shah 15:00 – Dr. Shah gives insight into how he started learning how to run a business when he was already an expert in surgery. 17:20 – Bob asks Dr. Shah what the 3 most important lessons are that he learned as a doctor starting his business. 22:00 – Dr. Shah begins to tell the story of how he took some time off of work to prioritize his health and the impact of that decision on his career. Quote: “I want to get people healthy, not just treat people with surgery and pills.” – Dr. Shah 28:20 – Bob asks Dr. Shah what he is learning as he shifts his lifestyle and decides to go to the root cause of his patients’ health. 33:20 – Bob asks Dr. Shah’s insight on the multitude of health issues that the US is facing and what demographics are getting access to something like “Next Health.”  38:00 – Bob brings up common medical controversies where one doctor says something is “bad” while another says that it is “good.” Dr. Shah gives advice on who to trust and who to listen to, especially in the media. Quote: “Whenever you see some sort of controversy, you can assume that there is some sort of truth somewhere in the middle.” – Dr. Shah 41:40 – Bob and Dr. Shah discuss the importance of sleep. 45:00 – Dr. Shah shares how to become the “CEO of your own health.” 51:00 – Bob asks Dr. Shah for his advice on how to obtain healthy, natural foods. Dr. Shah says to eat local, organic foods and to avoid the “dirty dozen” foods that are the most heavily treated with pesticides. https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/dirty-dozen.php  53:00 – Dr. Shah shares the “Shah protocol.” 53:30 – Dr. Shah shares his advice for those on medications and losing muscle mass and those trying to get their weight to a comfortable level. 1:00:00 – Dr. Shah gives insight into what things a man in his late 40s and early 50s can do to help his longevity. 1:03:10 – Dr. Shah shares what people can do to reduce inflammation. 1:07:20 – Bob asks Dr. Shah what he would say to those concerned about mental health. 1:11:40 – Bob asks if there are things that can help people boost performance in a cognitive function or if it is a scam. 1:13:50 – Bob then asks if coconut oil and MCT oil are good supplements for brain health. 1:14:40 – Dr. Shah states the benefits of Prenuvo whole-body MRI scans. 1:18:20 – Dr. Shah delves into life expectancy and how to protect yourself from things that can typically cause us to die. 1:20:40 – Rapid fire questions: Dr. Shah’s “life-changing” books, favorite college course, favorite HBS professor, favorite place to travel, things at the top of his bucket list, and what he would share if he were giving a State of the Union Address. Dr. Shah’s books:“Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity” by Peter Attia, “Food: What the Heck Should I Eat” by Mark Hyman, “Built to Move: The Ten Essential Habits to Help You Move Freely and Live Fully” by Kelly and Juliet Starret.
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Sep 13, 2023 • 1h 41min

Career & Life Transformation: The Benefits of a Personal Coach - Bassel Hamwi

Bassel Hamwi has a fascinating career journey, having been in private equity and the banking industry along with being a CEO of start-ups and board member for 19 different companies. He spent 20 years as a senior staff member at the World Bank and was also a CEO and board member for over 12 years in start-ups and financial institutions. Bassel is currently the President of BASY Ventures, an investment and consulting company operating in the US, MENA, West and South Asia. BASY Ventures invests in asset-backed lending and the fintech space and also provides consulting, executive coaching, and board and family governance. Bassel is also the Chairman of GlobalTech, a technology investment and development group of companies operating in MENA, India, and the US. From 2005 to 2014, Bassel was the Founder and CEO of Bank Audi Syria, which became the country’s largest private lender. He is the founding member of the Young President’s Organization (YPO) Levant Chapter and the Syrian-American Business Council. He was also a global board member of YPO from 2018 to 2022. Bassel holds an MBA in International Finance and a BBA in Business Computer Information Systems and Organizational Management from the University of North Texas and he is a graduate of the Harvard Business School Presidents Program and just started an executive leadership program at the John F. Kennedy School of Government. He has 32 years of expertise in the financial markets and has contributed to publications like the Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, The Economist, and the New York Times. Show Notes:4:00 – Bassel shares his origin story, upbringing, and how he got to the point he is now in his career. Quote– “I learn from my own mistakes, those are the lessons that are most powerful.” 11:30 – Bob asks Bassel what sparked his determination at a young age to work at the World Bank. 19:30 – Bob asks Bassel how he responded to the catastrophic events happening in his home country when he had to leave his friends and family behind. Bassel shares his learnings and advice in processing the event and pushing through. Quote– “Part of our identity comes from the reflection we have on people’s faces.” 27:00 – Bassel discusses some of the things that he is doing to get help so that he can continue being a leader. He mentions the help of his parents and the benefits of being coached. 33:00 – Bob emphasized that history repeats itself and that our nation’s freedom could be threatened at any time. He proceeds to ask for Bassel’s advice in preparing for these potential events and facing challenging situations. Quote– “I behave in a way that is consistent with my values.” 38:45 – Bassel begins to share what he is doing next and how he is continuing to grow, aligning himself with his values and beliefs. 41:45 – Bob asks why Bassel is so passionate about executive coaching and how he got involved. He then describes the differences between therapy, mentoring, and coaching. Quote– “When you go to bed tired but you feel energized from your work, what were you doing?” ; “Coaching is a thinking partnership.” 49:45 – Bassel tells what he thinks makes a good coach. Quote– “Coaching is also about chemistry.” 54:30 – Bob asks Bassel what he would say to a friend with high potential in their career who may need an executive coach for a specific reason, though they might not see it, to encourage them to look into getting their own coach. Quote – “Not everyone is coachable.” 57:30 – Bob then asks Bassel what attributes the people have that get the most out of their coaching. 1:01:00 – Bob asks if there is anything that is off-limits to ask a coach. 1:04:40 – Bob dives into the importance of having a specific mentor for a child outside the parent to protect their relationship. 1:10:30 – Bassel shares what he sees as the future for his industry regarding changes and developments. 1:20:50 – Bob asks for Bassel’s advice in continuing to educate themselves as they continue their professional development, regardless of their career. 1:24:00 – Bob and Bassel discuss the value of online certifications. 1:31:00 – Bassel shares how to begin your search for an executive coach in your life. 1:34:10 – Bob asks Bassel what he would say if the president were to ask him to give a State of the Union Address to the American people, what is on his heart to share. Quote– “It seems that there is so much division. I would like to figure out what can bring us together.” Book Recommendations: “From Strength to Strength Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life” by Arthur Brooks, “Thinking, Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman, “Staring at the Sun” by Irvin D. Yalom, “The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself” by Michael Alan Singer, “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” by Carol Dweck, and “Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know” by Adam Grant, “Into the Magic Shop: A Neurosurgeon’s Quest to Discover the Mysteries of the Brain and the Secret’s of the Heart” by James R. Doty
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Sep 4, 2023 • 1h 6min

Mustache Mortgage Minute - JP Sicotte

JP Sicotte is the branch leader for Movement Mortgage in Littleton, Colorado. He is passionate about helping every client find the ideal loan package for their home or investment property. He is best known for his short, insightful, "Mustache Mortgage Minute" videos on Linkedin and Instagram. JP is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and was a track and field athlete while he was a cadet. He served in the Air Force for over 23 years as a navigator of the RC135 and C-130 aircraft, having multiple deployments around the globe. He also completed his MBA in Finance from the University of Colorado. Homeownership and understanding real estate is a foundational tenet in building wealth. The market is very dynamic at the moment, with interest rates fluctuating and home prices on the move. Everyone I meet from young people starting out looking for their first home, to mid-career professionals looking for a vacation home, and late-career professionals considering downsizing or moving to their retirement destination…seems to be talking about real estate. I could not wait to have this conversation with JP and hear his insights on this market and advice for those ready to make "the leap".  I know you will learn something new in this conversation. Show Notes:4:00 – Bob asks JP to tell us what is happening in the American real estate and mortgage markets. JP unpacks this for the listeners who may be in the process of making a big decision. JP begins by discussing the high-interest rate and lack of affordability. 7:30 – JP encourages those in the market to get in now. He gives his housing market predictions and forecasts. 12:30 – JP discusses his belief in the significance of real estate for the American family building wealth. Quote– “When is the best time to plant a tree? 20 years ago. When is the next best time? Now.” 14:40 – Bob asks JP’s advice for newlywed young adults who are looking to buy their first home. Bob then asks JP what the wise things young adults can be doing now in preparation for buying their first home. 22:30 – JP advises how to improve your credit score in preparation for purchasing a home. 25:30 – JP gives his advice to people in mid-career who are looking for a vacation home. 28:00 – JP gives his thoughts on Airbnb vs. Vrbo 29:40 – Bob asks JP what those near retiring are asking and things they need to be doing in advance to prepare. 33:30 – JP talks about American homeowners tapping into equity to pay bills and pay down debt and gives his insight on the best ways. 37:30 – Bob touches on JP’s background and asks what drew him to the real estate industry from serving in the Air Force. JP gives how he applies his discipline and learnings from the military in his real estate and financing. 42:00 – Bob and JP reminisce on their favorite planes that they flew in the military and their favorite aspects of being in the Air Force. 50:00 – Bob and JP share how their military backgrounds shaped the way they view the significance of teamwork and how they take that into their respective careers.  52:20 – Bob asks JP how the military core values of integrity, honesty, and building trust show up in his career now. Quote– “I really do think that I am a bit of a breath of fresh air for people to know that I am working to figure out what is in their best interest.” 53:50 – JP tells us what people should be looking for to ensure that they get someone who is honest and forthcoming when looking for a mortgage advisor. 55:40 – AI is changing every industry. JP shares how he views AI impacting his industry and jobs within the industry. Quote– “I do love the ability to leverage AI, but it definitely is not perfect.” 57:40 – Bob asks JP what books he is currently reading to continue learning and growing.Book recommendations: “Meditations” by Marcus Aurelius, Ryan Holiday’s books, “Outlive” by Peter Attia 1:00:00 – Bob asks JP what he would say if he was invited to inspire and encourage our nation via the State of the Union Address. Quote– “Let’s all focus on the things we agree on and believe in.” JP highlights the importance of focusing on the elements in life we agree on instead of our differences.  JP Sicotte on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jpsicotte/ 
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Aug 28, 2023 • 1h 41min

From Entrepreneur to Enterprise Sales - Jim Stirewalt

Jim Stirewalt started his career as an entrepreneur at the urging of his father. After growing and selling his company and learning the art of sales he jumped into enterprise sales, growing and leading international sales teams for iconic companies such as Kronons, SAP, and IBM.  As Vice President of SAP, leading the Fashion and Retail business Jim helped grow the business by 247% in his final two years. Jim was head of World Wide Sales for IBM Watson Customer Engagement. During this time, he led the transformation of a 1,600-person sales team in charge of $1.6B in software sales. Furthermore, he helped lead an AI initiative to disrupt markets leading to a pipeline of new business over $100M. He later was part of a $2B divesture of the IBM Watson Customer Engagement business. He also has been the Chief Revenue Officer of CoreMedia Corp, President of Marketplacer, and SVP and Managing Partner of GreyOrange. Jim has vast experience in business, ranging from start-ups to global enterprises. Show Notes:4:00 – Jim’s origin and the beginning of his fascination for building businesses. Jim talks abouthis entry into graphic design and the development of his small business and how he grew it intoa full-service agency over a 7-year span.13:45 – Jim breaks his journey into three parts: entrepreneurialism (“hustle and sell”), thepower of the network, and execution.19:00 – Jim talks about how he took the sales leader skills that he learned early on in his careerand took it into his role in corporate America.23:00 – Bob asks Jim’s advice that he would give to young people who might have a friend or apeer or mentor who is approaching them and trying to give them executive coaching. Jim’sadvice, “seek people’s feedback actively.” Quote - “Pride is the biggest hindrance to growth.”28:15 – Jim is in the second stage of his career. He discusses the failures andsuccesses he has experienced and the lessons he is learning. The importance of knowing theproduct, the value proposition, and how it fits into the market. The 3 key elements of asuccessful deal are: First, execution sponsorship, second, business value assessment, third, mutually agreed sequenceof events.40:00 – Jim applies his learnings to a direct-to-consumer model. Jim discusses the consumptiongap.50:20 – Bob asks how Jim handles the complex changes and difficulties he experienced in hiscareer. Jim talks about his experience before announcing a vast change in the company.53:45 – Bob talks about how there will be times in your career where you will be facing achallenge or obstacle that is high stress and high stakes and you’re asking yourself, “how am Igonna execute this particular challenge?” Bob gives the advice to operate with a high level ofcharacter and integrity and be honest and take good care of your people. Jim advises toembrace the situation wholly and to force yourself to be adaptable.59:00 – Bob and Jim discuss how to embrace the challenging times we have faced and willcontinue to face. Jim talks about the importance of adaptability and resilience.1:04:00 – Bob asks Jim if he has ever found himself in a spot in his career where the timing wasbad, where the product or service was “past its sell date,” or the economy was moving inanother direction and how did he pivot out of these times.1:10:00 – Jim shares his experience and the challenges of scaling small, start-up companies.Jim shares the quote, “fail fast forward,” meaning to make a plan, learn from it, readjust, execute.1:15:30 – Bob begins asking rapid-fire questions. Jim gives advice for young people whenfacing adversity, what books he is reading at the moment, the “imposter syndrome," how pridecan be connected to insecurity, and more. Quote - “I grow the most when I am in a place whereI am being stretched.”
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Aug 19, 2023 • 1h 39min

Adversity Makes the Leader - Kim Jeremic

Kim has been the President of multiple companies in the fashion and retail industry, spanning a twenty-year career where she led R&D, manufacturing, product design, marketing, and growing market share during some of the most dynamic and challenging retail environments. Kim is passionate about helping women in poverty and used her leadership and roles in companies to help develop and implement an industry-leading approach that provides opportunities for women providing true living wages that allow team members to have real opportunities and thrive and break the cycle of poverty.  You will hear in this episode how Kim is finishing a mid-career sabbatical and entering the second phase of her career with new insights, motivations, and goals of how to best serve and inspire those around her and the next generation of leaders.  Kim has studied finance at Queen’s University and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School President’s Program. She also just completed Oxford University’s “Reimagining Leadership Executive Program.”  Kim is a member of the Young President’s Organization (YPO) and has been a chapter chair and education chair, and has previously been on the Canadian board for YPO/WPO. Kim provides incredible insight and learning from her journey. As you will hear, Kim  is a close friend of mine whom I have a great deal of respect and admiration. I have watched her over the past decade lead in many different environments. She consistently demonstrates class and grace while being tenacious in achieving every goal and overcoming any obstacle in her way. She is loved by all our classmates because she has a true servant-leader heart and cares about everyone she meets. Show Notes:(13:11) - Kim realizes a key to her success was to get near leadership and learn from people who had results.(17:30) - Kim gives advice to young people starting their careers today.Quote - "Success Leaves Clues"(23:00) - Discussion of the "Imposter Syndrome." (27:00) - The power of testing your assumptions.(29:00) - Kim talks about the importance and her learnings of taking a mid-career sabbatical.(41:00) - Bob and Kim discuss work-life balance and the challenge of going all in early in your career to achieve while still seeking balance.(48:45) - "My mess is my message."(49:30) - What Kim learned leading her company during COVID. "Cash is King and get lean fast!"Quote - "No decision is a decision and it is the worst decision you can make!"(1:00:45) - Kim talks about changes in the e-commerce business and what business leaders need to do. (1:07:00) - The importance of having a real relationship with your customer...connection with them.(1:10:00) - Advice to mid-career professionals who must leap a new direction or career.(1:16:00) - The importance of having a global perspective.(1:25:00) - Kim is thinking about using her island retreat as a retreat for other leaders needing a sabbatical in their career. (1:30:00) - What would Kim say to the American and Canadian people if she was given the chance to give a "State of the Union" address?Quote "Progress over perfection!"Book Recommendations:- Untethered Soul - The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael Singer- Fearless Heart - Why Greater Compassion is the Key to Greater Well-Being by Thupten Jinpa- Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni- EOS - Gino Wickman
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Jul 29, 2023 • 1h 58min

Charting the Course: A Visionary's Journey Through Leadership and Life - Adam Eiseman

Adam is the CEO and founder of the Lloyd Group, a prominent managed service provider for small and medium-sized businesses that provide services like asset management, help desk support, project management, cybersecurity, IT governance, and cloud services. Under Adam’s 28 years of leadership, the Lloyd Group has been named on the list of Inc 500 and Inc 5000 fastest-growing companies in America, along with many other accolades and recognitions, including employee satisfaction and corporate culture. Adam has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Adelphi University and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School President’s Program. He also completed the Entrepreneurs Organization MIT Birthing of Giants Program. Adam is a member of YPO (Young President’s Organization) and serves as the Learning Alliance Champion, and was the Chair of the Harvard Business School President’s Program. Show Notes:(11:00) - The key to growth and transformation is moving from thinking you know everything to admitting you know nothing and starting a lifelong journey of self-discovery and lifelong learning.(12:00) - Adam created six "Truth North Objectives" to measure everything against to ensure he did not waste any more of his life and stayed on track what is his "True North."1 - Have a supportive fun, accepting, relationship with my spouse. 2 - Instill a sense of responsibility and humility in my children.3 - Have a transparent and deep relationship with my children.4 - Have a life of no regrets and fear will not stop me.5 - Achieve a state of acceptance of myself and others.6 - Have a balance of unplanned time with value-producing activities.(19:42) - What is a painted picture exercise? Why is this important for people to do.(23:30) - Why working at McDonalds was one of the most formative jobs he had in his life."Hold your kids with open palms."(27:00) - "Your network is your net worth!" (29:35) - Adam and Sarah started their business in 1995 with a simple but profound Noble Purpose. "To create opportunities to learn, earn, and live better!" It all centers around building a team and community. "You need to put a process around your relationships!"(37:00) - How did Adam get started in business, accounting, and entrepreneurship?(41:00) - Everything I deal with in business is people related. Adam shares how the smartest people in the world with poor people skills get passed up and don't advance in their careers. (46:00) - The most successful people have consistent integrity."One of the things I regret most is conversations I have had when I was still emotional about it."You need great relationships with friends who are not afraid to call you on your crap."(1:03:00) - Executive education programs are designed for people who want to enhance the education and lives of their peers.(1:05:00) - How to design a world-class educational event program. (Connect people, Get People Committed, Get People Uncomfortable)(1:15:00) - What does Adam see as similar or different with EO, Vistage, and YPO? (1:22:00) - We didn't focus on building a company...we focused on building a community! (1:33:00) - How is AI changing the world? "What I am most worried about is if in the past what you learned depreciated every five years it is now every 2-3 years. I am most concerned with people not lifelong learners, not subscribing to MasterClass, and not using Coursera.org. These are the people that will become irrelevant and will not get new jobs."(1:36:00) - Adam's three core values are "Be Human, Be Accountable, and Be Better!" "Younger people see opportunity and as you get older you see things as threats and move into protection mode."(1:46:00) - "I want to double click on that!" :)(1:50:00) - "If the American President asked Adam to give a State of the Union Address to the american people what would he say?"
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May 8, 2023 • 1h 40min

Lebanon - The Cross Roads Between East and West - Richard Haykel

Richard Haykel is the Chairman of Haykel Hospital S.A.L. in Tripoli, Lebanon and Executive Director of CARA Ventures, LLC.  Richie has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Tufts University, a Master’s of Hospital and Health Care Administration and Management from the University of Paris Cite. He is also a Harvard Business School Executive Program graduate and OPM 49. Richie is a member of the Young President’s Organization (YPO) and is home based in Tripoli, Lebanon. Show Notes:Lebanon has always been at the crossroads between East and West. "It plays a role much bigger than its geography."A $6 tax for What's App launched the Oct 2019 revolution.(11:30) The financial system collapse has led to 80% of the population in poverty, runs on banks, life savings wiped out for many. Prior to this, the poverty rate was around 20%. Overnight, a majority of the population was plunged into poverty.(20:00) "Morally, we needed to walk the talk with our kids." We came back to make a difference!"Everything rises and falls on leadership." - John Maxwell(22:45) What are the warning signs that this could be coming to your country?(30:00) Why are we starting to see a reverse migration from America?(31:00) Why are tenured professors at Columbia and Princeton afraid of losing their job?(37:00) There is no dollar alternative at the moment.(46:00) Bitcoin, crypto winter, FTX collapse and the future of cryptocurrencies...and real estate?(49:00) How did the pandemic impact the middle east and Lebanon? Lebanon has the ability to adapt.(54:00) How does Hezbollah impact everything in Lebanon today?(56:00) What is the impact of Saudi Arabia and MBS in the middle east?(1:04:00) The pivot to Asia has destroyed the trust of the United States in the middle east.(1:18:00) Why do you invest so much in advanced education and continued education later in your career?(1:24:00) Book Recommendations - Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell, Deep Purpose by Ranjay Gulati, Glass Half Broken by Boris Groysberg Podcast "After Hours"(1:30:00) Leadership insights while leading during a crisis.(1:34:00) What would Richie say to the American people if he was asked to give a State of the Union address?
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May 3, 2023 • 1h 41min

Life Lessons and Investing Strategies with Grant Johnson - Managing Director Benevolent Capital

Grant Johnson, Managing Director of Benevolent Capital, discusses his career journey and the importance of character in hiring. He shares a personal story of learning resilience and highlights the significance of tenacity. The podcast also touches on Warren Buffet's approach to investing and the success of investing in non-alcoholic brands. Throughout the episode, Grant emphasizes the value of open dialogue, empowering daughters, and the unique aspects of their investment strategy.
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May 1, 2023 • 54min

Jess Mah - Entrepreneurship Lessons from a Unicorn Breeder

Entrepreneurship lessons from Jess Mah, founder of billion-dollar businesses. Starting young, seeking mentors, and embracing challenges. Insights on mindset, growth, and optimism in the competitive entrepreneurial world. Exploring future innovations in longevity and biosciences, rapid progress in medical advancements, and the impact of outsiders on industries. Optimistic outlook on America's future highlighted.
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Mar 27, 2023 • 1h 12min

Sustainably Feeding the World from the Desert - Miguel Calatayud

Miguel Calatayud is the CEO and Director of IWI, an innovative algae nutrition company building sustainable and scalable nutritious food to feed the world’s growing population. He has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Universidad Pública de Navarra, a Master’s of Finance from ESIC, a Master's of Global Logistics from ICIL, an MBA from Comilas Pontifical University, and also graduated from the Harvard Business School President's Program. Miguel is a member of the Young President’s Organization (YPO) and is home based in Houston, Texas. He has spent the past 25 years in the food and agriculture industries and is now helping to revolutionize both with new food tech and agri-tech.  His revolutionary technology uses non-arable land, salt water, and the sun as their energy source to produce the world’s best omega-3 and complex proteins. In the process, he is creating jobs and new industries for local populations. IWILife.com has been featured on CNN, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, The Guardian, Fast Company, and many other outlets. Show Notes:Algae omega has three times the absorption rate of fish oil omega.Algae protein is better than egg and whey, has all the amino acids needed, and is highly soluble.You can grow 20 pounds of essential amino acids per acre of peas per year, 71 pounds of essential amino acids of beef per acre, per year, but with algae, you can grow 6,000 pounds of essential amino acids per acre per year! This is a massive breakthrough!Furthermore, it does not use current freshwater or agricultural land but rather previously unusable desert land and salt water. You need 9,000 gallons of fresh water to produce 1 pound of amino acids from peas, and 17,000 gallons of fresh water to produce 1 pound of essential amino acids from beef, and with algae, they use ZERO fresh water.(11:00) - Miguel tells his origin story and the idea behind IWILife.com in 2016.Miguel announces the launch of a new product, a three-ounce protein drink with 17 grams of natural protein that has all the branch chain amino acids better than egg and whey. 33% of daily needed protein...an "8-hour protein!"The three most important aspects of a successful food, drink, or protein...Miguel says it is "Taste, Taste, Taste!"(19:30) Miguel shares his go-to-market strategy.(21:30) Miguel shares how he builds and grows a company during a difficult economy post-COVID."The challenge is everything we are doing is new. This is also a new category. We have to explain it to the customer." Strong clinical studies on the product and thousands of consumers raving about the product is helping growth."Many times in life, you have to choose between making an impact or doing a profitable business. In our case, they are both the same!"We are democratizing farming and making great, profitable products.(27:00) - "If you want to build a successful business, you need to convince the consumer that your product is better than the current best product in the market."(32:00) - The middle east has what we need, "Sun, Sand, Salt Water." "Our people are not just motivated by a job or career...they know they are doing something that will change the world. It is bigger than us." It is all about having a purpose-driven motivation over an economic motivation.What are the Top 5 that Miguel focuses on: The Boss = The Customer...are you listening to their needs and what they are telling you?The Team = Have you hired the right team with the right motivations and culture?The Partners = Your suppliers and retailers are a critical component to your operation.The Community = Are you positively impacting the community where you work?The Investors = Do you have the right investors helping you?(47:00) - What is going on with Agri-Tech and Food-Tech today? How is the world advancing in these areas?(51:00) - The city of Houston food bank provides 151 million meals a year to food-insecure people! This is between 400-600K meals a day!Book RecommendationsExtreme Ownership - Jocko Willnik Life 3.0: Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence - Max TegmarkHuman Compatible: Artificial Intelligence and the Problem of Control - Stuart Russell(1:04:00) - How would Miguel encourage people to be big dreamers and try to do what others say is impossible?There is no such thing as a dream too big. However, there is a tipping point between dreaming and doing...that is called having a plan.

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