#396 Chad Marx: Creating the Life You Actually Want

Chad_2025-04-03
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[00:00:00] Chad, thanks for being here, man. Yeah, Brett, great. Great to be here. How does it feel to be on the other side of the, uh, the camera?

Uh, it's so odd to be on this side of the camera after spending so much time, like on the outside. Yeah. Yeah. So for the listener, the reason why I'm saying that is, so Chad is joining me. Chad has worked on Meat Mafia Podcast for the last eight months. We've known each other for about the last year. Yeah.

And so you've been doing all of our podcasts, production, editing, clipping, guest scheduling, so vision planning. So much more than that. But if you've listened to the show for the last eight months. Chad is like the third leg of the stool for us too. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's awesome to be on this side of it, man.

And you're, uh, dude, you've had such a cool story. I mean you and so how we ended up working together. You're technically interning now. Yeah. And you just got out of the Army infantry. Mm-hmm. And the Army actually pays for you when you're transitioning to find jobs, internships, is that correct? Yeah, it's called the Career Skills Program.

And uh, so basically the Army will pay you to intern [00:01:00] for up to like 120 days. Uh, so I got, I have 120 day contract and it started like January 5th and goes until May 5th. And so they're just paying me to intern. Then I'll go back to, I was stationed in Alaska and so I'll go back to Alaska Clear and then come back to Austin after that.

That's awesome, man. Yeah. Harry and I are always amazed at. Just like the opportunities and the amazing people that we've gotten to connect with. And also like from a hiring process, just like the power of sending dms to people. Yeah. Like number one, us being able to connect with guys like you and you just being able to shoot dms to people and we're like, we didn't even know that you could get these super dialed in dudes.

Yeah. With military expertise and the army is paying for it and then it's helping you kind of like mm-hmm. Get that intro into like the, you know, the job that, and the career that you ultimately wanna be in. Yeah. The story of like how I. Came to be here is pretty interesting too. Like, I remember it was like December of 2023.

Mm-hmm. And I remember this like very vividly, like, it's like ingrained in my mind. Uh, it was like 2:00 AM I couldn't sleep. I was going to the field the next day for a week, uh, in the Army. [00:02:00] And so I was just listening to podcasts, like while I couldn't sleep and I can't remember what episode I was listening to, but on the episode.

Harry mentioned that they like needed help, like doing clips or something and like at 2:00 AM literally, I like pulled out my phone and like dmd Harry on the spot and then like fell asleep like shortly after. And then I wake up, Harry replied, uh, and he's like, can we hop on a call this afternoon? And I'm like, uh, no, I'm going to the field for a week.

And then, so we did a couple, like, uh, we texted back and forth a little bit, never got anything set up and then like never talked again until I was looking to transition out probably in May. And I was like, I either want to go to Austin or go to New York City and I either wanna, I wanna work in health, but I either wanna work like on the venture capital side of things or I wanna work for like a startup.

And so Harry was like the first dude I reached out to. I I hit him up again. I'm like, Hey, circling back, like getting outta the army. Uh, looking to do like an internship type thing starting in January. Uh, hopped on a couple calls last summer and then. A big thing I wanted to do too is like, start earlier than I came down to Austin.

So like I wanted [00:03:00] to start right away. And so started, did a couple interviews, started as a co-producer in, uh, in August of last year. And then, uh, took over a bunch of the responsibilities in October and then moved down here fulltime in January and we've just been ripping since then. That's incredible, dude.

I, I mean, I'm not just saying this 'cause you're on camera, it's just been such a blessing not just to work with you, but also build a friendship with you. And I remember the, 'cause you had spoken to Harry a few times and then we got on a call between the three of us. Mm-hmm. And my sense from you is like, you just kind of had this like, fire in your belly and this hunger that's really tough to teach.

And I was thinking about, you know, what are, what are the themes of this conversation that could be helpful? And I, I view this, I think something about you as like, just figuring out how do you ultimately like transition into a career and a profession that you want to be into. Yeah. Especially in 2025. Um, so I'm curious for you, you're, you're mentioning, Hey, I know I wanna be in health and wellness, either on the VC side or the media side.

When did that kind of start to like percolate in your mind of like, this is ultimately what I want to [00:04:00] do? Yeah. Uh, so it kind of goes back to like when I was in college. And so in college I had the opportunity to intern with 10,000, uh, up in New York City. I was like their first intern, uh, when they were pretty small.

Like I was in the office in New York City. This was my first like real job ever to mm-hmm. And so. Probably they would say this too. I was a horrible intern. Uh, why were you a horrible intern? I just, I was so lost in the sauce when I was up there. Yeah. Like, I was just like going up there. I was doing the best I could, but like, I had no work experience at all.

Mm-hmm. And like, my only experience, like working prior to that was I was like a barista at Starbucks for a summer. Like that was the only other job that I ever had. Uh, so anyway, I started working at 10,000. I'm like, okay. I, I really like fitness as a personal trainer. Like, I had just got my personal trainer certification.

I had just got my CrossFit level one at the same time. Uh, and so I was working at a couple gyms in New York City too at the same time. But it was like, I really liked work. I was like, I really like working out. Like I really liked business. So it was like, how can I merge those two things together? And so working at 10,000, I kind of got to see like what it looks like to work for a company that's [00:05:00] like.

Fitness related, but like, on the business side of things. And like, I loved, I loved that. And so like, I worked more like in the marketing side of things for them. And so like I don't enjoy that as much as I do like the operation side of things, like kinda like what I'm doing now. Uh, but yeah, so that's like kind of where it started and then all like, that's kind of what led me into the army too, is like my love for fitness.

Yes. And so it was like, and I wanted like a purpose as well. And so like when I was looking at what I wanted to do after the college, I was like, okay, like I could work at 10,000 maybe, or like do like a similar type thing as that. Or I could just like, uh, like I felt kind of called to serve. And so like I.

Like, a lot of my fraternity was in the ROTC program. And so I was like kind of looking at that. I was like, okay, like what's this all about? And then, uh, I remember I was like, my junior year of school and I was like, I wanna be a Navy seal. And then I was like, I don't know how to swim. So I was like, maybe I should live somewhere else.

Uh, so I settled on the infantry and like at that point it was too late for me to, to do oc like I could've [00:06:00] done OCS, but it was like too late for me to do RTC. And then I was like, you know, fuck it. I was just like, enlist the infantry. And so like that's what I did. And then like that was awesome. And then kind of went into.

Like working where I am now. Yes. So for the listener, so you go to jam, you're, are you 25? 26. 26. So you've been outta school for a couple years. Yeah. You go to JMU, right? You're from Virginia. Mm-hmm. And you're doing like the, you know, your family probably thought you were just gonna do traditional path, get your degree.

Yeah. Go into business. Mm-hmm. Maybe 10,000, maybe something in the, the health and wellness business field. And then you get this calling to serve. Mm-hmm. And normally guys that get a four year degree, they at least become officers. Yeah. And so you decide, Hey, it's too late for OCS, but I feel this calling to serve, so screw it, I'm gonna enlist the infantry, which is like probably one of the more dangerous mm-hmm.

Units to be in, in the military. Right? Yeah, absolutely. My, my mom was terrified when I told her to. What was the reaction when you told your mom? Uh, she was not happy with it. Yeah. She's like, is that really what you wanna do? Uh, yeah. I mean, they supported me a hundred percent, my whole family did, but uh, they're like, are you sure about that?

Like, are [00:07:00] you very sure. Uh, but yeah, it was very uncommon. And like, I had the very traditional path, like growing up. Like I went in high school, like everyone from my high school is pretty much like, you everyone went to college. Uh, I'm from Richmond, Virginia, by the way. I don't know if I said that, but it's like, so suburbs of Richmond, everyone goes to college right afterwards and then like everyone goes into like a four year job, like, or like goes right into like, work and like goes into the corporate world, like right after that.

So it's like, go to high school, go to college, join a fraternity. Graduate college, go into the workforce in the corporate world. And that's like what you do. That's like what all of our parents did. That's like what was ingrained in me. By society. By society, yes. So it's like, that's like, I, so I see like, I don't know, it's like the very traditional path.

Like a lot of people I feel like can relate to that. But for me, like when I was looking at like what I wanted to do, I was like, I don't wanna work in a corporate setting. Like I, I really, like, I liked working for a smaller company 'cause I could like kind of see everything and like wear different hats and things like that.

Mm-hmm. Uh, and so I was [00:08:00] like, you know, wanna serve and then kind of go from there. And I knew that like my time in the army would like develop me like personally into ways like where like after my career then like I'd be set for life. Just like from the things I learned and like the infantry, like I was really drawn to the high standard of the infantry.

So like everything you do is like held to such a high standard. And I like held myself to a very high standard like throughout that too, which I think was kind of my edge. Uh. But it's like I deviated from that path then, and then now like working for you guys. Like I couldn't imagine where I would be if I just went the traditional path and like got an IT sales job and was like just doing like I have a marketing degree, so just doing random marketing stuff.

Yeah. Like, I don't know, I just like, I feel like I would be so unfulfilled. Yes. Yeah. It's funny, I have a couple buddies that are army infantry officers. You met one of them yesterday. My buddy Luke, um, he's one of my best friends and then I played baseball with his identical twin Matt. And it was, it's funny, like I remember those guys 'cause we, we all [00:09:00] graduated 2017 and so, you know, I go the corporate path there in the army and I remember when they were thinking about getting out, I could tell that there was this.

There was excitement and there was also like, how am I gonna do in a corporate setting? Mm-hmm. And my perspective on that was I knew a bunch of guys that had played, played baseball and sports at a high level. And just like the training from athletics alone, as soon as those people got into corporate jobs, they crushed it.

Yeah. 'cause they just know how to work hard and focus on their task and grind. And I'm like, that's gonna be, that's gonna be you guys on steroids. Mm-hmm. And now it's, it's cool to see them like couple years down the road. Like Luke is a firefighter, my other buddy Brian is an oil and gas and they're both absolutely crushing it.

Yeah. Um. So I think it's cool. I was talking about this a couple weeks ago with like one of my buddies who got out around the same time as me. Mm-hmm. And uh, it's like being in the military is like, especially like I spent a lot of time on, on like staff and so like, being in that staff role, like it's really like grilled into you, like what Right.

Looks like. And I was very fortunate to work for some very high performing leaders and they [00:10:00] like, expected a lot out of us. And so, like I was told we were both like, working the same time, like in the same place together in, in the three shop is what it's called. Mm-hmm. The operation shop. Uh, and we were working there together and it's like, you know, we didn't realize like how much it would affect us, like when we're out, but it's like, I feel it now.

It's like, it, like it was just hammered into me for years and then now it's like just muscle memory, like the standard of my work and like the quality of my work I feel like is like, I don't like let things go. Like I don't let things slide. Like I. Do everything the best I can. I work as hard as I can and like I try and make sure that like everything is like squared away.

How would you say your standards have changed when you think about yourself pre Army and post Army? Yeah, I mean, I feel like I was pretty disciplined before the Army. Uh, like it's all through college. Like I, I was the president of my fraternity. I was a personal trainer. I was like. One of the, in the top student positions, I got a rec center.

And so like, I was always like doing a bunch of things at different times. And like my friends would say, like, by Thursday, like I, they would [00:11:00] see me on campus and I was like an absolute zombie, just 'cause like, I'd be working out at 5:00 AM and then like, I'd be on campus until 10:00 PM especially like my junior year, like pre covid.

Mm. Uh, I'd be on campus till like 10:00 PM and then it's like, I'd wake up again and like do it again. And like by Thursday I, they'd see me like, walk in the class and like, I'd just be like, absolutely dead. Yes. Uh, so I've kind of always been like this, uh, but it's like, then I had to like, fight with myself internally a lot to like get myself to like, do things, like to, to wake up.

Like, I was like, ah, this sucks. Like, I have to wake up in the morning and then like now after the army, it's like, okay, I, I wake up, I run or work out, mostly run. And then it's like, go to work. It's like, it's just like, that's what I did for four years. That's like what I do now. It's like I just wake up and, and run.

That's like, I don't know, it's just how Yeah. How I do it now. Yeah. So it's just like the things that you picked up there. Just, it's almost like you almost like have this default high operating standard for yourself now. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Absolutely. And like, I couldn't even imagine waking up and like skipping a run.

Like Hmm. Like [00:12:00] I just, I simply could not, yeah. I couldn't do it. Yeah. One of the things I'll say about your personal brand, to me, what I've noticed is like if anyone asks you to do something, there are a lot of people where you ask someone to do something and their track record is like, it's like 50 50.

They might do it, they might not do it. Like anytime we're ever talking about something for work, like I literally know that it's gonna get done very, very quickly. And I feel like just being the person that's dependable and reliable and has that discipline to like, do the things that they say they're gonna do for work, fitness, nutrition, you know, the way you show up as a partner, like that's such a valuable skill set to just be the dependable guy.

Yeah, absolutely. And like that's, that's another thing that sets me apart from my peers is like. I, and like, I'm always looking for more work too. Yes. Like I, in the military too, I saw a lot of people that, like, they get comfortable in their position and then they just like kind of ride that out. Mm. But it's like, for me, like all through my time in the military, I'm like always looking for more roles, more responsibilities.

And like, by the time I was getting out, like I had like, like 10 different hats I was wearing. And like, I, yeah. [00:13:00] There's like, I left a big hole in the organization. Like when I got moved up from the, I got moved up to like the higher level, like, uh, like junior of last year. Yes. Like from the battalion to the brigade level.

And so like when I left the battalion, like I left like seven different roles open. Like just 'cause like I was doing a bunch of different things at once. Yes. And so it's like, that's just kind of like how I am. And so like, I'm always hungry for like more work, more opportunity, more ways to grow, like more stuff to do, uh, just like trying to make the most impact I can mm-hmm.

On the organization. And so that's. It is not very common, I've noticed, like being on the outside of the army. Yes. No, it's good to be, it's good to have like those, those uncommon skill sets. Mm-hmm. And also just be able to look in the mirror and be like, all right, so in college, you know, I'm Chad, I'm in college.

I have this ability to like load, you know, load up a bunch of cards and do a bunch of different things and maybe I feel a little bit burnt out, but not a lot of people can juggle all these different tasks. And I feel like you've almost refined that and you're doing that from a work standpoint now. I don't know, I just feel like the earlier you are and the [00:14:00] more you can almost just put your phone down and honestly just like go for a walk and think about the things that you're good at and your weaknesses and just like triple down on those strengths Yeah.

I think is so important. Yeah. And like that came, that didn't, like, I was pretty late on that. I feel like, like I didn't really know what I wanted to do until like. Like sophomore, junior year of college. Like, 'cause like before that, my first two years, it's like, basically just like all I did was the fraternity, like it, like nothing else mattered to me.

And I was like going to class, like barely studying. I was like, uh, just what's going on this weekend? Yeah. That's like all I cared about. And then it was like, I, I had like a realization at one point. I'm like. What do I actually like wanna do after school? It's like mm-hmm. Like what do I actually enjoy?

And I was like, I like working out, like I like going to the gym. And I'm like, okay, let me explore that a little bit. And like, I was like a computer information systems major, like at the beginning, which is like business it essentially. Mm-hmm. Uh, and I was like, I don't really like that, so I'm gonna change my major.

So I switched to marketing and then I was like, I like fitness and so I'm gonna go into that. [00:15:00] Got a job through a fraternity brother to work at 10,000. And that's kinda like what exposed me to like, oh, there's like a life outside of like, just like going into it or going into sales and like doing something random for a random software company that I don't care about.

Yes. Like almost having the proof of concept of like, wow, there's actually roles out there. Where I can combine my love of these different things and work for a brand or start my own thing that I'm actually really, really passionate about. Mm-hmm. Like I remember the first time I was in tech sales and I was really into carnivore and I saw that heart and soil was applying for roles.

I was like, wow, I didn't even think about the fact that I could take this sales skill set on my love of health and maybe work for a brand like that. Mm-hmm. I think it's important. Yeah. A lot of people don't realize too, is like, life is so like moldable. Like you can do, you can make anything, your job, like you can do anything you want.

Really. Mm-hmm. There's so much free will out there. Uh, it's like, yes, it's crazy. Like people just get so wrapped up into like the traditional, traditional roles, traditional jobs, and like the traditional like nine to five structure. But it's like [00:16:00] if you're not happy with that, you can change it. Like you can do anything you want.

Yes. And especially with the internet now too, like you can make money doing anything now. It's crazy. Yes. It's the dichotomy of there's very few things that are in your control yet at the same time when you know what you want and you have that intention towards the thing. Um, the world almost like bends around it.

Mm-hmm. Like you can almost like press a button and like, the thing you want can pop out on the other side. Yeah, exactly. So what we're talking about with Jeff Wu, and it's like, if you, like, I feel like that's one of the biggest things whenever I have kids, it's like, if I could teach my kids that in a very humble way.

Yeah. Imagine going through life with that whole mindset, how great your life would probably be. Yeah, exactly. That's like a big thing. Like when I have kids too, is like, I wanna impart in them. Like, you can do literally anything you want. Yes. So, what's funny, so you're talking, I, one of the things I love about you is you always talk very favorably and honestly about your experience in the military.

And I see this trend on podcasts of like these veteran run guy, these veterans that have podcasts and media platforms that are maybe like late thirties, early forties. [00:17:00] And they speak very highly of their military career and like the value and the standards that they got outta serving. And then they say that if, you know, if they were the same age now.

They might not have joined the military because they're mm-hmm. Their, their, I think their argument is like the, the ethos of the military has changed. Yeah. And it's kinda just feeling this like industrial military complex. Mm-hmm. And that's why I love talking to you because it seems like you had a great experience.

Yeah. And I'm just curious about like. You know, what you think about what those guys are saying and just the difference in your experience versus what they think it might be like in 2020, I'll run through my experience. I had a very unique, like, time in the military. Like I don't think it was very normal.

Like maybe it just like, 'cause I went to college and enlisted, but I basically, I enlisted like at, during my, I took an extra semester, so I did like half a fifth year and uh, I enlisted during that time. And so, but I was in the delayed entry program, so I left two weeks after I graduated. So I graduated December 20, 20.

Two weeks later I'm on the bus going to Fort Benning, Georgia. And I'm like, I, when I graduated college too, like I'd already been like [00:18:00] president of my fraternity. I had all these leadership roles like within UR at the rec center and I was like, I know everything there is to know about leadership. And then two weeks later I'm on the bus and I was like, oh, that.

I don't know anything. Yeah. Like I, that does not matter now. Uh, so basically did six months of training. Uh, I got orders to go to Fairbanks, Alaska, and I was like, I didn't even know they had a base there. Yeah. I was like one of five guys in my company that went, uh, out of like 150. Yeah. Who went there Alaska.

And so got shipped up to Alaska. Didn't know a soul there, obviously it's, it's Fairbanks. And then, uh, show up to a new unit, like I'm just like a specialist in the army. Like just a normal like. That I had no accomplishments in the army. No one gave a fuck, like what I did before the Army. It was like you just show up, you're just another new guy.

Uh, immediately got sent the gate guard, which is like a detail. So I was like scanning, uh, CACs like at the gate for two months. Uh, so I didn't even like know anyone in my unit either for two months and then come back from gate, uh, start working. I was like a platoon, RTO, which is like the radio [00:19:00] telephone operator.

And it's like I was an infantryman, but like the radio telephone operator is like a position like within uh, infantry platoon that like, uh, a infantry guy has. And so I just was, I'd follow around the lieutenant. I essentially and like do his communications for him. Uh, and it was kind of funny 'cause like, uh, the lieutenant that I had like graduated college in 2022, so it was like pretty similar.

Uh, but anyway, I was like doing that role for a little bit. And then my company commander, uh, captain Reeb some his major reaps from now. Uh, he told, he like pulled me aside. He is like, you need to go to OCS. And I was like, okay. And then so I applied for OCS and during that I did like an interview with like, uh, the battalion executive officer, which is like a major, uh, and so it's like pretty high up, like in an organization of, uh, like 800 people to like put it into normal terms basically.

And then did an interview with him. He asked me about my experience and like, pretty much like what we're talking about now. Uh, told him like everything I did in college. [00:20:00] And then the next day I get a call like, Hey, you're, you're coming to work in staff. I was like, okay. Uh, and so I was like, I asked to like stay down at the batal or the company level through we, there's thing in the, in the army it's like the expert soldier badge and the expert infantryman badge, which is like pretty prestigious.

Uh, thing. They get, it's like a three week thing. You do like two weeks of train up and then you do one week of testing and it's 30 skills and like everything. Each skill you have to do, it's like a different lane. There's graders, it's like a whole operation and it's like you have to do every task two standard within this time.

Like with, it's like very laid out in the handbook of like what you have to do. Uh, so I was like, I wanted to get the training so I can get my badge, my EIB, uh, and so I was like, please let me stay at the company level. So he let me stay, got my EIB immediately I went to staff and I spent like two years working directly for a battalion commander and battalion sergeant major, uh, on staff, like as a specialist, which is like very unheard of.

Uh, and so I was like just doing social media at [00:21:00] first 'cause I, I have a marketing degree and so they like got get this guy camera and take some pictures. Uh, so that was like kind of odd. But then like from there I grew like I was like. Yeah, I just like kept collecting responsibilities. Like I was running the newcomer program and so like once a month I'd have like between like 10 to 25 new soldiers like to the unit I'd teach them, like get them integrated into the unit and I teach 'em about Alaska and things like that.

And then I was like doing the, the database that we do like training management in. And I, I ran that and then it was like, I went to every meeting that, that we had as an organization and like took notes and stuff like that. And then I was just like, uh, the battalion commander's, like radio telephone operator.

So I did all his communications and stuff like that too, which is pretty cool. Uh, but basically I worked directly for battalion commander for two years and then when he left, I got pulled up to the brigade level and worked for the brigade commander for another eight months. Hmm. So it was really just like you got these unique opportunities and you really like made the most of your experience there.

Yeah. Was there ever a part of you when [00:22:00] you were in Alaska? I. Like, did you ever have a realization, like texting, maybe your buddies that you went to JMU with or Richmond being like, Hey, you know, this buddy's like in New York and this tech, tech job, or this guy's doing sales wherever, like, like almost like a recognition of how unique it was.

Never wondering like what it would be like on the other side of that all the time. Yeah, I thought about that all the time. I was like, uh, I, I liked Alaska and like I, I really enjoyed and grateful for my time there and I now looking back on it, I wouldn't wanna be stationed anywhere else. Uh, but while I was in Alaska, I was like, oh, this place, like, it's so small, it's like cold all winter, dark, all winter.

It's so, like, it kind of sucks. Like, and I'm a city guy too, so it's like very small town. Like this kind of sucks. So like, I see my friends living in New York City or like living in DC or in Richmond and like. They were having so much fun every weekend and like, uh, I missed like every family wedding that I've had until like this past weekend when I was home for one.

But it was like missed all these weddings, all these different events, every bachelor party, pretty much. Like I've missed all these different things, but, [00:23:00] uh, at the end of the day, like I knew that I was doing the right thing. Like I was doing what I was meant to be doing at the time. And so that kind of gave me peace.

And like I had a lot of friends in Alaska too, and so that made it a lot easier. Uh, 'cause like everyone was kind of going through the same thing, but when you're living like 3,500 miles away from everyone else, like it is definitely isolating. Yes. Well, it's probably a superpower for you now where it's like for the listener, you know, when we decided that we were gonna do this, you know, you just picked your, all of your stuff up from Alaska and just came to a brand new city, Austin.

Mm-hmm. Didn't really know anyone besides us. And you've just like thrown yourself into that environment. Yeah. And I'm sure you, I have so many friends from New Jersey, man, that thought. It was the craziest thing ever, me moving to San Diego in 2022 and now being in Austin, and it's like you being in Alaska, you're like, dude, I could do anything.

Yeah, I could be anywhere. And you could probably make it work, right? Yeah. I was like, I did it once in Alaska. It turned out pretty well, so I, I can do it again. But even when I moved here, like. I didn't even know you guys in person. Like I had never, never met, I had never met you guys in person Yeah. Until like a week into me [00:24:00] being here.

Uh, so I saw, uh, like Eric Hinman posted mm-hmm. Like advice for like a, a young 20-year-old, like moving to a new city and it was like, join a community based gym, go to like five run clubs a week, like talk to everyone you see and like do all these different things. And so I, I screenshot it. I was like, oh, that makes sense.

And so yeah. Came here, joined squat, and then I went to like every run club for like a couple weeks and like just like met as many people mm-hmm. As possible. And then I, I met, uh, one of my friends Kevin in the, in the sauna at Squat here, and he's like, Hey, come out to our run club, uh, next week, next Friday is it's Dom's Run Club.

And so I showed up next Friday, and then like from there it's like they're all super welcoming and then like, I made friends like super easily, like I was shocked, like within like a month of me being here. Like I had a friend group and like I had people to hang out with all the time and like, and now I have like too many events to go to.

Like I'm always getting invited to stuff. I'm like, I've, I don't have enough time. Now you're the guy saying, no, this is cool. Yeah, I don't have time to do anything. Cool. I've only been here for a, yeah, almost three months now. I [00:25:00] think it's a, I think it's a feeling that a lot of young people need to have.

Like I just remember getting here the first time in 2021. And knowing no one, and being in my a apart in the apartment that I had had with Harry and being like, just seeing the, the skyline of the city and people on runs and at the gym and being like, I don't have our, we don't have our anyone in our community yet.

Mm-hmm. But I just know what's gonna happen and I can't wait to build those relationships. Yeah. And then Austin in particular, we've talked about this many times there, there's, this is the best city for relationship building in the country. Oh. Everyone is so welcoming and like, I don't really meet many people that like, grew up here.

Mm-hmm. Like, everyone's a transplant, as they call it. Uh, and so like everyone here pretty much did the exact same thing at one point in their life. Yes. And so everyone's like, oh, I moved here by myself like a year and a half ago now, a year moving here by yourself, like a week ago. Like, let me take you in and show you.

How it is. And it's like everyone is just super, super welcoming. Super active. Uh, it's like a great community to be around. Everyone's like doing something too. Like everyone has a side hustle or like another business or something. It's, it's awesome. Yes, [00:26:00] it's a great, it's a great city for the black sheep transplants.

Mm-hmm. Where it's like, Hey, you know, I moved from Richmond, Virginia or Princeton, New Jersey. And you know, when you're back home you feel like you're the only person that has this like eclectic combination of interests. And then you come here and you're like, no, everyone's doing like the same thing.

Different thing. But it's like, it's a very similar ethos. Mm-hmm. And I think there's a lot of power. Being in an Alaska or being in a city where you're kind of like on an island and you're discovering and like honing and refining that passion. Mm-hmm. And then when you're ready, going to the right city and then it's like jet fuel, right?

Yeah, exactly. And like if you're moving to a new city, like you really do have to put yourself out there. Yes. Like you, you're not, if you just like move to Austin and it just like sat in my, if like, if I just sat in my apartment and like went to the coffee shop that I worked out of initially, like if I just went to those two places, like I would've never met anyone.

Like I had to, you have to make an effort to like actually go to events. Like be uncomfortable. Like, yeah. It was pretty uncomfortable showing up to every run club where everyone knows each other and like, I don't know, a soul. Yes. I don't know a single person anywhere. Uh, but it's like you do a couple of those and then it's like, uh, [00:27:00] maybe you see one person at a different run club that you met at like another one.

And so it's like you start to meet people and then like from there it's just like, it's so easy. Yes. Well said, man. What was the feeling like for you? Getting to Austin in the realization of like, I can wake up whenever I want. I don't have to do all these like, duties at the base anymore. Like, what was that, what was that feeling like?

It's pretty, pretty wild. I was talking about this, uh, one of my bar, my barber here, Eric, uh, I went to high school with him and then he was also in the Army. And so like, uh, he moved here like a little bit before me. Uh, and so I was talking to him about it. He was like, yeah, like you just can't let yourself slip.

And I was like, you are right. Like I, I try and keep myself to that same discipline, but it's like, it's really weird now. It's like for year, like four years, I'm like legally required to wake up at a certain time and, and go legally required. Legally I'm legally required to wake up at a certain time, be at this place at a certain time, wearing the certain uniform, like ready to do like a certain thing.

Uh, whereas like now it's like, uh, I could just [00:28:00] do whatever I want, but it's like, I don't know, it's like a lot more, it's not stress free. Yes. Like I feel, I feel like I just got outta prison essentially. Uh, like I'm like, oh, like. I could be a few minutes late, but it's like I'm still gonna wake up and do the things that I need to do.

Like, it's just like, that's just ingrained in me now, like I said earlier. Yeah, I really, when you're saying that, I really do understand why people gravitate towards things like 75 hard or some of these challenges that exist where it's like it's just baked and discipline and if you want to finish it, you just have to hit all the deliverables on that thing.

Yeah. And that dude, that is a realistic fear of like, Hey, I've been doing this thing for so long. And just the fear of like slipping and deviating away from that, those standards. It's like the guy that's like, Hey dude, when I was 20 years old, I could bench press three 15 and now he's 50 pounds overweight.

And like, dude, that didn't happen in a week. That happened like this gradual decay of Yeah. You know, sleeping in and skipping the gym and then starting to eat processed food and next thing you know, you look back and you're this unrecognizable person. But then also the flip side is also true too. Yeah. I mean, we talked to [00:29:00] a crew last week and he's the king of this, uh, the king of, he's like, I just wanted to wake up and run every day for 30 days, and then at the end of the 30 days I'm like, well, I'm just not gonna stop running.

And now he's almost been running every day for like 2,500 days. And so it's like, I don't know, just like you just have to do it. Yes. No, a hundred percent man. Um, I guess like when I think about everything you're doing in the health and wellness space and the skillset that you're cultivating. You know, for other people that are in their early to mid twenties that maybe want to transition in the space or create content, are there any skill sets that you've really worked on to develop where you're like, Hey, I would recommend you, you know, figure out how to do this thing, or figure out this piece of technology, just like, make yourself valuable to a brand or something like that.

I don't know if it's like specific to technology, but it's like just making yourself coachable. Yes. And like being open to receiving feedback from others and like, find people that like, you can work for that. Like you can learn from and like, uh, Mr. Beast said some, I was listening to an interview like Mr.

Beast, I can't remember [00:30:00] what podcast he was on, but he was essentially saying like, what he does is like, he'll take someone and you'll have them like shadow him for like three months and like essentially clone them. And then like, so like at the end of the three months, like he has this clone of this other person who like knows like all of Mr.

Beast's like, uh, decision making. Like he, he knows him so well. He is like, uh, you can like foresee like how like, uh. He'll make a decision, like before he even comes to him. So like when then he like is, he places them off into like a different role, like in their, their company. And so like, it makes it easier on him 'cause like they know exactly how he is gonna react to all the things that they're about to bring them.

So they cannot be like 10 steps ahead. And so like, oh, I have this problem. Instead of just like bringing it to Mr. Beast, they're like, oh, let me do this 'cause I know that's probably what he wants. And then like, let me do this, a couple other things and then I'll bring it to him. Yeah. So it's like later down the line.

So it's like making yourself like able to be coached is like one of the biggest things. And then like trying to [00:31:00] like find people that, like you can get like traits or like, uh, advice or like finding a mentor essentially. Yes. Like in the space that you want to be in is another big thing. And like just being like, Hey, can I just like shadow you?

Mm-hmm. And just like. Even like part-time, like if you have a corporate job and like let's say like you do like tech sales and like you wanna work in health and so it's like on your off time, like find people in health that like you can like be around and like putting yourself in the right room is like also a big thing too.

Yes. Like you have to be in the right places. So it's like join the gym that everyone hangs out at and like that you want to be, or like Yes. Just like find ways to make yourself useful to those people and then like it'll just kind of go from there. Definitely. It's the combination of like you're doing the work behind the scenes.

So that if you can then get in the room with the right people, they're gonna recognize the talent that you have. And it sounds so basic, but I don't think enough people blend those two things together. Like that was a big thing for us going to Expo West. Yeah. Where it's like, we saw so many people that we had like look up to or knew about from afar, [00:32:00] and then you're in the same room.

So you actually get to meet those people and they're like, oh, we're actually building great relationships and having conversation, and we're learning things from them. They're asking us questions, and now we're going to have some type of a relationship in the future. Mm-hmm. But it's like we actually, you know, like making the effort to put yourself in the room.

Yeah. 'cause you've done the work behind the scenes and like, um, it was like when you were at Collective and you met that big executive at that SaaS company. Yeah. And now you, you know, you're gonna do something with him too. Like, that's the perfect example. Yeah. Just randomly in the sauna, like, yes, that was awesome.

But yeah. Yeah, just putting yourself in the right room, like Collective is a great example. Mm-hmm. Like, yeah, we paid $400 a month to go there, which is insane, some people would say. But like the ROI from that, like if, like you. Like if you just like meet the right person that like it could pay off like a thousand times over.

Like definitely. And you just have to be kind of like be ready for those scenarios. Yes. Which is, I always think people hear the word like 400 for a gym, right? Mm-hmm. And your initial reaction society programs, you'd be like, that's absurd. [00:33:00] Yeah. And when you think about it, it's like, well, it's a beautiful gym.

Mm-hmm. Fitness is super important to both of us. Right? Yeah. What is that worth? I think that's worth $400. And then beyond that, like the caliber, like you were saying, like the people you get to bump into there. Yeah. We got so, like, so much of our For Noble, the first round of capital that we raised. Over 50% of that was from people that we literally met at the gym.

Mm-hmm. So it's like, when you think about it from that perspective, of course 400 is worth it, but you have to have that targeted mindset, like you're saying. And then also too, 400 bucks is like two nice steak dinners too, or like drinks that you're probably already spending. It's just repurposing your funds towards the right things.

Yeah, yeah, exactly. It's like you just gotta get outta that mindset of like, uh, $400 is ridiculous amount of money. Like, but it actually like is it's. So worth it. Like Yes, the gym is incredible too. It's, yeah, it's, it's, it's beautiful. That's, that's the one thing that I feel like I'll always try and dedicate some good money towards, like, even if I have a home, gym, gym set up, is finding that place out in the community.

Mm-hmm. Like really nice gym, you know, you're, you're baked in to be around really good people. Yeah, [00:34:00] exactly. And there's like a lot of like, not gyms, but like, I like wellness clubs popping up mm-hmm. Everywhere. Like, uh, where there's like bathhouses or like, yes, there are these, like, uh, there are different places in New York mm-hmm.

Right? Where they're like, there's like saunas and cold plunges and it's like, just like a meeting ground for people. And so like, just finding like community spaces to meet like, like-minded people of like, where you want to go in your career is super important. Yes. I love what you were saying before, also around being coachable.

'cause being on the flip side of that, of like hiring, we've got, we've had the most success from people like you where it's, I would almo I would, I would categorize it as like the raw generalist. Mm-hmm. And when I mean raw, I mean someone that's like. Very passionate. They're competent. They might be in a different industry, but they have this like, fire towards the thing that they want.

Yeah. And they're like, I wanna work towards this brand. And when you're, when you're the person that's hiring for the job, I think there could be natural insecurity around like, Hey, well I've never been in this industry before. Am how am I gonna stack up? Can I add value? And I think you would be amazed at like you're saying, how [00:35:00] far a really nice cold message could, could go towards that company or that person you want to connect with or work with.

And just letting them know, here's my background, here's why I love your brand. Here are the things that I think I could do for you. Mm-hmm. And then from a hiring perspective, you can't teach the fire. Yeah. And if someone has that fire, you can clone them. Like Mr. Beast was talking about. Yeah, exactly. That when we've had poor hiring experiences actually from the person that's experienced, but they're actually set in their own ways and they're, and they're not cult, they're not coachable.

So culturally it's actually not compatible. Yeah. And I've talked to you about this before too. Like, I don't know what my, like. Like people like, I dunno, I don't know what my like, special thing is. Like, yes. Like I, I, I don't know what I would say. Like, I'm good at like, some people, like, they're like email marketing Kings or like, they're like, oh, I'm really good at sales, I'm really good at, at this, like, I do operations, which like pretty general in itself.

What it's like, I don't know, like my, my special thing is, but I do know, like no matter what role I'm put into, I'm confident in my ability to learn and like [00:36:00] excel at that role. Yes. And so, like, just like by doing that, it's like, it opens up so many doors for me. And like I, and like I'm very bought in on Noble and the me Mafia and like base brands and like, I'm like, I wanna work in this organization.

Like I will do anything. Like, it doesn't matter. And so that's kind of, that's like the mindset you have to have. Yes. Yeah, like it's almost like, I think your specialty is literally just being unbelievable at follow up. And you're good at a lot of different things. Like you have the operations brain, you're also great at everything you're doing from the podcast, which is like, there's like an artistic touch there.

You have vision where you're like, Hey, this guest would be really good. Like you've gotten a bunch of big guests on the show for us, which our audience might not realize. But I think owning the fact of, Hey, I'm in my mid twenties, I'm where I need to be and I'm just gonna work really hard with great energy and a bunch of these different things and I'm gonna figure out the one thing that is start, like the horse that's starting to pull away, and then I'm gonna just triple down on that thing.

Mm-hmm. And like for me, like, like I have a marketing degree and that kind of got me into the door and so I started off like making clips. Yes. [00:37:00] And, but like, I don't like making clips that much. Mm-hmm. You'll do it. It's just not the thing that you, you want to do or you're the best at. Yeah. And I feel like I do an okay job, but you do, you've done some great, you made some great clips.

It takes me a lot like mentally to actually like make those clips. Like I feel like I'm so drained afterwards. Mm-hmm. Whereas like. I'm, I have like a very like, systems oriented brain. So like when I do, when I have like a million tasks in Asana and I can just like rip on a bunch of different things at once, like in a different bunch of different projects, like I'm extremely efficient at that.

Yes. And that's like where I feel like I enter a flow state, I'm able to just like crank through work. Yes. Uh, but it's kind of just like, but I had to do like the marketing stuff to kind of get my foot in the door. Yeah. So it's like you really just have to do whatever it takes to, to get in there. And then once you're in there, you can like, be like, Hey, like I actually like operations more than I like marketing.

And then like, you kind of like weasel weigh into what you want to do. Yes. It's like in the beginning, the inevitable thing is you have to eat shit at a bunch of different things. Yeah. And then you get yourself to a point where you outsource. And to your point, like, I remember having [00:38:00] this realization a couple months ago, like, let's take Noble for example.

I'm like, all right, what gives me energy? I'm like, I love building our affiliates. I love sending product to people. I love writing handwritten notes. Like I love driving revenue for the company. Okay, so why are you spending time negotiating with manufacturers? You literally hate it and push it off. You're not good at it, and you're actually hurting the company.

Yeah. I'm like, oh, we could actually, it was, it's so, it's so simple. It's stupid where I'm like, oh, we could actually just find someone that could do the things that I don't like to do, like the way I feel about selling. They feel the same way about operations. Yeah. And then you just, and then you played your strengths.

Yeah, exactly. And it's like there's someone out there that loves to do everything. Yes. Like I feel like there's not a lot of people who like to do like what I do. Mm-hmm. Uh, maybe there are, but it's like very different than someone who like loves to do. Like, there's like a, there's people out there like love to do clips and then there's like people out there who love to just talking to podcasts.

Yes. There's people out there who love to do anything. So it's like everyone has like strength. There's people who have strengths and so it's like you have to build a team around that. I think one [00:39:00] of the coolest things is seeing the team come together too. Mm-hmm. Right? Where it's like you go from like being the bottleneck.

And these big cogs in the machine being broken and you're like, damn, I know if I could fix this, we could be doing so much more. And then when you start to make the, the right decisions and you put the right people in the right roles and you, like, you look back, like I was at looking at Slack the other day and I'm like, dude, this business is like a well oiled machine right now.

Yeah. Isn't that such a cool feeling to see it all come together? Mm-hmm. Yeah. It's awesome. Yeah. And I mean, another thing too that we haven't even talked about is you also have a brand on the side as well. I do. Sparkle. Yeah. Um, I'd love to tell the audience a little bit about that and just the experience of like, you know, why you started it.

How's it been so far? Yeah. And so my dad and my stepmom in a wine bar in the outer banks North Carolina. And so when I would go home on leave, I would go and like visit the wine bar and, and they'd be working it. Uh, so I, I'd just be sitting at the bar drinking wine essentially. Uh, and so like my teeth would get really red when I'm drinking the wine.

And so I was like this and I periodically like go upstairs and like brush my teeth, [00:40:00] uh, and like the employee bathroom. And I'm like, there's gotta be like a better way from this. Mm-hmm. Uh, and then. I looked it up. There wasn't, they're like, there's no solution out there. So I'm like, okay, there's like a market here, uh, like red wine stains your teeth.

There's no solution to it. And so that was like right before I started like the, the training cycle where I was like super busy. Like when I first talked to you guys, it was like a couple months before that. And so I kind of tabled it until like last March. And then I thought about it the whole time, like I was in the field.

I'm like, God, this makes so much sense to me. Uh, I need to act on this like. And I, I love business. And so it's like this will be a place for me to kind of like, you know, try, try all these things out, like build a business and like kind of do what I'm passionate about. Uh, so started last March. Hired a guy to do my branding and then I tried to source my product like within the United States, called every wet white manufacturer in the us.

They're recording me like outrageous things, so I sourced it over cheat overseas. Uh. Got a product. The product works super well. [00:41:00] Uh, I love it. It like, it works really well for like coffee and things too. Anyway, launched in November and then even since like being down here, like I'll meet people that like will help me like elevate the business.

So it's like I, I. When I launched in November, I was like, oh, I have a great product. It solves an actual problem in a market like it's gonna crush. And then like, I launched and like did okay, but I was like, oh, this is a lot harder than I thought. Yeah. Like this, like you, you can't just set it up and just like, it doesn't just sell itself.

Like you actually have to sell it. You're like, oh, it doesn't just do 50 K the first day. Right. Yeah. So that's like, I was so naive, but I mean, that was kind of my strength too, like, just like being naive and jumping into that. Yes. You guys have talked about that with Noble as well. Uh, but yeah, so I launched, I'm like, okay, it's not actually as easy as it seems.

I still really haven't figured it out, but I met a guy in January, I got a run club. Uh, we did like a trash pickup, uh, like at, on the, the Lady Bird Lake Trail. And I was like, paired with this guy and he was like a, he's like a guru on like Amazon and then like, uh, affiliate marketing. And so like, uh, [00:42:00] he.

Like, uh, helped me get on the Amazon. So I got on Amazon like right after that. And then, uh, doing pretty well on Amazon. Now. I still like, I need to get enrolled in the FBA and like get it all set up. 'cause I'm fulfilling everything in my kitchen right now. Yes. Uh, doing everything but just scrappy. So scrappy, not, uh, scalable at all.

Uh, but it's like, uh, I just like met random people. Like I met the, the big SaaS founder and the Sauna Collective, and then next thing I know, like I'm onboarded onto this platform. Uh, and it's like very, very interesting. But it's just like, I, I know that, like, I still haven't figured it out yet, but I know that like, if I keep putting myself out there and like keep doing the right things and like eventually it'll work out and like, it'll be okay.

And I'm not like, particularly like I, I like wine and like, uh, I'm, I'm not a huge drinker anymore. Like, uh, I'm really passionate about health and so that's why I'm so bought into like Noble and, and the Meat Mafia. Mm-hmm. And the base brand is like, I wanna work in health, I wanna work for you guys. And like, that's like my main priority.

Yeah. But it's kind of like through that [00:43:00] you're getting a real world MBA too. Mm-hmm. It's hard to explain though. I think there's a lot of feeling that young men have where they're just like, I just wanna create a product. Mm-hmm. And just start something from scratch and just have like all the onus on me where if it works, it's on me.

If it fails, it's on me. Yeah. Um, and it's just a very different skillset where like if you're just working for someone, you have your, your the set task that you're assigned to do, and then you don't worry about any other aspect in the business. Mm-hmm. But because you're kind of doing this scrappy, you were calling it unscalable thing, I actually think it's, it's unscalable to a point where it's scalable.

Where in the beginning you're like, all right, I'm sourcing the product, I'm setting up the Amazon. Yeah. I'm doing the product shots. I'm answering all the customer service tickets. I dunno, I think there's something about a founder touching all the aspects in the business in the beginning that just gives you this context that you wouldn't have if you just outsourced it all to agencies from day one if you had capital behind you.

Yeah. And it. Like, there's nothing cooler than like having someone that you don't know buy your product for the first time. So, cool. That was probably the coolest thing I've ever experienced professionally. Yes. Uh, but it has helped me a lot, like with Noble and with me, I feel like a lot of the things [00:44:00] I come across now, it's like, because I started something on my own and like even like didn't do it great, but it's like I, I had the experience of like going to Amazon.

So like now when Noble launched on Amazon and like I have to like, work on some things and I'm like, oh, like I, I'm familiar with the Amazon platform 'cause like my product is on it. Yes. So like, I understand like how it works and so it's like, by doing something on my own, it's like I, like when I work for you guys, like, it's like, oh, I have experience, like doing like pretty much everything.

Mm-hmm. 'cause I've done it all myself. Yes. And it's like, I do love, like, building businesses. Like I think that's like what I really enjoy. And so like I know in my career, like I'm gonna build Bobby so many more businesses, like with different ideas and different areas and things like that. And the only solution is.

It's like, unfortunately you can't figure it out reading in a book. You have to start, you have to start the, uh, you know, you have to start sparkle and just get kicked in the teeth in a good way and just learn. Right? That's how you build a brand is by building the brand. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Exactly. And it's like just figuring it all out and like, uh, learning how to do everything.

You have to [00:45:00] be like continuously learning. Like you can't just be stagnant. Yeah. And like, because like with the sparkle, like I see, like when I'm stagnant, like it doesn't grow. Mm-hmm. And like I have to like actually work on it. Yes. Yeah. That's, that's an interesting thing of like, when you're by yourself, it's like, if I don't do these things, the business is literally not going to grow at all.

Yeah. It's all on you. Mm-hmm. I think, I think it's important for like people to like have that idea of that too. It's like, yeah. Are you at a phase of life with everything you're doing now in Austin? You know, um, you know, the workouts, the run clubs working with us, sparkle, you know, I know you're going, going back to Alaska and doing some stuff for the Army still too.

Do you have the capacity? Like are you still making the time to. Continuously learn outside of it and cons, consume podcasts and books, and how do you think about that? Yeah, yeah. I try and, like, I really don't listen to a lot of music. Like, uh, me too. If I, if I'm like listening to something, like, besides when I'm working, like I'll listen to like EDM sets and like, I'm just absolutely wired on my computer.

Uh, but like, when I'm running, especially like my easy [00:46:00] runs, uh, I'll like put on a podcast like founder's podcast, like a podcast where I can actually like learn something and not just like an entertainment podcast. And like, I think, like, especially subconsciously, like if I just have stuff in my, going through my ears, like at all times of the day that's like, that, like I can learn from then, like I'll just subconsciously pick it up and then it's like, oh, like I'll start there and just like notice it, like when it comes about and it's like, founders' podcast is a great thing to listen to, and then it's like I try and read as much as I can.

Uh, but it's like I'm so busy right now. It's like podcasts are the main, and audio books are like the main ways that like I learn. Yes, yes. I think it's actually. I think it's a good thing when you get to a point where you're like, I'm still trying to make the effort to learn, but I don't have as much time because I'm doing the real thing.

Versus like reading about doing the real thing too. Yeah. I think it's actually a good, it's like a para a good paradox. Mm-hmm. You know? Yeah. But I like, uh, there is like a whole like say to like, sometimes you do have to like, lock in. Absolutely. Just lock [00:47:00] in. Yeah. And then like have no, like, uh, like Zach Gro, he always talks about the obsession.

Like he, he, I see him tweet, he's like, you should have no time to do anything but like, your passion or like your mission or your obsession. Yes. Like, uh, and there are times for that, like there are times where you do need to lock in. Yes. It's a balance of like, there's so much opportunity in this country that I believe you could lose your fortune five times over and then make a couple Right moves and win it all back too.

Like a lot of people talk about that. Yeah. And then balancing that with like, yes, I might be in my mid twenties or I might be 30. And before you know it, it's like, dude, you're gonna be married with children and then have grandchildren, and then you look back and you're like, I'm too old to, yeah. To start the thing that I wish I had started.

And I think like the, just the value of time and the, and the currency of that, and just understanding how quick it all goes. Like, I guarantee you, your army experience went like that so fast, and the next thing you know, you're gonna be my age too. Yeah. So it's like, dude, you, you're like just being in the game and recognizing that you're in a, you're in a game at, at a, at a young age and like, I just wanna maximize my potential and my opportunity.

That's it, man. Yeah. [00:48:00] You do have to like balance your life too though. And it's like, definitely try. So like, I try and like, like I do a lot. Yes. Like, obviously it's, but it's like I, I do like, like to relax. It's like I'll go on like a long walk around the lake. Like that's my favorite thing to do. Uh, and like get steps in and like de like not think about any business.

Like I, yes. And like growing, like, especially like when I was in college, like. When I was like, when I'd be a zombie by Thursday, like on campus. Like I didn't know how to balance. Yes. And so like, I just did it all full force. And then like, uh, now it's like I feel like I have a pretty healthy balance. So like I know my capacity just 'cause I've done it for years.

Uh, like done multiple things for years. Like I worked for you guys, like when I was in the Army. So like I'd work a full army day, then I'd come back, I'd work on sparkle, I'd work, uh, I'd work for you guys. Mm-hmm. And then it's like I still had a life outside of that. Yes. So it's like I couldn't have done it.

Like that was pretty much my max capacity. But it was like, now that I know what my capacity, like my capacity is, it's like now I can like, uh, I put in time to balance and like Yes. [00:49:00] Disengage and like enjoy my life as well. Definitely. Definitely. And like Austin is such an easy city to enjoy. Yes. And there's so much to experience here.

Yes. I think something that a lot of young men need to understand, like there are a lot of things that, um, Hormoze Tate. Um, Andy Elliot. I, I like a lot of those, those those guys like in their ethos, and I think there's a lot of truth to what they're saying, but I, I think you can also listen to those guys and be like, oh, if I'm on a walk in Lady Bird without my phone and just like taking in sun and decompressing, that's like me losing revenue or something like that.

And it's like, I think a lot of young people actually need to take the time to unplug and actually think and decompress and recharge the batteries. Like that's not being lazy, it's not mental masturbation. That's literally just like balancing this energy flywheel so you can make sure you're steering the ship in the right direction.

And also like filling yourself up with energy to keep going back to the well and do the things you need to do. Yeah. And if you get like, like I've been extremely burnt out. Like if you get really burnt out, then like you're no good to anything that you're doing. Yes. Yeah. Like I found those moments [00:50:00] of like, like a couple either, like there's, there's period of times where it's like, Hey, sleep deprivation, I.

No sleep, one hour sleep, just, just Chad ramming this thing. There's a time and a place for that. Yeah. But if I stack those days up, I actually lose this, like, this deeper level of thinking, um, and vision and like where we should be steering the ship. So I'm kind of working like a TaskRabbit, but I'm not working on like the bigger picture things.

Like I might actually be the, the one of the least important tasks that I'm spending all my time on. 'cause I can't critically think, 'cause I'm just like Yeah. De deprived almost. Mm-hmm. And sleep has been such a big thing too for that. Like when I just in the military, like I, I didn't sleep that well. Like, I would get like fair six hours if that.

Just like, I had to wake up at four 30 in the morning and it's like. I'd get home from work at like six, and then I'd work out, still cook dinner and like work on the other jobs. And like, I still trained a lot outside too, so like I ran a lot and so it's like I didn't have much time to sleep. Yeah. Uh, but like now that like I actually have time to like actually [00:51:00] sleep and like I can sleep a full eight hours at night.

Like my mind is so, like, I can feel it in my mind, like it's like so clear. Mm-hmm. Uh, and like that. And then on top of that, like, uh, cleaning up my diet, which is something we haven't really touched about, but like, I used to have a really bad like. Not like really bad diet. Like I never had any nutritional like information given to me growing up.

Uh, like when I was a kid, like I drank a lot of soda, I ate a lot of fast food in college, drank a lot, ate a lot of fast food, like didn't really care. Like, and, and then I was like a personal trainer, but I'm like, oh, I work, I work out so much that I can just like out-train a bad diet. Yes. That's not the case.

And I didn't really know, but like learn about a diet until I started listening to you guys, uh, and you guys like, uh, really, you, you and Harry really changed my perspective on diet And like ever since then, like I've always been like, like smart high performing, but it's like now it's like I, when I have a good diet and like I'm sleeping well, like I am so mentally clear that like that's what sets me apart.

Yes. [00:52:00] From everything else. Dude, I love that you said that. And it does seem like there's this like, I don't know, the shift in the zeitgeist where there's some people that are so married to just. Calories in, calories out, macronutrients. It seems like a very old school bodybuilding thing. Yeah. There's merit to that.

'cause thermodynamics is real. And then the animal based movement, this really strong focus on, you know, micronutrients and organic and grass finish and like extracting as many micronutrients as possible. There's merit to that too, but I see. I think if you just optimize for like one of those lanes, I think you're missing the critical mark where I see a lot of people that are going the hardcore micronutrient route.

Mm-hmm. Where they're drinking a ton of raw milk and throwing a ton of butter on everything and like, yeah. Grass finished meat. And I'm like, dude, you're probably burning 3,200 calories but you're eating 4,000, so you're wondering why you're actually getting heavier and have a little bit of a belly. Yeah.

Because calories in, calories out matters. Where like you see people that are super ripped, all macros and they feel like shit because they're eating like these, these poor quality things that, and they're just optimizing for protein and just being in a caloric deficit and it's like the blend of both of those [00:53:00] things.

Yeah. And I remember like I. I've like in college and like early in my army career, like I've been there too. Like I counted every macro, like I had everything dialed out. And that's like stressful. It is stressful. That's like, and like when you're doing all this other stuff, like, that's so much work.

Whereas like now, like I have such a good like, relationship with food. Like I eat animal based, like mostly like I eat potatoes, like, but my main meal is just like ground beef and potatoes, which is kind of kind of based, but it's your staple dude. It's your staple. I like eat that. And then like, yeah, I go to Sweet Green like probably four times a week.

Yes. And then, uh, I eat, like, I drink like a gallon of raw milk a week. Yes. But that's like pretty much the, the core of my diet. And it's like, I don't know, like I've never felt better. Yes. I've never felt more dialed. Yes. It's like. Those, I think everyone needs to find those three to four meals that are their staples.

Mm-hmm. They're easy to make. You love it. You could eat it day in and day out, and you can just swap and isolate between those, oscillate, between those four things. Like I think young, young men in particular, like I remember moving to New York when I was 23. I couldn't cook [00:54:00] anything, dude. Like learn how to, you know, pan cook some ground beef, baked chicken thighs in the oven, pan sear a steak really well.

Mm-hmm. Throw some potatoes in there, throw some vegetables in the air fryer and it's like. You're only doing a couple things in seasoning the food and you have these amazing dishes Yes. For like $12 a meal. Yeah. And I don't know a lot of, uh, like, I guess like guys my age too, like they don't know how to cook that well.

Like, uh, they'll just eat out all the time. Uh, and so like you just like, like you said, learn how to make those few things and then like you prioritize that like during the week. Like you have a good lunch, you have a good dinner, like all week, and then it's like. You don't have to feel bad about grabbing a burger with your boys like on the weekends.

Absolutely. Like you can, you can let go a little bit and like it won't kill you. Little home slice pizza every once in a while. Yeah, exactly. Not, not gonna kill you. I love a good pizza. Yeah. Uh, but it's like, if I'm dialed in during the week with my training and my nutrition, then it's like on the weekend or like when different things, different events come up.

Like, I was just at a wedding this past weekend and like my diet was like not as great, but it's like, I didn't even think twice about it. Just 'cause like yeah, I know I'm gonna come, I, I know I was dialed last week. I [00:55:00] know I'm gonna come back from that and I'm gonna be dialed this week. And it's like, I don't have to worry about anything.

Yes, dude. How, how bad are res Like taste wise? Yes. Uh, honestly, like, they're not horrible. They're pretty bad to like, I feel like if you're not used to 'em, uh, but it's like we had cold weather Emory's in Alaska, and so they're kinda like freeze dried mountain meals. Okay. And so those are actually pretty good.

Like those are like the gold standard of Emory's. Oh really? That you want the cold? Yeah, we had like jet boils and we'd have to like, uh, like heat 'em, heat boil water. Then you, like they're freeze dried, so they pour it in there and it's like a good warm meal. So it's like actually nice. But when I was like in training, like my drill sergeants told me they're like.

You're in the infantry, like don't each, like actual Emery, like the old ones or like the non cold weather ones? The regular ones, they come with like a, a water heater thing, so you can like heat up your meal and like my infantry drill sun should be like, ah, don't use that. Like you in the infantry. And so I just like never use the, the heater.

So just be like, like cheese tortellini just [00:56:00] cold or like, it's not great. Like they're, they're not great. Yeah. But like when you're in the field, like it doesn't really matter. Yeah. You're just mission focused at that point. What, what's the MRE when you get it, you're like, oh, this is incredible. And what's the one where people are like, this is legitimate shit.

This is dog food. My, uh, my favorite MRE the cold weather one was, uh, Turkey tetrazzini, tur Turkey. Tet, uh, Turkey Tet. Yeah. So it's like they have every MRE has like a main meal. Yeah. And then they have like sides. And so like, some people are like really into the sides game. Like, they're like, oh, I don't really care about the main meal, but like, if I have good sides, then like I can store them for later, then eat them later on.

Whereas like, I, I was big on the Turkey Tet main meal and the sides are kind of mid. Yes. Uh, but uh, the main meal is phenomenal. It was like, kind of like, uh, a Mediterranean dish. Okay. Uh, like some rice and some, some turkeys and some, uh, peppers and stuff. Really, really good. Yeah. There's one, uh, Emery. It is called like a Italian sausage.

It's uh, meal number four. Yeah, they're all [00:57:00] numbered. Yeah. Okay. Meal number. Okay. Maybe it's 20, actually I think it's 20 Italian peppers and sausage or whatever. Uh, that one's pretty fire too, but like the sides kind of vary. Like, it's like sometimes there's breadsticks, sometimes there's like a trail mix, like just like a bunch of little breadstick in the field is probably divine, right?

Not bad. Yeah. Yeah. But uh, yeah, Italian sausage and then Turkey tet are my two favorites. What's the dog food like? What's the shit where people are like, dude, I'm not eating this. I'm trying to think. This is a hot take. A lot of people like this one, but the, for the cold weather seafood chowder. Okay. Uh, I just wasn't big on, like, I don't, I'm pretty particular, like, I'm not gonna eat seafood if I'm not by the coast.

Yes. And like a seafood MRE, like, I'm like, it doesn't make sense to me. Yeah. Uh, but people love the seafood chowder. Uh, that controversial take that is extremely controversial, especially people in Alaska. Like, uh, that is extremely controversial because some people just love clam chowder. Yeah. So they probably love it, but you're like, dude, I'm not in this aged clams or whatever.

Yeah. Yeah. Gimme, gimme the beef tro off of the Turkey tet. Yeah. That's so [00:58:00] funny, dude. And now it's like you go from meeting MREs to like, just being able to have whatever you want, honestly now, man. Yeah, exactly. Brother. Anything else you're passionate to like, talk about or message to the audience before we wrap?

Uh, no. I, I mean, I just appreciate being here. It is. I, I'm sorry. I talk like a Chad. People tell me that all the time. No, you dude, you're very, you're very well spoken man. Uh, but I appreciate being here. I love working with you guys and like, uh, I'm very passionate and it's like really nice to have a job where I actually look forward to working every day.

Mm. And like every weekend I'm like, oh, I can't wait for Monday. Like to actually like, go to work and grind. Mm. Like I hadn't felt that, like, since I worked at the rec center in college, like, like I like the army, but it's like, I wasn't like dying to go every day. Yeah. 'cause like it's, it is such like a, a big thing.

Uh, but now it's like every day, like I could not live a better life, like, than I'm doing right now. And I'm very fortunate to like be where I am. Dude, well, you're kicking ass, man. I think that that's a, that in itself is a great message for people of like, it's, it's very cliche, but it's possible. Like just how do I put myself in a [00:59:00] position where the thing that I'm doing just like lights a fire under my ass where I just, I genuinely am.

I know that I'm doing things right when I get outta bed and I'm like, dude, thank you, God, just to be able to have this day and when I don't feel that it's, it's the worst feeling. And when I have it, it's the best feeling. And I like, I think the listener needs to understand like, that is absolutely possible for you.

Yeah. But man, you're, dude, you're a culture spark plug. You've, you've lifted Harry and I up so much and dude, we feel incredibly fortunate to be able to work with you, man. And I just can't wait to see the next couple years of your journey and for our past across and build a friendship and work together.

I think it's gonna be, I think God's got some huge things in store for you, man. Yeah. So I just appreciate you so much. Yeah, I appreciate you too. I'm so excited for it. Cool. And we'll link to all your stuff in the show notes too, and some, some sparkle strips for people too. Yeah, of course. Thanks brother.

Yeah. Thank you. Cool.