The Playbook

On Episode 108 of #ThePlaybook, Phil Hellmuth, 15-time World Series of Poker champion and author of the book #positivity, discusses: Why poker players need to be as introspective as possible in order to winHow hate hurts you and his three simple steps to rid yourself of hateWhy his journey to being the best poker player ever has been motivated by both desperation and inspiration Why money management is much more important than poker skills such as an ability to read opponents

On Episode 111 of #ThePlaybook, Forrest Griffin, UFC Hall of Famer and Vice President of Athlete Development For The UFC Performance Institute, chats about: Why mixed martial arts is the best sport for individualization [2:00]How platforms like YouTube have forever changed fight sports [4:47]The impact that the vision of the UFC’s leadership team has on the rest of the organization [10:20]Why he thinks that MMA will become the second-most popular sport worldwide [15:25]

On Episode 110 of the #ThePlaybook, Paige Hathaway, fitness model and influencer, shares her thoughts about:How she turned the shame of growing up in a trailer park into motivation [5:32]Her start building a brand as someone who wanted to share her newfound passion for fitness [7:55]Why consistency is essential in all parts of your life, not just fitness [14:54]Why eating healthy isn’t as expensive as some of your other habits [17:37]

On Episode 109 of #ThePlaybook, Scott Harrison, CEO of charity: water and author of the best-selling book Thirst, shares his thoughts on:Choosing to dedicate one year of his life to serving others after “selfishly wasting” ten years as a club promoter [4:30]How he worked to build trust in charity: water by showing donors the impact that their donation has [11:40]The steps he took to make charity: water an “epic brand” that rivals Nike and Apple [14:33]Why he is so enthusiastic about introducing his donors to other charities [18:04]

On Episode 108 of #ThePlaybook, Andy Frisella, CEO of 1st Phorm International and host of the MFCEO Project, discusses: How stealing Kool-Aid as a kid ended up shaping his entire philosophy on life [1:17]Why you should focus on dominating “the game” you’re playing instead of simply winning [5:44]Why growth for entrepreneurs is just like a hockey stick [11:42]The need to create a “Power List” of five tasks to focus on each day [18:59]

On Episode 107 of #ThePlaybook, Alvin Gentry, Head Coach of the New Orleans Pelicans, shares his thoughts about: How a head coach and an assistant coach can best relate to their players [3:17]The key difference between motivating college and professional athletes [6:20]Why analytics has changed the way that coaches approach the game of basketball [14:49]How mentors can utilize psychology to motivate their mentees [18:36]

On Episode 106 of #ThePlaybook, Chris Del Conte, Athletic Director at the University of Texas, chats about:The sacrifices he made early in his career in order to get where he is today [1:42]The three characteristics he always looks for when hiring or choosing mentees [6:22]Why the University of Texas wants student athletes to discover who they are outside of sports [8:52]The importance of blocking out the “noise” from others while you pursue your potential [16:44]

On Episode 105 of #ThePlaybook, Rob Angel, creator of Pictionary, chats about:The origins of one of the world’s most popular board games [1:27]Why every great entrepreneurial journey starts with one step [3:34]The kind of business partners that new entrepreneurs should surround themselves with [6:51]How to invest your revenue when your company starts to get traction [13:36]

On Episode 104 of #ThePlaybook, Tim Draper, founder of Draper Associates and Draper University, provides insights on:Why he made the mistake of turning down Netflix [1:39]The questions he asks when he evaluates which companies to invest in [2:26]How he used Tupperware parties as the inspiration to create viral marketing [6:50]Why the willingness to “complete the mission” is a difference-maker for today’s entrepreneurs [16:03]

Robert Schaeffler, CEO of DevaCurl, discusses the importance of delivering on the marketing promises that your company uses to gain and maintain your customer base, as well as how DevaCurl focused on solving a specific problem in order to build a 9-figure business and ultimately find long-term success.

On Episode 102 of #ThePlaybook, Donovan McNabb, former star quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, chats about:Why he wasn’t upset after being booed by Eagles fans at the NFL Draft [6:17]How to deal with your toughest critic by being true to yourself [8:00]The importance of keeping the right attitude in the huddle [13:19]Why his personal connections to diabetes have spurred him to use his platform to raise awareness for the disease [16:15]

Ryan Leslie, CEO of Superphone and Grammy-nominated producer, discusses his journey from attending Harvard at the age of 15 to becoming a world-renowned musical artist and entrepreneur. Ryan provides insights on the importance of enjoying the process, why being inspired is key as a musician, how to find your own frequency, as well as how the digital age has changed the way music is marketed.

On Episode 100 of #ThePlaybook, Tilman Fertitta, :Taking his Landry’s restaurants public and then why he bought them back 18 years later [2:09]Why he considers owning the hometown Houston Rockets to be his greatest accomplishment [8:05]What happens to entrepreneurs who live above their means [11:36]Why he’s so proud that of the corporate culture that Landry’s has [14:26]The most important thing he tries to teach his children [15:47]

Taylor Berry, Chief Marketing Officer of Tito’s Handmade Vodka, talks about the origins of the multi-billion-dollar liquor brand and how founder Tito Beveridge’s failures in other industries led him to success as a distiller. Taylor discusses how the vodka brand used philanthropic events to spread, the company’s efforts to create a culture of giving, as well as his own unique journey to becoming CMO.

On Episode 98 of #ThePlaybook, Jake Olson, former USC long snapper and motivational speaker, shares his thoughts on:Why excuses are the difference between successful and unsuccessful people [7:33]The reasons that you should never forfeit your self-worth [9:29] How his mindset was influenced by a “winner” in Coach Pete Carroll [11:48]Why he wants to serve as an example for those people who weren’t dealt the fairest hand in life [17:21]

Mike Moosbrugger, former NFL player and inspirational speaker, shares his story about the devastating personal tragedy that forever changed his life and the invaluable lessons he learned about embracing pain instead of avoiding it.

Jim Kwik, CEO of Kwik Learning and renowned brain expert, shares his tips for maximizing your brain’s performance and enhancing your retention. He covers some of the techniques he’s learned from working with stars such as Jim Carey and Will Smith, and also challenges some of the common misconceptions about how memory reallly works.

Alex and host of The Playbook, David Meltzer, discuss the similarity in their upbringings and how they felt pressure from their parents about what career path to choose. The pair share the insights that they have learned from interviewing some of the world’s most successful people, tips for sending “cold” emails, and how to leave a phone message to get a callback.

Neil Patel, co-founder of Neil Patel Digital, talks about the opportunities that today’s widespread social media platforms offer in terms of building a personal or professional brand. Neil and host of The Playbook, David Meltzer, chat about how it often takes at least three years to be an “overnight success”, the Rule of Seven, and the role that consistency plays in an optimal content marketing strategy.

Todd Herman, author of “The Alter Ego Effect: The Power of Secret Identities to Transform Your Life”, provides insights about how creating an alter ego or persona for yourself allows you to suspend any disbelief you might have about yourself and excel. Todd shares an unexpected story about how Martin Luther King Jr. used a pair of nonprescription glasses to build self-confidence.

Bradley Tusk, founder/CEO of Tusk Holdings, is most known for being Uber’s first political advisor and helped the rideshare company win a landmark regulatory battle in New York City. Tusk’s experience as a “fixer” has helped startups like DraftKings, Lemonade, Coinbase, and Bird breakthrough regulatory barriers and operate at full speed.

Christian Okoye nicknamed the "Nigerian Nightmare" is a former NFL running back for the Kansas City Chiefs. He came to the US at the age of 21 to attend Azusa Pacific on a track and field scholarship. Christian did not begin playing football until the age of 23 after the Nigerian government did not select him for the Olympic team. He was selected in the second round of the 1987 NFL draft and went on to win AFC offensive player of the year in 1989 after leading the NFL in rushing. He finished his career as a 2X Pro Bowler, a first team All-Pro player in 1989, and has since been inducted into the Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame.

On Episode #90 - Robert Smith, Fox Sports College Football Analyst, founder & CEO of Fan Health Network shares his thoughts on:The genetics of addiction and how to overcome substance abuseWhy he prioritized football over a chance to qualify for the OlympicsWhat he’s learned about entrepreneurship and scaling a business from launching the Fan Health NetworkThe impact that his tough childhood had on the way he approaches fatherhood

TaylorMade CEO David Abeles and host David Meltzer talk about TaylorMade’s technological innovation when it comes to their products, and how they are allowing consumers to purchase the exact same clubs being used by the professionals such as Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy for the first time ever. The two also discuss topics such as the traits that make a great entrepreneur, including work ethic, sacrifice, and how building strong relationships has allowed both of them to find success in their fields.

On Episode 88 of #ThePlaybook, Mikey Taylor, pro skateboarder, entrepreneur, and investor, shares his thoughts on:“Tricking” his mind to make sure he stays on the right pathHow he recognizes the self-limiting beliefs he holdsThe role that mindfulness has played during his transition from professional skateboardingWhy he no longer equates his value to his skating ability

On Episode 87 of #ThePlaybook, Chip Wilson, Founder of Lululemon and Hold It All, Inc., discusses:Why you should be authentic about your inauthenticitiesThe most important skill he learned from sports: being presentWhy he follows a “Rule of Three” when bringing an idea to realityThe truest definition of giving

On Episode 86 of #ThePlaybook, Massy Arias and Stefan Williams, co-founders of Tru Supplements, discussWinning the time-management battle when working with your spouseWhy Massy doesn’t let anyone else run her social media accountsHow they’ve worked to differentiate their supplement line from competitorsWhy they believe that integrity wins out over profitability

Matthew Santoro, online personality with over 1.3 billion views on YouTube, talks about having to curb his spending habits after his initial success, the impact that meditation has had on his mindset, and what he’s learned from confronting his ego.

On this episode of #ThePlaybook, Sue Bird, WNBA championship point guard, talks about: Getting addicted to the process of winning championshipsThe impact of her cover of ESPN’s The Body Issue with partner Megan RapinoeHow she utilizes the offseason to find new passionsWhy leaders sometimes need to be selfish for the betterment of their team

On Episode 83 of #ThePlaybook, Michael Chandler, three-time Bellator lightweight world champion, talks about: Why you need to pat yourself on the back and give yourself permission to winThe biggest benefit that comes with a championship beltWhy your enemy is often your “inner me”How his 3-fight losing streak forced him to evaluate his mental game

On this episode, I gave a talk to the University of California, Irvine Sports Business Association on how to get your dream job. This episode will resonate with a lot of you who are just starting their career, or those who are looking to transition to a different profession or industry. Don't limit your point of entry, careers are built on a combination of skills and knowledge, not the industry or vertical you currently sit in.Timestamps:0:49 - when know what you want, it instantly becomes a possibility3:07 - when you attach your happiness to an outcome based on time, that time will never come7:57 - if you don't want it bad enough, somebody else does11:17 - jobs vs industries13:22 - live your life with passion, purpose, and profitability