THE ED MYLETT SHOW

Episode: "What Separates Successful People And People Who Chase Success"
Date: November 1, 2025
Host: Ed Mylett | Cumulus Podcast Network

Episode Overview

In this special episode, Ed Mylett explores the mindset, psychology, and habits that distinguish truly successful people from those who endlessly chase success. Through candid conversations with peak performers across sports, business, and entrepreneurship—including Nick Kyrgios, Damar Hamlin, Tony Robbins, Jesse Itzler, and Manny Khoshbin—the episode unpacks themes of mental resilience, environment, relationships, personal habits, authenticity, and redefining success beyond mere achievement. The conversations are filled with vulnerable admissions, tactical advice, and memorable stories designed to inspire listeners to elevate every area of their lives.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Nick Kyrgios: Talent, Mental Health, and Redefining Success

[02:44 – 24:07]

The Mental Game vs. Raw Talent

• Ed Mylett asks Nick Kyrgios what separates champions like Djokovic from equally talented athletes.
• Nick Kyrgios credits composure, experience, and lifetime discipline:

  "I almost felt the consistency of his work over the course of his career... I actually felt like from a talent standpoint I was better than him at tennis that day, but I still lost... the biggest difference was his ability to just stay composed and have faith in the body of work he’d put in for two decades.” (04:22)

• Highlights the unfair expectations and "finalist vs. legacy" mindsets.

Struggles Off-Court & Mental Health

• Nick reveals his struggles with mental health, suicidal ideation, self-harm, and substance abuse—even during peak career moments:

  “There was a period in my life in 2019 where I was self-harming and suicidal and I was partying a lot... For me, making the final of Wimbledon was like a bonus—just a miracle to have come out of that dark period.” (07:23)
  “When I was playing at the top of the sport, no one really expected me to be going through that. I wore a sleeve to cover it all up... Even just to wake up and go outside was a task, but then I had to live up to the avatar.” (09:49)

Advice for Those Struggling

• Nick’s counsel: Don't isolate. Allow loved ones to help. Break the recovery process into small, manageable habits.

  “The one thing I did that made it worse was block people out... as humans with that, that’s not even how we're supposed to function... You have to want to fix it. It started with getting up in the morning... It took me two years.” (13:03)
  “You can’t surround yourself with toxic people. The five people around you have to be positive and want the best out of you.” (13:03)

On Vulnerability & Legacy

• Ed Mylett:

  “If you can come from where you did and make improvements... In life we’re most qualified to help the person we used to be.” (21:54)

• Nick:

  “It’s not about trophies. For me, success is being able to inspire others... and when I opened up, the amount of people who reached out has been the most powerful thing in my career.” (20:28)

2. Damar Hamlin: Overcoming Catastrophe, Incremental Growth, and Gratitude

[46:52 – 59:46]

Making a Comeback from Rock Bottom

• Damar shares advice for those facing catastrophic setbacks:

  “You can’t conquer the world in one day... Don’t allow yourself to sit in it—get up and move. Go through the ugly phases and just continue to try to get better one day at a time, one step at a time.” (49:00)

Embracing Ugly Phases and Holding Yourself Accountable

• On holding oneself to higher standard:

  “Make no negotiations with yourself—hold yourself to a different standard and accountability so you can get out of your situation... you can’t get out doing the same things that put you there.” (51:58)

Gratitude and Perspective

• After his near-death experience:

  “There’s no day where I can allow myself to get too low anymore… just to still be here is a blessing... No matter what, I can always bring myself to appreciate at least one thing.” (53:03)

3. Ed Mylett: The Power of Environment & Relationships

[29:02 – 43:31]

“Environment Overrides Everything”

• Ed explains why so many drift back to their old lives after self-improvement events—environment trumps tactics:

  “Proximity is power. The most powerful force on earth is to be consistent and congruent with the expectations of our peer group.” (30:41)

• Key audit questions:
  • Do the people around you believe in you?
  • Are they “future reference” friends, or do they tie you to the past?
  • Are they energy givers or drainers?

Evaluating and Adjusting Who’s Close

• Be kind and cordial, but concise with negative people—reduce their proximity.
• Add new people by contributing belief, kindness, and support.

Standards Over Goals

• “We get our standards in life, not always our goals... and the people around us help create that standard.” (43:31)

On Legacies and Identifying Your Best Self

• “You were put here to do something great... Maybe you forget who you are because of the people who’ve been in your damn life, because they haven't supported that great version of you. If it’s people who created these limiting beliefs, it’s people who will help you get out of it.” (43:31–46:50)

4. Tony Robbins: Ownership Over Reactivity, Resilience, and Wealth Mindset

[60:11 – 69:11]

Shifting from Consumer to Owner

• Tony on financial growth and navigating tough economies:

  “The biggest mistake is to pull back right now… stop being a consumer and become an owner… Over time, if you're a consumer, you lose.” (61:59)

Investing Through Uncertainty

• Don't try to time markets—focus on long-term, consistent ownership:

  “If you just try to time the market…just 10 days out of 20 years…you cut your returns in half.” (65:36)

Mindset and Emotional Resilience

• Keep feeding your mind and emotions to avoid reacting out of fear.

Recurring Pattern

• “People are going through their lives reacting to media, the markets, their phones, what everyone’s telling them, instead of being a creator of their own destiny.” (67:08)

5. Jesse Itzler: Leap Before You’re Ready, Diverse “Buckets” of Success, & Life Systems

[70:09 – 86:37]

Enter Spaces Before You’re Ready

• Jesse advocates for “foot-in-the-door” action:

  “Nothing happens if you don’t get in the door... Experience is overrated. It’s important, but it takes so damn long... The number one thing as an entrepreneur is start.” (71:13)

Customer Experience & Creating Irreplaceability

• Jesse built his career by out-servicing clients:

  “I provided time on jets. No, that’s what everyone else was doing. This is what we’re gonna do—shock and awe... Would I recommend myself as a dad, partner, coach?” (77:44)

Success is Multi-Dimensional

• “It’s not about being good in one bucket. It’s about all the buckets: being a good dad, giving back, standing up for the right thing. When I see people who are mega wealthy, they’re just fucking wealthy. Success isn’t just about money.” (80:15)

Habits & Consistency

• True success is built on day-to-day habits:

  “The foundation of everything is your daily habits... It’s creating winning habits, routines, mindset. There’s no way around it.” (81:13)

6. Manny Khoshbin: From Homeless to Mogul—Strategic Patience and Practical Investment

[87:32 – 94:01]

From Car Living to Car Collection

• Manny’s journey:

  “There’s a metaphor here: you lived in a car, and now you own one of the greatest car collections on the planet.” (90:48)

Advice for Turning Life Around

• Start by working out, set long-term goals, write them down, improve mindset and circle, and ultimately invest patiently:

  “Doesn't matter what trade you're in, gear up to invest in real estate—wait for recessions, buy low, sell high.” (88:41)

On Timing and Opportunity

• “Life has not passed you by. If you start to accumulate now, you could multiply your wealth. I made all my money in recessions.” (92:07, 89:18)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Nick Kyrgios on Djokovic’s composure:
  “I actually felt like from a talent standpoint I was better...but I still lost. His ability to just stay composed and have faith in the body of work he’d put in...was the biggest separator.” (04:22, Nick Kyrgios)

• On Mental Health and Reaching Out:
  “The one thing I did that made it worse was block people out...As humans, that's not even how we're supposed to function.” (13:03, Nick Kyrgios)

• Tony Robbins on Investing:
  “Stop being a consumer and become an owner... Over time, if you’re a consumer, you lose.” (61:59, Tony Robbins)

• Jesse Itzler on Success:
  “Success is not about being good in one bucket. It’s about being good in all the buckets.” (80:15, Jesse Itzler)

• Ed Mylett on Environment:
  “Proximity is power. The most powerful force on earth is to be consistent and congruent with the expectations of our peer group.” (30:41, Ed Mylett)

• Damar Hamlin on Comebacks:
  “You can’t conquer the world in one day...go through the ugly phases and just continue to try to get better, one day at a time, one step at a time.” (49:00, Damar Hamlin)

Important Timestamps & Segments

• [02:44] - Nick Kyrgios on the Wimbledon Final, mental vs. talent
• [07:23] - Nick’s struggles off the court, 2019 dark period
• [13:03] - Kyrgios’ mental health advice: Let others in, build small habits
• [21:54] - Nick on impact of sharing struggles
• [29:02] - Ed’s monologue on environment and evaluating your circle
• [46:52] - Damar Hamlin’s comeback, advice for setbacks
• [61:59] - Tony Robbins on investing and owner mentality
• [71:13] - Jesse Itzler on leaping into new spaces
• [80:15] - Success in all buckets, not just money
• [88:41] - Manny Khoshbin on practical steps for new entrepreneurs

Episode Tone & Language

• Real, candid, motivational, unapologetically honest.
• Vulnerability and authenticity are embraced; guests speak openly about struggles, setbacks, and inner doubts, not just highlight reels.
• Advice is direct and pragmatic—emphasis on habits, environment, and relationships over cheap hacks.

Takeaways for Listeners

• Success is driven by the people you surround yourself with and the standards they hold you to.
• Consistency, self-evaluation, and willingness to start before you’re “ready” are more important than raw talent or preparation.
• Vulnerability and authenticity—sharing your struggles—not only heals yourself but powerfully serves others.
• Setbacks, trauma, and mental health challenges are common even among peak performers. Small incremental steps, support systems, and accountability are key to recovery and growth.
• Invest in yourself continuously, become an owner not just a consumer, and be ready to seize opportunities when others retreat.
• Define success multidimensionally: in relationships, health, fulfillment—not just externally visible wins.

To dive deeper and hear these stories and lessons firsthand, follow THE ED MYLETT SHOW on Apple and Spotify.