In Search Of Excellence

John Terzian is the co-founder of The h.wood Group, one of the most influential hospitality companies in the world, known for creating iconic venues like The Nice Guy, Delilah, Bootsy Bellows, and Shore Bar. But before he built an empire in nightlife and dining, John’s path was anything but conventional. From working as a DJ assistant to getting banned from the Queen Mary for throwing an out-of-control college party, John’s journey is filled with unforgettable twists, relentless hustle, and big risks. A former USC walk-on quarterback and Pepperdine law school grad who never passed the bar, John chose to follow his passion for creating experiences over traditional career paths. In this episode, he opens up about growing up in L.A., being harassed by corrupt cops, dealing with failure, and how grit, creativity, and real relationships helped him build a global brand from the ground up.Timestamps:00:00 – Wild Nightlife Stories12:00 – Delilah, Club Economics, and Keeping a Venue Cool21:30 – OnlyFans, Gen Z, and the Decline of Club Culture32:15 – The Chicken in the Nightclub and the 1MDB Scandal45:00 – Brand Loyalty, Extreme Preparation, and Running the Long Game56:30 – Media, Magic Johnson, and the Future of H.WoodResources:The h.wood Group WebsiteThe h.wood Group InstagramJohn's InstagramThe h.wood Group Media InstagramCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

John Terzian is the co-founder of The h.wood Group, one of the most influential hospitality companies in the world, known for creating iconic venues like The Nice Guy, Delilah, Bootsy Bellows, and Shore Bar. But before he built an empire in nightlife and dining, John’s path was anything but conventional. From working as a DJ assistant to getting banned from the Queen Mary for throwing an out-of-control college party, John’s journey is filled with unforgettable twists, relentless hustle, and big risks. A former USC walk-on quarterback and Pepperdine law school grad who never passed the bar, John chose to follow his passion for creating experiences over traditional career paths. In this episode, he opens up about growing up in L.A., being harassed by corrupt cops, dealing with failure, and how grit, creativity, and real relationships helped him build a global brand from the ground up.Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction and John's Childhood10:45 – USC Football, Recruiting, and the Roots of H.Wood’s Culture20:55 – Nightclubs, Celebrities, and the Birth of The h.wood Group35:30 – The Tea Room and Getting Shut Down by Corrupt Cops47:40 – Moving Back Home and Starting Over53:17 – Bootsy Bellows, Katy Perry, and the Breakthrough MomentResources:The h.wood Group WebsiteThe h.wood Group InstagramJohn's InstagramThe h.wood Group Media InstagramCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Grant Ellis is a reality TV star, entrepreneur, and former professional basketball player whose journey from the courts to prime-time television has captivated millions. Best known as the lead of The Bachelor, Grant's rise to fame began unexpectedly when his mother submitted his application for The Bachelorette, launching him into the national spotlight. However, his story goes far beyond dating on TV—Grant grew up navigating family struggles, a deep love for basketball, and the harsh realities of professional sports before pivoting into the world of finance and trading. From competing in the Dominican Republic’s professional basketball leagues to mastering financial markets, Grant has built a unique career through resilience, risk-taking, and self-belief. In this episode, he opens up about the lessons he’s learned from sports, reality TV, and business, sharing insights on relationships, financial literacy, personal growth, and the power of taking advantage of unexpected opportunities.Timestamps00:00 – Introduction 09:45 – Growing Up in Sports 23:30 – Losing Everything in Day Trading 38:10 – How Grant Became ‘The Bachelor’ 58:20 – The Reality of Fame 1:17:00 – Fill in the Blank to ExcellenceResourcesGrant's InstagramThe Bachelor on ABCCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Andy Elliott is a powerhouse in the world of sales training, leadership, and personal transformation. From a tough childhood filled with hardship and rejection, Andy turned his struggles into the fuel that made him one of the most successful sales coaches in history. As the founder of The Elliott Group, he has trained over 600,000 people and helped more than 13,000 companies scale their businesses through his cutting-edge sales techniques and mindset strategies. With a no-nonsense approach to personal growth, business success, and extreme resilience, Andy has built a career on breaking the mold and pushing people beyond their limits. In this episode, he shares his journey from being the least likely to succeed to becoming a self-made leader in sales and motivation, offering powerful lessons in overcoming adversity, mastering confidence, and taking complete ownership of your success.Timestamps00:00 – Building a Winning Culture 12:28 – The Three Most Important Traits for Success in Sales and Life 28:34 – Handling Criticism and Haters 38:54 – The Secret to Hiring 50:17 – Fill in the Blank to ExcellenceResourcesAndy's InstagramThe Elliott GroupCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Andy Elliott is a powerhouse in the world of sales training, leadership, and personal transformation. From a tough childhood filled with hardship and rejection, Andy turned his struggles into the fuel that made him one of the most successful sales coaches in history. As the founder of The Elliott Group, he has trained over 600,000 people and helped more than 13,000 companies scale their businesses through his cutting-edge sales techniques and mindset strategies. With a no-nonsense approach to personal growth, business success, and extreme resilience, Andy has built a career on breaking the mold and pushing people beyond their limits. In this episode, he shares his journey from being the least likely to succeed to becoming a self-made leader in sales and motivation, offering powerful lessons in overcoming adversity, mastering confidence, and taking complete ownership of your success.Timestamps00:00 – Introduction12:15 – Andy's Childhood33:40 – Andy's Transition to Sales53:17 – Andy's Start in Sales, Mindset, and Self-Development1:22:20 – The Strategy Behind Andy’s Business GrowthResourcesAndy's InstagramThe Elliott GroupCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Matt Barnes is a former NBA player, entrepreneur, and media personality whose journey from a turbulent childhood to professional basketball stardom is a story of resilience, grit, and determination. Growing up in a racially diverse yet challenging environment, Matt faced adversity both on and off the court, fueling his drive to succeed. After being overlooked in high school and college, his relentless work ethic led him to a 14-year NBA career, where he played for teams like the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, and Los Angeles Clippers, ultimately winning an NBA Championship with the Warriors in 2017. Beyond basketball, Matt has become a prominent voice in sports media, co-hosting the popular podcast All the Smoke and advocating for social issues, fatherhood, and personal growth. His journey from underdog to champion offers powerful lessons in perseverance, self-belief, and the importance of staying true to oneself.Timestamps0:00:00 - Introduction and Family Life0:05:38 - Racism in School and Childhood Challenges0:26:00 - Playing with and Learning from Kobe0:33:58 -  Matt's NBA Career1:13:54 - Importance of Being a Team Player1:32:27 -  Matt's Thoughts on Caitlin Clark1:46:08 - Drugs in the NBA1:55:55 - The Truth about the Derek Fisher Fight2:02:47 - Tupac and Fill in the Blank to ExcellenceResourcesAll the Smoke PodcastMatt's InstagramCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

In this episode, we explore into the transformative journey of Garrett J. White, founder of the Wake Up Warrior movement. From his early successes in investment banking and real estate to facing personal and professional collapse during the 2008 financial crisis, Garrett's story is one of resilience and reinvention. He shares how hitting rock bottom led him to develop the "Warrior's Way," a system designed to help men achieve balance across body, being, balance, and business. Join us as we explore Garrett's insights on overcoming adversity, redefining masculinity, and building a life of purpose and authenticity.Timestamps00:00 - Introduction and Garrett's Childhood05:55 - Hearing God's Voice and Leaving Mormonism21:00 - Abuse as a Child37:28 - His Marriage Wake Up Call48:40 - Advice on Getting a Divorce and the Divorce Diet1:03:01 - Garrett's Business Background1:07:30 - Garrett's Wake Up Warrior ProgramResourcesGarrett's InstagramWake Up Warrior ProgramCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Doug Evans is a serial health food entrepreneur and author, renowned for his pioneering contributions to the natural food industry. In 2002, he co-founded Organic Avenue, one of the first exclusively organic plant-based retail chains in the United States, aiming to make healthy living more accessible. He later founded Juicero, one of the first at-home cold-pressed juicing system, with the mission of bringing more fresh produce to the home and subsequently raising $120 million to fund the company. An avid sprouter for over 25 years, Doug authored 'The Sprout Book' to educate others on the benefits of sprouts and sprouting. Currently residing in the Mojave Desert at Wonder Valley Hot Springs, Doug continues to inspire others to embrace nutritious, plant-based lifestyles.Timestamps00:00 – Introduction07:45 – Growing Up in New York18:10 – Life-Changing Moment32:30 – Co-Founding Organic Avenue46:15 – Raising $120M with Juicero1:02:55 – Rebuilding After Failure1:19:40 – The Magic of Sprouts1:31:20 – Practical Sprouting1:42:10 – The Simplicity of Nature2:00:25 – Why the Modern Food System is Failing Us2:18:40 – Doug’s Daily Routine2:37:55 – The Role of Mindset2:55:30 – Importance of Resilience3:12:15 – Closing ThoughtsResources- Doug's Instagram- The Sprout Book- The Sprouting Company Coaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Ilaria Resta is the CEO of Audemars Piguet, one of the world’s oldest and most exclusive luxury watch brands, renowned for its tradition of craftsmanship and innovation. Before leading AP, Ilaria served as President and CEO of Firmenich, a family-owned Swiss company that creates perfumes for iconic brands like Saint Laurent, Gucci, and Hugo Boss, with annual revenues exceeding $3 billion. Her career began at Procter & Gamble, where she spent 23 years shaping some of the most recognizable consumer brands, including Tide, Pantene, and Head & Shoulders. Born and raised in Naples, Italy, Ilaria’s journey from modest beginnings to the pinnacle of luxury and leadership exemplifies her values of resilience, learning, and leaving a meaningful legacy. Ilaria offers invaluable insights into leadership, breaking barriers, and the art of building lasting relationships.Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction: Ilaria Resta on Love, Learning, and Legacy01:47 – The Watch Market: Who Buys Luxury Watches and Why?06:20 – Emotional Connections: Watches as Memory Holders and Style Statements12:08 – Women in Watchmaking: Closing the Gender Gap in Luxury Watches16:54 – Limited Supply: Why AP Watches Are Hard to Find and the Secondary Market20:00 – Rule-Breaking in Watchmaking: Innovation and Pushing Boundaries26:14 – Collaborations with Collectors and Artists: The John Mayer Example30:00 – Work-Life Balance: Advice for Women and Men on Choosing Success34:47 – Closing Reflections: Love What You Do, Learn Constantly, and Leave a LegacyResources:Ilaria's LinkedInAudemars Piguet WebsiteAudemars Piguet Instagram Coaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Ilaria Resta is the CEO of Audemars Piguet, one of the world’s oldest and most exclusive luxury watch brands, renowned for its tradition of craftsmanship and innovation. Before leading AP, Ilaria served as President and CEO of Firmenich, a family-owned Swiss company that creates perfumes for iconic brands like Saint Laurent, Gucci, and Hugo Boss, with annual revenues exceeding $3 billion. Her career began at Procter & Gamble, where she spent 23 years shaping some of the most recognizable consumer brands, including Tide, Pantene, and Head & Shoulders. Born and raised in Naples, Italy, Ilaria’s journey from modest beginnings to the pinnacle of luxury and leadership exemplifies her values of resilience, learning, and leaving a meaningful legacy. Ilaria offers invaluable insights into leadership, breaking barriers, and the art of building lasting relationships.Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction: Ilaria Resta and the Legacy of Audemars Piguet02:12 – Growing Up in Naples: Traditional Values and Early Influences06:45 – The Pursuit of Excellence: Learning Feedback as a Gift12:00 – Falling in Love with Perfume: A Passion for Beauty and Design15:10 – Winning a Marketing Contest: From Financial Mathematics to Marketing17:44 – Lessons from 23 Years at Procter & Gamble: Decision-Making and Leadership22:51 – The Call from Audemars Piguet: Joining a New Industry27:27 – Mystery Shopping for Audemars Piguet: Testing the Customer Experience33:01 – Following a Legendary CEO: Balancing Legacy with Innovation37:57 – The Mission of Audemars Piguet: Innovation, Quality, and Client-Centricity42:26 – Onboarding at AP: Learning from the Ground UpResources: Ilaria's LinkedInAudemars Piguet WebsiteAudemars Piguet Instagram Coaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn