Pursuit of Excellence

Tinja Anderson
  • 5.0 (1)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

What separates the good from the truly great? Pursuit of Excellence dives into the mindset, discipline, and strategies needed to break through limits and reach your highest potential.  Hosted by business strategist and financial consultant Tinja Anderson, each episode delivers inspiring stories, best practices, and actionable insights for business owners, professionals, and leaders who refuse to settle for average. If you're ready to master the fundamentals, push past plateaus, and redefine success on your terms, the pursuit starts here.

  1. FEB 17

    Olympian to Operator: Mike Anderson-Mitterling on Risk, Leadership & Redefining Excellence

    What does it take to compete at the highest levels of sport, build companies from the ground up, and redefine success as life evolves? In this episode of The Pursuit of Excellence, Tinja Anderson sits down with Mike Anderson — world champion sailor, two-time Olympian, Managing Director at George Smith Partners, and Co-Founder of AHM Group — to explore how excellence transforms across seasons of life. From Olympic campaigns to structuring complex real estate capital stacks, Mike shares how his definition of success shifted from chasing accolades to building teams, leading with integrity, and showing up fully as a father and partner. Together, they unpack the mindset shifts required to navigate pressure, partnership, risk, and reinvention — both on the water and in the boardroom. You’ll learn: ✔️ Why attitude is the only thing you truly control ✔️ The difference between chasing outcomes and mastering process ✔️ How elite sport translates directly into leadership and capital markets ✔️ Why no real success is achieved alone ✔️ The underrated performance skill that sustains long-term growth ✔️ How patience and integrity create durable excellence Whether you're an athlete, founder, executive, or parent navigating your own next chapter, this conversation will challenge you to rethink what excellence really means — and how to pursue it sustainably. Connect with Mike: LinkedIn: Mike Anderson-Mitterling Connect with Tinja: Instagram: @tinjaanderson, @pursuit_of_excellence_pod TikTok: @tinjaanderson_pod Podcast Website: The Pursuit of Excellence Podcast

    48 min

  2. JAN 27

    Financial Mythbusting: The Truth About Advisors, Investing, and Building Real Wealth with Evan Gruchot

    What really separates smart financial strategy from noise, hype, and flat‑out misinformation? On this episode of The Pursuit of Excellence, host Tinja Anderson sits down again with Evan Gruchot, Founder and CIO of EG Capital Holdings, to dismantle the biggest financial myths holding people back. With experience managing hundreds of millions in assets and consulting across private equity, venture capital, and RIA firms, Evan brings clarity to a world full of conflicting advice. This episode breaks down the truth about advisors, debt, diversification, and how real investing actually works. From understanding fiduciary standards to evaluating fees, strategy alignment, and risk, Evan explains what most people overlook—and how making informed decisions can dramatically change long‑term outcomes. You’ll learn: • Why not all financial advisors are the same—and how to vet the right one • The real difference between investing and gambling • How to think strategically about debt, leverage, and opportunity cost • When insurance is a smart tool (and when it’s oversold) • How fee structures impact your long‑term returns • Why education and transparency should drive every financial decision If you’re ready to cut through misinformation, choose the right advisors, and build a more strategic financial plan, this episode gives you the framework to do it with confidence. Connect with Evan: Instagram: @egcapitalholdings LinkedIn: Evan Gruchot Website: eg-capital.co Connect with Tinja: Instagram: @tinjaanderson Podcast Website: The Pursuit of Excellence Podcast

    50 min

  3. JAN 13

    Emotional Intelligence, Strategic Vision, and Seamless Transitions: Kasey D’Amato on Redefining Leadership for Legacy

    What does it take for founders, family businesses, and leaders to navigate critical transitions, ignite innovation, and uncover fulfillment along the way? In this episode of The Pursuit of Excellence, Tinja Anderson sits down with Kasey D’Amato, a strategic advisor and executive coach who brings two decades of experience and unparalleled expertise in reshaping leadership and decision-making dynamics. Kasey, who has launched three companies and continues to consult multi-generational businesses, shares her insights on scaling with clarity, addressing emotional roadblocks, and empowering leaders to align business goals with personal joy. Consider her your real-world Wendy Rhoades, helping leaders bridge the gap between operational data and emotional intelligence to make decisions that withstand transition and define legacy. You’ll learn: ✔️How to blend data with emotional intelligence for smarter decision-making ✔️Key strategies for navigating growth, succession, and inter-generational leadership ✔️Why clarity on vision and roles is the bedrock of successful transitions ✔️Frameworks for processing fear, uncertainty, and doubt to drive innovation ✔️The three "who’s" every founder needs in their corner to excel ✔️Why perfection is an outdated mindset and resilience is the real key to leadership If you’re leading a business and ready to embrace the next phase of growth—whether an operational pivot, succession plan, or personal reinvention—this conversation will leave you inspired and equipped to move forward with confidence. Connect with Kasey: Instagram: @kaseydamato LinkedIn: Kasey D'Amato Website: www.kaseydamato.com Connect with Tinja: Instagram: @tinjaanderson, @pursuit_of_excellence_pod TikTok: @tinjaanderson_pod Podcast Website: The Pursuit of Excellence Podcast

    41 min

  4. 12/23/2025

    Peak Performance Recap 2025: What Worked, What Didn't, and How to Build Momentum

    Have you ever wondered what it truly takes to push past burnout, master discipline, and elevate every part of your life? In this solo episode of The Pursuit of Excellence, Tinja shares a year-in-review of her 2025 peak performance journey, packed with lessons, challenges, and triumphs. From tackling 75 Hard to competing in triathlons, HYROX races, CrossFit, and endurance events, Tinja walks you through her mindset, training strategies, and the power of stacking disciplines for exponential growth. Discover how she transitioned from years of burnout to an athletic comeback, and how consistent, strategic effort built toward an unstoppable momentum across fitness, personal development, and professional achievements. What you'll learn: The importance of returning to the fundamentals, from managing stress to strategic planningLessons from training and competing in triathlons, endurance events, and hybrid sports like HYROXWhy motivation doesn’t matter—it’s discipline and structure that drive resultsHow to understand and train through different performance "seasons" without burnoutHow to shift body composition, rebuild endurance, and optimize nutrition for peak performanceWhy consistent small wins always outweigh the pursuit of perfection If you're ready to raise the bar in every area of your life, this episode is packed with practical insights and inspiration to help you design your path to excellence. Connect with Tinja: Instagram: @tinjaanderson, @pursuit_of_excellence_pod TikTok: @tinjaanderson_pod Podcast Website: The Pursuit of Excellence Podcast

    32 min

  5. 12/02/2025

    Building to Impact: Jacques Spitzer on Culture, Creativity, and Transformational Branding

    What does it take to transform a business from good to exceptional, and create authentic, innovative brands that make an indelible mark? On this episode of The Pursuit of Excellence, host Tinja Anderson is joined by Jacques Spitzer, visionary storyteller and founder of Raindrop, a top creative agency responsible for over a billion views and sales, working with iconic brands like Dr. Squatch, Manscaped, Lume, and Dude Wipes. Jacques delves into the philosophy behind success at scale: fostering a culture of “partnering generously,” staying grounded in purpose, and building creativity into every layer of operations. From crafting viral, transformative campaigns to driving strategic innovation with tools like AI, Jacques breaks down how creating exceptional content and values-based collaboration lead to phenomenal results. You’ll learn: Jacques’ definition of excellence and how Raindrop’s success stems from strong company culture and constant vision recasting The process behind crafting campaign strategies that hit viral success How to balance operational excellence and groundbreaking creativity to remain industry-leadingActionable advice for investing in your team, innovation, and partnerships for sustainable growthWhy storytelling and authenticity are the keys to building brands that resonate If you’re ready to refine your creative process, elevate your brand strategy, and gain insights into how to scale impactfully, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways. Connect with Jaques: Instagram: @jacquesspitzer X: @jacquesdrop YouTube: Marketing People Love LinkedIn: Jacques Spitzer TikTok: @jacquesspitzer Connect with Tinja: Instagram: @tinjaanderson, @pursuit_of_excellence_pod TikTok: @tinjaanderson_pod Podcast Website: The Pursuit of Excellence Podcast

    45 min

  6. 11/25/2025

    Mastering the Art of Handling Objections: Strategies for Success

    Objections are an inevitable part of leadership, entrepreneurship, sales, and even personal relationships. But what if objections weren’t obstacles but opportunities in disguise? In this solo episode of The Pursuit of Excellence, host Tinja dives into proven strategies to identify, understand, and overcome objections in every arena. Whether you’re leading a team, negotiating a deal, or striving to create buy-in, Tinja’s frameworks and insights will equip you with the tools to handle objections with confidence and turn them into opportunities for success. From applying cognitive psychology to mastering communication intelligence, this episode explores how to align perspectives, foster collaboration, and achieve win-win outcomes with precision and empathy. You’ll learn: How to decode the deeper concerns behind objectionsStrategies to build credibility, trust, and long-term relationshipsThe critical role of cognitive dissonance in objection handling and decision-makingHow to communicate with clarity and alignment to ensure your intended message resonatesProven techniques for handling objections in sales, leadership, and high-stakes conversations If you’ve ever struggled with hesitation, conflict, or pushback, this episode offers clear, actionable steps to overcome barriers with poise and purpose. Connect with Tinja: Instagram: @tinjaanderson, @pursuit_of_excellence_pod TikTok: @tinjaanderson_pod Podcast Website: The Pursuit of Excellence Podcast

    18 min

  7. 11/18/2025

    Building Strategic Alignment: Your Roadmap to Scalable Success

    Is your business scaling without sustainability? Does your team feel misaligned or your vision unclear? In this special solo episode of The Pursuit of Excellence, your host Tinja strips down what it takes to build a high-performing, scalable business that thrives on alignment and clarity. Drawing from years of experience building strategies that connect vision with execution, Tinja introduces the Strategic Dashboard — a one-page, actionable playbook for business excellence. Learn how to craft a roadmap that begins with defining your vision, mission, and core values, and expands into critical strategies, KPIs, and team engagement. This is your guide to creating cultures of loyalty, minimizing chaos, and building without burnout. Tinja also shares insights into messaging fundamentals, communication intelligence, and adapting leadership styles to foster collaboration and mitigate conflict. You’ll learn: How to create and implement a Strategic Dashboard to unite vision and executionSteps to align your team with purpose and build loyalty through trustThe importance of core values and defining them intentionally within your cultureMetrics to track performance and strategies for scaling with efficiencyWhy communication intelligence is a hidden key to organizational success If you’re ready to turn your business into a well-oiled, high-performing machine and realize sustainable growth, this episode will give you the tools to make it happen. Connect with Tinja: Instagram: @tinjaanderson, @pursuit_of_excellence_pod TikTok: @tinjaanderson_pod Podcast Website: The Pursuit of Excellence Podcast

    19 min

  8. 11/13/2025

    Scaling Success: Brandon Dewan on Leadership, Resilience, and Pursuing What’s Possible

    How do you grow from nothing to building businesses worth billions, while leading with purpose and creating impact? On this episode of The Pursuit of Excellence, host Tinja Anderson welcomes Brandon Dewan, Co-Founder and CEO of Eagle Group, a Houston-based venture capital firm with a diversified portfolio generating over $4 billion in total revenue. Recognized as EY National Entrepreneur of the Year and a passionate philanthropist, Brandon shares his journey of relentless pursuit — from dominating markets to mentoring the next generation of leaders. Delve into Brandon's mindset on success, the strategies he uses to build unstoppable teams, and how he balances entrepreneurial ambition with family values and community leadership. This inspiring conversation will leave you looking at what’s possible in your own life and leadership. You’ll learn: How to turn vision into actionable steps and scale businesses across industriesThe importance of recruiting and nurturing talent with resilience and gritWhy clarity, focus, and adaptability are key for navigating market cyclesThe role of family, philanthropy, and legacy in creating balanced successInsights into innovative ventures like Colel Health and Cape Horn Tequila Whether you’re a business leader, aspiring entrepreneur, or simply curious about what it takes to achieve scalable success, this episode will challenge and inspire you to think bigger and lead with intention. Connect with Brandon Dewan: Instagram: @BrandonDewan Eagle Group: EagleGroupCo.com Learn more about Colel Health: ColelHealth.com Learn about Cape Horn Tequila: CapeHornTequila.com Connect with Tinja: Instagram: @tinjaanderson, @pursuit_of_excellence_pod Podcast Website: The Pursuit of Excellence Podcast

    44 min
See All (22)

Ratings & Reviews

About

What separates the good from the truly great? Pursuit of Excellence dives into the mindset, discipline, and strategies needed to break through limits and reach your highest potential.  Hosted by business strategist and financial consultant Tinja Anderson, each episode delivers inspiring stories, best practices, and actionable insights for business owners, professionals, and leaders who refuse to settle for average. If you're ready to master the fundamentals, push past plateaus, and redefine success on your terms, the pursuit starts here.

Information

  • Creator
    Tinja Anderson
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Tinja Anderson
  • Show Website
    Pursuit of Excellence