Growth Mavericks

Adam Callinan
  • 5.0 (19)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

This podcast dives deep into the tactical moves that drive business success, as well as the mental and physical resilience required to sustain it. Hosted by Adam Callinan, a seasoned entrepreneur with multiple exits, an avid outdoorsman, and an family man with crystal-clear priorities, each episode unpacks real-world challenges, actionable insights, and the mental and physical disciplines that fuel long-term personal and professional growth. Whether you’re scaling a startup or refining your mindset, disrupting your default is how business and life strike a balance.

  1. From Studio Apartment to $100M+: Spot & Tango’s DTC Breakout with Founder Russell Breuer

    JAN 8

    From Studio Apartment to $100M+: Spot & Tango’s DTC Breakout with Founder Russell Breuer

    In this episode of Growth Mavericks, Adam Callinan sits down with Russell Breuer, Co-Founder and CEO of Spot & Tango, to break down what it really takes to build and scale a nine-figure direct-to-consumer brand. Russell shares the unfiltered story of Spot & Tango’s journey—from cooking dog food in a 700-square-foot NYC apartment to navigating hypergrowth during COVID and making the bold decision to vertically integrate by building their own manufacturing facility. This conversation goes deep into the realities most founders don’t talk about, including: Finding real product-market fit (before the metrics look good)Why contribution margin matters more than gross marginHow CAC, LTV, and payback periods actually guide decision-makingThe operational chaos of scaling physical productsWhy vertical integration became a long-term competitive moatThe mental and emotional toll of entrepreneurship—and how to survive itHow customer feedback directly shaped product innovationWhat “growth at all costs” got wrong in DTCIf you’re building a subscription business, a physical product brand, or navigating the messy middle between early traction and real scale, this episode is a masterclass in disciplined growth and founder resilience. Learn more about what we’re building at Pentane: https://www.pentane.com Learn more about Spot & Tango: https://www.spotandtango.com

    44 min

  2. 12/03/2025

    AI, eCommerce Growth, and Building 7–8 Figure Brands with Andrew Youderian of eCommerce Fuel

    In this episode, Adam sits down with Andrew Youderian, founder of eCommerce Fuel, the private community for 7–8 figure eCommerce founders. Andrew has been a key voice in DTC for more than a decade, building and selling multiple online brands before creating one of the most respected communities in the industry. This conversation dives deep into AI’s impact on eCommerce, how to build a durable brand, and what separates the winners from the noise in a world where AI does 80% of the work. Andrew also shares behind-the-scenes insight into taking a full year-long sabbatical, how he built systems that allowed his team to operate without him, and the biggest lessons from stepping away from his company. If you’re a DTC founder, operator, or anyone building in eCommerce, this is an absolute masterclass. 🔑 Key Topics Covered 1. Andrew’s Journey into eCommerce Transition from investment banking into online retailBuilding Right Channel Radios and TrollingMotors.netWhy he created eCommerce Fuel in 2012Lessons from the early “Wild West” era of eCommerce2. Community Building as a Superpower How Andrew learned to create and nurture communityWhy hospitality and inclusion matter more than tacticsThe early flywheel that made ECF growWhat most founders get wrong about “building community”3. Taking a Full Year Off From Your Business How Andrew structured a 12+ month sabbatical (2024–2025)Systems, SOPs, and the key hires he needed in placeMistakes he made during hiring (and how to avoid them)What it feels like to work only 10% while traveling the worldHow stepping away changes your thinking forever4. The Real Impact of AI on eCommerce Where AI actually drives ROI right nowCreative testing, copywriting, and marketing iterationWhy AI accelerates the race to the bottom for mediocre brandsWhy product quality + brand storytelling matter more than everHow personal brand becomes the moat5. Why “Small Durable Brands” Will Win Why big ad-driven DTC models are collapsingWhy small, profitable, owner-led brands are the futureExamples of brands doing it right (PACT, etc.)Why physical products may hold increasing value in an AI world6. Life in Montana, hunting, family, and mental resilience How Andrew and Adam approach outdoor lifeMaintaining clarity and mental health as an entrepreneurWhy travel and physical challenge sharpen decision-making🧠 Big Takeaways Passion + Product Quality + Storytelling is the unbeatable trifecta.AI will replace 80% of the operational workload — but the remaining 20% (human judgment, creativity, authenticity) becomes where value is created.Community = long-term moat.The best founders will build durable brands, not fast, funded ones.Systemizing your business is the only path to freedom.Sabbaticals change how you build forever.🔗 Links & Resources eCommerce Fuel: https://www.ecommercefuel.comeCommerce Fuel PodcastConnect with Andrew: @youderian on X/TwitterPentane — The eCommerce Financial Command Center: https://www.pentane.com

    1h 3m

  3. 11/26/2025

    From Chanel in China to Evowarrior: Marie Berry on Community Led Growth and Bone Health

    In this episode of Growth Mavericks, host Adam Callinan talks with Marie Berry, a marketer turned founder who went from Adidas and Chanel to scaling a joint venture in China from three to 180 people in a year, exiting a software company, and now building Evowarrior, a women first rucking brand. After a DEXA scan revealed early bone loss, Marie dove into bone health, osteopenia, and weight bearing movement, discovering rucking as an accessible way to build strength and bone density. She realized most ruck gear was designed for men, uncomfortable for women, hard to wash, and visually unappealing, so she set out to design a beautiful, functional vest and a modular weight system tailored to women. Marie breaks down how her global brand background shaped her approach, why she accidentally but brilliantly built community before product, how she integrates mindfulness, sauna, and movement into staying sane as a founder and mom, and why fun, discomfort, and listening to your inner voice are core to resilience and long term success. Show Notes You will hear about: Growing up adopted from Bolivia and raised in Germany, and how that shaped her identity and appetite for discomfort and adventureBuilding a marketing career at Adidas, Ford, and Chanel, then scaling a joint venture in China from three to 180 people in a yearMoving to the United States, bootstrapping a digital consultancy to fund her software startup, exiting that company, and taking a breather in venture capitalThe frozen shoulder and DEXA scan that revealed early stage bone loss and opened her eyes to how critical bone density is for women as they ageWhy bone health is a longevity lever, how bone density peaks in your twenties, and why weight bearing movement like strength training and rucking can helpDiscovering rucking as a practical way to add resistance to everyday life and how a personal 30 day ruck challenge unexpectedly turned into a 100 person communityThe problems with existing ruck vests for women: built for male bodies, impossible to wash, uncomfortable, and visually unappealing in everyday lifeHow Evowarrior’s vest and modular weight system are designed for women, body aware, and aspirational instead of clinical or tacticalPartnering with BodySpec so customers can pair rucking with DEXA scans and real bone density dataWhy she started building the community before the product and how that community now shapes product decisions and inspires version twoThe tools she uses to stay grounded as a founder and parent: sleep, daily movement, sauna, journaling, and simple mindfulness practicesHow her definition of success has shifted away from external achievement toward alignment, family, and building something that truly mattersEpisode Highlights (00:25) From Adidas and Chanel to founder life and rucking(06:27) Adoption, global upbringing, and chasing discomfort(10:29) Moving to China, building teams, and loving hard things(18:26) Parenting, resilience, and giving kids room to fail(22:36) Trusting gut over optics and caring less about outside opinions(32:35) The DEXA scan, osteopenia, and the bone density wake up call(36:42) Discovering rucking as weight bearing movement and daily practice(38:48) Community first: the 30 day ruck challenge that exploded(40:25) Why most vests fail women and what Evowarrior is changing(43:03) Pairing rucking with DEXA scans and building the Evowarrior app(46:26) Hardware timelines, resilience, and thinking like a software founder(50:17) Community led growth as the new playbook for consumer brandsListen and explore 🎧 Growth Mavericks Podcast🛡️ Evowarrior rucking vests and community🚀 Pentane – The Command Center for E-Commerce Profitability

    53 min

  4. 11/19/2025

    How Big Waves, Volcanoes, and Grit Built Dr. Rob Yonover’s See Rescue Streamer

    In this conversation, Dr. Rob Yonover explains how surfing heavy North Shore days and studying volcanoes shaped his approach to invention, risk, and business. He details the origin of the See Rescue Streamer, how a simple, visible signal solved a life-or-death problem, and why persistence, lean ops, and direct outreach beat spray-and-pray tactics. What you’ll learn The bootstrap formula: keep your job, keep costs tiny, prove demand, scale slowlyScrappy acquisition: fax blasts, niche PR, and being a polite pain in the assCalm under pressure: training, free-dive reps, and biomimicry to manage fearProduct rules that win: simple utility, small form factor, easy storage and shippingDefining success: profit, freedom, and flexibility over vanity metrics and burnWhy nature time unlocks better ideas than screen timeEpisode highlights (00:25) Who is Dr. Rob Yonover, big-wave surfer, volcanologist, inventor(03:36) From Miami to Oahu, science, surfing, and a paid PhD path(11:45) Nearly drowning on a 20-wave hold-down, training calm into your body(19:33) The See Rescue Streamer insight, from Christo’s art to orange visibility(32:56) PR like fishing, why niche media and persistence compound(48:37) Founder advice at 30: low overhead, profit first, permission to quit losers(55:10) Inventory and shipping reality, build what fits an envelopeListen and explore 🎧 Growth Mavericks Podcast🚀 Pentane — The Command Center for E-Commerce Profitability🧭 See Rescue Streamer and books by Dr. Rob Yonover (search “See Rescue Streamer” and “Rob Yonover” on Amazon)

    1h 1m

  5. 11/12/2025

    Turning Pain into Purpose: 6-Time Cancer Survivor Liz Benditt and The Balm Box

    In this powerful episode of Growth Mavericks, host Adam Callinan sits down with Liz Benditt, founder and CEO of The Balm Box, to share one of the most inspiring entrepreneurial journeys ever featured on the show. Liz has faced — and beaten — six different cancer diagnoses, transforming her pain into purpose by creating The Balm Box, a company that redefines what it means to give meaningful, functional gifts to cancer patients. From her early days in corporate marketing to building a business that brings comfort, compassion, and healing, Liz reveals how she used her experiences to fill a major gap in the gifting market. What began as a deeply personal project has become a thriving e-commerce business empowering caregivers and supporting patients with dignity. They discuss: The moment cancer changed her perspective on life and workHow she built The Balm Box from her garage into a growing e-commerce brandThe difference between functional and performative giftingLessons from navigating funding, patents, and product-market fitThe power of resilience, perspective, and living intentionallyAdvice for entrepreneurs on starting lean, staying flexible, and prioritizing healthThis conversation is raw, emotional, and deeply practical — a masterclass in purpose-driven entrepreneurship, resilience, and building a meaningful brand. Episode Highlights (01:00) Liz’s path from Disney and Hallmark to entrepreneurship(07:00) How breast cancer inspired her first business idea(13:00) Surviving six cancers — and learning to live fully through them(31:00) The birth of The Balm Box during the pandemic(36:00) Product-market fit and the art of functional gifting(44:00) Advice for first-time founders: flexibility, funding, and focusListen to Explore: 🎧 Growth Mavericks Podcast 💝 The Balm Box 🚀 Pentane — The Command Center for E-Commerce Profitability

    57 min

  6. 11/05/2025

    Rockets to Remedies: Mark L. Fox’s Journey Through Aerospace, Innovation, and Health Tech

    In this episode of Growth Mavericks, host Adam Callinan, founder of Pentane — the Command Center for eCommerce profitability — sits down with Mark L. Fox, an aerospace engineer turned entrepreneur and health-tech innovator. Mark shares his journey from Cocoa Beach, working on the Space Shuttle program, to pioneering energy therapy and heart rate variability (HRV) technology for healing PTSD, chronic pain, and stress. He discusses lessons from NASA, the realities of startup marketing, and how innovation, adaptability, and a 10x markup mindset shape business success. Together, Adam and Mark explore the science of energy exchange, entrepreneurship under constraint, and the magic of turning complex ideas into real-world impact. From engineering rockets to re-engineering the human body, this is a masterclass in curiosity, resilience, and creative thinking. 👉 Learn more about Mark’s work at Resona Health and grab his book What on Earth Are We Doing to Our Health? 👉 Learn more about Pentane’s real-time profit intelligence platform at www.pentane.com 💡 Key Takeaways Mark’s transition from aerospace engineering to health technology shows how curiosity drives innovation.The Space Shuttle program taught him adaptability, leadership, and systems thinking.Debunking moon-landing conspiracies shows how public perception shapes science.Entrepreneurship demands a 10x markup, compelling content, and strategic partnerships.Heart rate variability (HRV) is a vital metric for resilience and recovery.Energy therapy demonstrates the future of healing through frequency and biology.Bootstrapping teaches financial discipline and creative problem solving.Marketing and storytelling remain as critical as product innovation.Resona Health’s devices are helping veterans and civilians manage PTSD, stress, and pain.Building under constraints creates more durable and mission-driven companies.⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – From Cocoa Beach to Aerospace Engineering 05:29 – Working on the Space Shuttle and NASA Contracts 11:05 – The Power of Marketing and the 10x Rule 17:07 – Transitioning from Aerospace to Health Tech 25:56 – Overcoming Adversity and Bootstrapping a Startup 33:48 – The Science Behind Energy Therapy 47:48 – Managing Stress and Heart Rate Variability 🔥 Sound Bites “I never wanted to get into rockets at all.” “You have to have a 10X markup.” “You can’t make some of this stuff up.”🎧 Listen to more episodes of Growth Mavericks: www.growthmaverickspodcast.com

    1h 1m

  7. 10/29/2025

    From Shark Tank to $60M: Adam Callinan on Scaling Lean and Building Pentane

    In this special episode of Growth Mavericks, host Adam Callinan flips the mic on himself — re-airing his guest interview from EcommerceFuel with Andrew Youderian. Together, they unpack a decade of lessons in building, selling, and reinventing how founders think about business, risk, and profitability. Adam shares how fatherhood reshaped his approach to risk and time, why working 70-hour weeks crushed his soul, and how he and his partner built BottleKeeper to $60M in total sales with only six people - before selling the company. They dive deep into the real math of profitability - why most e-commerce brands are guessing with their ad budgets, how discounting destroys margin, and how Adam’s latest SaaS company, Pentane.com, helps founders finally connect marketing spend with financial performance. Expect sharp insights on: Building a company lean enough to survive anythingThe hidden math behind ad spend, discounts, and contribution marginHow AI and automation could have reduced BottleKeeper’s team from six to oneThe importance of performance coaching after an acquisitionWhy doing physically hard things—like ultramarathons—translates to resilience in businessEpisode Highlights: (03:00) How being a dad completely changed Adam’s view on risk and ambition(08:00) Running BottleKeeper to $60M with just six employees(09:30) How AI could have made BottleKeeper even leaner(19:30) The birth of Pentane — and why connecting ad spend with financial data changes everything(33:00) Why most founders are guessing at their Black Friday ad budgets(40:00) How performance coaching created the space that led to Pentane(47:00) Why doing “hard things” physically rewires how you handle business challengesListen to Explore: 🎧 Growth Mavericks Podcast 🔥 EcommerceFuel with Andrew Youderian 🚀 Pentane — The Command Center for E-Commerce Profitability

    53 min

  8. 10/22/2025

    Lean, Profitable, and Free: How Alexandra Cristin Scaled Smart and Sold Big

    In this episode of the Growth Mavericks Podcast, host Adam Callinan sits down with Alexandra Cristin, founder of Glam Seamless, to unpack an extraordinary journey — from growing up in poverty to building and selling an 8-figure eCommerce brand. Alexandra shares how she turned $1,500 and two shades of hair extensions into one of the most recognized online brands in the beauty space — without paid ads. She credits SEO, relentless content creation, and the power of constraints for forcing creative, profitable growth. After scaling Glam Seamless to over $10 million in annual revenue, Alexandra sold to private equity — and learned the hard way that staying on post-acquisition can drain even the most driven founder. From burnout to rebuilding her passion, she opens up about her biggest lessons on leadership, legacy, and self-restoration. Adam and Alexandra also dive into: How constraints can be a superpower in businessScaling without losing control (or your sanity)Why founders often spend recklessly after successNavigating burnout and rediscovering purposeThe truth about private equity deals and earnoutsHow financial discipline and the right systems (like Pentane) can drive smarter growthIf you’re an eCommerce founder or operator heading into Q4, this is the ultimate conversation about scaling sustainably — without losing yourself in the process. 🎧 Explore more at: www.pentane.com – The Command Center for eCommerce growthGrowth Mavericks Podcast – Fuel Your Growth. Control Your Future.https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandracristin/https://www.instagram.com/alexandracristin/

    54 min
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About

This podcast dives deep into the tactical moves that drive business success, as well as the mental and physical resilience required to sustain it. Hosted by Adam Callinan, a seasoned entrepreneur with multiple exits, an avid outdoorsman, and an family man with crystal-clear priorities, each episode unpacks real-world challenges, actionable insights, and the mental and physical disciplines that fuel long-term personal and professional growth. Whether you’re scaling a startup or refining your mindset, disrupting your default is how business and life strike a balance.

Information

  • Creator
    Adam Callinan
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Disrupting Default LLC
  • Show Website
    Growth Mavericks