The Determined Society with Shawn French | Adversity & Mindset

Determined Society Podcast | Overcoming Adversity & Mindset

The Determined Society with Shawn French is a weekly interview podcast exploring determination, mental toughness, adversity, and mindset through raw conversations with athletes, authors, and public figures. Host Shawn French unpacks how his guests break norms, rebuild identity, and develop the habits that fuel long term success, going beyond the headlines into the real stories behind the personas. Each episode digs into questions like: What drives a bestselling author to challenge the status quo? How does an athlete rebuild identity beyond the game? How do public figures use their platform to spark real change? These aren't soundbite interviews. They're honest, unscripted conversations about mental health, resilience, and what it actually takes to keep a commitment after the motivation fades. Expect humor. Expect heart. Expect breakthrough insights, whether it's a book that reshapes how people think, the impact of fame on mental health, or how athletes are redefining what success looks like off the field. If you're driven, curious, and want real conversations with the people shaping culture, business, and sport, The Determined Society is your show. New episodes weekly.

  1. 1h ago

    Garrett J. White Built a $20M Life… Then Asked Himself, “For What?”

    In this deeply vulnerable episode of The Determined Society, Shawn French sits down with Garrett White for a conversation about identity, success, marriage, fatherhood, faith, surrender, ego, and what happens when the life you built no longer fits the person you're becoming.By the time Garrett White was 30, he had built a fortune in mortgages and real estate, competed in Ironman races and ultramarathons, and created a life that looked like success from the outside.Then it all came crashing down.In 2008, his money, businesses, marriage, and identity were underwater at the same time. Instead of asking how to become more comfortable, Garrett began asking a much harder question:How do I become the strongest possible human being in every area of my life?That question eventually led to the creation of Wake Up Warrior, a system that has trained tens of thousands of men.But years later, Garrett found himself confronting an uncomfortable truth: he had spent years teaching men how to “have it all,” while realizing that having it all did not necessarily mean being free.Together, they explore: • Losing his identity after sports and searching for a new purpose • The 2008 collapse that changed everything • How money, success, and achievement became Garrett’s identity • The “never enough” mindset and the illusion that more will finally bring fulfillment • Moving from motivation to discipline, process, and doing the simple work every day • How marriage and communication forced Garrett to confront the man he had become • Building a life of prosperity that somehow still felt like a prison • The difference between having it all and actually being free • Why Garrett began pursuing peace instead of constantly fighting for more • Surrendering control and dismantling the identity of “Garrett White” piece by piece • Contraction vs. collapse, and recognizing the warnings before everything falls apart • Faith, God, surrender, and discovering what was underneath the pursuit of success • Why Wake Up Warrior may have been built to wake Garrett up • Letting go of an old identity to create something new • Garrett’s powerful definition of determination: “Nothing and everything.” This episode is about what happens when success stops being enough. It’s about the courage to question the identity you've spent years building, the willingness to surrender what no longer serves you, and the determination to keep moving when you don't even know what the destination looks like.Watch the full episode now on The Determined Society.Connect with Shawn Frenchhttps://pillar.io/theshawnfrench  Subscribe to our newsletter for all updates and heavy doses of DETERMINATION:https://thedeterminedsociety.com  Subscribe on Apple/Spotify:Apple- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/determined-society-with-shawn-french-adversity-mindset/id1555922064 Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/5kS9tkLGQLcVyRgB3mDznw?si=184c18d1b9d44f53Connect with Garrett J. White Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garrettjwhite/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@garrett.j.white LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrett-j-white-0b8768313/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/GarrettJWhite Website: https://wakeupwarrior.com/ The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French — a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms. Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it — and leave a review. It helps more than you know. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Garrett J. White Built a $20M Life… Then Asked Himself, “For What?”
  2. Sep 21

    How Anthony Perera Built a $200M Company, Lost It and Bought It Back

    In the new episode of The Determined Society, Shawn French sits down with Anthony Perera, founder of Air Pros USA and Exuma Capital Partners, for a powerful conversation on entrepreneurship, brand building, risk, loss, loyalty, fatherhood, mindset, and what it really takes to rebuild after watching something you built fall apart. The episode dives into different chapters of Anthony’s life, including: • Starting his first magazine business with a $10,000 loan meant for tuition• Selling magazines at events with no experience and no safety net• Learning that perception becomes reality in business• Taking risks before the money was there• Building brands across media, hospitality, HVAC, technology, and capital• Launching Air Pros USA with one truck and his father• Using bold branding to stand out in a crowded home services market• Scaling Air Pros into a $200M+ company• Stepping down as CEO and watching the company be dismantled• Losing massive paper net worth and facing public criticism• Learning who was loyal when things got hard• Buying back the Florida legacy operations through Exuma Capital• Why mindset, positive energy, and family matter during pressure• Building companies that create real impact for employees and operators This conversation goes beyond business success. It is about risk, resilience, loyalty, fatherhood, reputation, and the determination to keep building even after the company you created is taken apart piece by piece. Watch the full episode now on The Determined Society. Connect with Shawn https://pillar.io/theshawnfrench  Subscribe to our newsletter for all updates and heavy doses of DETERMINATION: https://thedeterminedsociety.com  Subscribe on Apple/Spotify: Apple- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/determined-society-with-shawn-french-adversity-mindset/id1555922064  Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/5kS9tkLGQLcVyRgB3mDznw?si=184c18d1b9d44f53  Connect with Anthony PereraLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyperera Website: https://exumafunds.com/  The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French — a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms. Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it — and leave a review. It helps more than you know. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    How Anthony Perera Built a $200M Company, Lost It and Bought It Back
  3. Sep 18 ·  Bonus

    Dose of Determination- The Promise

    What happens when you stop negotiating with yourself and start doing what you said you were going to do? In the first-ever Dose of Determination, Shawn French breaks down a simple but powerful truth: real change starts by keeping the promises you make to yourself. Determination is not about waiting for motivation. It is about showing up when you are tired, frustrated, overwhelmed, or simply do not feel like doing the work. Whether your promise is getting to the gym, starting the business, making the extra sales calls, improving your health, or being more present with your family, every promise you keep builds confidence, discipline, and self-trust. In this episode, Shawn shares why discipline matters more than motivation, why self-shame does not create growth, and why becoming the person capable of achieving your goals starts with what you do today. Ask yourself: What is the one thing I keep telling myself I am going to do but continue putting off? Make the promise. Keep the promise. Visit TheDeterminedSociety.com to join the community and stay connected with everything happening inside The Determined Society. If this episode hits home, share it with someone who needs their own Dose of Determination. Stay Determined. Join The Determined Society- https://thedeterminedsociety.com/   The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French — a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms. Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it — and leave a review. It helps more than you know. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Dose of Determination- The Promise
  4. Sep 14

    How Justin Colby Built a Real Estate Empire From Rock Bottom

    In the new episode of The Determined Society, Shawn French sits down with Justin Colby, real estate investor, entrepreneur, coach, speaker, and podcast host, for a powerful conversation on failure, discipline, fatherhood, wealth, health, ego, and what it really takes to keep going when life knocks everything out from under you. The episode dives into different chapters of Justin’s life, including: • Losing everything during the market crash• Sleeping on a friend’s couch with no car, no money, and no place to live• Making 100 phone calls a day for months with almost no results• Growing up with alcoholic parents and building a “so what, now what?” mentality• The five laws of success• Removing time expectations from your goals• Why most people quit too soon• Fatherhood, marriage, pressure, and the weight men carry• Building businesses through KPIs, sales, and relentless execution• The hardest financial year of his life in 2024• Ego, humility, and rebuilding with clarity• Health, longevity, wealth, and planning for the long game• Why happiness, family, and freedom matter more than chasing more This conversation goes beyond real estate and entrepreneurship. It is about scars, resilience, discipline, clarity, and the kind of determination it takes to keep moving forward when there is no easy way out. Watch the full episode now on The Determined Society. Connect with Shawn https://link.me/shawnmf32 Subscribe to our newsletter for all updates and heavy doses of DETERMINATION: https://thedeterminedsociety.com Subscribe on Apple/Spotify: Apple- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/determined-society-with-shawn-french-adversity-mindset/id1555922064 Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/5kS9tkLGQLcVyRgB3mDznw?si=184c18d1b9d44f53 Connect with Justin ColbyFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thejustincolby/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejustincolby/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejustincolbyWebsite: https://justincolby.tv/ The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French — a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms. Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it — and leave a review. It helps more than you know. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    How Justin Colby Built a Real Estate Empire From Rock Bottom
  5. Sep 7

    WWE Loss Into Reinvention | Daria Berenato on Breaking Norms & Overcoming Adversity

    In the new episode of The Determined Society, Shawn French sits down with Daria Berenato for a powerful conversation on reinvention, identity, WWE, entrepreneurship, authenticity, trauma, healing, and building life without permission. The episode dives into different chapters of Daria’s life, including: • Growing up with a drive for independence• The South Jersey “shut up and do it” mentality• Launching Demon and the meaning behind Built Without Permission• Being doubted and still choosing to show up• Walking into an MMA gym as a teenage girl• Becoming the first female WWE talent with an MMA background• Coming out on national television• Living authentically and helping others feel seen• Losing her WWE identity after ten years• Winning a championship, tearing her ACL, and not getting renewed• Healing, ayahuasca, and learning to let things flow• Surviving a terrifying home invasion and stalking incident• PTSD, safety, and the deeper story behind Demon• Reinvention, purpose, and finding her fire again This conversation goes beyond wrestling and entertainment. It is about identity, courage, heartbreak, authenticity, healing, and the determination to keep building even when life strips away the version of you that everyone knew. Listen to the full episode now on The Determined Society.Connect with Shawn https://link.me/shawnmf32 Subscribe to our newsletter for all updates and heavy doses of DETERMINATION: https://thedeterminedsociety.com Subscribe on Apple/Spotify: Apple- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/determined-society-with-shawn-french-adversity-mindset/id1555922064 Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/5kS9tkLGQLcVyRgB3mDznw?si=184c18d1b9d44f53 Connect with Daria Berenato Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedariaraeberenato/ Website: https://www.thedariarae.com/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thedariarae The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French — a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms. Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it — and leave a review. It helps more than you know. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    WWE Loss Into Reinvention | Daria Berenato on Breaking Norms & Overcoming Adversity
  6. Aug 31

    From Wall Street to Breaking Norms | Adversity & Rebuilding

    In the new episode of The Determined Society, Shawn French sits down with Jay Roberts for a powerful conversation on adoption, ambition, Wall Street, failure, rebuilding, real estate, health, family, and what it really means to play the long game. The episode dives into different chapters of Jay’s life, including: • Being adopted from Korea and raised in America • Growing up with a single mother and no safety net • Turning insecurity into drive • Losing family during the financial crisis • Why success is built through process, not shortcuts • The power of writing goals down • Building a vision for your life, family, and business • Wall Street, investment banking, and extreme work ethic • Public failure and starting over in Miami • Real estate, big deals, and thinking bigger • Health, longevity, and quality of life • Family, presence, freedom, and what really matters This conversation goes beyond money and business. It is about process, resilience, ownership, health, family, and building a life that is not just successful on paper, but meaningful in real life. Connect with Shawn  https://link.me/shawnmf32  Subscribe to our newsletter for all updates and heavy doses of DETERMINATION: https://thedeterminedsociety.com  Subscribe on Apple/Spotify:  Apple- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/determined-society-with-shawn-french-adversity-mindset/id1555922064  Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/5kS9tkLGQLcVyRgB3mDznw?si=184c18d1b9d44f53 Connect with Jay Roberts  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayroberts/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayroberts  Website: https://www.jayroberts.com/ The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French — a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms. Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it — and leave a review. It helps more than you know. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    From Wall Street to Breaking Norms | Adversity & Rebuilding
  7. Aug 24

    Ulysses Diaz: Breaking Norms From Prison to Knockout Power | Adversity & Discipline

    Ulysses "Uly Monster" Diaz broke cycles of adversity, prison, and street life by walking into a boxing gym at 35. In this raw conversation, he opens up about breaking norms, fatherhood, faith, and the discipline that transformed his identity. One of combat sports' fastest knockout artists shares how accountability and daily discipline changed everything.  Together, we dive into: • Growing up in Miami with no male role models • Learning to fight at six years old • Street life, prison, and the consequences of bad choices • Touring with Pitbull and still trying to find his path • The moment he asked God to pull him out • Starting his fight career at 35 • The discipline and accountability of the boxing gym • One of the fastest knockouts in combat sports history • Fatherhood, marriage, faith, and family • His son’s cancer battle and what it taught him • Why consistency is the key to changing your life • Letting go of people who cannot grow with you This episode is about redemption, faith, fatherhood, consequences, discipline, and the determination to stop repeating the past and become the man your family needs you to be. Watch the full episode now on The Determined Society  #thedeterminedsociety #shawnfrench #ulyssesdiaz #ulymonster #bareknuckleboxing #bkfc #boxing #combatsports #fightermindset #faith #fatherhood #redemption #resilience #comebackstory #inspiration Connect with Ulysses Diaz Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uly_monster/ X: https://x.com/Uly_MONSTER Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Ulysses-Diaz-100063488343637/   Connect with Shawn https://link.me/shawnmf32 Subscribe to our newsletter for all updates and heavy doses of DETERMINATION: https://thedeterminedsociety.com Subscribe on Apple/Spotify: Apple- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/determined-society-with-shawn-french-adversity-mindset/id1555922064 Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/5kS9tkLGQLcVyRgB3mDznw?si=184c18d1b9d44f53 The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French — a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms. Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it — and leave a review. It helps more than you know. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Ulysses Diaz: Breaking Norms From Prison to Knockout Power | Adversity & Discipline
  8. Aug 17

    Grief Into Purpose | Susan Malzoni on Determination Adversity and Meaning

    Adversity and loss can destroy families—or forge them. Susan Malzoni shares how protecting her peace, preserving family energy, and building intentional wellness habits became her path to honoring her son and late husband Victor. In this raw conversation, discover the discipline, boundaries, and purpose-driven mindset that transformed grief into a blueprint for lasting resilience and connection. This conversation explores what it means to speak kindly to yourself, move through fear, protect your energy, and choose purpose even in life’s hardest seasons. In this episode, we dive into: • Protecting your energy and keeping your circle aligned • Why connection at home matters • Women, insecurity, confidence, and support • Men’s mental health and emotional expression • Health, wellness, supplements, and biohacking culture • Speaking kindly to your body and practicing gratitude • The difference between motivation and determination • Taking fear out of decision-making • Grief, resilience, and moving forward after loss • Honoring Victor’s legacy through dogs and rescue work • Relationships, shared passions, and creating a meaningful life This episode is a powerful reminder that healing does not always mean hiding from pain. Sometimes it means choosing purpose, protecting your peace, loving what still remains, and finding the positive even in life’s hardest moments. Connect with Susan Malzoni  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanmalzoni/  Connect with Shawn  https://link.me/shawnmf32  Subscribe to our newsletter for all updates and heavy doses of DETERMINATION:  https://thedeterminedsociety.com  Subscribe on Apple/Spotify:  Apple- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/determined-society-with-shawn-french-adversity-mindset/id1555922064  Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/5kS9tkLGQLcVyRgB3mDznw?si=184c18d1b9d44f53 The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French — a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms. Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it — and leave a review. It helps more than you know. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Grief Into Purpose | Susan Malzoni on Determination Adversity and Meaning
4.5
out of 5
347 Ratings

About

The Determined Society with Shawn French is a weekly interview podcast exploring determination, mental toughness, adversity, and mindset through raw conversations with athletes, authors, and public figures. Host Shawn French unpacks how his guests break norms, rebuild identity, and develop the habits that fuel long term success, going beyond the headlines into the real stories behind the personas. Each episode digs into questions like: What drives a bestselling author to challenge the status quo? How does an athlete rebuild identity beyond the game? How do public figures use their platform to spark real change? These aren't soundbite interviews. They're honest, unscripted conversations about mental health, resilience, and what it actually takes to keep a commitment after the motivation fades. Expect humor. Expect heart. Expect breakthrough insights, whether it's a book that reshapes how people think, the impact of fame on mental health, or how athletes are redefining what success looks like off the field. If you're driven, curious, and want real conversations with the people shaping culture, business, and sport, The Determined Society is your show. New episodes weekly.