How LPGA Pros Handle Pressure, Failure & Self-Doubt
In Search of Excellence, Island Style
Release Date: 10/14/2026
How LPGA Pros Handle Pressure, Failure & Self-Doubt
In Search of Excellence, Island Style
LPGA pro Dewi Weber didn’t even like golf as a kid. She played because she hated losing. Now she’s competing for wins on tour, and she’s sharing the morning routine, the mental game, and the parenting lesson that changed how she sees success. In this episode, host Larry Gonzales sits down with Dewi Weber, a Dutch professional golfer competing on the LPGA Tour, to explore the discipline, mental toughness, and resilience behind professional golf. Dewi shares how a serious ankle injury ended her national-level tennis ambitions and unexpectedly introduced her to golf—a sport she initially...
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Congress Could Make VA Loans More Expensive—Here’s What Veterans Need to Know
In Search of Excellence, Island Style
In this episode of In Search of Excellence: Island Style, Larry Gonzales sits down with fellow mortgage professionals Michael Melso and Daniel Sepulveda of The Broker Mortgage Experts to discuss proposed changes to VA funding fees and why they believe those changes could have unintended consequences for active-duty service members and veterans. The conversation focuses on H.R. 6047, which the episode describes as increasing the VA funding fee on certain refinances from 0.5% to 1.42% and on assumptions from 0.5% to 1%. Larry illustrates the potential impact with a $1 million loan, where...
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Can Locals Still Afford to Buy a Home in Hawaiʻi?
In Search of Excellence, Island Style
In this episode of In Search of Excellence: Island Style, Larry Gonzales sits down with Jewel Henderson-DeGerald and Michel Arakaki of Real Broker / Team MJ for a conversation about helping local Hawaiʻi families believe homeownership is possible. Jewel and Michel share how their backgrounds in education, counseling, and relationship-building shaped the way they serve clients today. Rather than simply helping someone buy or sell a property, they focus on education, communication, and creating what they call the “MJ Experience” personalizing the homebuying journey, celebrating milestones,...
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Buying a Home? Beware of These Real Estate Scams & Costly Mistakes
In Search of Excellence, Island Style
Buying a Home? Beware of These Real Estate Scams & Costly Mistakes In this episode of In Search of Excellence: Island Style, Larry Gonzales sits down with longtime friend Maggie Marcelli, Assistant Vice President at Title Guaranty, for an important conversation about what Hawaiʻi homebuyers, sellers, and real estate professionals need to know before getting to the closing table. Maggie shares what Title Guaranty is seeing in today’s Hawaiʻi real estate market, including condo transactions falling out of escrow because of rising HOA fees, insurance costs, special assessments, and buyers...
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Should You Buy a Home in Hawaiʻi Now? What Every Buyer Needs to Know
In Search of Excellence, Island Style
Should You Buy a Home in Hawaiʻi Now? What Every Buyer Needs to Know If you're wondering whether now is the right time to buy a home in Hawaiʻi, you're not alone. With mortgage rates hovering around 6%, changing market conditions, and constant headlines about the economy, many buyers are asking the same question: Should I wait—or is there an opportunity right now? In this episode of In Search of Excellence: Island Style, Larry Gonzales and the team break down what's really happening in today's Oʻahu housing market. They explain why Hawaiʻi isn't one market—it's a collection of...
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How One Single Mom Bought Her First Home in Hawaiʻi (And You Can Too)
In Search of Excellence, Island Style
Can you really afford to buy a home in Hawaiʻi? For many first-time buyers, military families, and veterans, homeownership feels impossible. High home prices, rising HOA fees, insurance costs, and uncertainty about mortgage rates often keep people renting longer than they planned. In this episode of In Search of Excellence: Island Style, Larry Gonzales sits down with Uliya Sparks to discuss what it really takes to become a homeowner in Hawaiʻi—and why waiting for the "perfect time" isn't always the best financial decision. Uliya shares her incredible journey from being born in Russia,...
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Buying a Home in Hawaii? Here's What Military Families Need to Know
In Search of Excellence, Island Style
What should military families know before buying a home in Hawaii? Is it better to buy or rent? How do you build wealth while stationed in one of the country's most expensive housing markets? In this episode of In Search of Excellence: Island Style, Larry Gonzales sits down with Hawaii REALTOR®, photographer, and military spouse Lexi Brown to discuss the financial, emotional, and personal decisions that shape a successful move to Hawaii. Lexi shares why she specializes in serving military families, how she built a thriving real estate business through authentic social media, and the biggest...
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Kirsten Connell & Jasmine Bell: Your First Step To Homeownership | Pre-Approval Guide
In Search of Excellence, Island Style
What makes a great Realtor? According to Jasmine Bell and Kirsten Connell of Hawaiʻi Home Group, it's not about selling homes—it's about helping clients make confident, informed financial decisions. In this episode of In Search of Excellence: Island Style, Larry Gonzales sits down with two of Oʻahu's top real estate professionals to discuss what it means to put clients first. From military relocations and negotiating incredible deals to helping homeowners maximize equity through strategic renovations, this conversation is packed with practical advice for buyers, sellers, investors, and...
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How Jade Medeiros Balances Four Kids, Client Relationships, and Mortgage Life in Hawaiʻi
In Search of Excellence, Island Style
In this episode of In Search of Excellence: Island Style, Larry Gonzales sits down with Jade Medeiros, Client Relations Manager at The Broker, for a candid conversation about family, work, leadership, and what it takes to build a service-first mortgage business in Hawaiʻi. Jade shares what life looks like as a mother of four while balancing client relations, business development, events, CRM systems, and the day-to-day needs of a growing mortgage team. From football practices and family routines to helping run the Successful Homeowner series, holiday trolley events, webinars, and client...
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Men’s Mental Health Crisis: Suicide, Depression & Military Mental Health With Mike Melso & Dr. Jenny
In Search of Excellence, Island Style
Men’s Mental Health Crisis: Suicide, Depression & Military Mental Health With Mike Melso & Dr. Jenny In this powerful Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month episode of In Search of Excellence: Island Style, the host is joined by retired U.S. Marine Corps service member Mike Melso and active-duty clinical psychologist Dr. Jenny to unpack the silent mental health crisis affecting men across military and civilian life. The conversation explores sobering statistics—one in eight men suffer from depression and men are four times more likely to die by suicide—and goes deeper into the...
info_outlineLPGA pro Dewi Weber didn’t even like golf as a kid. She played because she hated losing. Now she’s competing for wins on tour, and she’s sharing the morning routine, the mental game, and the parenting lesson that changed how she sees success.
In this episode, host Larry Gonzales sits down with Dewi Weber, a Dutch professional golfer competing on the LPGA Tour, to explore the discipline, mental toughness, and resilience behind professional golf. Dewi shares how a serious ankle injury ended her national-level tennis ambitions and unexpectedly introduced her to golf—a sport she initially played because she loved competing, not because she loved the game.
From earning a scholarship to the University of Miami and finishing runner-up at the national championship as a freshman to building a professional career, Dewi reveals how preparation, consistent routines, journaling, and mental coaching help her perform under pressure. She explains why the best athletes aren't necessarily those who avoid mistakes, but those who respond to them with confidence and commitment.
Dewi also takes listeners behind the scenes of life on the LPGA Tour, discussing demanding travel schedules, physical training, financial realities, and the importance of support from her wife, Jen. As she prepares for parenthood, she reflects on balancing family and professional ambitions—and shares advice for young golfers about embracing mistakes, staying curious, and finding joy in the process.
Whether you're an athlete, entrepreneur, business professional, or parent, this conversation offers practical lessons on pursuing excellence without allowing results to define your worth.
Meet the Guest
Dewi Weber
Professional Golfer | LPGA Tour
Instagram: @dewiweber
Dewi Weber is a Dutch professional golfer who began her athletic career playing competitive tennis in the Netherlands. After an ankle injury at age 12, she transitioned to golf and joined the Dutch National Team by age 14. She later competed internationally, earned a golf scholarship to the University of Miami, and pursued a professional career on the LPGA Tour.
Host: Larry Gonzales
Podcast: In Search of Excellence: Island Style
Powered by: The Broker Mortgage Experts
Timestamp Highlights
00:00 Show Intro
00:14 Tennis To Golf
02:07 Finding Love For Golf
05:18 Miami Breakthrough
06:08 Pressure And Prep
08:00 Routine And Journaling
14:12 Turning Pro Decision
17:22 Marriage And Support
19:59 Money And Tour Reality
22:21 Staying On Tour
28:15 Coaches And Confidence
30:57 Behind The Scenes Grind
34:21 Consequences And Focus
39:18 Handling Bad Days
41:31 Parenthood Ahead
49:16 Advice For Young Golfers
53:43 Closing Thanks
Watch & Listen
Watch the full conversation on YouTube and listen to In Search of Excellence: Island Style on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
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