The Victory Degree

At 22, Mike Flynt was kicked out of college football for fighting.37 years later, at 59 years old, he went back to finish what he started.This is the unbelievable true story of regret, redemption, and second chances.We talk about adversity, character, faith, and what it really means to never quit.In this episode:• How Mike turned his biggest regret into his greatest comeback• The power of adversity and why quitting is never an option• Lessons on faith, character, and choosing to be great• What a 59-year-old linebacker can teach us about lifeConnect with Mike:🎥 Watch The Seniors in theaters Sept 19Website: mikeflynt.comConnect with Nik: Instagram: instagram.com/victorywithnik/Twitter: x.com/victorywithnikYouTube: youtube.com/@TheVictoryDegreeOther Episodes You May Enjoy:Josh DobbsSpotify: spoti.fi/4cmtQXuApple Podcasts: apple.co/4e9hmVBGeorge MumfordSpotify: spoti.fi/4bIywaRApple Podcasts: apple.co/45ltHBRDr. Jim LoehrSpotify: spoti.fi/3yyddu8Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3AcnX21

Derek Sivers built and sold CD Baby for $22 million, walked away from fame, and chose a radically simple life. In this conversation, Derek shares the unconventional rules, frameworks, and mindset shifts that shaped his journey from overcoming fear to redefining success.If you’ve ever wondered how to find clarity in a noisy world, escape the trap of endless “inputs,” or design a life that’s truly yours, this episode is for you.In this episode, we cover:• The lessons Derek learned from selling CD Baby for $22M• Why fame is overrated and the hidden downsides no one talks about• How to turn fear into confidence with one simple rule• The dangers of consuming without creating and how to “run the program”• Useful vs. true: the mental framework that changes everythingDerek’s perspective is both refreshing and deeply practical — equal parts philosophy and tactical playbook.Connect with Derek:Website: sive.rs/Connect with Nik: Instagram: instagram.com/victorywithnik/Twitter: x.com/victorywithnikYouTube: youtube.com/@TheVictoryDegreeOther Episodes You May Enjoy:Josh DobbsSpotify: spoti.fi/4cmtQXuApple Podcasts: apple.co/4e9hmVBGeorge MumfordSpotify: spoti.fi/4bIywaRApple Podcasts: apple.co/45ltHBRDr. Jim LoehrSpotify: spoti.fi/3yyddu8Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3AcnX21

What does it really take to push human limits? Brett Hawke — Olympian, world-renowned swim coach, and coach in the Enhanced Games — joins me to reveal the uncomfortable truths about elite performance.From why “working harder” is the most dangerous advice in sports, to how recovery, self-belief, and even delusional confidence separate good athletes from great ones, this conversation will change how you think about success.In this episode, we discuss:- How comparison can unlock human potential- The dangerous myth of “just work harder”- How recovery became the real key to elite performance- The mindset shift that turns fear into Olympic goldConnect with Brett:Twitter: x.com/insidewithBHInstagram: instagram.com/hawkebr/Connect with Nik: Instagram: instagram.com/victorywithnik/Twitter: x.com/victorywithnikYouTube: youtube.com/@TheVictoryDegreeOther Episodes You May Enjoy:Josh DobbsSpotify: spoti.fi/4cmtQXuApple Podcasts: apple.co/4e9hmVBGeorge MumfordSpotify: spoti.fi/4bIywaRApple Podcasts: apple.co/45ltHBRDr. Jim LoehrSpotify: spoti.fi/3yyddu8Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3AcnX21

In this episode of The Victory Degree Podcast, I sit down with Aaron Golub, the first legally blind Division I football player, to talk about his inspiring journey from being picked last in childhood sports to playing at Tulane University and becoming an NFL free agent. Aaron opens up about the adversity he faced, the lessons he’s learned, and why he believes anything is possible with the right mindset, hard work, and persistence.What we cover in this conversation:- Overcoming adversity: how Aaron’s blindness became the driving force behind his discipline, grit, and success- The value of failure: why rejection and loss can be the greatest teachers in sports, business, and life- Leadership and resilience: lessons from football, public speaking, and entrepreneurship- Self-belief and mindset: reframing fear, handling judgment, and setting goals with long-term horizonsConnect with Aaron:Twitter: x.com/aaronjgolubLinkedIn: instagram.com/aaronjgolub/Connect with Nik: Instagram: instagram.com/victorywithnik/Twitter: x.com/victorywithnikYouTube: youtube.com/@TheVictoryDegreeOther Episodes You May Enjoy:Josh DobbsSpotify: spoti.fi/4cmtQXuApple Podcasts: apple.co/4e9hmVBGeorge MumfordSpotify: spoti.fi/4bIywaRApple Podcasts: apple.co/45ltHBRDr. Jim LoehrSpotify: spoti.fi/3yyddu8Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3AcnX21

Preston Rutherford, co-founder of Chubbies, joins me to share the unfiltered truth about building a $100M brand, the struggles behind the success, and what he’s learned about entrepreneurship, mindset, and resilience.In this conversation, we cover:- How four Stanford friends turned a joke into a $100M brand- The hardest moments building Chubbies and how they overcame them- Why self-limiting beliefs stop most people from starting- The balance between performance marketing and long-term brand building- Preston’s new venture Marathon and what he’s focusing on todayConnect with Preston:Twitter: x.com/PrestonRuther10LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/prestonr/Connect with Nik: Instagram: instagram.com/victorywithnik/Twitter: x.com/victorywithnikYouTube: youtube.com/@TheVictoryDegreeOther Episodes You May Enjoy:Josh DobbsSpotify: spoti.fi/4cmtQXuApple Podcasts: apple.co/4e9hmVBGeorge MumfordSpotify: spoti.fi/4bIywaRApple Podcasts: apple.co/45ltHBRDr. Jim LoehrSpotify: spoti.fi/3yyddu8Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3AcnX21

Former Seahawks center Justin Britt opens up like never before. From the highs of playing in the Super Bowl to the lowest moments of his career, he reveals the untold truths about football, mental health, and life after the NFL.In this episode, we discuss:The Super Bowl XLIX play that still haunts himHis battle with depression and walking away from the NFLPete Carroll’s leadership and why it changed his lifeThe truth about playing with Russell Wilson and Marshawn LynchHow he found purpose again through running marathonsConnect with Justin:TikTok: tiktok.com/@justinbritt.68Instagram: instagram.com/justinbritt68Connect with Nik: Instagram: instagram.com/victorywithnik/Twitter: x.com/victorywithnikYouTube: youtube.com/@TheVictoryDegreeOther Episodes You May Enjoy:Josh DobbsSpotify: spoti.fi/4cmtQXuApple Podcasts: apple.co/4e9hmVBGeorge MumfordSpotify: spoti.fi/4bIywaRApple Podcasts: apple.co/45ltHBRDr. Jim LoehrSpotify: spoti.fi/3yyddu8Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3AcnX21

From being overlooked and doubted to earning a $76M contract with the Buffalo Bills, Christian Benford’s story is a masterclass in resilience, faith, and relentless self-belief.In this episode, we dive deep into:- The tears, doubt, and sacrifices that fueled his journey- Why regret hurts more than failure- How faith gave him unshakable confidence- The mindset shifts needed to go from high school to college to the NFL- Why character development is more important than talent- Balancing football, family, and faith without losing yourselfChristian opens up about the struggles behind the success, what it really means to “be you,” and how staying grounded in faith and love can transform everything. A real look at what it takes to succeed at the highest level, on and off the field.Connect with Christian:Website: christianbenford.comInstagram: instagram.com/thetruecb_/Buy Stylish Safari: bit.ly/4lzmogkConnect with Nik: Instagram: instagram.com/victorywithnik/Twitter: x.com/victorywithnikYouTube: youtube.com/@TheVictoryDegreeOther Episodes You May Enjoy:Josh DobbsSpotify: spoti.fi/4cmtQXuApple Podcasts: apple.co/4e9hmVBGeorge MumfordSpotify: spoti.fi/4bIywaRApple Podcasts: apple.co/45ltHBRDr. Jim LoehrSpotify: spoti.fi/3yyddu8Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3AcnX21

From high school phenom to “Mr. Irrelevant” in the NFL Draft, Chad Kelly’s journey has been anything but ordinary. In this conversation, the Grey Cup champion opens up about growing up in a legendary football family, the politics of the NFL, and the lessons he’s learned from both his triumphs and mistakes. Chad shares inside stories about Patrick Mahomes, Andrew Luck, and Aaron Donald, breaks down what really makes a great quarterback, and explains why he still believes he’s one of the top 32 quarterbacks in the world.Topics:Pressure of being Jim Kelly’s nephew and early QB developmentHow NFL politics impacted his chances in Denver and IndyOvercoming ACL and wrist injuries to keep playingPatrick Mahomes praising a legendary Ole Miss playAaron Donald telling him he should be starting in the NFLConnect with Chad:Twitter: x.com/RocketmanKellyInstagram: instagram.com/ckelly_6/Connect with Nik: Instagram: instagram.com/victorywithnik/Twitter: x.com/victorywithnikYouTube: youtube.com/@TheVictoryDegreeOther Episodes You May Enjoy:Josh DobbsSpotify: spoti.fi/4cmtQXuApple Podcasts: apple.co/4e9hmVBGeorge MumfordSpotify: spoti.fi/4bIywaRApple Podcasts: apple.co/45ltHBRDr. Jim LoehrSpotify: spoti.fi/3yyddu8Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3AcnX21

In this raw and revealing conversation, former NFL quarterback Kyle Sloter opens up about the harsh realities of professional football, from the euphoric highs of unexpected opportunities to the hidden politics behind team decisions. Kyle dives deep into his unconventional journey, his unique mindset fueled by proving doubters wrong, and the pivotal role that luck, preparation, and timing play in achieving success. Discover why being "too good" can sometimes hurt your career, how NFL teams manage controversy, and the true inner workings of a quarterback's mind during critical moments. Whether you're an NFL fan or simply fascinated by resilience, mindset, and the untold truths of pro sports, this conversation is one you don't want to miss.Topics: Kyle Sloter shares his unconventional NFL journey, emphasizing how politics, timing, and luck influenced his career path.He reveals surprising NFL politics, including being advised to deliberately perform worse to avoid controversy.Sloter explains how visualization and a mindset driven by proving doubters wrong significantly shaped his success.He highlights critical lessons learned from veteran quarterbacks on decision-making, preparation, and mental processing in the NFL.Kyle discusses the hidden complexities of quarterback play, including the massive cognitive demands and unseen challenges at the professional level.Connect with Kyle:Twitter: x.com/KyleSloterInstagram: instagram.com/kylesloter/Connect with Nik: Instagram: instagram.com/victorywithnik/Twitter: x.com/victorywithnikYouTube: youtube.com/@TheVictoryDegreeOther Episodes You May Enjoy:Josh DobbsSpotify: spoti.fi/4cmtQXuApple Podcasts: apple.co/4e9hmVBGeorge MumfordSpotify: spoti.fi/4bIywaRApple Podcasts: apple.co/45ltHBRDr. Jim LoehrSpotify: spoti.fi/3yyddu8Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3AcnX21

Eric Jorgenson — author of The Almanack of Naval Ravikant — joins me for a deep conversation on ideas, growth, self-belief, and what it really takes to create lasting work. We talk about how to avoid audience capture, the difference between finite and infinite games, the power of cliche advice, and what it means to build something authentic. We also explore podcasting, social media, dating, and the quiet years of creative obscurity that often come before success.If you’re a creator, thinker, or someone searching for clarity in a noisy world, this one’s for you.Topics:• Be a collector of great ideas. Share what’s useful, not just what’s original• Don’t chase virality. Audience capture kills creativity• Cliché advice like "work hard" and "be consistent" is true. It’s just hard to follow• Success usually means years of obscurity first. Embrace the long game• Pick the right game. Infinite games are better than finite winsConnect with Eric:Twitter: x.com/EricJorgensonWebsite: ejorgenson.com/Buy "The Almanack of Naval Ravikant": amzn.to/46wEegeConnect with Nik: Instagram: instagram.com/victorywithnik/Twitter: x.com/victorywithnikYouTube: youtube.com/@TheVictoryDegreeOther Episodes You May Enjoy:Josh DobbsSpotify: spoti.fi/4cmtQXuApple Podcasts: apple.co/4e9hmVBGeorge MumfordSpotify: spoti.fi/4bIywaRApple Podcasts: apple.co/45ltHBRDr. Jim LoehrSpotify: spoti.fi/3yyddu8Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3AcnX21