#263: Darren Crosby — Surviving the Entrepreneurial Rollercoaster
Release Date: 08/18/2025
#282: Katya Karlova — Turning Invisible Pain into Unstoppable Power
MIKE'D UP!
In this powerful episode, Mike welcomes , former corporate VP, resilience alchemist, author, and endometriosis advocate, for a conversation centered on transforming pain into purpose. Originally from Moldova and educated at UCLA and University College London, Katya spent 15 years in global talent management before a life-altering health journey redirected her calling. During the pandemic, Katya confronted chronic pain, anxiety, and body dysmorphia, eventually receiving a long-overdue diagnosis of endometriosis, a condition affecting millions of women worldwide yet still widely...
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#281: Most Impactful Moments of 2025 on #MikedUp
MIKE'D UP!
In this episode, Mike takes listeners behind the scenes of a few of MIKE’D UP’s most impactful moments of 2025—a year defined by resilience, truth, healing, courage, and unapologetic self-belief. From life-altering diagnoses to near-death experiences, from entrepreneurship’s darkest days to moments of profound clarity, this episode stitches together the stories that didn’t only inspire—but changed lives. You’ll hear from guests who refused to accept limits, questioned what they were told was “impossible,” and chose purpose over fear. These conversations aren’t motivational...
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#280: Chuck Cuda — Betting On Myself: A True Story of Risk, Resilience, and Massive Success
MIKE'D UP!
This week Mike sits down with entrepreneur —a man who transformed a life-altering setback into a multimillion-dollar comeback. Chuck’s journey begins with a single decision that landed him in prison after he refused to testify against friends in an illegal sports-betting case. But it was in a prison cell on Thanksgiving Day where he experienced the wake-up call that reshaped his entire life. From that moment, accountability became his superpower. Chuck rebuilt everything from the ground up. He went on to close over $200 million in commercial real estate deals, mastering the...
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#279: Adam Mizel — Co-Founder of US United on Creating Unity in America
MIKE'D UP!
In this inspiring episode, Mike sits down with , co-founder of , to explore how real national healing starts with one simple idea: choose positivity, then pass it on. After leaving a 20-year private equity career, Adam dedicated himself to bridging America’s divides through service, storytelling, and connection. He shares how the Sheriff Unity Network, now active in over 100 counties, is quietly strengthening communities by addressing issues like mental health, addiction, homelessness, and everyday public trust—often in ways most people never see. Adam brings this mission to life...
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#278: Ben Johnson — Building Teams, Products, and the Future of Tech
MIKE'D UP!
This week, Mike is joined by , CEO and Founder of , for a sharp, energizing look at what it really takes to lead in today’s tech world. With more than 20 years of software experience and over $30 million raised across five startups, Ben brings the hard-earned lessons only a seasoned builder can offer. Ben breaks down the traits of effective tech leadership—setting a clear vision, empowering teams, and avoiding micromanagement. He shares candid stories from his early days as a founder, including a memorable misunderstanding of “burn rate.” He explains why learning to speak the...
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#277: Laura G. Patac — Whole, Not Perfect: Reinventing and Reclaiming Yourself
MIKE'D UP!
In this powerful episode, Mike welcomes back —author, storyteller, and transformation strategist—to explore the ideas behind her latest book, Through honest conversation and deep insights, Laura reveals why reinvention isn’t a destination but a lived journey shaped by every experience, every pivot, and every scar earned along the way. Together, Mike and Laura unpack the beauty of our personal origin stories and the quiet, unseen moments that shape who we become. Laura invites listeners to look beyond the myth of perfection and instead embrace the raw, unfiltered truth of their...
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#276: Connor Steinbrook — 4X World Series of Poker Champion Builds a Real Estate Empire
MIKE'D UP!
Note: Connor was a 3X World Series of Poker champion when this episode was recorded, and hours before his birthday earlier this month, he won his 4th World Series of Poker circuit championship! When life dealt him a losing hand, didn’t fold. He went all-in and stormed back. In this episode, Mike welcomes back four-time World Series of Poker champion turned real estate powerhouse to uncover how one man went from the chaos of online poker shutdowns to leading one of eXp Realty’s most dominant teams— Connor’s story plays out like a classic comeback movie: a sudden crash, a crisis of...
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#275: Jay Sapovits — Recovery, Redemption & Reigniting Success with the Founder of Ink'd Stores
MIKE'D UP!
This week, Mike sits down with , the founder and President of , a thriving $5 million e-commerce company that powers over 1,000 online swag stores for brands like DoorDash, Crocs, and Penn Entertainment. Jay opens up about his turbulent journey—from explosive early success and devastating loss to rebuilding his life and business from the ground up. The conversation explores Jay’s struggle with gambling addiction, the painful collapse of his first ventures, and how entering recovery became the foundation for lasting personal and professional transformation. He shares how humility,...
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#274: Jane Hanson— From Emmy-Winning Journalism to Empowering Your Voice in Business
MIKE'D UP!
This week, Mike sits down with , an Emmy-winning journalist who spent nearly three decades at NBC New York. From her humble beginnings in a small Minnesota town to becoming a prominent voice in television journalism, Jane reflects on a career filled with powerful storytelling, resilience, and transformation. Jane opens up about covering pivotal events like 9/11, the emotional weight of live reporting, and the moment she realized it was time to pivot from broadcasting to coaching. Today, she empowers entrepreneurs, executives, and women to master the art of authentic...
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#273: Kurt Avery — How One Mission Has Transformed 30 Million Lives in 80+ Countries
MIKE'D UP!
In this moving and eye-opening conversation, Mike sits down with Kurt Avery, the visionary founder and president of , to explore how one man’s faith, resilience, and entrepreneurial drive sparked a movement that’s transforming global health. After leaving the corporate comfort of Fortune 500 marketing, Kurt took a leap of faith to create a company focused on a single, world-changing mission—to provide safe, clean water to every person who needs it. In this episode, we journey through the challenges and triumphs that shaped Sawyer’s path—from early financial hardships and failed...
info_outlineHe’s been to the top… and hit rock bottom. But quitting? Never an option.
In this inspiring episode, Mike spotlights Darren Crosby, an entrepreneur whose story is a case study in the power of resilience. From his teenage start in business to navigating the cutthroat restaurant industry, Darren’s career has been a rollercoaster ride through mortgages, franchising, and the unexpected smash-hit success of a golf cart company.
But the real drama? Surviving the pandemic’s crushing blow—personal and business bankruptcy—only to rise from the ashes with a sharper vision and a mission to empower small and medium-sized business owners. Darren pulls back the curtain on the secrets of building corporate credit, avoiding costly mistakes, and making the kind of bold financial moves that turn dreams into empires.
Packed with resilience, redemption, and real-world wisdom, this is the entrepreneurial comeback story for anyone second-guessing their calling.
IN THIS EPISODE:
➡️ Lessons from the Restaurant Industry
➡️ Franchising vs. Starting Your Own Business
➡️ Building a Self-Sustaining Business
➡️ The Importance of Corporate Credit
📘 BONUS TAKEAWAY:
Packed with resilience, redemption, and real-world wisdom, this comeback story reveals how the skills and mindset you develop in one industry can become powerful tools for success in completely different ventures—if you’re willing to adapt, keep learning, and stay open to unexpected opportunities.
🚀 PERFECT FOR:
Aspiring entrepreneurs ready to take the leap, small and medium-sized business owners looking to strengthen their financial foundations, and seasoned founders who know that failure is just part of the journey.
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Securing Business Credit & Financing Without Personal Guarantees
Connect with Darren:
Connect with Mike:
SPONSORS:
Social Chameleon | Transform Your Podcast
AFFILIATES:
Libsyn: First Month FREE with Promo Code BEGREAT
Riverside | This interview was recorded on Riverside
Want to become a show sponsor or affiliate? Email mike@socialchameleon.us
Copyright © 2025 Mike’D Up! with Mike DiCioccio | For permission to use this content in any way, please email mike@socialchameleon.us