The Hunt for Success
The Hunt for Success is the premier conversation-driven podcast, delivering executive-level business insights for high-achieving entrepreneurs, founders, and executives who believe that true success must ultimately fund a life intentionally designed—a life of freedom, abundance, and purpose. Hosted by Dr. Sam McGough, the show cuts through generic business advice to provide exclusive access to the minds of top performers who are mastering both the boardroom and the backcountry.
This isn't just a business podcast; it’s an intellectual hunting ground blending business authority with lifestyle/outdoor stories, where strategy and passion intersect. Every immersive, campfire-style conversation is a deep dive into the journeys of successful operators and investors who have built wealth and aligned it with how they actually want to live.
The show is built on a clear, consistent framework designed to deliver high-impact content and actionable value every week.
We establish why the guest is worth hearing by examining their accomplishments, reputation, and the foundational principles, strategic choices, and valuable failures that led to their success. This is where listeners gain elite entrepreneurial insights, learning the repeatable success patterns and mental models that top performers use to create financial leverage without burnout. Dr. Sam McGough, as a systems-builder and healthcare executive, guides the conversation as an engaging storyteller with executive credibility, ensuring the takeaways are strategic and meticulously structured.
The Hunt for Success is dedicated to premium outdoor adventure lifestyle content and the role outdoor pursuits—such as high-end hunting, fishing, and adventure experiences—play in discipline, clarity, and leadership. Guests share their captivating stories, revealing how their passion for the outdoors reinforces their mindset, decision-making, and performance in business. The brand’s authentic storytelling comes to life, connecting elite business insights with a sophisticated, relatable lifestyle.
The podcast synthesizes how business mastery and lifestyle combine to create a "Designed Living" framework. It provides listeners with practical principles, repeatable habits, and tangible advice they can apply immediately. The goal is to move beyond the feeling of being stuck in "work mode" and provide clarity on how to build sustainable success while still living a high-quality, high-impact life.
Dr. Sam McGough is more than a host; he is an entrepreneur, executive, and operator who is actively connected to high-level founder and investor networks. His real-world business experience—as the Founder & CEO of Discovery Medical Center, a leader in national clinic platforms, and the creator of Aestus Mastermind—gives him the credibility and access to engage in natural, high-trust conversations with the most successful people. He embodies the brand's tone: a confident mentor with an adventurous spirit.
The Promise: Exclusive Access. Actionable Insights. Adventure-Driven Learning.
Hunt for Success is a high-impact content engine, designed to educate, entertain, and inspire. It is the premier media platform where elite entrepreneurs connect, share their journeys, and inspire others, ultimately serving as the connective tissue for a high-value network where excellence in business and lifestyle is the non-negotiable standard.
If you are building wealth and designing freedom, and you know that success should fund the life you want to live, then join the hunt. Success is earned. Freedom is designed. Create a life worth hunting for.
Listen to The Hunt for Success at https://thehuntforsuccess.com.
Subscribe
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Finding Purpose Through Hunting with Christian Zeron
On the Hunt for Success podcast, the host interviews Christian Zoron, a longtime entrepreneur and watch enthusiast, about building resilience in business, balancing pride in hard work with financial outcomes, and staying principled even when it costs views or money. Zoron explains how he started Theo and Harris at 19 flipping vintage watches and later shifted most of his time to a marketing and consulting firm doing small and mid-size business strategy and commercial production. He describes souring on social media and content creation, then returning after his first hunt—a Louisiana duck hunt—sparked renewed passion and viral success. Zoron discusses rapidly taking up turkey, hog, goose, dove, and upcoming moose and potential bear hunts, how hunting community culture feels more welcoming than the watch world, and previews a new long-form series, “Meeting America,” focused on reconnecting with nature and American values.
00:00 Entrepreneur Roots
02:48 Watches Into Business
05:58 Handling Business Lows
09:00 Principles Over Clicks
11:20 Back To Content
15:37 First Duck Hunt
16:31 Chasing Adrenaline Hunts
19:40 Going Public Reluctantly
24:48 Outsider Honesty Wins
27:58 Hunting Vs Watch Culture
29:34 Hunters Everywhere Connect
30:16 Food Source Reality Check
32:23 Cooking And Better Stories
34:38 Hunting As Equalizer
38:51 Online Vs In Person
41:36 Upcoming Hunts Calendar
44:50 Camaraderie And Outdoors
47:21 Meeting America Mission
49:32 Private Equity Rollups
Thanks for listening, and please share this episode with someone who's building more than a business, someone who's building a life worth living. It helps us grow the show and bring these honest conversations, practical insights, and life design strategies to more founders, operators, and builders pursuing both success and freedom. Have a great day.
Dr. Sam McGough
"Success should fund a life you actually want, not a self-created prison."
CONNECT with Dr. Sam McGough & Explore Hunt for Success
Discover conversations with founders, operators, and builders who have earned success and intentionally designed the freedom to enjoy it. Access real stories, practical lessons, and authentic perspectives on leadership, discipline, business growth, systems, and life by design.
Join a community of entrepreneurs and leaders committed to building businesses that create opportunity without sacrificing the life they're working for.
Join FREE at: https://thehuntforsuccess.com/
Follow Hunt for Success: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | YouTube
About Christian
Christian Zeron is an entrepreneur, storyteller, and founder of Theo & Harris, a vintage watch company and media brand he launched in 2015. What began as a passion for vintage watches grew through Christian’s early use of YouTube and social media into a recognized voice in the watch industry. Today, his work combines entrepreneurship, luxury, digital media, and brand storytelling, with Theo & Harris creating content and campaigns for some of the world’s leading watch brands.
Links
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Private Market Funds with Chris Norton
Dr. Sam McGough interviews financial advisor Chris Norton about his shift from traditional wealth management into sourcing late-stage private-company shares (e.g., SpaceX, xAI, Palantir) for high-net-worth clients through funds that buy access via investment banks, VCs on cap tables, and employee liquidity events. Norton explains how companies staying private longer moves value creation to private markets, why major banks reserve these deals for ultra-wealthy clients, and how his firm separates a traditional RIA business from the private fund operation. He outlines due diligence focused heavily on counterparty credibility, his ideal client allocating 10–20% for higher-growth opportunities, and lessons on maintaining a stable financial foundation while not market-timing. They discuss wins (SpaceX, HydroForum) and losses (Energy Vault), missed opportunities (Anthropic), and briefly connect investing and business lessons to fishing experiences and client selection.
00:00 Meet Chris Norton
01:58 Accessing Private Shares
05:19 Fund Operations Roles
07:38 Ideal Investor Profile
11:28 Wins and Losses Stories
15:02 SpaceX Long Term Thesis
19:50 Deal Flow Sectors Strategy
22:19 Investor Playbook Foundation
28:28 Fishing Life Lessons
32:40 Big Wins Investing
36:14 Firing Bad Customers
39:48 Tarpon Kayak Wakeup
42:37 Deals That Got Away
Thanks for listening, and please share this episode with someone who's building more than a business, someone who's building a life worth living. It helps us grow the show and bring these honest conversations, practical insights, and life design strategies to more founders, operators, and builders pursuing both success and freedom. Have a great day.
Dr. Sam McGough
"Success should fund a life you actually want, not a self-created prison."
CONNECT with Dr. Sam McGough & Explore Hunt for Success
Discover conversations with founders, operators, and builders who have earned success and intentionally designed the freedom to enjoy it. Access real stories, practical lessons, and authentic perspectives on leadership, discipline, business growth, systems, and life by design.
Join a community of entrepreneurs and leaders committed to building businesses that create opportunity without sacrificing the life they're working for.
Join FREE at: https://thehuntforsuccess.com/
Follow Hunt for Success: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | YouTube
About Chris Norton
Chris Norton is Senior Managing Director at Sutter Securities. He is also the co-founder and managing member of Strategic Growth Opportunities and Strategic Growth Ventures, where he helps identify and develop opportunities for long-term business growth.
Links
Website: Sgofund.com
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Hooked on Success with Dan Beaudoin
Dr. Sam McGough interviews Dan Beaudoin, president and CEO of DMF Bait Company, whose live bait is sold in about 12,000 U.S. stores and has been in business 49 years. Beaudoin shares how the company began when his father, uncle, and a friend—Michigan teachers seeking summer income—were drawn into a red-worm “buyback” scam, then pivoted into supplying nightcrawlers after discovering demand from bait shops, despite nightcrawlers’ difficult sourcing and inability to reproduce in captivity. Key turning points included landing Kmart in the early 1980s, surviving a 1988 drought by shipping at a loss, and later expanding into Walmart, Bass Pro, and Cabela’s while developing proprietary nationwide shipping and packaging systems. He defines success as making DMF the “Kleenex of live bait,” emphasizes humility and culture, and describes DMF’s new tackle-line expansion for convenience stores.
00:00 Meet Dan Beaudoin
01:42 Worm Scam Origins
04:03 Nightcrawler Reality Check
11:01 Dan Joins the Business
19:05 Power Outage Worm Chaos
25:01 Landing Walmart and Big Box
32:26 Catawba Worm Goldmine
33:43 Defining Real Success
41:42 Building Lasting Culture
45:20 Leadership and Morale
52:29 Where to Buy DMF
54:18 Garlic Worm Proof
Thanks for listening, and please share this episode with someone who's building more than a business, someone who's building a life worth living. It helps us grow the show and bring these honest conversations, practical insights, and life design strategies to more founders, operators, and builders pursuing both success and freedom. Have a great day.
Dr. Sam McGough
"Success should fund a life you actually want, not a self-created prison."
CONNECT with Dr. Sam McGough & Explore Hunt for Success
Discover conversations with founders, operators, and builders who have earned success and intentionally designed the freedom to enjoy it. Access real stories, practical lessons, and authentic perspectives on leadership, discipline, business growth, systems, and life by design.
Join a community of entrepreneurs and leaders committed to building businesses that create opportunity without sacrificing the life they're working for.
Join FREE at: https://thehuntforsuccess.com/
Follow Hunt for Success: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | YouTube
About Dan
Dan Beaudoin is the owner and operator of DMF Bait, a family business founded in Pontiac, Michigan, in 1977. Under his leadership, the company has expanded its live-bait distribution across 49 states while continuing to innovate in packaging, shipping and product development. Dan is passionate about building a strong company culture, creating local employment and sustaining the sport of fishing for future generations. His goal is to make DMF Bait the most recognized name in live bait nationwide.
Links
Website http://www.dmfbait.com
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Freedom After an Exit with Brian McNally
Dr. Sam McGough interviews Brian McNally, a Philadelphia working-class entrepreneur who exited a healthcare revenue-cycle business and is now writing a book, launching coaching, and developing a “founder operating system” focused on building a sellable asset by designing with the end in mind, setting a clear revenue target, replacing founder dependency, and keeping operations clean for an eventual buyer. McNally reflects on lessons from the exit, especially missed advanced tax strategies, and emphasizes defining personal success as freedom, health, family, and fulfillment rather than chasing societal “magic numbers.” He describes a major 2020 COVID-driven business downturn that triggered a spiral, then a disciplined turnaround using strict routines, fitness, jujitsu, and self-trust. He discusses purpose-driven entrepreneurship, charitable work with performance-based frameworks, his late-life MMA fight journey, and future plans including selective equity partnerships and digital products.
00:00 Meet Brian McNally
02:34 Rejecting The Fixed Income Life
07:36 Building A Sellable Company
12:05 Exit Regrets And Tax Moves
14:20 Defining Freedom And Enough
19:57 Post Exit Mission And Impact
27:19 Self Trust And Fix The Founder
30:36 Fitness Goals That Matter
32:00 Hunting Shape Reality Check
36:25 Family Reaction To Fighting
42:36 Performance Based Charity
45:41 Nature Hunting And Tradition
50:06 Where To Find Brian
Thanks for listening, and please share this episode with someone who's building more than a business, someone who's building a life worth living. It helps us grow the show and bring these honest conversations, practical insights, and life design strategies to more founders, operators, and builders pursuing both success and freedom. Have a great day.
Dr. Sam McGough
"Success should fund a life you actually want, not a self-created prison."
CONNECT with Dr. Sam McGough & Explore Hunt for Success
Discover conversations with founders, operators, and builders who have earned success and intentionally designed the freedom to enjoy it. Access real stories, practical lessons, and authentic perspectives on leadership, discipline, business growth, systems, and life by design.
Join a community of entrepreneurs and leaders committed to building businesses that create opportunity without sacrificing the life they're working for.
Join FREE at: https://thehuntforsuccess.com/
Follow Hunt for Success: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | YouTube
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Trades Will Create the Next Millionaires with Ben Jordan
On the Hunt for Success podcast, Dr. Sam McGough sits down with Ben Jordan, a plumbing and HVAC entrepreneur, coach, and lifelong hunter who believes the skilled trades are positioned to create a new generation of millionaires. Jordan shares how reaching a breaking point led him to lose 120 pounds while running a growing company, why creating content became part of his responsibility to help others, and how service businesses can grow by focusing on root problems, consistent standards, and genuinely serving customers instead of simply chasing leads. He explains why he believes tradespeople often underestimate the businesses they’ve built and how changing the perception of blue-collar work could change thousands of lives. Jordan also shares stories from growing up elk hunting in Colorado, traveling to hunt with the great-aunt who helped raise him, and creating hunting experiences with his own family. He and Sam explore the similarities between hunting and entrepreneurship, including learning to enjoy preparation, embracing the work that comes after the win, continually raising your standards, and refusing to plateau. Jordan also discusses his plans to expand his coaching business, sell his plumbing company, help create 1,000 millionaires over the next decade, and why investing in yourself and your team can produce a greater return than any financial investment.
00:00 The Next Millionaires
00:34 Hunt For Success
01:11 Losing 120 Pounds
03:03 Content That Changes Lives
04:21 Opportunity In The Trades
07:20 Service Versus Fixing Problems
10:16 Finding The Root Cause
11:26 Systems Standards And Consistency
12:38 Growing Up Hunting
14:13 Hunting Dreams Become Reality
15:15 Hunting With Family
20:01 Now The Work Begins
20:44 Never Plateau In Business
21:21 Hunting And Raising Standards
22:25 Elk Versus Whitetail
25:47 Changing The Trades
27:16 Blue Collar Perception
28:38 Creating 1,000 Millionaires
31:39 Investing In Yourself
32:25 Building Great Teams
33:07 Living Up To Your Potential
Thanks for listening, and please share this episode with someone who's building more than a business, someone who's building a life worth living. It helps us grow the show and bring these honest conversations, practical insights, and life design strategies to more founders, operators, and builders pursuing both success and freedom. Have a great day.
Dr. Sam McGough
"Success should fund a life you actually want, not a self-created prison."
CONNECT with Dr. Sam McGough & Explore Hunt for Success
Discover conversations with founders, operators, and builders who have earned success and intentionally designed the freedom to enjoy it. Access real stories, practical lessons, and authentic perspectives on leadership, discipline, business growth, systems, and life by design.
Join a community of entrepreneurs and leaders committed to building businesses that create opportunity without sacrificing the life they're working for.
Join FREE at: https://thehuntforsuccess.com/
Follow Hunt for Success: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | YouTube
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Hunting and Fitness After 40 with Ken Wall
On the Hunt for Success podcast, Dr. Sam McGough interviews Ken Wall, a 30-year fitness industry veteran, coach, author, and lifelong hunter from Pennsylvania who focuses on helping men and women over 40 regain fitness with less pain and lower risk. Wall explains how early injuries led him to study exercise science, how the industry shifted from looking good to “being good,” and why recovery depends on sleep, nutrition, stress management, and adjusting training to minimize risk. He discusses mobility as a major limiter for men, strength deficits in women, and his own routine of daily mobility and three weekly strength sessions. Wall shares lessons about maintaining health before it’s lost, parallels between business and fitness, and redefining success around peace of mind, family time, and relationships, especially after COVID and exiting a company. He also describes his book Hunting Beyond Limits, blending practical hunter-focused fitness with hunting stories, and how hunting offers spiritual reset and time in the tree.
00:00 Season Never Ends
02:19 Ken Wall Background
03:24 Fitness After 40
07:25 Recovery And Risk
09:25 Hunting Beyond Limits
11:58 Hunter Fitness Basics
13:52 Comfort Versus Capability
15:36 Cold Weather Gear
17:56 Ken Training Routine
19:02 Mobility And Nolan Ryan
28:16 Business And Relationships
34:05 Redefining Success
40:40 Weathering Business Storms
43:36 One Lesson For Life
45:56 All Or Nothing Trap
48:40 Wiring Kids For Hard Things
50:56 Phones Changed Childhood
57:01 Senses In The Woods
59:51 Book Resources And Coaching
Thanks for listening, and please share this episode with someone who's building more than a business, someone who's building a life worth living. It helps us grow the show and bring these honest conversations, practical insights, and life design strategies to more founders, operators, and builders pursuing both success and freedom. Have a great day.
Dr. Sam McGough
"Success should fund a life you actually want, not a self-created prison."
CONNECT with Dr. Sam McGough & Explore Hunt for Success
Discover conversations with founders, operators, and builders who have earned success and intentionally designed the freedom to enjoy it. Access real stories, practical lessons, and authentic perspectives on leadership, discipline, business growth, systems, and life by design.
Join a community of entrepreneurs and leaders committed to building businesses that create opportunity without sacrificing the life they're working for.
Join FREE at: https://thehuntforsuccess.com/
Follow Hunt for Success: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | YouTube
About Guest
30 year fitness industry professional. I just exited a 10 year fitness training business serving mostly 40 and up professionals. I'm in the planning stages of another fitness training business and have written a couple books. Most recently, Hunting Beyond Limits, it was a project that meshes my two passions, helping people do what they love to do with more confidence and hunting. I'm a country boy at heart and grew up hunting and fishing.
Links
Website: HuntingBeyondLimits.com
LInkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-wall-478a82106/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ken.wall.75/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coachkenw570/
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Seven Stages of Business Success with Carl Gould
Dr. Sam McGough interviews business growth expert Carl Gould of Seven Stage Advisors about his entrepreneurial path from starting and selling landscaping and construction/development businesses to coaching since 1990 and building Seven Stage Advisors in 2002. Gould explains how he developed a framework linking an owner’s behavioral style to business strengths and blind spots across strategy, business development, operations, and finance, and says he can drive 10%–30% revenue growth by addressing those blind spots. He highlights common constraints including poor pricing, trying to be everything to everyone, lack of strategic planning, and feast-or-famine business development, emphasizing consistent funnel activity and building scalable systems. Gould discusses hypergrowth (20%+ annual growth), “seasons” of society and buying behavior, the value of focusing on ideal client avatars, and creating an “obnoxious offer” that is premium in value and targeted to a core audience.
00:00 When It Gets Easy
00:25 Podcast Intro
01:00 Meet Carl Gould
02:12 From Injury To Business
03:27 Becoming A Coach
05:28 Business Mirrors Owner
09:34 Pricing Mistakes Early
11:25 Choose Your Audience
15:12 Brand Rules Examples
17:02 Hypergrowth Seasons
25:21 Know Your Avatar
28:45 Selling Multiple Avatars
30:05 Biz Dev Blind Spots
30:36 Escape Feast Famine
35:18 Growth vs Scaling Systems
36:50 Bigger Truck Infrastructure
40:39 Fishing Lessons for Business
46:09 Hunting Trips and Reset
48:20 Entrepreneur Rhythms and Family
51:59 Advice Pricing and Offers
53:51 Obnoxious Offer Wrap Up
54:56 Where to Find Carl
55:22 Final Sign Off
Thanks for listening, and please share this episode with someone who's building more than a business, someone who's building a life worth living. It helps us grow the show and bring these honest conversations, practical insights, and life design strategies to more founders, operators, and builders pursuing both success and freedom. Have a great day.
Dr. Sam McGough
"Success should fund a life you actually want, not a self-created prison."
CONNECT with Dr. Sam McGough & Explore Hunt for Success
Discover conversations with founders, operators, and builders who have earned success and intentionally designed the freedom to enjoy it. Access real stories, practical lessons, and authentic perspectives on leadership, discipline, business growth, systems, and life by design.
Join a community of entrepreneurs and leaders committed to building businesses that create opportunity without sacrificing the life they're working for.
Join FREE at: https://thehuntforsuccess.com/
Follow Hunt for Success: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | YouTube
About Guest
Carl Gould is a serial entrepreneur, author, speaker, and one of the world's leading business growth advisors. By the age of 40, he had built three multi-million-dollar companies before dedicating his career to helping other entrepreneurs achieve lasting success. As the founder of 7 Stage Advisors, Carl has developed coaching and consulting methodologies now used in more than 75 countries, training, certifying, and accrediting over 7,000 business coaches and mentors worldwide. His clients have gone on to become award-winning companies, with many earning recognition on prestigious lists such as the Inc. 500 and Inc. 5000. Known for combining practical business strategy with a passion for mentoring others, Carl continues to help leaders build scalable, profitable businesses while creating meaningful impact in their communities.
LInks
Website: https://7stageadvisors.com/
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The Hustle Mindset: Scaling Enterprise Leadership with Matt Fourie
On the Hunt for Success podcast, Sam interviews Matt Fourie, a senior enterprise leader at Siemens Digital Industries Software who leads the General Motors business. Matt describes growing up in South Africa with early exposure to hunting through his father, later moving away from hunting due to lifestyle and restrictive gun culture, and rediscovering hunting after moving to the U.S. around age 30. He connects South Africa’s “hustle” environment to resilience, work ethic, and restarting at the bottom in America without a degree or network. Matt discusses traits of high performers—grit, faith in Christ, mentorship, humility, authenticity, and “over deliver”—and shares a major career setback running an electroplating company that taught him not to chase money unprepared. The conversation ties hunting lessons—pursuit, patience, preparation, and saying no—to leadership, integrity, and sales ethics, alongside talk of rifles, cartridges, SCI convention impressions, and defining success as faith, family legacy, excellence, and time wealth.
00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
01:21 Growing Up South African
01:57 Early Hunting Roots
03:54 Hustle Mindset and Work Ethic
06:12 Starting Over in America
07:56 High Performers and Mentors
10:14 When Business Goes Sideways
12:02 Hard Lessons and Faith
15:32 Gear Talk and Gunworks Rifles
18:30 South Africa Hunt Stories
20:35 Hunting Mindset for Business
23:49 Outlasting the Game
24:10 Hunting Decisions and Saying No
24:48 Dangerous Game Preparation
26:11 Sales Integrity and Risk
27:59 Four-Part Decision Filter
29:20 Defining Success and Legacy
31:45 Time Wealth and Exits
34:14 SCI Show Guns and Money
38:51 Africa Rifles and Long Shots
41:29 Final Thanks and Wrap
Thanks for listening, and please share this episode with someone who's building more than a business, someone who's building a life worth living. It helps us grow the show and bring these honest conversations, practical insights, and life design strategies to more founders, operators, and builders pursuing both success and freedom. Have a great day.
Dr. Sam McGough
"Success should fund a life you actually want, not a self-created prison."
CONNECT with Dr. Sam McGough & Explore Hunt for Success
Discover conversations with founders, operators, and builders who have earned success and intentionally designed the freedom to enjoy it. Access real stories, practical lessons, and authentic perspectives on leadership, discipline, business growth, systems, and life by design.
Join a community of entrepreneurs and leaders committed to building businesses that create opportunity without sacrificing the life they're working for.
Join FREE at: https://thehuntforsuccess.com/
Follow Hunt for Success: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | YouTube
About the Guest:
Matt Fourie is a Senior Enterprise Leader at Siemens Digital Industries Software, where he leads the strategic partnership and business operations for General Motors—Siemens' largest automotive customer.
Originally from South Africa, he grew up in the "bushveld" environment where his father was a professional hunter and game farm manager. This background instilled in him a unique "hustle" mentality and a focus on radical responsibility, which he later applied to his corporate career in the United States.
Connect with Matt:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-fourie/
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Building Careers and Community with Tucker Green
In this episode of the Hunt for Success podcast, Dr. Sam McGough sits down with Tucker Green, business owner, public servant, lobbyist, and advocate for the skilled trades industry.
The conversation explores leadership, public policy, persistence, and advocacy, shaped by Tucker’s experience serving as the youngest school board member in Georgia, building a successful governmental affairs firm, and representing contractors across the state through association management and legislative engagement.
Throughout the discussion, Tucker breaks down the realities of lobbying, the importance of staying connected to the people you represent, and how persistence often determines success in both politics and business. He also shares hunting lessons that mirror professional growth, including patience, preparation, resilience, and earning results through consistent effort over time.
Key Takeaways
[Persistence Creates Results]: Meaningful wins often come after repeated setbacks, challenges, and long-term commitment.
[Advocacy Protects Businesses]: Effective representation can save contractors significant time, money, and regulatory burdens.
[Stay Connected to Your People]: Leaders make better decisions when they remain closely connected to those they serve.
[Your Reputation Matters]: Integrity, accountability, and honoring your word create opportunities that last a lifetime.
00:00 – Pay It Forward Mindset
00:59 – Podcast Intro and Guest Introduction
02:22 – Early Life and Interest in Politics
03:37 – From School Board to Lobbying Career
05:50 – Building a Government Affairs Firm
07:30 – Rising Star Recognition in Georgia Politics
08:34 – The Reality of Legislative Advocacy
11:20 – Winning Permit Fee Reform for Contractors
15:57 – Staying Connected to Members Across Georgia
20:14 – Hunting Roots and Outdoor Traditions
22:32 – Bird Hunting and Camp Experiences
24:15 – Iowa Hunting Trips and Family Traditions
25:22 – Bucket List Hunts and Future Adventures
27:33 – Preferred Hunting Equipment and Setup
31:41 – Hunting Lessons Applied to Business
36:38 – Handling Failure and Professional Setbacks
39:32 – Advice for Young Professionals
42:43 – Where to Connect with Tucker
Thanks for listening, and please share this episode with someone who's building more than a business, someone who's building a life worth living. It helps us grow the show and bring these honest conversations, practical insights, and life design strategies to more founders, operators, and builders pursuing both success and freedom. Have a great day.
Dr. Sam McGough
"Success should fund a life you actually want, not a self-created prison."
CONNECT with Dr. Sam McGough & Explore Hunt for Success
Discover conversations with founders, operators, and builders who have earned success and intentionally designed the freedom to enjoy it. Access real stories, practical lessons, and authentic perspectives on leadership, discipline, business growth, systems, and life by design.
Join a community of entrepreneurs and leaders committed to building businesses that create opportunity without sacrificing the life they're working for.
Join FREE at: HuntforSuccess.com
Follow Hunt for Success: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | YouTube
About the Guest
Tucker Green is a government affairs professional, business owner, lobbyist, and advocate for skilled trades businesses throughout Georgia.
They are recognized for their legislative leadership, association management expertise, and successful advocacy efforts on behalf of HVAC, plumbing, and electrical contractors.
Their background includes public service, political strategy, governmental affairs, and representing industry organizations at the state level.
Guest Resources
Tucker Green
Website: https://tuckergreenandassociates.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tucker-green-6a7b00224/?trk=profile-badge
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Crafting a Life of Purpose with Hugh Hornsby
In this episode of the Hunt for Success podcast, Dr. Sam McGough sits down with Hugh Hornsby, trades industry leader, business builder, speaker, and author of the upcoming book Blue Collar Smart.
The conversation explores resilience, leadership, business growth, and personal responsibility, shaped by Hugh’s journey through childhood epilepsy, major business setbacks, a stage four cancer diagnosis, and decades of helping companies and individuals unlock their potential.
Throughout the discussion, Hugh breaks down how focusing on people, sales systems, mentorship, and personal accountability helped him build and transform businesses. He also shares lessons learned from hunting, family traditions, networking, and surrounding yourself with the right people, while emphasizing the importance of becoming valuable to others and creating opportunities through service and relationships.
Key Takeaways
[Adversity Builds Strength]: Personal challenges can become the foundation for resilience, perspective, and long-term success.
[People Drive Performance]: Great businesses are built by identifying potential, developing talent, and creating opportunities for others to succeed.
[Focus Creates Growth]: Applying the 80/20 principle and narrowing your attention to high-impact activities accelerates results.
[Relationships Open Doors]: Becoming important to the right people through value, service, and trust creates opportunities that money cannot buy.
00:00 – Podcast Intro and Guest Introduction
01:50 – Childhood Epilepsy and Early Challenges
04:34 – Entering the Trades Industry
05:31 – Learning from Failure and Taking Ownership
10:46 – Building a Fraternity Through Inclusion
16:51 – People-First Leadership Principles
18:22 – Mentorship from the Napoleon Hill Foundation
20:06 – Hunting, Fishing, and Family Traditions
30:22 – Turning Around Struggling Companies
32:02 – The Power of Niche Focus and Be, Do, Have
38:36 – Hunting Bonds and Parenting Lessons
40:19 – Comedy, Cancer, and Healing Through Vulnerability
47:02 – AI, Private Equity, and Industry Changes
52:27 – Why Everything Is Sales
56:38 – Networking and Finding the Right Rooms
01:12:00 – Exit Planning for Trades Businesses
01:17:20 – Sales Systems and Scaling Lessons
01:31:17 – Wealth, Freedom, and Gratitude
Thanks for listening, and please share this episode with someone who's building more than a business, someone who's building a life worth living. It helps us grow the show and bring these honest conversations, practical insights, and life design strategies to more founders, operators, and builders pursuing both success and freedom. Have a great day.
Dr. Sam McGough
"Success should fund a life you actually want, not a self-created prison."
CONNECT with Dr. Sam McGough & Explore Hunt for Success
Discover conversations with founders, operators, and builders who have earned success and intentionally designed the freedom to enjoy it. Access real stories, practical lessons, and authentic perspectives on leadership, discipline, business growth, systems, and life by design.
Join a community of entrepreneurs and leaders committed to building businesses that create opportunity without sacrificing the life they're working for.
Join FREE at: HuntforSuccess.com
Follow Hunt for Success: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | YouTube
About the Guest
Hugh Hornsby is a trades industry leader, business strategist, speaker, and entrepreneur focused on helping companies grow through leadership, sales systems, and people development.
They are the author of the upcoming book Blue Collar Smart, which focuses on practical business wisdom, personal responsibility, and creating success through discipline, relationships, and execution.
Guest Resources
Hugh Hornsby
Website: www.thebluecollarsmart.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugh-hornsby-51986b10/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hugh.hornsby
Link to episode
Gregory DePriest: Pastor to Amazon Logistics Leader
In this episode of the Hunt for Success podcast, Dr. Sam McGough sits down with Gregory DePriest, entrepreneur, Amazon logistics operator, former pastor, and leadership strategist.
The conversation explores personal reinvention, leadership, business growth, and the mindset required to continually evolve, shaped by Gregory’s journey from banking and finance to ministry leadership and eventually building a successful Amazon logistics company employing more than 200 people.
Throughout the discussion, Gregory breaks down the importance of knowing when to pivot, creating structure and accountability within organizations, and building success through relationships, strategy, and personal growth. He also shares how hunting, fishing, and outdoor pursuits mirror business by rewarding preparation, patience, discipline, and the pursuit itself rather than just the outcome.
Key Takeaways
[Reinvention Creates Opportunity]: Recognizing when it is time for a new chapter allows leaders to continue growing and expanding their impact.
[Strategy Gives Faith Direction]: Vision alone is not enough, successful outcomes require systems, planning, and execution.
[Culture Drives Performance]: Strong teams thrive when expectations, accountability, and rewards are clearly aligned.
[Choose Your Circle Carefully]: Growth accelerates when surrounded by people who provide trust, encouragement, and honest feedback.
00:00 – The Impossible to Fail Mindset
01:20 – Gregory’s Early Life and Career Journey
02:19 – From Banking to Pastoral Leadership
03:39 – Fundraising Success and Amazon Logistics Launch
05:54 – Why Reinvention Matters
10:26 – Moving to Austin and Starting Over
14:59 – Dreaming Bigger Than Fear
18:09 – Ignoring Opinions and Building Confidence
21:29 – Performance-Based Leadership
27:01 – Business Lessons Learned Through Hunting
30:28 – Creating Exceptional Experiences
33:44 – Customer Service Lessons from Luxury Brands
37:32 – Building the Right Tribe
40:39 – Trust, Relationships, and Safe Circles
45:50 – Favorite Hunts and Fishing Adventures
49:53 – Bucket List Experiences and Future Plans
Thanks for listening, and please share this episode with someone who's building more than a business, someone who's building a life worth living. It helps us grow the show and bring these honest conversations, practical insights, and life design strategies to more founders, operators, and builders pursuing both success and freedom. Have a great day.
Dr. Sam McGough
"Success should fund a life you actually want, not a self-created prison."
CONNECT with Dr. Sam McGough & Explore Hunt for Success
Discover conversations with founders, operators, and builders who have earned success and intentionally designed the freedom to enjoy it. Access real stories, practical lessons, and authentic perspectives on leadership, discipline, business growth, systems, and life by design.
Join a community of entrepreneurs and leaders committed to building businesses that create opportunity without sacrificing the life they're working for.
Join FREE at: HuntforSuccess.com
Follow Hunt for Success: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | YouTube
About the Guest
Gregory DePriest is an entrepreneur, Amazon logistics operator, leadership mentor, and former pastor with decades of experience leading organizations and teams.
They are recognized for successfully transitioning across multiple industries, including banking, ministry, fundraising, and logistics, while building high-performing teams and scalable operations.
Their background includes financial services, church leadership, nonprofit fundraising, and last-mile logistics management.
They are passionate about helping people embrace growth, develop strong leadership skills, and pursue opportunities without being limited by fear or the opinions of others.
Guest Resources
Gregory DePriest
Website: https://www.sglva.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregory-depriest-b391aa58
Link to episode
Hospitality, Real Estate, and Wilderness with Jeramie Worley
In this episode of the Hunt for Success podcast, Dr. Sam McGough sits down with Jeramie Worley, a real estate investor, hospitality entrepreneur, and co-owner of Lake Longbow.
The conversation explores executive recovery, outdoor hospitality, and legacy property development, shaped by Jeramie's experience in short-term rentals, real estate investing, and creating experiences that help leaders disconnect from stress and reconnect with what matters most.
Throughout the discussion, Jeramie breaks down the vision behind Lake Longbow, an 80-acre Missouri retreat built around hunting, fishing, land stewardship, and meaningful relationships. He shares lessons from building and operating the property, overcoming development setbacks, creating premium guest experiences, and helping burned-out executives find clarity through time outdoors.
Key Takeaways
[Nature Creates Clarity]: Stepping away from daily pressures allows leaders to reconnect with purpose, relationships, and long-term vision.
[Launch Before Perfect]: Progress comes from taking action quickly, learning from real-world feedback, and improving as you go.
[Experiences Build Relationships]: Shared outdoor adventures create trust, vulnerability, and deeper personal connections.
[Legacy Requires Stewardship]: Building a meaningful property involves long-term commitment, patience, and care for the land.
00:00 – Podcast Intro and Guest Introduction
01:32 – Jeramie’s Airbnb Investing Journey
03:05 – Why Executives Need Time Outdoors
04:52 – Purchasing and Developing Lake Longbow
11:46 – Touring the Property and Amenities
14:51 – The Luxury Hunting Retreat Experience
18:00 – Campfire Conversations and Vulnerability
24:28 – Ethical Hunting and Respect for Wildlife
28:00 – Business Lessons from Hospitality
33:08 – Outdoor Retreat Concepts and Future Plans
37:18 – Shared Ownership and Expansion Vision
43:47 – The Mission Behind Lake Longbow
51:30 – Why Taking Action Matters
55:07 – The Three Essentials for Success
Thanks for listening, and please share this episode with someone who's building more than a business, someone who's building a life worth living. It helps us grow the show and bring these honest conversations, practical insights, and life design strategies to more founders, operators, and builders pursuing both success and freedom. Have a great day.
Dr. Sam McGough
"Success should fund a life you actually want, not a self-created prison."
CONNECT with Dr. Sam McGough & Explore Hunt for Success
Discover conversations with founders, operators, and builders who have earned success and intentionally designed the freedom to enjoy it. Access real stories, practical lessons, and authentic perspectives on leadership, discipline, business growth, systems, and life by design.
Join a community of entrepreneurs and leaders committed to building businesses that create opportunity without sacrificing the life they're working for.
Join FREE at: HuntforSuccess.com
Follow Hunt for Success: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | YouTube
About the Guest
Jeramie Worley is a real estate investor, hospitality operator, and co-owner of Lake Longbow, a private outdoor retreat focused on executive renewal and outdoor experiences.
They are recognized for their early adoption of short-term rental investing and for helping guests create meaningful experiences through hospitality and land stewardship.
Their background includes real estate investing, vacation rental operations, outdoor recreation, and retreat development.
They are the author of an early Airbnb investing book and continue to focus on helping entrepreneurs and leaders create freedom through strategic real estate and hospitality ventures.
Guest Resources
Jeramie Worley
Website: https://lakelongbow.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeramie-worley/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lakelongbow/
Link to episode
Mastering Business and Real Estate with Chris Rood
In this episode of the Hunt for Success, Dr. Sam McGough sits down with Chris Rood, a real estate investor, operator, and former blue-collar business owner.
The conversation explores a long-form wealth building philosophy shaped by Chris Rood’s journey from mobile oil change operations to scaling multiple automotive shops, then transitioning into real estate investing, development, and portfolio expansion across mobile home parks, short-term rentals, and land development.
Throughout the discussion, Chris breaks down his framework of fast, medium, and slow money, including how disciplined reinvestment, operational experience, and long-term thinking create durable wealth while avoiding over-leverage and short-term traps in real estate education.
Thanks for listening, and please share this episode with someone who's building more than a business, someone who's building a life worth living. It helps us grow the show and bring these honest conversations, practical insights, and life design strategies to more founders, operators, and builders pursuing both success and freedom. Have a great day.
Dr. Sam McGough
"Success should fund a life you actually want, not a self-created prison."
CONNECT with Dr. Sam McGough & Explore Hunt for Success
Discover conversations with founders, operators, and builders who have earned success and intentionally designed the freedom to enjoy it. Access real stories, practical lessons, and authentic perspectives on leadership, discipline, business growth, systems, and life by design.
Join a community of entrepreneurs and leaders committed to building businesses that create opportunity without sacrificing the life they're working for.
Join FREE at: HuntforSuccess.com
Follow Hunt for Success: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | YouTube
About the Guest
Chris Rood is a real estate investor, entrepreneur, and former multi-location automotive business owner. He is recognized for building and scaling multiple operational businesses before transitioning into real estate investing and development.
His background includes hands-on experience in service-based trades, business acquisition, and large-scale property investment strategies including mobile home parks and land development.
Guest Resources
Chris Rood
Website: https://chrisrood.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-rood-72a76276/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realestaterood/
Link to episode
Building Wealth and Freedom with Chris Udall
In this episode of the Hunt for Success podcast, Dr. Sam McGough sits down with Chris Udall, a venture capitalist and ecosystem builder working at the intersection of startups, capital formation, and regional innovation.
The conversation explores venture capital, founder development, and innovation ecosystem building, shaped by Chris’ experience creating educational pathways for refugees in Jordan, managing early-stage investment funds in Alabama, and supporting technology transfer initiatives tied to Huntsville’s engineering base.
Throughout the discussion, Chris breaks down how venture capital evaluates early-stage, high-risk, scalable startups, including how founder traits like grit, coachability, and adaptability often determine long-term outcomes more than initial ideas. He also connects these principles to hunting, drawing parallels between decision-making under pressure, preparation, resource allocation, and learning through failure.
Key Takeaways
[Grit Over Ideas]: Startup success is driven more by founder resilience and adaptability than the originality of the initial concept.
[Capital as Ecosystem Fuel]: Strategic funds can keep talent and intellectual property local while attracting outside investment.
[Pressure Decision-Making]: Both hunting and entrepreneurship require clear thinking under uncertainty and fatigue.
[Failure as Feedback]: Burnout, setbacks, and missed opportunities become critical inputs for better future decisions.
00:00 – Podcast Intro and Guest Introduction
00:52 – Understanding Venture Capital in Practice
02:18 – Chris’ Unconventional Career Path
04:52 – Launching Alabama’s Capital Access Fund
08:27 – First Experiences in Hunting
14:05 – Parallels Between Hunting and Entrepreneurship
18:42 – Why Startups Fail Early
23:43 – Lessons from an Elk Hunt
32:03 – What VCs Look for in Founders
36:28 – Risk, Burnout, and Decision Pressure
42:57 – Community, Networking, and Ecosystem Growth
50:16 – International Hunting and Expansion Goals
Thanks for listening, and please share this episode with someone who's building more than a business, someone who's building a life worth living. It helps us grow the show and bring these honest conversations, practical insights, and life design strategies to more founders, operators, and builders pursuing both success and freedom. Have a great day.
Dr. Sam McGough
"Success should fund a life you actually want, not a self-created prison."
CONNECT with Dr. Sam McGough & Explore Hunt for Success
Discover conversations with founders, operators, and builders who have earned success and intentionally designed the freedom to enjoy it. Access real stories, practical lessons, and authentic perspectives on leadership, discipline, business growth, systems, and life by design.
Join a community of entrepreneurs and leaders committed to building businesses that create opportunity without sacrificing the life they're working for.
Join FREE at: HuntforSuccess.com
Follow Hunt for Success: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | YouTube
About the Guest
Chris is a venture capitalist and innovation ecosystem leader focused on early-stage startup growth and regional capital development.
They are recognized for building and managing investment initiatives that support high-potential founders and strengthen local innovation pipelines in Alabama.
Their background includes experience in education initiatives for refugees, venture funding, and technology transfer programs connected to Huntsville’s engineering ecosystem.
They are focused on expanding access to capital and strengthening founder success through structured investment and support systems.
Guest Resources
Chris Udall
Link to episode
Designing a Life of Adventure with Eric Killen
In this episode of the Hunt for Success podcast, Dr. Sam McGough welcomes his friend Eric Killen, owner of Killen Outdoor Adventures in Killen, Alabama, to discuss how Eric built an 11-year hunting and fishing travel business while continuing a 26-year corporate sales career.
Eric explains his client-first model, where outfitters pay his fee, clients receive vetted options across roughly 48 global locations, and every trip is personally verified by him or his team before anyone is sent. He also breaks down the end-to-end support system that covers airport pickup, outfitter coordination, paperwork, taxidermy, trophy importation, and global delivery through his logistics company, while outsourcing air travel.
Throughout the conversation, Eric shares how early bad booking experiences shaped his standards, how he scaled operations by hiring help, and how he designs trips that include post-hunt travel experiences to make them spouse-friendly and more accessible.
This episode highlights how disciplined systems, trust-based service, and lifestyle design come together to build both a business and a life built around freedom, and why traits like patience, persistence, and a driven mindset show up in both successful entrepreneurs and hunters.
Key Takeaways
[Vetting creates trust at scale]: Every location is personally verified before clients are sent, ensuring consistent and reliable experiences.
[Service design beats marketing]: Word of mouth and client experience drive growth more than promotion or advertising.
[Discipline shows up in both business and hunting]: Patience, persistence, and emotional control directly influence success in the field and in entrepreneurship.
[Lifestyle is built, not stumbled into]: Freedom comes from intentional choices around work, time, and long-term priorities.
00:00 – Designing Freedom Life
00:22 – Podcast Welcome Setup
01:17 – Meet Eric Killen
02:35 – From Sales to Outfitting
04:10 – Business Model Client First
08:35 – Luxury Trips Africa Australia
11:16 – Trust Stories Proof
12:52 – Traits of High Performers
16:41 – Scaling Logistics Systems
17:51 – Guns Paperwork Trophies
19:35 – Partners Delivery Service
20:21 – Trophy Wall Negotiations
21:35 – Getting Mary Into Hunting
23:33 – Designing a Travel Life
25:35 – Europe and Spain Hunting
27:02 – Scouting and Client Fit
29:21 – Success Keys No Debt
32:32 – Hunting and Business Traits
34:38 – Field Essentials and Gear
37:09 – Closing and Sign Off
About the Guest
Eric Killen is a hunting outfitter and entrepreneur who built Killen Outdoor Adventures into a global service business focused on hunting, travel, and logistics.
He is recognized for creating a highly vetted, service-first model that prioritizes client experience, safety, and reliability across international destinations.
His background includes long-term experience in corporate sales and business development, alongside building a multi-location outdoor adventure company serving clients worldwide.
He is the founder of Killen Outdoor Adventures, focused on delivering fully managed hunting and travel experiences from booking through trophy delivery.
Guest Resources
Eric Killen
Website: https://www.killenoutdoor.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/killen_outdoor_adventures/
Link to episode
How to Master the Intrapreneur Mindset with Theron Leany
In this episode of The Hunt for Success, host Sam McGough sits down with Theron Leany, an owner and operator at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air and Electric. Operating across four states, Theron shares his journey from hands-on appliance repair to executing multi-state corporate acquisitions and high-level consulting.
The conversation focuses on the "intrapreneur" mindset, transforming company culture by hiring for character over industry experience, and how structural clarity in business emerges naturally when you anchor yourself to your original "Why." Theron also discusses how bow hunting serves as a high-stress decompression tool and a powerful training ground for teaching youth resilience, problem-solving, and patience.
Key TakeawaysThe Intrapreneurial Leap: Moving from an employee to an equity partner requires treating the business as your own from day one. Taking "extreme ownership" and intentionally making yourself invaluable creates opportunities where owners are eager to share equity.Anchoring Structure to the "Why": Business chaos and lack of structure usually happen because owners lose sight of their original mission. When you re-focus purely on why you started (e.g., to help employees hit six figures or provide elite service), the tactical steps and organizational blueprint become instantly clear.Hiring Heart Over History: In the trades, poaching experienced workers can often mean inheriting toxic, short-term habits. Pivoting to hire high-character individuals from outside the industry and training them from scratch builds an elite, loyal culture centered on genuine customer care.Actionable Steps vs. "Rah-Rah" Fluff: Real business growth doesn't happen through motivational hype or emotional cheerleading. Long-term scalability requires hyper-specific, repeatable, and tactical steps.
Episode Timeline00:00 – Editorial: Staying Tethered to Your Original Business "Why"01:15 – Introducing Theron Laney of Action Plumbing, Heating, Air and Electric02:00 – From Appliance Repair to Inside Sales: Overcoming a Pivot-Point Injury03:10 – The Pay Cut Shortcut: Making Yourself Invaluable to Earn Business Equity05:00 – The Power of the Ask: Why Entrepreneurs Can't Wait Around for Opportunities06:15 – Childhood Foundations: How Raising Chickens and Small Side Hustles Taught Pride of Ownership08:15 – The Myth of Formal Schooling for High-Performance Founders09:20 – Sweat Equity & Iteration: Adapting Operational Identity Every $5 Million11:15 – Reindeer for Christmas: Theron’s Early Introduction to Hunting Traditions12:50 – Bow Hunting as Active Meditation and Unplugging from 4-State Operational Stress14:40 – Hunting New Mexico and Utah: The Differences in Elk and Mule Deer Behavior16:20 – Surviving a 8-Man Team Walkout: Transitioning from Toxic Culture to Care-Driven Scale18:50 – Why the Technicians Who Care the Most Out-Sell the Competition21:00 – Elevating the Industry: The Choice to Consult and Coach Competitors22:15 – Skin in the Game: Why People Only Pay Attention to What They Pay For24:30 – Fleet Presentation: How Clean, Organized Trucks Decompress Techs and Drive Sales26:15 – Changing Family Trees: Moving a Temp-Agency Worker to Multiple Six Figures29:00 – Managing Skyrocketing Inflation and Changing Public Price Expectations31:15 – Building a Whitetail Legacy in Kansas: Passing Problem-Solving and Wilderness Parables to Youth35:00 – Actionable Consulting: Where to Find Theron and Ben Jordan Online
About the Guest
Theron Leany is a seasoned intrapreneur, partner, and executive leader at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air and Electric, a dominant home services provider operating across four states. Alongside his business partner Ben Jordan, Theron runs The Action Group, a tactical consulting firm designed to help home service owners build tight operational structures and adapt their leadership systems for major revenue milestones.
Connect with the Guest:Website: https://actionplumbing.net/Link to episode
How to Effectively Mitigate Business Risk with Mark Baker
In this episode of The Hunt for Success, host Sam McGough connects with Mark Baker, President and Owner of ACRE Development Corporation. Recording from Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada, Mark shares his transition from a second-generation operator in the high-volume retail gasoline and convenience sector to a successful commercial real estate land developer.
The conversation focuses on the strategic shift from daily business operations to the long-term, high-stakes process of ground-up commercial development, drawing parallels between the deep preparation required for real estate and the patience of the outdoor lifestyle.
Key TakeawaysQuantifying and Mitigating Risk: True entrepreneurs aren't recklessly risk-tolerant; instead, they immerse themselves in their niche, utilizing knowledge and experience to reduce vague risks to a highly finite, quantified number.The Power of Execution over Capital: Success in real estate development relies on three factors: capital, knowledge, and the ability to execute. If a developer possesses the knowledge and execution strategy, the necessary capital can always be sourced from outside investors.The "Hunt" of Development: There is a distinct psychological difference between business operation and business development. While daily operations can invite complacency, the complex 18-to-24-month horizon of land development—securing tenants, analyzing traffic patterns, and legal forecasting—mirrors the thrill and patience of a long-term hunt.The Future of the Trades: Despite the rise of AI data collection in market analysis, human intuition, local physical site assessment, and hands-on skilled trades (like plumbing and HVAC) remain fully insulated from automation.Episode Timeline00:00 – Defining and Quantifying Risk in Commercial Real Estate01:10 – Meet Mark Baker: President of ACRE Development Corporation02:00 – Legacy in the Gas Station Business: Rebuilding from the Ground Up03:15 – The Pivot to Land Development and Second-Gen Commercial Real Estate04:10 – Identifying Market Criteria and International Brand Partnerships05:40 – Tax Incentives: Comparing the US IRS Code to Canadian Structures06:50 – Mitigating Risk by Staying in Your Lane and Avoiding "Flipping"08:15 – The Three Pillars of Real Estate: Capital, Knowledge, and Execution09:40 – An Overview of Prince Edward Island’s World-Class Bluefin Tuna & Shellfish Fisheries11:20 – The Parallel Between the Prep-Work of Development and the Outdoor Hunt13:40 – Navigating the Complexities of 100-Page Commercial Leases15:00 – Scalability Decisions: When to Expand Operations vs. When to Exit and Pivot16:45 – Time Management Benefits: Shifting from High-Volume Staffing to Lean Operations18:15 – The Longevity and Bright Future of Hands-On Blue-Collar Trades19:30 – AI in Real Estate: Accelerating Data Analytics vs. Irreplaceable Physical Site Intuition21:30 – Local Angling: The Emergence of Striped Bass and Atlantic Salmon on PEIAbout the Guest
Mark Baker is a Canadian entrepreneur and the President and Owner of ACRE Development Corporation based in Prince Edward Island. After a successful decade running and leasing a high-volume regional retail gasoline operation and coffee franchise, Mark transitioned his focus entirely to commercial land development, securing premium locations for national and international corporate brands.
Connect with the Show: For more episodes, resources, and insights on building wealth and designing freedom, visit thehuntforsuccess.com.Link to episode
Marketing for Chiropractors: Build It, Scale It, Sell It with Dr. Kendall Price
Dr. Kendall Price went from chiropractic school to 200 patient visits a week in just 90 days, not by accident, but by applying "boots-on-the-ground" marketing systems before he even opened his doors. Now, as founder of Elevate Marketing, he helps chiropractors build consistent patient acquisition through repeatable, scalable systems.
In this episode of Hunt for Success, Dr. Sam McGough sits down with Dr. Price to break down how understanding numbers like lifetime value and patient acquisition cost changes every business decision — how process and people create businesses that can actually be sold — and how a move to central Illinois, a bird dog, and a bow opened up a second life built around family, faith, and the outdoors.
What You'll Learn:
– How Dr. Price launched to 200 visits/week in 90 days using repeatable marketing
– Why knowing your patient LTV changes how you spend, hire, and grow
– How systems and people create a business you can eventually sell
– What it looks like to walk away at the right time — and why he has no regrets
– How hunting, faith, and family keep his mind sharp and his business focused
01:27 Learning Marketing In School
02:25 Scaling A Practice Fast
03:53 Systems, People, and LTV
06:30 Mentors, Numbers, and Delegation
10:20 Selling Practice & Buying Out Partner
13:30 Move To Illinois & Outdoors Life
14:23 How He Started Hunting
15:21 Bird Dog and Bowhunting
17:22 Canada Fishing Trips
21:06 Kids, Family, and Outdoors Lessons
24:24 Farm Work as Therapy
25:43 Faithful Tree Stand Routine
27:06 Food Plots & Big Bucks
28:30 Trophy Standards Debate
32:34 Business Numbers Non-Negotiables
37:06 Pricing & Value Communication
38:04 Bow Setup & Gear Talk
39:00 First Big Splurge — The Boat
41:48 Land Ownership & Family Hunts
42:54 Brotherhood, Mastermind & Tribe
47:26 Systems Create Freedom
About the Guest
Dr. Kendall Price is a former chiropractor and founder of Elevate Marketing, where he helps chiropractors scale their businesses through effective marketing systems and operational strategy. Known for his strong focus on processes, leadership, and long-term business growth, Kendall also shares his passion for hunting, fishing, and family life throughout the episode.
Guest Resources:
Elevate Marketing: https://goelevatemarketing.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkendallprice/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drkendallprice/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendall-price-5681b189/
Link to episode
The People-First System That Keeps Clients Coming Back with Will Bamber
On the Hunt for Success podcast, the host interviews Will Bamber of WNUI Safaris in New Zealand, discussing the property’s multi-generation history (including earlier AU Trading roots and WNUI Safaris emerging in the early 1980s) and the family-run culture led by Will’s father Paul. Will shares his multifaceted life: professional racing (including Lamborghini Super Trofeo and other North American series), time living and racing in Asia, and software development focused on ERP/CRM automation for the safari business.
They emphasize that people and relationships drive repeat bookings, and describe using technology and AI to streamline proposals, invoicing, accounting, and data insights while keeping a lean team. They also cover trade-show marketing, continuous lodge improvements (new cabin, upgrades, potential jacuzzi area), work-life balance for staff, and New Zealand possum control and possum wool.
00:53 Ranch Name History
02:07 Racing Career Path
02:56 Racing Meets Hunting
03:27 Work You Love
05:13 Guides and Giving Back
07:34 Why Clients Return
10:17 Culture and Systems
11:10 People First Growth
13:27 Red Carpet Service
14:49 Software for Outfitters
18:26 AI and Automation
21:49 Competition and Networking
24:12 Booth Hospitality Strategy
25:46 Trade Show Networking Mindset
26:55 Client Relationships Like Family
27:47 Races And Friend Trips
28:47 Guide Work Life Balance
30:44 Team Culture And Care
33:23 Lodge Upgrades And Amenities
34:30 Feedback Driven Improvements
35:48 Racing Confidence And Balance
38:40 Possums And Trade Show Curiosity
42:05 Overwhelmed At The Expo
Will Bamber is part of the family leadership team behind Wanganui Safaris, a premier New Zealand hunting lodge with a multi-generational legacy led by the Bamber family. Beyond the safari business, Will brings a unique blend of expertise in professional motorsports, business systems, and software automation, helping modernize operations through ERP, CRM, AI, and workflow automation while maintaining a strong people-first culture.
He is also an accomplished race car driver who has competed in Lamborghini Super Trofeo and other North American racing series.
Guest Resource:
Wanganui Safaris Website: https://www.wsafaris.com/
Will Bamber Website: https://www.willbamber.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willbamber/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/willbambermotorsport/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willbamber/
Link to episode
W2 Employee to 100-Pool Construction Empire with Ryan Seekatz
Dr. Sam McGough interviews Ryan Seekatz, an Alaska native and entrepreneur who transitioned from years of W2 work on Alaska’s North Slope oil fields to running businesses, then pursuing business acquisitions that led him to buy a Florida pool construction company.
Ryan describes the toll of long hitches away from family, the moment he decided to quit, and how he spent years searching for the right acquisition before launching a successful renovation branch while building about 100 pools per year in affluent East Coast Florida communities. The conversation also covers Ryan’s early hunting and fishing memories in Fairbanks, the challenges of big-game processing in Alaska, Sam’s perspective on sustained “grinding,” purpose, and creating family experiences, plus a discussion of private aviation and Ryan’s emphasis that mentorship has been a key driver of his progress.
01:08 Ryan Background
01:49 Pool Business Growth
02:31 Leaving W2 Life
05:51 Oil Rig Breaking Point
07:24 Alaska Hunting Roots
08:55 Florida Transition Grind
10:54 Work Life Discipline
14:45 Defining Success Freedom
17:41 Family Memories Hunting
18:35 Caribou Moose Plans
19:07 New Zealand Hunt Costs
19:36 Why New Zealand Is Easy
20:46 Red Stag Surprise
21:32 Lazy Hunter Confession
22:50 Alaska Moose Reality
24:11 Caribou Processing Tips
26:44 Planning Alaska Together
27:32 Private Planes For Hunts
28:32 Timeshares And Tax Plays
32:46 Mentorship And Entrepreneurship
About the Guest:
Ryan Seekatz is an Alaska native, entrepreneur, and business owner who transitioned from years of W2 work on Alaska’s North Slope oil fields into entrepreneurship through business acquisitions. After leaving the demanding oilfield lifestyle, Ryan spent years searching for the right opportunity before acquiring a Florida-based pool construction company, where he now oversees a thriving business building and renovating pools across affluent East Coast communities. In this episode, he shares his journey from corporate grind to freedom, along with insights on mentorship, family, hunting roots in Alaska, and building a purpose-driven life.
Guest Resources:
Website: https://www.sfcpools.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-seekatz-0a3791292/
Link to episode
The Land & Farm Niche: How Hunting Built an 800-Deal Real Estate with Lynn Jared
On the Hunt for Success podcast, host Sam interviews Cookeville, Tennessee, real estate broker and avid hunter Lynn Jared, who runs a brokerage founded in 2022 that grew from about 500 transactions in its first year to over 800 in 2025 and is currently pacing 57% ahead year over year, despite broader market concerns.
Lynn attributes the growth to a strong culture, daily morning huddles, hands-on training, tiered team leaders, and feedback-driven problem-solving to reduce fall-throughs from contract to close. He discusses common early-agent mistakes, especially underestimating the time and cash needed to survive the first few years, and explains how a profitable lead-gen team helps new agents.
Lynn connects business and hunting through relationships, shares land-and-farm expertise tied to hunting, recounts his two-year turkey grand slam highlight in South Dakota near Mount Rushmore, and closes with advice to “get out there,” follow the golden rule, and take new hunters afield.
00:42 Cookeville Real Estate Growth
01:57 Growing Up Hunting
03:00 Culture and Training Strategy
04:51 Morning Huddles and Deal Follow Through
07:09 New Agent Mistakes and Money Reality
09:36 Lead Gen Team Turnaround
11:44 Mentors and Car Business Lessons
14:14 Why Land and Farm Real Estate
16:12 Turkey Grand Slam Best Hunt
19:32 World Slam and Mexico Safety Talk
21:11 Marriage Tradeoffs and Hobby Balance
23:38 Purpose After Retirement and Dad Story
25:49 Farm Clients Hunting Success Stories
27:30 Letting Friends Hunt Your Property
28:22 Gear Talk And Bows
28:42 Why Bowhunting Wins
29:37 Matthews Lift Setup
30:34 Bowhunting Turkeys Challenge
31:20 Turkey Hunting Lessons
32:20 First Gobbler Breakthrough
34:36 Surprise Bird Stories
36:50 Run And Gun Strategy
40:47 Hardest Eastern Birds
44:35 Wild Turkey On The Table
45:53 Business And Hunting Parallels
49:21 Finding Trusted Mentors
About the Guest:
Lynn Jared is a Cookeville, Tennessee, real estate broker and passionate hunter who founded a fast-growing brokerage in 2022. Known for his strong leadership, hands-on agent training, and expertise in land and farm real estate, Lynn shares how culture, mentorship, and discipline have driven his team’s success. In this episode, he also connects the lessons of business and hunting through relationships, resilience, and personal growth.
Guest Resources:
Website: https://www.letsgoreco.com/lynn-jared
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lynn.jared/
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Building a Vertically Integrated Multifamily Empire
On the Hunt for Success, Sam sits down with Eric Nordstrom of Iron Ridge Capital to discuss building a vertically integrated multifamily real estate business, navigating the 2008 crash, and why his team paused acquisitions during market uncertainty from 2022 to 2025.
Eric shares how strong property management and disciplined leadership helped them survive and scale, plus why today’s market offers fresh opportunities through lender foreclosures and distressed deals. Beyond business, they explore how hunting and fishing provide stress relief, family bonding, and lessons in discipline that apply directly to long-term success.
01:10 Eric’s Origin Story
02:30 First Deals and 2008 Crash
04:04 Pivot From Gyms to Real Estate
04:38 Raising Capital and Discipline
07:23 Surviving the Buying Hiatus
08:31 Leaving Washington for Texas
11:10 Building the Leadership Team
13:42 Why Deals Are Back
17:36 Buying From Lenders
21:52 Opportunity Window Ahead
23:57 Hunting as Stress Relief
25:33 How He Started Hunting
26:43 Camp Ponds and Early Starts
27:19 Learning to Hunt Together
28:34 First Buck Father Pride
29:12 Business Lessons from Hunting
31:00 Biggest Buck and Persistence
32:40 Screw Up Bell Culture
35:23 AI Proof Family Future
38:54 Tennessee Ranch Game Plan
41:46 Wedding Venue Hunt Combo
44:08 Discipline and Deal Resilience
About the Guest
Erik Nordstrom is the co-founder of Iron Ridge Capital, a Texas-based real estate investment firm specializing in multifamily acquisitions, property management, and value-add investing. With nearly 20 years of experience navigating multiple market cycles, Erik is known for his disciplined investment approach and strong track record of delivering consistent returns. Outside of business, he is passionate about hunting, fishing, and sharing the outdoors with his family.
Guest Resources:
Website: https://www.ironridge-capital.com/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ironridge-capital-llc/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-nordstrom-61303789/
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How to Scale from a Private Practice to a Real Estate Empire with Dr. Jonathan Saigh
In this episode of the Hunt for Success podcast, Sam McGough is joined by his business partner and friend, Dr. Jonathan Saigh. Jonathan shares his journey from the football fields of Michigan to the lean early years of chiropractic school, where a $1,500 bank account was the only thing standing between him and failure.
The conversation dives deep into the "Technician vs. Entrepreneur" mindset, exploring why most professionals struggle to scale because they can't let go of their "baby". Jonathan outlines his exact strategy for developing a high-level executive team through profit-sharing and trust, and how that freedom allowed him to pivot into becoming a full-time real estate professional. From vetting "Instagram gurus" to the "pay to play" philosophy of high-level masterminds, this episode is a blueprint for any professional looking to reclaim their time and build a legacy.
Key Takeaways:
[The Technician Trap]: Why the very skills that start your business can become the ceiling that stops its growth.
[The 80% Management Rule]: Learning to accept that a great team will do things differently than you—and why that's a requirement for scaling.
[Tax-Advantaged Prosperity]: The transition from chiropractor to "Real Estate Professional" and why it is one of the only tried-and-true wealth strategies in the tax code.
[Vetting Your Circle]: Why specialized education and high-level mentors are worth the investment as your "time bank" begins to shrink.
02:15 – The Business Seed: Lessons from a Dentist Uncle
04:30 – The Basement Years: 80-Hour Weeks and Financial Hardship
06:45 – Developing Managers: The Mental Shift of Letting Go
09:30 – Integrated Medicine: Melding Chiropractic and Western Care
12:15 – Real Estate Strategy: Moving from Technician to Investor
14:50 – Vetting Mentors: Identifying "Gurus" vs. Actual Producers
16:00 – Final Thoughts: Defining Success Beyond the Bank Account
About the Guest:
Dr. Jonathan Saigh is a multifaceted entrepreneur, chiropractor, and high-level real estate professional. A former University of Michigan football player who played under the legendary Lloyd Carr, Jonathan transitioned from being a "technician" in his own clinic to an owner who manages managers.
He built a highly successful integrated medical group in southeast Wisconsin that bridges the gap between conservative chiropractic care and traditional Western medicine. Today, he is a qualified real estate professional focusing on residential and commercial property strategies that offer massive tax advantages and community impact.
Guest Resource:
Professional Website: https://advancedcarespecialists.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-saigh-67644728/
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Redneck Economics: Mining for Success and the Power of Radical Tenacity with Aaron Chapman
In this episode of the Hunt for Success podcast, Sam McGough sits down with Aaron Chapman, a veteran of the finance industry and a top 1% mortgage originator. Aaron’s journey is anything but traditional; he spent his early years branding cattle, working Wyoming oil fields, and breaking rock in the underground mines of New Mexico.
The conversation dives deep into Aaron’s "Redneck Economics" philosophy—a mindset built on personal responsibility, authenticity, and the resilience to survive life’s "ass-whoopins." Aaron recounts the harrowing moments of near-poverty that led to a life-changing meeting at a Red Lobster, and why he ultimately rejected corporate conformity to find success by staying true to his blue-collar roots. This episode is a masterclass in adapting to changing terrain and building a legacy that outlasts the hustle.
Key Takeaways
[The Beatin' Path]: Why the hardest experiences—from mining to financial collapse—are the most effective training grounds for high-level leadership.
[Authenticity as a Filter]: Why Aaron abandoned "dressing for success" to let his outward appearance match his blue-collar interior, and how that consistency builds ultimate trust.
[Unanswered Prayers]: Reframing life’s low points (like being rejected for a trucking job) as the essential pivots that lead to true opportunity.
[Generational Legacy]: The importance of building a "Family Trust" structure to instill discipline and accountability in the next generation.
03:00 – Blue-Collar Roots: Cattle Ranching, Oil Fields, and Heavy Equipment
07:30 – Life Underground: The Reality of Mining in New Mexico
09:30 – The Turning Point: Diaper Coupons and Floor Mat Change
12:30 – The Red Lobster Meeting: Entering the Mortgage Industry
20:00 – Defining Redneck Economics: Responsibility and Grit
35:00 – Authenticity vs. Conformity in the Finance World
About the Guest:
Aaron Chapman is a veteran of the finance industry and a top 1% mortgage originator in the United States, currently ranked #14 out of over 300,000 originators nationwide. Before conquering the world of investment lending as an EVP at SecurityNational Mortgage Company, Aaron spent years in the "trenches" of heavy industry—working Wyoming oil fields, branding cattle, and laboring in the underground mines of New Mexico.
He is the author of Redneckonomics, a philosophy that champions personal responsibility, raw authenticity, and the "Producer" mindset over a culture of victimhood.
Guest Resources:
Aaron Chapman
Website: AaronChapman.com
Official Book Link: QuitJerkingOff.com (Order Redneckonomics)
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