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What does it take to set an ambitious goal and actually achieve it? In this episode of Be Better Tribe, I sit down with Emily Byrne, a former Division I athlete who transitioned from marketing into sales and became the fastest-promoted SDR in Gong history. Emily shares her journey of taking risks, overcoming rejection, and embracing discomfort to accelerate her career. We discuss how her competitive mindset, daily habits, curiosity, and commitment to continuous improvement helped her achieve a goal she set on her very first day. Key Takeaways: Get comfortable being uncomfortable: Growth happens when you push beyond what's familiar.Bet on yourself: Don't let fear or rejection prevent you from pursuing bigger opportunities.Build winning habits: Consistency, preparation, and daily routines create long-term success.Stay curious: Learn from others, seek feedback, and continuously improve your craft.Embrace the ups and downs: Life and career growth are never linear. The challenges make success more rewarding.Emily's story is a reminder that success isn't just about talent. It's about grit, discipline, and the willingness to do what others won't. Show up, stay consistent, and always remember to be better.

In this episode of the Be Better Tribe Podcast, I sit down with longtime colleague and friend Nate Pullen, Director of SDR at Gong. After working together across three companies and more than seven years, Nate and I reflect on leadership, career growth, resilience, and the mindset behind sustained success. Nate shares his unconventional journey from the Marine Corps and running a restaurant to becoming an SDR and quickly moving into leadership. We explore what separates top performers from everyone else: discipline over motivation, genuine curiosity, coachability, humility, and the willingness to take action even when things get difficult. We also dive into overcoming negativity, embracing adversity, finding purpose in your work, and why the obstacles we face can become some of our greatest opportunities for growth. Key Takeaways: Discipline and consistency beat motivation.Stay curious and seek answers instead of waiting for them.Coachability requires humility and a willingness to learn.Obstacles, failure, and adversity are opportunities for growth.Focus your energy on what you can control.Your systems and daily actions ultimately shape your future.When things get hard: “Shut up, suit up, and show up.”Success isn't about avoiding difficult moments. It's about developing the mindset, habits, and discipline to keep moving through them. Show up. Stay consistent. And always remember to be better.

Every meaningful choice comes with a trade-off. In this episode, I reflect on how the decisions we make with our careers, relationships, health, and time shape where we ultimately end up. I share personal examples of choosing growth over comfort and how different decisions can compound over time. The goal isn’t to sacrifice everything—it’s to be intentional about what you’re saying yes to and what you’re willing to say no to. Key Takeaways: Every yes means saying no to something else.Get clear on your priority.Name the trade-off you’re willing to make.Build systems that support the choices that matter most.The choices you make today shape where you’ll be tomorrow. Show up, stay consistent, and always remember to be better.

Sometimes the biggest turning points in life start with one simple decision: show up. In this episode of Be Better Tribe, I share a childhood story about nearly skipping an Olympic Development Program soccer tryout because I felt too young, too small, and convinced I wouldn’t make the team. I went anyway, had one of my best days of soccer, and made the team. That moment became a reminder I still carry with me today: showing up doesn’t guarantee success, but it gives you a chance. Key Takeaways: Showing up creates opportunities.Being uncomfortable is often part of growth.Don’t count yourself out before you even try.The right people can push you forward when you doubt yourself.You don’t need to know the outcome to give yourself a chance.Whether it’s a new job, a difficult challenge, or something that scares you, put yourself in the arena. You never know what can happen when you simply decide to show up. Show up. Stay consistent. Be better.

In this episode of Be Better Tribe, I reflect on the importance of building core memories, having fun, and not taking life too seriously. A weekend with my son, parents, and family at a Raiders game reminded me how easy it is to miss those moments when we are too focused on how we look, what others think, or simply trying to play it cool. That realization hit me when I almost let a special moment with my son pass by. Thankfully, the weekend turned into a core memory, from meeting Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty to experiencing my son’s first Raiders game together. Key Takeaways: Be present when special moments are happening.Your energy shapes the experience of those around you.Don’t let worrying about what others think steal the fun.Make time to build memories with the people you love.Life moves fast, so enjoy it while you can.Sometimes becoming better is simply about letting go, being present, and having fun. Show up. Stay consistent. And always remember to be better.

Inspired by my recent conversation with Morgan J. Ingram, I explore how his career changed when he stopped approaching his SDR role halfway and decided to fully commit. I also share how that same lesson applies beyond our careers, from leadership and personal growth to being fully present as a father. Key takeaways: Name the roles that matter most to you.Define the behaviors that commitment requires.Measure your reps and track your progress.Ask for coaching and stay open to feedback.Remove the escape hatch, focus on improving where you are, and stop assuming the grass is greener somewhere else. Full commitment means showing up consistently, embracing the work in front of you, and giving yourself the opportunity to grow before deciding that something better exists elsewhere. Show up. Be committed. Have fun. And always remember to be better.

In this episode of Be Better Tribe, I sit down with sales leader, creator, and entrepreneur Morgan J. Ingram to talk about his journey from struggling as a new SDR to becoming one of the most recognizable voices in sales. Morgan shares how committing fully to his role changed the trajectory of his career, why creating the SDR Chronicles opened doors he never expected, and how building a personal brand helped him create opportunities beyond his resume. Key Takeaways: Success starts with fully committing to what you're doing.Build your brand by curating valuable information and sharing what you're learning.In a world filled with AI-generated noise, trust and authenticity matter more than ever.Take relationships from URL to IRL — meet people, build genuine connections, and stay in touch. The conversation also explores what it takes to stand out in an AI-driven world. Morgan believes trust is becoming the most valuable currency, and the people who win will be those who combine technology with strong human communication. He breaks down his approach to becoming more magnetic, intuitive, and consistent, along with his URL → IRL strategy for turning digital relationships into meaningful real-world connections. Show Up. Stay Consistent. Be Better

In this episode of Be Better Tribe, I explore the idea of living in a “microwave society,” a world where we’ve become conditioned to expect results almost instantly. Inspired by a concept shared by Q Myers on the Locked On Raiders podcast, I reflect on how instant gratification can impact our careers, health, goals, and willingness to stick with something when progress feels slow. Through personal stories from my soccer career, marathon training, and leadership journey, I share why some of the most meaningful accomplishments require patience, consistency, and a willingness to embrace the process. Key Takeaways: Extend the timeline: If the goal truly matters, be willing to give yourself more time to achieve it.Measure the reps before the results: Celebrate the workouts, habits, conversations, and small wins that eventually create the outcome.Create a no-quit window: Commit to giving something your best effort for a defined period of time, and don’t make the decision to quit during your hardest moment.Remember: your present self wants comfort, but your future self wants the results that come from today’s discomfort. Success can happen quickly, but we shouldn’t expect everything worthwhile to come easily. Focus less on how fast you’re getting there and more on whether you’re continuing to move forward. Show up. Stay consistent. And always remember to be better.

In this episode of Be Better Tribe, I sit down with longtime friend and former teammate Anton Peterlin to talk about his journey from college soccer at UC Santa Cruz and Cal Poly to signing with Everton, playing professionally in England, and eventually becoming a doctor and surgeon in Denmark. Anton shares lessons on work ethic, resilience, relationships, and what he learned from competing alongside world-class athletes. Key Takeaways Talent matters, but work ethic and mental resilience separate the best.Surround yourself with people who support, challenge, and believe in you.Small, consistent steps can lead to extraordinary opportunities.Put yourself out there and build relationships around shared interests.When things get difficult, lean on people you trust. The conversation goes beyond soccer, exploring the habits that helped Anton transition from professional athlete to medicine: working hard, setting small goals, using time intentionally, and staying open to opportunities. He also highlights the importance of meaningful relationships, seeking different perspectives, and building a community you can rely on. At its core, this episode is about believing in yourself, doing the work, asking for help when needed, and continuing to move forward through difficult times.

Getting promoted is about more than doing your job well. It is about taking ownership of your career, building a strong reputation, and proving you are ready for the next level before the opportunity arrives. In this episode of the Be Better Tribe Podcast, I share five lessons from over a decade of leading and coaching people to advance their careers. At the core are two simple ideas: be the best at what you do and build your brand. I break down why choosing the right company and leader matters, why no one will care more about your career than you, and how building relationships outside your immediate team can open unexpected doors. I also discuss the importance of developing the skills of the next role while excelling in the one you have today. If you are early in your career or aiming for your next promotion, this episode will help you think differently about growth. Key Takeaways Choose wisely. Find a company, role, and leader who actively develop and promote people.Own your career. Seek feedback, find mentors, pursue stretch opportunities, and take responsibility for your growth.Build your brand beyond your team. Develop relationships across the organization and become known for delivering value.Operate at the next level. Start practicing the skills and mindset of the role you want next.Be great where you are. Consistently deliver strong results and stand out as a top performer. Take a moment to evaluate your current role, leader, and company and ask yourself if they are truly setting you up for growth. Identify one skill required for your next role and start developing it this week. Reach out to someone outside your immediate team to build a new relationship. Ask your manager for direct feedback on what is needed for your next promotion. Most importantly, focus on delivering exceptional results in your current role while intentionally preparing for the one you want next. Show up. Stay consistent. Be better.

In this episode of the Be Better Tribe Podcast, I sit down with Matt Roberts, a sales development leader and co-host of the Top Shelf Outbound Leadership Podcast. Matt shares his unconventional journey from reality TV and bartending into tech sales, where he became a top-performing SDR and eventually moved into leadership. We talk about what it really takes to perform at a high level, why most career paths aren’t linear, and how great leaders help people find what works best for them. We also break down the traits Matt consistently sees in top performers: coachability, curiosity, resilience, strong work ethic, and the ability to stay consistent even when the work gets repetitive. Matt also emphasizes one of his core beliefs: your network is your net worth. Building real relationships, staying curious, and asking for help can open far more doors than applying blindly ever will. Key Takeaways Career paths do not have to be linear to be successful.A lot of success happens behind the scenes when no one is watching.Strong leaders create environments where people learn from each other.Consistency with the basics often beats constant reinvention.Your network is one of your most valuable career assets.Asking for help is more powerful than most people realize. Matt’s story is a reminder that success is built through consistency, relationships, and a willingness to keep learning no matter where you start. Show up. Stay consistent. Be better.

Building good habits is not about perfection, but consistency and getting back on track when life gets in the way. In this episode of the Be Better Tribe Podcast, I revisit Atomic Habits by James Clear and the idea of “never miss twice.” I share how travel, busy schedules, and marathon training have disrupted my routines, and what I’ve learned about staying consistent through it all. I also talk about habit tracking, why visible progress keeps you motivated, and why one missed day doesn’t have to break your momentum. Key Takeaways Small habits create meaningful change over time.Habit tracking builds accountability and motivation.Missing once is normal; avoid missing twice.Consistency means starting again, not being perfect.Getting back on track quickly matters most. The real challenge isn’t avoiding mistakes, it’s how quickly you recover from them. One missed day is part of life, but two can become a pattern. The goal is to make it easier to restart than to quit, and to always focus on the next right action. Show up. Stay consistent. And always remember to be better.

What will matter most when your life comes to an end? In this episode of the Be Better Tribe Podcast, I reflect on The Top Five Regrets of the Dying by Bronnie Ware and the powerful lessons shared by people in the final chapter of their lives. Their regrets are not about money, titles, or success. They are about how they lived, loved, and spent their time. I share how these lessons have challenged me to think differently about work, family, friendships, and the choices I make every day. My hope is that this conversation gives you a chance to pause and think about what matters most in your own life. Key Takeaways Have the courage to live a life true to yourself.Work hard, but do not let work become your only identity.Tell the people you love how you feel.Choose happiness through gratitude, presence, and purpose. Life is shaped by the choices we make every day. We cannot change the past, but we can decide how we show up today. If this episode inspires even one conversation, one new habit, or one step toward the life you want to live, then it was worth having. Show up. Stay consistent. Be better.

In Episode 29 of the Be Better Tribe Podcast, I welcome back Eric Branagan-Franco for World Cup Part 2. Eric and I reflect on the World Cup experience, from attending the United States’ knockout round victory at Levi’s Stadium to watching the final together with friends and family. We discuss the passion of the fans, the cultures that came together throughout the tournament, and how soccer created a rare moment of unity and celebration. We also share our thoughts on VAR and technology in sports, the inspiring underdog stories that emerged throughout the tournament, and the players whose lives changed after receiving an opportunity on the world’s biggest stage. Key Takeaways: • How the World Cup brings people together • Why one opportunity can change everything • Balancing technology with the flow of the game & life • Creating core memories with our children Soccer may be a game, but the World Cup represents something much bigger. It reminds us of the power of community, the importance of celebrating different cultures, and the joy that comes from experiencing something special with the people we care about. Show up. Stay consistent. Be better.

In Episode 28 of the Be Better Tribe Podcast, I reflect on Mindset by Carol Dweck and the impact it continues to have on my life. I have read or listened to this book three or four times, and each time I walk away with something new. In this episode, I explore the difference between understanding a growth mindset and actually living it—especially when things do not go as planned. Key Takeaways: The difference between having a growth mindset and practicing oneWhy setbacks and challenges are opportunities to learnThe importance of detaching your identity from the outcomeHow ordinary people can become extraordinary through effort, learning, and consistency One result, failure, or difficult moment does not define who you are. Growth comes from staying focused on the process, continuing to learn, and believing that you are capable of becoming more. Show up. Stay consistent. Be better.