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Study and play come together on a Windows 11 PC. And for a limited time, college students get the best of both worlds. Get the unreal college deal. Everything you need to study and play with select Windows 11 PCs. Eligible students get a year of Microsoft 365 Premium and a year of Xbox Game Pass ultimate with a custom color Xbox wireless controller. Learn more@windows.com studentoffer while supplies last ends June 30th terms at aka mscollegepc. This is the Ed Milan show.
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Welcome back to the show, everybody. So today is something that you all ask for about once a year, and I'm super blessed to be able to do it. I'm sitting in what is the most impressive room I've ever sat in in my life. And I'm fortunate enough that I've been in this room many, many times. The greatest car collection I've ever seen in my life sits in this room. But also, like, the greatest dude sits in here with me every time. So usually this guy and I sit in here, smoke some cigars and talk about life and business. And we decided today we're going to record it so you guys can listen in.
A
Yeah.
B
And this is one of my great friends in my life. He's like a. A young brother to me. I've learned so much from him. I'm very proud of him. And he makes a difference in the world, you guys. He's making a huge difference in the world. He speaks his mind, which I know he'll do again today. And we're just going to talk about business because you guys all want to lean in and know what we talk about every single day. He's my partner in the Arete Syndicate, which we have the greatest business coaching program together in the world. He's the founder First Form. He's the founder of Form Energy. And not all of you might know this, you know, he also is the founder of 75 Hard, which has been the greatest mental toughness movement on planet Earth the last five to seven years. So his name is Andy Frisella. Andy, welcome back to the show.
A
Thank you, bro. It's awesome to have you here, man.
B
Great to have you.
A
Yeah. I appreciate all the kind words and, you know, they're reciprocated.
B
Thank you, brother. I know that. So it's interesting. We're sitting in this room. I won't give you the number, everybody, of what the car collection's worth. It's a former president's home you live in. It's a pretty darn nice place. And every time I Come here. I get my vision stretched a little bit. I think people would be surprised about our private conversations. And so you're founded, you know, right now, the fastest growing energy drink in the world. The biggest movement online the last five years, like I said, and first form is this behemoth in the industry and. Well, and growing, yet you don't feel successful. And. And it's actually sincere. I mean, I don't think you think you're broke, but in your own mind. And I think this is a recipe that people need to learn. Like, you, truly, as we sit here, don't feel like you've made it. Why is that and what's that mindset like,
A
you know, how I look at it is a little bit different. And I think most people look at it, you know, I'm. I'm 46 now. Done. Done a few things. Right. But that's maybe half my life or half my potential. Right. And I feel like a lot of people, they get to a certain level and they start to feel like they're there. And. And I've just seen so many people get to that point and lose it that. That I just. I just stopped looking at it the way that most people look at it. I look at it differently. You know, when I define what I think success is, I believe it's the commitment to one's true potential, to the pursuit of one's true potential. Okay. So. And what that means to me is that as you push down the path of winning and. And success, you're gaining new potential, you're gaining new, new skills, you're learning, you're becoming more effective. And if you were to just stop, then you're leaving all this potential on the table. And so if we're talking about, like, what success really is, it evolves over time. You know, what success was to me on the first day of my entrepreneurial journey is not what it is now, and that's not what it's going to be in five years from now. And so I just believe that when you think about it the way that I think about it, and you think about, like, pursuing your own true potential, well, what that means is, is that as you go down the path, your potential is expanding on the back end. Really good, right? Because you've learned new skills, you've had new experiences, you've made new relationships, you have different resources. And what that ultimately means, unfortunately, is that, you know, you could never hit your true potential.
B
Right.
A
Because eventually you're limited by time. Right? We're gonna die. So how I define success is just simply pursuing that, knowing that you're always going to leave things on the table, but you have a duty to become the best version of yourself, if not just for yourself and your family, for everybody else to see.
B
You always say that word, duty. Why is that the word you use instead of, you know, like, commitment or whatever you call it? Like, it, like it's something deeper than that to you?
A
Yeah, I. I think, I think it is a duty, you know, when I
B
think of, like, meaning, like, because you've been so blessed to live in this country or whatever it is that you.
A
I look at it like this, okay? For. It does have something to do with our country, but for. When we think about, like, what creates a stable, functioning, high functioning civilization, it comes from ambitious men, it comes from ambitious people. It comes from people who have big dreams, big goals, who are willing to go down that path with no guarantee to create something special, something great that inspires other people to do the same. And eventually when you get, you know, you can't understand this when you don't have anything. You know, when you're first starting out, you're like, man, I'm eating ramen. It's hard to think about other people when you're eating ramen. Right. But as you start to win and as you start to grow and as you start to, you know, accumulate things and, you know, all these things that people think success is, you start to realize that there's not a whole lot of fulfillment in those things. You can enjoy them, but it's not really a fulfilling thing, so to speak. And, you know, for me, my dad's father, they never met, so my dad's dad was killed. He stormed Normandy, and then he was killed six months later in World War II. And. And my grandma was pregnant with my dad, so my dad never even met his dad. And he died when he was like 20 years old. So when I think of, like, the sacrifice that all these men have made over the centuries of America, I think that we have a duty to honor those sacrifices with what we do with that freedom and what we do with that ability and skill. And so that's part of it. Okay. And then the other part is, you know, people are so shy and so ashamed in a way of being successful that they keep it to themselves.
B
Yeah.
A
And that doesn't do anything good for anybody else. Because the truth of the matter is, is that if we want a high functioning, high drive, high character, driven, ambitious, successful America, the American dream, if we want that, we have to understand that at some point we're responsible for inspiring that example in the younger generations. So when I, if I were to just stop and say, oh, here I am, I'm a rich guy, that's, that's, you know, that probably inspire some people. Right. They want to get some stuff. But when they can observe someone who they deem to be successful, continuing to go hard, continuing to try and push, continuing to try and elevate, I think that that's much a much better example to set. And so, and then, so those are two parts and the third part is, dude, like, I'm just wired for it, bro.
B
Yeah.
A
You know what I mean? Like, I, I enjoy it. I enjoy inspiring young people. I love when I drive one of my cars to the gas station, little dudes are like, oh man, it's so cool.
B
Yeah.
A
Like, I love that.
B
Yeah.
A
So I know you do it.
B
I think it's. By the way, I was thinking about it, it's probably, if we go back, it's been a while now, it's probably why, I mean, we both wanted to pay it forward. We both wanted to grab people back at a stage we were at at one time and bring them forward. But I've been with you, I want everybody to go back a little bit. I've been with you down that dirt road that you grew up on.
A
Yeah.
B
How far away from here is that?
A
10 minutes.
B
10 minutes away.
A
Yeah.
B
And I've been down there. I looked at the home you grew up in. We've actually met one of your neighbors that remembered you and your little boy.
A
Yeah.
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And so I look at that guy. I know that guy. Right. I didn't know him then, but I've taken this journey with you. And so there's the you now that's like, look, I'm going to pay it forward. I'm successful, I want to help other generation. I want to touch my potential. It's a never ending thing. But if we went back when you first started, did you. Was there like a dream and a vision? Like we'd be sitting in a room with, I don't know, 70 million dollar car collection or whatever that's sitting around here and smoking cigars and you know, having the life that you live? Or were you just like, look, man, I'd like to get my head above water and be financially independent or was there always this part of you in the background? I want you to answer this because there's. Most of the people listening to us are there where you and I have been back in the very beginning Kind of a little bit of a dream, trying to get their life off the ground. What were you thinking then? Were you thinking all this stuff then, or were you, like, just get ahead
A
above water, you know? It's. It's. In the beginning, dude. It was. It was. I just wanted to make a lot of money.
B
Same here, by the way. That's the honest answer. Yeah, same here.
A
I just wanted to make a lot of money, I thought. You know, I was really into cars growing up. I always had Hot Wheels and Micro Machines and remote control cars, and I was obsessed with cars. And I understood very early because my dad planted in my mind that if I was going to ever enjoy that for real, I'd have to make a lot of money.
B
Yeah.
A
So that started for me when I was pretty young, when I was, like, probably 8 or 9 years old. You know, me and my dad were. My dad, my brother and I were at a gas station. There was a guy who had a white Lamborghini Countach. This is in the 80s. And I thought it was the coolest thing I'd ever seen. And my dad was always really good about not shitting on other people's success and making it a lesson, you know? And I think that's hard for a guy to do. Right. Like, a guy pulls up in a car that costs as much as your house, and you're able to look at him and say, hey, son, that guy's doing something. Right. I don't know what it is.
B
Right.
A
My dad was always good about that. And I think a lot of parents really fail at that. You know, a lot of parents, when they see other people's success, they allow their own insecurity and their own jealousy to stop them from passing a valuable lesson on to their children. Right. But I got lucky in that way. And I use the term luck very selectively, but, you know, you can't really help who your parents are.
B
Yep.
A
And so I. My dad's like, yeah, man, that car is awesome. But guess what? You're gonna have to make a lot of money to do that. So that kind of started. That started me down the road of entrepreneurship. You know, when I was a little kid, I was always trying to figure out ways to. To hustle. You know, I had a little baseball card, like, hustle going on in my dad's garage. Yeah. Sold. You know, anytime in school, there was like, a contest to, like, sell sausage or whatever the stuff was. You know, I go door to door and sell the. Out of it.
B
Yep.
A
And so that just started. That's where it started, man. And all through school, I was never really a good student because I always knew that I wanted to, like, do more than what I wanted to do wasn't going to be taught in school.
B
You knew that, right?
A
Yeah. And so. And that's kind of where it started, man.
B
Where do you think you're. I've always wanted to ask you this because I know you obviously, you know really well now what was. If someone's listening to this and by the way, is it the same skill now? What did you get good at that got you momentum in progress? Like, what was the thing that you. Was it selling? Was it persuasion? And then do you think that same skill, whatever it was, is required now in this economy with the advent of AI, which we'll talk about in a moment, like, what did you get good at?
A
Well, naturally, dude, I'm pretty introverted. I'm not a people person by nature. And that was a skill that I had to learn. That became probably my best skill. I'm able to communicate with people no matter if they're, you know, guys that have grease and dirt all over them or if they're, you know, a billionaire walking through the room. I'm able to find common ground very quickly and, and be able to, you know, connect with people. And I did that intentionally. You know, I used to play a game with myself to train myself to be able to do that, because I was scared to talk to people. Like, really scared to talk to people. Even when I was, like, going door to door when I was a kid, I was terrified of doing it. And I realized that for me to become effective, I have to be great with people. And that's something that I think almost all successful people have in common now. There's, there's, there's, there's outliers to that.
B
Yeah.
A
But, you know, having great, strong people skills is. Is super, super, super important. And, dude, I used to play this little game. I used to go to the local grocery store here, and I would make myself talk to three people, a real conversation, three random strangers. And then I could go home. So I'd walk in cold and I would make myself do three conversations and I would go home. I did that for years, for years, so that I could get comfortable, like real comfortable, you know, talking to people. And then that skill set, you know, kind of led to all, all different, great things in my life. You know, great relationships, great partners, great networks, just from, you know, having that skill set. Other than that, dude, like, real talk, I don't think I'm really that great at anything. I, I think I'm good. I think anybody who had. Has done what I've done for 27 years would be as good as, as I am.
B
I come out. It's one of the points. Very rarely, I very much disagree with that ladder. I'm going to tell you a couple things I think you're great at, and I want you to talk about them and don't be humble. Okay? So one thing you are really great at is vision. You see things before they happen. You also did not create all of this in your life without a really clear vision and dream. Okay? So that is, I think a lot of times when we're good at something, we just take for granted that we're good at it.
A
That could be.
B
You're, you're go back there, you're broke. Some of you probably know this. We're not going to cover all the stories we've covered before. But this guy was an overnight success in a decade.
A
Yeah.
B
Okay. It took him a decade to make any money. I mean, like even any money where he could really eat consistently on that dime without supplementing his income. Okay, so during that time, you probably wanted to quit a million times. Probably almost did a million times. Like a lot of people listening, you are a visionary to this day. Of all of my friends, I think you're the friend that stretches my vision the most. He's always sending me, hey, bro, look at this yacht. And it's not all material things. He'll send me photos sometimes. Hey, man, don't tell anybody else this, but, you know, we just, you know, the company just did this for this cause or whatever it is. He'll never tell you guys, but he'll share with me. You're extremely visionary person and I think it's one of my skills too. I don't even know where it comes from because I didn't grow up with any of that. But I always like, I'm always seeing what the future could look like. I don't know that I always believe I'll get it. But don't you agree, like, let's be real and we'll talk about another skill. I think you have in a minute. But that's a real thing with you. Did you have that back? Sleeping on the mattress?
A
Then I had dreams. I had dream. Like what? Like maybe this would be cool. This is what I would like. But that's why I also believe there's a lot of truth to like metaphysical law of attraction and those things as well. But I actually think that the vision comes from experience, if I'm being honest.
B
Okay.
A
You know when you see things, when you, when you've been in business for so long and you've seen things play out over and over and over again, you get really good at seeing past the first or second decision that's going to be made off of the decision that you're making now. Right. I'm going to choose this now and then these two things could happen. I think this thing's going to happen and then these two things could happen. I think that's things going to happen. So it's more of like a calculated regurgitation of things that you've already seen. And so I don't know that it's a gift more than it is just being around for a long time and watching things unfold.
B
I don't know if it's a gift, but it's a skill that you.
A
It's definitely a skill.
B
It's a skill. Cuz I, I think when you hear giftedness, I think people think, well, maybe that he just got given this. So you make a really good point.
A
Yeah.
B
Here's the other thing that I think is like I'm trying to find things on the show.
A
Most people, dude, only look at that first decision.
B
You're right.
A
You know what I'm saying?
B
Yeah.
A
They make that decision and they don't have the capacity to look one, two or three steps down the line. And I think that's a big handicap for most business owners, if I'm being honest.
B
Well, we'll talk about a couple of the ones you've made too, is another thing. Like I always try to find things on the show when you and I are together that like you and I talk about, but like I don't ever really hear discussed elsewhere that I'm comfortable put. I think number one skill in business, in life is communication. And so if your team's communication is messy, customers feel it. Big, huge problem in business today. Missed messages, dropped threads, and here's a biggie, slow replies. And that's why today's episode is brought to you by quo. They're spelled Q U O. I think you should lean in and listen to this. This. It's a business communication system built so you never miss a call. Your entire team can handle calls and texts from one shared number. So no more missed messages or dropped conversations. 24, 7 replies are faster. Customers actually feel taken care of, listened to, heard, and they feel like they're building and dealing with a big company. Even when it might be a startup or a small one. Quo is the number one rated business phone system on G2 with over 3000 reviews. Can even qualify leads or respond after hours so your business stays open even when you're off. Seriously, go check out quo. Money's on the line. Always say hello with quo. Try quo for free plus 20% off your first six months when you go to quo.com mylet that's quo.com mylet this episode is brought to you by ro nutrition. I'm extremely selective about what I put in my body. I don't take a lot of supplements, but the ones I do take, I want to know they're actually doing the stuff they're designed to do. That's why I trust roe. Their entire approach is built around liposomal delivery, which is designed to support absorption so the nutrients actually get where your body can use them. It's been a part of my daily routine now for quite a while. And I got to tell you, I take their NAD for cellular energy. Their creatine strength and mental output helps me. And their glutathione is my favorite, by the way. I don't know, I just feel good on it. It supports your antioxidants and your recovery systems. I like that ROE is third party tested, by the way. I know exactly what I'm putting in my body. And when you're running businesses, you're leading a team, you're traveling, you're training, making decisions all the time. Your energy and focus have to keep up. And ROE is how I do it. It's simple, it fits into my routine and it's supporting the way my bodily actually was designed to thrive. So go to rownutrition.com and use code mylet for 20% off site wide. That's code mylet for 20% off Site wide@rownutrition.com and here's one of them. You and I, if people. I think people see it with you more than they would me. But you run hot. And what I mean by that is not just like a temper. I don't mean that. I mean there's a level of intensity to you that I think even the guys that came with me here today, shaking your hand, meeting you, there's a frequency, like there's a level of intensity. I'd like to think I have that as well. And I think that it's one of the secret sauces and elements of successful people. They almost will things to happen. I know it's God's blessing, but there's a Level. I think people underestimate the level of intensity you have to bring to making something great happen in your life.
A
No doubt. I think it's. I think it's one of the biggest things. I think it's one of the biggest problems in the entrepreneurial landscape right now. Entrepreneurship has become, like, a thing that is presented like it's for everybody. Okay. It's not for everybody. And it doesn't matter. I don't care what all the other guys say. None of them have built what I built. That's just the truth. And I'm just telling you, dude, it's not for everyone, because you're. You're trading a lot of things for other things, and it takes everything. And I think one of the things that I. I did. I was always that way.
B
Yep.
A
I was always that way. Like, when I was in. When I was young, in sports, when I was in high school, in sports, when I got through college, every. I was always ultra competitive and ultra urgent about winning. Now, I might not be urgent about everything, but I always wanted to win. And I think over the course of my journey, that intensity increased to the point where I could almost not control it. And then once I matured a little bit, I was able to bring it back in line and know when it's appropriate. Right. So it's like this awesome weapon that you have, but you got to know how to use it, you know? But I feel like this is one
B
of my roles in your life.
A
Absolutely.
B
That you met.
A
No. Absolutely, bro.
B
Yeah.
A
If I didn't have you as a. As a. One of my brothers, dude, that I could call and talk to, I go crazy. That's the trick.
B
You.
A
Because I don't have that many people outside of, like, my own brother and my own business partners that really understand that.
B
Right.
A
You know what I mean? So.
B
And you met me, by the way, after I. You're just so brilliant. The way you just articulated. You met me after I made that discovery, meaning I've got to deploy this intensity. Strategic.
A
That's where I learned it from.
B
Okay.
A
From you.
B
Okay.
A
Like, when you and I met, I was just running wild, bro.
B
Right.
A
Like, I. I was bull in a China shop. I just let my energy and my. My. My urgency and everything just. I just nuked everything you did. And.
B
And by the way, you were already very successful.
A
Ye. Dude, that's not a fun way to live.
B
Right.
A
Because you're always pissed off and there's a cap. Yeah.
B
Because you build things and obliterate them. You build people and hurt Them. You. It's because I've done it right.
A
Yeah.
B
And I. I regret some of that. But. But this is what I want people to understand that want to be entrepreneurs or I think just want to be a professional athlete or want to be a great. Whatever.
A
Great at anything. You.
B
I'd rather have somebody that I've got to dial back.
A
Yes.
B
Than someone I got to dial up. You got to bring this pace and this urgency and this intensity to your mission that I think people underestimate because of social media. Everyone looks like they're having a good time. You can have complete balance. You can, you know, ski in the Alps of Switzerland and then at the same time be closing deals on your laptop and whatever the heck this stuff's been pre. And I. I just have not had that experience, nor of the real people like you that I know that are successful. These folks run hot. They're intense people. Doesn't mean they're loud or they have deep voices like you. That's not what I'm talking about. Because plenty of these people are women. Right. But there's a thing in them. There's this dog in them, almost like. You know what I mean by that? They got that dog in them. They got that. It's like a fire you have to control rather than try to ignite.
A
Yeah. I. Look, I think it's required. Okay. I don't know anybody now. I know a lot of people who sell. Maybe they sell digital products or something kind of casually, and they got a little more freedom, and that's okay because, you know, maybe that's all they want. Maybe they just want a little bit of money to go travel the world and do those things. Sure. I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about actual entrepreneurship, the creation of things that are an involvement of things that already exist or original thoughts that you take from your brain and put into action that actually create a company that employs people, contributes to culture, society, community. That's a different thing than selling, you know, how to do a widget or whatever. Right. So. But to build real things, I'm not taking anything away from that.
B
Sure.
A
You make. You make half a million bucks or a million bucks a year, travel the world. Cool, dude. Awesome. I'm sure that's most people dream, but that's not my dream. And when I think of, like, the require people have to. There's nothing casual about winning.
B
There you go.
A
Absolutely nothing casual about winning. You are competing against other people who are willing to give all of everything they have at all times. The higher that you go, it gets more competitive. So if you don't have that urgency and you get in that place of comfort where, you know you're cruising out on Thursday afternoon and coming back on Tuesday, bro, you're gonna lose. That's just reality. It may not feel like you're gonna lose, you may not feel like you're losing, but you're gonna eventually find out that other people that are doing the same thing as you are working all that time that you're out doing whatever it is you're doing, and they're gonna pass you. And that's reality.
B
Yeah.
A
And sometimes by the time they pass you, it's too late because they've evolved too much. You're too far behind. And I've seen. I've seen. And I. I wonder what you think about this, but I have seen more people fail in life that have won once.
B
Gosh.
A
Than people who never win, if I'm being honest, because they get that first win and they think it's always going to be there.
B
Y.
A
And it's just not.
B
It's. I have more friends that used to be successful than currently are.
A
Yeah.
B
That used to have a little bit of money than currently do. That used to be.
A
Bro, I don't want to be that well.
B
Well, I'm being real. And I don't know that this is even healthy, by the way, when I say healthy to live like you and I live sometimes.
A
No, it's not healthy.
B
It's not. Listen, it's okay not to be this way. Listen, just don't say you want to dominate in business. You don't have to.
A
Look, man, I'm not saying that you have to be that way.
B
Right.
A
I'm not saying. I'm saying if you want to build real things and compete at the highest level, then you have to be that way.
B
Yeah.
A
And that's what I want to do. And so, you know, that intensity that I always had and then combined with the urgency of knowing that you're, like, one day from going out of business, you know, the first 15 years you're in it, that does something to people.
B
Yeah.
A
You know, that, that, that rewires your nervous system, man.
B
It does rewire you.
A
Yeah. And. And then, you know, when I met you, I, I, I was doing very well. Not comparable to what I'm doing now, but it's doing good. And I think I remember telling you how much I made that first time. It wasn't very much.
B
I remember.
A
Yeah, it was a lot, but it wasn't Very much compared to now. But the point is, is that, you know what I realized from. From having you in my life, which I'm very grateful for. And I'm not an expert at this by any means still. Because there's still moments where the old Andy appears. Yeah. But it is. I realized that this is. This is a tool in my tool belt and I needed to learn how to use it properly. Yeah. And that made me a much more effective entrepreneur and much better leader. Much better leader.
B
He's one of the great. He is, truly, you guys. He's being very nice to me. He is one of the great American entrepreneurs and he's building multiple multi billion dollar companies at the same time. And it's been unbelievable to watch as he's matured and as he's grown and as he deploys this intensity, I wonder and answer this for you. Not my way. And I know you will anyway, because it's you. But do you feel like you. That thing where people have the first win and stop. I've always watched that. Like, this is what happens in my head. I go, aren't you afraid you're going to lose it? Like, I think to some extent maybe this isn't healthy either. I've developed a lot of self confidence, but I'm still. I play scared. I think that. And maybe that even sounds like a weakness.
A
No. No, it doesn't. I get it totally. Like, I show up at work every single day. I'm at the office seven days a week at this. Anybody that works for me knows that I'm there seven days a week. I show up there every day, think, thinking we're gonna go out of business, even if it's not true.
B
Wow.
A
It's. It's a mentality that I used to try and get away from.
B
Yeah.
A
That now I embrace and really appreciate that I have. I call it zero options mentality. All right? So, like in the beginning, when you're totally at, you know where we talked about most people are at the beginning of their journey, you don't have an option, dude. Like, it's either go or accept what you have. Understanding that what you have is going to get worse. Okay. Because as you get older, you're going to be less capable, you're gonna be less hireable, you're gonna be less employable. Your quality of life is going to lower as you get older. And if that's what you want to do, cool. That's just not what I want to do. And so I lost my training.
B
No, no, no. You're Right on it. You're. You're saying basically, as you get older and go, that you use healthy fear that you have.
A
Oh, yeah, yeah. So. So, dude, as you grow and you start to have wins and make success, you know, it's easy to have that mentality of, I have to go no matter what when you don't have anything. But when you start getting resources and money and success and wealth, how do you operate at that same intensity? Well, you have to trick yourself into believing.
B
Yep.
A
That there's no other option, you know? And, like, for me, the story I tell myself, even though it completely is, I know it's not true. Okay, this is going to sound crazy, but I tell myself. I'm like, you don't have a degree. All right? You don't even need degrees anymore. But I tell myself this because that's the era I come from. You don't have a degree. If you lose, you're going to be digging ditches. You don't have any skills. Like, I'm. I pretend I'm the same old dude right from the beginning, and. And that's what keeps the urgency alive. Right. Even though I know it's logically not true. Like, if I were to. If I were to somehow lose everything, I mean, I have enough skills where I could get it back. Enough relationships, I get it back, like, pretty quick.
B
Right.
A
You know,
B
but you think that way, like, and I do, too. Sometimes I wonder if it's healthy or not, but it's kept me. I mean, I. You and I both worked today. We're sitting here having a nice time. We look great in your place, but we both have worked today, you know, and. And it's a Saturday when we're recording this, everybody. Right? And the other reason is, is that. And maybe this is just a mindset thing, and then we'll shift to some AI Stuff. But, like, for me, I'm a competitor. I tried to play professional baseball. I wasn't good enough. I say I got injured, but I just wasn't good enough. Right. You were a great athlete, too.
A
Your brother wasn't good enough.
B
Your brother was really good.
A
Y.
B
And he had an injury, But. But this is my sport.
A
Yeah.
B
Yes, this is my sport, so. And it's also a form of expression for both of us. That's why we do Arete. It's like my. I don't play music very well. I can't sing. This is like my art form and my sport simultaneously.
A
Yeah.
B
I don't love every day of it, but left alone, if I didn't do this. I'd have no form of expression because I can't sing, I don't dance. Like, I don't do any of that. And I'm not going to be a professional. I used to think I'd be on the senior tour playing golf. I can't break 80 anymore. So, like, this is my sport and my art at the same time. And that's why it doesn't usually feel just like work to me. The same for you?
A
Yeah, 100%. I grew up wanting to play in NFL. You know, my brother played pro baseball. He would have actually been.
B
Yeah, Sal would have.
A
Sal would have been a 15 year pro MLB guy had he not had a compound fracture like in the game. So he grew up in that world. And the one thing I'm grateful for, because, you know, when you don't end up achieving those dreams, at least for me, you know, for the first 10 years when I was like suffering in business, I had nightmares of. And their dreams, but. But they're more like nightmares of playing football. Like, I would have these dreams of playing football and then I would wake up, like, with this regret. And it's because we weren't successful, we weren't making any money, things weren't working out, you know, and then when we started winning, it trans. I started realizing what you're saying. I started realizing, whoa, this is actually a great thing. Because now I get to, I get to play the game till I'm 70.
B
Yes. 80. Yes.
A
Right. Like it's the best game in the world. Because it's not like baseball or football where you might get six, seven, you know, years. If you're Tom Brady, you get 20. Right. But with entrepreneurship, it's, it's a lifetime. And what's cool about it too is that, you know, in sports, these dudes get a little older and they start going downhill. Well, in business you get a little older, you get a lot better.
B
It's true.
A
And so it's, it's an exciting game and I enjoy it and that's how I look at it.
B
That's so funny that you say that about the dream. I'll tell you something, I don't know if I ever told you this before. I still, about once a year have this dream, but for a long time I had it like once a month. And it's, I'm playing baseball still. And I know why I'm gonna tell everybody this. It's like a confessional. I don't think I've told you this before. I Feel like when I played I gave everything I had, but I left a little bit in reserve.
A
Oh yeah.
B
And I think the reason I did is that maybe if I didn't make it, I'd have an excuse. I'm not sure subconsciously.
A
Yeah.
B
But even all you business people just evaluate this, do you leave anything in the tank? Because I did a little bit.
A
Like I coulda.
B
It looked like I was working my hardest, but I know I could have given more to the game that I gave. And let me tell you what the dream is. I had this dream where I'm being announced to play. I'm outside the stadium, I'm in my uniform and I can hear him leading off playing center field, number eight, Eddie Mylet. And I can't get in the stadium. They won't let me in. I can't. And I'm running up to the security there like, no, I'm the center field. They're like, look man, I don't have any ID for you. You can't get in here. And I'm not open the other door and the fence is locked. They won't let me back in the stadium again. I'm like, no. And they're like, and it's second base. And I'm like, no, I'm the center dude, you can't get back in. And I've had this dream, I. I still have it at least once a year. And I think part of it is like, I think it's a healthy thing because I don't want to ever look back at this part of my life, which is the rest of it. Go at the. If you run a business, times money. And here's the truth, you're probably wasting time on things that aren't making you money. And if you run a business, you know it's not what you do, but how you spend the time doing it. Nothing wastes time faster than messy account system payable issues. And that's why you need intuit. QuickBooks Bill Pay. It's a game changer. QuickBooks Bill Pay automates your accounts payable into QuickBooks so you're not stuck doing admin all day with QuickBooks Bill Pay. All your bills, vendors, payments info, even 1099s live in one clean dashboard actually, so everything makes sense to you. You can instantly see what's due control, who needs to approve it, and how it hits your cash flow. Vendors can actually add in there on their own, their own payment details so you don't have to be chasing them down. And you choose how and when money goes out, so you stay in control. So start paying your bills the smart way, not the hard way. Learn@quickbooks.com bill again that's quickbooks.com bill pay terms apply. Money movement services are provided by Intuit Payments Inc. License is a money transmitter by the New York State Department of Financial Services. So one of the hardest things you'll ever do in your life is start a business. Let's just take this podcast for example. When I got started, I had no idea what I was doing. It was completely intimidating. I had no idea what I was doing and I felt lonely. It seemed like I had to figure it out on my own until I found Shopify. Why? Because Shopify is a commerce platform behind millions of businesses around the world. Listen to this. 10% of all E commerce in the US from household names like the Ed Mylett show to a beginning business. It's from Shopify. Whether you need a storefront copywriting, marketing, all of this stuff can happen when you start with your own design studio. Hundreds of ready to use templates that Shopify helps you build a beautiful online store that matches your brand style. Shopify is packed with all kinds of AI tools like what I've never seen before. Start your business today with the industry's best business partner, Shopify and start hearing. Sign up for your $1 per month trial today at shopify.com mylet go to shopify.com mylet that's shopify.com mylet end of it. Go.
A
Let me back in. Yeah, I don't want to have any
B
regrets at this point in my life. I don't like. Let me back, please. I'm. I'm. No bro, you. You missed it. It's over. Yeah, I don't want to have that feeling. So the field is like my life now. And it's just. So it's interesting that you had a
A
dream like dude, you know, I think a lot of that comes from. I've, I've talked to a lot of people that have similar feelings of what you're not the same dream, but like a similar type outlook. And I think that comes from two things. What I've been able to determine is there's. There's two different exact avatars of people that, that this comes from. One is people who didn't make it in their sport. But two is people who had an actual near death experience.
B
Interesting.
A
Okay. I've had both. Right. So when you realize when you have this men, when you have this awareness that your life can end like literally in a Second, it's hard not to be urgent, dude. And I think a lot of the truth is, is that a lot of people haven't really faced real hardship to develop the urgency. They look at people like me or people that are. That are like you, and they're like, this guy's insane. Well, bro, when you get stabbed in the face and you almost die on the street for real, you wake up with a different understanding that it can go away like that, you know, and that changed me, that whole thing, you know, Like, I was. I just don't take it for granted, dude. I just. I just don't.
B
You never told me that that was the effect the stabbing had on you.
A
Oh, yeah, Yeah. I woke up the next day and I was like, you, You.
B
I said earlier that you see things pretty well. And I've only asked a couple of people this on the show just because I don't value their opinion. But with you, I'll be honest with you guys, like, there's been so many things this dude has told me the last seven or eight years, whether it be in the world or geopolitically or what he was going to do in some of his businesses, and then they've happened. They don't always happen in the time frame.
A
No.
B
Sometimes they're later, sometimes they're earlier.
A
Everything always takes longer for me.
B
But, man, it's happened. Right. And so AI is something you're really getting deeply involved with now. A year ago, when we're talking about, you're like, I don't know anything about that. At some point you went, that's not going to be good enough. As a business leader, I need to know about this. I need to educate myself. It'd be like some guy back in the day going, I don't know about cell phones. Like, you got to know, right? Yeah. So what's the picture look like for you? Like, if someone's listening to an entrepreneur and they go, andy, what about AI? Like, just in general, as a broad stroke question, what advice would you give to people who. I don't know, they're. Maybe they're concerned, maybe they're excited.
A
Well, I definitely think you should learn it. I mean, I think that's where you start, right? I. I missed. When I was 19, 20, 21 years old, that's when the Internet really started booming, and I didn't have any resources, so I missed that opportunity. When social media came around, you know, I was three or four years late to that. Still did okay, but. But, you know, I wasn't thinking of it in terms of business, you know, and then when AI comes around, I think it's the, I think it's the biggest of those three revolutions that we've had happen. So I think it's very important for everybody to understand what's going on and, and to know a little bit about AI. You don't have to be an expert, but you need to works what, what the biases are, what it can do, what it can't do, how it's made, those kind of things. But as far as like what I think is happening, is that what we're asking?
B
Yeah,
A
man. I think all administrative jobs that basically bring no value to a business are going to be eliminated. AI is very good at managing tasks and doing things that you would have to hire what we would call an entrepreneurship, a body, right, which is basically a human with very little strategic value to the business to just type those people are done, you're done. If that's you, you're done. You just don't know it yet. Are all businesses done? No, absolutely not. People still want to. And I think the sweet spot here because we're seeing all different opinions, right? We see, we, we already saw, we've seen a number of companies lay off thousands of people and then, and then realize that AI is not good enough and then they try to hire the people back and it really put them in a bind. That's happened a bunch of times. I don't, it doesn't get publicized because none of the bad does. But I actually believe that it's going to be different than what people think. I think a lot of people think it's just going to run everything and it's going to be and, and dude, that's what people think when they're thinking like the lazy way, right? I could get a cloud bot and I could do it could make me millions of dollars and it broke. Can it really? Have we seen it yet? We haven't seen it yet. Right. So there's a, there's a lot of hustle around it. I personally believe. And this is where I think businesses should position themselves on AI. I think you have to integrate AI into your back end systems to make them function as quickly as possible, to eliminate, and to eliminate the labor cost, but also increase the efficiencies quicker, faster, instant, you know, things and then equip your forward facing human force to be very good with those tools. And that's where I think the companies that are going to win are going to win big. I think if you think that you're going to automate all of your shit. You're probably going to lose. And I think that for a number of reasons, the main reason being is that we're in a cultural position right now where people are not wanting to spend more time with technology. How many of you guys want to spend more time on social media? Honestly, probably zero. Okay. So people are becoming disenfranchised with how. And they're becoming aware of how much technology is stealing from us, living our real lives. If that's the case, which I know it is because I watch, I see it, how we do business, then we're really in a situation where people. There's a vacuum for human, human contact right now. Right. There's a vacuum for great relationships, there's a vacuum for connection that it cannot be filled with AI. So if you're an employee or an entrepreneur or an operator, you know, a founder, CEO, understanding AI and seeing it as a weapon versus seeing it as an all solution is the way you want to look at it. And you want to equip your soldiers, your team with the best weapons. And that's, that's what I think. And that's how I'm positioning my companies.
B
That's what I was gonna say.
A
Okay, we're. I mean, none of this is just like, I'm betting my life on it. So we are allowing our systems on the back end to become more efficient with AI, but then we're still allowing our humans to do what our humans do, which is help other people get the resolution and the solutions they're looking for.
B
By the way, I want everyone to hear that. The. By the way, I. No one said that, that I've asked that on the show. The way you say it seems to be plausible. But there's another underlying reason for this that I just think is important fundamentally about how you and I view business. And I'd say particularly you, which is that you're about the people in your businesses first. In other words, you're not looking for ways to eliminate humans. No, you're looking for ways to be able to employ and expand the dream for more people and utilizing technology to do that. Not quickly finding ways to get rid of the guy running the camera or the person doing the editing or what have you. That's just a fundamental belief you have.
A
Not only do you go back to that duty thing that we talked about.
B
What do you mean?
A
Well, don't. I think there's ethical entrepreneurship and there's unethical entrepreneurship, there's ethical entrepreneurship. Is understanding that as an entrepreneur in your community, you have a responsibility to create careers, jobs, and support the community. Sponsor the baseball teams, you know, be involved. Those things matter, dude. That's our whole culture and our whole society is based on those things. How many Amazon Little League teams do you see? Right? Not many. And then you have unethical entrepreneurship people who are in it for the dollars, and that is it. And some of those people are the most successful people on the planet. Okay. Jeff Bezos is one of the richest men in the world. If not, you know, he's probably next to Elon. Right? The guy continues to automate. Automate and automate. They do things allegedly, like, inside of their company. Like right before people are about to get benefits, they fire them like that. To me, now, I respect what he's built. I think he's a tremendous entrepreneur. And by definition of winning, by the definition of creating and winning in business, he's done. I mean, he's hardcore. He's a winner. Not taking anything away from the guy. That's just not how I want to do it. You know what I mean? Yeah. I just don't think. I don't think I'd be able to sleep at night running that way.
B
I love that you just said, that's my per.
A
That's my. I believe that if we're going to fix this country and fix what's going on, I believe it comes from the
B
entrepreneurs and ethical entrepreneurs.
A
Ethical entrepreneurs that set ethical culture around the things that matter inside their business. The employees take that culture home into their households and spreads through their community. So if you have excellent culture inside of your business, you're. You're by default, correcting culture inside the world. Right. You can't do that with robots, Andy.
B
That's being said nowhere. Yeah, you just said.
A
Well, because most these dudes don't run real, bro.
B
Right. Yeah.
A
You know, and if they have employees, a lot of people just look at them and they're like, oh, that's my employee. I compensate them for their work. Too bad. That's. That just happens not to be me. Yeah. I go to work every day. These people are my friends. I care about them. I love doing what I do with them, you know, So I don't know. When I think of, like, when I look at a spreadsheet and, you know, there's a dollar amount next to your employees, I don't look at that as something that. I look at that as something that should go up.
B
Yeah. Quite honestly, that's unbelievable. You can go to Harvard, MBA and you won't hear what he just said. And it's. It's the reason we do a terrible job of promoting this. So we're going to take 30 seconds. Promote it. But I want to say something, everybody. It's the reason, out of all the people on the planet that right when I met you, I'm like, if I'm going to have a partner at anything I do in the public space on coaching entrepreneurs, I want to do with this. Man 1. Obviously, people have seen your brain on display today, but it's also the way in which you frame business. And I'll be honest with you, you've said a lot today about the things I've learned from you or that you've learned from me. I've learned that from you. Of devotion, really, to the people that work with you. And you really believe they helped build you, like it's a deep, real thing.
A
Well, they do.
B
I know. And it's made me evaluate in myself over the previous decades, when I was a younger man, did I really have that depth of appreciation for other people? People are the end. I've learned from you. They're not the means to an end.
A
Right.
B
They're the end. It begins and ends with people and for 30 seconds, because we never do it. Most people probably don't even know they watch. Both of us, you and I, a zillion years ago, formed a very unique syndicate, a group of people called the Arete Syndicate that you and I both personally mentor and I, just for, just for a second, your view on what you and I do in that group and why you think it's valuable for people and. Different. Yeah, different.
A
I think, you know, the one thing that we.
B
That we do, we do a terrible job of promoting.
A
Yeah.
B
I mean, we never promote.
A
Yeah, we don't. But that's because it's not our main line of business.
B
That's the difference.
A
Right. Like, for most of these people, this is what they do for their business. Their business is coaching.
B
Right.
A
And it's not our business.
B
Right.
A
Which is actually what makes arte valuable, because you're dealing with two guys who are still in the game. They're building, they're creating, they're doing new things as the world is changing. Nobody else is doing that. And also nobody else that I know of is teaching people how to run an actual business. You know, they might be teaching people, you know, how to. They might give you some advice or, you know, say what they think or, you know, give you how to run an ad funnel or some. Right. But we don't, we don't have too many people out there that are actually building things that are helping other people navigate that water.
B
Yeah.
A
And so that's what we do there. You know, we take small, medium and large sized businesses and make them bigger, you know. Yeah. And that's what we do. And we have a number of people who started out with us in 2018 when we started and now they're literally nine figure entrepreneurs. So we've, we've got a whole list of them.
B
Yeah.
A
And that's what we do. So we help people grow their businesses. If you have a real business, no matter how big or small, meaning, you know, whatever. What, That's a place where I think if you're not in there, you're not going to learn the. Anywhere else. I, I firmly believe that. I know that. I know that.
B
I'm very proud of that group.
A
Yeah, I am too.
B
I'm proud because I do it with you. And every time we do, you know, calls in the group, I do mine, you do yours. When we do them together, I always tell you, I always sit back. These are just, they're just so valuable. They're valuable for me. And, and so that's the cool thing
A
about the group too, dude, is that, you know, being around the environment where everybody's in the game.
B
Yeah.
A
Like, dude, there's a lot of things that I've learned from guys in the group.
B
Same here.
A
Yeah. And like they're doing this new thing or this new technology, something that isn't on my radar yet. I mean, dude, and I, I love it.
B
I do too.
A
I love doing it.
B
Well, if any of you, you know, we don't promote it and it's very rare that we do it. But if you go to aretesyndicate.com arte is a R E T E syndicate.com you can get some info on.
A
Yeah. And it's super affordable, dude. It's not like, it's not like what's, you know, what's funny to me.
B
Yeah.
A
Is like, I think we raised the price. We do better. Yeah.
B
By the way, or if we ever mentioned it, today's the first time, like four years we just never missed.
A
But like, dude, we try. You and I both did this out of a, A, a feeling of obligation.
B
That's right.
A
Right.
B
And well, the other thing too, that I think people should know and I think they all know this. Like you and I probably collectively. There's a few others. Like, we've given away more free content. You on your podcast all the Way to the MF CEO days to now with real AF and the mfc. Like all of it, like most of our stuff, we're just here to serve and help. It's one of the few things we do any charging for and it is affordable. The other thing I want to ask, I want to land on a last thing because I, I, I don't think everybody really understands the impact. Look, first, form's a huge company, made a difference. What you're doing with form, energy and Anheuser Busch and Dana White and all that, like it's unbelievable what you guys are doing. You're building these huge behemoth, you know, American backed like amazing companies, right? And I'm very proud of you for doing that. And, and it's been awe inspiring to watch. Having said all of that, I do not go anywhere where I don't run into somebody who has said 75 hards changed their life. Like by the way, which is also free, something that you created. And I even Michael, who's here today, I think he's on his third time doing 75 hard, right? And it's changed. I mean you give us the data in a minute about how many hashtags there's been or whatever. Why did you create it and what do you and I know why? But I want them to hear because it was a personal thing, frankly. But also what's the impact on mental toughness in someone's life and why is that such a skill? Of all the skills you could chosen to develop in people, you chose mental toughness as the thing you wanted this to develop. Why?
A
Well, because I think it's the most required skill in entrepreneurship and personal success. You know, I have, I have a lot of issue with the way the Internet promotes success. Okay? We have all these guys who sound real good and they write real nice and they sell these nice things that are, that are, you know, nice to hear, that are completely out of tune with what it really takes, okay? It's a battle and it doesn't matter. Anybody who says it's not has been in it too long. They've been in it too long and they're too big. They don't get it, okay? Or they've never been in it, right? It is hard. And the number one thing. So when we think about mental toughness, mental toughness is the embodiment of a bunch of other subsets, right? Perseverance, discipline, the ability to, you know, not like all of these things. Fortitude, grit, perseverance. All of these things fit in the Definition of mental toughness. Right? And when we think about, like, why most people don't succeed, it's not that they don't know what to do. It's that they don't have the capacity to adhere to a plan. Okay, think of it like this. What if you had the recipe for the best cake ever, but you didn't have the ability to put the ingredients together and follow the directions and put it. It doesn't matter. And everybody likes to look at, like, oh, I got the wrong plan or the wrong idea, or that this or the that. You don't have the ability to adhere to the plan. That's your whole entire problem. That's why, that's why you're overweight. That's why you're broke. That's why you're not doing well. It's because you get 1, 2, 3, 4 days, 5 a week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks into something, and then you decide, oh, it's not for me. And then you go on to something else the minute it doesn't get fun. And the ability to be successful over the long haul, whether it be your fitness or your wealth or whatever it is, is the ability to execute at the highest level possible, especially when you don't feel like it. Okay? If you can execute on the days that you don't feel like it, when everybody else packs it in, those are time gaps that accumulate over the course of time that separate you from everybody else. So if you're competing against someone who every time it gets overwhelming, they say, I gotta take a month break in Bali and decompress, bro. I just gained a month on you, man. Like, you're, this is math. So when we think about, like, why people can't get their life together, it's because they're not controlling the basic things that they need to control. They're not controlling what they drink, they're not controlling what they eat. They're not controlling their, how they move. They're not controlling their exercise or what information or who they're hanging around. They, they, they, they abandon the controls that they have and then pretend they're surprised that their life is chaos. Okay, well, if you're able to control these things, that's going to give you 90% of the outcome in life that you want. You're going to be fit. You're going to understand how to achieve things. You're going to be able to follow a plan. So when we, when this thing was born, this, you know, when it comes to fitness and the reason that most people can't ever, like, get in shape and stay there is because they think it's a physical thing, when actually it's a mental thing. It's just you don't have the skill set developed to persevere down the path and stay that way. So, you know, and then the other thing you have to realize is that discipline is a perishable skill. So just like, you know, you go out, you work in the yard, you get all sweaty, then you take a shower. You're not. You don't sting anymore. Right. Well, eventually you're gonna stink again. You gotta take another shower. And so when, you know, one of the things people say about 75 harvest makes me laugh, makes me know they don't know anything about it, is they say, oh, it doesn't work if you got to keep doing it again. What are you talking about? You. You. This is a perishable skill. This is no different than practicing a musical instrument or shooting a firearm. You know, if you're playing golf, if you don't get. If you don't go hit balls consistently, can you be good at golf?
B
No.
A
Okay. It's the same thing with your discipline. It's the same thing with your toughness. It's the same thing with your grit, your fortitude. And that's why it's important to present yourself with hard things and follow through on them, because they. They develop those skill sets that you need. And so, like, to answer your question, why mental toughness? Because mental toughness embodies all of the subsets that to actually make someone successful, whatever they decide to do. If I decide, if I have my mental right and I'm a disciplined human and I decide I want to get good at playing guitar, I can do that. I understand how to do that. I'm going to show up every day. I'm going to play the guitar every day. I'm going to play on the days that I don't feel like playing, and I'm going to keep going. My fingers are blistered. I'm going to keep going, and eventually I'll be able to play the guitar. And it's the same thing with building a business. So I. I believe that, you know, the reason that live hard and 75 hard have become what they are is because it works very well.
B
It's several billion hashtags, right?
A
Yeah. Yeah, it's billions and billions of hashtags. Yeah.
B
And, you know, you guys got to realize something. What did you weigh at your peak, by the way?
A
350.
B
350. So you see The Super Jack guy here, this was a guy many years ago, was 350 and broke. And now he's worth a B in front of his name and is a machine. And he's changed millions of people's lives. And so you can go just 75 hard anywhere, hashtag it, Google is there. You go to 75 hard app or website or what do you do?
A
Yeah, you just go to 75hardcom.
B
Yep. And by the way, that's completely free, everybody. And then to work with Andy and I, if you want to go to aretesyndicate.com this, by the way, today is why podcasts were created and why I do my show. And I really just want to thank you. I thank you for being. I mean this sincerely, without getting too emotional, like, you really changed my life. I consider you. I don't have a brother. I've got three sisters. I just wish I saw you more.
A
Yeah, me too.
B
I wish I was around you. We're both running at a million miles an hour. But I love you and I'm very, very proud of you and I'm grateful for you, bro.
A
So thank you. Thank you. That's mutual. All right, I'd be. First of all, all of that's mutual, but I do have to say this because I'd be wrong to not say it. I'm also surrounded by the best team in the face of the earth. Okay. I, I was blessed to have people around me that are extremely intelligent and smart and hard working. So when you look at all these things, understand this is a, this is a community effort of some very intelligent people, including my brother, who's the CEO first form now. So it's, you know, I get a lot of the credit, but I work with some killers and you work with
B
these killers, yet all these super intelligent people on you. And then there's also dj who's here today with us. I'm just kidding, brother. I love you too, but.
A
Yeah, man, you know, yeah, dude, I, I just. That needs to be said because it really is at, at this level, it's. It's not something that somebody could do on their own.
B
Yeah, it's a great lesson for people to learn as well. I don't think I have to ask anybody to share today's episode. I'm pretty sure you all will. Hey, guys, thanks so much for joining us here today. I wish you all the best in your life. Continue to max out your life and God bless you. Take care.
A
This is the Ed Milan show.
Date: May 19, 2026
Host: Ed Mylett
Guest: Andy Frisella (Founder of 1st Phorm, 75 Hard, Arete Syndicate)
In this powerhouse episode, Ed Mylett sits down with entrepreneur, author, and mental toughness coach Andy Frisella, known for building industry-leading companies and igniting the “75 Hard” mental toughness movement. Broadcasting straight from Andy’s legendary car collection, the two friends go deep on the “0 Options” mentality, relentless pursuit of potential, the truth about success, intensity in business, ethical entrepreneurship, the coming impact of AI, and why mental toughness is the master skill. The episode is raw, extremely practical, and showcases years of hard-won wisdom from two of the top peak performers in the world.
[02:34 – 04:51]
Relentless Pursuit of Potential:
Andy frames true success as “the commitment to one’s true potential, to the pursuit of one’s true potential.”
“As you push down the path of winning … you’re gaining new potential ... If you just stop, then you’re leaving all this potential on the table.” – Andy [03:30]
It’s Never ‘Made It’:
Andy acknowledges that even with massive companies and global influence, he doesn’t “feel successful”—success itself is a moving target.
Success for Andy evolves over time:
“What success was to me on the first day of my entrepreneurial journey is not what it is now, and it’s not what it’s going to be in five years from now.” – Andy [03:57]
[04:51 – 08:26]
“If we want a high functioning, high drive... America, we have to understand that at some point we’re responsible for inspiring that example in the younger generations.” – Andy [07:15]
[08:48 – 12:06]
“I just wanted to make a lot of money … I always understood, because my dad planted in my mind, that if I was going to enjoy [cars] for real, I’d have to make a lot of money.” – Andy [10:00]
[12:10 – 17:24]
“I used to go to the grocery store and make myself talk to three people…for years.” – Andy [13:52]
“Most people only look at that first decision … they don’t have the capacity to look one, two, or three steps down the line.” – Andy [17:20]
[20:37 – 28:39]
Intensity is Mandatory:
Both agree genuine entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone. It requires “running hot,” and a drive that’s not casual.
“There’s nothing casual about winning … You are competing against other people who are willing to give everything they have at all times.” – Andy [25:09]
Learning to Channel Intensity:
Andy cites Ed as helping him hone his intensity from “bull in a china shop” to a tool he can deploy strategically.
Fear and Hunger Even After Success:
They discuss the risk of complacency after a first big win, playing “scared,” and always feeling on the verge of losing it all.
“I show up at work every single day thinking we’re going to go out of business, even if it’s not true. ... It’s a mentality ... I call it zero options mentality.” – Andy [28:58]
0 Options Mentality:
Trick yourself into believing that failure is not an option, regardless of how much success is behind you.
[31:21 – 34:08]
“This is my sport and my art at the same time … and it’s just why it doesn’t usually feel just like work to me.” – Ed [31:41]
[37:10 – 38:43]
“When you realize, when you have this awareness that your life can end in a second, it’s hard not to be urgent.” – Andy [37:54]
[39:56 – 47:39]
“There’s a vacuum for great relationships, there’s a vacuum for connection that cannot be filled with AI.” – Andy [43:37]
“There’s ethical entrepreneurship and there’s unethical entrepreneurship … It’s not how I want to do it.” – Andy [46:18]
“If you have excellent culture inside of your business, you’re by default, correcting culture inside the world. You can’t do that with robots, Andy.” – Andy [47:08]
[48:38 – 51:09]
“You’re dealing with two guys who are still in the game … nobody else is doing that.” – Andy [49:22]
[53:18 – 59:09]
“The ability to be successful ... is the ability to execute at the highest level possible, especially when you don’t feel like it.” – Andy [56:45]
"You could never hit your true potential … We're going to die. So how I define success is just simply pursuing that..."
– Andy Frisella [04:28]
“If we want a high functioning, high character, driven, ambitious, successful America … we have to inspire that example in the younger generations.”
– Andy Frisella [07:15]
“Most people only look at that first decision … They don’t have the capacity to look one, two, or three steps down the line. And I think that’s a big handicap for most business owners, if I’m being honest.”
– Andy Frisella [17:20]
“There’s nothing casual about winning … The higher that you go, it gets more competitive.”
– Andy Frisella [25:09]
“I call it zero options mentality … it’s either go or accept what you have, understanding that what you have is going to get worse.”
– Andy Frisella [29:03]
“Integrate AI … but equip your forward-facing human force to be very good with those tools. If you think that you’re going to automate all of your shit, you’re probably going to lose.”
– Andy Frisella [43:04]
“If you have excellent culture inside of your business, you’re by default, correcting culture inside the world. You can’t do that with robots, Andy.”
– Andy Frisella [47:08]
“The ability to execute on the days when you don’t feel like it … those are time gaps that accumulate over the course of time that separate you from everybody else.”
– Andy Frisella [56:45]
“Discipline is a perishable skill … no different than practicing a musical instrument or shooting a firearm … eventually you’ve got to take another shower.”
– Andy Frisella [57:06]
The episode is intense yet warm, unflinchingly honest, and filled with tough love—exactly in line with both Ed and Andy’s on-air personas. Andy is blunt and motivational, Ed is supportive but probing—together, they serve up extremely practical advice and personal anecdotes with humility, candor, and a genuine desire to help listeners achieve lasting success.
If you want to learn about building true, durable success, leading with integrity, harnessing the new tech era, and why mental toughness trumps all—this is a must-listen episode.