Real stories. Raw conversations. And actionable strategies from Host Jordan Mendoza and other 100's of entrepreneurs and trailblazers who turned adversity into advantage. Are you ready to blaze your own trail? Then you have come to the right place! Learn more here: https://byotpod.com/ We hope each episode adds value to you in some way. Make sure to follow & subscribe so you don't miss any content & updates!
Site
RSS
Apple
Données mises à jour le 03/10/2026
Classements récents
Dernières positions dans les classements Apple Podcasts et Spotify.
Liens partagés entre épisodes et podcasts
Liens présents dans les descriptions d'épisodes et autres podcasts les utilisant également.
Why Your Network Score Matters More Than Your Credit Score with Eddie Konialian
Épisode 189
vendredi 2 octobre 2026 • Durée 41:00
Jordan Mendoza sits down with Eddie Konialian, co-founder of Netwrk.VIP, for a conversation about resilience, leadership, and why networking should be measured by generosity, not extraction. Eddie shares how growing up in Beirut during the civil war, immigrating to Los Angeles, and building his career in finance shaped his belief that real success comes from helping other people win. They discuss Eddie’s path from sports and early jobs into banking leadership, the lessons he learned from managing teams, and why he built a platform focused on ownership, trust, and relationship quality. The episode centers on one big idea: in a world full of AI and automation, being human is becoming a competitive advantage.
Key topics
Eddie’s origin story: growing up in Beirut during the civil war and immigrating to the United States in the mid-1980s
Overcoming language barriers and finding confidence and community through sports
Lessons from athletics and John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success
“Raise the floor, not the ceiling”: why results matter more than potential or promises
Eddie’s reflections on college, completing what you start, and the value of education
His early jobs, sales experience, and career at Countrywide Home Loans
Becoming a manager at 23 and learning to lead and coach a team
The 2008 financial crisis, rebuilding his career, and developing the idea for Netwrk.
Chapters
00:00 — Introduction to Eddie and the episode’s mission 01:22 — Why Jordan wanted Eddie’s full story before talking business 01:53 — Leaving Beirut because of war and starting over in the U.S. 02:17 — Language barriers, being held back, and learning to belong 03:13 — Sports as a bridge to friendship and confidence 04:18 — John Wooden, sports culture, and lessons for business 07:28 — “Raise the floor, not the ceiling” 09:48 — Family pressure, a partial scholarship, and choosing work over college 12:16 — Eddie’s perspective on the value of finishing school 16:57 — First jobs, copier sales, and landing at Countrywide 17:51 — Managing 30 loan officers at 23 19:40 — Why helping employees and customers became the real reward 23:20 — The hardest thing to teach is care 24:47 — Leaving Countrywide, the 2008 crash, and rebuilding at Bank of America 25:45 — Comerica promotion and leading 105 employees 27:33 — Tracking referrals and spotting the Netwrk.VIP idea 30:21 — Eddie’s definition of networking: “sum of all effort” 33:29 — Why CRM data and social profiles need real action behind them 35:15 — What Netwrk.VIP does and why it exists 39:35 — Netwrk.VIP features: dashboard, global reach map, digital passports, and groups 41:04 — The upcoming "netwrk score" 42:45 — Measuring character instead of credit score 44:03 — Where to find Netwrk.VIP and Eddie’s contact information 44:27 — Final thoughts: “Be good people”
Are you an Entrepreneur, Coach, Author, Podcaster or Creative?
Join my FREE Group Coaching Community where we have live calls, Q&A and more!
Our Trailblazer Ecosystem also enables you to network with other entrepreneurs and the creator hub eliminates multiple subscriptions and logins creating a one stop shop with 29 tools to help you take action for just $97 per month!
Join here: https://trailblazerecosystem.com/
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
From Burned Out Chef to Global Movement Helping Chef's Thrive with Andres Hinojosa
Épisode 188
mardi 29 septembre 2026 • Durée 49:58
In this episode, Chef Andres Hinojosa shares his inspiring journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a successful chef and mentor. Discover how adversity shaped his life, his passion for food, and his mission to empower other chefs to succeed.
Key topics
Chef Andres' childhood and early influences Overcoming adversity and personal challenges The founding of Dinner with a Chef and Chefpreneur University The importance of excellence and service in the culinary arts Strategies for aspiring chefs to succeed and monetize their passion The role of faith and purpose in personal and professional growth
Sound Bites
"God uses all things for our good" "Adversity can be your superpower" "Success leaves clues"
00:00 Welcome and introduction to Chef Andres
01:04 Growing up in San Diego and discovering a love of food
02:58 His mother’s accident and a life-changing childhood
04:27 Moving to Iowa and finding faith through hardship
06:14 Taking on adult responsibilities at 14
08:00 Marriage, family, and growing up quickly
10:45 Turning adversity into purpose
12:26 The moment he chose to believe
15:53 Early dreams and finding direction
17:29 Encouraging his mother through difficult nights
19:38 Meeting Danielle and starting a family
22:20 Adversity as a potential superpower
23:12 Dinner with a Chef and Chefpreneur
24:12 His grandmother’s influence and culinary beginnings
25:26 Leaving demanding restaurant hours to start a business
26:23 Helping chefs build personal chef businesses
29:51 Learning excellence and service in luxury hotels
33:06 The vision behind Chefpreneur University
35:43 Real-world expertise versus online coaching hype
39:09 Three tips for becoming a better cook
40:00 Use quality ingredients, keep it simple, and season well
They Live On a Cruise Ship with Jeff and Debb Knapp
Épisode 187
dimanche 20 septembre 2026 • Durée 01:20:34
Jeff and Debb share their inspiring journey from hardship to living full-time on a cruise ship, emphasizing the power of resilience, faith, and community impact. Their story highlights overcoming adversity and building a life of purpose and impact.
Key Topics
Jeff and Debb's background and childhood stories The decision to live full-time on a cruise ship The role of faith and community in overcoming adversity The journey of building a social media presence and brand The importance of authenticity and impact in content creation Strategies for overcoming personal struggles and depression The significance of setting boundaries and self-care Future plans for growth, impact, and monetization The power of sharing stories to inspire others
Are you an Entrepreneur, Coach, Author, Podcaster or Creative?
Join my FREE Group Coaching Community where we have live calls, Q&A and more!
Our Trailblazer Ecosystem also enables you to network with other entrepreneurs and the creator hub eliminates multiple subscriptions and logins creating a one stop shop with 29 tools to help you take action for just $97 per month!
Join here: https://trailblazerecosystem.com/
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
From Stuttering to Strength with Marcy Axelrod
Épisode 186
mercredi 9 septembre 2026 • Durée 49:13
In this episode of the Blaze Your Own Trail podcast, host Jordan Mendoza speaks with Marcy Axelrod, who shares her journey of overcoming stuttering and how it shaped her understanding of human connection and compassion. Marcy discusses the importance of showing up authentically in life, the continuum of presence, and how art serves as a powerful medium for expression and community engagement. She emphasizes the role of adversity in personal growth and the necessity of being present and compassionate towards others.
Takeaways
Marcy emphasizes that what we do is not who we are. Her experience with stuttering taught her about interconnectedness. Adversity can be a gift that shapes our identity. The importance of being present and compassionate in interactions. Art is a universal form of expression that everyone can engage with. We impact the world at every moment through our actions. The show up continuum helps us understand our presence in the world. Choosing how we show up can transform our relationships. Marcy's journey highlights the power of vulnerability and authenticity. Community engagement through art can uplift others.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Marcy Axelrod 06:14 The Journey of Communication and Self-Discovery 15:59 The Impact of Stuttering on Identity 22:54 The Show Up Continuum: Levels of Engagement 27:38 Art as a Medium of Expression 28:01 The Essence of Art and Creativity 34:09 The Role of Art in Community and Philanthropy 45:26 The Journey of Self-Discovery and Presence
Life After the Gridiron, Podcasting for Business Growth, and Building Through Adversity with Marques Ogden
Épisode 185
vendredi 4 septembre 2026 • Durée 33:40
Jordan Mendoza sits down with Marques Ogden for a wide-ranging conversation about reinvention, podcasting, business development, and resilience. Marques shares how he went from NFL player to entrepreneur, then rebuilt his career through speaking, coaching, consulting, and his podcast Get Authentic with Marques Ogden. They also dig into how podcasting can create real business opportunities, why consistency matters before monetization, and how AI is changing content creation and operational systems. The conversation closes with a practical message for anyone in a hard season: focus on the light, keep moving, and never quit.
Key topics
Marques Ogden’s transition from former NFL player to speaker, coach, consultant, and podcast host
Why his work now centers on mindset, leadership, sales, and helping organizations build sustainable success
A customized app his team built for clients that supports KPI tracking, leadership training, communication, roundtables, and dashboards
How Get Authentic with Marques Ogden became a networking engine that led to clients, referrals, and long-term relationships
Why podcasting creates value through access, credibility, and relationship building rather than immediate revenue
The early grind of podcasting, including no monetization at launch, inconsistent guests, and the need to invest before earning
How sponsorships, consulting, speaking, and coaching now all flow from the podcast ecosystem
The importance of staying consistent, improving production, and continuing to iterate on clips, thumbnails, and social content
How Marques structures workshops based on client needs, including half-day and full-day formats with custom proposals
The positive impact of AI on podcasting and business systems, especially for speed, efficiency, descriptions, workflows, and publishing
Marques’s shift from resisting AI and CRM systems to using them as core parts of his business
Advice for anyone in a difficult season: focus on what is good, lean on your network, and keep going until momentum returns
Timestamps
00:00 - Welcome back and Marques Ogden’s journey from the NFL to entrepreneurship
People Plus Process Equals Profit with Lee Walker
Épisode 184
jeudi 3 septembre 2026 • Durée 41:13
Jordan Mendoza sits down with Lee Walker, founder of Daily Driver Consulting, to unpack how psychology, sports, international experience, and hands-on accounting work shaped his approach to helping small businesses improve profit. Lee shares how he went from Maryland to Maastricht, learned to see business through a people first lens, and built a model centered on finding leaks, improving systems, and turning teams into profit drivers.In this episode, Lee explains why business is really psychology at scale, how his sports background shaped discipline and mindset, and why his time in the Netherlands changed the way he thinks about work, culture, and business relationships. He also breaks down his approach to small business profit acceleration, plus the assessments he uses for both accountants and other business owners.Key topics
Lee shares how his background in business psychology and industrial organizational psychology shaped the way he sees management, marketing, accounting, and financial markets
He explains the lessons he took from football and other sports, especially the idea that discomfort does not mean something is wrong
He talks about growing up in Elkridge near Baltimore, trying multiple sports, loving video games, and eventually taking school seriously in high school
Lee describes how he chose experience over credentials in many parts of life, including Boy Scouts, school, and career decisions
He explains why he studied psychology and business, then added an English minor through classes like poetry, satire, and literature
He breaks down why he believes every part of business is rooted in psychology, from team management to client behavior to accounting policy
Lee discusses moving to the Netherlands for his master’s, becoming president of a snowboard and board sports club, and building friendships through international leadership
He compares Dutch and U.S. culture around dining, drinking, work hours, education cost, and the slower pace of life
He shares how COVID, visa timing, and travel disruptions forced him to return to Maryland and reset his priorities
Lee explains how that reset led to better health habits, more certifications, teaching English, and a sharper focus on helping small businesses
He details how he helped transform an accounting firm from a small startup into a much larger operation while improving internal processes
How Dani Lynn Robison Built 8 Businesses and Scaled Big
Épisode 183
lundi 13 juillet 2026 • Durée 46:56
Join Jordan Mendoza as he interviews Dani Lynn Robison, a successful entrepreneur who shares her inspiring journey from music to real estate and business. Discover valuable insights on building wealth, overcoming challenges, and scaling multiple companies.
Key Topics
Journey from music to real estate
Building multiple businesses
Importance of mentorship and coaching
Scaling through strategic investments
Lessons from failures and setbacks
Sound Bites
"Mentors help me fast track results"
"Actions speak louder than words"
"Add value before asking for help"
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Dani Lynn Robison
01:22 Musical Beginnings and Early Influences
06:22 The Role of Mentorship in Growth
07:18 Navigating College and Early Career Choices
11:06 Cruise Ship Adventures and Life Lessons
19:00 Transitioning to Real Estate and Building a Business
21:05 A Serendipitous Meeting: The Beginning of a Journey
23:45 From Cruise Ships to Art Auctions: A New Chapter
27:00 Transitioning to Real Estate: The Start of a New Career
28:26 Navigating the 2008 Real Estate Market: Challenges and Lessons
32:04 Building a Real Estate Empire: Strategies and Growth
37:44 The Shift to Passive Income: Understanding Investor Needs
From Introvert to Influencer with René Remsik
Épisode 182
mercredi 1 juillet 2026 • Durée 41:32
In this episode of the Blaze Your Own Trail podcast, host Jordan Mendoza interviews René Remsik, a content creator and entrepreneur from Slovakia. René shares his journey from an introverted child to a successful content creator with millions of followers. He discusses the importance of competitiveness learned from sports, the value of networking, and how to navigate social media for content creation. René also delves into his experience building SaaS products and offers advice for aspiring creators and business owners.
Takeaways
René is a full-time content creator with a focus on AI.
He has over 2.3 million followers across various platforms.
Competitiveness from sports has shaped his business mindset.
Networking is crucial for success in any field.
Social media allows for content creation from home.
Consistency in posting is key to growing an audience.
Starting as a creator can lead to various business opportunities.
Building SaaS products can complement a personal brand.
Reposting successful content can lead to more views.
Using AI tools can streamline content creation processes.
Sound bites
"Your network is your net worth."
"Volume is key in content creation."
"Be consistent all the time."
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to René Remsic
01:56 Early Life and Background
04:15 Lessons from Sports and Competitiveness
08:52 The Importance of Networking
From New Orleans to Broadway: Alan Seales' Journey of Creativity and Tech
Épisode 181
jeudi 18 juin 2026 • Durée 54:11
Join us as Alan Seales shares his extraordinary journey from childhood in New Orleans to a diverse career spanning theater, technology, and Broadway production. Discover lessons on teamwork, resilience, and the power of creativity in navigating career shifts and building impactful projects.
Key topics
Career transitions from sports to tech to theater
The importance of teamwork and trust
Leveraging creativity and technology in career growth
Sound bites
"Be the best you you can be."
"Think big, think outside the box."
"Find what you really want to do."
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:37 Early Years in New Orleans and Florida
01:03 Moving to North Carolina and College Choices
02:01 Early Interests in Tech and Entertainment
02:26 Lessons from Playing Sports and Teamwork
03:48 Key Lessons on Teamwork and Humility
05:13 The Power of Building Great Teams
06:34 Choosing NC State and College Experience
09:22 College Years: Theater and Engineering
10:46 Transition to Professional Acting and Tech Roles
12:04 Work at Google and Tech Innovations
19:20 Transition from Tech to Broadway and Podcasting
23:31 The Impact of Digital Auditions and Networking
How Risk and Faith Shaped a Film Producer's Path with Sharon Oliphant
Épisode 180
mercredi 17 juin 2026 • Durée 50:56
Sharon Oliphant shares her inspiring journey from a large homeschooling family to becoming a faith-based film producer and actress. Discover how she overcame fears, took risks, and stayed true to her calling in the competitive film industry, all while balancing family and faith.
Key topics
Journey from homeschooling to acting and filmmaking
The importance of faith and risk-taking in career decisions
Balancing family life with a passion for film
The process of producing faith-based movies
Lessons learned from entrepreneurial parents
Sound bites
"Admit what you are created to do."
"It's worth it. It's so worth it."
"Your kids will blaze a trail too."
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Sharon Oliphant
01:06 Sharon's Early Life and Influences
11:07 Lessons from a Trailblazing Mother
14:19 The Journey to Finding Purpose
21:06 Navigating Career Choices and Family Life
25:31 Taking Risks and Embracing Change
28:07 The Commitment to Crafting Stories
30:47 Navigating Challenges in Filmmaking
34:19 Divine Connections and New Opportunities
36:33 Taking on New Responsibilities in Film Production
38:48 The Journey of Faith and Film
41:43 Empowering the Next Generation
44:11 Three tips for starting a chef business
45:12 Find proven success, persist, and make a plan
49:20 Turning vision into strategy
50:23 Closing reflections and where to find Chef Andres
52:11 Final sign-off
Are you an Entrepreneur, Coach, Author, Podcaster or Creative?
Join my FREE Group Coaching Community where we have live calls, Q&A and more!
Our Trailblazer Ecosystem also enables you to network with other entrepreneurs and the creator hub eliminates multiple subscriptions and logins creating a one stop shop with 29 tools to help you take action for just $97 per month!
Join here: https://trailblazerecosystem.com/
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Are you an Entrepreneur, Coach, Author, Podcaster or Creative?
Join my FREE Group Coaching Community where we have live calls, Q&A and more!
Our Trailblazer Ecosystem also enables you to network with other entrepreneurs and the creator hub eliminates multiple subscriptions and logins creating a one stop shop with 29 tools to help you take action for just $97 per month!
Join here: https://trailblazerecosystem.com/
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
02:05 - Speaking, leadership training, and the legacy of purpose theme
03:03 - Custom client app for KPI tracking, training, and communication
04:21 - Why Get Authentic attracts authentic guests and powerful stories
05:23 - Why business leaders should have a podcast in 2026
06:23 - How podcasting opened the door to Trucordia and other clients
09:57 - The long road to podcast monetization and business impact
10:22 - Early struggles, divorce, and the cost of building the show
12:48 - Keep going when downloads, money, and guests are all uneven
14:06 - Reps, consistency, and showing up instead of riding the wave
15:32 - Podcasting leads to in-person content and stronger client relationships
16:02 - Breaking into the insurance space through referrals and relationships
18:25 - Why sales and trust often happen after multiple touchpoints
19:56 - How workshops are customized for each client’s needs
22:11 - AI as a tool for efficiency, publishing, and content creation
23:55 - Going from anti-CRM to building a system-driven business
27:02 - AI with human touch and why systems matter for scale
28:53 - Message for listeners facing rock bottom
30:07 - Turning adversity into momentum and buying a dream home
32:11 - Be bold, have integrity, take ownership, and never quit
Are you an Entrepreneur, Coach, Author, Podcaster or Creative?
Join my FREE Group Coaching Community where we have live calls, Q&A and more!
Our Trailblazer Ecosystem also enables you to network with other entrepreneurs and the creator hub eliminates multiple subscriptions and logins creating a one stop shop with 29 tools to help you take action for just $97 per month!
Join here: https://trailblazerecosystem.com/
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
He introduces his assessments for accountants and small business owners, designed to identify opportunities, bottlenecks, and profit potential
Timestamps
(00:00) Lee Walker’s background in psychology and profit acceleration (01:43) Why Jordan starts with childhood context and origin story (02:08) Growing up near Baltimore and early interests in sports and games (03:01) From wanting to be a lawyer to wanting to invent something (04:13) What sports teach about discipline and success in business (05:01) Two major lessons from football and training mindset (06:56) High school focus, Boy Scouts, and choosing experience over badges (07:56) College, fraternity life, and the psychology plus business path (08:54) Why Lee says every part of business is psychology (10:19) Moving to the Netherlands for a master’s and building a network (11:12) Becoming president of a snowboard club and learning leadership (12:34) Running nonprofit clubs like real businesses (13:59) Dutch versus U.S. culture and the pace of life (15:11) Age differences, drinking culture, and social norms in Europe (18:10) Slower meals, longer conversations, and relationship first business (19:07) Work hours in Europe versus U.S. consulting and banking (21:33) Why studying in the Netherlands was such a better value (26:38) Working in Amsterdam, visa pressure, and the start of COVID (28:28) Border closures, Switzerland, and the decision to return home (30:15) Resetting health, habits, and learning after moving back (31:42) Watching small businesses struggle during COVID relief rollout (32:40) Starting Lee’s Cool Friends to support entrepreneurs (33:08) Getting pulled into accounting and people advisory work (34:32) Improving internal processes while handling client work (35:27) Getting 150 clients early and cleaning up tax season chaos (36:53) Choosing small business support over big consulting firms (37:53) Three and a half years of experience before launching his own firm (39:12) Assessments for accountants and small businesses (41:09) Daily Driver Consulting, the new book, and what comes next (42:40) Lee’s closing advice about community and using available resources
Are you an Entrepreneur, Coach, Author, Podcaster or Creative?
Join my FREE Group Coaching Community where we have live calls, Q&A and more!
Our Trailblazer Ecosystem also enables you to network with other entrepreneurs and the creator hub eliminates multiple subscriptions and logins creating a one stop shop with 29 tools to help you take action for just $97 per month!
Join here: https://trailblazerecosystem.com/
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
41:34 Key Takeaways for Aspiring Investors: Building Relationships and Asking Questions
Are you an Entrepreneur, Coach, Author, Podcaster or Creative?
Join my FREE Group Coaching Community where we have live calls, Q&A and more!
Our Trailblazer Ecosystem also enables you to network with other entrepreneurs and the creator hub eliminates multiple subscriptions and logins creating a one stop shop with 29 tools to help you take action for just $97 per month!
Join here: https://trailblazerecosystem.com/
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Are you an Entrepreneur, Coach, Author, Podcaster or Creative?
Join my FREE Group Coaching Community where we have live calls, Q&A and more!
Our Trailblazer Ecosystem also enables you to network with other entrepreneurs and the creator hub eliminates multiple subscriptions and logins creating a one stop shop with 29 tools to help you take action for just $97 per month!
Join here: https://trailblazerecosystem.com/
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
30:01 Google Culture and Creative Initiatives
39:16 Culture Shift at Google and New Opportunities
Are you an Entrepreneur, Coach, Author, Podcaster or Creative?
Join my FREE Group Coaching Community where we have live calls, Q&A and more!
Our Trailblazer Ecosystem also enables you to network with other entrepreneurs and the creator hub eliminates multiple subscriptions and logins creating a one stop shop with 29 tools to help you take action for just $97 per month!
Join here: https://trailblazerecosystem.com/
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Are you an Entrepreneur, Coach, Author, Podcaster or Creative?
Join my FREE Group Coaching Community where we have live calls, Q&A and more!
Our Trailblazer Ecosystem also enables you to network with other entrepreneurs and the creator hub eliminates multiple subscriptions and logins creating a one stop shop with 29 tools to help you take action for just $97 per month!
Join here: https://trailblazerecosystem.com/
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Podcasts Similaires Basées sur le Contenu
Découvrez des podcasts liées à Blaze Your Own Trail. Explorez des podcasts avec des thèmes, sujets, et formats similaires. Ces similarités sont calculées grâce à des données tangibles, pas d'extrapolations !
