Podcast
Grit Mindset with Matt Rosen
Hosted by Matt Rosen · EN
This podcast is dedicated to exploring the untold stories of resilience, determination, and mental toughness from leaders in business and technology. Our mission is to inspire and empower listeners by delving deep into the journeys of those who have faced significant challenges and emerged stronger. Through authentic conversations, we uncover the mindsets, strategies, and lessons that have propelled these individuals to overcome adversity and achieve success. We aim to provide actionable insights and real-world advice to help our audience cultivate their own grit and navigate their personal and professional lives with confidence and resilience.
33episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Lessons in Grit with Michelle Johnson (Episode 1 Re-Release!)
2w ago00:21:11Tap to summarizeSeason 1 of The Grit Mindset is complete, and before Season 2 launches, I’m revisiting the episodes that shaped the show most.There was no better place to start than Episode 1 with Michelle Johnson, former CIO at Freeman, with Fortium when we recorded, and now CIO at Associa. She took a chance on a brand new podcast with a host who had no idea what he was doing yet. She gave me two ideas in that first conversation that I've carried through everything since. The first: "It takes grit to quit." Not as a catchphrase. As a real observation. Sometimes the gritty move isn't to keep pushing — it's to walk away from what isn't working so you can put your energy somewhere it will. The second: "You learn how to do hard better." She was quoting the women's basketball coach at Duke. Not easier. Better. That's the whole show in one sentence. Grit isn't about life getting smoother. It's about getting more skilled at handling what's hard. Season 2 is coming. Until then, stay gritty.
Transcribe →Breaking the Ceiling: Season 1 Finale
3w ago00:09:49Tap to summarizeAfter 60 episodes, Matt Rosen is putting the Grit Mindset on hiatus — not from burnout, but to break through a craft ceiling. In this Season 1 finale, he shares three specific lessons from three guests who changed how he thinks about interviewing, vulnerability, and the people closest to him. Plus: what's coming in Season 2, when the show returns, and how listeners can shape the next chapter. Stay gritty.
Transcribe →No Days Off: Forging a Legacy through Cancer, Career, and Caregiving
4w ago00:43:21Tap to summarizeCharacter isn't built in a boardroom; it’s forged in the quiet, grueling moments of showing up when it would be easier to stay down. On this episode of The Grit Mindset, Matt Rosen pays tribute to the unwavering resolve of energy executive and close family friend Cindy Jaggi.Cindy’s journey is a masterclass in what it means to be steadfast—serving as the anchor for her family and her company through a decade of extraordinary trials. This is a story about the quiet strength required to 'soldier on' when the stakes are highest.In this episode, we explore:-The Early Foundation: How overcoming adversity in rural Missouri as a teenager prepared her for the high-stakes world of energy leadership.-The Corporate Climb: Navigating the ladder in a demanding industry with a persistent, "no-excuses" work ethic.-The Invisible Lift: Balancing the pressures of executive leadership with the daily demands of managing a household and raising two children.-Grace Under Fire: Navigating a ten-year battle with breast cancer—undergoing treatment without ever missing a day of work.-The Ultimate Partner: Supporting her husband through his medical challenges with transverse myelitis, proving that true grit is often a selfless act.Cindy Jaggi is living proof that your character is your most valuable asset. Her life reminds us that being 'unbreakable' isn't about avoiding the storm—it's about being the one who holds steady until it passes.
Transcribe →The 1% Rule: Melvin Bullitt’s Blueprint for Resilience & Growth
Apr 2900:28:31Tap to summarizeMelvin Bullitt didn't just walk onto an NFL roster; he fought his way from undrafted free agent to Super Bowl Captain for the Indianapolis Colts. But for Melvin, the gridiron was only the first half.In this episode of The Grit Mindset, the Texas A&M legend gets raw about the "silent season" following retirement and the mental fortitude required to pivot from professional athlete to elite entrepreneur. We dive into:-The Undrafted Mentality: How to outwork the "sure bets" when no one is looking.-The Post-Game Pivot: Navigating the identity shift and mental health challenges after the cheering stops.-The Bullitt Experience: How he’s scaling grit, leadership, and community through his premier training facility.-The 1% Philosophy: Why incremental daily wins are the only way to survive high-stakes environments.Whether you're an athlete, a business leader, or someone in the middle of a major life transition, Melvin’s story is a masterclass in staying dangerous when the odds are against you.
Transcribe →Strategic Discomfort: Why Your Comfort Zone is Killing Your 10-Year Plan
Apr 2200:35:20Tap to summarizeYour 10-year plan is likely taking too long because you’re staying too comfortable.In this episode, George Digianni joins Matt Rosen to break down the framework of “Strategic Discomfort”—the intentional pursuit of friction that transforms slow growth into massive momentum. George pulls back the curtain on his journey from a $487K first year to a seven-figure powerhouse, proving that scaling a business requires more than just a better strategy; it requires a harder mindset.In this conversation, we cover:Goal Compression: The tactical shift needed to turn a decade-long vision into a 12-month reality.The Grit Factor: Why hiring for core values and internal drive beats technical skill every single time.Navigating the Friction: How to handle the culture clashes and tough decisions that come with rapid scaling.Mission Alignment: Protecting your company’s soul while aggressively pursuing its growth.If you’re ready to stop avoiding the "tough stuff" and start using it as a catalyst for transformation, this episode is your blueprint.
Transcribe →From the Oval Office to the Agency: Lessons from the White House to Building a Photography Firm
Apr 1500:28:50Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Grit Mindset, Matt Rosen sits down with Grant Miller, CEO of Grant Miller Photography. Grant’s journey didn't start in a boardroom—it started with a passion for the lens that landed him a life-changing internship at the White House under President George W. Bush.But the real story is what happened after the West Wing. Grant discusses how observing leadership at the highest level provided the blueprint for founding and scaling a premier national photo and video agency.We dive deep into:- The High-Stakes Classroom: What working with a U.S. President teaches you about composure and professional excellence.- From Solopreneur to CEO: The gritty transition from being behind the camera to leading a national team.- The Psychology of Adversity: How to handle personal and business "dark moments" without losing your momentum.- Mentorship & Movement: Finding the right voices to help you build resilience and a "never-quit" culture.Whether you are a creative professional looking to scale or an entrepreneur navigating a high-pressure season, Grant’s unfiltered insights offer a masterclass in building a business—and a life—with absolute grit.
Transcribe →The Pivot Point: How Andrew Brock Bridged the Gap from Finance to Tech Giant
Apr 800:30:22Tap to summarizeWhat happens when you mix the analytical rigor of a nuclear physicist with the creative intuition of an artist? You get the leadership style of Andrew Brock.In this episode, Matt Rosen sits down with the Global CIO of Associa and CEO of HOAM Ventures to deconstruct a career path that defies the standard corporate trajectory. From his early days in East Tennessee to high-stakes finance roles at Kraft Foods and PepsiCo, Andrew reveals how he successfully navigated the leap into technology leadership.In this episode, we dive into:- The Hybrid Mindset: How a dual upbringing in science and art built a foundation for innovative problem-solving.- The Finance-to-Tech Leap: Navigating career pivots and overcoming the "imposter syndrome" that often follows.- Leading Through Friction: Andrew’s strategies for building resilient teams and driving digital transformation in established industries.- Grit in Action: Why "trusting your gut" is a measurable leadership skill, not just a cliché.Whether you are an aspiring executive or an entrepreneur looking for the mental toughness to scale, Andrew’s journey offers a masterclass in perseverance and tactical authenticity.
Transcribe →Marine to Special Forces: The Mental Cost of Elite Performance
Apr 100:33:38Tap to summarizeEveryone talks about "grit" until they’re cold, wet, and failing. Real resilience isn’t a feeling—it’s a tactical decision made when your body is begging you to stop. Nate Wisan didn’t just survive the transition from Marine Corps Infantry to the Green Berets; he mastered the psychological discipline required to lead where most people quit.The Intel: In this episode, we strip away the Hollywood version of Special Operations. As the Chief of Staff at the Special Operations Association of America (SOAA), Nate is now at the forefront of a different kind of mission: advocating for the elite operators who live in the shadows.What’s Inside:- The Crucible: Why the "Q-Course" and Marine Corps Infantry are designed to find your breaking point—and what happens when you hit it.- Rural Discipline: How a childhood in Northern California built the foundation for a life of service.- The Advocacy Mission: The high-stakes work of the SOAA and why the "Quiet Professional" needs a loud voice in Washington.- Failure as Data: Why Nate views his biggest setbacks as the most valuable intelligence for his next move.- The Bottom Line: If you’re looking for a "rah-rah" motivational speech, this isn't it. This is a masterclass in the mental cost of elite performance and the reality of staying effective when the stakes are at their highest.
Transcribe →Leading Through Loss: How Jay Ferro Built a Resilient Life and Career
Mar 2500:41:49Tap to summarizeHow do you go from an "accidental technologist" at Pizza Hut to leading world-class organizations like Clario? In this episode of The Grit Mindset, Matt Rosen sits down with Jay Ferro—CTO, CIO, and Allata board member—to deconstruct a career defined by evolution and a life defined by resilience.Jay pulls back the curtain on the high-stakes world of global technology, discussing the impact of AI in clinical trials and the discipline required to make tough decisions with imperfect information. But the conversation goes far deeper than the boardroom. Jay opens up about facing devastating personal loss, the journey of becoming a single father to three sons, and the "grit" required to keep moving forward when life hits hardest.In this episode, you’ll learn:- The Career Pivot: How to turn "accidental" opportunities into a C-suite trajectory.- Leading Through Adversity: Practical wisdom on maintaining leadership during personal crisis.- The Future of Tech: How AI is realistically reshaping clinical trials and global health.- The Mentorship Mindset: Why building a team is more about people than pixels.Whether you’re navigating a career transition or looking for the strength to overcome a personal hurdle, Jay’s story is a powerful reminder that grit isn’t just about working harder—it’s about staying the course.
Transcribe →The Brink of Bankruptcy: How a Auto Mechanic Built an Empire
Mar 1800:36:01Tap to summarizeMost CEOs talk about their wins. Ryan Blair, CEO of Alloy Automotive, is here to talk about the scars.Ryan didn’t climb a corporate ladder—he built one out of scrap metal. In this episode of Grit Mindset, Matt Rosen digs into the transition from a struggling student and Audi technician to the head of a multi-location automotive powerhouse. This isn't a story about luck; it’s a masterclass in what happens when your back is against the wall and the only way out is through.In this episode, we break down:• The Survival Phase: The exact moment Ryan nearly saw his dream collapse and the mental shift that saved the business.• The Blue-Collar Advantage: Why starting in the "grease" of the trades provides a competitive edge that an MBA can’t touch.• Tactical Resilience: How to move from being a technician in the business to a leader on the business.• The Mentorship Pivot: Why you can't go it alone, and how the right guidance changes the trajectory of growth.If you’re currently facing a "near-death" experience in your career or business, this conversation is your field manual. Ryan proves that when you have enough grit, nothing is truly impossible.
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