The Ryan Leak Podcast

Episode: Dog With Discipline

Host: Ryan Leak
Date: October 20, 2025

Overview

In this episode titled "Dog With Discipline," Ryan Leak explores the idea that having relentless drive ("that dog in you")—a common trait celebrated especially in sports and high performance arenas—can be both a blessing and a curse. The episode focuses on why discipline is necessary to harness drive effectively, preventing it from becoming destructive. Ryan shares compelling anecdotes, sports references, and actionable wisdom to encourage listeners to balance ambition with self-control.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Meaning of "That Dog in You"

• Definition:

  • The phrase "he got that dog in him" means someone has relentless energy, grit, hunger, and determination.
  • Often applied to athletes and high performers to signify those who "live for the grind" ([00:27]).

• Blessing and Curse:

  • "Having that dog in you can be a blessing and a curse. Because if you've got that drive without discipline, that same fire that fuels you can also burn everything around you." ([01:06])
  • The relentless nature, without restraint, can be destructive.

2. Drive Without Discipline: Consequences

• Sports Examples:
  • Football player celebrates too long and gets a penalty, costing the team the game ([01:26]).
  • Basketball player gets a technical foul for arguing passionately with referees ([01:39]).
• Real Life Examples:
  • Entrepreneurs obsessed with their business at the expense of their personal life.
  • Bosses who push teams too hard, leading to people quitting not due to hard work, but a toxic environment ([02:03]).
  • Parents driven to make their children succeed, creating misery for everyone ([02:18]).

3. Drive Needs a Leash: The Importance of Discipline

• Ryan's Main Insight:

  • "The dog in you is your drive, but the discipline in you is your leash. Without the leash, the same energy that can take you to the top can also take you out." ([02:22])
  • Key Takeaway:
    • "Strength without discipline becomes destruction." ([02:40])
    • Reiterated: "You can have all the drive in the world, but if you can't control it, it'll eventually control you." ([02:47])

• Personal Reflection Prompts:

  • Think of times when your passion got ahead of your patience—interrupting in meetings, clapping back at criticism, or saying yes to everything until overwhelmed ([02:54]).

4. The Ferrari Analogy and What Discipline Really Means

• Metaphor:
  • "It's like having a Ferrari with no brakes. You can go fast, but you can't stop. You'll win a few races, but eventually you'll crash." ([03:25])
• Definition of Discipline:
  • "Discipline does not mean you lose your edge. It means you master it. It's learning to channel your energy."
  • "It's saying, I don't need to fight every battle. It's knowing when to speak up and when to shut up." ([03:34])
  • "Discipline doesn't take the dog out of you. It trains the dog in you." ([03:53])

5. Lessons from Legends: Kobe Bryant and Serena Williams

• Kobe Bryant:
  • Known for "that dog", what set him apart was discipline—showing up to the gym at 4am, not fighting with refs or blaming teammates.
  • "That's not chaos, that's control." ([04:16])
• Serena Williams:
  • Her discipline was her secret weapon, saving her energy for performance, not wasted on disputes ([04:38]).
• "Their greatness didn't come from their drive alone. It came from their ability to direct it." ([04:49])

6. Self-Assessment and Applying Discipline

• Key Questions for Listeners:
  • "Do you have it [the dog] under control?"
  • "Do you know when to go hard and when to hold back?"
  • "Do you know when to run and when to rest?" ([04:52])
• Burnout vs. Breakthrough:
  • "Because the difference between burnout and breakthrough is usually discipline." ([05:10])

7. How to Win and Keep Winning

• Long-term Success:
  • "The world doesn't need more people who are just hungry. It needs people who know what to do with their hunger, because hunger alone will get you started, but discipline will help you finish." ([05:31])
  • "Keep that dog in you, but just make sure it's on a leash." ([05:44])
• Final Encouragement:
  • "Be strong, be bold, be relentless. But above all, I'm going to encourage you to be disciplined. That's how you win and keep winning." ([05:52])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Having that dog in you can be a blessing and a curse. Because if you've got that drive without discipline, that same fire that fuels you can also burn everything around you.” – Ryan Leak ([01:06])
• "The dog in you is your drive, but the discipline in you is your leash. Without the leash, the same energy that can take you to the top can also take you out." – Ryan Leak ([02:22])
• “Strength without discipline becomes destruction.” – Ryan Leak ([02:40])
• “It's like having a Ferrari with no brakes. You can go fast, but you can't stop. You'll win a few races, but eventually you'll crash.” – Ryan Leak ([03:25])
• “Discipline doesn't take the dog out of you. It trains the dog in you.” – Ryan Leak ([03:53])
• “Their greatness didn’t come from their drive alone. It came from their ability to direct it.” – Ryan Leak on Kobe Bryant and Serena Williams ([04:49])
• “The world doesn't need more people who are just hungry. It needs people who know what to do with their hunger, because hunger alone will get you started, but discipline will help you finish.” – Ryan Leak ([05:31])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:27]: Introduction of "that dog in you" concept
• [01:06]: The double-edged sword of relentless drive
• [02:22]: Drive as the dog, discipline as the leash analogy
• [02:40]: Core message: “Strength without discipline becomes destruction”
• [03:25]: Ferrari with no brakes metaphor
• [03:53]: The meaning of discipline in performance
• [04:16]: Kobe Bryant and Serena Williams examples
• [05:10]: Burnout vs. breakthrough linked to discipline
• [05:31]: Final call for combining hunger with discipline

Tone & Style

Ryan Leak speaks in an encouraging, relatable, and motivational manner, using sports analogies, personal stories, and direct questions to engage listeners and prompt reflection.

Final Takeaways

• Having drive and hunger is valuable, but without discipline, it can be damaging.
• True greatness and sustainable success come from those who not only have “that dog” in them but who also have it under control.
• Discipline is what turns raw energy into lasting impact.

For anyone striving for excellence—whether in sports, business, or life—this episode is a compelling reminder to keep your passion leashed with discipline, ensuring you win and keep winning over the long term.