In Search Of Excellence Randall Kaplan

Welcome to another episode of In Search of Excellence! My guest today is the incredible Flex Lewis. Flex is a serial entrepreneur, coach, motivational speaker, and one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time. He has won 7 consecutive Mr. Olympia titles.
He's also the co-owner of Arsenal, strength gym equipment, the fastest-growing fitness equipment company in the world, and the owner of the famous Dragon's Lair Gym in Las Vegas.

01:21 - Joe Gold recruiting Flex Lewis and living with John Cena and Hulk Hogan

11:50 - Motivation and background of Mr. Olympia

25:15 - Flex's last Mr. Olympia

28:00 - Flex's parents supporting him

38:20 - Hustling, relationships, and free protein powder

49:45 - Having a long-term view and the shelf life of careers

1:00:33 - Dana White

1:10:05 - Extreme Preparation

1:17:09 - Flex's family

1:23:54 - Extra questions, Joe Rogan, and pigeons on creatine

Sponsors:
Sandee | Bliss: Beaches

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Welcome to another episode of In Search of Excellence! My guest today is the incredible Flex Lewis. Flex is a serial entrepreneur, coach, motivational speaker, and one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time. He has won 7 consecutive Mr. Olympia titles.
He's also the co-owner of Arsenal, strength gym equipment, the fastest-growing fitness equipment company in the world and the owner of the famous Dragon's Lair Gym in Las Vegas.
 
Time stamps:
00:55 Flex’s family and background
Grew up in a loving home in WalesHis father was a steel worker and his mother a nurseDecided to be a millionaire as a kid 
03:52 Born with a rugby ball in the mouth
He started playing rugby at the age of 6His full name is Steven James LewisFlex is a nickname he got as a kid 
06:27 The pressure to better himself
A pressure to become betterHis first entrepreneurial momentDelivering papers on his bikeLearned responsibility and dealing with money13:22 Investing the money he earned
Bought a male and female finchStarted breeding and selling them 
15:57 Starting a moving company
Powerlifting and starting a moving companyBought his first truck and developed the businessWent an extra mile to do a good job 
22:05 Learning from the Quadfather
Spent weekends at his grandparentsDiscovered a book by Tom Platz at 12The book changed his lifeFound weights and started doing squats 
26:23 His parents’ worries
His parents were afraid it would stunt his growthStayed away from training weights for a number of yearsFunny story about his father catching him squatting 
28:30 Steve Naylor and his influence
Flex had a lot of admiration for SteveHe was drawn by his humilityStarted training with SteveBodybuilding is all about mind-muscle connection 
32:19 Elbow injury and getting a tattoo
Spent the whole summer building his motocross bikeHad an accident and broke his elbowAfter removing the plaster cast, his arm was deadHad to make it stronger by himselfA tattoo on the weakened arm 
38:53 Working in silence and achieving things
Didn’t like school but liked PE teachersHe had dyslexia or ADHD, was labeled stupidHow schools were failing kids by discouraging themPracticing a handstand and the first day at school 
47:26 The first powerlifting competition
From high-level rugby to powerlifting showBodybuilding in Wales is a big thingThe competition was held in the Royal Princess Theatre 
51:59 Getting on a bodybuilding stage
Was drawn by a free gym membershipChanged his diet and watched a lot of VHS videosThe competition and the alter egoPerformed great and won the showDeciding to prepare for British nationalsA 20-year relationship with his coachThe importance of loyalty 
1:01:40 Chasing dreams and making sacrifices
Winning the British NationalsGot an invitation from Gol
Sponsors:
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You're listening to part two of my awesome conversation with Arik Armstead. Arik is a star defensive lineman NFL football player for the San Francisco 49ers and a dedicated philanthropist. He has been nominated for the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year Award for four consecutive seasons, recognizing his on-field excellence and impactful community work.
 
Time stamps:
00:58 The first contract
Got a 3-million-dollar checkBought a house for his parents 
05:08 Managing money and voting
Managing big money and choosing the right advisersInvesting money to create wealth and secure the futureLearning form Randall’s filling out a voting ballot 
14:29 Advice to kids that want to be like him
NFL and NBA statisticsFight for your dream and be realistic about your situationUse opportunities to better your life, don’t focus only on sports 
19:24 The story of Brock Purdy
The underdog who made it to the topArik doesn’t understand the hate towards himBrock is a very good team player and great at improvising 
22:24 Ass-kicked by the Detroit Lions
The atmosphere in the locker roomThe moments of failure that built their team 
25:18 Playing in the Super Bowl
Most watched Super Bowl in historyReally prepared and focused on the game 
27:36 Extreme preparation and top 3 ingredients of success
Owes his success to preparation3 ingredients of successOwnership over what success truly means for youSacrificeDetermination 
30:28 The work-life balance
In season, it’s toughHis wife is a physician and has her own careerThey have 3 childrenNever feels like he’s doing enough 
34:38 Randall’s funny stories
Randal’s being mixed up with Jimmy Garoppolo’s dadPlaying with Tom Brady in the BahamasTwo best moments with Kliff Kingsbury 
40:50 Fill in the blanks for excellence
The biggest lesson I've learned in my life isAnything worth having is worth working forMy number one professional goal isReach my full potentialMy number one personal goal isTo create a happy, healthy, loving home for my familyAnd more 
46:58 Philanthropic work
One of the most philanthropic people in professional sportsNominated for Walter Payton Man of the Year 4 timesHis organization is AAP, the Arms Academic ProjectBelieves that education equity would solve many societal issuesThey partner with other organizationsFocusing on literacy with elementary school studentsOffering STEM education to middle school studentsCollege exploration with the high school students
Sponsors:
Sandee | Bliss: Beaches

Want to Connect? Reach out to us online!
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Welcome to In Search of Excellence! My guest today is my good friend Arik Armstead. Arik is a star defensive lineman NFL football player for the San Francisco 49ers and a dedicated philanthropist. He has been nominated for the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year Award for four consecutive seasons, recognizing his on-field excellence and impactful community work.

In this episode, we are talking about Arik’s remarkable transition from little league rejection to NFL Man of the Year nominee, his crazy spring break in Vegas and unexpected meeting with Floyd Mayweather, and the importance of humility, faith, and unwavering hard work in his path to excellence.

Time stamps:


01:36 Family background
Mother wrote a book about being the illegitimate daughter of a priestBorn and raised in LA and was shot in a gang shootingFather is a respected basketball trainerTrained over 500 NBA playersArik was always with himGrew up as a gym rat and that shaped his mindset

07:28 Arik’s childhood
Being around famous athletes was coolThe influence of NBA player Mike WilkesBeing humble and having compassion for other peopleYour hunger to be successful must exceed your thirst to shine 


15:39 Entrepreneurial spirit
His brother started a snack barWhen he went to college, Arik continuedDidn’t have entrepreneurial drive as a kidAt college, his creativity and problem-solving kicked in 


19:03 A chubby kid in the gym
Was always in the gym with his dadPlayed basketball and footballMatt’s advice about giving an effort 


23:12 Playing football
Playing football and basketball at 11 years oldOffered a scholarship to USC his Freshman yearStarted dunking in freshman year 


26:44 Achieving goals
Army All-American and a McDonald's All-AmericanTo play football and basketball in collegeWanted to be the first person to play in the NBA and NFLThe importance of dreaming big and setting your goalsThe importance of internal motivation 


32:21 The importance of education
Education was not super important to himHe would do some things differently today 


35:57 Being available for the highest bidder
Oregon recruited himCoach Kelly’s promiseThe offers he gotKids should not only take the highest bidBut what else they will get – reputation, coach, skills 


44:38 The humbleness of million-dollar athletes
Randall’s story about a million-dollar player who wanted to be his internArik was aware he needed to learn and educate himselfThe wedding 


48:13 Arik’s drafting
Drafts are spectaclesHis was in Cleveland and he didn’t goDidn’t want to embarrass himselfHad a watch party with his loved ones at home 


52:28 Crazy agent stories and meeting Floyd Mayweather
How sports agents work
Sponsors:
Sandee | Bliss: Beaches

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Welcome to In Search of Excellence! You're listening to part two of my awesome conversation with Danielle Vasinova, an actor, producer, entrepreneur, avid equestrian, and drummer. If you haven't yet listened to part one yet, be sure to check it out first.
Danielle is talking about the realities of pursuing a career in Hollywood, the life of aspiring actor and their struggles, her personal near-death experience, and the importance of preparation and creating your own destiny.
Tune in for now to listen to this amazing and inspiring conversation!


Time stamps:
01:02 After The Young and the Restless
Reality check and finding an agentWorked in the restaurant to pay billsBroke a foot and worked as an extra 
04:20 A Pivotal moment in Danielle’s career
Passed an audition and went to film in South AfricaOne of the most magical, crazy experiences of her lifeAlso scary and lonelyAfter that had jobs on and off 
08:54 Saying No to movies
Said No to Danica Patrick’s movieRefused to play a jockeyAgreed to work on her other movieThe whole movie ended up falling apart 
11:33 Three minutes of death
Danielle’s near-death experienceFelt like having a flueLater on, felt like she was going to dieWent to the hospitalLost her heartbeat for 3 minutesDoctors induced coma to avoid organ failureDischarged after a monthShe was one of the first COVID cases in the US 
18:48 After the hospital
Almost had to relearn everythingDidn’t know what she was going to do or how to make moneyGreater sense of purposeNot taking anything for granted 
21:35 The life of an actor
The reality is different than what people thinkMany auditions to get 1 jobWorking many hoursHow are actors memorizing the text? 
26:26 What are the elements of success?
DisciplineDrivePunctualityConsistency 
28:21 The importance of extreme preparation
The impact of luck on successYou need luck, but you also have to create itA letter to 300 CEOsIt’s not hard, you just got to be willing to do the work 
35:25 Randall as a mentor
Randall’s relationship with his guestMike Tyson and his Instagram postRandall’s love for mentoring and coaching 
40:02 Goals in her career and life
The Improv Group - don't think, just jumpYou've got to create your own destinyA list of directors she would like to work withWould love to get marriedA show with Joe Russo 
44:29 Fill in the blank to excellence
My number one professional goalTo be in the Marvel UniverseMy number one personal goalTo get married and have a familyAnd more
Sponsors:
Sandee | Bliss: Beaches

Want to Connect? Reach out to us online!
Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

Welcome to another episode In Search of Excellence! My guest today is Danielle Vasinova. Danielle is an actor, model, producer, entrepreneur, avid equestrian, and drummer, she has been in more than 50 movies and TV shows and is best known for her colorful action-adventure rolls. And she has graced the cover of many magazines, including Vogue, and Harper's Bazaar.
 In this episode, Danielle shares her story of overcoming shyness through cheerleading, starting a modeling career, and landing her first movie role. Randy discovers how he unexpectedly landed a role in a movie alongside Sharon Stone despite having no acting experience and emphasizes the importance of taking advantage of every opportunity you get in life.
 
Time stamps:
01:23 Danielle’s background
Her grandmother was an actress and singer in PragueEscaped communism at 17Met her future husband at displaced persons’ camps in GermanyThey came to New York City togetherHer mom worked for American AirlinesDad tested airplane engines for Pratt and WhitneyFell in love and moved to Connecticut

03:46 Childhood memories
Dad bought her a ponyFarm animals became her friendsPainfully shy as a kidCreating a character is a form of protectionReluctantly became a cheerleaderHelped her to break out of the shellA training accident 
11:12 Modeling at 13
Competition at the local mallThe scout came up to her and offered her to be a modelWent to New York and signed a contractCastings, auditions, rejections and bookings 
18:23 Taking advantage of opportunities
Danielle’s bucket listRandy’s advice on how to get to peopleRandy’s story about meeting a famous actressPeople do respond to bold movesMyocarditis on a date 
29:16 Do you need education to be an actor?
UConn collageWas a waitress the whole timeBecame a Patriots cheerleaderComing to Santa Barbara 
32:31 Young and Restless casting
Called for casting through her momWent to LA and auditionedGot the part 
35:05 Randy’s hilarious experience with the movie industryBecoming friends with Bruce McNallCasting for the role in the movieGetting the role of a police officerMeeting Sharon StoneShooting the scenesBecoming friends with a certain directorBeing offered a role in his show 
50:53 Randy’s first podcast guests
Meeting Sam Zell and becoming friendsSharon Stone andCliff Kingsbury, a football coachMark Cuban responded to his emailThe greatest piece of advice Randy got from his mentorDoing things that no one else has done before
Sponsors:
Sandee | Bliss: Beaches

Want to Connect? Reach out to us online!
Website | Instagram | LinkedIn