Ty Schmidt (3:15)

Wow. What a good question. Well, you know, I. Honestly, it goes back to storytelling. I was a reporter for the local newspaper, and I was a reporter for a national teen magazine written for teens by teens in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, called Gumbo Teen Magazine back in the early 2000s. It was. It was such a fun experience, and I got to meet and learn from some amazing humans who taught me so much through their stories and through the. Through the process. And over time, I realized how much we can all learn and grow from each other's stories. So, you know, when I think about branding, I really think I think of it more as storytelling. And, you know, I've tried to integrate that into my social media, which is why it's really special to me that you recognize that, because I actually purposely and intentionally leave different parts of my story in different places. Because what reason is there for people to follow you in all the places if you're not giving them something a little different in each of the places? So storytelling is at the soul of branding to me. And that's really how, you know, it goes way back with the journalism. The journalism. Interesting.

Mick Hunt (4:33)

Yeah. And I think what. What initially drew me to you was one, the storytelling. But just how after watching a few pieces of your content, like, I felt like I knew Ty. And by that meaning, I genuinely knew you. Right. Like. Like maybe not the person that you were. I don't mean this the wrong way, but the person you were trying to put out there in content. Because, you know, a lot of times I, like, even myself, like, sometimes it's like I don't want you to know everything about me, so I'm going to give you this. Right. I felt like I genuinely knew who Ty was, what your core values were, what family means to you, and just all the things. And you were not necessarily trying to do that in your content, but that's. That's what drew me to you. And because I know more about you than probably I. Than most people that I follow on social media, because I interact with you and all that jazz. I'd love for you to tell us what's your. Because, like, what's that thing that's deeper than your why? Like? And I'll tell you, she's gonna answer it, but if you just go look at her Instagram, you're gonna figure out you're gonna see her because. Because she lives it and it's there every day. But for us that are listening and watching, Tyler, what's your. Because?

Ty Schmidt (5:48)

Thank you for that question. It's very honestly, soulful and layered question for me. So I ask for your patience as I've. I've given it some thought. As a fan of yours, I had a feeling that I would. I would be working through this because you are the king of purpose and understanding and getting to know your purpose. So thank you for the opportunity.

Mick Hunt (6:08)

Thank you.

Ty Schmidt (6:09)

Answer a bit lengthy. So when I think about my. Because it's kind of something that's evolved over time, and the common thread is people and helping. Helping people. So my. Because started with wanting to help my dad. He had bipolar disorder, and I went to school to be a counselor so that I could help people like him, because my doc, his doctors, didn't end up helping him. And he ultimately went to Heaven early in 2009 by his choice, in a choice that my mom and my sister and I have were left to figure out the why. And when that happened, I was actually studying to get my master's degree in clinical psychology to do the thing to help the people. And I told more than one person that when that happened, I said, there's no way. There's no way I'm going to finish this degree. There's no way I can actually help people. This is too hard. And when you are as optimistic and bright and happy and sunny as I am, just naturally, it was very hard to feel so dark and so down and so depressed and working through that. I didn't cope well. I turned to alcohol, and it nearly killed me. And I gave up alcohol when I became a mom. And that's the first layer of my because or my why, because my boys have. I always wanted to be a girl mom, and God had other plans. So he gave me these two boys who are ruckus and loud and they're crazy, and I love every bit of being their mom, but they've taught me so much. And the biggest and most important thing that they've taught me is how important it is to really just go outside your comfort zone, because growth happens outside your comfort zone. And one of the ways that they've taught me that is through roller coasters. I was not a roller coaster person. And somehow. Somehow I found myself on roller coasters. I was ridden 50, 50 roller coasters in two years. And I've learned a lot. That's like the whole sidebar of its own. But the first part of my why is my voice. And the second part comes into play where, you know, things got rough during COVID again, and I made bad decisions again. And I landed myself in the transplant ICU for 16 days at the age of 35 years old. I was told that I would need a liver transplant and that I was probably. I probably had cirrhosis.

Mick Hunt (8:43)

Wow.

Ty Schmidt (8:44)

That was hard. That was. You talk about a wake up call. That was a wake up call. And also very much the second part of my why or my because. Because I am very grateful and I get kind of emotional talking about it, but I'm very grateful and happy to report that after a lot of hard work, a lot of God's work, a lot of inner work and all of that, I now have a healthy, normal liver. And my doctors call me a miracle, and they call me that. You know, I see that as a calling. I see that as like a purpose. I see that as a how God has given me the second chance, and I am here to do something with it. I want to empower people to build their unreal life from the ground up, using tools like music, mindset, and movement to build their unreal life from the ground up so that they can remember who they are while they're building who they're becoming. I want to listen, I want to serve, and I want to be Matthew 5:16. I want to be the light. And that. That. That is my full, full circle because simply amazing.

Mick Hunt (9:59)

Simply amazing. And there's so much of just that and that story that I want to unpack and unplug a little bit. So, you know, talking about you going to college and majoring in something specifically to help your father, what was not to. Not to go into the deep memory bank, but talk to us about what that's like as a child, to. To see a void and then to want to go help, you know, complete that void or solve that void, like, talk to us through that decision process and what that was like for you growing up.

Ty Schmidt (10:40)

Well, my childhood was a lot of fun. We had a lot of really good times, but we lacked stability. And, you know, that. That remains something that I continue to work on because the lack of stability led to a lot of Just kind of chaos and the inability to find your footing and, you know, just kind of uncertainty knowing because, you know, when you have bipolar, it's really, really, really good or it's really, really, really bad. And we had a lot of both. And, you know, figuring out that I truly and sincerely wanted to help people like my dad. You know, it was. It wasn't even like I thought about it that much. It just felt, again, almost like a calling. Like, I just felt like, you know, this empathy for him, but also for everybody that has something heavy or has something that they're carrying behind the scenes. Because breaking news, everybody does, right? Like, everybody and every family and every single situation that you come across. You know, I think I saw Jay Shetty had a clip of on his social the other day with some people, like, walking in the road and, you know, the little. The words above them, like, got laid off today, Got in a car crash, going to visit their grandma in the hospital. You know, like, you never really know what a person is going through. So, you know, figuring out that I wanted to bring some level of stability and clarity for the people that are struggling, it just seemed obvious. Like, it seemed like, well, this is what I'm supposed to do. But then I recognized the fact that I am also very, very empathetic. And my concern with deciding to do counseling and be a therapist right away after everything that happened with my dad was that I did. I knew I couldn't leave it at the office. I knew I would take it home with me. And that. That's something that I, you know, actively decided then to not pursue. Even though now, you know, a few years later, I'm thinking, well, gee, maybe I should go back to school. Maybe I should get that 3,000 hours of, you know, supervised service to people because, you know, just. It feels. It feels like it might be right.

Mick Hunt (12:51)

But every year, people set fitness goals, and every year, most people quit because they over complicate it or follow bad advice online. You don't need another influencer telling you what worked for them. You need something built for you. And that is why I use fitbod. Fitbod takes the thinking out of training. I open the app, it knows my goals, my recovery, how much time I have, and what equipment I'm working with. The workout is ready. No guesswork, no wasted reps. It honestly feels like having a personal trainer in your pocket. The workouts adapt as you get stronger, push you when you're ready, and help you stay consistent even when you're traveling or short on time. That's the difference? Consistency beats motivation every time. Level up your workout in the new year. Join Fitbod today to get your personalized workout plan. Get 25% off your subscription or try the app free for seven days at Fitbod. Me Mick that's f I t b o d me Mikk before everyone started talking about AI, I was focused on one thing getting my time back. I run multiple brands, podcasts, events and content. If something can be automated, it should be. That's where Zapier comes in. We talk a lot about trends on this show, but trends don't make you more efficient. Tools do. Zapier is how you can cut through the AI hype and actually put it to work. My team uses Zapier to connect the platforms we already use. Forms, CRMs, content, workflows, follow ups and more. No tech headaches, no bottlenecks, et cetera. It just runs in the background while we focus on leading. Zapier lets you connect AI tools like ChatGPT or Claude directly into your workflow. From enriching leads to supporting sales or resolving issues, it works where you work. Join the 3.4 million companies already automating with Zapier and transform how you work with Zapier and AI. Get started for free by visiting zapier.com mic that's Z A P I E R.com M I C K

Ty Schmidt (15:11)

I think, I think that answered your question. I'm not, I'm not sure.

Mick Hunt (15:13)

No, no, no. It totally did. It totally did. And so then the next part that I want to like unpacking and kind of start to parallel is psychology. Right? Doesn't equal brand development, brand building. So when did Little Big Media, like when did that become a thought process? As you're going from all the things that you've overcome personally, from your father, from your personal, all the great things that you've done. When did Little Big Media, when did that become like a focal point?

Ty Schmidt (15:52)

Well, I would argue that psychology plays much more role in branding than we think. And let's argue, I'm good with that. I think it does. I think that psychology and branding go hand in hand because you think about branding as one of your tools in your tool belt for marketing. And marketing is very heavily based in psychology. So I decided to do and to pursue Little Big Media as a relatively intentional career pivot. So I love, I loved my job as a newspaper reporter. I loved my job at the magazine. And I recognized very early on that just as papers, like newspapers, get smaller and thinner, it means there's less people working there. So I decided to pivot. How can I tell story? How can I continue to offer a platform and be a storyteller in this emerging world? And that happened through Little Big Media. So I started Little Big and it's, it's named after my, my little and my Big, my, my sons. That's what it's, that's what it's named after. And I started it in an era right the, the day after I accepted an award from the Wisconsin. I think, my goodness, I'm going to mess this up. But the Wisconsin Newspaper association gave, I won an award for some investigative journalism that I did that next day. I started Little Big Media as a way to be a stay at home mom and also continue to tell people stories through branding, through content, through marketing and social media. And I did a lot of different things. I've done so many. I'm trying not to like laugh in my microphone too much because I breathe too heavy because it's, I'm learning how to use this microphone. But I, I got to do so many. I mean, I wrote, I wrote pieces for like $3 from Upwork. Like, I, I, I did a lot of random work that I learned something from. Every single thing I learned something from. And that's, I'm very grateful for, for every little opportunity that I had along the way. But that's kind of how it happened. I evolved with time and I made that intentional choice that, you know, I had this very expensive degree which I'll be paying off until after I'm dead. And I wanted to be a mom. So I was like, how can I be a mom and continue to tell stories? And that's, that's where Little Big was born.

Mick Hunt (18:17)

Amazing. Amazing. And so for those that are watching or listening, let's talk about the things that Little Big does. Like, so what are some of the services that you provide that you do?

Ty Schmidt (18:29)

Thank you for that. My goodness, I'm so grateful for the, for the open door. And I will run through it. Let's go. So Little Big is a, you know, a conduit for storytelling with the, with the branding specifically. So what I want to do is I want to help people, businesses and companies tell their story through social media. And one of the ways, you know, one of the, I'll just give you an example of like a, like a format and a structure. And this is, this is just added value for your listeners who, you know, particularly like nonfiction authors. Right. Like, I love helping nonfiction authors because they've written something that they're very proud of, as they should be. And a lot of times, just because you're an author doesn't mean you know how to do any amount of social media marketing. So something that I find to be very helpful for clients is a framework that I've. I've started to call hsa. So it's hook, and then it's story, and then it's action. So a lot of times I'll see an author, particularly in the nonfiction space. They'll. They'll. They'll put their video out there, which is oftentimes really hard because they're used to. They're used to kind of working in a silo, writing in an office. And then they have to, like, do this thing with the camera. Why? You know, so they. They tell it and. And I. And I hear it, and I hear it backwards. Like, I have a good friend who finally posted her very first video on her book last week. And I was so excited. Cause I've been coaching her. I've been talking with her. I'm like, let's get this out there. Let's get your story out there. So she finally posts her video, and I listened to it, and she buried the lead. Like, she buried the hook. The hook was like three, four into it. And I just said, friend, you did so good. And you need to put that little nugget that you saved for a minute or, you know, for 45 seconds in. You need to put that at the beginning. That's the hook, right? That's the pain. That's what people will stop the scroll for. You need to put that at the beginning. That then you tell the story, and then you give the call to action. And she just watching her face, she said, oh, my gosh, of course. That makes sense. But we don't. We don't. You know, authors don't necessarily think of things that way. So it's. It's an. What little big is is for is helping to provide the clarity and then the strategy so that people. So that these authors who are very gifted, particularly in, you know, so many ways, to just shuffle things around a little bit and have more impact ultimately.

Mick Hunt (21:06)

So we're friends. We're friends. So we're gonna have a friend con. So everybody that's watching and listening, you know, over a million downloads and streams a month, million people are about to hear this. We're friends. I'm mad at you. I needed help. I needed help, but I need help. Where was my help, Ty? Just because, yes, I did. Out of the gate. Go USA Today bestseller. I did, yes. But I didn't do anything. Social media with the book, and my best friend over here didn't give me wisdom. A nugget. Okay, I'm joking, everybody. She did offer. I'm just saying. But. But you didn't. You didn't give me a proposal. You were just like, hey, here you go. So you know what I. My question to you is, Ty, am I not good enough for you to work with? Is that really what it is? Like, I'm just not good enough?

Ty Schmidt (22:04)

You know, I'm not gonna lie, Mick. I too, get imposter syndrome. And I too, feel sometimes uncomfortable, which is, here we go with the growth and the uncomfort. But I feel uncomfortable throwing myself out there sometimes. Um, but I would be honored to help you in any way, which is why, as you know, and if. If the. If our friends want to go check it out. I mean, honestly, any of this is, like Vic keeps saying, any of it is. Is documented on the Internet. Like, I have all the things that you can go and follow any of these. Any of these loops and any of these threads that we're talking through. And one of the things that I. That I do actively on social is, you know, maybe I wasn't comfortable asking, hey, I want to help you, and I still do. We can talk about that later. But the bigger and kind of maybe more important thing is I do find ways to support and elevate and lift people who I see that are doing amazing work. So I actually have, you know, a little bit of a reputation of being a fan girl. And, you know, I've had some leaders in my life tell me that that's not a good thing. Like, you gotta stop being. Stop. That's embarrassing. And I've decided to embrace it as a superpower because I think being a fan girl of the people and the. And the places and the things and the music and all of the things that bring you joy and happiness and inspire you. It's almost like your job. Like, you need to share that because, you know, these people are these artists, these, you know, storytellers. These people are not, you know, necessarily. They don't know how to always do it. So I feel it's part of my job to say, hey, I love this song. You guys need this song in your life, or you need this book in your life. And to bring things back full circle for us, that is what I did do. Even though I didn't reach out about helping with your social, which I would love to still do, I Did, you know, go out of my way to make sure that everybody that follows Ty Schmidt knows that they needed Mick Hunt in their life and they needed Mick Hunt's book in their life.

Mick Hunt (24:08)

So, I mean, that was a very long winded way of saying, yeah, Mick, you just were not good enough for my services. Like, you can just say that. I don't have it, though. It's okay.

Ty Schmidt (24:18)

It's okay.

Mick Hunt (24:19)

Sorry. I hired somebody yesterday, though, so I'm good now, moving forward.

Ty Schmidt (24:23)

Sad I missed my chance. See, guys, that's why you can't wait. Don't be a waiter. Maha Abu Alanin. That's like one of her number one things. Don't be a waiter. Get it done. Do it now.

Mick Hunt (24:33)

Absolutely. Absolutely. So I want to shift gears, but not shift gears. I want to talk more about Little Big Media, but more about your perspective of what do you see people doing wrong that they can improve on. So let's just say Ty has a big clientele and she can't really bring on new clients, especially me. Like, she couldn't even bring me on. So whatever. But you can give tips and wisdom right now for the person that's watching this listing, that's like, all right, Ty, I get it. I'm probably doing something wrong. One, what's the big thing that you see most people doing wrong? And then two, what's the fix for that?

Ty Schmidt (25:12)

You're making it too much about you. A lot of people make it too much about them and their pain and their story. And I think we all have the gift of connection to so many people. And like, we've talked about, everybody's got something going on. So when I think of my content, I think about what people will gain or the value that I'm bringing to the table for other people. And then I work into my story, you know, like, and carefully. And I try. I try to use highest value, fewest words, but it doesn't always work out that way because I've always been a wordy human. And, you know, I just think that if you come from a place of abundance and gratitude in every part of life, not just in this, but if you come from a place of service and of honestly trying to fix a problem that somebody doesn't necessarily even know they have, that's the best way to truly serve and the business will follow. And because you're leading with heart, and that is value that people, especially with our era of AI and things kind of feeling very chaotic and out of control with content right now, the thing that really resonates and really brings people in is that authenticity and it's that humanity part of it. So the biggest thing I would say is serve. You serve, serve, serve, serve, and then you sell.

Sponsor/Ad Voice (26:45)

Yes, online shopping is quite literally at our fingertips, but that doesn't mean it's always simple to buy. Whether it's trying to remember one of a million different logins so you can actually place your order, or getting almost all the way through checkout before realizing your card is nowhere near you. There are many hiccups that can get between you and placing that order, which is why it's such a relief when you see that purple pay button that has all of your information saved, making checkout as simple as a tap of your screen. That iconic purple shop pay button is why Shopify has the best converting checkout on the planet. Meaning less carts going abandoned and more sales going to you. Shopify is the commerce platform behind millions of businesses around the world and 10% of all e commerce in the US from household names like Thrive Cosmetics, Gymshark and Allbirds to brands just getting started. And they're not just great at converting sales. If people haven't heard about your brand yet, Shopify can help you find your customers with easy to run email and social media campaigns. And they have world class expertise in everything from managing inventory to international shipping to processing returns and beyond. Tackle all of those important tasks from one place, making your life easier and your business operations smoother. See less carts go abandoned and more sales go with Shopify and their Shop Pay button. Sign up for your $1 per month trial today at shopify.com realm. Go to shopify.com realm that's shopify.com realm

Mick Hunt (28:22)

this episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Do you ever find yourself playing the budgeting game? Well, with the name your price tool from Progressive, you can find options that fit your budget and potentially lower your bills. Try it@progressive.com, progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Price and coverage match limited by state law. Not available in all states.

Ty Schmidt (28:42)

Right. Like you, you. But it has to be like that and it has to come from an authentic and genuine place.

Mick Hunt (28:49)

Yeah, totally agree, totally agree with that. And you know when you talk about people making it about them, I see that all the time, especially, I mean I'm not even talking social media here. I'm talking when you look at professionals and their websites or you look at people that are consultants and I hate that term now, but you look at people that provide personal services, right? Like it's never about the problem. You Solve and the people that you've helped solve with. Like, I'm a huge fan and I'm not just talking about authors here, I'm talking about entrepreneurs in general. The way viewers and prospects and clients connect isn't necessarily about you. It's being able to see that, oh, they solved this problem that I have and someone else can validate that they've done it. I'd love to get your viewpoint on just that. The power of testimonials, the power of third party validation to sell yourself or to sell your product or to sell your service because people don't want to hear from you how great you are or how great your product is. But someone else can say the exact same thing. And it goes further because I can see myself or I see my pain or I see the solution I'm seeking into what someone else just said.

Ty Schmidt (30:06)

I feel like I'm a little bit of a broken record saying this, but I think it really comes down to connection and feeling that sense of connection and community with whoever you're selling to. You know, in terms of. I have a website that needs some love. My website needs like tlc, it needs updating. And simultaneously I have been able to work with some of the most incredible thought leaders and authors and businesses and organizations and I've done almost no market marketing as, I mean aside from having that website, right? Like it exists on the Internet. And people, my people have found me because of that. Exactly what you said, because of they, they trust. It has to do with trust and it, they trust other people and what other people are saying about you matters. Your reputation matters. Honestly, you know, I, that's another. I don't know if you can tell, but Maha Abu Alanin's seven Rules of Self Reliance has become a bit of my, you know, cultural bible of sorts. And you know, that's another one of her things is that your reputation is your currency and people speaking about you matters more than you speaking about you for exactly that reason.

Mick Hunt (31:25)

Amazing. Amazing. What are some things that business leaders can be doing right now to, to show, to build, to develop their leadership brand and that visibility because I don't care. These are the thoughts and beliefs of Mick and Mick only. But we're at a day and age now where not only is everyone a brand, everyone's a. Their own publicist, right? Like, like meaning you can say do promote however you want to and you have the power to do that. But I don't think most people understand that. Especially when you talk about C suite leaders, right? You talk about folks that are running Fortune 500, 1000, 1500 companies, and they're like, oh, no, my. My company is the brand. And I'm like, nah, no, I promise you, externally and internally, you are the brand and you are your publicist. Like, talk to us about how folks can develop that or the strategy that they need to look at out for them.

Ty Schmidt (32:25)

Thank you. Well, people follow people, not companies. And it's increasingly that way in this. In this climate we're in. So knowing that it's so important, and I think it's different for everybody. I have, fortunately, I have been blessed with opportunities to work with some C suite leaders who needed that exact help. And coaching them and working with them taught me a lot too. But the. The thing that I would say is, I think the most important thing that they can do is just start and just be themselves. And a lot of them don't start. A lot of them just say, well, I'm. I don't know where to start, so I'm not gonna do it. And, you know, you can get help too. Like, asking for help is. Is a thing. And I think maybe, maybe that's something that the C suite folks struggle a little bit with, is literally making the ask for help because it shows a level of vulnerability and, you know, they have learning to do too. But there's. There's a lot to be to gain from these leaders who may not have, like, the right words to say or don't know where to go, but the most important thing they can do is just start and not be afraid to mess it up and not be afraid to fail and not be afraid to really just be themselves, because people will sniff out the knot themselves real quick these days. So I think it's. It's just so important. And who they are is a gift. You know, we all have struggle and we all have gifts that need translating sometimes, but they. They are no different than that. And they. They absolutely have so much to offer. So I think getting through and just honestly starting and not being afraid to fail and ask is the most important thing.

Mick Hunt (34:18)

No, agree. You've dropped so many amazing insights and tips. Ty, I. I adore you so much. And before I get you out of here with my rapid fire top five, I know how to find and follow you, but where can everyone else find and follow? Ty Schmidt.

Ty Schmidt (34:35)

Oh, my gosh, Mick, I am so grateful for you. I am so, so grateful because I. I am really trying to build all the social right now. So my most. I have actually like 15 million views across all the different platforms and the majority of those came on TikTok. So I have been posting daily very much of my dear diary, behind the scenes, very private, but super public diary is on TikTok. So that's T Y Schmitty. And then on Instagram, I am Tyler T. Schmidt, and there I share more of, like, the snapshots. And I do try very hard on all the platforms, honestly, to share the good and the bad and the ups and the downs and that, you know, that speaks to the roller coaster stuff and all that. But I've learned so much from riding so many roller coasters too, by the way. But. And then Facebook is, you know, mostly very specific, group oriented folks, so. But I'm also on Facebook and substack. I launched a substack called Quick before youe Forget, based on my very, very brand new podcast, which is also called Quick before youe Forget and is aimed at bringing people on to honestly, I really, truly want to listen. I want them. I want it to be a showcase for their story and for the lessons that they've learned, because I believe that we feel seen in other people's stories. So my new podcast is a. You know, I'm working on the. The first two episodes. I've been so honored by the guests that I've had so far. I have had a guy named Brent Bailey who was Target Santa in the advertising campaign that Target did the last couple of years. I had an actor named DJ Piper, and I also had a dear friend named Coach Doc from the super supernatural app that is the fitness workout app that honestly saved my life. So those are the main places. But stand by, there's more coming.

Mick Hunt (36:36)

There we go. There we go. One day I'll be bold enough and ask you if I could be on your podcast. But I'll wait till later. I'll get my courage up to ask you. Or, you know, we'll see. We'll see.

Ty Schmidt (36:46)

Stop being a waiter, Mick. Let's do it now. Let's go. People can go from this podcast and then they can go listen to our podcast together. They can just double do it like that. First we listen to mix, and then they'll hear this and then they'll go listen to ours. So you're coming on next week.

Mick Hunt (37:03)

All right, let's do it. Let's do it. It's out there. It's out there. All right, Rapid Fire. You ready? Five questions.

Ty Schmidt (37:08)

Let's go. I'm ready. Yes.

Mick Hunt (37:10)

The biggest success story that you've had with Little Big Media was who? There's gotta be a huge success story there.

Ty Schmidt (37:17)

Yes. So the biggest success story I had was a. Also a very big struggle. But that, that's a whole other story. And this is not a rapid fire answer. So I will keep it brief.

Mick Hunt (37:26)

Yes.

Ty Schmidt (37:27)

And say the leadership development firm that I got to work with was long term relationship that lasted about five years and that was, that was by far the biggest success story.

Mick Hunt (37:38)

Okay. If you could collaborate with anyone right now, who would it be and why?

Ty Schmidt (37:42)

Oh my gosh. Andrew McMahon in the wilderness. Andrew McMahon is my musical healer. I don't know how else to describe it, but I would, I would want. I. He's going to come on my podcast too. But he's amazing and any, anything he does is magical. So.

Mick Hunt (38:00)

Love it. I love it. What's one tool that you cannot live without? For little big media, like one tool or app you gotta have.

Ty Schmidt (38:11)

Is it too ethereal to say people? No, because honestly that's the, that's. And I don't mean that in an. It sounds kind of negative, but people have made that what it is. And I don't. I am like actually really bad at technology. So when it comes to using tools and apps, I'm not great. But get me in front of people, I can rock that. I can rock any room. So honestly, you know, leaning into relationships, maybe more is a better word, relationships as opposed to people, but leaning into relationships and networking. Networking is the, the tool, honestly.

Mick Hunt (38:49)

Love it. I love it, love it, love it, love it. Speaking of roller coasters, you've been talking about that a little bit. What's your most favorite roller coaster? Now?

Ty Schmidt (38:58)

My most favorite is Mako. And there is a story. I don't know if we have time for me to tell it, but Mako is at SeaWorld. So we were waiting in the line and my son, my 12 year old son was thinking we couldn't do it and really, truly was so scared. And I was scared. And my, my younger son was like, this is no big deal. It's a 300 foot drop. What are you guys so afraid of? And my. We get on it and we start down this massive drop. And my, my son goes, I'm dead. I'm dead. I'm dead. I'm dead. I'm done. Wait, no, I'm alive. And then the whole way down, all he said was he was alive. And it was just the coolest demonstration of fear and excitement being the same chemical in your brain and you getting the choice to pick which. Which one you're feeling.

Mick Hunt (39:39)

Love that, love that. So much. Last question. When the story of Ty Schmidt. Ty schmidti is almost finished, when that chapter. When that book is almost. I'm not talking about life. I'm talking about the story. Right. What's one word you want to define you?

Ty Schmidt (39:58)

Impact.

Mick Hunt (39:59)

Love it. So my best friend in the world, Robert Irvine, that's his word, too. Impact. Love it.

Ty Schmidt (40:06)

I love Robert Irvine. My husband and I are huge Food Network people for years. So Restaurant Impossible was. Was on a loop for us for a very long time. So big, big fan of Robert Irvine, but not just the actor and, you know, like the. The. The personality and the cook and the chef, but he does so much good in this world. He's used his. His. His whole, you know, empire to make good in the world. And that's. Honestly, when I say impact, that's what I mean. I want to. I want to be like that.

Mick Hunt (40:36)

We all do and we all should. I mean, Robert, again, not only my best friend, but my mentor. And just what he does, you can't put words on. And the way that he makes humans feel and the way that he wants to change lives, not just. Not just give you something, but truly change lives, is so unparalleled. And he. He is the greatest human that I know. And I don't mind saying that publicly. He knows that too. So. And you do know if you want, you can come see him in March with me because we're doing it. We're doing this event together in March. You know, you can come down.

Ty Schmidt (41:11)

I'd be honored.

Mick Hunt (41:13)

There you go. There you go. Good stuff, Ty. Appreciate you more than you know. Huge fan of you the person. Keep doing the great work that you do. Appreciate you, dear.

Ty Schmidt (41:25)

Thank you. Much love to you.

Mick Hunt (41:27)

You got it. And to all the viewers and listeners, remember your. Because is your superpower. Go unleash it. That's another powerful conversation on Mick Unplugged. If this episode moved you, and I'm sure it did, follow the show wherever you listen, share it with someone who needs that spark and leave a review so more people can find there because I'm Rudy Rush and. And until next time, stay driven, stay focused, and stay unplugged. This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Do you ever find yourself playing the budgeting game? Well, with the name your price tool from Progressive, you can find options that fit your budget and potentially lower your bills. Try it@progressive.com Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates Price and coverage match limited by state law. Not available in all states.

Ty Schmidt (42:22)

The American Airlines Advantage business program is changing the way companies book travel and get rewarded. Designed for fast growing businesses, the program makes it easy to earn rewards, and it's free to join your company. Earns one Advantage mile for every dollar spent on business travel booked anywhere with American. Use these miles to help offset future travel expenses, transfer to employees and more. You'll also gain access to a suite of tools to streamline travel management, including the ability to view employee activity, manage trip credits and report with ease. And it's a win win. Travelers can earn additional loyalty points on top of what they already earn through the Advantage program, helping them reach status faster. Earn more on business travel you're already taking with the American Airlines Advantage Business program. Register today@aa.com AdvantageBusiness.