Podcast Summary: In Search Of Excellence – Garrett J. White: How I Rebuilt My Life After Losing It All | E151
Introduction
In episode 151 of In Search Of Excellence, host Randall Kaplan sits down with Garrett J. White, a renowned business, marriage, and family coach known for his transformative Wake Up Warrior movement. Released on February 18, 2025, this episode delves deep into Garrett’s tumultuous journey from a troubled upbringing and personal trauma to rebuilding his life and establishing a successful coaching empire. The conversation is raw, vulnerable, and offers profound insights into overcoming adversity, embracing truth, and achieving excellence both personally and professionally.
Garrett’s Early Life and Upbringing
Garrett opens the discussion by recounting his strict Mormon upbringing. Raised in Washington, California, his family dynamics were complex, marked by his father's passivity and his mother's intense discipline rooted in her devout faith.
Garrett (00:00): "We all have dreams of being successful and achieving excellence in our lives. But we inevitably experience resistance, challenges, and obstacles in the pursuit of our dreams."
He describes his father as the youngest of five siblings, diverging from the family's military tradition by adopting a softer demeanor. Conversely, his mother became the aggressive alpha, enforcing rigid discipline to guide her children towards religious righteousness.
Garrett (02:13): "My parents switched roles, and my dad became like a person that wasn't really involved in our lives. I don't have a lot of memories of my dad."
Experiences within Mormonism
Garrett provides an in-depth explanation of Mormonism, distinguishing it from mainstream Christianity and Judaism. He highlights the faith's belief in restoring the lost Gospel of Jesus Christ through Joseph Smith and the introduction of the Book of Mormon as additional scripture.
Garrett (06:32): "Mormons believe that the Gospel of Jesus Christ was lost, that after Christ there was a falling away, and that all the churches were arguing."
His upbringing within this belief system instilled a sense of superiority and strict adherence to religious checklists, which he later critiques as he transitions away from the faith.
Traumatic Experiences and Abuse
A pivotal moment in Garrett’s life was the sexual abuse he endured at the hands of his uncle, starting at the tender age of six. This horrific experience left deep scars, influencing his later struggles with addiction, anger, and relationships.
Garrett (21:00): "I have the images of his penis in front of my face, erect, come on my face. And I'm fucking six."
He speaks candidly about the long-term effects of the abuse, including his inability to form intimate connections and his subsequent anger and violence.
Garrett (22:17): "Most men that I meet are broken. They may not be broken this way, but they're broken in all kinds of ways."
Rise and Fall in Business
Garrett's entrepreneurial journey saw significant successes and devastating failures, particularly during the financial crisis of 2008. He built three successful mortgage companies but faced implosion due to leadership oversights and a lack of entrepreneurial mentorship.
Garrett (63:42): "The first one was, listen to your mentors. People have gone before you. They know the path."
He emphasizes the importance of listening to experienced mentors and understanding that not everyone is cut out to be an entrepreneur, highlighting the unique challenges and burdens of leadership.
Rebuilding Life with Wake Up Warrior
After losing his businesses and grappling with personal turmoil, Garrett founded Wake Up Warrior—a movement aimed at helping individuals, especially men, overcome personal and professional obstacles through truth, authenticity, and holistic self-improvement.
Garrett (67:38): "Wake Up Warrior became the birth child of not just helping entrepreneurs rise, it was helping entrepreneurs rise with everything with them."
Wake Up Warrior offers a structured system and coaching programs that blend physical, emotional, and spiritual growth, enabling participants to lead balanced, fulfilling lives.
Insights on Truth and Authenticity
A recurring theme in Garrett’s narrative is the power of truth. He believes that embracing and sharing one’s truth is essential for genuine transformation and leadership.
Garrett (15:59): "Truth. And unfortunately with truth, because a lot of people will bridge relationships and they'll surrender truth, meaning they won't tell the truth."
He advocates for radical honesty in personal relationships and business, arguing that authenticity fosters trust and integrity, which are foundational for success.
Views on Marriage and Divorce
Garrett shares his perspectives on marriage, highlighting the importance of authenticity and mutual growth. He discusses his own divorce, attributing its success to brutal honesty and the mutual decision to prioritize personal happiness over societal obligations.
Garrett (43:25): "They should tell the truth, I guess, where it all starts. Tell the truth."
He advises individuals in unhappy marriages to prioritize truth over obligation, suggesting that honest communication can either reform relationships or lead to healthier separations.
Entrepreneurial Lessons
Throughout his business career, Garrett distilled key lessons that he imparts to aspiring entrepreneurs:
- Listen to Mentors: Experienced guidance is invaluable.
- Understand Entrepreneurial Demands: Not everyone is suited for the entrepreneurial path; recognizing one’s strengths and limitations is crucial.
- Embrace Truth: Transparent operations and honest self-assessment underpin sustainable success.
Garrett (63:42): "Everything comes back to truth. If you're not listening to your mentors and you're actually not committed to the entrepreneurial journey of suffering, the success is follow suffering at the highest level."
Final Reflections and Advice
Garrett concludes by emphasizing the necessity of preparation, both mentally and spiritually, for achieving excellence. He contrasts his own method of "framework-based" preparation with traditional scripting, highlighting the importance of adaptability and inner readiness.
Garrett (72:21): "My preparation is frameworks. So I love flow. So I can do things naturally in flow that a lot of people cannot."
His overarching message is one of resilience, authenticity, and the relentless pursuit of personal and professional excellence despite overwhelming challenges.
Conclusion
Garrett J. White’s story is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to overcome profound adversity through truth, resilience, and strategic personal development. His insights offer valuable lessons for anyone striving to achieve excellence in the face of life’s inevitable challenges. Through Wake Up Warrior, Garrett continues to inspire and mentor thousands, embodying the essence of seeking and attaining excellence.
Notable Quotes:
- Garrett (00:00): "We all have dreams of being successful and achieving excellence in our lives. But we inevitably experience resistance, challenges, and obstacles in the pursuit of our dreams."
- Garrett (15:59): "Truth. And unfortunately with truth, because a lot of people will bridge relationships and they'll surrender truth, meaning they won't tell the truth."
- Garrett (63:42): "Everything comes back to truth. If you're not listening to your mentors and you're actually not committed to the entrepreneurial journey of suffering, the success is follow suffering at the highest level."
- Garrett (72:21): "My preparation is frameworks. So I love flow. So I can do things naturally in flow that a lot of people cannot."
This episode offers a profound exploration of Garrett’s life, providing listeners with actionable insights and a heartfelt narrative of redemption and excellence.