

HawkeTalk
Erik Huberman
No one decides to wake up one day, walk across Antarctica, or leave their bohemian parents and join the Navy Seals. Or any number of crazy, amazing things that people do. These aren’t the dreams most kids have. And yet, fascinating people have done them. How? Why? HawkeTalk is a podcast all about the origin stories of the most interesting people in the world. Today, you know our guests are famous athletes, authors, and entrepreneurs, but there’s so much more to the story. How did they navigate upbringings that seem so far from what they eventually became? What pivotal moments steered them in a new and fascinating direction forever? Buckle up: Everyone loves a good origin story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 30, 2024 • 42min
126. Marcellus Wiley: NFL All-Pro and CEO of Project Transition
Have you ever imagined what it takes to defy the odds, transform limitations into stepping stones, and conquer the seemingly insurmountable? Meet the man who has not only asked this question but has lived it.In today's episode, we are thrilled to welcome Marcellus Wiley, a powerhouse of inspiration. Marcellus shares his compelling life story, detailing his journey from a childhood marked by health challenges to becoming a professional athlete. Wiley recounts his early love for sports, his transition from golf to football, and the importance of education and personal growth. He reflects on his NFL career, his disciplined approach to financial management, and his post-retirement success in broadcasting. Wiley also discusses his current roles in media and education, emphasizing the value of personal accountability and the impact of empowering youth through his foundation, Project Transition. His narrative is a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of a positive mindset.In this episode: (00:37) Introduction (01:29) Early childhood and health complications(02:27) Family background(03:35) Early interests and health struggles(04:24) First experience with sports(06:55) Transition to football(08:09) Motivation and ambition(10:47) Family influence(11:13) Early setbacks in football(16:08) Shift in perspective(18:08) College experience(18:37) The Cul-de-sac of Football(20:11) Fork in the Road Kid(22:05) Belief in Personal Accountability(24:38) Realization of NFL Potential(27:06) Draft Experience and Teammates(30:26) Financial Discipline(35:38) Transition from NFL to Broadcasting(37:07) Teaching and Football(37:51) Career Progression(38:21) Media Landscape and Future Plans(39:06) Project Transition and Achieving Greatness(41:40) Final ThoughtHawke Mediahttps://www.linkedin.com/company/hawkemedia/https://www.instagram.com/hawkemedia/?hl=en https://hawkemedia.com/https://twitter.com/hawkemediahttps://www.facebook.com/hawkemedia/ About Marcellus Wiley Marcellus Wiley, former NFL All-Pro, entrepreneur, multi-media brand ambassador, philanthropist, and author, excels in every endeavor. From the gridiron to the global stage, he inspires with his athleticism, business acumen, and commitment to social change. A true leader, Wiley's influence resonates across industries, empowering others to achieve greatness. Marcellus WileyMarcellus Wiley – Website Marcellus Wiley – LinkedInMarcellus Wiley- Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 30, 2024 • 1min
[Trailer] Marcellus Wiley: NFL All-Pro and CEO of Project Transition
Have you ever imagined what it takes to defy the odds, transform limitations into stepping stones, and conquer the seemingly insurmountable? Meet the man who has not only asked this question but has lived it.In today's episode, we are thrilled to welcome Marcellus Wiley, a powerhouse of inspiration. Marcellus shares his compelling life story, detailing his journey from a childhood marked by health challenges to becoming a professional athlete. Wiley recounts his early love for sports, his transition from golf to football, and the importance of education and personal growth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 23, 2024 • 47min
125. Tim Armstrong: CEO of Flowcode & Interactive Advertising Bureau Hall of Fame Member
In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, the stories of pioneers like Tim Armstrong highlight the power of innovation, adaptability, and the indomitable human spirit.Today's guest is Tim Armstrong, who is synonymous with resilience, adaptability, and entrepreneurial drive. Armstrong shares his journey post-Verizon, leading to the founding of his company, Flowcode. Inspired by the widespread use of QR codes in China, Flowcode aims to connect offline and online experiences seamlessly. Armstrong emphasizes the importance of building a solid team and maintaining a long-term vision. He advises treating work as a craft, cautioning against the pitfalls of short-term thinking often fueled by social media. Armstrong advocates for perseverance and dedication to achieve true expertise, drawing insightful parallels between business and personal endeavors, such as parenting or training for the Olympics.In this episode: (00:00:27) - Introduction to Tim Armstrong(00:01:04) - Family Background and Professions (00:03:44) - Interests and Aspirations (00:07:09) - College Experience and Career Path (00:12:26) - Transition to Publishing and Media (00:17:53) - Transition to Internet Industry (00:19:44) - The vision for the internet (00:20:47) - Working at Star Wave (00:24:07) - Transition to Disney (00:28:32) - Transition to Google (00:33:14) - Leadership at AOL (00:36:22) - Reflecting on the AOL experience (00:38:35) - Post-AOL career contemplation (00:40:08) - Exploring Offline Trends in China (00:41:00) - Origin Story of Flow Code (00:42:15) - Building the Best Team (00:43:56) - Craft Over Career Hawke Mediahttps://www.linkedin.com/company/hawkemedia/https://www.instagram.com/hawkemedia/?hl=en https://hawkemedia.com/https://twitter.com/hawkemediahttps://www.facebook.com/hawkemedia/ About Tim Armstrong Tim Armstrong (born December 21, 1970) is an American business executive known for his leadership in the tech and media industries. He was the CEO of Oath Inc., a Verizon subsidiary that included AOL and Yahoo! Before that, he served as CEO of AOL Inc. from 2009 until its acquisition by Verizon in 2015. Armstrong began his career in journalism and became prominent for his expertise in online advertising sales in the 1990s. He held significant positions at Google, including President of Google's Americas Operations. Armstrong has a background in economics and sociology from Connecticut College and has contributed significantly to the growth and transformation of digital media companies. Tim ArmstrongTim Armstrong – Website Tim Armstrong – LinkedInTim Armstrong- Twitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 23, 2024 • 2min
[Trailer] Tim Armstrong: CEO of Flowcode & Interactive Advertising Bureau Hall of Fame Member
In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, the stories of pioneers like Tim Armstrong highlight the power of innovation, adaptability, and the indomitable human spirit.Today's guest is Tim Armstrong, who is synonymous with resilience, adaptability, and entrepreneurial drive. Armstrong shares his journey post-Verizon, leading to the founding of his company, Flowcode. Inspired by the widespread use of QR codes in China, Flowcode aims to connect offline and online experiences seamlessly. Armstrong emphasizes the importance of building a solid team and maintaining a long-term vision. He advises treating work as a craft, cautioning against the pitfalls of short-term thinking often fueled by social media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 16, 2024 • 46min
124. Moha Bensofia: CEO of Mendi and Leading Innovator in Brainwave Evolution
Explore the inspiring story of Moha Bensofia, a prominent business leader making waves today. Despite facing challenges, Moha's journey to becoming the CEO of Mendi is a beacon of inspiration. Join us as Moha shares how he conquered adversity, transforming setbacks into stepping stones for success. From navigating through Costa Rica and Libya to embracing his passion for health and family, this episode of HawkeTalk offers a profound insight into resilience and determination. Discover how Moha's experiences will motivate you to overcome obstacles and pursue your dreams.In this episode:(1:24) – Moha gives his backstory.(5:23) – Moha describes how his parents’ personalities helped him become who he is.(10:20) – Moving to a new school and speaking a new language provides a platform for his success.(16:08) – Moha discusses his most amazing hero, Aron Anderson, and why he admires this person.(21:04) – Life for Moha after college.(25:36) – Moha doesn’t consider himself a full entrepreneur.(31:30) – Moha tells how his name came to be.(32:30) – Moha and his friend Sophia begin their entrepreneurial path in Costa Rica.(33:01) – Raising money in Libya.(33:47) – Moha joins Fish Brain and starts helping the company scale up.(36:03) – Moha takes the Fish Brain model and applies it to other companies.(38:44) – Mendi and other ventures Moha is involved in are discussed.(40:59) – His partners become his family.(41:24) – The projects he is most excited about are discussed.(42:30) – New challenges on the horizon for Moha. Our Guest Meet Moha Bensofia, a dynamic entrepreneur and investor whose journey is inspiring. From turning around a failing company at just 25 to leading Mendi, a cutting-edge brain training company, Moha's story is one of transformation and triumph. His passion for unlocking the brain's potential makes him a standout figure in business and neuroscience. Join us as we explore Moha's incredible journey—a testament to resilience and the power of innovation.Resources and LinksHawke Mediahttps://www.linkedin.com/company/hawkemedia/ https://www.instagram.com/hawkemedia/?hl=en https://hawkemedia.com/ https://twitter.com/hawkemediahttps://www.facebook.com/hawkemedia/Moha Bensofiahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/moha-bensofia-99ba6615/https://www.facebook.com/moha.bensofia https://www.instagram.com/mohabensofia/https://twitter.com/bensofiamoha?lang=en Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 16, 2024 • 1min
[Trailer] Moha Bensofia: CEO of Mendi and Leading Innovator in Brainwave Evolution
Explore the inspiring story of Moha Bensofia, a prominent business leader making waves today. Despite facing challenges, Moha's journey to becoming the CEO of Mendi is a beacon of inspiration. Join us as Moha shares how he conquered adversity, transforming setbacks into stepping stones for success. From navigating through Costa Rica and Libya to embracing his passion for health and family, this episode of HawkeTalk offers a profound insight into resilience and determination. Discover how Moha's experiences will motivate you to overcome obstacles and pursue your dreams. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 9, 2024 • 47min
123. Isaac Boots: New York Times' Breakout Star of Virtual Fitness
‘Tough times don’t last, tough people do’ is a cliché we’ve all heard a time or two. It’s a phrase coined by the one and only Robert H. Schuller, a noted evangelist and public speaker who garnered fans, followers, and admiration during his life. The phrase simply means that people who can get through and come out on the other side during a tough bout in life have developed the resilience and fortitude to survive anything. This belief is what separates the ordinary from the extraordinary and continues to be the mantra of millions of overcomers. Today on HawkeTalk, I sit with Isaac Boots. Isaac is a man who overcame his fair share of dark days, growing up impoverished in Hawaii and ostracized by family and friends. He never blinked, instead maintaining a singular focus on what he wanted and how he saw himself, which ultimately led to him building the life he’s currently enjoying. We sit and discuss his journey from slumming on the floors of NYU to making it on Broadway to Torch’d – his latest endeavor that is taking the fitness world by storm!In this episode:(2:05) – Isaac reveals that he is a product of teen parents.(5:00) – His upbringing prepared him for his move to New York City and, later, Hollywood. (10:37) – At the age of five, Isaac realized he was gay. (15:21) – Living on the floor of a friend in NYU.(22:00) – West Side Story leads to bigger things for Isaac, including 12 years on Broadway.(25:02) – The strategy that came with being on Broadway for 12 years. (29:10) – A pivotal call comes five days after West Side Story ends.(29:51) – Brooke Shields!(30:20) – His career as a choreographer takes flight.(35:45) – The word about Torch’d gets out in the Los Angeles streets. (40:48) – The pandemic expands the Torch’d brand and helps serve a larger purpose. (45:34) – Your only competition is you.Our GuestBorn and raised in Hawaii, Isaac is a celebrity trainer, choreographer, and Broadway dancer with a long list of credits to his name. While using his experience crafting routines on the main stages of the pop music world and training artists to sculpt their bodies in preparation for their demanding projects, Isaac created TORCH’D, a sustainable workout that burns fat, builds stamina, and achieves visible results.Resources and LinksHawke Mediahttps://www.linkedin.com/company/hawkemedia/https://www.instagram.com/hawkemedia/?hl=en https://hawkemedia.com/https://twitter.com/hawkemediahttps://www.facebook.com/hawkemedia/Isaac Bootshttps://isaacboots.com/pages/abouthttp://instagram.com/isaacbootshttps://twitter.com/isaacbootshttps://www.facebook.com/isaac.calpito.9 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 9, 2024 • 2min
[Trailer] Isaac Boots: New York Times' Breakout Star of Virtual Fitness
'Tough times don’t last, tough people do’ is a cliché we’ve all heard a time or two. It’s a phrase coined by the one and only Robert H. Schuller, a noted evangelist and public speaker who garnered fans, followers, and admiration during his life. The phrase simply means that people who can get through and come out on the other side during a tough bout in life have developed the resilience and fortitude to survive anything. This belief is what separates the ordinary from the extraordinary and continues to be the mantra of millions of overcomers. Today on HawkeTalk, I sit with Isaac Boots. Isaac is a man who overcame his fair share of dark days, growing up impoverished in Hawaii and ostracized by family and friends. He never blinked, instead maintaining a singular focus on what he wanted and how he saw himself, which ultimately led to him building the life he’s currently enjoying. We sit and discuss his journey from slumming on the floors of NYU to making it on Broadway to Torch’d – his latest endeavor that is taking the fitness world by storm! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 2, 2024 • 40min
122. Anna Tobias: Olympic Gold Medalist and World Champion Sailor
Every four years, millions of viewers sit in front of their screens to watch the Olympics. Viewers are awed by the immense athletic gifts they see in front of them, stirred by medal ceremonies, and often walk away with the thought that one day the person on that podium could be them. But in reality, only a handful of people have what it takes to make that dream become a reality. It takes hard work, dedication, and a level of discipline that is unimaginable to the common person. My guest today is Anna Tobias, and she is one of the few who have sat, watched the Olympics, and decided that would be her destiny. A native of Dunkirk, England, Anna was exposed to the sport of sailing at an early age. It wasn’t, however until she landed in the United States did that interest transform into a passion, a passion that would lead to her becoming a fixture on the Olympic and World Championships stage. Today she stops by to talk with us about how she found her calling, the struggles she had along the way, and why she’s targeting the 2024 Paris Olympics for her comeback. It’s an amazing conversation with an incredible competitor.In this episode(2:34) – Anna reveals that she has been sailing since the age of 2.(5:31) – Anna ran cross-country track and other sports during high school. (11:51) – Losing her mental edge helps put everything into perspective. (17:01) – Falling flat in her first international event. (21:41) – The impact of the third-place finish on her Olympic dreams. (25:31) – Just sail and go for it and get the Gold was her attitude!(30:00) – The London Olympics and retirement. (30:40) – Anna laments the costly mistakes that cost her gold in 2012.(35:57) – Anna gets back into sailing and still competing in CrossFit. (37:27) – Anna reveals how and why she got her sailing passion back. (38:03) – Her desire is for an American to bring home the gold in 2024.Our GuestAnna Tobias, a successful American sailor and former Olympic gold medalist in the laser radial class (2008), transitioned to CrossFit in 2011 during her preparation for the 2012 Olympics. Although she qualified for the Southeast CrossFit Regional, Tobias opted to prioritize her Olympic training. In 2013, she made her CrossFit Games debut, consistently ranking in the top 22 in subsequent years, achieving her personal best of 9th place. Notably, Tobias claimed the overall victory in the Masters Class at the 2018 CrossFit Games. Today, she dedicates her time to training, coaching other athletes, and managing T2 CrossFit in South Fayette, Pennsylvania. Hawke Mediahttps://www.linkedin.com/company/hawkemedia/https://www.instagram.com/hawkemedia/?hl=en https://hawkemedia.com/https://twitter.com/hawkemediahttps://www.facebook.com/hawkemedia/Anna Tobiashttps://www.instagram.com/atunnicliffetobias/https://www.ussailing.org/news/coach/anna-tobias/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 2, 2024 • 42sec
[Trailer] Anna Tobias: Olympic Gold Medalist and World Champion Sailor
Every four years, millions of viewers sit in front of their screens to watch the Olympics. Viewers are awed by the immense athletic gifts they see in front of them, stirred by medal ceremonies, and often walk away with the thought that one day the person on that podium could be them. But in reality, only a handful of people have what it takes to make that dream become a reality. It takes hard work, dedication, and a level of discipline that is unimaginable to the common person. My guest today is Anna Tobias, and she is one of the few who have sat, watched the Olympics, and decided that would be her destiny. A native of Dunkirk, England, Anna was exposed to the sport of sailing at an early age. It wasn’t, however until she landed in the United States did that interest transform into a passion, a passion that would lead to her becoming a fixture on the Olympic and World Championships stage. Today she stops by to talk with us about how she found her calling, the struggles she had along the way, and why she’s targeting the 2024 Paris Olympics for her comeback. It’s an amazing conversation with an incredible competitor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


