Life Wide Open with CboysTV

Episode: The Muscle on Going To Jail, Losing His Father, & Finding A Mentor

Date: April 16, 2024
Guest: Keaton Hoskins ("The Muscle" – Diesel Brothers, entrepreneur, author, motivational speaker)

Episode Overview

In this episode, the CboysTV crew sits down with Keaton Hoskins—better known as "The Muscle" from Diesel Brothers—for a candid and wide-ranging conversation. Topics include untold backstories from early social media days, business lessons, mentoring, overcoming adversity, the reality of group success, finding purpose, and the importance of saying yes to life. Keaton shares hard-earned wisdom from going to jail, losing his father at a young age, and discovering the power of personal development and mentorship.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Racing & The Helicopter Prize [00:00–03:00]

• The episode opens with banter about a recent race, the risks involved, and the unique prize—a helicopter.
• Keaton reveals he's too large for some helicopters and prefers a cash buyout, giving an impromptu primer on weight limits and center of gravity in flight.
• Memorable Quote:
  "On smaller helicopters, there's a weight limit on a seat per side... the weight limit on that is 230 pounds." (Keaton, 01:22)

2. The Origin of "The Muscle" [02:00–05:40]

• Keaton recounts the nickname’s origin: teammates relied on him to "muscle through" tough situations, not because of his physical size, but because he got things done.
• He admits to sometimes cringing at the name, but embraces it as core to his personal brand.
• Memorable Quote:
  "That's not even why they call me The Muscle... It's because when shit needed to get done, I have to come in and muscle it and get it done." (Keaton, 04:24)

3. Group Dynamic & The Power of Staying Together [07:50–14:00]

• Keaton stresses the enduring importance of working within a group, drawing parallels to bands and other creative partnerships.
• The crew discusses challenges like ego, family commitments, and salary disparities.
• Keaton’s central advice: "You will always be better in groups than you will individually... Your power will be in your group." (08:19)
• He highlights the importance of everyone in a group feeling important, invoking the universal law of significance.
• Memorable Segment:
  "If you get every individual on the team and every individual understands what they bring...you will continue to grow and grow and grow." (Keaton, 11:44)

4. Personal Growth & Mastering Communication [14:09–21:00]

• Keaton describes his journey as an entrepreneur and early millionaire before TV fame.
• He emphasizes personal development, especially communication skills.
• Keaton shares his “playbook” for networking and mastering social situations: focus on making others feel important through listening and connection.
• Notable Advice:
  "Your ability to walk up to somebody at any point and master a stranger is your ability to network, make money, be successful...” (Keaton, 16:19)

5. Business Building: From Fitness to Dental to Plastic Surgery [22:44–29:15]

• Keaton shares how he launched over 30 businesses including a dental clinic with a novel payment structure and a plastic surgery center using financing plans.
• He stresses the necessity of building infrastructure and hiring great people to manage operations.
• On Leadership:
  "If you really want to blow your business up, you need to build infrastructure... Most people don't realize that." (Keaton, 28:27)

6. Leadership and Predictability [29:17–34:21]

• The foundational trait of a great leader is predictability.
• Keaton recounts leadership lessons from football: consistency allows others to build upon your direction. Unpredictability, by contrast, breeds chaos and fear.
• Applies the same predictability lesson to marriage and parenting.
• Memorable Analogy:
  "That string is what allows everything to do its job. It's predictable... It holds everything down to allow the kite itself to actually fly." (Keaton, 34:06)

7. Advice for the Next Generation [34:21–38:01]

• Strongly opposes the traditional "go to college, get a job" narrative; instead, urges young people to experience everything, say yes, and pursue what lights them up.
• Quote:
  "Do everything. Say yes to everything. Through saying yes, you’re going to find out what you love and what lights your soul on fire.” (Keaton, 35:07)

8. Life Lessons: Going to Jail & Family Loss [38:05–54:12]

• Keaton recounts a formative episode at age 18—getting arrested after avenging a friend’s alleged assault. He faced serious charges and spent weeks in jail but eventually had his sentence reduced.
• Losing his father at 21 had a profound effect, driving him to pursue a life of maximal experience and zero regret.
• Personal development and faith journeys shaped his later perspective.

9. Accountability, Growth, and Mentoring [54:46–60:55]

• Keaton discusses his book, The Divorce Handbook: How to Go to War With Yourself, about turning adversity into personal growth.
• The key to changing one’s life is seeking new information and holding oneself accountable.
• On handling criticism:
  "The sooner you as a human being learn to not give a fuck about other people's opinions, the sooner you become untouchable." (Keaton, 58:34)

10. Who to Take Advice From & The Role of Mentors [63:36–67:38]

• Only take advice from those living the life you want—success isn't just financial.
• Mentorship is the fastest way to growth; a good mentor compresses years into months or days.
• Quote:
  "A good mentor will take years and turn them into months, and months into days." (Keaton, 66:08)

11. Entrepreneurship vs. Employees: Realities & Mindset [68:24–73:02]

• Entrepreneurship is a sprint; being an employee is a marathon—both have value.
• Some are born entrepreneurs, others can be made, but it’s not for everyone.
• Advice:
  "Would you rather sink on your own ship or sail on somebody else's?" (Keaton, 69:00)

12. Mortality, Legacy & Living Without Regret [73:19–78:56]

• Keaton’s drive stems from witnessing his father’s early death and regrets. He lives with an acute sense of urgency.
• He practices daily contemplation of death (drawing from Stoic philosophy) to gain clarity and perspective.
• Quote:
  "Your regrets at end of life will only be the things you hadn't done, not things you did." (Keaton, 74:31)

13. Saying Yes Despite Fear [79:12–85:12]

• The group discusses facing fears, seizing rare opportunities, and the regret of inaction.
• Keaton admits a fear of flying but says that discipline and respect for fear make someone a better pilot or risk-taker.

14. Reflection, Gratitude, and Paying It Forward [85:40–end]

• After being surrounded by high-achieving people, the Cboys acknowledge how motivating these interactions are.
• Keaton concludes with a plug for his mentoring program, Limitless Society, channeling his passion for helping others realize their potential through discipline and mindset.

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• "You will always be better in groups than you will individually. Your power will be in your group.” – Keaton [08:19]
• "Communication is everything. The way you portray a message is everything." – Keaton [14:35]
• "Everyone wants to feel important. If you understand that principle, you'll be successful." – Keaton [11:44]
• "A good mentor will take years and turn them into months, and months into days." – Keaton [66:08]
• "The sooner you learn to not give a fuck about other people's opinions, the sooner you become untouchable." – Keaton [58:34]
• "Your regrets at your end of life will only be the things you hadn't done, not things you did." – Keaton [74:31]
• "Find out in your life what you want... and find someone who's in that next level. That's the only person I would take advice from." – Keaton [65:27]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Racing Antics & Helicopter Talk: [00:00–03:00]
• Origin of "The Muscle" Name: [02:00–05:40]
• Group Success & Challenges: [07:50–14:00]
• Personal Growth & Communication Tips: [14:09–21:00]
• Early Businesses & Building Infrastructure: [22:44–29:15]
• Leadership—Predictability: [29:17–34:21]
• Advice for Young Listeners: [34:21–38:01]
• Jail, Loss, & Personal Transformation: [38:05–54:12]
• Mentorship & Who to Listen To: [63:36–67:38]
• Entrepreneurship & Employee Mindset: [68:24–73:02]
• Facing Death & Living Urgently: [73:19–78:56]
• Fear, Opportunity & Regret: [79:12–85:12]
• Mentorship & Legacy: [85:40–end]

Tone & Style

The episode is unfiltered, motivational, and deeply authentic. Keaton delivers high-energy wisdom, mixing stories of youthful recklessness, bold business moves, and hard-won maturity. The mood shifts fluidly between comic, vulnerable, and inspiring. Throughout, the hosts maintain their signature playful camaraderie and curiosity.

For Listeners: Takeaways

• The power of group effort and honoring individual strengths
• Say yes to opportunities—regret often lies in what you didn't do
• Focus on personal development, especially communication
• Find mentors living the life you want
• Success is about mindset, not just hustle
• Use fear productively, not as a barrier
• Only take advice from people living a life you admire
• Both entrepreneurship and employment have value—know yourself
• Contemplating mortality can focus your choices and priorities

Find more or join Keaton's mentorship at Limitless Society.