Born to Be Great

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Born to Be Great is for people who know they’re meant for more — more success, growth, and purpose. Hosted by Justin Block, entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist, and Nick Ralston, a former Dallas Cowboy turned entrepreneur and investor. This show explores what it takes to win - in business, life, and most importantly within yourself. They bring on top guests, from elite athletes to world-class entrepreneurs - people who are the best at what they do. If you're chasing greatness, this is where it starts.

  1. MAY 11

    Self-Improvement Truth: Enter the Right Room, Build a Champion's Mindset

    What separates good leaders from elite ones? In this episode of Born to Be Great, Justin and Nick break down leadership lessons from some of the greatest figures in sports, including Tom Brady, Mike Krzyzewski, Kirby Smart, and more. They explore how championship-level leaders build trust, motivate teams, and create cultures that drive performance both on and off the field. This conversation dives into leadership, accountability, networking, and how to create real value in today’s fast-changing world. Key Takeaways 🟦 Leadership is built on trust and accountability 🟦 Motivation must be tailored to individuals 🟦 Ownership drives performance and commitment 🟦 Networking creates long-term opportunities 🟦 Adaptability is critical in a changing world (00:00) Intro (00:44) The Grind and The Startup Life (01:01) Lessons from the GOATs (03:54) Understanding Motivation and Emotional Intelligence (08:02) Building Culture Through Team Ownership (12:23) The Challenge of High Turnover (22:21) Beating AI with Human Value (23:43) Tactical Networking and Value Creation 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes of Born to Be Great — real conversations on discipline, leadership, and becoming who you’re capable of being. Born To Be Great: 🔵 Justin’s Instagram 🔵 Nick’s Instagram ⚪ Born To Be Great Instagram ⚪ Born To Be Great YouTube

    30 min

  2. APR 22

    He Was 5th String… Now He’s a Super Bowl Champion | Ian Book

    What does it really mean to stay ready? In this episode of Born to Be Great, Justin and Nick sit down with the winningest quarterback in Notre Dame history and a Super Bowl champion to break down the mindset behind preparation, leadership, and winning at the highest level. Ian shares his journey from being a fifth-string quarterback to becoming a record-breaking starter, along with lessons learned from competing in the NFL and playing alongside elite athletes. This conversation explores discipline, patience, team culture, and how the habits built in sports can translate into success in business and life. Key Takeaways 🟦 Preparation creates opportunity 🟦 Culture drives winning teams 🟦 Patience is a competitive advantage 🟦 Leadership is built on trust and consistency 🟦 Discipline compounds into long-term success (01:08) Notre Dame Legend Intro (1:42) Recruiting Journey (5:45) Winning Culture (7:52) College Bonds vs NFL (10:40) Notre Dame Network (13:35) College vs NFL Grind (15:00) NFL Stops and Super Bowl (17:04) Coaches and Team Culture (21:09) Mahomes Leadership Lessons (22:40) Dak and QB Room Dynamics (23:43) QB Room Brotherhood (24:48) Cowboys Brand Machine (25:42) Stadium Monetization Playbook (27:42) Culture Lessons From Walton (28:18) From QB To Real Estate (30:05) Golden Legacy Growth Stats (33:46) Sports Real Estate Future (36:48) Jacksonville Stadium District (38:42) Winning Drives Communities (43:00) Stay Ready Mindset (46:26) Pressure Into Purpose (48:59) Closing Thanks And Where To Find Ian 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes of Born to Be Great — real conversations on discipline, leadership, and becoming who you’re capable of being. Born To Be Great: 🔵 Justin’s Instagram 🔵 Nick’s Instagram ⚪ Born To Be Great Instagram ⚪ Born To Be Great YouTube

    50 min

  3. APR 13

    CEO Reveals How to Build a Business Worth Selling w/ Brendan Keegan

    What separates average operators from elite leaders? In this episode of Born to Be Great, Justin and Nick sit down with Brendan Keegan — CEO, investor, and multi-exit entrepreneur — to break down what it takes to build and scale successful businesses. Brendan shares lessons from leading turnarounds, raising billions in capital, and developing leadership teams that drive long-term growth. This conversation explores leadership, culture, mentorship, decision-making, and why most people struggle not because of talent — but lack of clarity. Key Takeaways 🟦 Leadership starts with people and culture 🟦 Clarity drives better decisions 🟦 Failure is part of growth 🟦 Mentorship accelerates success 🟦 Discipline and systems create results (01:04) Meet Brendan Keegan (02:11) Building Leaders for Exits (05:36) Dare To Disrupt Pillars (11:13) Hiring Leaders Over Experts (14:33) Raising Capital With Humility (18:38) Becoming a CEO Generalist (22:16) Frontline Ideas That Win (27:47) bFearless Ventures (32:18) Most People Lack Clarity (35:43) Planning Your Career Like Travel (38:59) Intentional Pivots (41:52) Owning a Racing Team (43:29) Greatness Means Balance (45:42) Where to Find Brendan 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes of Born to Be Great — real conversations on discipline, leadership, and becoming who you’re capable of being. Born To Be Great: Justin’s Instagram: 🔵 Justin’s Instagram 🔵 Nick’s Instagram ⚪ Born To Be Great Instagram ⚪ Born To Be Great YouTube

    47 min

  4. APR 6

    Your Limits Aren't Real: James Lawrence Did 100 Ironmans in 100 Days & This Is What He Found

    What are you actually capable of if you remove your limits? In this episode of Born to Be Great, Justin and Nick sit down with James Lawrence, known as the Iron Cowboy, to explore what it takes to push beyond physical and mental boundaries. James shares lessons from completing 100 Ironmans in 100 days, along with insights on discipline, suffering, endurance, and why most people settle far below their true potential. This conversation dives into mindset, systems, environment, and how doing hard things reshapes who you are—in business, fitness, and life. Key Takeaways 🟦 Most limits are self-imposed 🟦 Hard experiences build resilience 🟦 Systems create discipline 🟦 Environment shapes identity 🟦 Growth requires discomfort (0:00) Intro (01:27) Early Morning Run (02:27) Why Everyone Should Ultra (03:47) From Fun Run to Ironmans (05:03) Raising Standards (06:30) Origins of Grit (07:35) Do Hard Things (11:27) Your Circle Matters (13:18) NFL Culture and Standards (15:43) Find Your Wolf Pack (19:32) Greatness Recognizes Greatness (22:35) Monthly Challenges at 50 (25:00) Training Threshold Explained (26:29) Commit365 Challenge (27:27) Mental vs Physical Limits (28:28) 21-Day Water Fast Reset (30:45) Entrepreneurship Mindset (33:09) Discipline is Just a Byproduct (37:25) Business Ventures Portfolio (39:27) Why Not Burn Ships (43:20) "Being Great" Legacy (44:47) Where to Find James 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes of Born to Be Great — real conversations on discipline, leadership, and becoming who you’re capable of being. Born To Be Great: Justin’s Instagram: 🔵 Justin’s Instagram 🔵 Nick’s Instagram ⚪ Born To Be Great Instagram ⚪ Born To Be Great YouTube

    45 min

  5. APR 1

    Why Will Grier Says Winning Has Nothing to Do With Greatness

    Talent will get you noticed. Adversity will define you. In this episode of Born to Be Great, Justin and Nick sit down with NFL quarterback Will Grier to explore the reality behind success, setbacks, and staying mentally strong under pressure. Will shares his journey from being a starting quarterback at Florida, navigating public controversy, transferring schools, and rebuilding his career at West Virginia to playing in the NFL and winning a Super Bowl. This conversation dives into mindset, leadership, personal branding, faith, and what it takes to perform when everything is on the line. Key Takeaways 🟦 Confidence starts before success 🟦 Adversity builds identity 🟦 Mindset separates elite performers 🟦 Leadership requires emotional control 🟦 Team culture drives success. (00:00) Intro (00:57) Welcome and Gator Talk (01:24) Growing Up With Vine Stars (04:27) Fame Pressure (06:42) Social Media Branding (09:12) Florida Season and NCAA Suspension (13:22) Transfer Rules and West Virginia Choice (15:11) Starting a Family and New Mindset (17:49) Mental Coach and Mindfulness Routine (20:07) Visualization and High Performance (23:37) Bounced Around the League (27:08) Leading Team Emotions (28:54) Super Bowl Culture Formula (32:24) NFL Lessons for Business (34:17) Systems and Endurance (41:08) Defining Greatness (42:58) Where to Find Will 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes of Born to Be Great — real conversations on discipline, leadership, and becoming who you’re capable of being. Born To Be Great: Justin’s Instagram: 🔵 Justin’s Instagram 🔵 Nick’s Instagram ⚪ Born To Be Great Instagram ⚪ Born To Be Great YouTube

    44 min

  6. MAR 23

    Why the Underdog Has the Biggest Advantage | Edgar Jones on Success Mindset & Self-Improvement

    You weren’t supposed to make it—and that might be your biggest advantage. In this episode of Born to Be Great, Edgar Jones shares the story behind his “64”—the number he was given in the NFL because no one expected him to last—and how that underdog mindset shaped his life and leadership. This conversation explores identity, self-awareness, leadership, and the internal stories that drive performance. Edgar breaks down why presence is one of the most powerful tools a leader has, why comparison kills growth, and how slowing down creates better execution. He also introduces practical frameworks for feedback, mindset, and personal development—helping you lead yourself and others at a higher level. Key Takeaways 🟦 Everyone carries an underdog story 🟦 Presence is a leadership advantage 🟦 Comparison limits performance 🟦 Slowing down improves clarity 🟦 Your internal story shapes your results (00:00) - Intro (00:54) - Welcome and Tornado Update (02:04) - Meet Edgar and the #64 Story (05:23) - Owning #64 (07:32) - College Injuries and Helmet Meaning (10:41) - Presence as Leadership Currency (14:57) - Slow Down to Speed Up (18:15) - Tactical Shifting in Business (21:22) - Balancing Health Work and Family (24:31) - Setting Boundaries (25:32) - Work As Avoidance (26:23) - Facing Silence and Stress (29:20) - Action Beats Anxiety (30:37) - Stories Shape Behavior (31:52) - Rewriting Your Inner Script (33:39) - Need To Feel Enough (35:52) - Affirmations on Repeat (38:01) - Rewiring Through Repetition (40:29) - Coaching and Journal Plug (43:50) - Definition of Greatness (46:18) - Where to Find Edgar 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes of Born to Be Great —real conversations on discipline, leadership, and becoming who you’re capable of being. Born To Be Great: Justin’s Instagram: 🔵 Justin’s Instagram 🔵 Nick’s Instagram ⚪ Born To Be Great Instagram ⚪ Born To Be Great YouTube .

    47 min

  7. MAR 16

    The NFL QB Who Built a 6-Figure Business Before He Even Graduated | Sean Clifford

    Elite athletes aren’t just competing on the field anymore. Many are building businesses and investing while still playing. In this episode of Born to Be Great, Justin and Nick sit down with NFL quarterback and Rose Bowl MVP Sean Clifford to talk about football, entrepreneurship, and the evolving business of sports. Sean shares stories from his time at Penn State, winning the Rose Bowl, launching one of the first NIL agencies in college athletics, and representing athletes across the country before selling the company. He also discusses life in the NFL, lessons learned from quarterbacks like Joe Burrow and Joe Flacco, and why locker rooms can become powerful ecosystems for innovation and business development. Today, Sean is building Clifford Capital, a venture firm investing in companies that start in the sports world and scale into massive global markets. Key Takeaways 🟦 NIL opened massive opportunities for college athletes 🟦 Athletes can build businesses during their playing careers 🟦 Sports ecosystems create powerful startup pipelines 🟦 Patience and persistence drive long-term success (00:00) Intro (01:11) Cincy Hat Foundation (01:39) Recruiting Then vs NIL Now (03:32) Why Penn State Chose Him (04:22) College Football Pressure Cooker (05:21) Rose Bowl MVP Memories (06:45) Whiteout and College Dreams (08:02) NIL Origin Story (10:17) Scaling Limitless NIL Nationwide (13:18) Selling the Company (14:28) Transition to Life Now (16:28) Learning From Joe Burrow (18:37) Mentorship and Time Compression (20:23) Clifford Capital Investing Thesis (23:48) Athletes to Business Bridge (26:44) The Art of Waiting (28:26) Wrap Up and Next Connections 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes of Born to Be Great—real conversations on discipline, leadership, and becoming who you’re capable of being. Born To Be Great: Justin’s Instagram: 🔵 Justin’s Instagram 🔵 Nick’s Instagram ⚪ Born To Be Great Instagram ⚪ Born To Be Great YouTube .

    29 min

  8. MAR 11

    Why Private Equity is Buying Sports Teams | Sports Business & Investing

    Sports are no longer just games. They’re becoming one of the fastest-growing investment ecosystems in the world. In this episode of Born to Be Great, Justin and Nick break down the massive capital flowing into sports, from stadium developments and private equity investments to media rights, sports betting, and real estate. Justin shares the announcement of the Sporting JAX stadium project and explains how modern teams are building vertically integrated ecosystems that combine sports, entertainment, and real estate. The conversation explores why investors are targeting sports franchises, how stadium developments generate year-round revenue, and why owning the land around the stadium may be the most valuable asset of all. They also discuss the future of sports ownership, fan engagement, media rights, and why live sports may become even more valuable in an AI-driven world. Key Takeaways 🟦 Sports franchises are evolving into full entertainment ecosystems 🟦 Real estate around stadiums is often the biggest revenue driver 🟦 Institutional capital is rapidly entering sports ownership 🟦 Live sports will likely increase in value in the AI era (0:00) Catch Up And March Outlook (1:50) Sporting Jax Stadium Reveal (3:55) Vertical Integration Explained (6:56) Cowboys Model And Monetization (12:24) Braves Battery Numbers Breakdown (13:39) College Stadiums And Premium Seats (14:57) Sports Betting And Live Demand (16:43) Why Teams Keep Getting Pricier (17:36) Capital Flooding Into Sports Funds (19:42) Big Money Enters Sports (20:37) CAA Deal And Ovitz (22:57) Why Sports Belong In Portfolios (24:08) Fan Ownership And Scarcity (28:26) Jaguars Dream And Community Build (31:05) Free Agency Quick Hits (32:12) 300 Spartans Closing Mindset 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes of Born to Be Great — real conversations on discipline, leadership, and becoming who you’re capable of being. Born To Be Great: Justin’s Instagram: 🔵 Justin’s Instagram 🔵 Nick’s Instagram ⚪ Born To Be Great Instagram ⚪ Born To Be Great YouTube .

    32 min
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About

Born to Be Great is for people who know they’re meant for more — more success, growth, and purpose. Hosted by Justin Block, entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist, and Nick Ralston, a former Dallas Cowboy turned entrepreneur and investor. This show explores what it takes to win - in business, life, and most importantly within yourself. They bring on top guests, from elite athletes to world-class entrepreneurs - people who are the best at what they do. If you're chasing greatness, this is where it starts.

Information

  • Creator
    Unknown
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Explicit