Hands And Daylight

In the late 90s, two college kids in Maryland decided to take action and build a billion dollar company, known today as Under Armour. Today we sit down with one of those men, our friend, Kip Fulks. Kip shares his powerful story of overcoming learning disabilities, and building a massive chip on his shoulder that propelled him to become not only a division one athlete, but one of the most successful business men today.

Before tar roads, electricity, railroads, modern heating and cooling, our first Origin Story, "The Spirit of the People", is a story about one of America's first mills in Trion, Georgia. From the original land lotteries, through the Civil War, and thriving today, this story covers one man's idea of spinning and weaving cotton in a small stone and wood factory in the south.

Eli Combs was known on the street as a "closer". The only person to every raise 1 Billion Dollars for three different hedge funds. Eli didn't find immediate success, but he chose to put himself in the action, and grinding day-after-day. His meteoric rise to the top descended quickly after he took a risk on himself, and started his own hedge fund in Greenwich, Connecticut. Today, Eli opens up about his story.

18 years ago, we witnessed an attack on American soil unfold. On our televisions and streamed on our computers. We all remember where we were, what we were doing, and how it impacted our ourselves and this country. Today, we sit down with a dear friend, Tim Couch. A man who was moved on 9.11.2001 to quit his job and enlist in the Marine Corps. Some of us watched and prayed, others took action on that fateful day. This is Tim's story.

Maine's newest resident, Ryan Michler, joins us as at the studio for a great conversation about his experience building boots recently at the Origin factory. We deep dive into all things Maine.

Pete just got back from Europe after almost 30 days abroad filming a documentary. His last stop was Berlin, where he sat down in an old Russian restaurant, and interviewed a woman named Anna, who grew up in communist East Germany. They talked about her father who was a spy for the East, and her first experience in the West. Although Anna's interview won't be released until the documentary is finished, Pete shares with us her stories. There's so much to learn about the mindset in today's America by reflecting on the mindset of post WW2 Germany. 

After three weeks abroad, Pete discusses his experiences, how they relate to living the American Dream, and how much hope plays a part in every human's life. Hope is something that everyone is born with. But why then do some quit and fail to thrive? What happens when the burden becomes too heavy? In this engaging conversation, Pete and Brian deep dive into lost civilizations, today's current problems in America, and how hope and action play such an important role, not just in the American Dream, but in the human dream.

Today we answer some great questions from listeners, it's raw, and unfiltered. From jiu-jitsu to business and everything in-between.

The Chernobyl disaster was a catastrophic nuclear accident that occurred in 1986 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the Ukraine. Today, we deep dive into what exactly happened, the failure of leadership, and dereliction of duty. A huge amount of energy was suddenly released, rupturing the reactor pressure vessel in a highly destructive explosion, which was immediately followed by an open-air reactor core fire. The only thing left to secure the radioactive site was the hands and daylight of the people.

Andy Stumpf joins us today to talk about war, BASE jumping, wing suiting, hunting, and jiu-jitsu. After being wounded in battle as a Navy SEAL, Andy succumbed to medication to numb out the pain from his injuries. Through a defining moment during a quick stop at the gas station, Andy decided his current path was not only self-destructive, but keeping him from advancing in life. Andy shares the good times and the bad, breaking free, and breaking world records. Funny, and inspirational, this is the story of one frogman who attacks life by jumping in.

Six years ago, we found the last loom left. It was in Lewiston Maine, in a massive mill, abandoned on the top floor of the deteriorating building. We found it when an old-time sewing machinery dealer told Pete, "There's someone you need to meet." She was gatekeeper to this mill, an older woman who’s father also worked there for 40 years. She is also the gatekeeper to the history, and the people who came here to build their American dream. Now we're telling you, there's someone you need to meet. Meet Rachel.

You can have all the hands and daylight, but without freedom you have nothing. By 6-years old, Chanda Luker saw more atrocities in the Khmer Rough concentration camps of Cambodia than most people see in their entire lives. Under Pol Pot's regime, over 2 million Cambodians were murdered. She survived. This is her story: of what really happened under the Pol Pot regime, of surviving, of escaping with her family, of life as refugees. This is her story of finding their way to this sanctuary we call America, and to western Maine. Chanda's story is a heavy one, but it's one that should be heard by everyone.

The only thing Lindsay Skilling knew as a kid was that she wanted to work for the family business. Her great, great grandfather delivered milk and ice cream by horse and buggy throughout the foothills of Western Maine. Today she runs world famous Gifford's Ice Cream. A mother of two, and five generations later, 35 year old CEO Lindsay Skilling shares stories of the past, culture, family and waking up at 3:40 in the morning.

It was men like Dakota that used to grace the battle grounds of the colosseum. Maybe he lived because he had accepted death, maybe that’s where true will comes from. I believe Dakota's greatest gift has yet to come. That as he heals and his pain subsides, just maybe the world will see that part of him also died in that valley with his brothers. Maybe it’s US that has a disorder, and HE that sees clearly. Just maybe we all have a part of us that needs to die off too. Medal of Honor Recipient, Dakota Meyer joins us today to discuss his absolute truth, transparency, war, and how he wants to change the world. 

Former Under Armour employee, Bobby Hull joins us today to discuss ideas and challenges with American manufacturing. He shares his experiences working for one of the world’s biggest brands. But is there a better way to feed the monster as you stand on the edge of the event horizon? It’s a one way trip to the top.

Who is really in control of your life, or should I ask what? What is the true master you serve… is it food, work, or something else? After Pete’s 90 hour fast earlier this week, today we debrief and deep dive into achieving mental clarity through fasting, the benefits and risks.

THERE ISN’T ONE… We all veer off the path and lose focus of our goals, but how do you course correct and recognize it before it’s too late? Is there a blueprint for success? Answered today on Hands And Daylight are some tough questions, including working with you spouse in business, staying true to yourself and your cause and not getting distracted. How the jiu-jitsu mindset can improve all aspects of life and business.

Pete reflects on a recent and uncomfortable conversation with a struggling business person. In debt and all in, is there a way out? Weeks away from the crushing final blow, decisions need to be made to push back. This candid conversation is one that all entrepreneurs should listen to.

Toughness is not a hereditary trait, it's not generational, it's earned. Your mind will fail long before your body. Defeat doesn't care about where you're from, who you are, what you've done. It wants your mind, so it can paralyze your body. Its best friend is misery, and they want company. The battle is mental, not physical. Stay the course and win the day.

Nike and New Balance jumped on the running craze, but one brand took the cake when it came to the world’s best running shoe in the 80s. Bart Hersey, an old New England shoe dog, beat out all the big dogs when it came to manufacturing the world’s best running shoes. Today, Bart tells his story of the rise of an industry. Hersey Shoe could have been one of the world’s biggest sneaker brands, but Bart chose the road less traveled. He discusses the balance of family and business, the struggles and successes, and why he chose to work in small circles, building custom products, one at a time.

It's sugar season here in Maine. Sugar shacks all over the state are crafting their yearly nectar, maple syrup. Here at the factory we are also gearing up for the change of seasons. Today, we answer some great questions about Jiu-Jitsu, business and much more.

Amy Bouchard was working at the Bath Iron Works shipyard when she decided to follow her passion of baking and started making whoopie pies from her kitchen. Her story starts in one of Maine’s oldest mill towns, watching her family work at the factories. With no business experience, a basket in one arm, and a toddler in the other, Amy began her journey. This is her story… 25 years, and 20 million whoopie pies later.

You’ve seen the Travis Mills story on Netflix, possibly read his book, “Tough as They Come”, but where does his continued motivation and drive really come from? Today, we dive deep into his blue collar upbringing, how and why he continues to grind and work tirelessly in business and in life.

Conspiracy theories seem to be the topic of conversation, and today we delve into our own. The conversation takes us to WW2 America and the greatest generation.

Love him or hate him, America’s 7th President Andre Jackson was a popular and now polarizing figure in American history. He was an unstoppable force when the British made a bid for the colonies, to take back what was theirs. Jackson stopped them in their tracks, tactically funneling them to their death like Sparta’s 300. But who was this man that we love to hate, and why did we need him?

Getting in the trenches, getting conditioned, getting dirty. If your not willing to play until the last buzzer, then you’ve already decided that retreating is an option.

Today's political landscape is polarizing, volatile and growing even stranger. Today we delve into the distraction we call politics.

Putting all you have into a team, and feeling abandoned can cause discouragement or can fuel motivation. Today we discuss a recent event, the cause and effect, and how it was dealt with.

Be nimble, be quick, and jump over every freaking candle stick. And if it.s too high, burn it down. A winning mindset is the only mindset to have, there are no sportsmanship trophies in life.

The hard times make hard hands, and hard minds are forged through blunt blows of struggle. And in the good times we always remember they won’t last forever. Every thing that is had is earned. If you didn’t earn it, somebody else did, and somebody else is. And you dishonor their sacrifices by having lazy hands and numbing your mind with whatever false feeling you produce through distraction and self-loathing. What everyone has in this country is choice. Don’t whore it out, don’t squander it. Steal motivation from every good and every bad part of your life and experiences. And choose to use that motivation for only great things.

There is so much confusion going on in the world. I simply don't buy into it. I don't buy into the propaganda that masculinity is toxic. I praise masculinity, I praise fatherhood, leadership and grit. But it seems that society is more emotional about being emotional. Don't be confused or affected by the words, and wave of the loudest.

Former Navy SEAL, and one of AMERICA'S ELITE SNIPERS, JP Dinnell went from highly decorated combat veteran to delivering pizzas for Marco’s. JP grew up with a speech impediment, and through divine providence, he now uses his voice to speak in front of thousands of people. In this powerful podcast, JP discusses how he was able to purge negativity from his life, and the mistakes he made along the way.

Storytelling is how our history has been passed down over thousands of years. Today we are bombarded with content, and our attention is strained as we sort through the trash. But powerful stories will always transcend it all.

For the last podcast of 2018, we put the question out there “Ask Us Anything”. Start your New Year listening to how YOU can start using your own HANDS AND DAYLIGHT to stop taking baby steps, and leap forward towards your goals.

The true secret is that PEOPLE SUCCEED TOGETHER AND NOT INDEPENDENTLY OF ONE ANOTHER. The owner of a three billion dollar company was just like you and I. He started from nothing, with only a dream, and a vision. Our forefathers success was earned through grit and resolve. They didn’t sit behind their desk and wish… they got off their ass and did. Creating relationships… real relationships, only happen in person, and over time.

Today we discuss EXPOSURE, and the importance of making yourself vulnerable with special guest, Ryan Michler from Order of Man Podcast. Follow the grit and drive of early Americans, exposing themselves to not only the elements, but to the unknown ahead.

War hardens a person, but also creates a vulnerable society when the battle takes place outside the bubble. Today we reflect on the softening of America by exploring our recent history, technology and society.

Denim is widely known for it’s place in fashion. But what is America’s real connection with this twill cotton textile? Today we look back at the birth of our nation, and how denim outfitted our ability to separate and thrive. The true fabric of America is dyed blue, highlighted in white, and stained red with the blood of Patriots.

One of our most riveting podcasts to date. Were the puritans truly pure, or were they extremists, staking claim because of entitlement? We’ve all grown up with our version of the Thanksgiving story, was it true or was it a myth? Today we open our ears to the other end of the spectrum.We delve inside the history of New England, compare and contrast what's happening in the world today.

Having humility and having confidence play a big role in getting your mind to the next level. Achieving a flow state can happen, it is possible. There are no magicians in business or in life. If you believe that you belong at the table, it’s a matter of pulling up a seat. But first, you need to level up.

It wasn't an easy week. On the drip, contemplating life, deep in thought and prayer. Today I share my hours of stillness and reflection as I continue to recover from a freak incident. Rhabdo could have killed me, but it may have saved my life. 

Everyone has driven on the road during the night where the path was clear as day… and all of a sudden you hit a wall of fog. It's immediately disorienting and you slam on the breaks which brings you to a complete stop. your heart races and your adrenaline releases as your body goes into straight survival mode to either to pull over or keep pushing forward. you're looking side to side trying to re-orient yourself. But it's unclear what you should do.

Slater made his fortune in the US, but it came at a cost. It is said he deceived his employer, abandoned his family and betrayed English manufacturing. At the time, the US was the world's biggest exporter of cotton, but did not have the technology to process it. Britain knew this and passed laws in 1774 banning textile workers from traveling to America. Going against the grain, Samuel Slater sneaked on a ship and became the father of America's Industrial Revolution. 

I want to be like the ice king. A man who saw an opportunity and built an industry. How are we going to get there… how are you going to get there? Today, we discuss the path, risk, reward, opportunity, and ICE.

Success is discovered through the action of doing. You may have had it once, and you may believe it’s lost. Here’s the secret… if you’ve been through the battle and won in the past, the tools to find success again are inside you. Success is not a gift, it’s not by chance, it’s not through luck… Success is a mindset.

5,000 miles, 75 meetings, 7 days. What did we learn on our voyage to the red rocks of Arizona. We aren't stopping this train, it's moving… fast, accelerating, picking up speed, and we DON'T WANT TO TAP THE BREAKS, or should we?

Three negotiations, two months, one outcome… but we almost followed a white rabbit into wonderland. We've been boring a hole, moving every grain of dirt and stone, making sure we have good footing. Reinforcing the walls and ceiling as we go. We got off course and almost made a mistake. Growth takes strategy, timing, and tuning into what's really important.

Every single person in this world dreams, it’s FREE. It's a God-given right to dream so that your mind can be in a creative state. Dreams can’t be chained down, they can’t be controlled, they can’t be taken away. BUT, they can hold you back and allow your mind slips into obscurity. Dreams need planning, they need structure, they need nourishment in the form of action.

Like a thief in the night, the tides of time come crashing in. Perspective is relative to experience, and experience is relative to living. Today, we discuss the loss of a loved one, and lessons learned from how they lived.

Barefoot and pregnant to boots on the ground. Pete and his wife Amanda answer the tough questions you are all wondering. When your body is out of balance, you are sick. When your life is out of balance, there is conflict. How to put the POWER in couple.

A great conversation with Ryan Michler from The ORDER OF MAN podcast. Business, risk, accountability, and exit strategies. Ryan discusses playing for keeps, believing in yourself and balancing family and business.

Messiness and clutter will create a wave of problems. Today we discuss our own challenges with growth and the mistakes we are currently making. Time to take ownership, correct course, and go to the next level.

What the human body and human mind can accomplish in a 24-hour day is unfathomable. From the basement of Pete’s house, to an old 1950s Singer sewing machine, to building a factory in the woods. Today we reflect on the past and future with special guest, and Origin’s first employee, Jon Milan. A lesson in patience and forgiveness.

Every day is a fight to not just survive, but thrive in this place. It’s time to wash off complacency and comfort, get the ladder out and get the roof shoveled.

Is the brick and mortar model it still alive, or are we getting swallowed up by a digital world of consumerism? Today we discuss one of the fastest growing brands, how they reinvented the brick and mortar store, and how we as a company can learn from their experiences as we develop a retail plan.

Business is like a slinky on an infinite staircase. Sometimes the slinky will stall on a tread. It's up to you to chase it down the stairs and restart it. Have you have hit a plateau and not sure how to move forward? We take a look at maintaining focus on the mission at hand, and simple ways to shift perspective, to grow, and to win.

Warren Buffet said the deal with Harold Alfond of Dexter shoe was the worst deal he ever made. But what happened to the machinery, and the people left in the wake? It's still here in MAINE, and we are on a treasure hunt to bring back what's been lost.

"Trusting that ship that you’re on, that’s going through the fog, that the sun’s gonna come up and burn it off. Believing you’re gonna see clearly afterwards. Without courage to push through the fog, there’s no reward in the end. How do you know if there’s any real victory if you didn’t go through the darkness, endure it, and face your fears." An incredible interview with Jason Perry

Staying the course is one of the hardest things for an entrepreneur. We are all full of ideas. How do you know when you should scratch the itch, or should you ever? Gaining discipline to stay the course is must, and only YOU can keep yourself in check.

How making a simple paper airplane completely changed the way we think. Sometimes, complex problems can be solved with simple solutions. Today we delve into lean manufacturing concepts and crack open the fold.

Living life and executing without compromise means that behind closed doors, you don't lie to yourself. Sometimes you may step on profits, so change what the word profit means to you. We are at war to reclaim, and redefine that the American Dream is also attainable without compromise. The heartbeat of America is growing stronger.

Clear the rocks, one at a time. That's how you start everything in life, and that's how you build your field of dreams. It's dirty, gritty, hard… It's called work. With special Father's day guest, my own father-in-law, Joe Paradis.

If you don't take a risk on yourself, no one will take a risk on you. Everything that has been created will also be deconstructed by time, so what do you have to lose? We don't live in a box, so don't box yourself in. Flip the box over, stand on top, elevate yourself, and be a pioneer of your vision.

We are complex beings, and some things are by default built into our DNA. Our survival instinct, which served us especially well in times where humans weren't the ultimate predator. But those same mechanisms that protected us can now wreak havoc in life in business if not kept in check. Recognizing the fight or flight response is the first step to reconditioning your mind and body.

From serving coffee at Brazil’s largest bank, to fighting and representing the name of Jiu-Jitsu. American Top Team founder and champion, Ricardo Liborio takes us inside the business of MMA, the winning mindset. He's looking for the flat line of peace in life. What fear is holding you back? The recipe is simple… don’t quit and punch the clock.  

From a small café in Washington D.C., today we discuss the moment in which you felt most alive. What was the formula that brought you to that moment, and how can you replicate it again, and again, and again. We also discuss lessons learned at Muster 005. Leadership and winning at ALL COSTS.

Where does inspiration really come from. Does it hit you like a lightning bold, or can you work it like a muscle? You CAN evoke inspiration and creativity even in the hardest times. We all want to be a rocketman, we all are shooting for the stars, the quest to defy gravity. What is not talked about is that your fuel will run out. On occasion, you need to come back to earth. And you may find yourself trying to launch out of quicksand.

America’s mindset deficit is at an all time high. I wonder how we Americans can stop the madness, create opportunity, and start using our minds, hands and daylight. Better yet, how can infuse action back into our culture and communities. Broken homes don’t define you, your background doesn’t define you. You and I, all of us… we have a head start because we live in the kingdom of opportunity, the United States of America.

That word "DESERVE"… wipe it from your vocabulary.This is conditioning for life. Life is going to be painful, there's gonna be some hard times, son. Nothing is given to you, and don't look at the world like you deserve something because you simply exist in a conscious state. If you haven't worked your ass off for it, you don't deserve it. And sometimes, many times, you will work your ass off or something, and you still won't win. And guess what you're going to need to do… tape it up.

Dogs don’t eat dogs, they build packs, together they hunt and eat market share. Goals are futile without action. Actionable execution is futile without planning. Today we discuss goal setting and filling the void with hands and daylight. We discuss our own completed mission “OPERATION SAVE FIRST QUARTER”. How to generate momentum, and the importance of relationships, and knowing who you are. Great things don’t chase you down, you chase down great things.

How do you jump start your morning and life? By learning how to make your daily challenges, and struggles, part of your mission…seize the day, everyday. We also discuss recognizing depression, how a sedentary lifestyle has led to a testosterone deficiency epidemic, and finding that endorphin release we all need through activity to keep our body and mind firing on all cylinders.

Today we discuss working in business with family, spouses and partnerships. The dichotomy created when dealing with family in the workplace. Expectations, emotions, and how to make family a superpower instead of your kryptonite.

Jocko Willink joins us to discuss many topics, including nicknames, controlling your emotions in life, letting emotions take the lead and letting logic take the lead. The dichotomy of emotions, and the balancing act. JIU-JITSU as a metaphor for life and business. WAR, AMERICA, PERSPECTIVE, and much more from JOCKO!

Everyone, at some point in their life is humiliated. The best form of humiliation is an entitlement beat down. Most of the time this is not literal, but for me it was. Learning through a personal, humiliating experience that you are not everything you thought. It’s an opportunity you can either embrace and become stronger from, or let it ruin your future. It’s a self-check that’s exposed by external forces. I personally had two experiences that were humbling and put me in my place.

There has been a rumbling below our feet, and that low hum… that uncomfortable vibration you feel in your body is the foundation this country was built on being stripped away brick by brick. Since when did our teenage offspring become more in enlightened then our forefathers. Since when did the voices of children who have lived in this bubble and who have never seen war and tyranny, who have only lived in a time where technology has become a false God. Since when? There is a war going on it's taking place inside the hearts and minds of not just America's youth, but of the people of this nation. Fear has caused tear in the fabric we call America a tear that has been caused by the sharp edges of the bricks being torn down.

WHY would someone run away from all the opportunity in the world, make a decision to leave it all behind, and run and towards the American dream. Today's guest is Andre "Dedeco" Almeida, business man, father, jiu-jitsu champion, and co-owner of Origin. He discusses immigrating to America, leaving it all behind bootstrapped with $100. We also delve into how to handle employees that are stealing from the company, trust, changing an employees perspective, learning english, and what it means to BE AMERICAN.

We all need a little down time… or do we? Sometimes a little friendly banter can go a long way. Today we discuss the impact of vacations on business. Concepts for a new distilled spirit, politics, snowstorms, gumball racing and flying airplanes. Join us in a casual conversation about extremely random stuff.

Customer service and levels of communication. DISARMING customers and having good communication skills. Inspiration for design, balancing form and function, and the design of everyday things. How do you set the price on a product or a service? Live or die and finding substance in your why. Pete delves into personal struggles with importing and makes a decision to make it in America. Going all in on your why. What is the startup cost of manufacturing, and how long did it take to become profitable? DICKERING deals to make it work with a ZERO budget… American Picking. BEING READY FOR ABSOLUTE FAILURE, BUT FAILURE NOT BEING AN OPTION. EARNING GRIT, AND EMOTIONAL CALLUSES.  

Perception premeditates judgement. But without total 360 degree education, the way we perceive something is solely based off life experiences, what we've been taught, and this formulates what we believe and what we perceive. What if I told you that our entire nation has been brainwashed for generations. That what we've been taught about certain things are just not true, that government, rules, and laws are not always just and not always right. That money and business truly are the defining factors that drive decisions which influence the rest of us.

As I got in my truck to pick up a coffee, and some supplies from our local farmers union, I decided to route my path home on back roads. Most of these back roads are still dirt roads, not extremely well maintained. The only music I listen to on the road is the noise in my own mind, I almost always drive in silence thinking about this place, my family, business, Friends, opportunities. It’s my time to meditate through reflection and prayer. So I was driving slow with my window cracked trying to get the perfect balance of heat in the vehicle mixing with the air outside. While driving I could feel the snow loosen up and turn to slush, mixing with thawing mud… and my tires were lifting the slush from the road and throwing it against my truck’s undercarriage. My coffee was still a little too hot to drink, but I was entranced by this mix of the outside cold wind hitting my forehead, the warm heater air hitting my face, the sound of the slush on the road, the smell of thawing mud, and the hot coffee in my hand. As I crested the hill overlooking the mountains the sun started to breach the clouds and hit me in the face at the perfect moment of my trance, which heightened all my senses.

Death comes to everything with a heartbeat. Economies are strong in war, farmers and butchers deal death to provide our food supply for 300 million people. Few of us continue the traditions of hunting and gathering, planning and preserving, gardening and growing. We turn a blind eye to how food is grown, killed and processed. What will they say about us in 100 years. Will they teach our great grandchildren how we created injected animals and plants, will they say we partook of a barbarous communion of genetically modified flesh and fast food that is no better than injesting soylent green? What will they say about us using fossil fuels, burning wood, creating landfills, mining, processing, burning, refining. For the most part, I'm ok with the way we live. There are things I would like to change, but compared to the way it was, I couldn't be happier to live in this land, raise my children in this country, and believe in this flag and what it stands for. I love that we can harvest and burn wood, that we can mine ore and make steel, that we can refine crude oil into fuel. In 200 years will my way of thinking be extinct?… Probably…

Words are our greatest tool. Words are free for anyone. As kids we said, “sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me”. The truth is words can be a blessing or a curse. They can build empires or cause wars. Bridges can be burned by words said in haste. And the right words chained together can literally change the world. Shaking someone’s hand, looking in their eyes and letting them know “HERE I AM”. That’s how real deals are crafted, that’s how trust begins. If a word comes out of your mouth, you yourself need to believe it.

His family has been in Maine's wood industry for three generations. Out to prove himself, and with his hands and daylight, Brody Cousineau overcame many obstacles, including rewiring his brain as a young child due to his extreme Dyslexia, now his superpower. Striving to prove the family name after dropping out of college, every time he made a mistake, he also made as he says a "tuition payment". From running a mill at 22 years old to pushing through the economic recession, this podcast is filled with laughter, sadness and wisdom. Brody shares with us his deepest thoughts on failing to fail, and always finding yes.

As an entrepreneur, it’s our duty to pull the best out of our team each and every day. We need to be even tempered day in, and day out. We need to motivate individuals, teams, new hires and seasoned vets. Respect cannot be forced upon someone. You can not demand respect. Respect is earned many ways. Employees ARE your piers, they are are the lifeblood of your business. They are trusted with company secrets. They are the voice on the other end of the phone when customers call. They are the ones putting your master plan in action. Without them, nothing exists. They come to work each day from unique living situations, different lifestyles, and diverse backgrounds. And every single person on this planet has something to offer this place before they leave. It’s our job as leaders to help them tap into their full potential.

People are an interesting creation. Each one of us has free will. We are all born with this innate ability to know right from wrong. It's in our DNA makeup. But the smarter we get, the easier it is to mix the two. The smarter we think we are, the easier it is to convince ourselves of just about anything. Man is the only creature that has freedom to dream, and look at the earth as a playground. We have the intelligence to pull raw materials out of the earth, mixing them and forming them into whatever we want. We are also smart enough to survive in comfort, unlike the rest of the animal kingdom. We pre-plan our meals, shelter, family, lives. We don't run on instinct alone like other two and four legged creatures. We are designed, and driven to build, invent, create, dream, and explore.

I believe, that once distilled, there are three types of entrepreneurs. The first type is the one who wants to start a business because they want to work for themselves. They see working for themselves as “freedom”. Even if their business owns them, and their time, the sheer fact of not having to work for the “man” keeps them engaged in their work. Many times, this person is a sole proprietor, or has a handful of employees. They are happy with paying their bills, taking a yearly vacation, coaching their kids ball games. They are content and enjoy defining their daily schedule. They take challenges head on, They work hard, play hard, and are truly living life to its fullest. They yearn to have a financially healthy lifestyle, not looking to build an empire. That’s OK…  because happiness is defined by the individual person. Success is defined by how the individual interprets it.

If you are one of the select few who live on this earth with a business mind, understand this… Statistically speaking, 75% of the people you employ on your journey will not make it to the end with you. Few will stick with you as the trail is blazed. Most will leave, or be asked to leave. A saboteur may weasel their way in, like a wolf in sheep's clothing. A good apple one day, may start to rot and stink the next. Before you know it, a rotten apple has turned the whole batch rotten. I’ve learned the hard way, I once lost my cult of culture, I lost the answer to the question “why”.  I've been on the forefront of an event that I blame on my own youth, and the result of having a young entrepreneur’s mind. But, this rule of 75% loss,  I’ve changed to a 75% gain, so how do we get there?

People ask me what is jujitsu. I say, jujitsu is what allows a man to be free. Jujitsu is what frees your mind from the noise. Jujitsu is not a religion, although, it is spiritual at times. Jujitsu is about trust Trusting yourself, trusting your partner, trusting the positions. Jiu Jitsu is about letting go. Letting go of what your brain naturally wants your body to do. It's about letting go of ego, letting go of that primal instinct you as a man believe you have. That part of your brain that says in a fight you would win. Because men are built with a block in their mind, some call it a warrior spirit. But having the spirit to be a warrior is futile without training. That block in our brain disguises the truth. You are naturally numb, you are born numb to the truth. It's why young men can walk into battle, it allows us to feel invincible.

To be great at something, you don't have to start with having a bunch of money. You don't have to start with catching a lucky break. The only thing you have to start with, and the most valuable thing that you have been blessed with is your mind! Every great thing in this country and in this world formed first in someone's mind. The minds of men and women, and children…YOUR MIND, is the most valuable asset in the world. When you wonder why CEOs get paid tens of millions of dollars, it's because that organization, that corporation, that enterprise, is investing in what's in that person's head.

If you are a young entrepreneur or starting a business from scratch, there is no such thing as Friday's and Forty hours. You need to work until the work is done. Make hay while the sun shines, that’s not just a saying, it’s an actual statement of what needs to happen. Get used to structuring your entire life around the health of your business. Plan on always being on call for whatever part of the business needs your attention. I think when entrepreneurs are young and ambitious, but lack experience, they have a distorted view of how much actual work will be done by them and them alone.  NOTHING can be built in 40 hours, over a five day work week, especially if you are building an empire. Those building empires don't have timelines. Their week doesn't start on Monday, and end on Friday. The ultimate goal is to have financial freedom, freedom from time, freedom to do the things in life that can only happen with entrepreneurial independence. It’s easy to be blinded by grandiose ideas. But you will put more work in, then you ever thought imaginable. Any business takes a minimum of three years to start making some type of profit, if you're lucky. Plan on three years, 36 months of 100 hr work weeks, 3600 hours. That’s a start. Unforeseen problems are inevitable regardless of how streamlined your business plan is.

Have you forgotten your history? Have you forgotten that you and me, men and women are the ones who drive true change. Have you forgotten that our independence was won through the sacrifice of our ancestors. That what we have today is the sum of their works. Have you forgotten that a movement of the people is the true power we as Americans have. The greatest legacy they left is not the buildings, bridges and infrastructure, it's THE FREEDOM, THE DREAM, AN INDEPENDENT NATION driven by the people. That unified we can literally move mountains. Welcome to the Hands & Daylight Podcast.