Brad Lea is the founder of LightspeedVT, an interactive learning software, and a veteran marketer and training expert. In what may be our funniest episode in months, we sat down and talked about the building blocks of training your team (and yourself): great content, repetition, role playing and real life application, and accountability. This conversation is full of insight (and laughs).

J.P. Dinnell is a Navy SEAL, business consultant, and Jocko Willink's partner at Echelon Front. In one of the best podcasts we've ever done, he and I talk about his SEAL training, his experience fighting in the battle of Ramadi, and lessons he's learned in war that very much apply to achieving success in business and real life. This is a special podcast. If you don't come away amazed by the insight and motivated by the stories, there's something wrong with you.

The most important thing you can do to achieve success is commit yourself to self-development. How many books have you read?  What have you taught yourself lately?  It is nobody's responsibility but yours to put good sh*t in your brain. There is no excuse you can make to not take your own improvement seriously.  In this episode, I tell you what has worked for me and what can work for you. 

Buckle up: this is a pretty wide-ranging conversation about everything that is going on with me right now, the vision I have for transforming the lives of the younger generation, and the plans we have for providing tools for REAL entrepreneurs who want to build a business and make millions of dollars. (I also throw in my thoughts on something essential to entrepreneurial success: the importance of recognizing the lifetime value of a customer.)

How you view conflict in your life has so much to do with what energy you're putting out, what progress you're making, and how far along you're going to get. What makes movies and books so exciting is the conflict! Yet people have such a terrible view of it. But if you want to be successful, you have to change your perspective about it. In fact, you have to come to believe that conflict is actually what creates the greatness in you.

Whether you're trying to build your personal brand or build your business, social media is huge. We know that, right? But it's amazing how many people spin their wheels on platforms like Instagram and Facebook and really don't get any return on their investment of time and energy. That's understandable. What worked just last year won't work now. But I've spent a ton of time figuring out the principles that drive social media success both now and in the immediate future. In this episode, I share them with you.

I am so proud and grateful for the community that has built up around The MFCEO Project podcast. The people who listen to this podcast understand that life is about dominating everything you do, about kicking ass, stepping on throats, and running up the score. So we decided to do something to step up our level of engagement with you and show our gratitude to you for being part of a movement that is changing the world. We call it the 2-Minute drill. Listen to find out what it's all about.

On your journey toward success in business in life, you're going to go through stages.  Sometimes you feel as if you've earned your swag, sometimes you will feel as if you don't know what the f*ck you're doing. Regardless of how successful people feel, they do one thing that the rest of the world doesn't. In this episode, I tell you what that is, and how you can/should do it too.

When I first bought and drove luxury sports cars like my Lambo, I didn't tell anyone about it. I felt guilty and embarrassed because so many people think being motivated by material things is immoral. I have come to believe they are wrong. While life is more than material things, it is legit to use them as motivation. In fact, they are a great motivation. In this episode, I tell you why.

When people experience hard times or something they didn't plan on, the tendency is to freak out, start second-guessing themselves, and back track on their plans.  In this episode, I tell a story about flying home from Vegas when something we heard scared the sh*t out of us. The lesson for us then, and the lesson for all of life, is this: Relax. And trust your instruments.

People always email or DM me and say stuff like "Oh, Andy, I'm going to be the best entrepreneur that you've ever seen. I know you'll be proud." But then they add, "Uh, but I don't know where to start." Well, in this episode, I tell you where the start.  I give you the basic sh*t you need to do to get rolling in business and making money."

Does loads of talent determine your success? No. So stop looking at other people and say, "Man, if I had his talent, I'd be able to achieve my goals." That's total bullsh*t.  Here's the reality: It's not lack of talent or ability or circumstances that keep you from success. It's the failure to make the right choices. You have to know what to do and to choose to do it.

My buddy Lewis Howes wrote a book called The Mask of Masculinity. He joined me in the studio and we talked about how getting honest and transparent and dealing with your sh*t will help you succeed. We also talked about how being vulnerable doesn't make you a p*ssy, but actually helps you be even more driven and competitive. This is one of my favorite episodes ever.  Listen and learn.

When we're little, most of us are encouraged to be great. But when we get older, for some reason, the script changes. We're told to be practical, realistic. The people who used to support us now discourage us--so we can be average, like them. You need to learn how to react to people like that. You need to learn to get p*ssed at their negativity and drive it into productive action. Learn to do whatever it takes to "live a life that says 'I told you so' without having to say a word."

How do you beat burnout? Here's the reality: It's something that has happened (or will happen) to anybody who is trying to build/run a business and/or do something great and sustain it over the long haul. Have you lost hope in the process? Have you lost your vision for what you're trying to accomplish? There are a number of reasons why people burn out. I talk about these and other main causes for burnout and share what my experience has taught me about overcoming it and pressing on.

I've told a lot of you guys that when my best friend and I started our business, we were so broke we had to live in the back of our store and sleep on an old mattress from Goodwill. In this episode, I go into detail about actually sleeping on that mattress, how embarrassing it was, but what it taught me: Successful people know when they shouldn't take themselves too seriously. If you learn to laugh at yourself, you'll laugh all the way to the bank.

Are Millennials entitled? Do they lack work ethic? There's some legitimacy to those charges. But on the other hand, there are plenty of young people (men and women under 30) who have the drive and ability to do great things. In this episode, I talk about the key flaw in many Millennials. It might be what's keeping you from success, too.

In business and life, it's great when you really get rolling. But when a little success makes you bigger and busier, you might make certain critical mistakes that will derail you before you really get started. In this episode, I tell you what those mistakes are and how to avoid them.

You know how you take your life to the next level? You actually figure out what your limits are. You identify your limits physically, mentally, in your relationship, and in your career. Then you make a specific, intentional effort to go beyond those limits. You have to know where the point of failure is for you so you can overcome it on your way to success.

What do you do when you want to be successful, but you've got a relationship in your life that is counterproductive to all your personal and professional goals and dreams? The answer isn't easy, but it is simple: You cut them off. Yes, this kind of thing can be really messy. But you have to do it. In this podcast, I tell you why and how I've done it. If you want to fulfill your potential, you'll need to do it, too.

So many entrepreneurs now think they are going to start a business, make a half-ass product, charge a lot of money for it, and become wealthy. But here's the reality: that's not going to happen. Great entrepreneurs know the best, most effective marketing strategy you can possibly have. It's the most critical factor in a company's success. Do you know what it is?

People contact me and explain that they are making decent money, but don't feel like they are really making a difference in the world. So they tell me they are thinking of trying to start some sort of charitable organization or join a movement dedicated to some worthy cause. I tell them that is wrong thinking. They--and you--need to realize that you can make a difference right now. In this episode, I tell you how.

Is chasing money a bad thing? I don't think so. Money is not everything in life, but it's a great, great thing.  And in this episode of the podcast, I re-emphasize how important it is to change your beliefs about money. Why?  Because you have to think right about money to make a sh*t ton of it.

How have I worked through the process of building something successful? How have I developed the mindset that has helped me earn millions of dollars? I've tried different kinds of life hacks and mental tools over the years. One thing that I really believe in is holding yourself accountable. How do you do that? In this podcast, I share two practical tools - a set of questions and a mental dialogue - that have helped me immensely. Listen to find out what they are.

When you experience an extreme situation that presents an obstacle that is hard to overcome, something amazing can happen: it can end up becoming one of the best things that ever happens to you. The process of recovery, the journey of overcoming, can produce qualities in your character and assets you can add to the arsenal you use to achieve the highest levels of success. Bottom line: obstacles are opportunities for greatness. You have to choose to believe that.

Among other things, Mark Bell is a former champion power lifter, entrepreneur, the owner of the Super Training Gym, and the inventor of the Sling Shot. The MFCEO's wide-ranging conversation about the story of Mark's success will leave you educated and motivated. From pressing on through adversity to inventing and selling a product, no stone has been left unturned in this comprehensive discussion on what it takes to succeed in business and life.

How do you stand your ground against the goliath of your industry? Should you be flattered that industry leaders are following your steps on social media or worried they are about to pounce on us? Should we wait and get business open with a bang (sort of like a Trojan Horse) or should we tease our clientele with what's common and create a buzz--but risk giving our competitors a chance to prepare for us? These are questions Andy Frisella was asked by listeners and social media followers. The MFCEO's short answer: F*uck your competitors! Why are you worried so much about them? Focus on you."

Even if there was a quick and easy path to get rich and powerful, the MFCEO says you shouldn't take it. Why? Among other reasons: when you get money easily, you lose it easily. It takes time and experience to become the kind of person who can really handle large sums of money. And you cheat yourself out of the things you gain when you take the long and hard road: a great story and the right to respect.

If you are waiting to see what other successful people do just so you can do the same thing, you are doing yourself a disservice. It's one thing to notice what someone else does well. It's legitimate to cherry pick a good idea or best practice and apply it to your life and business. But here's the bottom line: whatever you draw from someone else should be adapted and be developed for you. Personalize it or pass on it.  You don't want to be a carbon copy of someone else.  It's less than you deserve and bad business.

One idea that doesn't belong in an authentic entrepreneur's mind is the idea that somebody is out to get you. That someone is trying to put obstacles in your way and keep you down. That's false. The reality is, it's up to you.  You have to grow your skills. You have to create the opportunities. You need to put in the work. The only person you should be worried about is yourself.

How do the rich manage their money? Do they keep a budget like average people? Do they avoid impulsive purchases? How do they use credit cards? Do they care about their credit score? In this episode of The MFCEO Project, Andy Frisella covers the basic principles and best practices for anyone who wants to get and stay rich.

There's a common mistake that stalls a lot of people's progress. They may be on their way to achieving their goals, making more money, but then all of a sudden, they hit a brick wall. Why? It's because people assume that the same plan and practices that earned them some success at the early stages of their life can be applied to every other stage. It can't. Yes, there are fundamentals to success. But you also have to be adaptable. Your plan has to evolve. Your skill set has to be developed and reinvented. Bottom line: if you want to continue fulfilling your own true potential, you have to learn to change.

In today's day of entrepreneurship, we have young people (and old people, too!) who are constantly looking for the grand slam or overnight success. They want to try to mimic the stories they read about that say how someone took a rocket ship to mind-boggling wealth. Here's the reality: in spite of the rare stories that are posted all over the internet, there's no easy way to earn big money. You have to provide value. You have to execute in an exceptional way. You have to do the things that are difficult. But--in the end--these things pay off.

The most valuable thing you are going to learn in business isn't how to sell. It is how to manage a team, from the guy sweeping the floor to your highest-level VP. Mastering the art of leadership is hard, but worth it. So how do you learn how to lead? The first step is to make a habit of taking initiative. When you see something that needs to be done and you do it well, you're on your way to becoming an incredible leader--the kind that knows how to build wealth and build an empire.

Marketing has become so sophisticated over the last couple of years that developing an effective strategy can become overwhelming. In this episode of The MFCEO Project, Andy Frisella shares the basic principles and practices that have helped him promote his businesses and generate millions of dollars in revenue. In a wide ranging conversation, Andy discusses everything from basic marketing philosophy and common social media marketing mistakes to the use of brand ambassadors and use and abuse of the principle "sex sells." 

What skill can determine whether you are going to be an average person who earns $40,000-$80,000 a year or an exceptional person who earns 6 to 7 figures a year? It's the skill of leadership. If you learn and master the effective management of people, your potential for success and greatness will be unlimited. How much time are you investing in the development of this skill? It is an investment that pays off.

Happy 4th of July! The men who founded America believed in something bigger than themselves. They believed in something that could make their lives better, as well as the lives of their families. But they also knew that they were up against impossible odds and that the cost of failure was high. Are you motivated to pursue amazing, seemingly impossible goals? Not just goals that benefit you, but others too? Have you considered the high cost of achievement? America was built by people who, in the face of massive adversity, decided to move on regardless. What about you?

Think about all the things that people have said to you that bother you. Go back to when you were a little kid. What did they say? Maybe it was that you were: fat. Stupid. A loser. A weirdo. Even though you were little when it happened, the hard truth is that you grow up and remember that sh*t. Here's the deal: People have a tendency to think their struggles or issues are worse than everybody else's. But the reality is that everybody deals with something. What it comes down to is this: When you get pushed to the brink by the negative memories and thoughts, what do you do? You can cave in and give up. Or you can dig deep and press on.

This one goes out to the guys (and gals) who are working hard and have a chip on their shoulder because everybody they know - even their friends and family -are telling them to "grow up" because they are crazy to "pursue an unrealistic dream." Guess what? Someday, when you are successful, they will tell you "you are a genius" and "I always believed in you." And it will be bull sh*t.  But it doesn't matter. Those stupid things that people say are blessings. They will create the chip on your shoulder. They will drive you.  And when you make them eat their words, it will feel damn good.

What if? What if? What if? Entrepreneurs are always sending Andy Frisella emails and direct messages freaking out about this or that. Most of the time, they are afraid of things that aren't really threats to their success. In this episode, Andy walks listens through the lineup of "bogeymen that don't exist." Instead of being afraid of these things, The MFCEO says, fear mediocrity. And fear never doing anything at all.

Good communication skills are critical to success. Unfortunately, society has become so soft and overly sensitive that people feel they need to be passive and tentative in the way they speak to others. They tone down the truth to avoid offending someone. They are vague in order to avoid hurting someone's feelings. Guess what? This doesn't work. In order to succeed personally and professionally, you need to speak clearly. You need to speak truthfully. You need to be direct.

The importance of excellence has always been one of Andy Frisella's foundational values and one of the basic assumptions of The MFCEO Project. But in 150 episodes, Andy has never explicitly explained why excellence is so important - why it's everything. From how it undergirds the confidence necessary for success to how it protects us from the danger of laziness, The MFCEO unpacks and breaks down his thoughts on excellence - and shows exactly why it's essential to personal and professional success.

What do you do when the person you love does not support you and your goals? Or, what do you when they support your overall goals, but they often nag you about your lack of progress? Do you suck it up and take it? Do you just tell them to go to hell? In this episode of Thursday Thunder, Andy Frisella unpacks his thoughts and answers this frequently asked question. The bottom line: a relationship is two people believing in the same things and being committed to the same goals. Is that what you have with your significant other or not?

Money, money, money! In today's episode, Andy Frisella shares his take on all things money: Is money the greatest thing in the world or the root of all evil? What's the difference between making money and earning it? How do the most successful people think about money and handle it? This is a favorite topic of The MFCEO's - one that he has talked about before, but is so important that it bears repeating. 

We live in a society that has produced very soft, very delicate little snowflakes. An entitlement complex is running through the current generation. They think they should be handed the good things that come from a life of hard work--without actually working for them! But one of the worst qualities of so many people today is that they want to know what to think. They haven't learned how to think. That is an indispensable requirement for becoming successful.

It's popular today to go around saying, "I'm gonna be me. And I give zero f*cks what anyone thinks about it." While we should not be enslaved to other people's opinions, Andy Frisella says that what other people think about you matters. People are going to judge what kind of person you are by how you treat people and what you put out on social media. If you don't take that seriously, you're in trouble. Opportunity comes from other people--and how other people perceive you is huge. If you struggle with how to connect with people and build relationships that lead to opportunity, The MFCEO shares a tool in this episode that will help you!

Too many people complain that their friends and family aren't supporting their business. Here's the reality: you're going to need way more than the support of your friends and family to be successful. Plus, your friends and family aren't obligated to support you. When it comes to the real world of business, they owe you nothing. It's your job to provide a quality product or service that everyone would want to support. And it's your job to sell them on that quality product or service. But above all, you have to think of support in terms of a bank account. Don't constantly ask other people to make withdraws on your behalf. You want to be the guy who make more deposits in other people's accounts.

How do you suck the marrow from every 24-hour period you live and work on this Earth? Is there a difference between working hard throughout the day and making the day work hard for you? In this episode of The MFCEO Project, Andy Frisella shares his tips and tricks for moving beyond time management to time mastery. Other people may have more brains, talent, or money. But everyone has the same amount of time in their day. To be successful, we have to learn how to make that time count.