WIT Podcast Whatever It Takes

Brandon James

Introducing the WIT Podcast: Whatever It Takes Life has been a wild ride for me—full of ups and downs, wins and losses. 6.5 years ago, I walked out of prison with nothing. I was given another chance at life, and I made a promise to myself and to God: I would give it everything I've got, hold nothing back, and leave it all on the field. I committed to doing Whatever It Takes. Since then, the journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. From scaling a business from $0 to $55 million, navigating setbacks, closing private equity deals, and helping others grow, I've learned that success isn't just about the wins—it's about failing forward, staying consistent, and relentlessly pursuing growth. The WIT Podcast isn't just about professional growth; it's about real, raw experiences—the kind that transform every area of your life. We're here to share the hard truths, the strategies that work, and the lessons learned from doing Whatever It Takes. This isn't just a podcast; it's a blueprint for anyone ready to take on life's challenges and come out stronger.

  1. 9 hr ago

    87. Become the Leader You're Meant to Be | Brandon J, Ben Newman & Matt Adams

    On this episode of the Whatever It Takes Podcast, we're bringing together three of our most impactful leadership conversations into one powerful compilation. Brandon J starts by breaking down why leadership begins with identity, explaining that before you can reach the next level in business or life, you must first become the person capable of sustaining it. Through his own journey, he shares how changing the way he saw himself became the foundation for everything that followed. Next, Brandon is joined by Ben Newman, who dives into what separates elite performers from everyone else. Ben shares the concept of The Burn—the internal fire that keeps champions showing up long after motivation fades and success arrives. He explains why uncommon leaders embrace the details, stay coachable, and refuse to let success become the reason they stop growing. To close the episode, former MLB standout Matt Adams shares what it takes to compete at the highest level year after year. From the sacrifices he made before reaching the Major Leagues to the mindset required to keep earning his spot, Matt reveals why consistency, humility, and never taking your foot off the gas are the qualities that separate good athletes—and good leaders—from the truly exceptional. Whether you're leading a business, building a team, pursuing a dream, or simply striving to become a better version of yourself, this episode connects three powerful conversations around one message: great leadership isn't built by talent alone—it starts with your identity, is fueled by your purpose, and is sustained by the standards you choose to live every single day. 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

    33 min
  2. 29 Jun

    85. How to Recover and Come Back Better Than Ever

    On this episode of the Whatever It Takes Podcast, Joey Yak sits down with Brandon J to explore what it truly means to recover and come back stronger than ever. Whether you're recovering from addiction, trauma, failure, divorce, financial hardship, or simply a difficult season in life or business, Brandon shares why every comeback begins with one decision: taking extreme ownership. He opens up about his own journey from rock bottom, the lessons that transformed his life, and why your past doesn't have to define your future—it can become your greatest asset. The conversation dives into the difference between shame and conviction, the power of daily disciplines, building a stronger relationship with yourself, and why true recovery isn't about changing overnight—it's about stacking small wins one day at a time. Brandon explains how faith, integrity, consistency, and personal responsibility create the foundation for lasting transformation, and why every setback can be used as fuel for your next chapter. Whether you're fighting through personal struggles, rebuilding your business, or simply trying to become a better leader, this episode will remind you that your comeback starts the moment you decide to stop being a victim, own your story, and take the next right step. 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

    28 min
  3. 24 Jun

    84. Avenues to Revenue | Stop Waiting and Start Creating Opportunities

    On this episode of the Whatever It Takes Podcast, Joey Yak sits down with Brandon J to break down a concept that every salesperson, entrepreneur, and business owner needs to understand: Avenues to Revenue. Brandon shares the exact mindset and strategies that helped build an $85 million company, explaining why top performers never rely on a single source of business. Instead, they learn how to create opportunities through multiple channels, ensuring their success is never dependent on market conditions, luck, or someone else handing them leads. The conversation dives into door knocking, referrals, social media, relationship building, pipeline management, and the importance of mastering one revenue source before expanding into the next. Brandon explains why sales professionals must learn to create their own opportunities, how leaders can develop self-sufficient teams, and why the goal is to teach people how to fish instead of simply feeding them. Whether you're a business owner looking to grow your company or a salesperson trying to increase your production, this episode will challenge you to take control of your pipeline, maximize every avenue available to you, and stop waiting for opportunities to show up. Learn how to create them yourself. 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

    41 min
  4. 22 Jun

    83. The Reason Your Company Culture Is Failing

    On this episode of the Whatever It Takes Podcast, Joey Yak sits down with Brandon J to tackle a hard truth that many leaders avoid: if your culture is struggling, the problem starts with you. Brandon shares the lessons he learned while building his company, including the realization that culture is not created by words on a wall—it is created by the standards leaders are willing to uphold and the behaviors they are willing to tolerate. The conversation dives into accountability, leadership, ownership, and why culture is ultimately a reflection of the leader at the top. Brandon breaks down how to identify culture problems before they become company-wide issues, why high-performing organizations require low tolerance for excuses, and how leaders can create environments where people are inspired to grow instead of simply collecting a paycheck. He explains the importance of leading by example, building trust, creating ownership, and developing people who are aligned with the mission. Whether you're leading a business, managing a team, or building a culture from the ground up, this episode will challenge you to take an honest look in the mirror and ask one simple question: where could I be better? Because when leaders grow, everything around them grows 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   Download The Leadership Accountability Cheat Sheet here: https://coaching.justdowit.com/the-leadership-accountability-cheat-sheet-page

    31 min
  5. 17 Jun

    82. The Power of We | Why Great Leaders Never Win Alone

    On this episode of the Whatever It Takes Podcast, Joey Yak sits down with Brandon J to discuss one of the most powerful forces behind sustained success: The Power of We. Brandon shares why individual talent can only take you so far, and how the right environment, culture, and accountability can unlock levels of growth that most people could never achieve on their own. From leadership and personal development to team building and culture creation, this conversation breaks down why success is rarely a solo journey. Brandon explains how anchoring your goals to people you care about creates a deeper level of commitment, why great leaders must lead from the front, and how strong cultures are built through standards, vision, and consistency—not motivation. The conversation also explores coachability, willingness, leadership development, and why creating leaders who create leaders is the key to building a lasting business. Whether you're leading a company, a team, or your family, this episode will challenge you to take ownership of the environment you're creating and ask yourself a simple question: are the people around you becoming better because of your leadership? 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

    40 min
  6. 15 Jun

    81. When Success Becomes The Enemy

    On this episode of the Whatever It Takes Podcast, Joey Yak sits down with Brandon J to discuss one of the most overlooked threats to growth: success itself. While most entrepreneurs spend their lives trying to achieve success, very few are prepared for what happens once they get it. Brandon breaks down how success can quietly become the enemy when leaders lose their urgency, stop doing the things that got them there, and begin settling for comfort instead of continuing to pursue their full potential. The conversation dives into the seduction of success, identity ceilings, leadership development, and why so many people abandon their dreams the moment they achieve a level of comfort they've never experienced before. Brandon explains why great leaders must help people stay aligned with their vision, why developing leaders creates ripple effects far beyond business, and how discipline, accountability, and intentional focus are required to keep growing when most people would choose to settle. If you've ever felt yourself getting comfortable, distracted, or stuck after achieving a win, this episode will challenge you to raise your standards, stay the course, and refuse to let good rob you of great. 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

    44 min

About

Introducing the WIT Podcast: Whatever It Takes Life has been a wild ride for me—full of ups and downs, wins and losses. 6.5 years ago, I walked out of prison with nothing. I was given another chance at life, and I made a promise to myself and to God: I would give it everything I've got, hold nothing back, and leave it all on the field. I committed to doing Whatever It Takes. Since then, the journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. From scaling a business from $0 to $55 million, navigating setbacks, closing private equity deals, and helping others grow, I've learned that success isn't just about the wins—it's about failing forward, staying consistent, and relentlessly pursuing growth. The WIT Podcast isn't just about professional growth; it's about real, raw experiences—the kind that transform every area of your life. We're here to share the hard truths, the strategies that work, and the lessons learned from doing Whatever It Takes. This isn't just a podcast; it's a blueprint for anyone ready to take on life's challenges and come out stronger.

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