Grant Baldwin is the founder and CEO of The Speaker Lab, a coaching and training company that has helped tens of thousands of speakers launch and grow successful speaking businesses.

A dynamic entrepreneur, bestselling author, and seasoned keynote speaker, Grant has delivered nearly 1,000 presentations to over half a million people across 47 states and beyond. Under his leadership, The Speaker Lab has been named to the Inc. 5000 list four years running and has become a trusted industry leader for aspiring and experienced speakers alike.

In this episode, Chris and Grant dive into what it really takes to build a business and a life that lasts. From staying the course and avoiding burnout to finding joy outside of work, Grant shares lessons from over a decade of leading a multi seven-figure company with intention and purpose.

He opens up about the power of consistency, why hobbies matter more than hustle, and how building genuine relationships (not just networking) has shaped his journey.

This conversation is a masterclass in long-term thinking, leadership, and creating a business that supports the life you actually want to live.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:

The importance of long-term thinking and staying the course
How to keep things interesting when you’ve been doing the “same thing” for years
The value of hobbies, rest, and sabbaticals (including why Grant got his pilot’s license!)
Building authentic relationships that lead to opportunity
Why success means creating a business that supports your life, not the other way around

EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:

04:04 - The Journey of Building a Successful Business
06:11 - Maintaining Passion and Avoiding Burnout
15:44 - The Importance of Relationships and Personal Mastery
19:11 - Building Relationships: From Macro to Micro
19:25 - Networking Strategies: The Right and Wrong Approaches
20:14 - The Evolution of Social Media Engagement
21:14 - Intentional Relationship Building
23:58 - Hobbies and Pastimes: Finding Balance
30:08 - Living Like a Long-Haul Leader

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

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Thanks for listening to The Long-Haul Leader podcast. See you next week with more insights to help you lead with purpose, resilience, and impact.

How to Craft a Life Worth Living with Grant Baldwin