Phil Daru, world-class performance coach, former Mixed Martial Artist, and trainer to elite athletes like Dustin Poirier, Amanda Nunes, and Colby Covington, joins The Determined Society for a powerful conversation on discipline, faith, purpose, adversity, and what it really means to become unkillable in life. In this episode, Phil opens up about his early life in Broward County, training martial arts from a young age, playing Division I football, losing both parents within months, becoming a father, and being forced to pivot after a neurologist told him one more hit could change his future. He shares how that moment led him from fighting to coaching, and how routine, repetition, faith, and service became the foundation of his work with fighters, Olympians, Special Forces operators, CEOs, and high performers. This conversation is about more than training. It is about finding your purpose, staying prepared, and building the mind, body, and spirit to keep moving forward when life hits back. The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.   Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

She grew up with no friends, no roadmap, and a father who died before she could 

tell him who she really was.

 

By 32, she had 400 million views, a national tour, a Fox News debut, a Washington 

Post profile, and a spot in a Billboard Award-winning music video ? playing a Wild 

West sheriff.

 

Blaire White is one of the most-watched, most-debated, and least-understood people 

on the internet. In this episode of The Determined Society, Shawn French sits down 

with Blaire for the conversation her own platform rarely makes room for ? not the 

pundit, not the controversy, but the person underneath all of it.

 

What actually happened in the years before anyone knew her name. The father she 

lost before she could come out to him. The childhood spent alone, writing fantasy 

novels to escape a world that didn't have a place for her. The grief she carried 

quietly while building something loud. The spiritual awakening she didn't see coming. 

And what determination actually looks like when no community fully claims you and 

the whole internet has an opinion about your existence.

 

This is not a political debate. This is a story about becoming yourself when the 

cost is real.

 

 

IN THIS EPISODE:

 

- Growing up in Chico ? bullied, isolated, and writing her way out

- Losing her father right before coming out as transgender

- Dropping out of college to bet everything on honesty

- The price of being rejected by the left AND the right simultaneously

- Her first Fox News appearance and what mainstream visibility actually feels like

- The spiritual awakening she had in 2024 ? and what changed after it

- How she handles public humiliation, mistakes, and being factually wrong

- The quiet grief of discovering she couldn't have children

- What "determined" means when no map exists for who you are

 

 

ABOUT BLAIRE WHITE

 

Blaire White is a YouTuber, political commentator, and host of The Blaire White 

Project podcast. With over 1.5 million subscribers and 400+ million views, she 

has been featured in Penthouse, profiled by The Washington Post, and was the first 

openly transgender woman in Penthouse's history. She is the definition of building 

something from nothing ? on her own terms, without permission.

 

 

CONNECT WITH BLAIRE WHITE

 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msblairewhite/?hl=en

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/theblairewhiteproject

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImBlaireWhite/

 

 

CONNECT WITH SHAWN

 

https://link.me/shawnmf32

 

 

SUBSCRIBE TO THE DETERMINED SOCIETY

 

Newsletter: https://thedeterminedsociety.com

 

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/determined-society-with-shawn-french-adversity-mindset/id1555922064

 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5kS9tkLGQLcVyRgB3mDznw?si=184c18d1b9d44f53

 

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

ABOUT THIS EPISODE

What does real determination actually cost?

Aaron Singerman has a story that most people only know one chapter of. He grew up in New Orleans, survived Hurricane Katrina, became an intravenous heroin and cocaine addict, lost people he loved to violence and overdose, and found his way out through fitness and bodybuilding.

He broke into the supplement industry with nothing but hustle ? became editor-in-chief at RxMuscle, co-founded Blackstone Labs at a kitchen table, and then left to launch REDCON1 in 2016. Within four years, REDCON1 went from 5 employees to 150+, expanded to 80+ countries, and landed on shelves at Walmart, GNC, Vitamin Shoppe, Dick's Sporting Goods, and military base exchanges worldwide.

Then came the federal indictment. A guilty plea. Fifty-four months sentenced. Eleven months served at FPC Pensacola. He wrote his memoir from a prison cell, came home to his three sons, walked back into REDCON1, and never stopped building.

In this episode, Shawn French sits down with Aaron for one of the most raw and honest conversations The Determined Society has ever had. This isn't a highlight reel. It's the version of determination that doesn't look good on social media ? the kind that costs you everything before it gives you anything back.

??????????????????????????????

WHAT WE COVER

? Growing up in New Orleans and early lessons from his father's clothing store

? Hurricane Katrina ? what forced displacement and starting over really feels like

? Falling into intravenous heroin and cocaine addiction and the losses that followed

? How bodybuilding and fitness became the lifeline that changed everything

? Breaking into bodybuilding media at RxMuscle under Dave Palumbo

? Co-founding Blackstone Labs and where things went wrong

? Launching REDCON1 ? and the military mission behind the name

? Building a global supplement empire from scratch, twice

? The federal indictment, guilty plea, and what prison actually taught him

? Writing his memoir behind bars and the mindset that kept him going

? Fatherhood, legacy, and raising three boys while rebuilding everything

? What real determination looks like when no one is watching

??????????????????????????????

CONNECT WITH AARON SINGERMAN

? Memoir ? RedCon Rising: And Falling. And Rising Again.

? Website: https://aaronsingerman.com

? Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaronsingerman/

? Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aaron.singerman/

? LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-singerman-b6a03a35

?? REDCON1: https://www.redcon1.com

??????????????????????????????

CONNECT WITH SHAWN FRENCH

? All links: https://ln.run/AMgIt

If you have ever been knocked down, counted out, or forced to start over ? this episode is proof that rock bottom is not the end of the story.

Leave a review, share this episode with someone who needs it, and subscribe so you never miss a conversation with someone who refused to quit.

? Shawn French

The Determined Society

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this unforgettable episode of The Determined Society, Shawn French sits down with legendary LSU baseball coach Skip Bertman, alongside former LSU Tigers Ryan Theriot and Blair Barbier, for a powerful conversation on leadership, character, culture, brotherhood, and building champions beyond the game. 

When Skip arrived at LSU, the program had no national championships, only a few hundred fans in the stands, and a culture still waiting to be built. Through vision, belief, discipline, and a commitment to high-character players, he helped turn LSU baseball into one of the greatest dynasties in college sports. 

Don't forget to get a copy of his book at https://www.skipbertman.net/tds

But this conversation goes far beyond baseball. 

Shawn, Ryan, and Blair reflect on the lessons Coach Bertman instilled in them: believing before the world believes, putting team above self, building trust, visualizing success, and understanding that character wins long after the scoreboard fades. 

This episode talks about: ? How Skip Bertman transformed LSU baseball ? Why character matters more than talent alone ? The leadership principles behind championship culture ? The power of visualization and belief ? How great teams police themselves ? Why ?everything matters? in sports, business, and life ? The brotherhood and legacy of LSU baseball ? How Skip Bertman built men beyond the game 

This is not just a baseball episode. This is a conversation about leadership, family, legacy, and becoming the kind of person others can trust when it matters most. 
 

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What does it actually take to rebuild your body, your business, and your belief in yourself, from absolute zero?

Anthony Lolli knows. He was a millionaire at 23, running 800 agents across 100+ New York City real estate locations. He had the Rolls-Royce. The mansion. 50 Cent filming commercials in his backyard. 

Then came his two-year-old daughter, who looked up at her 315-pound father and said: "Daddy, you're fat. I don't want you to die."

That sentence changed everything.

TereZa Lolli came to America from Armenia with $300 and a fire that doesn't quit. A piano prodigy, a ping pong champion, an Idol finalist ? she graduated at the top of her class, turned down a prestigious corporate offer, and bet everything on her own terms. After having children, her hormones collapsed and her body stopped cooperating. Her response? Become a two-time bikini world champion and launch one of the fastest-growing independent health media platforms on the planet.

Together, Anthony and TereZa are the founders of Biohack Yourself Media ? producers of more than a dozen award-winning health documentaries and the exclusive health press at the MAHA Inaugural Ball. Their children, Love and Legend, are child actors who ? guided by their mother ? invested their own earnings in real estate before their tenth birthdays.

In this episode, Shawn French sits down with Anthony and TereZa to talk about:

The biohacking protocols that transformed Anthony's body and mindset How TereZa reversed hormonal collapse and became a world champion Longevity, healthspan, and the testing that actually matters Sleep optimization and stress as a silent killer Biological dentistry and what your mouth is telling your body Raising children to think like entrepreneurs and investors The lawsuits, the fall, the federal racketeering claim ? and what really happened What Biohack Yourself Media is building and why it matters now

This is not a highlight reel. This is the whole story ? the rises, the falls, and the relentless determination to rebuild.

Connect with me: https://ln.run/AMgIt 

Connect with Anthony & TereZa Lolli: 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anthonylolli/ 
https://www.instagram.com/terezalolli/ 
Website: https://www.biohackyourself.com/ 
 

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tyler Filmore shares how overcoming obstacles in the music industry taught him the power of determination and breaking norms. From refusing to quit when success didn't match his timeline to landing a Pitbull collaboration through one random performance, Tyler reveals the mindset shifts that separate those who persist from those who quit. Raw, authentic, and actionable?for anyone betting on themselves.

 

Key Takeaways 

-Success often comes from opportunities that look small at first. 

-Most people stop because the journey doesn?t match their expectations. 

-Staying authentic creates long-term fulfillment, even if growth is slower. 

-You don?t know who is watching when you show up and perform at your best. 

-Taking smart risks is often the price of reaching another level. 

-Comparison can destroy momentum if you let it. 

-Fatherhood can sharpen purpose and change priorities.

 

*Socials*

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theshawnfrench

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/476624146831479?checkpoint_src=any

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5kS9tkLGQLcVyRgB3mDznw

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-determined-society-with-shawn-french/id1555922064

Linkme - https://link.me/theshawnfrench

Tyler Filmore - https://www.instagram.com/film.oremusicc/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Determination. Adversity. Discipline. Mindset.
Most people want to heal?but very few are willing to face the adversity it takes to rebuild trust, set boundaries, and develop the discipline to choose themselves. Real growth happens when your mindset shifts from surviving to taking control.

In this episode, Jana Kramer opens up about healing from trauma, learning to trust herself again, and building the determination and mental toughness required to stop repeating the same patterns. This conversation is about developing high performance habits, choosing consistency over motivation, and having the courage to say no?even when it?s uncomfortable.

If you?ve ever struggled with trust, boundaries, or walking away from what no longer serves you, this episode will challenge your mindset, strengthen your discipline, and show you how to move forward with real determination through adversity.

Key Takeaways Adversity is where real healing begins?it forces growth and self-awareness Determination is choosing yourself, even when it?s uncomfortable Discipline is what keeps you from falling back into old patterns Your mindset determines whether you stay stuck or move forward Boundaries are built through mental toughness, not guilt Consistency over motivation is key to long-term healing Trusting yourself is the foundation of real confidence and freedom

 

*Socials*

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theshawnfrench

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/476624146831479?checkpoint_src=any

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5kS9tkLGQLcVyRgB3mDznw

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-determined-society-with-shawn-french/id1555922064

Linkme - https://link.me/theshawnfrench

Jana Kramer - https://www.instagram.com/kramergirl/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Most people talk about chasing their dreams?but very few have the determination and discipline to sacrifice everything when adversity strikes. In this episode, rising country artist Coey Red reveals the exact moment he chose commitment over comfort, and shares the three tactical strategies he used to transform obstacles into unstoppable momentum. Discover the mindset shifts that separate dreamers from doers.

Key Takeaways If you don?t go all in on yourself, nobody else will?determination has to come first Rejection is often protection that builds your mindset and direction You only truly fail when you quit?adversity is part of the process Success comes from action, not perfection?discipline beats hesitation Authenticity builds real connection and long-term success Trusting your journey requires mental toughness and belief The hardest seasons are where determination and growth are forged

*Socials*

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theshawnfrench

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/476624146831479?checkpoint_src=any

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5kS9tkLGQLcVyRgB3mDznw

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-determined-society-with-shawn-french/id1555922064

YouTube- 

Coey Redd - https://www.instagram.com/coeyredd/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Most people see success, but they don?t see the adversity, discipline, and relentless determination it takes to get there. What looks like overnight success is really years of rejection that build the mindset and mental toughness required to last.

In this episode, Tony Goldwyn shares the reality of breaking into Hollywood, the power of committing fully, and how adversity shapes your determination, discipline, and long-term success. This is about developing high performance habits, choosing consistency over motivation, and staying locked in when most people would quit.

If you?ve ever felt like quitting, this conversation will challenge your mindset, strengthen your mental toughness, and remind you that adversity is the path?not the obstacle.

Key Takeaways 

  Most successful people fail far more than they win?but determination keeps them going The difference is they stay disciplined and don?t stop when it gets hard Commitment eliminates ?what if? and builds real mental toughness Adversity isn?t a stop sign?it?s where determination is built Purpose fuels consistency more than motivation ever will If you don?t go all in, you?ll never fully test your potential or your mindset

*Socials*

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theshawnfrench

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/476624146831479?checkpoint_src=any

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5kS9tkLGQLcVyRgB3mDznw

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-determined-society-with-shawn-french/id1555922064

Linkme - https://link.me/theshawnfrench

Tony Goldwyn - https://www.instagram.com/tonygoldwyn/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Most people see adversity as a stop sign, but it?s actually an invitation to grow. 

In this episode, Shawn breaks down how hard seasons expose your habits, force you to build discipline, and shape you into the person you need to become. 

If you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or tempted to quit, this message will help you shift your mindset and move forward.

 

Key Takeaways 

-Adversity reveals who you are and where you need to grow

-The work beneath the surface is the real win

-Confidence is built by keeping your word to yourself

-Systems and daily habits create relief during hard seasons

-The outcome matters less than who you become in the process

 

*Socials*

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theshawnfrench

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/476624146831479?checkpoint_src=any

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5kS9tkLGQLcVyRgB3mDznw

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-determined-society-with-shawn-french/id1555922064

Linkme - https://link.me/theshawnfrench

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

She built a thriving fashion business? then faced the kind of adversity that forces you to discover your true determination.
What she lost overnight became the exact moment that tested whether she would break?or rebuild.

In this episode, Diana Mahrach shares how she went from multiple stores in New York to survival mode during COVID, and how she fought her way back.

This is a raw, powerful story about resilience, staying in your lane, and never quitting when everything falls apart.

 

Key Takeaways 

-Losing everything doesn?t mean the journey is over?it?s often the reset.

-Staying in your own lane is a competitive advantage.

-Action beats ego?do whatever it takes to survive and rebuild.

-Creativity requires peace?protect your mental space.

-True entrepreneurs adapt fast (even if that means selling something completely different).

 

*Socials*

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theshawnfrench

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/476624146831479?checkpoint_src=any

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5kS9tkLGQLcVyRgB3mDznw

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-determined-society-with-shawn-french/id1555922064

Linkme - https://link.me/theshawnfrench

Diana Mahrach - https://www.instagram.com/dianavasquezmahrach/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Adversity isn't a setback?it's your setup. When LaMyiah Pearlinia lost her job, she faced an identity crisis that forced her to rebuild from zero. In this raw conversation, she reveals how losing everything became the exact catalyst for finding real discipline, purpose, and what she's truly called to do. A candid exploration of career pivots, mental resilience, and trusting God through uncertainty.

 

Key Takeaways:

 

Losing your job isn?t failure ? it?s adversity redirecting you toward where your determination is meant to take you. Staying authentic requires the discipline and determination to walk away from what doesn?t align. Fear shows up when your identity is shaken through adversity, but determination is what steadies you. You can?t step into purpose without the discipline and determination to stop chasing someone else?s vision. Sometimes adversity forces surrender so your determination can be rebuilt the right way. Peace is often the reward on the other side of disciplined, determined decisions.

Socials

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theshawnfrench

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/476624146831479?checkpoint_src=any

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5kS9tkLGQLcVyRgB3mDznw

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-determined-society-with-shawn-french/id1555922064

Linkme - https://link.me/theshawnfrench

LaMyiah Pearlinia - https://www.instagram.com/lamyiahptv/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Explore a cultural perspective on breaking norms in traditional health approaches as Shawn French sits down with Dr. Sophia Hadar to uncover what traditional medicine often misses. From hidden imbalances to deeper root causes, this conversation challenges how we think about true health. You can look healthy on the outside and still be struggling internally. 

 

Key Takeaways 

-Looking fit doesn?t mean your body is functioning optimally

-Traditional medicine often treats symptoms?not root causes

-Fatigue, inflammation, and imbalance can exist even in ?healthy? people

-True health requires a deeper look at lifestyle, environment, and internal systems

-Awareness is the first step to actually fixing what?s going on

 

*Socials*

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theshawnfrench

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/476624146831479?checkpoint_src=any

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5kS9tkLGQLcVyRgB3mDznw

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-determined-society-with-shawn-french/id1555922064

Linkme - https://link.me/theshawnfrench

Dr. Sophia Hadar - https://www.instagram.com/dr.hadarsophia/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Everyone sees the success, but no one sees the weight behind it. In this episode, Shawn French and Pat Sitkins pull back the curtain on  Exploring the cultural perspectives on entrepreneurship and breaking norms around success

From pressure, sacrifice, and family impact to the loneliness of leadership, this is the raw truth about entrepreneurship.

 

Key Takeaways 

-Building something meaningful comes with pressure no one prepares you for.

-Success impacts your family more than people realize.

-You can?t balance everything?prioritization is required (Four Burner Theory).

-Determination is doing the work even when you don?t feel like it.

-The hardest seasons often come right before major breakthroughs.

 

Follow Us

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theshawnfrench

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/476624146831479?checkpoint_src=any

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5kS9tkLGQLcVyRgB3mDznw

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-determined-society-with-shawn-french/id1555922064

Linkme - https://link.me/theshawnfrench

Pat Sitkins Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/patsitkins/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Doug Bopst shares his journey of breaking norms and cultural transformation through personal struggle with addiction and landing himself incarcerated.

What started as fear and addiction turned into discipline, purpose, and a complete identity shift.

 

Key Takeaways

-Hitting rock bottom forced him to take full accountability for his life.

-Jail became the environment that built discipline and new habits.

-Real transformation starts when you separate from your old identity.

-Confidence is built by doing hard things consistently, not motivation.

-Turning pain into purpose is the key to long-term success and fulfillment.

 

Follow Us

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theshawnfrench

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/476624146831479?checkpoint_src=any

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5kS9tkLGQLcVyRgB3mDznw

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-determined-society-with-shawn-french/id1555922064

Linkme - https://link.me/theshawnfrench

 

Follow Doug Bopst 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dougbopst/

 

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Donnie Keller, owner of Ionic Fitness in Bonita Springs and founder of Wilson's Fit Futures, reveals how discipline and cultural perspective transform kids' lives. In this episode, we explore youth mental health, breaking norms in fitness education, and how building habits early becomes the ultimate adversity-breaker. Learn actionable strategies to help young people develop confidence and determination through fitness and nutrition?a conversation every parent needs to hear.

Key Takeaways

-Fitness builds confidence, discipline, and mental health for kids

-Parents who lead by example raise healthier, stronger children

-Small daily habits determine long-term health and success

-Progress, not perfection, is the key to sustainable fitness

-Community support can change the future for the next generation

 

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Donnie Keller

https://www.instagram.com/d3keller/

Wilson's Fit Futures

https://www.instagram.com/wilsonsfitfutures/

Ionic Fitness

https://www.instagram.com/ionicfitness/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Check Out Therabody ?

https://www.therabody.com/discount/DETERMINED

Use Code: DETERMINED to get 15% off at checkout

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

At just 33 years old, Jessie Morales heard the words no one expects to hear: ?You have Stage 3 breast cancer.?

In this powerful and emotional episode, Jessie shares her journey from finding a lump accidentally, to receiving her diagnosis, and navigating life as a young mother fighting cancer. A cultural perspective on breaking norms in breast cancer awareness and mental health. 

Jessie opens up about the fear, the strength it takes to continue showing up for her family, and how her husband Andrew has supported her every step of the way. Through chemotherapy, surgeries, and uncertainty, she has chosen to share her story publicly to help other women realize they are not alone.

 

Key Takeaways

-Cancer Can Happen at Any Age

-Preparing the Body and Mind for the Fight

-Turning Pain Into Purpose by Sharing the Journey

-The Power of a Supportive Partner

-Choosing Presence Over Fear

 

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Jessie Morales

https://www.instagram.com/thebreastchapter/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Men's mental health through authentic conversations. Shawn French sits down with entrepreneur David Waldy to explore fatherhood, identity, and the discipline required to break norms. They unpack how vulnerability?not stoicism?builds determination, and why honest dialogue is the missing piece in modern masculine culture. A powerful deep-dive on overcoming obstacles through real connection.

Key Takeaways

-Many men struggle because they lack vulnerable conversations with other men.

-Real strength comes from honesty, emotional awareness, and accountability.

-Success often requires subtracting distractions rather than adding more tasks.

-Self-trust is built by consistently keeping the promises you make to yourself.

-Your potential may be huge, but your capacity must grow over time to sustain it.

-Comparison destroys progress because everyone is moving toward different destinations.

 

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

David Waldy

https://www.instagram.com/davidwaldy/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Most people want a better life, but few take radical responsibility for it. In this raw conversation, Shawn French sits down with TV host and author Christy Primmer to explore how self-accountability and discipline become the foundation for real personal transformation. Discover the mindset shifts that separate those who overcome obstacles from those who stay stuck?and actionable strategies to rebuild your life from the inside out..

 

Key Takeaways

-Radical responsibility is the starting point for real personal transformation.

-You cannot improve your life from a place of shame or self-hatred.

-Visualization works when you feel the outcome and release attachment to the timeline.

-Discipline means doing what you said you would do even when you don?t feel like it.

-Success often requires becoming the person capable of sustaining what you want.

-Determination is quiet persistence when no one else sees the work being done.

 

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Christy Primmer

https://www.instagram.com/christy_primmer/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Young men are struggling with mental health, identity, and discipline?but few are talking about it openly. Therapist and Rugged Counseling founder Trey Tucker joins Shawn French to explore the crisis facing young men today: the absence of strong father figures, lack of mentors, and how broken cultural norms are leaving a generation without guidance. In this raw conversation, discover actionable strategies for building resilience, reclaiming discipline, and breaking the cycle of neglect. Perfect for entrepreneurs, athletes, and busy parents navigating their own mental health journey.

Key Takeaways

-Many young men today feel lost because they lack strong male role models.

-Emotional control and self-awareness are critical skills for modern fathers.

-Internal ?injuries? from the past shape how men react in the present.

-Strong families require both masculine and feminine leadership.

-Discipline and purpose help men build confidence and resilience.

-Mentorship and community can change the trajectory of a young man?s life.

 

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Trey Tucker

https://www.instagram.com/ruggedcounseling/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Most people chase the perfect body but ignore mental health and emotional resilience. In this raw episode, Francesca Scerbo shares her powerful journey overcoming anorexia, body dysmorphia, and toxic fitness culture. She reveals how hormonal balance, true discipline, and breaking limiting beliefs about diet are the real keys to sustainable health?and why the fitness industry's biggest lies often destroy mental health first.

 

Key Takeaways

-Your mindset and self-love are the foundation of lasting health.

-Bioindividuality matters because no nutrition plan works for everyone.

-Strength training is essential for hormones, metabolism, and longevity.

-Inflammation and gut health impact both physical and mental well-being.

-Sustainable health comes from balance, not extreme diets.

 

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Francesca Scerbo

https://www.balancednutritionlifestyle.com/

https://www.instagram.com/francescascerbo121/

 

Check Out Francesca's Cookbooks:

Balanced Nutrition

https://a.co/d/032TYguC

Fit Cuisine

https://a.co/d/04QSk2NK

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Check Out Therabody ?

https://www.therabody.com/discount/DETERMINED

Use Code: DETERMINED to get 15% off at checkout

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What happens when the thing that defines you disappears?

In this behind-the-scenes Pulse episode, Shawn French opens up about losing his identity after baseball and how that collapse became the catalyst for purpose, growth, and reinvention.

This conversation dives deep into discomfort, community, and why embracing change is the key to building the life you truly want.

 

Key Takeaways

-Losing your purpose can lead to finding your true calling.

-Discomfort is necessary for real growth.

-Community and relationships accelerate success.

-Manifestation requires action and emotional belief.

-Failure often redirects you to better opportunities.

-Fear of change keeps most people stuck.

-Doing hard things daily strengthens your mindset.

 

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Pat Sitkins

https://www.instagram.com/patsitkins/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After 33 years building a prestigious journalism career, Gayle Guyardo made a shocking choice: walk away to embrace authenticity. In this raw conversation, she reveals the breaking point, the fear of losing identity, and what it actually takes to break limiting beliefs and step into your true self. This is a masterclass in overcoming obstacles most people never admit they face?and finding discipline in uncertainty.

 

Key Takeaways

-Authenticity builds trust and long-term success.

-Identity shifts are necessary for personal growth.

-Building community creates lasting influence.

-Faith gives confidence during uncertain seasons.

-Real conversations are missing in today?s culture.

-Serving others creates purpose and fulfillment.

 

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Gayle Guyardo

https://www.instagram.com/gayleguyardotv/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Check Out Therabody ?

https://www.therabody.com/discount/DETERMINED

Use Code: DETERMINED to get 15% off at checkout

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In this powerful episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Daria Berenato, professional wrestler, actress, producer, and former WWE superstar,  for a deep and raw conversation about authenticity, discipline, and the mindset required to build lasting success.

Daria shares her journey from bartending and fighting MMA to breaking into WWE, producing films, and pursuing her childhood dream of acting. She opens up about overcoming fear, trusting intuition, navigating identity in the digital age, and why consistency and momentum are the real cheat codes behind achievement.

Together, Shawn and Daria explore determination, personal growth, mental health, relationships, trauma, and the power of staying true to who you are in a world full of comparison.

 

Key Takeaways

-Success comes from consistency and discipline, not motivation.

-Momentum builds confidence and leads to bigger opportunities.

-Authenticity and being yourself create real connection and impact.

-Healing past trauma unlocks growth and clarity.

-Determination is doing what you said you would long after the emotion fades.

-Trusting your intuition and staying obedient to your purpose leads to fulfillment.

 

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Daria Berenato

https://www.instagram.com/thedariaraeberenato/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After a vaccine-triggered seizure disorder in her late 20s, Zoe Karli transformed adversity into determination, building Zeta Body to help others reclaim cellular health. In this raw conversation, Shawn French uncovers how overcoming obstacles became the blueprint for discipline, the mindset shifts that saved her career, and why authentic health conversations matter now more than ever. Discover actionable strategies for resilience when life changes overnight.

 

Key Takeaways

-You always have a choice in how you respond to adversity.

-Resilience is built through repeated hardship.

-Determination is quiet, consistent action, not noise.

-Even chronic illness doesn?t remove your purpose.

-Discipline and structure create strength over time.

-Getting out of your own way changes everything.

 

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Zoe Karli

https://www.instagram.com/zoekarli/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Check Out Therabody ?

https://www.therabody.com/discount/DETERMINED

Use Code: DETERMINED to get 15% off at checkout

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In this powerful live episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Derek Carlson, CEO of MVP Realty, to share a life-altering story of survival, faith, and transformation.

After suffering three heart attacks in 2023, Derek was forced to confront the reality that success without health, systems, and purpose leads to collapse. Speaking in front of 500+ people at Mind Your Business 3, he walks through his near-death experience, rebuilding his health, redesigning his business, strengthening his faith, and creating a new operating system for life built on Mindset, Vision, and Purpose (MVP).

Derek also shares how completing 75 Hard, losing 65 pounds, quitting alcohol, and embracing non-negotiables helped him reclaim his life , and inspired his upcoming book, Unlock Your MVP, releasing March 15.

 

Key Takeaways

-Health is more important than money or status.

-Success without systems collapses under pressure.

-A vision that ignores health will eventually fail.

-Purpose must be bigger than money and titles.

-Faith can be rebuilt even after doubt and confusion.

-Consistency beats motivation every time.

-Real change happens after the wake-up call.

 

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Derek Carlson

https://www.instagram.com/derekcarlsonmvp/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Check Out Therabody ?

https://www.therabody.com/discount/DETERMINED

Use Code: DETERMINED to get 15% off at checkout

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In this episode of The Determined Society, Shawn French sits down with entrepreneur, author, and Members Only Palm Beach star Taja Abitbol to talk about manifestation, fearless action, and building a life without waiting for the perfect plan.

Taja shares how she built multiple businesses, opened restaurants in New York and Las Vegas, and launched her wellness brand by trusting her instincts, embracing risk, and learning through experience.

The conversation dives into resilience, family influence, mindset, manifestation, and why determination often means jumping first and figuring it out along the way.

 

Key Takeaways

-You don?t need a perfect plan to start something meaningful.

-Manifestation requires belief plus consistent action.

-Resilience is built through failures and setbacks.

-Success often comes from trusting your instincts.

-Determination is a daily decision to keep moving forward.

-Focusing on positive energy attracts better outcomes.

 

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Taja Abitbol

https://www.instagram.com/tajalucky/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Check Out Therabody ?

https://www.therabody.com/discount/DETERMINED

Use Code: DETERMINED to get 15% off at checkout

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In this episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Emmy-winning producer and Amazing Race Season 2 winner Alex Boylan, creator of the hit series The College Tour and author of his new memoir The Miles That Make You.

Alex shares how growing up with nothing, embracing discomfort, and chasing adventure shaped his entire life; from traveling the world for free to building a show that helps students find the right path in education.

 

Key Takeaways

-Your past doesn?t define you; your choices do.

-Growth happens when you get comfortable being uncomfortable.

-Education is valuable when it aligns with your path and ROI.

-Hard experiences build resilience and character.

-Community and connection matter more than ever.

-Action and consistency create real impact over time.

-The weight you carry shapes who you become.

 

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Alex Boylan

https://www.instagram.com/boylanalex/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Check Out Therabody ?

https://www.therabody.com/discount/DETERMINED

Use Code: DETERMINED to get 15% off at checkout

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In this powerful episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with entrepreneur and media powerhouse Hala Taha, founder of Young and Profiting and CEO of YAP Media.

Hala shares the raw truth behind being rejected, blackballed from the radio industry, and feeling like the ?black sheep? of a high-achieving family, only to later build a podcast and media empire generating over $1M in sponsorship revenue.

 

Key Takeaways

-Rejection can become your greatest advantage.

-Determination is built through consistency, not perfection.

-You don?t need permission to pursue your path.

-Action matters more than motivation.

-Confidence comes from repetition and self-belief.

-Social media growth is driven by emotion and shareable content.

-Your struggles can shape your strongest identity.

 

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Hala Taha

https://www.instagram.com/yapwithhala/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Check Out Therabody ?

https://www.therabody.com/discount/DETERMINED

Use Code: DETERMINED to get 15% off at checkout

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In this powerful Pulse episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with his business partner and close friend Pat Sitkins to reflect on the evolution of the show, the power of clarity, and what it actually takes to become the person you want to be.

They discuss why most people never start, how preparation builds confidence, and why the ?messy middle? is where real growth happens. Shawn breaks down the difference between wishing for success and manifesting it through daily discipline, while Pat shares what makes this community-driven movement so impactful.

 

Key Takeaways

-Clarity is the cheat code to real progress.

-Cringing at old work means you?re growing.

-You don?t need perfect conditions to start.

-Preparation is what separates winners from wishers.

-Manifestation only works when paired with action.

-The messy middle is where strength is built.

-Extreme accountability creates real transformation.

-Impact is the true purpose of The Determined Society.

 

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Pat Sitkins

https://www.instagram.com/patsitkins/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Check Out Therabody ?

https://www.therabody.com/discount/DETERMINED

Use Code: DETERMINED to get 15% off at checkout

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In this episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Stacey Kay, founder of hydr.ate, to unpack a powerful journey through addiction, anxiety, burnout, and personal transformation.

Stacey opens up about struggling with alcohol and drugs in her twenties, pushing herself through high-pressure sales careers, and the moment her body forced her to stop; heart palpitations, numbness, and an anxiety episode that looked like a heart attack. That wake-up call sparked a complete shift inward.

The conversation explores how stress, unresolved grief, and self-criticism can silently destroy mental and physical health, and how meditation became a turning point in Stacey?s healing journey.

 

Key Takeaways

-Burnout often shows up physically before we acknowledge it mentally.

-Addiction and anxiety thrive when emotions go unprocessed.

-Meditation creates space between reaction and response.

-True accountability must be paired with self-compassion.

-Slowing down is sometimes the most productive move.

-It?s never too late to pivot into meaningful work.

 

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Stacey Kay

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacey-kay-hydrate/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Check Out Therabody ?

https://www.therabody.com/discount/DETERMINED

Use Code: DETERMINED to get 15% off at checkout

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In this episode of The Determined Society, Shawn sits down with Zach Cogen, Head of Athlete Rehabilitation for the New York Red Bulls, to break down what real recovery actually looks like; physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Zach shares his journey from collegiate wrestling to working with elite professional athletes across UCLA, EXOS, DC United, and now Major League Soccer.

He explains the critical difference between return to play and return to performance, and why simply getting back on the field isn?t enough for high-level athletes whose careers depend on elite output.

 

Key Takeaways

-Return to play is not the same as return to performance

-Recovery must address both physical and mental readiness

-Sleep and nutrition are essential for healing and performance

-Pneumatic compression improves circulation and recovery

-Trust between athlete and practitioner is critical

-Discipline and determination are built through consistency

 

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Zach Cogen

https://www.instagram.com/thesportsphysio_/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Check Out Therabody ?

https://www.therabody.com/discount/DETERMINED

Use Code: DETERMINED to get 15% off at checkout

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In this episode of The Determined Society, Sean sits down with Nicole Jaques, creator of the ?House CEO? framework, content educator, and systems-driven parent helping families calm the chaos of modern life.

Nicole shares how leaving a corporate public-relations career after becoming a mother forced her to confront an outdated narrative around being a ?stay-at-home mom.? What emerged instead was a powerful reframe: running a household requires leadership, systems, and intentional design, just like any successful business.

Throughout the conversation, Nicole breaks down how time blocking, simplified systems, and documented routines can reduce burnout, eliminate resentment, and create more space for real family connection. She explains why rest is not a luxury, why the ?default parent? role is operational and how accountability and structure can actually bring freedom back into the home.

 

Key Takeaways

-Running a home requires leadership, not more effort

-Systems reduce burnout by removing emotional friction

-Time blocking creates freedom, not rigidity

-Rest is essential to regulating mood and nervous system health

-The ?default parent? role works best when it?s structured and shared

-Boundaries determine family connection

 

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Nicole Jaques

https://www.instagram.com/itsnicolejaques/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Check Out Therabody ?

https://www.therabody.com/discount/DETERMINED

Use Code: DETERMINED to get 15% off at checkout

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nik Kleverov joins The Determined Society to break down the biggest misconceptions about AI, creativity, and the future of Hollywood.

From his journey as an immigrant storyteller to becoming one of the first creatives working with OpenAI, Nik explains why there is no ?magic AI button,? why creatives are more important than ever, and how AI is opening doors to original films, brand storytelling, and entirely new forms of entertainment.

This episode dives deep into AI-generated films, advertising, originality, copyright, and why storytelling is still the true differentiator.

 

Key Takeaways

-There is no magic button in AI, great work still requires real effort.

-AI doesn?t replace creativity; it amplifies strong storytellers.

-Authenticity comes from human perspective, not the tool.

-AI-created work can still be original and copyrightable.

-Creatives who adapt will thrive in the next era of entertainment.

-AI allows smaller teams to create bigger ideas faster.

-Hollywood isn?t ending ? it?s evolving.

-Collaboration matters more than ever in AI workflows.

 

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Nik Kleverov

https://www.instagram.com/kleverov/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Check Out Therabody ?

https://www.therabody.com/discount/DETERMINED

Use Code: DETERMINED to get 15% off at checkout

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In this powerful episode of The Determined Society Podcast, Brady McDonald shares his raw journey from alcohol dependency and fear to sobriety, faith, ultra-endurance racing, and building a life rooted in discipline and purpose.

Brady opens up about quitting alcohol after realizing the cycle he was passing down to his daughters, how doing hard things like 75 Hard and ultra running gave him clarity, and the moment God intervened and changed the trajectory of his life. We dive deep into fatherhood, leadership, failure, faith, resilience, and why children don?t do what we say, they do what we do.

This conversation also explores Brady?s mission to use running for something bigger than himself through 50K in 50 States, raising millions for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and how serving others brings more fulfillment than success ever could.

 

Key Takeaways

-Sobriety gave Brady clarity, courage, and control over his life.

-Doing hard things builds confidence that transfers into every area of life.

-Discipline is simple, but it?s never easy.

-Fitness became the gateway to mental, emotional, and spiritual growth

-Failure isn?t the end; it?s feedback for the next attempt.

-The right people in your corner determine how far you go.

-Faith showed up when quitting no longer felt like an option.

-Serving others creates deeper fulfillment than personal success.

 

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Brady McDonald

https://www.instagram.com/brady.mcdonald84/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What do you do when heartbreak, betrayal, or a toxic relationship leaves you broken on the floor?

In this powerful episode of The Determined Society Podcast, Shawn sits down with world-renowned breakup and divorce coach Sara Davison to talk about reclaiming your power when life knocks you down.

Sara shares the deeply personal story behind her mantra ?Screw You, Watch This,? how toxic relationships quietly trap people in cycles of fear and self-doubt, and the practical tools anyone can use to break free.

 

Key Takeaways

-Toxic relationships often feel familiar and safe, which is why people repeat them.

-Healing starts when you take responsibility for your own power and decisions.

-Emotional recovery requires replacing old patterns with new daily standards.

-Small, consistent actions create momentum and long-term change.

-Taking care of yourself first is essential, not selfish.

-Children learn how to cope by watching how parents handle adversity.

 

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Sara Davison

https://www.instagram.com/saradavisondivorcecoach/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What does it really take to build a scalable business that survives without you?

In this episode of The Determined Society Podcast, David Royce shares how he went from knocking doors as a college student to building and exiting multiple pest control companies, including a $500M empire operating across 34 states and 5,000+ cities.

David breaks down the real mechanics of scale, why blue-collar businesses with white-collar systems are massively underrated, and how obsession, systems, and cash flow discipline separate businesses that grow from those that collapse.

 

Key Takeaways

-A business is truly scalable if you can step away for 30 days and it still runs without you.

-Growth is meaningless without strong cash flow and financial control.

-Some of the most profitable opportunities exist in overlooked, blue-collar industries.

-Systems and processes create freedom and allow a business to operate without constant involvement.

-Great sales come from listening, understanding people, and solving real problems.

-Obsession and persistence matter more than talent, because most people fail by quitting too early.

 

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

David Royce

https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-royce-22539425/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

2025 was a turning point.

Personally, professionally, and mentally. This episode is a raw reflection on how fixing one overlooked area of my life changed everything, from my marriage and mindset to the growth of The Determined Society.

If you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or like something small is quietly holding you back, this conversation is about identifying that one thing and committing to real change.

Growth doesn?t come from motivation, it comes from discipline, ownership, and doing the work when no one?s watching.

 

Key Takeaways

-Personal growth off-camera directly fueled professional success on-camera.

-Fixing the ?one thing? holding you back unlocks progress in every area of life.

-Physical health improvements led to better clarity, confidence, and communication.

-Consistency and discipline drove massive growth in 2025.

-Emotional regulation improved relationships with family, team, and guests.

-Growth in the show was a byproduct of personal accountability and self-care.

-Feeling ?seen? by the audience came from staying authentic and mission-driven.

-Long-term thinking (years, not months) is key to sustainable success.

-Momentum is built by doing the mundane work consistently and intentionally.

 

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Dr. David Karli, a renowned physician and entrepreneur in regenerative medicine, to explore the intersection of health, determination, longevity, and the future of medical technology.

Dr. Karli opens up about his personal health crisis in his early 40s; including burnout, panic attacks, hormonal imbalance, and the wake-up call that forced him to rethink everything he believed about aging, performance, and medicine. What followed was a complete transformation that reshaped not only his body, but his mindset, career, and mission.

Together, they dive into testosterone optimization, mental health in men, the psychology of discipline, and why process, suffering, and systems are unavoidable if you want real change. The conversation expands into cutting-edge regenerative medicine, AI-driven stem cell therapy, and the ethical questions surrounding longevity; including whether living longer actually means living better.

 

Key Takeaways

-Hormonal health is foundational to both physical and mental performance

-Discipline is doing the work long after motivation fades

-True transformation comes from systems, not shortcuts

-Longevity without mobility and quality of life is a hollow win

-Suffering is not the enemy, it?s part of growth

-The future of medicine will be personalized, data-driven, and ethically complex

 

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

David Karli

https://www.instagram.com/davidkarli/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this raw and deeply emotional episode of The Determined Society, Shawn French sits down with Matt Dillon for a powerful conversation about adversity, identity, addiction, resilience, and what it truly means to build yourself back up when life breaks you down.

Matt opens up about leaving Australia for New York, starting over from nothing, navigating addiction, loneliness, and career pressure, and learning how to survive by showing up every single day, even when everything felt impossible. From swimming through rock bottom to rebuilding discipline, trust, and self-worth, this episode explores the realities most people never talk about.

The conversation also dives into Matt?s life-changing bond with a chimpanzee that gave him purpose during one of the darkest chapters of his life, reshaping how he views love, responsibility, and connection.

 

Key Takeaways

-Why rock bottom can become the foundation for real personal growth

-The difference between fake confidence and earned self-belief

-How eliminating toxic people and habits creates momentum

-Why discipline, presence, and self-trust change everything

-How purpose can come from unexpected relationships and responsibility

-Redefining success, greatness, and ambition on your own terms

 

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Matthew Dillon

https://www.instagram.com/mattdillon1983/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of The Determined Society, Shawn French sits down with Baiju Bhatt, co-founder of Robinhood, for a wide-ranging conversation that spans entrepreneurship, immigration, resilience, artificial intelligence, and humanity?s next energy frontier: space.

Baiju opens up about growing up as the child of Indian immigrants, learning English by watching TV, and how that outsider perspective shaped his worldview, work ethic, and belief in opportunity. He reflects on building Robinhood in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, the skepticism they faced, and how democratizing access to the markets reshaped an entire generation?s relationship with money.

The conversation then moves beyond finance into the future of energy and AI. Baiju introduces his newest venture, Aetherflux, and the bold vision behind what he calls the ?Galactic Brain? a solar-powered AI data centers and energy grids built in space.

From space-based power transmission using lasers to solving the massive energy demands of artificial intelligence, this episode explores ideas that sound like science fiction but are rapidly becoming reality.

 

Key Takeaways

-Baiju Bhatt?s immigrant upbringing and how it shaped his mindset

-The real story behind building Robinhood after the 2008 financial collapse

-Why access to investing became a cultural and generational shift

-The philosophy of failure, stubborn belief, and customer-driven validation

-What the ?Galactic Brain? means for AI, power, and the future of humanity

-How space solar power and laser energy transmission actually work

-Health, discipline, confidence, and how self-respect changes outcomes

 

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Baiju Bhatt

https://www.instagram.com/realbaijubhatt/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this deeply moving episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Liz Caplan, world-renowned vocal coach, founder of Liz Caplan Voice Studios, and trusted voice teacher to some of the biggest names in film, television, and Broadway, including Hugh Jackman, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Andrew Garfield, Ben Platt, Stephen Colbert, and more.

From growing up with asthma to discovering that singing and breathwork could literally change how her body functioned, Liz explains how music became her first medicine, long before success, recognition, or a thriving business.

She shares how deep, intentional breathing can calm the nervous system, reduce anxiety, and create a natural ?high? with no crash, no hangover, and no harm.

Liz also pulls back the curtain on her journey from teaching a few students to becoming one of the most trusted vocal coaches in the industry, explaining how small steps, word of mouth, and genuine care built a world-class career rooted in service, not ego.

 

Key Takeaways

-Your voice and breath are powerful healing tools, not just performance skills.

-Deep, intentional breathing can regulate the nervous system and reduce anxiety naturally.

-True success is built slowly through service, trust, and word-of-mouth consistency.

-Burnout often comes from absorbing others? energy; learning to release it is essential.

-Creativity, music, and movement can be medicine when used with intention.

-Determination means continuing your mission with empathy, care, and integrity.

 

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Liz Caplan

https://www.instagram.com/lizcaplan/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Olivia Mock, founder and CEO of The Check-In Club, a rapidly growing fitness accountability app helping thousands of people build discipline, community, and confidence, without the toxicity, filters, and comparison traps of modern social media.

What begins as a conversation about fitness quickly turns into a deep discussion on mental health, self-talk, consistency, childhood insecurities, and the emotional battles people face long before they ever touch a weight. Shawn and Olivia open up about their own struggles with anxiety, body image, shame, yo-yo dieting, and the internal narratives that keep people stuck.

Olivia shares the story behind The Check-In Club, why she built a judgment-free platform, and how accountability communities help moms, beginners, athletes, and everyday people stay consistent.

 

Key Takeaways

-You cannot build a lasting fitness journey from shame?only from self-love.

-Small wins compound. Consistency beats intensity every time.

-Nutrition and movement dramatically improve mental health, anxiety, and confidence.

-Walking counts. Any movement is better than none.

-Community accelerates progress?accountability builds discipline.

-Showing up for yourself first allows you to show up better for your family, work, and relationships.

 

 

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Olivia Mock

https://www.instagram.com/oliviamockk/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with entrepreneur and wellness advocate Jerome, whose life story is a raw testament to trauma, resilience, and the determination to build something better for the next generation.

What begins as a conversation about childhood adversity becomes a shocking revelation:

Jerome discovered that he was likely a surviving twin, the result of selective abortion practices in 1970s France. That discovery unraveled decades of unexplained psychological pain, complex PTSD, and emotional disconnection. For the first time publicly, he opens up about prenatal trauma, childhood neglect, and the generational patterns he is determined to break as a father of three young girls.

 

Key Takeaways:

-Trauma isn?t just emotional, prenatal and childhood trauma shape the brain, identity, and adulthood.

-Breaking generational cycles requires intentionality, vulnerability, and emotional honesty.

-Children don?t need perfect parents, they need present, loving, apologetic, humble ones.

-Determination is built in moments where your instinct is to react, but you choose to respond with love.

-Mental health struggles are not weakness; silence is. Talking about it is the first step to freedom

-Affordable healthcare is possible, removing middlemen makes life-saving medication accessible for families in need.

 

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Jerome Knyszewski

https://www.instagram.com/jeromeknyszewski/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of The Determined Society, Shawn French sits down with Kwame Christian, a bestselling author, attorney, corporate negotiation consultant, TEDx speaker, and host of Negotiate Anything, the #1 negotiation podcast in the world.

Kwame breaks down the real meaning of determination: making an agreement with yourself and keeping the promise, even when fear, conflict, or discomfort stand in the way.

But this conversation goes far beyond traditional negotiation. It dives into the psychology of people-pleasing, childhood conditioning, internal self-talk, emotional regulation, boundaries, and what keeps so many of us from speaking up for ourselves.

Kwame shares the origin of his compassionate curiosity framework, a simple but transformative method for navigating conflict without anger, defensiveness, or emotional shutdown.

 

Key Takeaways

-Determination is keeping the promises you make to yourself, even when it?s hard.

-Most people fear tough conversations because of childhood conditioning or people-pleasing habits.

-Conflict becomes easier when you use Compassionate Curiosity: regulate emotions, ask better questions, and approach the problem together.

-You can win an argument and lose the relationship. Focus on connection, not domination.

-Discipline grows when you celebrate the pride of honoring your commitments.

-Mastery comes from deliberate practice. Focus on the process, not the outcome.

 

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Kwame Christian

https://www.instagram.com/kwamenegotiates/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this inspiring episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Greg Rosenbaum, SVP of Programming at South by Southwest and a 15-year veteran behind one of the most influential festivals in the world.

From dyslexia to leadership, Greg shares the personal and professional journey that shaped him, and how SXSW has become a global model for community, creativity, and connection across music, film, TV, technology, comedy, and education.

Greg reveals how adversity forced SXSW to reinvent itself after losing its long-standing convention center home, and why focusing on community over convenience transformed everything.

He also opens up about mentorship, parenting, discipline, creativity, and the mindset required to build a festival that helps thousands of artists, innovators, and storytellers share their work with the world.

 

Key Takeaways

-Reinvention happens when adversity demands creativity, community must guide every major decision.

-Dyslexia shaped Greg?s determination, discipline, and belief in incremental progress.

-SXSW thrives because it bridges industries, music, film, innovation, comedy, and education under one roof.

-The festival?s 40th year challenged the team to reimagine everything, leading to a more immersive, city-wide experience.

-Networking is the real ?cheat code?, authentic connection accelerates growth faster than any strategy.

-Discipline in fitness and routine fuels creativity, clarity, and leadership.

-Presence is the foundation of great parenting, partnership, and professional impact.

 

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Greg Rosenbaum

https://www.instagram.com/sxsw/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Guerdy Abraira, world-renowned event designer, Real Housewives of Miami star, cancer survivor, and now author of her powerful memoir 'From Trauma to Trophies'.

Joined by her husband Russell, the two open up about identity, childhood trauma, cultural reinvention, marriage, betrayal, fame, survival, and the inner work required to reclaim your voice.

Guerdy shares intimate details about immigrating from Haiti to Paris to the United States, being separated from her family at just nine years old, building self-worth through service, navigating reality TV conflict, creating the Let Me Theory, and fighting, and beating, breast cancer with ferocity and grace.

Together, she and Russell reveal the truth behind healing, partnership, intention, forgiveness, and what it really means to win at life.

 

Key Takeaways

-Reinvention is a lifelong journey ? from Haiti to Paris to Miami, every chapter shaped Guerdy?s confidence.

-Childhood trauma creates patterns of people-pleasing, perfectionism, and over-performing, until you decide to break them.

-Cancer forces surrender: losing control, facing mortality, and rebuilding identity from the inside out.

-The Let Me Theory empowers you to reclaim autonomy, set boundaries, and choose peace on your own terms.

-A strong marriage is built on intention, patience, presence, and seeing every version of each other with love.

-Being ?too much? is a superpower, your energy, joy, and authenticity are your gifts, not liabilities.

-Self-worth is not material, it?s who you become, not what you own. Guerdy's trophies are her growth, her family, and her freedom.

 

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Guerdy and Russell Abraira

https://www.instagram.com/guerdydesign/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with visionary developer Gil Dezer, the mind behind Dezer Development and the groundbreaking Bentley Residences in Sunny Isles, Florida.

From an unprecedented 36-hour mat foundation pour to $630 million construction loans and engineering innovations the world has never seen, Gil breaks down exactly what it takes to build one of the most luxurious residential towers on earth

Gil reveals the unseen world of mega-development: 40-foot excavations, 2,300 concrete trucks, faceted diamond glass walls, in-unit car elevators, private balconies with swimming pools, saunas in every home, and the relentless problem-solving required to turn an idea into a skyline-defining reality.

 

Key Takeaways

-Engineering greatness requires obsession ? every inch of Bentley Residences is intentionally designed.

-Massive construction projects succeed through coordination, problem-solving, and relentless attention to detail.

-A 36-hour continuous mat pour involves 2,300 trucks, 40-foot excavations, and year-long preparation.

-Innovation demands risk: faceted diamond glass, car elevators, balcony pools, and hurricane-tested engineering.

-Real estate is a delayed-gratification industry ? planning, permitting, and execution take years of discipline.

-An educated buyer understands value: more space, better engineering, and elevated living experience.

 

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Gil Dezer

https://www.instagram.com/dezerdev/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this powerful episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Marcus and Morgan Luttrell, Navy SEAL legends, brothers, warriors, and survivors whose stories have shaped a generation.

From helicopter crashes and TBI recovery to the invisible battles that happen long after war ends, the Luttrell's open up about pain, resilience, identity, fatherhood, marriage, and the hard road back to civilian life.

They reveal what most people never see: the withdrawal from war, the deep loss of tribe, the spiritual journey of healing, and how psychedelic-assisted therapy changed everything. Through raw honesty and unmatched brotherhood, Marcus and Morgan share what it truly means to suffer with purpose, raise strong families, and refuse to quit, no matter what life demands.

Key Takeaways

-True resilience comes from facing hardship head-on, not running from it.

-Brotherhood, tribe, and shared suffering shape identity long after the battlefield.

-Psychedelic-assisted therapy can help veterans reclaim clarity, connection, and emotional balance.

-Discipline begins with the smallest daily choices ? even one push-up or one cold shower.

-Suffering creates appreciation; comfort creates complacency.

-The greatest battles often happen at home ? in marriage, fatherhood, and identity.

 

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

 

Marcus Luttrell

https://www.instagram.com/marcusluttrell/

Morgan Luttrell

https://www.instagram.com/repluttrelltx/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Larry Hagner, the founder of The Dad Edge, author, coach, and the voice behind the #1 fatherhood podcast in the world.

Larry opens up about faith, marriage, parenting, and the evolution of modern masculinity. From raising teenagers in the age of social media to staying grounded as a husband, to battling imposter syndrome while writing his book, Larry shares the honest truth behind becoming a legendary father.

They discuss the pressures men face today, how to build emotional safety in the home, and why prioritizing marriage is one of the greatest gifts you can give your children. Their conversation unpacks purpose, childhood wounds, connection, and the lifelong pursuit of being a present parent in a distracted world.

If you're a father striving to grow, a husband looking to reconnect, or simply someone who wants to lead with more integrity and clarity, this conversation will hit home.

 

Key Takeaways

-Leading your family starts with leading yourself ? in faith, discipline, and humility.

-Children feel safest when they witness a strong, connected marriage.

-Social media may amplify chaos, but intentional parenting neutralizes the noise.

-Imposter syndrome fades when you focus on obedience, not perfection.

-Presence isn?t about time quantity ? it?s the quality of connection your kids feel.

-Legendary fatherhood is built daily through faith, conversation, and consistent action.

 

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Larry Hagner

https://www.instagram.com/thedadedge/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French ? a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it ? and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.