Surviving the Side Hustle

Coach Rob

Welcome to "Surviving the Side Hustle," the ultimate podcast for balancing the demands of entrepreneurship with maintaining mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Hosted by Coach Rob Tracz, an expert in helping driven professionals achieve 'personal development for professional success,' this show is more than just storytelling—it's a masterclass in thriving amidst the entrepreneurial grind. Each episode features candid conversations with leaders who are rewriting the rules of entrepreneurship, sharing their unique stories, the creative solutions they're offering, and the everyday challenges they’re overcoming. Whether you’re a side hustler looking for your big break or an established entrepreneur seeking fresh perspectives, "Surviving the Side Hustle" provides valuable insights that resonate with the movers, the shakers, and everyone in between. Feeling burnt out and sidelining your own health? This podcast empowers you to overcome stagnation, build resilience, and optimize your life and business. We dive deep into your goals, identify obstacles, and share strategies to boost your energy, improve your strength, and keep the entrepreneurial grind enjoyable. Join us for inspiring stories, expert insights, and practical advice to help you look good, feel good, and do great things at every stage of your entrepreneurial journey. Let’s not just survive the side hustle—let's master it.

  1. 1 NGÀY TRƯỚC

    E126 - Lessons from Ben LeRose: Playbook for Sustainable Growth

    Send us a text What if growth wasn’t about grinding harder but about choosing the right moments to sprint, the right people to trust, and the right systems to make quality automatic? We unpack Chef Ben LaRose’s journey from dishwasher to architect of Fork and Delicious, tracing how his brand evolved from meal prep and small events to chef’s tables, influencer dinners, restaurant takeovers, and a fine‑dining food truck concept in the making. Along the way, we dig into the mindset shift that made it possible: hustle with purpose, don’t push from fear. We break down a simple filter to spot the difference between momentum and force, then map out how to structure sprint seasons with clear dates, recovery, and communication that keeps relationships intact. We explore why leadership in the kitchen is as essential as technique, and how Ben’s language—people working with him, not for him—translates into operations that scale. Using our team triangle—coaches, captains, and crowd—we share how trust compounds capacity across service, social, and collaborations while protecting standards when demand spikes. Accept and adapt becomes a core theme: when costs swing or plans shift, standards hold while methods flex. We show how systems—checklists, briefs, content calendars, inventory cycles, and cash‑flow dashboards—reduce reliance on motivation and turn discipline into default. The result is a brand that’s ready when opportunity knocks, not scrambling to catch up. If you’re building a side hustle or scaling a creative service, you’ll walk away with playbook-ready ideas: resilience rhythms, trust-led leadership, and the mindset to build experiences instead of forcing outcomes. If this resonated, tap follow, share it with a builder who needs it, and leave a quick review to help more creators find the show. Got questions or wins to share? Drop us a message—we’d love to hear your story.

    14 phút
  2. 4 NGÀY TRƯỚC

    E125 - How Private Chef Benjamin LeRose Built a Brand on Trust, Teamwork, and Timeless Standards

    Send us a text Ready to rethink what “hustle” really means? We sit down with Chef Ben LaRose—founder of Fork and Delicious and the force behind a growing chef’s table and consulting brand—to explore how a side hustle can scale without sacrificing standards. Ben breaks down the difference between momentum and forcing outcomes, and why his mantra is simple: accept, adapt, and keep hustling. We dig into how he split his work into two clear lanes—Chef Benjamin LaRose for fine dining, takeovers, and consulting; Fork and Delicious for larger catering—so clients instantly understand the value they’re buying. Ben shares how he built a trustworthy crew, from servers to a social media lead, and why he avoids micromanagement by hiring people he can truly rely on. He’s transparent about pricing and sourcing, detailing the real costs behind a seven-course dinner with pairings and the commitment to farm-quality ingredients from the tri-state area. When prices spike after a signed quote, he stands by the number—because a promise matters. You’ll also hear his playbook for growth: collaborations with restaurants, pop-ups that showcase his cuisine, and an ambitious plan for food trucks that deliver seasonal, fine dining experiences with white linens and table-side polish. We get into the human side of business development too—coffee chats over crowded mixers, honest conversations over surface talk, and personal touches that turn a meal into a story people share. Ben’s community mindset shines in his donation events and a forthcoming buffet-style charity concept aimed at turning meals into momentum for good. If you’re building a brand, leading a team, or navigating volatile costs, this conversation offers a grounded framework for staying true to your standards while scaling smart. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves food and entrepreneurship, and drop a review telling us which idea you’re trying next.

    43 phút
  3. 10 THG 10

    E124 - Lessons from Ellen Silverman: Resilience Sells

    Send us a text What if the outcome of your next big move has less to do with timing and more to do with how you show up? We revisit our conversation with Ellen Silverman—who left three decades in banking to thrive as a New York City real estate agent—and unpack the habits that make reinvention stick in one of the toughest markets on earth. The story isn’t about listings; it’s about discipline that builds resilience, communication that creates trust, and the decision to stop outsourcing your confidence to headlines and doubters. We break down a practical playbook you can use this week. You’ll hear how Ellen treats real estate like a true nine-to-five, even in slow seasons, and how that structure turns uncertainty into forward motion. We explore why texts and DMs may be the norm, but real connection still comes from better questions, cleaner follow-ups, and active listening. If you’re spinning your wheels with busywork, you’ll learn how to build simple systems—client FAQs, pipeline hygiene, recurring check-ins—that compound results without burning you out. The conversation also tackles comparison and the quiet ways we give away our power. Ellen once assumed others knew more; now she trusts her judgment and filters the noise. We offer a weekly challenge to cut one source of distraction and replace it with one step toward your vision. Whether you’re buying or selling in NYC, growing a side hustle, or navigating a career pivot, these tools translate. If you want Ellen’s buyer’s guide or have questions about the market, she’s open to chat—and so are we. If the episode hits home, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a nudge, and leave a quick review telling us the one habit you’ll try this week. Your feedback helps more builders, buyers, and career shifters find the tools they need to move forward.

    11 phút
  4. 7 THG 10

    E123 - From Wall Street to Real Estate: Ellen Silverman's Journey

    Send us a text What does it take to completely reinvent your career after 30 years in one industry? In this captivating conversation, we meet Ellen Silverman, who made the bold transition from decades in banking and finance to building a successful real estate career in New York City. Ellen's story is particularly fascinating because she describes herself as "an introvert in a sales job." As a self-proclaimed math nerd who spent years behind a desk crunching numbers, her journey into the people-oriented world of real estate required developing new skills while leveraging her existing strengths. Her disciplined approach, financial acumen, and passion for property helped her overcome the initial challenges of this major career pivot. Growing up in New York during the 1960s and 70s gave Ellen unique insights into the city's transformation from a predominantly rental market to today's complex landscape of co-ops and condominiums. She shares how her experience as a native New Yorker helps her guide clients through not just purchasing properties, but understanding neighborhoods, safety, accessibility, and the emotional aspects of finding a home. The conversation takes fascinating turns into how communication has evolved in business - from the decline of phone calls to the rise of text messaging and social media - and the post-pandemic crisis of isolation affecting personal connections. Ellen provides valuable perspective on the current NYC real estate market, including how political uncertainty is creating both challenges and opportunities for buyers. For anyone considering a career change, entering real estate, or navigating the daunting NYC property market, Ellen offers practical advice backed by years of experience. Her parting wisdom? "Don't give up, believe in yourself, and don't listen to the naysayers." Follow Ellen on Instagram @EllenJSilverman or email her at ellen.silverman@compass.com to learn more about the NYC home buying process.

    37 phút
  5. 3 THG 10

    E122 - Lessons from Walter Dusseldorp: Navigating Leadership's Hidden Traps

    Send us a text Ever feel like you're drowning in tasks while your leadership potential remains untapped? That's exactly what Walter Dusseldorp, the Dutch Mentor, addresses in this powerful conversation about the crucial shift from doing to leading. Walter's story is nothing short of remarkable. Arriving in America with just $500 in his pocket, he transformed from a waiter with one shirt and tie into a successful entrepreneur, helicopter medic, and eventually a respected corporate leader. Now, as a mentor to emerging leaders and entrepreneurs, he shares the wisdom gained from his diverse career journey. The conversation centers on three game-changing insights. First, Walter reveals the most common mistake that derails promising leaders: the inability to transition from execution to empowerment. When high performers get promoted, they often continue pushing rather than learning to pull others along with them. This distinction between doing and leading becomes the differentiator between those who plateau and those who create lasting impact. Second, Walter challenges conventional definitions of success, arguing that it must be personally defined and allowed to evolve throughout your life. His own measure—waking up inspired and making an impact—offers a refreshing alternative to rigid external metrics. Finally, he distinguishes between coaching and mentorship, emphasizing that while coaches provide accountability, true mentors share wisdom from lived experience. What makes this episode particularly valuable is the practical application. You'll walk away with specific questions to audit your leadership approach, reassess your definition of success, and identify potential mentors in your circle. Walter's parting advice—"Less is more. Focus, measure, and hold yourself accountable"—provides a simple but powerful formula for generating unstoppable momentum in your leadership journey. Ready to stop doing it all and start truly leading? Listen now and take your first step toward transformation.

    12 phút
  6. 30 THG 9

    E121 - Stop Pushing, Start Pulling: Life Lessons from Walter Dusseldorp

    Send us a text What separates successful leaders from those who struggle? According to Walter Dusseldorp, known professionally as "The Dutch Mentor," the answer lies in a fundamental shift from doing to leading—a transition many technically skilled professionals find challenging. Walter's remarkable journey began when he arrived in America at 18 with just $500 in his pocket. Through determination and an entrepreneurial spirit, he built himself up from restaurant work to business ownership, eventually becoming a paramedic, helicopter pilot, and now a sought-after leadership mentor. His diverse background gives him unique insight into the pitfalls that derail promising leaders. Throughout this conversation, Walter shares powerful frameworks that transform leadership effectiveness. His performance equation (Performance = Technical Skill × Behavioral Capacity) explains why many training programs fail—they focus exclusively on technical skills while neglecting the behavioral components necessary for consistent application. Similarly, his leadership equation (High Performance = Trust × Engagement) emphasizes that trust must be established before meaningful engagement can occur. Walter makes a crucial distinction between coaching and mentorship. While coaches provide motivation and accountability, mentors offer something more valuable: deep personal experience. This experience-based guidance helps mentees navigate complex situations with confidence, drawing on the mentor's past successes and failures. For organizations looking to retain talent and accelerate leadership development, Walter estimates proper mentorship can save $75,000 to $150,000 per employee in turnover costs. For those seeking to grow as leaders, Walter recommends creating a clear development map with specific milestones and incorporating the 70-20-10 approach: 70% learning through current role experiences, 20% through coaching and mentorship, and 10% through formal education. His parting advice encapsulates his philosophy perfectly: "Less is more. Be focused, know your value, take action, measure everything, and hold yourself accountable." Ready to transform your leadership approach? Connect with Walter on LinkedIn or visit his website to book a free consultation call. His YouTube channel "The Dutch Mentor" offers daily one-minute leadership nuggets to keep you inspired and accountable.

    41 phút
  7. 26 THG 9

    E120 - Lessons from Aisha Makara: Color Outside the Lines

    Send us a text What if the real success in life isn't climbing ladders but creating something so authentic it feels like art? This question frames my profound conversation with Aisha, a remarkable artist and global nomad who has lived in over 60 countries and even had her artwork sent to space. I first met Aisha years ago at a wellness retreat where I was speaking, and since then, I've watched in awe as she's lived one of the boldest, most authentic missions I've ever witnessed. From Lisbon to Miami and countless places between, she's transformed her life into a canvas filled with color, curiosity, and courage. Our conversation explores three transformative ideas that could reshape how you view success and authenticity. First, we dive into how curiosity serves as the true gateway to growth. Aisha doesn't just travel to collect experiences – she immerses herself in different cultures to gain perspectives that deepen her self-understanding. This made me reflect: where have we stopped being curious in our own lives? The second revelation centers on bravery as a prerequisite for authenticity. As Aisha so eloquently puts it, anyone can decide to be an artist, but the real challenge lies in daring to live authentically when others question your choices. I share my own struggle with this when transitioning from strength conditioning to performance coaching, highlighting how difficult it can be to shed identities that no longer serve us. Finally, we explore the delicate balance between embracing struggle as a grounding force while never abandoning ambitious dreams – from pursuing art exhibitions to literally sending work into space. This conversation perfectly aligns with what we teach in Prime Performance Coaching: just as resilience develops through challenge, authenticity emerges when we embrace risk. If you've been waiting for permission to live more boldly, consider this your sign. DM me your biggest takeaway or go back to the full episode and share your favorite part – I'd love to hear how you're choosing to create a life that feels like art.

    10 phút
  8. 23 THG 9

    E119 - From Following Your Heart to Living Authentically: Aisha Makara's Journey Through 60 Countries

    Send us a text What does it mean to truly live authentically in a world that constantly pushes us toward conformity? Aisha, an artist and world traveler who has visited over 60 countries, joins us to share her extraordinary perspective on embracing life's full spectrum of experiences. Having grown up in an orphanage before becoming a global adventurer and successful artist, Aisha brings a refreshingly direct approach to life's biggest questions. She challenges our assumptions about success, happiness, and fulfillment, suggesting that our societal programming keeps us trapped in careers we dislike and relationships that don't serve us. "About 90% of people live lives dictated by external expectations," she observes, "but your heart wants you to do things that make you truly happy." The conversation weaves through profound insights about how travel expands our understanding of ourselves and others. Aisha explains how experiencing different cultures taught her that despite surface differences, humans share the same fundamental struggles worldwide. This realization has fueled both her artistic expression and her mission to inspire authenticity in others. Perhaps most compelling is Aisha's practical advice for transformation: change just one habit consistently, give yourself permission to struggle with it, and recognize that persistence eventually leads to breakthrough. This philosophy guided her own remarkable journey from entrepreneur to recognized artist whose work has literally reached space after a bold outreach to Elon Musk. Whether you're contemplating a major life change or simply feeling disconnected from your authentic self, this episode offers both inspiration and practical wisdom. As Aisha reminds us in her parting words: "Always believe in yourself. Never give up. We're all winners, no matter what experiences we've gone through."

    43 phút
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Giới Thiệu

Welcome to "Surviving the Side Hustle," the ultimate podcast for balancing the demands of entrepreneurship with maintaining mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Hosted by Coach Rob Tracz, an expert in helping driven professionals achieve 'personal development for professional success,' this show is more than just storytelling—it's a masterclass in thriving amidst the entrepreneurial grind. Each episode features candid conversations with leaders who are rewriting the rules of entrepreneurship, sharing their unique stories, the creative solutions they're offering, and the everyday challenges they’re overcoming. Whether you’re a side hustler looking for your big break or an established entrepreneur seeking fresh perspectives, "Surviving the Side Hustle" provides valuable insights that resonate with the movers, the shakers, and everyone in between. Feeling burnt out and sidelining your own health? This podcast empowers you to overcome stagnation, build resilience, and optimize your life and business. We dive deep into your goals, identify obstacles, and share strategies to boost your energy, improve your strength, and keep the entrepreneurial grind enjoyable. Join us for inspiring stories, expert insights, and practical advice to help you look good, feel good, and do great things at every stage of your entrepreneurial journey. Let’s not just survive the side hustle—let's master it.