In Search Of Excellence – Details, episodes & analysis

Sean Mike Kelly is a serial entrepreneur and an influential advocate in the Web 3.0 space. From launching Jersey Champs during his freshman year of college to navigating the volatile world of cryptocurrency investments, Sean’s entrepreneurial journey is marked by both spectacular successes and educational setbacks. In this enlightening episode of “In Search of Excellence,” hosted by Randall Kaplan, Sean delves into his unique experiences growing up with immigrant parents, his early business ventures, and the profound lessons he learned about the psychological impact of financial highs and lows. He also shares insights into the critical roles that adaptability, mentorship, and a positive mindset have played in his career. Engaging and deeply personal, this episode offers valuable perspectives on entrepreneurship, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence.

0:00 - Introduction to Sean Mike Kelly and his journey from college entrepreneur to multimillionaire.

2:14 - Early financial lessons and the psychological impact of perceived wealth.

5:20 - Sean’s multicultural background and how his parents’ immigrant stories shaped his perspective on money and success.

9:37 - Starting Jersey Champs and the pivot to selling masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

13:48 - Lessons learned from early business ventures and coping with financial uncertainties.

18:03 - The role of influencers and strategic marketing in the growth of his businesses.

22:25 - Sean discusses the importance of adapting business strategies to market changes.

26:39 - Reflections on financial freedom and the volatile world of cryptocurrency investing.

30:52 - The significance of networking and mentorship in Sean’s career development.

35:10 - Insights into managing personal and professional life, and the ongoing learning process.

39:55 - How Sean’s family values and work ethic have influenced his business practices.

44:30 - Sean talks about overcoming introversion and the impact of positive thinking.

48:45 - Final thoughts on entrepreneurship, preparation, and the importance of mindset in achieving success.

Coaching and Staying Connected:

1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Sasha Pieterse Sheaffer is an accomplished actress and advocate, widely recognized for her role as Alison DiLaurentis in the hit TV series Pretty Little Liars. Throughout her career, Sasha has captivated audiences with her compelling performances and has become a powerful voice in promoting body positivity and mental health awareness. In this episode, Sasha delves into the complexities of acting, sharing candid stories from her time on set, the challenges of handling intimate scenes, and how she navigates the pressures of Hollywood. She also opens up about her personal journey of self-acceptance and the importance of advocating for one's own mental and physical well-being. With authenticity and insight, Sasha gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the entertainment industry, while offering valuable lessons on resilience and growth.

Timestamps:

• 0:39 - Randall discusses the financial illusions of Hollywood fame and the real take-home pay.
• 1:44 - Sasha debunks common myths about the glamorous lives of actors.
• 15:22 - The role of public criticism in personal and professional development within the acting world.
• 18:14 - Randall shares his insights on sustaining a long-term career in the ever-evolving film industry.
• 25:23 - Sasha reflects on pivotal experiences on film sets that shaped her approach to acting.
• 28:18 - Challenges faced by newcomers trying to break into the acting scene.
• 31:17 - Behind-the-scenes look at what really happens during actor auditions with Sasha.
• 34:24 - Unseen efforts and the grind behind successful acting careers.
• 40:05 - How Sasha manages her family life amidst her demanding acting schedule.
• 45:38 - Strategic career moves and advice from Randall on navigating Hollywood’s competitive landscape.
• 45:42 - Sasha discusses how she copes with the frequent rejections from auditions.
• 1:02:12 - Importance of perseverance in the face of industry barriers, shared by Sasha.
• 1:06:10 - Sasha narrates personal stories from her career that highlight significant learning moments.
• 1:09:40 - Sasha reflects on a pivotal career-defining moment and its lasting impact.
• 1:10:11 - Closing thoughts from Sasha on pursuing passion and finding fulfillment in acting.

Coaching and Staying Connected:

1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Keaton Hoskins is a serial entrepreneur, coach, motivational speaker, and author, known for his dynamic approach to business and personal development. A key figure on the popular reality TV show "Diesel Brothers," which aired on the Discovery Channel, Keaton leveraged his passion for diesel trucks into a thriving entertainment and merchandise business. His entrepreneurial journey is marked by innovative business strategies, particularly in leveraging social media and unique marketing tactics such as vehicle giveaways. Beyond entertainment, Keaton has ventured into various industries, including fitness, dental, and plastic surgery, often employing groundbreaking financial models to expand service accessibility. His story, rich with lessons on overcoming adversity and harnessing personal hardships for professional growth, is a source of inspiration. Keaton's experiences underscore the importance of resilience, strategic innovation, and the power of a well-structured business model in achieving success.

0:00 - Keaton on the hard work needed to launch a business.

0:55 - Podcast introduction by Randall Kaplan.

1:41 - Keaton's gratitude for the podcast appearance.

1:57 - Keaton reflects on his father's impactful life lessons.

4:44 - Discussion on career expectations set by parents.

6:15 - Keaton's early leadership roles due to his father’s health.

9:57 - Keaton's passion for football and its influence on him.

11:17 - Keaton's aspirations and athletic career.

12:41 - Introduction to diesel trucks and their influence.

14:08 - Keaton's transformative spiritual mission.

17:18 - Keaton explains the missionary commitment.

19:49 - Pivotal moments post his father's death leading to medicine.

22:17 - Reflections on his father’s last words and their impact.

24:25 - Transition from medicine to entrepreneurship.

28:22 - Innovative business models in dental and plastic surgery.

31:01 - Keaton on achieving business success through numerous conversations.

33:03 - Importance of having 2000 business conversations.

35:10 - Challenges and hard work in entrepreneurship.

37:07 - Work ethic comparisons across generations.

39:20 - Effective business models adapting to customer finances.

41:08 - Expanding access to medical procedures through financing.

44:23 - Popularity of breast augmentation in Utah.

46:28 - Origin of the Diesel Brothers reality show.

49:12 - Utilizing social media and giveaways for business growth.

51:46 - Lessons learned from entrepreneurial ventures.

53:36 - Sale of businesses and new ventures.

56:03 - Importance of building business infrastructure.

58:12 - Financial models and business scalability.

1:00:25 - The necessity of perseverance in business.

1:02:40 - Recap and teaser for the next podcast part.

Coaching and Staying Connected:

1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Mike Horn is a person who has redefined the boundaries of human endurance. He’s trekked to the North Pole in complete darkness, scaled four of the world’s 8,000-meter tall mountains, circled the globe not once, but twice (once on the Equator and once on the Arctic Circle), and the list goes on.

And while his expeditions are often life-threatening, and despite some incredibly close calls, he’s not one to be reckless in accomplishing his goals.

In this episode, Randall and Mike discuss his journey to becoming the world’s greatest modern-day explorer, covering everything from lessons learned in early childhood to his groundbreaking expeditions.

They discuss how mistakes can and should be used to our benefit, viewing inspiration as a two-way street, why making peace with failure is an absolute requirement of success, how psychological attitude and mental strength determine whether we achieve excellence, where money should rank in our career goals and life, and so much more.

Topics Include:
- How freedom leads to creativity
- Power of positive reinforcement
- Investing in education
- The relationship between self-discipline and motivation
- Setting and achieving goals outside of our comfort zone
- Ingredients to success
- Understanding fear
- Sports psychology
- Taking ownership of our problems
- Addressing environmental and ecological issues

Mike Horn is globally acknowledged as the world’s greatest modern-day explorer. From swimming the Amazon River solo and unsupported to an un-motorized circumnavigation of the globe at the equator, Mike’s list of accomplishments as a solo explorer is unparalleled. In two decades, he has seen more of the Earth than possibly any other human. He walked to the north pole during the dark season (more people have been to the moon) and has scaled the world’s 8,000-meter peaks including a recent attempt to paraglide K2.

For 25 years, as one of the top motivational speakers, he has inspired and educated the world by pushing the limits of human ability through a series of groundbreaking expeditions, always naturally powered and often solo. Mike also engages in mental coaching of elite sports teams. Through his coaching, Mike already contributed to the victory of several teams, including Germany’s national football team during the 2014 World Cup, the Kolkata Knight Riders cricket teams and the Mumbai Indians in India, and the Proteas in South Africa.

Resources Mentioned:
Mike Horn, Amazonas (1997-1998)

Coaching and Staying Connected:

1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Like many who are just starting out in their careers, Jimmy Pitaro was uncertain of the direction he was headed in as he prepared to enter the workforce. He was attending Cornell University where he had secured a spot on the football team, but Jimmy knew that the odds of him becoming a professional athlete were slim to nonexistent. 

Nonetheless, sports had always played an influential role in his life and he was determined to incorporate the world of sports into his career path. As the now Chair of ESPN, it’s safe to say that Jimmy had reached this goal, but not without learning many important lessons along the way.

In this episode, Randall and Jimmy discuss the progression of Jimmy’s career, how to recover from a huge disappointment, determining when you should stay on course or move on to something else, identifying the subject matter you are most passionate about to lead your career direction, finding opportunities to work with like-minded people, and so much more.

Topics include: 

-How Jimmy’s early love of sports shaped his future
-Importance of having a support network
-Why having compassion and respect for others is advantageous 
-Prioritizing mentorship
-Erring on the side of over preparation
-Jimmy’s “Four North Stars” at ESPN
-Creating a culture of innovation
-Why work ethic is the single greatest determinant of our success
-The relationship between fear and courage
-Networking
-Finding the right work-life balance

Jimmy Pitaro was named Chairman, ESPN and Sports Content on October 12, 2020. His focus is the entirety of ESPN's multimedia offerings - including live sports programming, sports news and original and non-scripted sports-related content, audio, digital and social endeavors - plus all sports-related content for Disney's cable channels, ESPN+, and ABC.

He was named ESPN president and co-chair, Disney Media Networks, on March 5, 2018, after serving eight years as a top Disney executive. In making the announcement, Bob Iger, then The Walt Disney Company chairman and chief executive officer, said, "Jimmy's appointment was the result of more than 20 years spent at the intersection of technology, sports and media."

Pitaro's record of success leading businesses focused on consumer products, digital initiatives and sports made him the quintessential selection for ESPN at a pivotal point in its then 38-year history: a time of unprecedented technological advancements and rapidly changing consumer habits.

Pitaro originally joined The Walt Disney Company in 2010 as co-president, Disney Interactive, where he successfully led the turnaround of the digital media and gaming division.

He serves on a variety of industry and charitable boards, including the NCTA, the Paley Center for Media, The V Foundation, The National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame, Pacer and CoachArt. Pitaro also serves as Co-Committee Chair of the March of Dimes, and is a Board Observer at Draft Kings. He is a member of the Cornell Athletic Alumni Advisory Committee.

Coaching and Staying Connected:

1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Like many who are just starting out in their careers, Jimmy Pitaro was uncertain of the direction he was headed in as he prepared to enter the workforce. He was attending Cornell University where he had secured a spot on the football team, but Jimmy knew that the odds of him becoming a professional athlete were slim to nonexistent. 

Nonetheless, sports had always played an influential role in his life and he was determined to incorporate the world of sports into his career path. As the now Chair of ESPN, it’s safe to say that Jimmy had reached this goal, but not without learning many important lessons along the way.

In this episode, Randall and Jimmy discuss the progression of Jimmy’s career, how to recover from a huge disappointment, determining when you should stay on course or move on to something else, identifying the subject matter you are most passionate about to lead your career direction, finding opportunities to work with like-minded people, and so much more.

Topics include: 

-How Jimmy’s early love of sports shaped his future
-Importance of having a support network
-Why having compassion and respect for others is advantageous 
-Prioritizing mentorship
-Erring on the side of over preparation
-Jimmy’s “Four North Stars” at ESPN
-Creating a culture of innovation
-Why work ethic is the single greatest determinant of our success
-The relationship between fear and courage
-Networking
-Finding the right work-life balance

Jimmy Pitaro was named Chairman, ESPN and Sports Content on October 12, 2020. His focus is the entirety of ESPN's multimedia offerings - including live sports programming, sports news and original and non-scripted sports-related content, audio, digital and social endeavors - plus all sports-related content for Disney's cable channels, ESPN+, and ABC.

He was named ESPN president and co-chair, Disney Media Networks, on March 5, 2018, after serving eight years as a top Disney executive. In making the announcement, Bob Iger, then The Walt Disney Company chairman and chief executive officer, said, "Jimmy's appointment was the result of more than 20 years spent at the intersection of technology, sports and media."

Pitaro's record of success leading businesses focused on consumer products, digital initiatives and sports made him the quintessential selection for ESPN at a pivotal point in its then 38-year history: a time of unprecedented technological advancements and rapidly changing consumer habits.

Pitaro originally joined The Walt Disney Company in 2010 as co-president, Disney Interactive, where he successfully led the turnaround of the digital media and gaming division.

He serves on a variety of industry and charitable boards, including the NCTA, the Paley Center for Media, The V Foundation, The National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame, Pacer and CoachArt. Pitaro also serves as Co-Committee Chair of the March of Dimes, and is a Board Observer at Draft Kings. He is a member of the Cornell Athletic Alumni Advisory Committee.

Coaching and Staying Connected:

1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Sarah Friar learned about the power of community from an early age. Growing up in Northern Ireland during a time of tremendous violence showed her the importance of finding common ground and taught her how to create resilience from within, both of which are lessons that she continues to live by today. Even in moments of fear and despair, Sarah was able to find her resilience and take risks throughout her career.

After checking all the boxes that she thought would lead her to become a partner at Goldman Sachs, Sarah received the news that she wouldn’t be getting the promotion she had been striving for. She could have stayed at Goldman, but her husband said something to her that she couldn’t shake — losing the promotion has set her free.

From there, Sarah considered what she’s good at, what she’s passionate about, and what the world needs, which ultimately led her to her current role. As the CEO of Nextdoor, a hyperlocal social networking service for neighborhoods, Sarah is now working to strengthen the power of community — a reflection of her lessons learned early on.

In this episode, Randall and Sarah discuss how curiosity and resilience are the keys to finding your path; how finding common ground can unlock social capital that allows you to get things done in the world; advice to women today who are working in a sexist environment; what to do when you aren’t passionate about your work but are making good money; why searching for an emotional connection helps to build stronger companies; why you should be taking risks in your career frequently; the role politics has in the workspace; how to use moments of failure to help you rise; and more…

Topics include:
-The power of community
-Why it’s necessary to do the nitty-gritty work
-Why it is important to learn both inside and outside of the classroom
-The importance of finding purpose at work
-How to use your fears to spur you into action
-Whether or not you should have a plan B
-Why extreme preparation matters
-Prioritizing mental health
-Why job hopping is a red flag
-How to strike the right work-life balance
-The secret side of philanthropy
-Why having a diversity of experience is advantageous

Prior to Nextdoor, Sarah served as the chief financial officer at Square. Under Sarah’s leadership, the company launched its initial public offering in 2015 and added $30 billion in market capitalization.

Sarah grew up in Northern Ireland and earned her MEng in Metallurgy, Economics, and Management from the University of Oxford and her MBA from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, where she graduated as an Arjay Miller scholar.

Resources mentioned:
Nextdoor

Books mentioned:
Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World,  by David Epstein

Coaching and Staying Connected:

1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Sarah Friar learned about the power of community from an early age. Growing up in Northern Ireland during a time of tremendous violence showed her the importance of finding common ground and taught her how to create resilience from within, both of which are lessons that she continues to live by today. Even in moments of fear and despair, Sarah was able to find her resilience and take risks throughout her career.

After checking all the boxes that she thought would lead her to become a partner at Goldman Sachs, Sarah received the news that she wouldn’t be getting the promotion she had been striving for. She could have stayed at Goldman, but her husband said something to her that she couldn’t shake — losing the promotion has set her free.

From there, Sarah considered what she’s good at, what she’s passionate about, and what the world needs, which ultimately led her to her current role. As the CEO of Nextdoor, a hyperlocal social networking service for neighborhoods, Sarah is now working to strengthen the power of community — a reflection of her lessons learned early on.

In this episode, Randall and Sarah discuss how curiosity and resilience are the keys to finding your path; how finding common ground can unlock social capital that allows you to get things done in the world; advice to women today who are working in a sexist environment; what to do when you aren’t passionate about your work but are making good money; why searching for an emotional connection helps to build stronger companies; why you should be taking risks in your career frequently; the role politics has in the workspace; how to use moments of failure to help you rise; and more…

Topics include:
-The power of community
-Why it’s necessary to do the nitty-gritty work
-Why it is important to learn both inside and outside of the classroom
-The importance of finding purpose at work
-How to use your fears to spur you into action
-Whether or not you should have a plan B
-Why extreme preparation matters
-Prioritizing mental health
-Why job hopping is a red flag
-How to strike the right work-life balance
-The secret side of philanthropy
-Why having a diversity of experience is advantageous

Prior to Nextdoor, Sarah served as the chief financial officer at Square. Under Sarah’s leadership, the company launched its initial public offering in 2015 and added $30 billion in market capitalization.

Sarah grew up in Northern Ireland and earned her MEng in Metallurgy, Economics, and Management from the University of Oxford and her MBA from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, where she graduated as an Arjay Miller scholar.

Resources mentioned:
Nextdoor

Books mentioned:
Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World,  by David Epstein

Coaching and Staying Connected:

1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Ed Mylett spent his early life in a dysfunctional home living with an alcoholic father who would often get into fist fights — at church, in line at the donut store, and even on the freeway. After his dad embarked on his path to sobriety, he soon became Ed’s first example of what it takes to succeed in life. This ultimately led to Ed’s realization that the challenges we overcome, or the parts of our former selves that we were once ashamed of, are the very things that qualify us to contribute and be in service of others in their search of excellence.

Despite this new mindset, Ed found himself aimless after an injury ended his dream of playing major league baseball. Ed had retreated to his family home where he spent his time alongside his childhood Teddy bears while watching episodes of The Maury Show and Jerry Springer. Some thirty-odd years later, Ed is now an incredibly successful serial entrepreneur and one of the most sought-after motivational speakers. Life for Ed is coming full circle as he’s now working on his own show… in the same studio that created episodes of The Maury Show and Jerry Springer he once watched.

In this episode, Randall and Ed discuss how important it is not to quit (at least for one more day); how a fear of failure is necessary and even healthy; how to recover from profound disappointments in life; the type of people you should look for (and avoid) when you need advice; why you should operate using visions and dreams, not history and memories; the importance of public speaking and unconventional ways to improve; why you should never base your self-confidence on your abilities or your achievements, and more…

Topics include:
-How adversity in Ed’s childhood influenced his adult life
-How to channel negatively-perceived emotions into success
-Why successful people embrace pain
-The concept of invisible progress
-Becoming an impossibility thinker and a possibility achiever in life
-What it means to actually step into your dreams
-The power of intention
-The difference between being wealthy and being rich
-Why confidence comes from preparation, not ability
-Why you should focus more on how you want to feel rather than what you want to get

Resources mentioned:
-Ed Mylett Show (podcast)

Books mentioned:
-The Power of One More, by Ed Mylett
-Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill
-Power of Intention, by Dr. Wayne Dyer

Coaching and Staying Connected:

1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Ed Mylett spent his early life in a dysfunctional home living with an alcoholic father who would often get into fist fights — at church, in line at the donut store, and even on the freeway. After his dad embarked on his path to sobriety, he soon became Ed’s first example of what it takes to succeed in life. This ultimately led to Ed’s realization that the challenges we overcome, or the parts of our former selves that we were once ashamed of, are the very things that qualify us to contribute and be in service of others in their search of excellence.

Despite this new mindset, Ed found himself aimless after an injury ended his dream of playing major league baseball. Ed had retreated to his family home where he spent his time alongside his childhood Teddy bears while watching episodes of The Maury Show and Jerry Springer. Some thirty-odd years later, Ed is now an incredibly successful serial entrepreneur and one of the most sought-after motivational speakers. Life for Ed is coming full circle as he’s now working on his own show… in the same studio that created episodes of The Maury Show and Jerry Springer he once watched.

In this episode, Randall and Ed discuss how important it is not to quit (at least for one more day); how a fear of failure is necessary and even healthy; how to recover from profound disappointments in life; the type of people you should look for (and avoid) when you need advice; why you should operate using visions and dreams, not history and memories; the importance of public speaking and unconventional ways to improve; why you should never base your self-confidence on your abilities or your achievements, and more…

Topics include:
-How adversity in Ed’s childhood influenced his adult life
-How to channel negatively-perceived emotions into success
-Why successful people embrace pain
-The concept of invisible progress
-Becoming an impossibility thinker and a possibility achiever in life
-What it means to actually step into your dreams
-The power of intention
-The difference between being wealthy and being rich
-Why confidence comes from preparation, not ability
-Why you should focus more on how you want to feel rather than what you want to get

Resources mentioned:
-Ed Mylett Show (podcast)

Books mentioned:
-The Power of One More, by Ed Mylett
-Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill
-Power of Intention, by Dr. Wayne Dyer

Coaching and Staying Connected:

1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn