It’s time for episode two and the first long-format discussion on the Relentless: Real People, Real Results, Real World podcast!
Podcast Description:
A deep dive into how real people get real results in the real world. Relentless mixes stories to provide context and the actions you can take right now in both short-format episodes and long-format interviews. Get ready to tackle anything from your morning cup of coffee to your exercise and nutrition regimens to building a million dollar business.
Steve Liberati: Build Something Remarkable, Remain Curious, and Water Down Your Wine
In this episode I welcome in Steve Liberati, a true Crossfit OG, the founder of Steve’s Club, the creator of Steve’s PaleoGoods, and – he’d say most importantly – a husband and father. Here’s the rundown:
- Steve on Seth Godin: “He inspired me not only to build something but to build something remarkable.”
- He fueled the discussion with Nespresso, although his morning began with French pressed La Colombe coffee.
- Strategy for breaking out of a slump: “stand up, walk around, go outside, and take a deep breath.”
- Inspiring book of the moment: Different by Youngme Moon.
- On the corporate world: “It sounds real fancy. I had a suit and tie. I had a fancy business card. I thought I had everything I wanted.”
- Soul searching and transitioning careers: “I have to love what I do. I have to have meaning.”
- Learning on the pest control job as part of his Dad’s company: “It’s one thing to have all of the textbook concepts and marketing terms, but it’s a whole different thing running a business and wearing multiple hats.”
- A recommendation to keep the daytime job and use it to pay the bills while you pursue other avenues. “When you’re pressured to pay the bills it changes your focus.”
- The organic evolution of ideas.
- Forget “What are you passionate about?” Ask “What are you curious about?”
- Seeing the benefits of group training and starting Crossfit Tribe in the park with sandbags.
- Inspiring youth via creating an environment in which to succeed.
- Respecting the adversities and challenges of others and realizing it’s not me vs. the world.
- On spreading himself too thin: “We all have ADD. We want to do so many different things. We want to have our hands in everything. And before you know it, it’s just not effective. I was doing a lot, but I wasn’t doing anything great.”
- Big Steve to Young Steve: “Keep it real. You have to be realistic with yourself and what your strengths are. Time management wasn’t one of my strengths.”
- Ditching technology for a pen and post-it notes to stay on schedule.
- Growing slow and find the sweet spot – best possible service balanced with good demand. More is not necessarily better.
- Advice to online sellers: “Do your research.” Sometimes an idea may not work even though it’s your passion. Map it out and do your homework. “Hope is not a strategy.”
- Advice to retail sellers: “Make sure you are well funded.” Self-funding is very difficult when it comes to fast growth. Get capital beforehand, not during.
- Living by strong principles and being proud to sell what you are offering.
- Resisting pressures to cut costs and quality: “Once you take a cookie from the cookie jar you think you can take another cookie.”
- Recognizing that managing people is not a strength and finding others to thrive in that role. “I do my best to lead from the front.”
- Leaving his ego behind: “Even though my name is on it, it isn’t about Steve.”
- Family is #1.
- Balancing work and family and deciding to go home on time: “Is the smokehouse on fire? Can it be fixed tomorrow? Can I come back to this?”
- Respecting “feeling good” as just as powerful an end goal as scale reduction.
- There are no magic pills and cookie cutters. Everyone has to find their personalized sweet spot.
- Having an end game of helping as many people as he can, eating good, feeling good, and being good.
- Emulating Roman emperors and watering down his wine.
STEVE’S Relentless Action: Counteract. Balance is key, and it’s at the heart of everything we do. If you’re going all out balls to the wall, take a step back, relax, read a book, take a walk.
A Gift: My favorite to-go snack is the Dark Chocolate Pineapple Paleo Bar. Use the code “PaleoSteve” to get a one-time 10% off discount at Steve’s PaleoGoods.
A Favor: If you like what you hear on these first few episodes, please help me out by subscribing to, rating, and/or reviewing the podcast on iTunes. Thanks for your support!
Speaking of iTunes, you can listen to the episode there, download it via this link, or listen on the player below:
