The $100 MBA Show – Episode MBA2734
Must Read: Turning Pro By Steven Pressfield
Host: Omar Zenhom
Date: January 26, 2026
Episode Overview
In this must-read episode, Omar Zenhom dissects "Turning Pro" by Steven Pressfield—a transformative book that challenges entrepreneurs to move beyond the "amateur" mindset. Rather than focusing on external tactics or business hacks, Zenhom explains how Pressfield's work is a wakeup call to choose a new professional identity. The episode explores how the journey from amateur to professional is less about skill and more about showing up, structure, commitment, confronting resistance, and personal transformation.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
The Core Idea: Amateur vs. Professional (03:00)
- Pressfield draws a hard line between two identities: amateur and professional.
- Amateur: waits for motivation, works when inspired, derailed by mood/distraction, treats work as a hobby.
- Professional: works on a schedule, respects their craft, does the work especially when it's hard or scary.
“The amateur waits for motivation ... The professional, on the other hand, shows up no matter what. They work on a schedule, and they treat their craft with the utmost respect.”
— Omar Zenhom [03:35]
- Professionals act before they feel confident—confidence is a by-product of action.
“You gotta act like a professional, and then you’ll start feeling like a pro.”
— Omar Zenhom [04:11]
Turning Pro is a Decision, Not a Milestone (04:30)
- "Turning pro" is a conscious decision, not an event or external validation.
- No ceremony, promotion, or award.
- You decide: “This matters enough to me to take it so, so seriously.”
- Focus shifts from dabbling to full commitment, obsession with improvement, and ownership of outcomes.
"Turning pro is not something that happens to you. It’s something that you decide."
— Omar Zenhom [04:40]
- Zenhom shares personally that even after years in business, you might repeatedly choose to turn pro at new levels.
The Enemy: Resistance (06:10)
- Resistance is the real barrier—sneakier than procrastination, showing up as:
- Perfectionism
- Over-planning and endless research
- Delaying, waiting for “the right time”
“Resistance isn’t just procrastination ... it actually tells you to delay. It distracts you.”
— Omar Zenhom [07:01]
- Turning pro means recognizing resistance and working anyway—using fear to fuel action, rather than avoidance.
“Professionals don’t eliminate fear, they work alongside it … I actually try to use fear to my advantage as much as possible.”
— Omar Zenhom [07:30]
Structure Over Passion: Habits of Professionals (09:25)
- Professionals rely on structure and systems, not on passion or mood.
- Set working times, create boundaries, protect energy.
- Take pride in work even when no one is watching.
“Professionals rely on structure and not passion. This part is absolutely crucial because amateurs, they really rely on passion. They rely on their mood. Professionals rely on systems.”
— Omar Zenhom [09:30]
- Productivity frameworks only work after you “turn pro”; before that, they're a form of procrastination.
Application to Entrepreneurs (11:10)
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Turning pro means treating your business as a serious operation, not a side project.
- Shift from “I hope” to “What’s my next move?”
- Business becomes a series of experiments, not something judged solely on failure or potential.
-
Entrepreneurship as personal transformation: You must change your mindset, habits, and even relationships to get new results.
- Who you are will show in what you do.
“If you want different results, you have to become a different person. That includes how you spend your time, who you listen to, who you hang out with, who you say no to.”
— Omar Zenhom [12:55]
The Real Challenge: What You Must Give Up (14:30)
- Most people resist “turning pro” because it means giving up comfort, excuses, and the identity of “potential.”
- You must accept full ownership; blaming circumstances is not an option.
- Zenhom shares his own struggles and the freedom found in taking responsibility.
"Most people don’t fail because they can’t do it. They fail because turning pro requires them to give up something. They gotta give up a piece of who they are.”
— Omar Zenhom [15:00]
What Going Pro Looks Like (16:30)
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Concrete examples:
- Publish content consistently, even with little engagement.
- Release products before they’re perfect to gather feedback.
- Honor calendar commitments.
- Say “no” to attractive but unhelpful distractions.
- Show up for the work, no matter how you feel.
-
Main advantage in a distracted world: Professionals get ahead by being serious, focused, and committed—not just smart.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “You gotta do the work regardless of how you feel. You gotta stay consistent.” [16:00]
- “When you turn pro, you have a competitive advantage. You can focus; you know how to commit.” [16:55]
- “If you feel stuck ... you are capable of more. This book will call you out on your BS ... and once you start seeing yourself clearly, you can’t unsee it.” [17:20]
Key Timestamps
- 03:00 — Amateur vs. Professional: Core Mindset Shift
- 04:30 — Turning Pro as a Decision, Not an Event
- 06:10 — Understanding and Tackling Resistance
- 09:25 — Professionals Build Structure & Systems
- 11:10 — Entrepreneurial Application: Experimentation, Identity
- 14:30 — Why Most People Don’t Go Pro: Fear and Loss
- 16:30 — Real-Life Actions and Commitments of a Pro
- 17:20 — The Book’s Lasting Impact & Personal Challenge
Further Listening
Omar recommends the episode: “Why People Turn Against You When You Start to Succeed”—to explore the relationship shifts that come when you embrace the professional identity.
Summary
This episode breaks down why Turning Pro by Steven Pressfield is essential reading for entrepreneurs stuck in cycles of starting and stopping. Omar Zenhom connects Pressfield’s message to the real challenges of business owners, including the need to embrace action, endure discomfort, and claim accountability for outcomes. For listeners, the episode is a compelling call to confront their own resistance, adopt professional systems, and use both fear and uncertainty as levers for growth. If you need a no-nonsense push to leave the “amateur” phase behind, this episode—and Pressfield’s book—are a timely wakeup call.