The Deep End with Eric Triplett

Eric Triplett
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The Deep End with Eric Triplett is a show for contractors, builders, tradespeople, entrepreneurs, and leaders who want to sharpen their mindset, elevate their performance, and build remarkable lives. Hosted by Eric Triplett — "The Pond Digger" — a lifelong tradesman and 7-figure contractor, this podcast dives into leadership, sales communication, business systems, discipline, and personal mastery… all grounded in Eric's decades of experience in construction, aquatics, and high-level coaching. Here, you'll also hear powerful conversations on aquatics, wildlife, and the water world that shaped Eric's career — from ponds and koi to aquariums and life outdoors. Whether you're running crews, running a business, or running toward a better version of yourself, this show challenges you to go deeper through depth, discipline, and diligence. Welcome to The Deep End — where trades meet transformation.

  1. 1D AGO

    S2-EP19: Jumping the Shark… or Leading the Pack?

    Eric addresses a client's critique that his recent business decisions—specifically adding a Belgian Malinois to his crew—constitute "jumping the shark." Triplet uses this pop-culture reference to explain that what spectators perceive as a desperate or gimmicky decline is actually a strategic evolution for his brand. He reveals that the dog serves as both a security detail against death threats and a safety measure in rattlesnake-prone job sites, illustrating the gap between public perception and leadership reality. By reflecting on past risks, such as signing a million-dollar lease during a recession, he argues that true growth often looks like madness to those outside the process. The episode is a motivational call for leaders to embrace bold risks and ignore the discomfort of onlookers while leveling up their professional capabilities.  Key Takeaways: Embrace the discomfort of growth even when spectators or skeptics suggest that you have lost your way. Evaluate your major life decisions based on whether they expand your capabilities rather than just adding noise. Take calculated risks that align with your long-term vision, even when the timing feels uncertain or scary. Invest in your own development by teaching others, which forces you to become a better communicator and leader. Surround yourself with a community of growth-minded individuals who provide the peer pressure needed to reach the next level. 🚨 Sign Up for Eric's Email List 👉 https://forms.gle/QdcEbai6yPmpzhyn7 🔱 Links & Resources 🛠 Business & Sales Tools Contractor Sales Secrets https://contractorsalessecrets.com/ Book a Call with Eric Triplett https://www.twtcontractorcoaching.com/callwithtriplett FREE Contractor Sales Training https://www.twtcontractorcoaching.com/cc 🌿 Pond Industry Resources The Pond Digger https://theponddigger.com/ Helix Pond Filtration http://helixpondfiltration.com/ Fitz Fish Ponds – Koi Trips https://fitzfishponds.com/koi-trips/ Pond Trade Magazine https://www.pondtrademag.com/ 💼 Sponsors LiveSwitch https://join.liveswitch.com/TheDeepEnd 📅 Events & Communities TWT Contractor Circle (Facebook Group) https://www.facebook.com/groups/twtcontractorcircle TWT Contractor Power Circle (Facebook Group) https://www.facebook.com/groups/twtcontractorpowercircle 📱 Social Media The Pond Digger on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theponddigger The Pond Digger on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theponddigger Train With Triplett on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@trainwithtriplett

    32 min

  2. 3D AGO

    S2-EP18: Storytime With Triplett - The TeamWork Test

    Today Eric argues that a company's primary challenge is not marketing or pricing, but rather the quality of its people. Drawing on leadership principles from Natalie Dawson, he describes a rigorous behavioral filtering process used at a recent job fair to identify high-performance candidates. Triplet emphasizes that technical skills are secondary to cultural alignment, noting that he disqualified the majority of applicants for failing to research the company or demonstrating poor professional etiquette. By treating teamwork as a filter rather than a feeling, he asserts that elite teams are built through high standards and high-volume interviewing.  Key Takeaways: Research the company thoroughly before any interview to demonstrate your commitment and alignment with their mission. Prioritize character and behavior over technical skills when building a team, as technical gaps are often easier to train than poor attitudes. Pay close attention to small details and habits, such as punctuality and how you conduct yourself in public, because they reflect your overall work ethic. Increase your volume of interactions and interviews to ensure you are selecting elite performers rather than simply filling a position with a warm body. Be specific about your goals and expectations to show that you are a decisive individual with a clear sense of direction and purpose. 🚨 Sign Up for Eric's Email List 👉 https://forms.gle/QdcEbai6yPmpzhyn7 🔱 Links & Resources 🛠 Business & Sales Tools Contractor Sales Secrets https://contractorsalessecrets.com/ Book a Call with Eric Triplett https://www.twtcontractorcoaching.com/callwithtriplett FREE Contractor Sales Training https://www.twtcontractorcoaching.com/cc 🌿 Pond Industry Resources The Pond Digger https://theponddigger.com/ Helix Pond Filtration http://helixpondfiltration.com/ Fitz Fish Ponds – Koi Trips https://fitzfishponds.com/koi-trips/ Pond Trade Magazine https://www.pondtrademag.com/ 💼 Sponsors LiveSwitch https://join.liveswitch.com/TheDeepEnd 📅 Events & Communities TWT Contractor Circle (Facebook Group) https://www.facebook.com/groups/twtcontractorcircle TWT Contractor Power Circle (Facebook Group) https://www.facebook.com/groups/twtcontractorpowercircle 📱 Social Media The Pond Digger on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theponddigger The Pond Digger on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theponddigger Train With Triplett on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@trainwithtriplett

    36 min

  3. 5D AGO

    S2-EP17: Contractor Triage: Where Your Business Is Really Bleeding

    Today's show centers around the concept of contractor triage, a diagnostic framework designed to identify and repair critical failures in a business. Eric argues that simple sales training is often ineffective because it fails to address deeper "wounds" such as unstable mindsets, leadership deficiencies, and a lack of financial clarity. To achieve long-term stability, entrepreneurs must move beyond the role of a technician to become an effective operator who understands their numbers and communication patterns. The discussion highlights five specific bleed zones, including money mindset and identity, which must be stabilized before a business can successfully grow. Ultimately, the source emphasizes the necessity of vulnerability and peer support within a professional community to survive the high-pressure "battlefield" of contracting. Key Takeaways: • Determine your precise "daily nut" and overhead costs to ensure every business decision is based on actual data rather than guesswork. • Audit your leadership style and company culture to create an environment that naturally attracts high performers instead of blaming the labor market. • Identify and replace scarcity-based money mindsets with an abundance perspective to prevent subconscious sabotage during sales conversations. • Utilize personality profiling tools like DISC or the Enneagram to better understand and adapt your communication style to the needs of others. • Commit to transitioning your professional identity from a hands-on technician to a strategic business operator to achieve long-term stability and growth. 🚨 Sign Up for Eric's Email List 👉 https://forms.gle/QdcEbai6yPmpzhyn7 🔱 Links & Resources 🛠 Business & Sales Tools Contractor Sales Secrets https://contractorsalessecrets.com/ Book a Call with Eric Triplett https://www.twtcontractorcoaching.com/callwithtriplett FREE Contractor Sales Training https://www.twtcontractorcoaching.com/cc 🌿 Pond Industry Resources The Pond Digger https://theponddigger.com/ Helix Pond Filtration http://helixpondfiltration.com/ Fitz Fish Ponds – Koi Trips https://fitzfishponds.com/koi-trips/ Pond Trade Magazine https://www.pondtrademag.com/ 💼 Sponsors LiveSwitch https://join.liveswitch.com/TheDeepEnd 📅 Events & Communities TWT Contractor Circle (Facebook Group) https://www.facebook.com/groups/twtcontractorcircle TWT Contractor Power Circle (Facebook Group) https://www.facebook.com/groups/twtcontractorpowercircle 📱 Social Media The Pond Digger on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theponddigger The Pond Digger on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theponddigger Train With Triplett on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@trainwithtriplett

    1h 9m

  4. FEB 13

    S2-EP16: It Must Be Nice... But You Don't See The Risk?

    Eric explores the deep connection between business expansion and the moral responsibility of a leader. He argues that true success is not about personal luxury, but about building a massive "umbrella" of opportunity where employees can fulfill their own financial and personal dreams. Reflecting on his thirty-five-year career, he describes moving from a fear-based survival mindset to one of intentional risk-taking for the sake of his community, family, and team. He emphasizes that high service costs are necessary to sustain an infrastructure for life, allowing him to provide for his staff and fund his wife's dream of a wildlife rehabilitation center. The episode serves as a call for leaders to embrace aggressive growth and rigorous recruiting to create a legacy of collective achievement. Key Takeaways: Shift your focus from individual success to building a platform that allows everyone around you to grow and achieve their own dreams. Regularly sit down with your team to understand their personal, professional, and financial goals so you can help align their daily work with their long-term vision. Have the courage to charge what you are worth so you can build a sustainable machine that provides a high quality of life for your family and employees. Take massive action and embrace calculated risks instead of waiting for perfection, as progress is often made through feedback in the midst of the work. Create an environment that encourages others to start dreaming again by showing them that a bigger, more fulfilling life is possible through shared success. 🚨 Sign Up for Eric's Email List 👉 https://forms.gle/QdcEbai6yPmpzhyn7 🔱 Links & Resources 🛠 Business & Sales Tools Contractor Sales Secrets https://contractorsalessecrets.com/ Book a Call with Eric Triplett https://www.twtcontractorcoaching.com/callwithtriplett FREE Contractor Sales Training https://www.twtcontractorcoaching.com/cc 🌿 Pond Industry Resources The Pond Digger https://theponddigger.com/ Helix Pond Filtration http://helixpondfiltration.com/ Fitz Fish Ponds – Koi Trips https://fitzfishponds.com/koi-trips/ Pond Trade Magazine https://www.pondtrademag.com/ 💼 Sponsors LiveSwitch https://join.liveswitch.com/TheDeepEnd 📅 Events & Communities TWT Contractor Circle (Facebook Group) https://www.facebook.com/groups/twtcontractorcircle TWT Contractor Power Circle (Facebook Group) https://www.facebook.com/groups/twtcontractorpowercircle 📱 Social Media The Pond Digger on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theponddigger The Pond Digger on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theponddigger Train With Triplett on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@trainwithtriplett

    33 min

  5. FEB 9

    S2-EP15: Sales Pathology: What's Wrong With The Way Contractors Talk

    Eric introduces the concept of "sales pathology", which he defines as a repeated pattern of dysfunction in how contractors communicate with potential clients. He argues that many professionals suffer from "speech disorders" in sales—such as inconsistent pacing, over-explaining, or sounding uncertain—which ultimately destroy trust and lead to lost revenue. By comparing these issues to physical ailments or speech impediments, he emphasizes that these behaviors require specialized diagnosis and rigorous training to correct. Triplett highlights live role-playing as the essential "prescription" for identifying these hidden flaws that marketing alone cannot fix. Furthermore, the discussion touches on leadership and legacy, exploring how contractors can grow their businesses while supporting the personal goals of their employees. Through community accountability, Eric aims to help contractors break through financial plateaus and achieve a better quality of life. Key Takeaways: Identify and address your personal "sales pathologies," which are repeated patterns of dysfunctional communication that can create distrust and lower your value with clients. Commit to regular role-play training with peers to expose and correct communication blind spots that you may not be able to identify on your own. Maintain a consistent tone and cadence throughout your sales conversations, ensuring you sound just as confident when discussing pricing as you do when explaining the technical scope of work. Prioritize improving your sales communication skills before increasing your marketing budget to ensure you don't waste new leads on a dysfunctional sales process. Surround yourself with a community or peer group that provides the necessary pressure and accountability to help you maintain high standards and continuous professional growth. 🚨 Sign Up for Eric's Email List 👉 https://forms.gle/QdcEbai6yPmpzhyn7 🔱 Links & Resources 🛠 Business & Sales Tools Contractor Sales Secrets https://contractorsalessecrets.com/ Book a Call with Eric Triplett https://www.twtcontractorcoaching.com/callwithtriplett FREE Contractor Sales Training https://www.twtcontractorcoaching.com/cc 🌿 Pond Industry Resources The Pond Digger https://theponddigger.com/ Helix Pond Filtration http://helixpondfiltration.com/ Fitz Fish Ponds – Koi Trips https://fitzfishponds.com/koi-trips/ Pond Trade Magazine https://www.pondtrademag.com/ 💼 Sponsors LiveSwitch https://join.liveswitch.com/TheDeepEnd 📅 Events & Communities TWT Contractor Circle (Facebook Group) https://www.facebook.com/groups/twtcontractorcircle TWT Contractor Power Circle (Facebook Group) https://www.facebook.com/groups/twtcontractorpowercircle 📱 Social Media The Pond Digger on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theponddigger The Pond Digger on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theponddigger Train With Triplett on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@trainwithtriplett

    1h 6m

  6. FEB 6

    S2-EP14: Doing the Right Thing, is Always The Right Thing.

    Eric reflects on the long-term rewards of personal integrity and taking full responsibility for professional mistakes. He shares how compensating a client for a lost fish, despite feeling taken advantage of, eventually led to a six-figure contract a year later. Another anecdote describes how returning a consultation fee after failing to follow through resulted in a massive project years down the line. Triplett argues that doing the right thing should be an identity rather than a business strategy, as it eliminates mental friction and builds a lasting reputation.  Key Takeaways: Adopt an identity of always doing the right thing, even when it is not easy or when others advise you to act defensively. Take full ownership of any failures or mistakes in your business or personal life and commit to fixing them at any cost. Identify and resolve "loose ends" from your past by reaching out to people you owe an apology or clarity to, regardless of how much time has passed. View the costs associated with correcting your errors as "tuition" for learning how to improve your systems and character. Focus on the long game of integrity to build a reputation that eventually attracts success and opportunities with minimal friction. 🚨 Sign Up for Eric's Email List 👉 https://forms.gle/QdcEbai6yPmpzhyn7 🔱 Links & Resources 🛠 Business & Sales Tools Contractor Sales Secrets https://contractorsalessecrets.com/ Book a Call with Eric Triplett https://www.twtcontractorcoaching.com/callwithtriplett FREE Contractor Sales Training https://www.twtcontractorcoaching.com/cc 🌿 Pond Industry Resources The Pond Digger https://theponddigger.com/ Helix Pond Filtration http://helixpondfiltration.com/ Fitz Fish Ponds – Koi Trips https://fitzfishponds.com/koi-trips/ Pond Trade Magazine https://www.pondtrademag.com/ 💼 Sponsors LiveSwitch https://join.liveswitch.com/TheDeepEnd 📅 Events & Communities TWT Contractor Circle (Facebook Group) https://www.facebook.com/groups/twtcontractorcircle TWT Contractor Power Circle (Facebook Group) https://www.facebook.com/groups/twtcontractorpowercircle 📱 Social Media The Pond Digger on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theponddigger The Pond Digger on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theponddigger Train With Triplett on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@trainwithtriplett

    42 min

  7. FEB 2

    S2-EP13: Why the Best Obsess Over the Smallest Things.

    Today's episode is centered on the philosophy of "inches and ounces," which emphasizes that massive success is built on tiny, precise nuances. Eric uses professional athletes like Kobe Bryant and Tiger Woods to illustrate how elite performers detect minute discrepancies that others overlook. He applies this concept to business by highlighting how small shifts in communication, such as reframing a request for a favor into an informative offer, can significantly increase customer engagement. The discussion also covers the importance of emotional intelligence and personality types, specifically how understanding "triads" like anger or anxiety helps leaders manage employees more effectively.  Key Takeaways: Focus on the "inches and ounces" of your craft, as small nuances and attention to detail often determine the difference between success and failure in business and relationships. Reframe your communication from asking for favors to providing value or sharing information, as customers are more likely to engage when they feel they are gaining something. Foster deeper employee engagement by learning about their personal dreams and showing them how they can fulfill those aspirations while working under your leadership. Develop a "poker face" during stressful interactions by taking a deep breath before responding to ensure your reactions remain professional and calm. Set a high standard for new hires by asking what research they have done on your company to immediately identify candidates who are truly passionate rather than just looking for a paycheck. 🚨 Sign up for Eric's Email List:  🚨 🔱 Links and Resources Business & Sales Tools Contractor Sales Secrets Book a Call with Eric Triplett  FREE Contractor Sales Training Pond Industry Resources The Pond Digger Helix Pond Filtration EasyPro Pond Products CORAL—The Reef & Marine Aquarium Magazine Atlantic-Oase Fitz Fish Ponds – Koi Trips  Pond Trade Magazine Hikari Fish Food Sponsors LiveSwitch Events & Communities TWT Contractor Circle (Facebook Group) TWT Contractor Power Circle (Facebook Group) Social Media The Pond Digger on Instagram The Pond Digger on Facebook Train With Triplett on TikTok

    1h 19m

  8. JAN 30

    S2-EP12: Why Contractors Think They'll Figure It Out (And Why It's Costing Them Everything).

    Eric addresses the psychological hurdles and financial risks contractors face when refusing professional guidance. He argues that while many business owners believe they can figure it out alone, this independent path often results in wasted time, lost profit margins, and severe personal strain. By collapsing time, coaching allows operators to avoid repetitive mistakes and move from being merely "good" to achieving intentional growth. He uses real-world examples, such as social media messaging and pricing strategies, to demonstrate how small shifts in perspective can yield significant returns. The episode serves as an invitation for contractors to prioritize their time and health by investing in mentorship rather than learning everything the hard way. Key Takeaways: Stop trying to figure everything out on your own and instead learn from the experiences of others to collapse the time it takes to reach your goals. Shift your messaging from being about yourself and your needs to focusing on how you provide value and serve your community or clients. Reevaluate your schedule to recognize that a lack of time is often a priority problem that can be solved by removing friction and focusing on proactive growth. Strive for greatness rather than settling for being "good enough," as true success involves creating opportunities and a bigger vision for those who work for you. Seek outside perspectives to identify the personal and professional blind spots that you are unable to see on your own. 🚨 Sign up for Eric's Email List:  🚨 🔱 Links and Resources Business & Sales Tools Contractor Sales Secrets Book a Call with Eric Triplett  FREE Contractor Sales Training Pond Industry Resources The Pond Digger Helix Pond Filtration EasyPro Pond Products CORAL—The Reef & Marine Aquarium Magazine Atlantic-Oase Fitz Fish Ponds – Koi Trips  Pond Trade Magazine Hikari Fish Food Sponsors LiveSwitch Events & Communities TWT Contractor Circle (Facebook Group) TWT Contractor Power Circle (Facebook Group) Social Media The Pond Digger on Instagram The Pond Digger on Facebook Train With Triplett on TikTok

    36 min
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5
out of 5
158 Ratings

About

The Deep End with Eric Triplett is a show for contractors, builders, tradespeople, entrepreneurs, and leaders who want to sharpen their mindset, elevate their performance, and build remarkable lives. Hosted by Eric Triplett — "The Pond Digger" — a lifelong tradesman and 7-figure contractor, this podcast dives into leadership, sales communication, business systems, discipline, and personal mastery… all grounded in Eric's decades of experience in construction, aquatics, and high-level coaching. Here, you'll also hear powerful conversations on aquatics, wildlife, and the water world that shaped Eric's career — from ponds and koi to aquariums and life outdoors. Whether you're running crews, running a business, or running toward a better version of yourself, this show challenges you to go deeper through depth, discipline, and diligence. Welcome to The Deep End — where trades meet transformation.

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