JP Dinnell Podcast 116: "Detachment, Extreme Ownership, and Legacies with Ethan Benard"

Date: December 12, 2025
Host(s): JP Dinnell, Lucas Pinckard
Guest: Ethan Benard

Overview

In this episode, JP Dinnell and co-host Lucas Pinckard reconnect with returning guest Ethan Benard following their recent experience at the Echelon Front "Muster" leadership event in Orlando. The conversation centers on lessons learned at the Muster, Ethan's ongoing weight loss and life transformation journey, the principles of detachment and extreme ownership, and the legacies the three men aim to build. The dialogue balances leadership insights, personal growth, community, and faith.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Importance of Being "Selfish" at Learning Events

• Main Idea: JP advocates for a unique kind of "selfishness" at events like the Muster, urging attendees to maximize every opportunity and resource.
  • JP [00:49]: “When you're here, be selfish… get everything you could out of it… not getting the most out of it would be wasting that investment.”
• Ethan’s Take: Being present and pushing himself to honor the opportunities provided both personally and professionally.
  • Ethan [04:13]: “I did everything I could to be present in the moment and get as much of that information, which was a lot… but to glean as much as I could from it those two days.”

2. Detachment and Self-Assessment

• Key Takeaway: Recognizing the value in stepping back and emotionally detaching before making decisions.
  • Ethan [05:54]: “The concept of detachment is new to me… I never even thought of taking a moment to step back, remove emotion from the equation before you take action. That's not a concept that has even entered my mind before the Muster.”
• JP’s Observation: The importance of humility and continuously recognizing 'there’s work left to do.'

3. Power of Community and Genuine Connections

• Ethan’s Experience: Surrounded by authentic, goal-driven individuals at the Muster; contrasts with his previous industries.
  • Ethan [07:59]: “Spending time with people in this community is really… crazy how genuine [they are]… at an event like the Muster, it's almost kind of like the opposite [of my industry].”
• Networking: Building relationships with notable leaders (Jonathan & Anne from First In Nutrition, ex-military leaders, high-level executives).
  • Ethan [18:07]: “It was really interesting hearing about… why they were at the Muster, what they were trying to get out of it.”

4. Physical Challenges and the Power of Shared Suffering

• PT Experience: Ethan discusses struggling with the physical training but being carried along by the group’s energy.
  • Ethan [13:23]: “It was you and about 6 to 700 other people in unison doing an exercise together.”
  • Quote—JP [13:34]: “What does that tell you about the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people in your life?”
• Lucas [15:57] (humor): “He lies to you and says it's 48. And then you end up doing 96. Because… military math is times two of everything…”

5. Leadership Lessons: Delegation and Decentralized Command

• Ethan’s Reflection: Recognizes he’s struggled to delegate to his business partner, Danny, referencing the Muster’s teachings.
  • Ethan [19:23]: “The whole decentralized command thing with Danny is something that I've done a really bad job with this year, man… I haven't delegated anything, which is not only hurting me, but that's also hurting him.”
• JP’s Advice: View delegation as a gift—develops people, fosters ownership, builds a stronger team culture.
  • JP [20:46]: “When you delegate tasks, it's a gift because you're developing those people… by delegation, you're giving them ownership.”

6. Faith, Humility, and Personal Growth

• Recurring Theme: Both hosts and guest frequently circle back to faith, humility, and their spiritual journeys.
  • JP [24:27]: “…just remember that humility is the number one characteristic of every great leader.”
  • Ethan [37:38]: “I am doing this journey internally, more so because I want [my future family] to have a good life as opposed to just me having one.”

7. Legacy and Family

• Joe Reyna’s Analogy: JP shares a powerful lesson from Joe Reyna about what we would do if we lost our job versus our family, bringing perspective to legacy and priorities.
  • JP [30:03]: “If you were to lose your family, Would you go look for a new family the next day? …our families are everything to us… if you're not applying [these leadership principles] at home, you're missing the mark.”
• Lucas’ Expansion on Legacy:
  • Lucas [33:42]: “If we don't think in terms of [loss] then we don't approach [family] with the proper amount of humility… live every day as if it's the last for the person across the table from you.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• JP Dinnell [00:49]:

  “When you're here, be selfish... get everything you could out of it... not getting the most out of it would be wasting that investment.”

• Ethan Benard [05:54]:

  “The concept of detachment is new to me... taking a moment to step back, remove emotion from the equation before you take action... that's not a concept that has even entered my mind before the Muster.”

• JP Dinnell [13:34]:

  “What does that tell you about the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people in your life?”

• Lucas Pinckard [34:08]:

  “Life lived in terms of death are more dynamic... live every day as if it's the last for the person across the table from you.”

• JP Dinnell [20:46]:

  “When you delegate tasks, it's a gift because you're developing those people... you're giving them ownership.”

• Ethan Benard [41:37]:

  “The journey in and of itself is just a testament that, you know, discipline and hard work can get you where you want to be.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:49-05:10: Advice to “be selfish” at the Muster; Ethan’s philosophy on maximizing opportunities.
• 05:37-06:34: Ethan’s major takeaway: the value of detachment; emotional awareness in decision-making.
• 07:53-08:26: Ethan on the genuineness of the Muster community.
• 10:22-13:23: Physical training at the Muster; shared struggle and community support.
• 19:23-22:24: Lessons in delegation, extreme ownership, and business partnership dynamics.
• 29:34-33:42: Discussion on family, legacy, and the importance of applying leadership principles at home.
• 43:57-46:08: Post-Muster application: prioritization and execution of leadership lessons.
• 55:11-56:14: Ethan’s final advice—detachment and extreme ownership as keys for growth.

Ethan’s Final Advice to Listeners

[55:11] Ethan Benard:

“Even the concept of detachment... being able to take a step back from any situation before you take action, reassessing it and removing emotion from the equation, that's huge... And also the whole concept of extreme ownership... regardless of whose fault or blaming anyone else... just taking ownership over a situation... can be huge.”

Closing Thoughts

• Discipline Equals Freedom: The recurring lesson is the transformative power of humility, discipline, and relentless self-improvement, both for oneself and for those we lead at home and in business.
• Community and Support: Seek out events and communities that challenge and inspire you.
• Live and Lead Intentionally: Understand your evolving legacy—and ensure it’s one you’re proud to leave.

Follow:

• @jpdinnell
• @lucaspinckard
• @ethanbenard
• Echelon Front, Origin, Jocko Fuel, First In Nutrition, HooliGolf

Listener call-to-action: Build your legacy—never settle, and always pursue the next level of discipline and ownership.