Podcast
Grit Mindset with Matt Rosen
Hosted by Matt Rosen · EN
The Grit Mindset is where the people who already broke tell the real version. CEOs whose playbooks died. Green Berets and pro athletes who lost the identity they built everything on. Founders and fund managers who watched the money disappear. Not the LinkedIn version — the specific day it ended, the unglamorous middle, and what the rebuild actually cost.
Hosted by Matt Rosen — CEO of Allata and national media commentator on AI and leadership — every episode follows the story through four acts: who they were before, the break, the rebuild, and the bill.
If you're leading through the next five years, these are the people to learn from. Stay gritty.
44episodes
Episodes
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Grit Mindset with Matt Rosen (Highlights 2025)
Dec 2500:51:41Tap to summarizeGrit Mindset with Matt Rosen (Highlights 2025) brings together entrepreneurs, leaders, and builders for an honest conversation about grit, hard work, and the realities of personal and professional growth. Across the episode, one message is clear: hard work never gets easier, but you get better at doing hard things. Grit isn’t something you’re born with; it’s learned through experience, discipline, and the decisions you make when challenges show up. When you have clarity around the future you want to create, the values you stand for, and why it all matters, it becomes easier to push forward, adapt, and stay in motion, even when things get uncomfortable. Failure is reframed as part of the process, not a personal identity. Every setback is an event, a lesson, and an opportunity to grow. When things feel overwhelming, the advice is simple: focus on the next most important action, keep moving, and build courage by doing the hard things. One speaker shares wisdom passed down from his father: inside your head is a small switch, turn it just half a revolution, and fear becomes fight. The discussion also dives deep into entrepreneurship and career building. For young professionals, success often requires seasons of imbalance, paying your dues, grinding it out, and focusing intensely on your work before expecting balance. Surrounding yourself with people who challenge you, rather than staying comfortable, is emphasized as a key to growth. Vision, self-belief, and refusing to compromise what you’re building matter just as much as skill. Leadership is not about ego. It’s a “we” thing, not a “me” thing. Great leaders inspire hope, belief, and purpose, and they look beyond short-term wins toward a longer 10-year horizon. Giving back through philanthropy and lifting others up is framed as part of a truly successful life. As one guest puts it, happiness, not just wealth, is the real goal, joking that his tombstone will read: He could have made more money, but he couldn’t have had more fun. The episode also highlights the strength of the Dallas–Fort Worth business community, described as dynamic, diversified, and resilient. With strong roots in finance, real estate, aviation, and emerging tech and life sciences, the region continues to adapt and thrive, weathering economic cycles through balance and innovation. Bottom line: Grit is built, not given. The journey is hard, imperfect, and demanding, but it’s also deeply rewarding for those willing to jump, commit, and keep going.
Transcribe →Charles Haley's Hard Truth: Five Super Bowl Rings, Undiagnosed Battles, and the Real Meaning of Grit
Dec 1700:33:52Tap to summarizeNFL legend. Five-time Super Bowl champion. Unfiltered truth.In this powerful episode of The Grit Mindset with Matt Rosen, Charles Haley opens up like never before, sharing the raw story behind his greatness. From growing up struggling in school and battling undiagnosed bipolar disorder to playing through pain, winning five Super Bowls, and losing his identity after football, Haley’s journey is a masterclass in real grit.He breaks down what grit truly means, why failure is part of success, and how shifting from problems to solutions can change your life. Haley also shares the mission behind his Tackle Tomorrow Foundation, his faith, and the lessons he’s passed on to his children about discipline, resilience, and purpose.This isn’t just a football story. It’s a conversation about mental health, faith, leadership, and finding strength when life hits hard.If you want motivation that’s real, raw, and unforgettable, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. 🎧🔥
Transcribe →Episode 17: Gabe Moreno Shares His Insights on Building Resilience
Jun 18, 202500:30:01Tap to summarizeHow do you cultivate grit in today’s fast-paced world? In this episode of Grit Mindset with Matt Rosen, Matt chats with Gabe Moreno, president of Bishop Dunn Catholic School, about his inspiring journey from student to leader. Gabe shares valuable insights on transforming challenges into opportunities, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and building confidence through competence in education. Tune in to discover how to inspire the next generation to embrace resilience and grow through their experiences!
Transcribe →Episode 16: How Ted Clouser Turned Rock Bottom Into a Comeback
Jun 11, 202500:30:52Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Grit Mindset with Matt Rosen, I sit down with the CEO of PCA Technology Solutions, Ted Clouser, who opens up about the emotional toll of stepping into leadership—and how hitting rock bottom led him to a whole new level of growth.From battling depression to transforming his mindset, Ted shares the raw, real journey behind rebuilding not just a business, but himself.
Transcribe →Ep 15: From Dallas Roots to Business Heights, Homero Gonzalez’s Grit Story
Jun 4, 202500:34:02Tap to summarizeWelcome back to the Grit Mindset Podcast! I'm your host, Matt Rosen, and today I'm sitting down with Homero Gonzalez, the founder of DFW America Painting and Wallcovering. Born and raised in Dallas, Homero shares how his local roots and relentless mindset helped him build a successful business right here in the community he calls home. We dive into his entrepreneurial journey, the values that drive him, and what it takes to succeed when you start from the ground up. Stay Gritty!
Transcribe →Episode 14: Media, Mindset, and Momentum with Jeff Crilley
May 28, 202500:31:07Tap to summarizeOn today's episode of The Grit Mindset Podcast, I talk with Jeff Crilley, founder of Real News Public Relations and Real News Studios — and the very person who owns the space where this podcast is recorded. Jeff shares his story of growing up in Detroit, spending over 20 years in TV news, writing a book, and delivering hundreds of speeches for free over six years. He also dives into how those experiences shaped the launch of his company and his mission to bring authenticity back to the media. It's an inspiring conversation about grit, humility, and finding purpose through persistence. Stay gritty!
Transcribe →Episode 13: All We Do Is Data
May 16, 202500:35:13Tap to summarizeIn this episode, I sit down with John Humphrey, founder of CoPoint Data, to talk about how the company got its start back in 2024—and how it’s grown into a focused data and AI consultancy. From advanced analytics and machine learning, John shares how CoPoint is helping clients make smarter decisions with their data. It's a story of grit, persistence, and building something valuable from the ground up in a competitive tech landscape. If you're into the real-world side of tech, data, and starting something from scratch, this one's for you. Stay gritty!
Transcribe →Episode 12: Holding It Together, Grit and Glasses with Rick Hopper
May 7, 202500:36:20Tap to summarizeIn this episode, I sit down with Rick Hopper, the inventor behind Readerest — the magnetic eyeglass holder that took Shark Tank by storm. We dive into the origin of Readerest, the hustle behind getting it off the ground, and the incredible journey through entrepreneurship and invention. Hear how grit, vision, and a little bit of magnetism changed Rick's life. This one’s not to be missed. Stay Gritty!
Transcribe →Episode 11: Tech Roots with Brian Childers
Apr 30, 202500:30:20Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Grit Mindset, I'm joined by Brian Childers, Founder/ CEO Comport. Brian is a tech professional and entrepreneur whose story begins in the small town of Colfax, Louisiana. Raised in a close-knit community of fewer than 2,000 people, Brian developed the grit and determination that would shape his future. After earning a degree in computer technology, he launched his career and eventually made his mark in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, both in the tech industry and as a business owner. Tune in to hear Brian’s inspiring journey from rural beginnings to building his own path as a tech entrepreneur. Stay Gritty!
Transcribe →Episode 10: Growing with Grit – Ashley Lowrance on Leadership, Legacy, and High-Performing Spaces
Apr 23, 202500:36:13Tap to summarizeIn this episode I'm joined by the inspiring Ashley Lowrance, President & CEO of GL Seaman & Company. From serving some of DFW’s most innovative businesses to partnering with clients across the country, Ashley explores the intersection of business leadership, workplace strategy, and long-term growth. Whether you're scaling a company, shaping a team, or rethinking how space influences performance, this podcast offers actionable insights from someone who’s led from the inside out. Stay Gritty!
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