Determined Society with Shawn French | Adversity & Mindset

Shawn French | Adversity & Determination Expert

The Determined Society with Shawn French is a weekly interview podcast exploring determination, 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. 6d ago

    From Fifth Overdose to $115M | Breaking Limiting Beliefs in Adversity

    Eric Spofford survived five overdoses and rebuilt his entire life through discipline and spiritual growth. In this raw conversation, he reveals the moment of surrender that led to sobriety on December 7, 2006—and how the habits forged in recovery became the competitive edge that built and sold a $115 million enterprise. A masterclass in overcoming obstacles, breaking limiting beliefs, and turning adversity into actionable discipline. In this episode, we dive into: Eric's fifth overdose and the reality of late-stage addiction Getting sober on December 7, 2006 What surrender really meant for him The difference between abstinence and true recovery Losing friends to the opioid epidemic Building sober houses and treatment centers Scaling a recovery business to a $115M exit Learning business through relentless self-education The loneliness that comes with success Why money and material things do not create fulfillment Fatherhood, character, loyalty, and human connection This is a raw conversation about addiction, recovery, loss, leadership, success, money, loneliness, and the determination to rebuild a life that once felt impossible to save. Connect with Eric Spofford Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericspofford/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjv2eT-tACaCYO18wSllyNg LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-spofford-grc Connect with Shawn: https://link.me/shawnmf32 Newsletter + more: https://thedeterminedsociety.com Follow The Determined Society 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.

    From Fifth Overdose to $115M | Breaking Limiting Beliefs in Adversity
  2. Aug 3

    The Discipline Behind Keeping More | Tax Secrets with Enrolled Agent Karlton Dennis

    Karlton Dennis, CEO of Tax Alchemy and former athlete turned tax strategist, reveals the discipline and identity shift required to build lasting wealth. In this conversation, Shawn French and Karlton explore the mental toughness that helped him transition from sports to entrepreneurship, the tax strategies high-earners use to keep more of what they make, and how breaking norms around money shapes your financial legacy. A powerful conversation on discipline, overcoming obstacles, and the authentic conversations that change lives. 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=498fc35ecc814a9e 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.

    The Discipline Behind Keeping More | Tax Secrets with Enrolled Agent Karlton Dennis
  3. Jul 13

    Building Legacies Through Adversity: FuelFest & Paul Walker's Impact

    In this raw conversation with Tyrese Gibson and Cody Walker, Shawn French explores how determination and authentic faith transform adversity into global impact. Discover how FuelFest grew from a simple tribute into an international movement celebrating car culture, music, and human connection—and what it really means to build something bigger than yourself when grief threatens to define you.  In this episode, we dive into: • The story and mission behind FuelFest  • Honoring Paul Walker’s legacy through action  • How Reach Out Worldwide continues Paul’s heart for helping people  • Why cars and music bring people together across cultures  • Building a global community through passion and purpose  • Cody Walker’s journey after losing Paul  • Tyrese Gibson on faith, determination, and doing something with your life  • Why you do not need to have everything figured out to start  • The power of showing up, failing, learning, and moving forward  • Creating experiences that impact people far beyond the event This is more than a conversation about cars, movies, or music.  It is a conversation about legacy, brotherhood, purpose, service, and the determination to create something that continues to impact the world.  • Connect with Shawn: https://link.me/shawnmf32 • Subscribe to our newsletter for all updates and heavy doses of DETERMINATION: 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.

    Building Legacies Through Adversity: FuelFest & Paul Walker's Impact
  4. Jul 6

    From Merrill Lynch to $1.5B | Building Wealth Through Discipline & Integrity

    In this inspiring episode of The Determined Society, Shawn French sits down with Chad Willardson, founder of Pacific Capital, six-time author, husband, father of five, and one of the most respected voices in wealth management and leadership. Chad shares the courageous decision that changed his life forever, walking away from a successful career at Merrill Lynch with no safety net to build a company rooted in integrity, purpose, and people over profits. Today, Chad Willardson manages more than $1.5 billion in assets, but Chad reveals that his greatest success has never been measured by money. From overcoming fear and rejection to building elite teams, protecting company culture, prioritizing family, and turning down millions to stay true to his values, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone determined to build a meaningful 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... — Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5kS9tkL...      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 Merrill Lynch to $1.5B | Building Wealth Through Discipline & Integrity
4.6
out of 5
359 Ratings

About

The Determined Society with Shawn French is a weekly interview podcast exploring determination, 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.

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