Advertise on podcast: WIT Podcast Whatever It Takes

On this episode of the Whatever It Takes Podcast, Joey Yak and Brandon J confront one of the most important responsibilities of leadership: understanding that the people who follow you are trusting you with more than just their careers. They're trusting you with their futures, their families, and the opportunity to build a better life. Brandon shares how his perspective on leadership completely changed when he realized that the people around him were depending on the person he was becoming. What started as a personal commitment to improve turned into a responsibility to raise his standards in every area of life. But becoming a great leader requires more than working hard, hitting numbers, or holding a position of authority. In this conversation, Brandon and Joey break down why so many business owners struggle to build strong teams, how ego destroys trust, and why the quality of your leadership determines the level of people you can attract, develop, and retain. They discuss the importance of leading yourself before leading others, building trust before demanding accountability, and creating a vision big enough for your team to see their own future inside it. Brandon also opens up about the difficult transition from being a top-performing salesperson to becoming a leader whose success was measured by the growth of others. He explains why learning to develop people, rather than simply expecting them to perform, became one of the most important turning points in building Brandon J Roofing. From taking extreme ownership of your team's failures to recognizing potential in people before they see it themselves, this episode challenges leaders to rethink what it truly means to be responsible for others. Because your job isn't just to build a successful business. Your job is to become the kind of leader who helps other people build successful lives. If you're an entrepreneur, business owner, manager, or someone responsible for developing others, this conversation will challenge you to examine your standards, your influence, and the example you're setting every single day. Your team doesn't need another boss. They need someone worth following. Links: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whatever-it-takes-podcast/id1811772757 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhateverItTakesPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0sSzR7yw3PiVBCMNhzYBg6 Join our free Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16VU4A8d8A/?mibextid=wwXIfr

What if the darkest moment of your life became the beginning of everything God had planned for you? In this powerful episode of the Whatever It Takes Podcast, Brandon J shares his personal testimony during a guest speaking appearance at a men's faith gathering, opening up about his journey from addiction, incarceration, and hopelessness to faith, redemption, and a life dedicated to helping others. Brandon spent much of his early life believing he was destined for failure. First incarcerated at just 12 years old, he eventually spent a decade in prison, including years in solitary confinement. Surrounded by darkness and trapped in destructive patterns, he convinced himself that the life he was living was the only life he would ever know. But even after being released from prison, the hardest battle was far from over. Brandon shares the painful reality of returning to his old lifestyle, losing everything again, and reaching a breaking point that nearly cost him his life. What happened next became the turning point that would forever change his relationship with God, his identity, and his future. Through recovery, faith, mentorship, and a willingness to completely surrender his old way of living, Brandon began rebuilding his life from the ground up. Just six months after coming home, he started the business that would eventually become Brandon J Roofing. But this testimony isn't about building a successful company or achieving financial freedom. It's about discovering that true transformation begins when you stop allowing your past, your mistakes, and your circumstances to define who you are. Brandon challenges the men in the room to take responsibility for their lives, surround themselves with people who hold them accountable, strengthen their relationship with God, and become intentional about the men they are called to be. He also shares why vulnerability is a strength, why isolation can destroy progress, and why the greatest breakthroughs often begin when we're finally willing to admit that we need help. Whether you're battling your past, struggling with your identity, rebuilding after failure, or searching for a greater purpose, this message is a reminder that your story isn't finished. Your past may explain where you've been, but it doesn't have to decide where you're going. No matter how far you've fallen, there is still an opportunity to change your direction, rebuild your life, and become the person God created you to be. Your next chapter starts with the decisions you make today.

What happens when you're building the life you've always dreamed of, but slowly losing the person you're supposed to share it with? On this episode of the Whatever It Takes Podcast, Brandon J sits down with his wife, Kelly, for one of their most personal and emotional conversations yet. Together, they open up about the struggles that nearly cost them their marriage, the painful realization that they had lost their connection, and the intentional changes that helped them rebuild their relationship stronger than ever. While Brandon was focused on growing his business, pursuing success, and creating a better future, he didn't realize that the vision driving him forward was leaving Kelly feeling behind. From the outside, they had everything. But behind the success, their marriage was slowly falling out of alignment. That experience became the foundation for "This Is Us," a daily practice they created to strengthen their marriage through faith, shared vision, honest communication, and intentional love. For the first time, Brandon and Kelly share how "This Is Us" transformed their relationship, helping them reconnect, rebuild trust, and become more intentional about the life they're creating together. They reveal the daily habits that keep their marriage strong, why personal growth must go hand in hand with growing together, and how putting God at the center of their relationship changed everything. Kelly also shares her perspective on feeling left behind, navigating one of the hardest seasons of their marriage, and finding a deeper connection with Brandon and her faith through the process. This episode is about more than marriage. It's about understanding that success means very little if you're losing the people who matter most along the way. Whether you're married, building a business with your partner, struggling to reconnect, or simply wanting to create a stronger relationship, this conversation will challenge you to become more intentional about who you're becoming and who you're becoming together. Because the greatest life you can build isn't one where you achieve everything alone. It's one where you never lose sight of the person standing beside you.

On this episode of the Whatever It Takes Podcast, Joey Yak and Brandon J tackle one of the biggest financial traps entrepreneurs face: making more money without ever building real financial freedom. Brandon shares his journey from starting over with a 300 credit score to becoming a multimillionaire, and the financial principles that helped him build lasting wealth. But this conversation isn't about how much money you can make. It's about how much you can keep, how you manage it, and whether the decisions you're making today are creating security for your future. They break down why so many business owners get caught up in chasing revenue, upgrading their lifestyles, and trying to look successful while their financial foundation is falling apart. Brandon explains the importance of developing the right mindset, understanding your expenses, building financial reserves, and giving every dollar a purpose before it ever reaches your account. From managing personal finances to tracking business profitability, preparing for difficult seasons, and investing for the future, this episode challenges entrepreneurs to stop confusing income with wealth. Because real success isn't about having the nicest cars, the biggest house, or impressing people on social media. It's about creating financial security, protecting your family, and building a life where you have the freedom to make your own choices. Whether you're a business owner, sales professional, or entrepreneur looking to take control of your finances, this conversation will challenge you to rethink your relationship with money, strengthen your financial discipline, and start building wealth that lasts. Stop building a business that keeps you broke. Start building a future that sets you free. Links: Watch this episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/E5kikU69rj8?si=LS33D482BRCkR98Y Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whatever-it-takes-podcast/id1811772757 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhateverItTakesPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0sSzR7yw3PiVBCMNhzYBg6 Join our free Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16VU4A8d8A/?mibextid=wwXIfr

What happens when you finally build the business you've always dreamed of, only to realize you're miserable running it? On this episode of the Whatever It Takes Podcast, Joey Yak and Brandon J sit down with Scott Griffin, owner of Griffin Automotive Design, for an inspiring conversation about entrepreneurship, perseverance, leadership, and what it really takes to turn a lifelong passion into a successful business. Scott's journey started at just 12 years old when he saved enough money from odd jobs to purchase his first Camaro for $300. What began as a childhood obsession with cars eventually became Griffin Automotive Design, a custom automotive business specializing in high-end classic muscle cars, with builds that can exceed $1 million. But the road to success was anything but easy. Scott opens up about leaving a secure career to pursue his dream, struggling to support his family during the early years, and nearly walking away after expanding into a massive 35,000-square-foot facility. Despite the company's growth, poor hiring decisions and a toxic workplace culture had turned his dream into something he no longer enjoyed. Everything began to change when Scott realized that growing a business required more than technical skill. It required becoming a better leader. Brandon and Scott dive into the importance of building the right team, protecting company culture, investing in personal development, and creating opportunities that genuinely change people's lives. They also discuss why successful entrepreneurs must continue evolving, surrounding themselves with the right people, and refusing to limit their vision to what seems possible today. From rebuilding classic cars to rebuilding his approach to leadership, Scott's story is proof that the hardest seasons of entrepreneurship can become the foundation for your greatest growth. Whether you're starting your first business, struggling with your team, or chasing a dream that feels impossible, this episode will challenge you to think bigger, become a stronger leader, and keep moving forward when quitting feels like the easier option. Because sometimes the biggest breakthrough comes after the moment you almost give up. Links: Watch this episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/E5kikU69rj8?si=LS33D482BRCkR98Y Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whatever-it-takes-podcast/id1811772757 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhateverItTakesPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0sSzR7yw3PiVBCMNhzYBg6 Join our free Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16VU4A8d8A/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Everybody wants to be a leader until it's time to carry the responsibility that comes with it. In this episode of the Whatever It Takes Podcast, Brandon J breaks down what real leadership looks like—and why it has very little to do with a title, position, or telling people what to do. Great leadership starts with the standard you live yourself. You can't expect discipline, growth, accountability, or consistency from your team if you aren't willing to demonstrate those things first. If you want people to give everything they have, you have to be willing to lead from the front. Brandon shares how his own understanding of leadership evolved as he built his company and realized people were relying on him for much more than a paycheck. Their goals, families, futures, and dreams mattered—and that changed the way he viewed his responsibility as a leader. He breaks down the importance of understanding your team's individual visions, connecting those dreams to a larger mission, meeting people where they are, giving away what you know, eliminating ego, and creating an environment where leaders continually develop more leaders. Because the goal isn't simply to build people who can produce. It's to help people become better leaders, spouses, parents, teammates, and versions of themselves. Your team is watching how you show up when things get difficult. They're watching your discipline. They're watching your consistency. They're watching whether the standard changes when pressure hits. They're betting their life on you. Make sure you become the leader worth betting on. Links: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whatever-it-takes-podcast/id1811772757 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhateverItTakesPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0sSzR7yw3PiVBCMNhzYBg6 Join our free Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16VU4A8d8A/?mibextid=wwXIfr

What if the life you think will take years to build is closer than you realize? In this episode of the Whatever It Takes Podcast, Brandon J sits down with Andy Elliott for a powerful conversation about transformation, leadership, faith, and what it actually takes to completely change the direction of your life. Brandon opens up about the journey from hitting rock bottom to rebuilding his life one decision at a time. With a clear vision and a commitment to stop wasting time, he began intentionally becoming the man he wanted to be—and accomplished in 16 months what he originally believed would take six or seven years. But building success was only the beginning. Brandon and Andy break down why your identity has to grow with your results, why great leaders develop people instead of simply managing them, and how standards, culture, transparency, and accountability helped Brandon build a company where people aren't just showing up for a paycheck—they're pursuing a bigger vision for their lives. This conversation is a reminder that your past doesn't have to determine your future. Whether you're rebuilding your life, growing a business, leading a team, or searching for your next level, you can make a decision today to become someone different. It's never too late to change everything. Links: Watch this episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/E5kikU69rj8?si=LS33D482BRCkR98Y Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whatever-it-takes-podcast/id1811772757 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhateverItTakesPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0sSzR7yw3PiVBCMNhzYBg6 Join our free Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16VU4A8d8A/?mibextid=wwXIfr

What happens when you've done the work, stayed committed, and the results still aren't showing up the way you expected? On this episode of the Whatever It Takes Podcast, Joey Yak sits down with Brandon J for a Q&A about faith, adversity, emotional maturity, identity, and what it takes to keep moving forward when life doesn't follow your plan. Brandon opens up about one of his biggest years of personal growth and why faith becomes most important when it's actually being tested. Instead of allowing the scoreboard to determine how you feel about yourself, the challenge is to stay focused on what you can control, continue doing the work, and trust that the setbacks you're experiencing may be preparing you for something bigger. They also break down emotional maturity and why your response under pressure reveals the foundation you've built. When adversity hits, do you immediately fall into frustration, blame, and victimhood—or have you developed yourself enough to stay grounded, find the facts, and move toward a solution? Finally, Brandon tackles what happens when the pain that once made you hungry no longer drives you. Eventually, survival can't be your only motivation. You have to stop measuring yourself against where you came from and start looking toward what you could become. This episode is about moving from surviving to thriving, staying faithful when the outcome isn't guaranteed, and continuing to pursue your true God-given potential. Links: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whatever-it-takes-podcast/id1811772757 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhateverItTakesPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0sSzR7yw3PiVBCMNhzYBg6 Join our free Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16VU4A8d8A/?mibextid=wwXIfr

What happens when the people who are used to pushing through everything are finally forced to slow down? On this episode of the Whatever It Takes Podcast, Brandon J sits down with Bart Pietrzak, owner of Project Power Gym, for an honest conversation that hits much deeper than business, fitness, or success. After both Brandon and Bart experienced AFib around the same time, they found themselves facing something neither could simply outwork. That shared experience opens the door to a raw conversation about men's health, stress, fear, faith, vulnerability, and the pressure high performers put on themselves to keep going no matter what. They unpack the dangerous belief that being a strong man means carrying everything alone—and why constantly suffering, sacrificing, and pushing harder doesn't automatically make you stronger. There is a difference between having the discipline to do hard things and destroying yourself trying to prove that you can handle everything. Brandon and Bart also get into learning to listen to your body, controlling the conversations happening in your mind, surrounding yourself with men willing to tell you the truth, being present with your family, and finding the balance between chasing ambitious goals and protecting the things you're working so hard for in the first place. Because success in business means very little if it costs you your health, your relationships, or the ability to actually enjoy the life you've built. If you're carrying a heavy load, remember: it may be yours to carry, but that doesn't mean you have to carry it alone. Links: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whatever-it-takes-podcast/id1811772757 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhateverItTakesPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0sSzR7yw3PiVBCMNhzYBg6 Join our free Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16VU4A8d8A/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Getting to the next level is one thing. Becoming the person capable of staying there is another. In this episode of the Whatever It Takes Podcast, we take you inside one of Brandon J's team meetings for a conversation about sustainable success, personal growth, and the identity required to build the life you say you want. Brandon breaks down the trap of experiencing success before you've built the foundation to handle it. Making more money won't automatically change your habits, discipline, confidence, or standards. If you want different results to last, you have to intentionally become a different version of yourself. From identifying the gaps between who you are and who you want to become, to rebuilding trust with yourself, raising your floor, eliminating distractions, and learning to stay disciplined under pressure, this conversation is about making sure your actions actually align with your vision. Because eventually, the next level will test you. The question is whether you've built yourself into someone who can handle it. This isn't about playing not to lose. It's about playing to win—and becoming the person your next level requires. Links: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whatever-it-takes-podcast/id1811772757 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhateverItTakesPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0sSzR7yw3PiVBCMNhzYBg6 Join our free Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16VU4A8d8A/?mibextid=wwXIfr

It's easy to talk about the life you want. It's a completely different thing to consistently take the actions required to build it. On this episode of the Whatever It Takes Podcast, Brandon J takes the team inside a raw Monday Meeting about accountability, discipline, and one uncomfortable question: Are your actions actually matching the commitments you make? Because keeping your word isn't only about the promises you make to other people. It's about the commitments you make to yourself when nobody is forcing you to follow through. Brandon challenges the team to stop allowing results, emotions, distractions, and outside circumstances to determine their effort. Instead, get brutally clear about the gaps in your game, take ownership of what's within your control, and build a standard around the person you're committed to becoming. He also breaks down why big goals can become overwhelming when you only focus on the finish line. Identify the gap, reverse engineer the target into smaller actions, measure your progress, and keep stacking weeks. What gets measured can be improved—but only if you're willing to be honest about where you actually stand. The conversation then goes deeper into something most people overlook: your professional routine. Your calendar shouldn't only be filled with what everyone else needs from you. Brandon explains why you need to intentionally schedule what you need from yourself—the actions that move your business, family, and future forward. Otherwise, your phone, inbox, appointments, and everyone else's priorities can control your entire day. You don't need to be perfect. You need to be willing to find your weaknesses, ask for help, make adjustments, and keep moving forward. Stop waiting for the perfect circumstances. Take control of what's in your control. And when you say you're going to do something, make your word mean something. Links: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whatever-it-takes-podcast/id1811772757 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhateverItTakesPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0sSzR7yw3PiVBCMNhzYBg6 Join our free Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16VU4A8d8A/?mibextid=wwXIfr

The year isn't over just because things haven't gone according to plan. On this episode of the Whatever It Takes Podcast, Brandon J and Joey Yak challenge you to stop looking at where you thought you'd be and start focusing on what you're going to do with the time you still have. Whether you're ahead of your target or staring at a massive gap, Brandon's message is the same: don't coast into the finish line. Get clear on the exact target. Understand why it matters to your family and your future. Identify the gap. Then reverse engineer it all the way down to the monthly, weekly, and daily actions that are within your control. Brandon also breaks down why standards become even more important when things get difficult. Anybody can talk about being different when business is good. The separation happens when the market gets harder, results aren't coming as quickly, and everyone around you starts slowing down. That's when you find out what your standard actually is. They dive into holding your team accountable without giving up on them, having the hard conversations you've been avoiding, protecting your culture, and why great leaders can't constantly jump in and save the day. Sometimes the best thing you can do for someone is give them enough room to struggle, solve the problem, and build the confidence that only comes from making it through the pressure themselves. Most importantly, Brandon challenges you to stop making your effort contingent on your circumstances. The market doesn't decide your effort. Your results don't decide your effort. Your team doesn't decide your effort. You do. Anchor the work to something that matters so much that quitting is no longer an option. Surround yourself with people who are fighting toward the same standard. Then take action—even when it's hard, even when it isn't perfect, and especially when everyone else starts tapping out. You still have time. Finish what you started. Leave everything on the field. And make sure when you look back on this year, you know you did your part. Links: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whatever-it-takes-podcast/id1811772757 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhateverItTakesPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0sSzR7yw3PiVBCMNhzYBg6 Join our free Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16VU4A8d8A/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Private equity can completely change the future of your business—but only if you build the right company and choose the right partnership. On this episode of the Whatever It Takes Podcast, Brandon J and Joey Yak break down what business owners should be thinking about long before they ever consider a private equity deal. Brandon shares lessons from his own experience growing Brandon J Roofing and eventually entering a private equity partnership. From clean financials and strong margins to job costing, leadership infrastructure, retail revenue, and building a company that doesn't collapse without its founder, he explains what can make a business more attractive and valuable to potential partners. But preparing the company is only part of it. Brandon explains why owners need to develop leaders who can carry the standard without them, reward the people who helped build the business, and create a vision big enough for their team's dreams to fit inside it. A great business shouldn't depend on one person to survive. They also dive into something that gets overlooked when people start dreaming about a massive exit: preparing yourself for the money. If you haven't developed the discipline to manage wealth before the deal, suddenly receiving millions of dollars won't automatically create that discipline. Brandon challenges owners to build their financial foundation, strengthen their identity, and become capable of stewarding the opportunity before it arrives. The goal isn't simply to sell your company. It's to build a profitable machine, develop great people, create options, and put yourself in a position where you don't NEED the deal. Then, if the right opportunity comes, you can choose a partnership capable of changing your team's and family's lives for generations. If private equity is part of your long-term vision, start preparing for it now.   Links: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whatever-it-takes-podcast/id1811772757 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhateverItTakesPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0sSzR7yw3PiVBCMNhzYBg6 Join our free Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16VU4A8d8A/?mibextid=wwXIfr

On this solo episode of the Whatever It Takes Podcast, Brandon J shares his story from the beginning—the parts of his life that are easy to see today and the ones that aren't. Long before the business, success, or life he has now, Brandon spent years believing that a better future simply wasn't meant for someone like him. He entered the juvenile system at 12, dropped out of school at 16, battled addiction, spent nearly a decade incarcerated, and eventually reached a point where he felt completely trapped by the life he had created. Then came the moment that changed everything. After hitting rock bottom, Brandon began rebuilding his life through faith, sobriety, humility, discipline, and a willingness to finally accept that his way wasn't working. He started repairing relationships, returned to construction, and eventually took a chance on himself and started a company with Kelly believing in him when he struggled to believe in himself. What began with small handyman jobs eventually became a roofing company that grew from roughly $550,000 to $3 million, $6 million, $10 million, and ultimately $30 million in annual revenue. But Brandon makes it clear that the numbers aren't the point of the story. The transformation of the person behind those numbers is. Brandon shares the lessons he learned about finding the right people, holding a higher standard, investing in personal development, getting into rooms with people ahead of him, preparing before the opportunity arrives, protecting his marriage and family, and staying aligned with the vision God placed on his life. Most importantly, this conversation is for anyone who has ever looked at their past or current circumstances and decided they're too far gone. Your struggle might look different from Brandon's. But the lesson is the same: where you started doesn't have to determine where you finish. Stop disqualifying yourself. Stop living as the victim of your past. Decide who you want to become, put in the work, stay faithful, and relentlessly pursue the life you know you're capable of building. If Brandon could turn his life around, maybe it's time to believe you can too.   Links: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whatever-it-takes-podcast/id1811772757 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhateverItTakesPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0sSzR7yw3PiVBCMNhzYBg6 Join our free Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16VU4A8d8A/?mibextid=wwXIfr

On this episode of the Whatever It Takes Podcast, Brandon J breaks down what it really means to become a leader—and why leadership has far less to do with a title and everything to do with influence, responsibility, and example. Using the five levels of leadership as a framework, Brandon explains the progression from people following you because they have to, to becoming the kind of leader people trust because of who you are, what you represent, and the impact you've had on their lives. But getting there requires more than becoming great at your job. Brandon explains why the next level of leadership happens when the focus shifts from "look what I can do" to "look what they can do." Great leaders don't just produce results—they develop people. He also breaks down one of the biggest mistakes leaders make: constantly stepping in to solve every problem. While it might feel like you're helping, you could actually be robbing your people of the experiences they need to develop confidence, resilience, and ownership. Sometimes leadership means stepping back, allowing someone to struggle, and coaching them as they learn to solve the problem themselves. Brandon also challenges leaders to have the conversations they're avoiding, stop tolerating behavior that threatens the culture, and live the same standards they expect from everyone around them. Because your team doesn't need another boss telling them what to do. They need someone willing to lead from the front, invest in who they're becoming, and take responsibility for helping them win. They're betting their lives on you. Make sure they win. Links: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whatever-it-takes-podcast/id1811772757 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhateverItTakesPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0sSzR7yw3PiVBCMNhzYBg6 Join our free Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16VU4A8d8A/?mibextid=wwXIfr