Pitch Like a Billionaire: Forbes Riley on Sales, Survival, and Self-Belief
The Relentless Pursuit of Winning Podcast
🔥 Excerpt “I’ve grossed over $2.5 billion in sales—but the real pitch is believing in yourself when the world tells you you’re not enough.” ⚡ TL;DR Dr. Forbes Riley joins Rick Meekins to deliver a masterclass in mindset, sales, and surviving the odds. From a horrific bus crash in Iceland to building a fitness empire, Forbes unpacks the psychology of pitching, the cost of not healing your past, and what it takes to dominate your space—at any age. This isn’t a fluffy motivational talk. It’s straight fire for founders who are tired of excuses and ready to win. ...
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Behind the Curtain: Mental Health and the Entrepreneur
The Relentless Pursuit of Winning Podcast
🔥 Excerpt "Punishing yourself doesn’t get you to the goal faster. It’s not a strategy. It’s self-sabotage disguised as discipline." ⚡ TL;DR Mental health isn’t just a subplot in entrepreneurship—it’s part of the main storyline. In this episode, I sit down with Bradley Rausch, consultant and mental health advocate, to talk about navigating anxiety, panic, and self-doubt while building a business. We unpack his “CRAFT” method for building confidence without proof, how to tolerate discomfort without spiraling, and why therapy should be considered a baseline resource...
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Mastering the Pivot: Boardroom to Business Owner with Nicolai Nielsen
The Relentless Pursuit of Winning Podcast
🔥 Excerpt “When you're ambitious and unfulfilled, it’s not a productivity issue—it’s a clarity issue. You’re climbing fast... but is it even the right ladder?” ⚡ TL;DR Former McKinsey partner turned transformation coach Nicolai Nielsen joins me from Italy to talk about what happens when the success you’ve built no longer fits the life you want. We dive deep into how high performers sabotage themselves with unchecked ambition, why clarity trumps speed, and how to rewire your identity from the inside out. This one’s not about building a business—it’s about...
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From Hustle to Harmony: Jon Sabes on Mastering the Long Game
The Relentless Pursuit of Winning Podcast
🔥Thot “If you develop a practice that makes your health and prosperity your number one priority, you radically increase the odds of getting everything you want out of life.” ⚡TL;DR Serial entrepreneur Jon Sabes joins Rick Meekins to unpack the science and strategy behind longevity, prosperity, and sustainable success. From gene expression to journaling, this episode redefines what it means to win the long game. 📄 Show Notes Most entrepreneurs are masters of the hustle—but what if winning the long game required less grind and more intentional alignment? In...
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The Un-Limitations of Extraordinary with Jacob Lawson
The Relentless Pursuit of Winning Podcast
“Extraordinary isn’t some pedestal reserved for celebrities. It’s just ordinary—with extra effort. Most people never tap into their potential—not because they don’t have it, but because they never define it. That’s the real tragedy.” TL;DR Jacob Lawson, founder of Extraordinary Flooring and author of Make It Extraordinary, joins Rick Meekins to explore mindset, resilience, leadership, and the difference between stress and strength. Discover how to unlock your purpose and live beyond the ordinary. SHOW NOTES Most people live their lives on autopilot—doing...
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Supply Chain Secrets: Wisdom for Founders with Kerim Kfari
The Relentless Pursuit of Winning Podcast
“The supply chain doesn’t care about your plans. It cares how fast you can pivot when the port shuts down, the costs spike, or the bridge collapses. My job? Stay calm and find a way through it.” — Kerim Kfuri TL;DR In this episode of The Relentless Pursuit of Winning, Kerim Kfuri, CEO of The Atlas Network, shares strategic insights on managing global supply chain disruptions, building resilience as a founder, and leading with optimism in volatile markets. SHOW NOTES When the global supply chain feels like it’s on fire, Kerim Kfuri doesn’t flinch—he grabs his...
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The 10 WE's that will Drive Excellence in Your Company
The Relentless Pursuit of Winning Podcast
“When I saw that grocery cart drifting in my rearview mirror, I realized—I was still a hypocrite. You can’t live one way at work and another at home and expect anyone to take you seriously.” TL;DR Kyle McDowell joins The Relentless Pursuit of Winning to reveal how his 10 principle-based “We” leadership model transforms toxic teams into high-trust cultures. Learn how to lead with authenticity, drive performance, and build a company that wins—without losing your soul. Show Notes Hey, it’s Rick Meekins, and in this episode of The Relentless Pursuit of Winning,...
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Leadership PowerSkills and Heart-Centered Leadership
The Relentless Pursuit of Winning Podcast
“There’s no such thing as job security anymore—only career security. And that’s something you have to build for yourself.” TL;DR: Fired after 23 years in corporate? Lyndsay Dowd turned that gut punch into a leadership revolution. Hear how she built Heartbeat for Hire, became a sought-after speaker, and now drives transformation as CRO at Intry. This episode of The Relentless Pursuit of Winning is your roadmap to career reinvention, powerful leadership, and building resilience that actually works. Show Notes: Let’s get real: getting fired sucks. But for Lyndsay...
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Sharp Leadership – The Mindset to Overcome Adversity To Lead With Authenticity
The Relentless Pursuit of Winning Podcast
“Your altitude is someone else’s floor. Learn from the best, start where they left off—and stop trying to figure it all out alone.” - Carl Sharperson TL;DR In this episode, Rick Meekins interviews Carl H. Sharperson, Jr., Marine pilot turned leadership coach, to unpack how adversity, discipline, and feedback form the foundation of authentic leadership. Learn how to lead with purpose, build trust, and create high-performing teams that thrive through challenge. Show Notes: Leadership isn’t about barking orders or having all the answers—it’s about knowing when to shut up, when to...
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How to start Exit Planning Your Business Without Losing Your Mind: A Real Talk with Eric Grafstrom
The Relentless Pursuit of Winning Podcast
"Entrepreneurship isn't about building an empire. It's about building a life—and sometimes, knowing when it's time to hand over the keys. Eric Grafstrom shows us why exit planning is just as critical as your startup plan—and why your heart better be in it, or you'll never survive the journey." TL; DR: Eric Grafstrom, founder of ExitGuide, joins Rick Meekins on The Relentless Pursuit of Winning podcast to talk about the hard truths of exit planning in small businesses, the emotional cost of entrepreneurship, and how faith plays a critical role in surviving the journey. Show Notes: In...
info_outlineIn this episode, I sat down with Monty Fowler, co-founder and managing partner of Aspire 6—a boutique consulting firm that worked with founder-led startups, mid-market companies, and large enterprises. Monty shared his fascinating journey, from military service to network engineering and eventually to becoming a sales leader and mentor. For those who wondered how mentorship, sales strategy, and leadership debt impacted business growth, this conversation delivered compelling insights.
What Listeners Gained from This Episode:
- Why mentorship mattered: Monty explained how a mentor transformed not only his career but also his perspective on leadership.
- The science and art of sales: We broke down what separated average salespeople from top performers by discussing the importance of understanding key metrics and focusing on problem-solving.
- The concept of Executive Debt: Monty introduced the idea that short-term leadership decisions could lead to long-term operational costs, urging leaders to think beyond quick wins.
- The rise of AI in decision-making: We discussed how AI was beginning to reshape sales and leadership strategies, and why many companies were at risk of falling behind.
- A personal career journey: Monty recounted his transition from a sales engineer to a successful founder and mentor, highlighting the role of continuous learning and self-reflection.
Key Takeaways:
- Mentorship was transformational: The most significant career moves often came from honest, sometimes tough, feedback from someone who cared about your success.
- Sales was about helping: The best sales professionals weren’t just closing deals—they were solving real problems for their clients.
- Understanding the business cockpit: Great salespeople mastered the art of focusing on the metrics that truly mattered, much like a pilot who knew every dial and gauge.
- Executive Debt was real: Leaders learned that short-term decisions could incur long-term costs, making it crucial to balance immediate needs with future impacts.
- AI was a game-changer: Embracing AI early was key, as those who didn’t adapt risked being left behind.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Monty Fowler and His Journey
02:42 The Importance of Mentorship
05:21 The Role of Mentorship in Career Development
07:51 Success Stories from Mentorship
10:57 The Process of Becoming
13:39 Sales as a Helping Profession
16:02 Understanding the Science of Sales
19:07 The Characteristics of Successful Salespeople
21:36 Commitment to Lifelong Learning in Sales
23:59 Understanding the Diagnostic Assessment Process
28:53 The Concept of Executive Debt
33:08 The Importance of Decision-Making in Leadership
42:55 Personal and Professional Goals for the Future