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July 3, 2024

You Need Inspiration or Desperation 208

You Need Inspiration or Desperation 208

Have you ever found yourself at the crossroads of inspiration and desperation? Tony Robbins once said, "In life, you need either inspiration or desperation," and that powerful notion forms the backbone of this special episode of the Share the Struggle Podcast. As we celebrate our four-year anniversary, we reflect on the highs and lows, from a dip in business sales in June to the bustling anticipation for July. This episode is a heartfelt ode to our loyal listeners and an exploration of how struggles can be the crucible for growth and transformation.

Through personal stories and professional milestones, we underline the resilience required to turn obstacles into opportunities, whether it’s finding creativity in the face of business challenges or seeking support from a strong community.

On a more personal note, the episode delves into the emotions and responsibilities of impending parenthood. A stirring encounter with a mother deer and her fawn serves as a powerful metaphor for the instinct to protect and provide. We also share updates on our ongoing bus project and the invaluable help from friends Chris and Noah. Wrapping up, we emphasize the importance of community, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of dreams—whether driven by inspiration or desperation. Tune in, stay motivated, and join our growing community on social media as we continue to share the struggle and celebrate the journey.

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Chapters

00:00 - Inspiration and Desperation

07:50 - Embracing Business Growth and Entertainment

23:05 - Navigating Desperation

28:31 - Finding Inspiration in Desperation

35:06 - On the Road to Redemption

47:05 - The Role of Business Owner

53:59 - Building Business and Achieving Dreams

Transcript
WEBVTT

00:00:00.641 --> 00:00:10.128
On today's episode of Share the Shuggle Podcast, we are dipping into my bag of inspiration yes, the search for inspirado.

00:00:10.128 --> 00:00:19.891
We're digging into the bag and pulling out a quote, a powerful quote, one that I've had pinned, written down, earmarked, booked, marked, whatever you want to call it.

00:00:19.891 --> 00:00:24.492
This quote comes from the inspirational Tony Robbins.

00:00:24.492 --> 00:00:29.012
In life, you need either inspiration or desperation.

00:00:29.012 --> 00:00:32.490
I've been living off of Tony's quote for quite some time.

00:00:32.490 --> 00:00:43.494
Today and today on Share the Struggle Podcast, we are going to discuss what happens in your life when you have both inspiration and desperation.

00:00:43.494 --> 00:00:47.469
Let me tell you something Everybody struggles.

00:00:47.469 --> 00:00:52.951
The difference is some people choose to go through it and some choose to grow through it.

00:00:52.951 --> 00:00:55.368
The choice is completely yours.

00:00:55.368 --> 00:01:01.292
Which one you choose will have a very profound effect on the way you live your life.

00:01:01.292 --> 00:01:08.989
If you find strength in the struggle, then this podcast is for you.

00:01:08.989 --> 00:01:15.908
Do you have a relationship that is comfortable with uncomfortable conversations?

00:01:15.908 --> 00:01:21.626
Uncomfortable conversations challenge you, humble you and they build you.

00:01:21.626 --> 00:01:26.661
When you sprinkle a little time and distance on it, it all makes sense.

00:01:26.661 --> 00:01:31.793
Most disagreements, they stem from our own insecurities.

00:01:31.793 --> 00:01:36.141
You are right where you need to be.

00:01:36.141 --> 00:01:42.082
I'm glad you're just gone.

00:01:42.082 --> 00:01:46.906
I'll take on what's behind.

00:01:46.906 --> 00:01:54.129
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, what it do, what it do, I'm digging it, man.

00:01:54.129 --> 00:01:56.430
Am I so excited to be back with you?

00:01:56.430 --> 00:02:02.033
But I hate to disappoint you because this week is just me and you.

00:02:02.033 --> 00:02:05.614
No, wifey, this week she had enough of me.

00:02:05.614 --> 00:02:09.116
She said you're on your own, fella, you're on your own.

00:02:09.116 --> 00:02:13.217
So here we are, rocking and rolling, jiving and wailing.

00:02:13.217 --> 00:02:17.002
We've got the AC off in here.

00:02:17.002 --> 00:02:20.491
It's too hot to record in some of the dungeons I have around here.

00:02:20.491 --> 00:02:22.045
We are upstairs.

00:02:22.045 --> 00:02:24.227
I had the AC cranking long enough to cool it down.

00:02:24.227 --> 00:02:25.250
In here it's off.

00:02:25.250 --> 00:02:39.906
I'm going to try to make magic happen in a shortened, condensed amount of time to hopefully get the AC on so the rest of the family doesn't suffer through my recording after this is all said and done, if that makes sense.

00:02:39.906 --> 00:02:48.453
I don't know about you guys, but when my house gets behind a proper temperature you will spend the rest of the day chasing said temperature.

00:02:48.453 --> 00:02:55.093
So I'm going to try to keep things a little more abbreviated, but y'all know I talk too much.

00:02:55.093 --> 00:02:57.048
You're probably going to look at your radio dial and go.

00:02:57.048 --> 00:03:00.169
This son of a bitch still talks for an hour.

00:03:00.169 --> 00:03:01.544
What is he talking about?

00:03:01.544 --> 00:03:02.064
We'll see.

00:03:02.064 --> 00:03:02.907
We'll see.

00:03:02.907 --> 00:03:14.242
Bet, you heard Episode 208, and I'm feeling great because I'm back with you and I need to acknowledge you From all my day ones to those of you that just begun.

00:03:14.242 --> 00:03:15.264
Put your ones up.

00:03:15.264 --> 00:03:20.360
I appreciate you, I acknowledge you, I love and enjoy you.

00:03:20.360 --> 00:03:24.044
It's because of each and every one of you that we keep this show going.

00:03:24.044 --> 00:03:33.135
It's because, each and every one of you, we have continued to record, week after week after week, 208 episodes.

00:03:33.135 --> 00:03:34.361
You know what's crazy?

00:03:34.361 --> 00:03:37.670
Y'all is Welcome to July, first off.

00:03:37.670 --> 00:03:39.525
Okay, how did that happen?

00:03:39.525 --> 00:03:42.870
Right, when did the other six months happen?

00:03:42.870 --> 00:03:47.692
I feel like I blacked out and arrived in July.

00:03:47.692 --> 00:03:49.444
I'm scared a little shitless here.

00:03:49.444 --> 00:03:50.489
We're going to get into that shortly.

00:03:50.489 --> 00:03:56.673
But what's cool to think about is this here podcast started in July.

00:03:56.673 --> 00:03:59.310
It started in July of 2020.

00:03:59.310 --> 00:04:05.102
Man, this is our birth month, the birth month of said podcast.

00:04:05.102 --> 00:04:06.362
Can y'all believe it?

00:04:06.362 --> 00:04:15.825
That means that at some point in this month, we are going to cross four freaking years of Share the Struggle podcast.

00:04:16.166 --> 00:04:17.786
Oh, look at him.

00:04:17.786 --> 00:04:19.267
Oh, he's celebrating.

00:04:19.267 --> 00:04:20.927
Oh, look at him, he's celebrating.

00:04:20.927 --> 00:04:22.809
Oh, okay, clap for him.

00:04:22.809 --> 00:04:23.889
Yeah, look at him.

00:04:23.889 --> 00:04:24.209
Oh, he for him.

00:04:24.209 --> 00:04:24.689
Yeah, look at him.

00:04:24.689 --> 00:04:26.790
Oh, he's beautiful.

00:04:26.790 --> 00:04:27.571
Oh, look at him.

00:04:27.571 --> 00:04:31.233
His little biceps and his you know whatever that thing is.

00:04:31.233 --> 00:04:36.154
Oh, snaps, yes, yes, where everybody be snapping.

00:04:36.154 --> 00:04:38.855
Oh, everybody be snapping.

00:04:38.855 --> 00:04:41.377
And I know we're going back to clapping.

00:04:41.377 --> 00:04:44.017
I guess, oh, is he done yet?

00:04:44.017 --> 00:04:45.079
Is he done?

00:04:45.079 --> 00:04:47.242
Is that it?

00:04:47.242 --> 00:04:52.312
We are all done now with you, you little cheesy little celebration boy.

00:04:52.312 --> 00:04:58.367
I said boy, y'all done with your celebration boy.

00:04:58.367 --> 00:05:03.404
All right, I had to use those voices in my head to make it feel like some of y'all were here cheering us along.

00:05:03.504 --> 00:05:06.464
Four years, man, that is no small feat, baby.

00:05:06.464 --> 00:05:08.228
I got to think of something big to do.

00:05:08.228 --> 00:05:09.232
I got to think of something big to do.

00:05:09.232 --> 00:05:15.661
Okay, truth be told, I'll probably get too damn distracted, I'll get too damn busy and this big thing in my mind we'll never get to.

00:05:15.661 --> 00:05:16.661
That's possible.

00:05:16.661 --> 00:05:21.485
Okay, that could happen, because I got a busy-ass month ahead of me and that's what we're about to talk about today.

00:05:21.485 --> 00:05:25.127
But four years, congratulate yourself.

00:05:25.187 --> 00:05:29.850
If you're one of the few that have listened to all 208 episodes, get your ones up.

00:05:29.850 --> 00:05:31.290
Hot damn, do I love you.

00:05:31.290 --> 00:05:33.851
If this is the first one for you, I challenge you.

00:05:33.851 --> 00:05:34.713
Go on back.

00:05:34.713 --> 00:05:37.353
These episodes are timeless, baby.

00:05:37.353 --> 00:05:38.314
They're classics.

00:05:38.314 --> 00:05:43.077
It's like watching Mashed or Seinfeld, but cooler.

00:05:43.077 --> 00:05:44.944
You know what I mean.

00:05:44.944 --> 00:05:46.649
It's like I don't know.

00:05:46.649 --> 00:05:48.245
There's good stuff here.

00:05:48.245 --> 00:05:48.867
There's good shit.

00:05:48.867 --> 00:05:52.285
You can find all things podcast related shadowcirclepodcastcom.

00:05:52.285 --> 00:05:53.463
Don't you forget it.

00:05:53.463 --> 00:05:56.988
Okay, don't you forget it.

00:05:56.988 --> 00:06:02.331
All right, clearly I'm already way off base here, but we're in July.

00:06:02.331 --> 00:06:03.213
Welcome to July.

00:06:03.821 --> 00:06:31.240
We finished June pretty strong on the productivity scale, not on the business sales scale, as I mentioned last week, when I was joined by my lovely beautiful wife and we discussed all things current and related, I mentioned to you guys that June's the first month that we're going to be down and, lord have mercy, we'll be down but we're going to rebound because July's going to be super damn busy.

00:06:31.240 --> 00:06:37.982
But we ended June oh so productive and we're going to talk about a little bit of that right here.

00:06:37.982 --> 00:06:43.810
But before we get rocking and rolling too much further, I want to give, I want to use.

00:06:43.810 --> 00:06:47.976
Rocking and rolling too much further, I want to give, I want to use.

00:06:47.976 --> 00:06:50.000
We haven't done this in a long time.

00:06:50.000 --> 00:06:57.367
Okay, I want to use a winning Wednesday weekly shout out To two people.

00:06:57.367 --> 00:07:03.435
Okay, first, my lovely, beautiful bride, my baby mama.

00:07:03.435 --> 00:07:05.081
Okay, lovely, beautiful bride, my baby mama.

00:07:05.101 --> 00:07:20.286
Okay, I gotta give a weekly winning wednesday shout out to my wifey for joining me on the last two weeks episodes here on the podcast and I gotta say last week's show, man, was one of my, like, most fun shows in a long time.

00:07:20.286 --> 00:07:25.213
I had a blast last week and I just want to say thanks to my wife.

00:07:25.213 --> 00:07:32.850
It was good for us to show you guys what downtime is like on the couch, okay, so that was fun.

00:07:32.850 --> 00:07:36.630
I had a great time last week and I think y'all had a great time too.

00:07:36.630 --> 00:07:50.076
So I appreciate everybody and I just want to give that shout out to my wife, and I also want to give a shout out to my brother from another mother, mr Matt Perkins from Ledgeway Farm.

00:07:50.259 --> 00:07:53.069
Matt and Sarah are doing big things.

00:07:53.069 --> 00:07:56.168
They are betting on their business and taking another step.

00:07:56.168 --> 00:08:01.552
Matt has made a tremendous leap of faith in betting on his business.

00:08:01.552 --> 00:08:16.526
I'm not going to share those exact details because that's for him and I don't know who knows those things yet, but we all listen and just need to know that Brother Matt here has taken a massive leap of faith and bet on his business.

00:08:16.526 --> 00:08:20.319
He's doubled down, he's tripled down and it's going down.

00:08:20.480 --> 00:08:24.610
So, matt, my brother, I am proud of you, my friend, I applaud you.

00:08:24.610 --> 00:08:27.802
Yes, oh, look at him, he clapping again.

00:08:27.802 --> 00:08:32.129
Yeah, oh, he's a clapper.

00:08:32.129 --> 00:08:34.493
That one, that boy, he's a clapper.

00:08:34.493 --> 00:08:35.634
He like to clap.

00:08:35.634 --> 00:08:37.384
He be clapping for everybody.

00:08:37.384 --> 00:08:39.471
Look at him, he just be clapping for everybody.

00:08:39.471 --> 00:08:42.881
Hey, yeah, those are your hands.

00:08:42.881 --> 00:08:44.745
That's what they do when you put them together.

00:08:44.745 --> 00:08:49.453
Your mama must have tried to bake you a cake.

00:08:49.453 --> 00:08:51.602
You know what I mean.

00:08:51.602 --> 00:09:03.534
Anyways, what I'm trying to say is, matt, I'm so proud of you, dude, and I'm happy for you, and I know that it's all going to work out, man, because you work too damn hard for things not to work out.

00:09:03.534 --> 00:09:04.725
So I'm proud of you.

00:09:04.860 --> 00:09:17.745
Shout out to Ledgeway Farm, make sure you find Ledgeway Farm and dip your toes and the rest of your body into some goat soap, because it's exclusively what the Liberties used over here and we're going to raise a little paisley on it too.

00:09:17.745 --> 00:09:23.206
None of that byproduct bullshit, just all natural, right off the goat titty.

00:09:23.206 --> 00:09:26.773
Okay, that's a sales pitch for you, matt.

00:09:26.773 --> 00:09:30.505
If you need one, I mean, you can use that if you want.

00:09:30.505 --> 00:09:31.688
You want me to re-record it?

00:09:31.688 --> 00:09:47.432
We could, we could do that too, but um, on that weird note about goat titties, I'm gonna uh say uh, gotcha loud, proud.

00:09:47.451 --> 00:10:00.658
American is a lifestyle brand dedicated and determined to represent the american spirit with an unrelenting commitment to provide made in the usa products.

00:10:00.658 --> 00:10:12.368
If you would like to join the two percent of Americans that buy American and support American, head on over to wwwlalproudamericanshop.

00:10:12.368 --> 00:10:19.202
Together we can bring back American manufacturing, all right?

00:10:19.202 --> 00:10:21.148
All right, all right, welcome back.

00:10:21.148 --> 00:10:25.509
Y'all Appreciate it, jeff Horn and the Gut Truckers for that little gut check right there.

00:10:25.720 --> 00:10:35.914
So, as I mentioned, we finished June rather productive and we're rolling into July about to get real busy.

00:10:35.914 --> 00:10:41.529
Okay, getting down to business, but ending June on a high note was a good feeling.

00:10:41.529 --> 00:10:49.841
On a high note was a good feeling.

00:10:49.841 --> 00:10:58.628
We didn't really achieve any further sales worth mentioning or getting excited about after last week's podcast, but we were productive and we had to prioritize some things and get focused on those things.

00:10:58.628 --> 00:11:02.947
And we've been talking for months now about version 2.0 and me and you and the fact that I truly feel unlocking version 2.0 and me and you.

00:11:02.947 --> 00:11:24.845
And the fact that I truly feel unlocking version 2.0 and you and me is dependent on living in the here and now, being present in the moment and attacking and making the best of what is right in front of you, what you can control and the highest priority that you can cause and effect.

00:11:24.845 --> 00:11:34.751
So that's what we kind of finished off June with for an approach and we're going to jump, jive and wail into some of that here.

00:11:34.899 --> 00:11:41.787
But before I go any further I want to give a shout out to everybody that came out Friday night, bentley Saloon for 90s Night.

00:11:41.787 --> 00:11:47.832
That was one of the most fun times I've had DJing in a very long time.

00:11:47.832 --> 00:11:52.107
I had an absolute blast doing 90s night.

00:11:52.107 --> 00:12:21.240
I was rocking some ultra bright like fluorescent pink and green I think they're like cheetah and zebra half and half shorts, with a Biggie Smalls t-shirt matching bright colors and a bucket hat and I rolled into the saloon where nobody had a clue what I was there for, and there's a bunch of people you know outside on their motorcycles hanging out looking at me.

00:12:21.240 --> 00:12:24.386
Like what is this guy?

00:12:24.386 --> 00:12:26.471
Oh, big-ass fake gold chain.

00:12:26.471 --> 00:12:27.854
The whole nine rolling in.

00:12:27.854 --> 00:12:30.587
I was getting judged y'all.

00:12:30.587 --> 00:12:32.453
This wasn't Planet Fitness.

00:12:32.453 --> 00:12:34.701
This was definitely not a judgment-free zone.

00:12:34.701 --> 00:12:37.145
I was getting judged, okay.

00:12:37.145 --> 00:12:46.592
But when a few other folks started rolling in, dressed up and there's a little safety in numbers, we truly got after it and, man, we had a great time.

00:12:47.139 --> 00:12:49.144
90s 90s for music.

00:12:49.144 --> 00:12:54.001
So super underrated, okay, so underrated 90s.

00:12:54.001 --> 00:12:56.067
Let's discuss the music from the 90s.

00:12:56.067 --> 00:12:56.549
Real quick.

00:12:56.549 --> 00:13:05.048
I am just going to say, when it comes to hip-hop, when it comes to Yo MTV raps, when we're talking about hip-hop 90s hip-hop was the greatest decade for hip-hop.

00:13:05.048 --> 00:13:05.933
When it comes to yo MTV raps, all right.

00:13:05.933 --> 00:13:10.826
When we're talking about hip-hop 90s hip-hop was the greatest decade for hip-hop ever.

00:13:10.826 --> 00:13:11.908
Ever.

00:13:11.908 --> 00:13:14.412
I will challenge anybody to this.

00:13:14.412 --> 00:13:23.134
Okay, you bring your freaking yeezy, wheezy, lemon squeezy albums to me and I'm gonna drop some some biggie on you.

00:13:23.134 --> 00:13:25.808
We're gonna drop some, you know, some some Tupac.

00:13:25.808 --> 00:13:27.765
We're going to pull out all these things from the 90s.

00:13:27.765 --> 00:13:33.884
I'm telling you 90s hip-hop was the greatest decade of hip-hop ever.

00:13:33.884 --> 00:13:35.807
All right, it'll never be matched.

00:13:36.288 --> 00:13:41.041
Now there's a lot of things about the 90s that people don't really really recall.

00:13:41.041 --> 00:13:44.942
All right, classic rock in the 90s phenomenal.

00:13:44.942 --> 00:13:50.345
Guns N' Roses in the 90s one of the best things to ever happen to music.

00:13:50.345 --> 00:13:56.528
All right, guns N' Roses in the 90s amazing dude, completely amazing.

00:13:56.528 --> 00:14:04.171
Don't forget, when we're talking about classic rock, metallica dropped Enter Sandman in the 90s.

00:14:04.171 --> 00:14:06.192
Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

00:14:06.192 --> 00:14:09.493
Okay, I don't smoke, but I just felt like it was appropriate.

00:14:09.493 --> 00:14:13.294
That was probably on a TV commercial in the 90s, I don't know Dare to keep kids off drugs?

00:14:13.294 --> 00:14:13.595
All right.

00:14:13.595 --> 00:14:18.336
90s rock awesome, totally underrated, okay.

00:14:18.336 --> 00:14:26.471
And then you can get into a bunch of other 90s stuff like 90s rock and 90s alternative man.

00:14:26.471 --> 00:14:27.740
You ever heard of Nirvana?

00:14:27.740 --> 00:14:31.807
Okay, rage Against the Machine man.

00:14:32.508 --> 00:14:41.528
When we're talking classic rock and alternative rock, there's some legit stuff that happened, okay, unbelievable.

00:14:41.528 --> 00:14:45.375
That we don't give credit to the 90s for classic and hard rock.

00:14:45.375 --> 00:14:52.413
I'm about to drop on y'all some of the piece de resistance.

00:14:52.413 --> 00:14:59.692
All right, because one of the greatest things about the 90s was 90s country.

00:14:59.692 --> 00:15:02.674
Oh, my lord.

00:15:02.674 --> 00:15:03.480
90s country.

00:15:03.480 --> 00:15:05.808
Garth Brooks, the absolute man.

00:15:05.808 --> 00:15:14.613
I don't think people realize the amount of success that George freaking Strait was having in the 90s.

00:15:14.613 --> 00:15:18.989
He was crushing it and we were turned on to so many new artists in the 90s.

00:15:18.989 --> 00:15:23.384
Man Boy, I tell you, 90s country Toby Keith was in his prime.

00:15:23.384 --> 00:15:24.428
You got Joe Diffie.

00:15:24.428 --> 00:15:26.967
You got some amazing things that happened in the 90s.

00:15:26.967 --> 00:15:31.951
Sawyer Brown's one of my favorite country people of all time Totally underrated.

00:15:31.951 --> 00:15:34.203
Anyways, I digress, okay.

00:15:34.344 --> 00:15:36.328
Point I'm making is 90s night.

00:15:36.328 --> 00:15:37.893
We had an absolute blast.

00:15:37.893 --> 00:15:42.408
In a few weeks we are having another theme night at the Saloon.

00:15:42.408 --> 00:15:45.774
It's going to be one of my other favorites.

00:15:45.774 --> 00:15:49.645
Okay, it's Mullet and Daisy Duke night, all right.

00:15:49.645 --> 00:16:01.514
And if you want to rock both of them at the same time, if you have a Mullet and Daisy Dukes, boner points, okay, you're off the charts, off the charts.

00:16:01.514 --> 00:16:09.354
So, anyways, I'm feeling good that we ended June with one of the best nights of DJing that I've had in quite some time.

00:16:09.354 --> 00:16:15.152
It was so motivating to just knock one out of the park.

00:16:15.152 --> 00:16:17.187
I had an absolute blast with that.

00:16:18.000 --> 00:16:23.513
This month, as we're running into July, things are about to get real crazy, y'all.

00:16:23.513 --> 00:16:25.105
Things are going to get real crazy, y'all.

00:16:25.105 --> 00:16:26.331
Things are going to get super busy.

00:16:26.331 --> 00:16:30.263
I have, um, two dj gigs this month that are back to back.

00:16:30.263 --> 00:16:44.010
I have, uh bentley's mullet and daisy duke night, and the next day I have a surprise birthday party scenario that I'm going to do and, um, the three weeks leading up to that we have back to back to backback-to-back events.

00:16:44.010 --> 00:16:49.424
So, july we're going to be running and gunning straight through here.

00:16:49.525 --> 00:16:54.624
We have our first fair of the year fastly approaching us at Osprey Valley Fair.

00:16:54.624 --> 00:17:00.065
We're going to go from there to another event for us that we've never done before, called Sebago Days.

00:17:00.065 --> 00:17:15.868
So we're going to back-to-back those and coming up this week actually, when this episode drops, I will be in the parking lot yet again for Bentley Saloon setting up for 4th of July and getting ready for July 4th weekend being a vendor selling products out of the saloon.

00:17:15.868 --> 00:17:23.932
This is actually as crazy, as it is the last time that I'll be a vendor at the saloon for 2024.

00:17:23.932 --> 00:17:33.029
Current to the schedule we have set in place, we're on the road from here on out, so we're not gonna actually be a vendor there.

00:17:33.029 --> 00:17:35.228
You'll catch me DJing there as we go.

00:17:35.228 --> 00:17:49.393
But yeah, man, it's crazy, right, well, there's so much Like I feel like I haven't left that place yet and then after this weekend, you won't catch me back there as a vendor until May of 2025.

00:17:49.393 --> 00:17:52.709
It's crazy, man, absolutely crazy.

00:17:54.039 --> 00:18:00.053
What's tough about our schedule is that we often get asked to do things right.

00:18:00.053 --> 00:18:16.864
We get like offers right, like people call hey, man, we're doing this, you know, we're going to the beach, we're having a barbecue, we're having a pool party, it's this kid's graduation, all these things, and we can never make those things work and that's kind of the downfall.

00:18:16.864 --> 00:18:23.535
But we're in this growth phase in our business that requires all of our attention in our business.

00:18:23.535 --> 00:18:25.337
That requires all of our attention.

00:18:25.337 --> 00:18:34.400
And the wife is doing everything she can for her side of things on what she does for work and getting ready for the baby and supporting me and our brand and business at the same time.

00:18:34.400 --> 00:18:42.771
Like there's just so much going on right, so you're missing out on all these things, but I know we're creating opportunities down the road to be able to attend these things.

00:18:43.721 --> 00:18:46.862
And I'm saying this because I got a phone call this weekend.

00:18:46.862 --> 00:18:47.182
That was.

00:18:47.182 --> 00:18:51.077
It was just a funny phone call but it was actually motivating.

00:18:51.077 --> 00:19:01.166
I think it was maybe the end of last week or over the weekend and my brother, chris Ellis, had called me and we haven't spent time together in quite some time.

00:19:01.166 --> 00:19:12.571
But we spent a half an hour or so catching up at Bentley Saloon at one of my last events and we vowed to reconnect and spend some time and get together.

00:19:12.571 --> 00:19:15.023
And he was just calling and chatting.

00:19:15.023 --> 00:19:31.502
But he said I really wanted to call and say a good job on the bus and everything that you're doing and I just wanted to say how impressed I am with what you're able to accomplish on that thing, knowing that none of that is your background and as fast as you're getting through some of those things.

00:19:32.003 --> 00:19:40.619
Like I'm impressed and you know he asked me what I was up to and I was kind of throwing things around and he said dude, do you ever sleep, brother?

00:19:40.619 --> 00:19:42.464
Like, do you ever take a minute?

00:19:42.464 --> 00:19:44.692
Like, do I call you when you're on the couch?

00:19:44.692 --> 00:19:45.493
You know what I mean.

00:19:45.493 --> 00:19:48.844
He said you need to slow down.

00:19:48.844 --> 00:19:50.307
You're making the rest of us look bad.

00:19:50.307 --> 00:19:52.260
And I laughed that off and it was just.

00:19:52.260 --> 00:19:55.708
You know Chris's personality and humor.

00:19:57.391 --> 00:20:09.830
But after I just had this like sense of accomplishment, right, sometimes it's a little comment, sometimes it's a little gesture, a pat on the ass, a card in the balloon you never know what it's going to be right.

00:20:09.830 --> 00:20:12.183
But sometimes there's a sense of validation.

00:20:12.183 --> 00:20:22.613
Something is said, something is done, something is mentioned that validates your efforts and having somebody that you love and care about, that's a close personal friend.

00:20:22.613 --> 00:20:25.326
Give you those kudos when you know they're genuine.

00:20:25.326 --> 00:20:28.401
It can be validation and you're like you know what?

00:20:28.401 --> 00:20:30.786
I am working my ass off to make this work.

00:20:30.786 --> 00:20:33.833
And you turn around and you look at what you've accomplished.

00:20:34.339 --> 00:20:37.510
Now we talk about being present and being in the moment.

00:20:37.510 --> 00:20:52.068
If I look forward to everything that needs to get done and to what I'm not doing, I will overwhelm myself and I will halt myself because I'm going to be so overwhelmed with what needs to be done that I'm going to lose sight of what I'm doing.

00:20:52.068 --> 00:20:57.451
So, giving myself a quick moment to look back and say this is all you've accomplished, bud.

00:20:57.451 --> 00:21:00.910
Like, let's take that, for you know, for granted.

00:21:00.910 --> 00:21:04.150
Let's now you know, chisel, that in granted.

00:21:04.150 --> 00:21:06.744
Like, this has been done, you've completed this.

00:21:06.744 --> 00:21:14.153
I know you have this big old list in front of you, but you've accomplished this and now we're going to accomplish what's right in front of us.

00:21:15.094 --> 00:21:16.515
Sometimes it's the little things, guys.

00:21:16.515 --> 00:21:18.875
Sometimes it's that little moment, that little validation.

00:21:18.875 --> 00:21:31.650
It's not always a card in the balloon, it's not always a pat on the ass, a pat on the back, it's not always a pow pow in the pants, sometimes it's just a funny comment, but you know it's true and it makes a difference.

00:21:31.650 --> 00:22:08.071
So when I think about this quote we started the show off today talking about Tony Robbins and this quote from Tony Robbins and I'm always looking for motivation, I'm searching for inspiration and I find quotes that I'll put them in my phone or I'll save them, I'll pin them in my office, I'll put them on my screensaver, whatever it might be the current quote that's been lingering around my office, that I have not been able to let go of, that I continue to focus on, is from Tony Robbins, and it is In life, you need either inspiration or desperation.

00:22:10.280 --> 00:22:21.390
This quote I found a few months ago when I was desperate, when I was oh so desperate because a few months ago I found this quote and nothing was done.

00:22:21.390 --> 00:22:28.347
Because nothing was, let's say, there was nothing I could afford to get done.

00:22:28.347 --> 00:22:30.593
Right, I was spinning my wheels.

00:22:30.593 --> 00:22:49.381
I was waiting for the business to finally turn a little bit of cash to free up some capital to reinvest, and the first step is also in, you know, stocking enough product to go out and have an opportunity or an actual chance to be productive.

00:22:49.381 --> 00:23:00.141
Like, you need to create enough cash flow to create opportunities and then after that, I need to roll that cash flow into fixing our bus, into having our company vehicle.

00:23:00.141 --> 00:23:04.810
I couldn't do those things without the finances, so it's been.

00:23:05.230 --> 00:23:09.346
I was in this real, just tough growth position where I was stunned.

00:23:09.346 --> 00:23:10.509
My growth was stunned.

00:23:10.509 --> 00:23:13.622
There was a cap on me, there was a roof on our limits.

00:23:13.622 --> 00:23:16.768
That feeling was so paralyzing.

00:23:16.768 --> 00:23:20.522
That feeling was paralyzing Like you're just running in quicksand.

00:23:20.522 --> 00:23:25.262
You're working as hard as you can and your mind's going as fast as it can, but you're just not moving.

00:23:25.262 --> 00:23:26.946
You're paralyzed.

00:23:26.946 --> 00:23:31.843
You're running in place, you're standing put, you're on a treadmill, which is my worst enemy.

00:23:31.843 --> 00:23:37.450
Okay, it was a tough spot to be and you felt like you were losing everything.

00:23:37.450 --> 00:23:45.531
And you're robbing Peter to pay Paul and you're borrowing this and you're doing that, all these things.

00:23:45.531 --> 00:23:51.008
I've had many conversations with you about how much debt we had created for the business and being in the red 40 grand.

00:23:51.008 --> 00:24:04.631
And in this moment I find this quote and I apply for a small business loan with my credit card company, because that's what you want to do in this moment right Is add more debt to your situation.

00:24:04.631 --> 00:24:05.380
But I did.

00:24:05.380 --> 00:24:13.835
But it gave me some relief and it gave me a little bit of an opportunity to manipulate and move inventory and to get creative.

00:24:13.835 --> 00:24:24.751
And when you get through June and it wasn't as successful as you wanted it to be, but it gave you the capital you needed to have to get things going.

00:24:25.180 --> 00:24:32.711
So I had to dedicate my time, energy and my cash flow to the company vehicle, to the bus.

00:24:32.711 --> 00:24:40.311
So in this time all these things that need to be done I have some custom accounts that need to be caught up on some custom orders.

00:24:40.311 --> 00:24:45.510
I have things that I've run out of that I need to reorder all these things.

00:24:45.510 --> 00:24:47.622
But a lot of those stuff is going to take cash flow right.

00:24:47.622 --> 00:24:49.305
I can't use that right now.

00:24:49.305 --> 00:24:50.767
That cash flow has to go into the bus.

00:24:50.767 --> 00:24:56.681
I have to dedicate myself to the bus because if I can't get to my next event then I ain't going to make money for my next event.

00:24:56.681 --> 00:25:01.932
I am literally one week away from the first road trip with our bus.

00:25:01.932 --> 00:25:02.913
It needs to be done.

00:25:02.913 --> 00:25:07.750
So you guys have seen some of the funny videos that I've made about the bus.

00:25:07.750 --> 00:25:11.827
There's more to come because I'm actually ahead of schedule.

00:25:11.827 --> 00:25:14.202
I'm further on than what you've seen in video.

00:25:14.845 --> 00:25:15.888
We've painted the bus.

00:25:15.888 --> 00:25:17.413
We've tinted the windows in the bus.

00:25:17.413 --> 00:25:20.502
I created a tote wall storage rack in the bus.

00:25:20.502 --> 00:25:27.480
I have changed my design plans 10 million times to make something work in there.

00:25:27.480 --> 00:25:32.928
I have added a shelf with a closet rod.

00:25:32.928 --> 00:25:36.334
I've given us 10 feet of rod space there.

00:25:36.334 --> 00:25:41.832
I've then kind of modged another closet rod a little bit higher.

00:25:41.832 --> 00:25:44.800
That's going to give us another 10 feet or so.

00:25:44.800 --> 00:25:59.653
So I'm going to have I think it's like 20 or 22 feet of clothing rod space that everything that goes into my tent can arrive at the event currently on hangers, fully stocked and ready to rock and roll, all just lined up inside the bus.

00:25:59.653 --> 00:26:08.261
And then on the other side, the tote wall that I've made holds 16 27 gallon totes that is stacked from floor to ceiling.

00:26:08.261 --> 00:26:13.780
That is now almost on a drawer system that I can pull the totes out, reload and restock.

00:26:13.780 --> 00:26:19.621
Everything that goes on my shelf is going to be in the bus and my overstock will be in the bus.

00:26:19.621 --> 00:26:21.787
It'll be a mobile success unit.

00:26:21.946 --> 00:26:32.472
Okay, so, working hard and fast on this, learning different things as we go, I also acquired some leather seats from a Ford Econo line.

00:26:32.472 --> 00:26:35.450
I found this dude on Marketplace, went to his house.

00:26:35.450 --> 00:26:39.672
He had more seats than he needed and he didn't want to pay to haul them all to the dump.

00:26:39.672 --> 00:26:41.507
So I took more seats than I needed.

00:26:41.507 --> 00:26:50.570
In exchange, I got my seats for free, just being frugal baby, and I've been under the bus in a crawl space trying to install seats.

00:26:50.570 --> 00:26:59.528
I'm thin enough to reach to install the first two, but Big Daddy ain't making it to the third seat.

00:26:59.528 --> 00:27:02.480
Okay, I almost got stuck under the bus.

00:27:02.480 --> 00:27:02.963
Number one.

00:27:02.963 --> 00:27:05.555
I don't have anything big enough to jack this sucker up.

00:27:05.555 --> 00:27:06.961
I was almost stuck under the bus.

00:27:06.961 --> 00:27:15.905
Okay, thankfully it was hot out and I decided, if I'm stuck here, maybe if I wait longer, I will just sweat enough that I could slide out.

00:27:15.905 --> 00:27:17.309
Okay, it was close.

00:27:17.309 --> 00:27:22.604
It was so, so close, but we're navigating, we're navigating, we're making things work right.

00:27:24.167 --> 00:27:32.776
So when I think back to this quote in life you need either inspiration or desperation I backed myself into a corner of desperation.

00:27:32.776 --> 00:27:37.868
I didn't have the money to move, I didn't have the ability to think because I was overwhelmed.

00:27:37.868 --> 00:27:43.011
In life, you need either inspiration or desperation, and I was desperate.

00:27:43.011 --> 00:27:51.923
I couldn't pay my bills, I couldn't move, I couldn't reinvest in the business, I couldn't restock the business, I couldn't apply to things for the business.

00:27:51.923 --> 00:27:57.358
I was paralyzed, I was stuck and I allowed myself to get overwhelmed.

00:27:57.358 --> 00:28:04.403
Thinking about the loss of my father, thinking about all the things that were going on in my life, the soon to be arrival of my daughter, all son.

00:28:04.403 --> 00:28:28.559
I was desperate and desperation gives you two options, and desperation gives you two options you put your back against the wall and you give in, and you give up and you fall, or you get that back against the wall and you fight and you scratch and you crawl and you get after it.

00:28:28.559 --> 00:28:31.104
Folks, I was beyond desperate.

00:28:31.124 --> 00:28:36.913
I'm not going to tell you that it was easy and I'm not going to tell you that I'm extremely successful.

00:28:36.913 --> 00:28:50.492
I'm not going to tell you that I've totally overcome this, but what I am going to tell you is I used desperation to get my ass in gear and to be creative and to fight and get to where I am right now.

00:28:50.492 --> 00:28:59.220
And get to where I am right now, now, in search of believing and achieving all the things that I want and accomplishing all those things that I need to accomplish.

00:28:59.220 --> 00:29:01.166
We had to focus on version 2.0.

00:29:01.166 --> 00:29:06.169
I had to slow down and say to myself self this is all you can do.

00:29:06.169 --> 00:29:14.046
It's what's right in front of you and what's the biggest thing on your list that's going to have the greatest impact on your list.

00:29:14.046 --> 00:29:16.089
We are going to try to do that.

00:29:16.089 --> 00:29:26.847
So that's what I've done and by using desperation, I've been able to move, I've been able to act and I've been able to better position ourselves.

00:29:26.907 --> 00:29:28.876
I don't feel like I'm running in place anymore.

00:29:28.876 --> 00:29:40.900
I feel like we're starting to go to a certain place In life.

00:29:40.900 --> 00:29:41.843
You need either inspiration or desperation.

00:29:41.843 --> 00:29:53.662
Inspiration for me comes from so many people that are around me the fellow business owners that are around me that are a little further ahead than me, the small business owners that are around me that are a little bit behind me, but I see their tenacity.

00:29:53.662 --> 00:30:00.299
The people in my life or around my life that are believing and achieving their dreams.

00:30:00.299 --> 00:30:03.787
That's inspiration, but I can't sugarcoat it.

00:30:03.787 --> 00:30:15.615
The biggest inspiration in my life is Paisley, rain, liberty, because knowing the arrival of my daughter is upon us.

00:30:16.381 --> 00:30:35.372
The things that I'm not prepared for, the things that I have no understanding for, that are about to come to my door, those are all scary, but I'm inspired because I want to give my daughter a certain life and I want to make sure that that life starts with a sense of security.

00:30:35.372 --> 00:30:44.054
A sense of safety Because in life, I think one of our most fundamental things that we need, especially when we can't do it for ourselves, is safety.

00:30:44.054 --> 00:31:09.342
I can't create safety unless I secure the things around my house and I'm not talking about building a wall, which is what I do want to do, by the way Knowing that your bills are paid, knowing that your lights are on, knowing that the mortgage is paid, knowing that the family home that your family spent 40 years building and paying for is secure and it's safe and it's away from all the drama and the trauma in this world.

00:31:09.342 --> 00:31:15.313
Starting there, knowing those things are paid for, those things are taken care of and you're providing safety.

00:31:15.313 --> 00:31:16.575
That's step one.

00:31:17.559 --> 00:31:45.089
The next thing for me, is trying to create a legacy and an opportunity, and I truly feel, like this business, that this brand is going to provide a lifestyle for my daughter, myself, my wife and my mother that allows us to be closer to each other than most families could ever imagine, because we're going to be able to be on the road together, living, experiencing, doing things together that most families would dream to do.

00:31:45.089 --> 00:31:48.920
I can't lose this business before it comes to fruition.

00:31:48.920 --> 00:31:52.851
I can't give up on this dream before it provides for my daughter.

00:31:52.851 --> 00:31:54.321
That's my inspiration.

00:31:54.321 --> 00:31:56.425
That is my inspiration.

00:31:56.546 --> 00:32:02.103
So, america, I say to you in life you need either inspiration or desperation.

00:32:02.103 --> 00:32:17.914
There's a rare opportunity in life when they both meet, when inspiration and desperation collide and you find yourself fighting every day, you find yourself grinding every day to make something work.

00:32:17.914 --> 00:32:25.134
My days are not perfect, I am not always successful, but I am hellbound, determined to make this work.

00:32:25.134 --> 00:32:27.605
I get overwhelmed, absolutely.

00:32:27.605 --> 00:32:30.972
I get beaten, I get defeated, but I don't lose hope.

00:32:30.972 --> 00:32:35.242
I get beaten, I get defeated, but I don't lose hope.

00:32:35.242 --> 00:32:42.926
And I quickly talk myself out of those moments of feeling scared, alone, vulnerable, and I reinvest and I recommit to my business, to my dream, to my inspiration.

00:32:44.471 --> 00:32:47.740
I am going to tell you that my inspiration has gotten me queasy as of late.

00:32:47.740 --> 00:33:09.662
Okay, boy, when I heard a few weeks ago so I mentioned that last week we welcomed a new pet and Gillan of the world, the Hankster, the old Hankamania, and when Lindsay was messaging Allie saying that this is getting close, right, I got a little, I got nervous for them and I got queasy myself.

00:33:09.662 --> 00:33:14.373
Okay, because things started to feel a little more real.

00:33:14.373 --> 00:33:25.729
Over the weekend I was building a crib at my mom's house for the little nursery that my mom's going to have as well, and those things just kind of happening.

00:33:25.729 --> 00:33:35.619
I'm installing seats into the bus and trying to make sure that a car seat fits and I'm installing seat belts seats into the bus and trying to make sure that a car seat fits and I'm installing seat belts.

00:33:35.619 --> 00:33:41.047
It was little signs that you know are eye-opening things that make you realize this stuff is for real.

00:33:41.047 --> 00:33:42.309
This is happening, cinderella.

00:33:44.054 --> 00:33:52.393
But my mind works different, okay, like there's all of a sudden like feels hit me from random scenarios.

00:33:52.393 --> 00:34:00.794
I told you guys, months ago I had a breakdown over my dad because I was watching a wrestling documentary and I realized I hadn't started grieving.

00:34:00.794 --> 00:34:02.727
Like that's, my mind works that way.

00:34:02.727 --> 00:34:06.750
So this morning I dropped my mom off for work.

00:34:06.750 --> 00:34:16.914
We leave, you know, the house around like 5.30 in the morning whenever I drop her off for work and I'm returning home and as I come up to my house, we live on a dead end road.

00:34:17.780 --> 00:34:20.427
I'm getting ready to turn in my driveway and I stop and I can see.

00:34:20.427 --> 00:34:22.701
I can see a deer in the middle of the road.

00:34:22.701 --> 00:34:32.449
I can see a mother deer, maybe I don't know, 50 yards or a hundred yards in front of me, in the middle of the road, and right behind her is a little baby.

00:34:32.449 --> 00:34:42.367
A little bow-legged baby Can barely stand, just trying to find the strength to balance, never mind walk, and that little baby is right behind the mother.

00:34:42.367 --> 00:34:50.467
And I'm coming down the road and I put my brakes on and they're past my driveway, like I'm going to turn before I get there.

00:34:50.467 --> 00:35:05.351
But I could account for the panic in the mom's eyes, like I could read the deer's emotions in that moment, that she's in her mind saying, oh my God, what am I going to do?

00:35:06.380 --> 00:35:17.001
I'm in the middle of this road and that big, scary vehicle is coming right at me and my bow-legged baby's behind me.

00:35:17.001 --> 00:35:18.063
That can barely stand.

00:35:18.063 --> 00:35:20.266
How do I avoid this tragedy?

00:35:20.266 --> 00:35:22.871
How do I avoid sudden death?

00:35:22.871 --> 00:35:28.065
How do I avoid losing my hopes and dreams right here?

00:35:28.065 --> 00:35:29.809
What do you do?

00:35:29.809 --> 00:35:31.130
What do you do?

00:35:31.130 --> 00:35:43.635
That deer's just looking at me and I'm imagining praying to the heavens make that car, see me, make that car stop, make that car turn.

00:35:43.635 --> 00:35:48.148
That's what I'd be thinking as a deer, but my baby behind me.

00:35:48.148 --> 00:35:59.532
I stopped in the road and you know I was plenty distance away from them and I was getting ready to turn, but I figured if there's any cars coming up behind me.

00:35:59.532 --> 00:36:13.251
You know I'm kind of a roadblock scenario and right as I was getting ready to turn, the mother continued to run across the road and the baby turned around to double back.

00:36:13.251 --> 00:36:25.864
The baby ran in the other direction and that mom spins around as quick as she can and I can see that panic of like, no, we're not supposed to go that way.

00:36:25.864 --> 00:36:34.306
But she just runs with the kid and I can see that the baby deer is just assholes and elbows right Knees and elbows and just trying to figure it out.

00:36:34.306 --> 00:36:36.610
And the baby's instincts are there.

00:36:36.610 --> 00:36:40.945
The instincts to run, to panic, to get out of the way, to avoid danger are there.

00:36:40.945 --> 00:36:46.884
But, um, you know, we're running on instincts because we don't have the ability yet.

00:36:46.884 --> 00:36:57.070
I watched that whole interaction and I panicked Because I'm that deer.

00:36:57.070 --> 00:37:11.963
I'm that deer in the road that can see the oncoming danger that my child has no clue is there and I need to protect them and I need to make the decision for the both of us, to save both of us.

00:37:13.266 --> 00:37:14.791
This is how my mind works, y'all.

00:37:14.791 --> 00:37:21.181
This is how I think about life.

00:37:21.181 --> 00:37:22.163
This is how I react to life.

00:37:22.163 --> 00:37:37.605
Sometimes I see these things that connect to me, that give me an emotional connection, that just trigger all my senses and I spend the rest of the day thinking about, because I'm scared for the danger that is about to come.

00:37:37.605 --> 00:37:45.570
I'm scared for all the things that I'm not prepared for, that we just need to figure out, to react to, to make the best of.

00:37:45.570 --> 00:37:54.835
It sounds crazy, but I've had moments that have made me queasy, thinking about the birth of little Paisley Rain.

00:37:54.835 --> 00:38:13.965
But watching a mother try to protect its baby this morning put this upcoming, tremendous occasion into a major perspective, and one that feels oh so real.

00:38:14.175 --> 00:38:15.681
We are in July.

00:38:15.681 --> 00:38:20.822
My little girl will be here two and a half months.

00:38:20.822 --> 00:38:22.507
That's crazy.

00:38:22.507 --> 00:38:25.139
That's crazy, but that's my inspiration.

00:38:25.139 --> 00:38:27.280
That's my inspiration.

00:38:27.280 --> 00:38:32.255
Desperation is bills and business Inspiration.

00:38:32.255 --> 00:38:36.603
Babies, my baby, goodness.

00:38:36.603 --> 00:38:38.887
Oh God, I'm going to throw up.

00:38:38.887 --> 00:38:40.489
Hang on, oh boy.

00:38:40.489 --> 00:38:45.539
Oh, I'm in a glass case of emotion.

00:38:45.539 --> 00:38:48.342
Oh God.

00:38:48.342 --> 00:38:50.206
All right, I got to change the subject.

00:38:50.206 --> 00:38:51.128
I got to change the subject.

00:38:51.128 --> 00:38:53.992
Okay, I got to change the subject.

00:38:53.992 --> 00:38:54.894
I got to change the subject.

00:38:54.894 --> 00:39:18.735
Okay, I got to change the subject because I'm getting shot at All, right, okay, I think I'm refocused Now.

00:39:18.735 --> 00:39:21.144
Nope, I'm not refocused.

00:39:21.144 --> 00:39:22.278
Oh my God.

00:39:22.278 --> 00:39:29.860
Okay, sun is warm, grass is green.

00:39:29.860 --> 00:39:35.795
Sun is warm, grass is green is warm, grass is green.

00:39:35.795 --> 00:39:38.565
Paint the fence, miyagi, and we're back.

00:39:38.565 --> 00:39:40.054
Okay, we're back on track.

00:39:40.054 --> 00:39:41.320
We are back on track.

00:39:41.320 --> 00:39:46.298
So, a week from today, the moment I'm recording this, I need to be on.

00:39:46.318 --> 00:39:48.498
The road was said Julio.

00:39:48.498 --> 00:39:51.190
Was said school bus, the Lauer Pratt, american Express.

00:39:51.190 --> 00:39:51.434
Okay.

00:39:51.434 --> 00:39:55.693
Now, if you've been listening, you heard me say that when painting the bus, said Julio was said school bus, the Lower Pratt American Express.

00:39:55.693 --> 00:40:02.007
Okay, now, if you've been listening, you heard me say that when painting the bus I tried to move the bus and realized that we had a major transmission line leak on the bus.

00:40:02.255 --> 00:40:14.257
So my cousin ordered me some transmission lines and he's been too busy to come over and get things done and I don't have the time to wait and we have too many projects on the docket.

00:40:14.257 --> 00:40:27.775
And my longtime brother from another mother, mr Chris Woodcock, somebody that I grew up with, that we worked together for a long time and I've always just been close great friends.

00:40:27.775 --> 00:40:40.664
Chris has a tow truck company and him and his buddy also do a bunch of you know, just overall mechanic type stuff and they specialize in transmissions.

00:40:40.664 --> 00:40:44.197
So I said, hey, man, this is what I'm dealing with.

00:40:44.197 --> 00:40:48.699
And he says bring that son of a bitch over here, let's just load her up on transmission fluid.

00:40:48.699 --> 00:40:50.423
Drive that sucker over here.

00:40:50.423 --> 00:40:51.407
They're not too far from me.

00:40:51.407 --> 00:40:54.760
It's gonna be a lot easier than towing it and you know Noah will fix it up.

00:40:54.760 --> 00:40:55.724
We'll get you all squared away.

00:40:55.724 --> 00:40:58.724
So register the old bus key.

00:40:58.994 --> 00:41:05.402
Wait for the wife to get out of work and finish up some of my projects and we head out on the old maiden voyage.

00:41:05.402 --> 00:41:12.146
Okay, now, mind you, this is not the maiden voyage, because the first time I bought it I drove home an hour and a half straight.

00:41:12.146 --> 00:41:18.768
But she's been sitting, we've been doing some work and now I have to go 15 minutes down the road, let's say 15, 20 minutes.

00:41:18.768 --> 00:41:25.228
We're going the long way around because I want to avoid traffic and lights and cars and situations.

00:41:25.228 --> 00:41:30.481
So, as we're going around, we're driving, things are going good, and then things start to smell a little hot.

00:41:30.481 --> 00:41:32.405
Right, it smells a little hot around.

00:41:32.445 --> 00:41:34.989
We're driving, things are going good, and then things start to smell a little hot.

00:41:34.989 --> 00:41:36.451
Right, smells a little hot.

00:41:36.451 --> 00:41:46.342
And I remember a conversation with the previous owner that said, hey, if it smells like burning urine or you know whatever, it's probably mouse piss or a nest, because we had a mouse problem.

00:41:46.342 --> 00:41:47.364
And so I'm like, okay, maybe this is it.

00:41:47.364 --> 00:42:02.298
It's like that times when you start a lawnmower, you know in the springtime, and it's been full of grass and whatever, or nuts, or hay, or a bird's nest or whatever, like that burning smell.

00:42:02.298 --> 00:42:03.704
So I'm like, hmm, this is interesting.

00:42:03.704 --> 00:42:05.994
I'm checking all my gauges.

00:42:05.994 --> 00:42:06.755
Everything looks good.

00:42:06.755 --> 00:42:09.876
I'm trying to uh figure out the situation and, uh, it starts to smell more.

00:42:09.876 --> 00:42:11.817
To figure out the situation, and it starts to smell more.

00:42:11.817 --> 00:42:14.077
Seems a little smoky in the cab.

00:42:14.077 --> 00:42:17.780
I'm looking around to see if I have my fire extinguisher with me.

00:42:18.739 --> 00:42:24.643
Right around this time the wife calls me and says you are pouring smoke out of that bus.

00:42:24.643 --> 00:42:39.188
I pull over, get out and the driver's side, two rear tires it's a dually are smoking and I'm wondering if one's locked up or if a tire is coming on spun on me.

00:42:39.188 --> 00:42:46.532
I get underneath there and the brake caliper and rotors are just blowing coal baby.

00:42:46.532 --> 00:42:49.273
It's like I don't know man.

00:42:49.273 --> 00:42:54.789
It's like some hipster under there tugging on a vape pen, just blowing smoke.

00:42:54.789 --> 00:42:55.514
It was aggressive, you can smell it.

00:42:55.514 --> 00:42:57.623
I get out, I go to the front of the bus.

00:42:57.623 --> 00:43:04.601
We are just pouring transmission fluid at this point and whatever else for fluid that's running out.

00:43:04.601 --> 00:43:11.375
We form a game plan and we just start to limp it to Chris's house.

00:43:11.554 --> 00:43:18.474
So, as we're going, as luck would have it, I'm coming off of this road that merges onto a major road.

00:43:18.474 --> 00:43:23.266
It merges onto 111, which is a super busy, fast-going road.

00:43:23.266 --> 00:43:24.860
The wife's behind me.

00:43:24.860 --> 00:43:26.039
I got my four-ways on.

00:43:26.039 --> 00:43:28.041
I come up to take the left onto the road.

00:43:28.041 --> 00:43:31.501
She's right behind me and what joins the convoy?

00:43:31.501 --> 00:43:32.545
What gets behind us?

00:43:32.545 --> 00:43:35.139
A cruiser, a cop car?

00:43:35.139 --> 00:43:39.907
Okay, there's a local cop now, right behind the wife following me.

00:43:40.007 --> 00:43:43.500
I pull out this road's like I don't know 50 or 55.

00:43:43.500 --> 00:43:52.726
I'm trying to get to 35 and I'm like, okay, I was going to drive this thing there at 15 miles an hour, but I don't want to deal with being pulled over.

00:43:52.726 --> 00:44:00.641
I don't have an inspection sticker on this thing and if I do stop I'm going to be pissing fluid and blowing smoke and they're not going to let me drive it.

00:44:00.641 --> 00:44:02.541
They're going to want to have this thing towed.

00:44:02.541 --> 00:44:09.583
So I have to get it up to a higher rate of speed and just hope that I don't blow things up.

00:44:13.275 --> 00:44:17.523
Okay, I come to the light, get ready to turn onto the road where my buddy's house is, and he turns with me.

00:44:17.523 --> 00:44:20.423
So I'm thinking I'm screwed, he's going to pull me over here.

00:44:20.423 --> 00:44:25.764
Right as I get to turn, I hear sirens kick on and I said, oh, here it is, we're screwed.

00:44:25.764 --> 00:44:30.380
But as luck would have it, it was a different cruiser heading in a different direction.

00:44:30.380 --> 00:44:32.766
So explain that one.

00:44:32.766 --> 00:44:38.896
Anyways, I pull into Chris's house.

00:44:38.896 --> 00:44:39.659
The cop car goes by me Apparently.

00:44:39.659 --> 00:44:42.025
The wife tells me it was a couple of towns away so I didn't need to panic, but I couldn't tell that.

00:44:42.065 --> 00:44:50.143
From my position, as I'm driving up Chris's road, I can now see the smoke pouring out.

00:44:50.143 --> 00:44:56.670
I can hear the brakes, like the rotors and calipers are seizing onto the rotor.

00:44:56.670 --> 00:44:59.702
It's starting to lock up.

00:44:59.702 --> 00:45:02.103
I can hear like it sounds like metal on metal.

00:45:02.103 --> 00:45:07.539
And as I come up, all of a sudden I lose steering, like I'm like what is going on here?

00:45:08.543 --> 00:45:09.445
We get out of the truck.

00:45:09.445 --> 00:45:11.440
Chris pops the hood.

00:45:11.440 --> 00:45:13.018
It's overheating.

00:45:13.018 --> 00:45:15.356
All of my coolant is now gone.

00:45:15.356 --> 00:45:20.807
I don't know if it was either too low when I left or if I have some kind of leak there.

00:45:20.807 --> 00:45:23.539
Transmission fluid is dumping out of it.

00:45:23.539 --> 00:45:28.009
The brake calipers and rotors are smoking.

00:45:28.009 --> 00:45:32.625
Chris looks, or my wife actually notices oh, there's another leak right there.

00:45:33.235 --> 00:45:34.860
Chris would know to check power steering.

00:45:34.860 --> 00:45:37.677
I think your power steering pump might have just went when you pulled in.

00:45:37.677 --> 00:45:41.349
You have power steering fluid pissing everywhere over here.

00:45:41.349 --> 00:45:54.130
So we have transmission fluid rolling out of it, power steering fluid coming out of it, no antifreeze left in it, no antifreeze left in it and the brakes are on freaking fire.

00:45:54.130 --> 00:45:59.605
Yeah, good first trip.

00:45:59.605 --> 00:46:00.907
Good first trip.

00:46:00.907 --> 00:46:05.697
This girl needs to roll in a week.

00:46:05.697 --> 00:46:08.461
Okay, this is my life.

00:46:08.461 --> 00:46:10.565
This too shall pass, folks.

00:46:11.045 --> 00:46:14.530
And the good news is the bus is where it needs to be.

00:46:14.530 --> 00:46:21.739
It's not here with me somebody that has no clue how to fix it, and I am going to put this disclaimer out there.

00:46:21.739 --> 00:46:22.021
I'm thankful.

00:46:22.021 --> 00:46:26.780
I'm thankful this happened, because my cousin was going to fix those transmission lines in my driveway.

00:46:26.780 --> 00:46:38.268
You know what we would have done Fixed them, loaded the bus and I would have left for my first event and on the way, all of this would have happened and I would have been completely, utterly screwed.

00:46:38.268 --> 00:46:47.838
Thank you, jesus, for pointing me in this direction and thank you, chris and Noah, for saving my ass.

00:46:47.838 --> 00:46:49.802
Oh, my Lord.

00:46:49.802 --> 00:47:01.807
And I'm thinking that, once we resolve this, that this is going to be that dependable, reliable, trusty, faithful, loud, proud American business whip that we need.

00:47:01.807 --> 00:47:03.978
Okay, that's what we're hoping for.

00:47:05.083 --> 00:47:12.425
The good news is I got a text message from Chris and a phone call from Noah earlier on in this recording and had a little conversation.

00:47:12.425 --> 00:47:15.282
Transmission lines are already in and looking good.

00:47:15.282 --> 00:47:26.684
They're working on the brakes right now and early assessments, feel like they just locked up and that we don't need to replace as many things as I was previously worried about.

00:47:26.684 --> 00:47:29.936
They found the power steering issue that they're working on as well.

00:47:29.936 --> 00:47:36.443
We've got an electrical issue because we also left with no blinkers, so working on that as well.

00:47:36.443 --> 00:47:50.217
But all in all, the boys are on it and I truly personally can't thank Chris and Noah enough for doing this, for working on this for me, for making us a top priority In life.

00:47:50.577 --> 00:47:52.945
We only get as far as the people around us.

00:47:52.945 --> 00:48:03.001
If you are surrounded by people that don't give a shit, that don't apply themselves, that don't try for themselves, you are going to be another person that doesn't give a shit, that doesn't apply, that doesn't try.

00:48:03.001 --> 00:48:13.545
If you're not compassionate and passionate towards the people in your life, that you don't tell them that you love them, that you care about them, if you're not there to support them, then they're not going to be there for you.

00:48:13.545 --> 00:48:17.985
I feel oh so blessed to have all of you around me that care about us.

00:48:17.985 --> 00:48:29.599
Week after week, we have conversations on this podcast about people doing abnormally generous things for us, doing amazing things for us Matt giving us a mower.

00:48:29.599 --> 00:48:32.784
Lance and Jen driving all the way from New York to spend time.

00:48:32.784 --> 00:48:37.835
Lance, jen and Brian running our tent so we can do these things, you know.

00:48:37.835 --> 00:48:57.045
Matt and Sarah coming to dinner with Allie, dirk, carl all these people we mentioned week to week right, I'm just talking about recent instances Like I could go on for hours about all the times all these people have stepped up for me Scott, lindsey and Pete staying late and helping me pack and doing these things.

00:48:57.045 --> 00:49:10.286
The people in our life has made our life so amazing, so blessed, and this is another example of it Chris and Noah saving my ass, trying to keep this business rolling and running.

00:49:10.286 --> 00:49:12.744
I can't thank them enough.

00:49:12.744 --> 00:49:15.460
Right, you need good people in your life.

00:49:15.460 --> 00:49:19.697
If you don't have good people in your life, I suggest you to start being better to people now.

00:49:19.697 --> 00:49:23.166
Start being good to people and they will be good to you.

00:49:23.166 --> 00:49:24.195
It's the truth.

00:49:24.195 --> 00:49:25.418
It's the absolute truth.

00:49:25.759 --> 00:49:32.856
I'm going to end today's episode on one little ditty, because I think this is interesting and I should have spent more time on it.

00:49:32.856 --> 00:49:36.434
But, uh, the temperature in this house is starting to go up and I'm going to be in trouble.

00:49:36.434 --> 00:49:49.340
So there was a time over the weekend where I had all these things I was trying to do and, as I mentioned, we, you know, weren't having the sales that needed to happen.

00:49:49.340 --> 00:49:51.244
But I knew what we needed to do.

00:49:51.244 --> 00:49:52.485
I needed to get this bus done.

00:49:52.485 --> 00:49:58.197
I need to free up the time to change these designs, to buy these things, to restock these things.

00:49:58.197 --> 00:49:59.059
It's all hinged.

00:49:59.059 --> 00:50:01.844
I have it all in an order.

00:50:01.844 --> 00:50:03.007
This is what has to happen.

00:50:04.737 --> 00:50:17.362
All the things that I was doing and trying to accomplish, along with life and all those obligations I kept telling myself I need to have these seats in, I need to have this rack installed by Sunday night.

00:50:17.362 --> 00:50:36.766
Needs to be done, 1000% done, because on Monday this is going to Chris and I need it to be off my plate Sunday night, after multiple failed attempts to make something work because I'm the type of dude that just tries to figure it out on his own as much as he possibly can, that doesn't like to ask for help.

00:50:36.766 --> 00:50:43.646
I couldn't get things straight and it was Sunday night and we're coming in getting ready for bed.

00:50:43.646 --> 00:50:54.206
I've been working until I had no more daylight, right, it's after 9 o'clock, I can't see, I can't do anything, and I'm coming inside, inside and the wife says what's the matter with you?

00:50:54.206 --> 00:50:55.469
What's the problem?

00:50:55.469 --> 00:51:02.025
I said I had a couple things on my list that I absolutely told myself I needed to do this weekend.

00:51:02.025 --> 00:51:02.867
I didn't get them done.

00:51:03.835 --> 00:51:06.902
This morning it was so hot, but I didn't go out there and start the project.

00:51:06.902 --> 00:51:08.201
I waited for it to cool down.

00:51:08.201 --> 00:51:20.434
I worked on other things, but I waited for it to cool down and I worked on other things, but I didn't accomplish the two things that I told myself I needed to get done.

00:51:20.434 --> 00:51:24.454
And my wife looked at me and said can I ask you a question?

00:51:24.454 --> 00:51:29.668
I'm waiting for something completely sarcastic in this moment.

00:51:29.668 --> 00:51:30.472
Sure, babe Shoot.

00:51:32.503 --> 00:51:34.755
And she said what's your job title?

00:51:34.755 --> 00:51:35.856
I said what she goes?

00:51:35.856 --> 00:51:36.317
What is your job title?

00:51:36.317 --> 00:51:37.760
And I said I'm a business owner.

00:51:37.760 --> 00:51:41.065
And she said are you a landscaper?

00:51:41.065 --> 00:51:43.389
Are you a contractor?

00:51:43.389 --> 00:51:45.090
Are you a mechanic?

00:51:45.090 --> 00:51:47.190
No, you're not.

00:51:47.190 --> 00:51:51.432
You know how to do those things, but that's not what you do.

00:51:51.432 --> 00:51:53.773
You're not great at those things.

00:51:53.773 --> 00:51:55.442
You just know how to do those things.

00:51:55.442 --> 00:51:59.021
You need help, dude, it's okay to ask for help.

00:51:59.021 --> 00:52:04.840
You're not a mechanic, you're not a contractor, you're not a landscaper, like you're just trying.

00:52:06.456 --> 00:52:10.387
And in that moment I have to admit she was right.

00:52:10.387 --> 00:52:12.739
Those aren't my specialties.

00:52:12.739 --> 00:52:18.744
I'm just trying to make things work and you can get overwhelmed when you're doing those things and I know that.

00:52:18.744 --> 00:52:22.887
You know it's important to ask for help, but everybody's busy.

00:52:22.887 --> 00:52:37.244
I always make the assumption everybody's just as busy as I am and I'm not going to ask somebody for help, because life is busy and life is short and if you have all your things to do, it's hard for you to delegate and make time for your family.

00:52:37.244 --> 00:52:39.036
I don't want to take time from your family.

00:52:39.036 --> 00:52:39.798
That's not me.

00:52:39.798 --> 00:52:41.141
So I try to figure it out.

00:52:41.141 --> 00:52:42.505
That's just kind of how I operate.

00:52:43.496 --> 00:52:50.483
But I spent time thinking about this because my instant reaction to this, when my wife says what's your job title?

00:52:50.483 --> 00:52:53.617
You're not a landscaper, you're not a contractor, you're not a mechanic.

00:52:53.617 --> 00:52:56.605
To me, I'm a business owner.

00:52:56.605 --> 00:53:10.865
And do you know, in my honest philosophy and an opinion, what it means to be a business owner, what my job description as a business owner might be right now?

00:53:10.865 --> 00:53:29.195
My job description is apparel maker, marketing manager, sales manager, general manager, landscaper, contractor, mechanic, husband, son, father.

00:53:29.195 --> 00:53:33.742
As a business owner, you do everything.

00:53:33.742 --> 00:53:58.239
Let that sink in For those of you that want to own your own business, no matter how big, no matter how small your job title might be business owner but your job responsibilities are everything, every single thing, because when you own your business, your business owns you.

00:53:59.019 --> 00:54:00.860
You don't need to let it control you.

00:54:00.860 --> 00:54:06.523
That's about delegation, that's about asking for help, that's about doing certain things.

00:54:06.523 --> 00:54:14.706
But there's going to be a time in your business when you're in that growth phase and I feel like that's where I'm at where your job might own you.

00:54:14.706 --> 00:54:18.947
Don't let it control you and I'm going to do my best to not let it control me.

00:54:18.947 --> 00:54:27.771
But when you are trying to build a brand and a business, your job responsibilities are everything and anything.

00:54:27.771 --> 00:54:32.672
I will try and try anything and everything.

00:54:32.672 --> 00:54:47.202
If I fail and fail, eventually I will ask for help and thankfully, I'm blessed by so many amazing people in and around my life that are willing to help.

00:54:47.222 --> 00:54:59.746
So for those of you that want to be a business owner, that have been thinking about taking the leap of faith and leaving your 9 to 5, but you're not ready to commit to those things, then don't, don't.

00:54:59.746 --> 00:55:08.184
But if you're chasing that dream and you can't shake that dream, that's all that you want is to achieve that dream.

00:55:08.184 --> 00:55:12.016
Be ready to do everything to achieve that dream, be ready to do everything.

00:55:12.016 --> 00:55:18.221
And remember in life you need either inspiration or desperation.

00:55:18.221 --> 00:55:27.646
When you meet a crossroads, that provides both, you will be surprised by what you get done.

00:55:27.646 --> 00:55:32.269
I thank you for supporting my American dream.

00:55:32.269 --> 00:55:36.193
Now go wash your fucking hands, you filthy savage.

00:55:36.193 --> 00:55:49.543
That's it and that's all, biggie Smalls.

00:55:53.248 --> 00:56:05.244
If you're a Loud Proud American and you find yourself just wanting more, find me on YouTube and Facebook at Loud Proud American, or the Face page, as my mama calls it.

00:56:05.244 --> 00:56:19.909
If you're a fan of the Graham Cracker and want to find me on Instagram or all the kids are tickety-talking on the TikTok, you can find me on both of those at loud underscore, proud underscore, american.

00:56:19.909 --> 00:56:36.168
A big old thank you to the boys from the Gut Truckers for the background beats and the theme song to this year's podcast.

00:56:36.168 --> 00:56:40.804
If you are enjoying what you're hearing, you can track down the Gut Truckers on Facebook.

00:56:40.804 --> 00:56:42.380
Just search Gut Truckers.

00:56:42.380 --> 00:56:44.789
Give them, motherfuckers, a like too.

00:56:44.789 --> 00:56:48.324
I hate to say I make it bleed.

00:56:48.324 --> 00:56:51.721
I hate to say I told you so.

00:56:51.721 --> 00:56:52.528
Feel the pain, make it bleed.

00:56:52.528 --> 00:56:55.503
I hate to say I told you so.

00:56:55.503 --> 00:57:01.387
Feel the pain, make it bleed.

00:57:01.387 --> 00:57:04.902
I hate to say I told you so.

00:57:04.902 --> 00:57:07.927
I truly thank you for supporting my American dream.

00:57:07.927 --> 00:57:13.329
Now go wash your fucking hands, you filthy savage.

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