Mind Pump 2762: Roxanne Saffaie Gets Us Emotional Reminiscing The Past 10 Years

Podcast: Mind Pump: Raw Fitness Truth
Hosts: Sal Di Stefano, Adam Schafer, Justin Andrews, Doug Egge
Guest: Roxanne Saffaie (The Roxanne Show)
Date: January 1, 2026

Episode Overview

In this special, reflective episode, longtime friend and fellow podcaster Roxanne Saffaie turns the tables and interviews the Mind Pump crew—Sal, Adam, Justin, and Doug—on a milestone occasion: 10 years of Mind Pump. The conversation runs deep, covering business lessons, authenticity, brotherhood, the difference between teammates and friends, personal transformation, and what it means to be successful both outwardly and internally. Expect vulnerability, laughter, debate, and even a few tears as the team looks back (and forward) on their journey.

Key Themes & Discussion Points

1. The Power of Authenticity and Integrity

• Authenticity as a North Star

  • Roxanne opens up about the vision she held for years to sit with the Mind Pump team, highlighting their authenticity as what drew her in as a listener and podcaster.
    • "Authenticity was number one. It's felt...because that is just how I function, how I've always functioned." (Roxanne, 08:02)
  • The Mind Pump hosts reaffirm that with temptations to play social media games or follow algorithms, authenticity is more rewarding, even if it's a harder and slower road.
    • "We could feel it. It didn't feel good...We fired the guy [algorithm specialist]...and went back to what we do." (Sal, 16:06)
    • "The path is far more narrow and harder...but it's so much more rewarding." (Adam, 12:26)

• Defining True Success

  • Roxanne posits that success is internal—being free to express one's evolving self, not subscribing to society's metrics.
    • "What does it really mean to you, Roxanne? For me, it's: I just want to be who the fuck I am." (Roxanne, 11:03)

2. Brotherhood, Teamwork & Navigating Partnership

• Foundation of Selflessness

  • Adam and Sal argue the secret, above even aligned values/consciousness, is “selflessness”—loving your partners and being willing to carry them when they're down.
    • "True selflessness...If you enter into any relationship with that attitude, what comes from that is this beautiful, growing relationship." (Adam, 21:27)
  • Sal describes going through divorce shortly after starting Mind Pump and how his partners "held him up" for years while he operated at 10%.
    • "They held me up that whole time...now the loyalty that it'll create...after that, it's like they just solidified it." (Sal, 23:23)

• Unusual Trust and Structure

  • The group shares that, despite their differences, they've built a company on unwavering trust—even splitting everything equally and not having a formal partnership agreement for years.
    • "I don't know if you could do this in the right way without that attitude, because otherwise you become tyrannized by this thing you're chasing." (Sal, 17:57)

• Teammates vs. Friends

  • The distinction: teammates have a shared mission and weather more friction than friends, but both require selflessness.
    • "Both include selflessness, but one has a goal, the other doesn’t." (Adam, 33:43)
  • Teammates’ wins feel like your own; trust and respect reign even in disagreement.
    • "If there's friction...you run towards each other, you don't run from each other." (Roxanne, 35:46)

3. Navigating Public Life and Privacy

• Balanced Approach to Fame

  • The hosts reflect on being recognized and maintaining personal boundaries (e.g., Sal avoids saying his kids’ names), and their intentional focus on “the brand” rather than personal celebrity.
  • "None of us desire that. We don't want the limelight." (Adam, 40:00)
  • Authenticity off-mic translates to fan trust:
    • "Early days...fans would say, 'You guys are just like you sound on the podcast.'...it was weird for us." (Sal, 43:06)
    • "We're not out there juggling fire...I'm not trying really hard to get your attention. If you relate, you find me." (Justin, 42:38)

• On Fame, Exposure & Upbringing’s Influence

  • Roxanne and Adam discuss how childhood experiences (violence, hypervigilance) shaped their authenticity and ability to “read” people.
    • "It's animal instinct. You can just read it quickly." (Roxanne, 46:10)

4. Challenges, Evolution, and Staying Grounded

• Personal and Professional Growth

  • The hosts recount how they’ve each “lived multiple lives” within Mind Pump, from Sal’s newfound faith and remarriage after divorce, to Adam’s transition to fatherhood, to Justin opening up on the mic thanks in part to improv training.
    • "I feel like I've lived two lives in this ten years." (Adam, 51:24)
    • "I was conscious of everything I was doing as opposed to just being in the moment...One is reserved and one is less reserved." (Justin, 55:02)

• Navigating Big Business Pivots

  • They discuss their major recent pivot: moving away from digital products (as AI threatens that space) back towards high-touch, real human coaching and building a large team of elite trainers.
    • "We HAVE to get back in touch with people...we have to do that through trainers." (Adam, 61:45)
    • "We want really good trainers...not gonna rush the process." (Sal, 62:07)

• Finding Meaning in Difficulty

  • On challenge and discomfort as the fuel for growth, and emotional discipline required to lead.
    • "We look back and go, the best thing that happened was the challenge...Being in the fire is the best part." (Adam, 65:01)
    • "What we want is certainty in here [self], not out here [circumstance]." (Roxanne, 68:34)

• Limiting Beliefs & Confidence

  • The team reveals they share “delirious confidence,” but acknowledge letting go of myths—like “I can do anything”—and embracing humility.
    • "Something that could be a limiting belief: that I can do anything I put my mind to...That's a myth." (Sal, 73:06)
    • "If you're doing something based on a lie, you've entered hell." (Sal, 49:18)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Podcasting’s Emotional Impact:

  • "I never forget where I come from, ever...And you so graciously were like, 'Let me listen.' And you told me, 'You're a natural. You're gonna do great.'" (Roxanne to Sal, 09:16)

• Vulnerability Among Alphas:

  • "You guys are directional, you're logical, you have your sarcasm—so masculine. But then there's the empathy, compassion, the creativity together, the feminine...that's so beautiful." (Roxanne, 79:04)

• Tears & Tribute – the “See Me” Exercise ([85:18] onward):

  • Roxanne prompts each to share what the others may not recognize in themselves, leading to emotional, tearful tributes:
    • Justin on Sal: "He's just such a passionate person...He could be like my mom."
    • Justin on Adam: "The most honest person I know..."
    • Justin on Doug: "Zen master...brings us back on track."
    • Sal on Doug: "He's just a good man...He's a very quiet leader."
    • Sal on Justin: "Justin is a rock...super loyal, solid."
    • Sal on Adam: "He's the gas of the operation...incredibly loyal, big heart."
    • Adam on Doug: "Our Master Splinter...the operations don't work without him."
    • Adam on Justin: "So confident and humble, strong integrity, doesn't need credit."
    • Adam on Sal: "He's the mother of the group...so much heart, humble, star player."

• On Masculinity & Fatherhood:

  • "Men need to be around other good men. A man without good men around is undisciplined and wild." (Sal, 84:14)
  • "The best compliment...is when a caller says, 'I didn't want to be a dad, and now I do.'" (Sal, 82:43)

• Looking Forward:

  • "I'd love to have the first national coaching brand...to create the standard." (Sal, 110:33)
  • "In a perfect spot, we'd do the podcast two or three times a week and grow the in-person side." (Adam, 110:10)
  • "Just a whole fleet of trainers that we get to pump up, teach and send off to do the good deeds." (Justin, 112:07)

Detailed Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:31] – Roxanne introduces her journey and admiration for the Mind Pump team
• [06:41] – Roxanne’s emotional essay on their impact, “podcast spiritual brothers”
• [09:16] – Roxanne recounts Sal’s early feedback, discusses authenticity and impact
• [12:26] – Adam and Sal reflect on resisting algorithm/game-playing
• [16:06] – Story of firing the YouTube “algorithm guy” and returning to authenticity
• [21:19] – Partnership success: selflessness, agape love
• [23:23] – Sal’s divorce and support from partners, loyalty
• [33:43] – Teammates vs friends
• [38:12] – Managing privacy, being recognized in public
• [51:24] – “How many lives have you lived?”—hosts share personal evolution
• [61:45] – Business pivot: from digital to high-touch coaching
• [65:01] – On loving the “fire” of challenge, emotional discipline, finding meaning in struggle
• [73:06] – Limiting beliefs and the myth of self-sufficiency
• [79:04] – On masculine/feminine energy balance
• [82:43] – On fatherhood and reconstructing positive masculinity
• [85:18] – “See Me” exercise: the hosts celebrate each other’s unseen strengths (emotional highlight)
• [110:07] – Looking ahead: the future of Mind Pump, in-person training, legacy

Final Reflections

This heartfelt, often deeply personal episode offers a rare view inside a working partnership built on not just shared vision but unwavering trust, humility, and real friendship. Roxanne's skillful, compassionate questions tease out both vulnerable anecdotes and hard-won advice for any team, business, or individual wrestling with authenticity and ambition. It’s a love letter to 10 years of Mind Pump—and a model for how business, brotherhood, and self-mastery can combine for profound impact.

For more, find Roxanne at The Roxanne Show and @roxylook on Instagram.
Follow Mind Pump: @mindpumpmedia, @mindpumpsal, @mindpumpadam, @mindpumpjustin, @mindpumpdoug