Shark Theory

If you feel alone right now or stuck waiting for the "right people" to show up, this episode reminds you of a powerful truth. When you stay in the race and keep moving in the direction of your goals, the right people don't have to be chased. They will find you.

Show Notes — Stay in the Race and the Right People Will Find You In this episode, Baylor reflects on a photo from his very first marathon, a race he stumbled into and struggled through. At mile 14, exhausted, alone, and mentally breaking down, something unexpected happened. His brother and sister—neither of whom were running the race—showed up beside him on the course, simply because he stayed on the path.

That moment taught him a lesson he still lives by. Most of us delay our dreams waiting for the perfect team, the perfect support system, or the perfect timing. But the truth is, support rarely arrives before we start. It shows up because we start.

Baylor discusses why feeling lonely on your path does not mean you're on the wrong path. Often, it means you're further ahead than you think. And if you stay in your lane long enough, the right people will appear—people who share the journey, the mindset, and the willingness to go as far as you're willing to go.

This episode is both a challenge and an encouragement. Don't leave the path. Don't wait for perfect timing. And don't assume you're alone simply because it feels quiet. Keep moving. The right people find those who refuse to quit.

What You'll Learn • Why support shows up after you start, not before • The mindset shift that eliminates the fear of "not having the right people" • Why staying in your lane attracts like-minded people • How loneliness often indicates growth, not failure • The difference between searching for help and being found by the right help • Why consistency places you on the path where your future allies already walk • How you can support someone else while you're on your journey

Featured Quote "The right people don't have to be chased. They'll find you if you stay on the path."

When you try to prepare for every possible scenario, you don't become more effective. You just become slower. Progress requires clarity, not clutter.

Show Notes — Don't Prepare for Everything, Prepare for What's Next In this episode, Baylor revisits a story from Extreme Ownership about Navy SEALs who weighed themselves down by over-preparing for a mission. They were trying to be ready for everything, but the extra load only slowed them down.

Baylor breaks down why the same thing happens in real life. People think they're being strategic, but they're really hiding behind preparation as a socially acceptable form of procrastination. Whether it's a business plan rewritten a hundred times or a life goal waiting for the perfect moment, the cost of inaction is almost always higher than the cost of taking the first step.

He challenges listeners to carry only what is needed for the next level, not for every possible scenario. Level ten tools don't matter when you're still on level one. As you grow, you can retool. As you evolve, you can reassess. But momentum requires movement.

This episode reframes overthinking as dead weight and encourages you to step into 2026 lighter, faster, and more focused on action than imagined obstacles.

What You'll Learn Why over-preparing slows progress How preparation becomes a disguised form of fear The importance of knowing only what you need for the next step Why you shouldn't solve tomorrow's problems today How to identify the things weighing you down Why adapting as you go beats trying to prepare for every outcome

Featured Quote "The cost of inaction is almost always higher than the cost of taking action."

Freedom begins when you stop trying to appeal to everyone and start showing up for the people who are actually meant for you.

Show Notes In this episode, Baylor shares a hilarious long-running Crocs joke that leads to a powerful truth about identity, audience, and purpose. Using everything from candy corn to corporate feedback surveys, he explains why trying to be universally liked is one of the fastest ways to dilute your impact.

Baylor breaks down why it's not your job to convert critics or win over everyone in the room. Your job is to serve the people who resonate with who you are and how you show up. Just like Crocs doesn't worry about the people who hate their shoes, you shouldn't worry about the people who simply aren't your market.

He also dives into the importance of knowing when to speak and when to stay silent. Not every topic deserves your opinion, and not every conversation leads to solutions. Sometimes the most powerful move is recognizing that your words either build or add to the noise.

This episode reminds you to stay grounded in your lane, serve your real audience, and let go of the pressure to be everything to everyone.

What You'll Learn • Why your job is not to be universally liked • How trying to appeal to everyone puts you in unnecessary competition • Why doubling down on your lane actually attracts the right people • How to decide whether your opinion is adding value or adding noise • The freedom that comes from accepting that not everyone will get you

Featured Quote "You're not going to be everybody's cup of tea, because not everybody likes tea."

Great leaders aren't defined by how loudly they speak— but by how strong their team becomes because of them.

In today's episode, Baylor breaks down what real leadership looks like as we move into 2026—not the title, not the spotlight, but the standard you set and the people you surround yourself with.

He challenges you to evaluate your circle: Are these quality people? Do they have integrity? Do they help move you forward—and do you help move them?

Baylor explains why true leaders don't cling to the front position. They lead when they need to lead, support when they need to support, and create teams that focus on the objective, not job titles, finger-pointing, or ego.

From cheering the loudest for others' success to recognizing when your mentee rises to your level, Baylor shows how a leader's true legacy is measured by the people they elevate.

And as he reminds us—your inner circle shouldn't be open enrollment. Protect the standard. Protect the culture. Build a circle that earns the right to grow with you.

• Why great teams focus on objectives, not job titles

• How real leaders switch between leading and supporting

• Why cheering for others' success strengthens your leadership

• How your standard becomes your team's standard

• The importance of keeping your circle selective and intentional

"A true leader doesn't just rise—they raise everyone around them."

Some people don't just experience bad days—they look for storms so they can complain about being soaked. This episode teaches you how to protect your energy from the people who drain it most.

In this episode, Baylor shares a moment from a coffee shop where a man argued loudly on speakerphone for over 13 minutes—complaining, rehashing, and reliving the same drama over and over again. And it highlighted something important:

Some people aren't trying to get out of the storm. They chase storms because complaining has become their identity.

Baylor breaks down how to identify these "storm chasers," and more importantly, how to keep them from stealing your time, clarity, and peace.

He explains the first filter he uses when someone brings him a problem: "Have I heard this before?"

If the answer is yes, the issue isn't the circumstance—it's the person's unwillingness to grow. A repeated complaint means someone isn't looking for resolution; they're looking for a place to dump their chaos.

From there, Baylor shares the second test: Give them a real solution…and watch what they do.

You'll quickly learn who wants progress and who wants pity. Storm chasers don't want answers—they want an audience.

Baylor warns about the danger of giving energy to people who thrive on negativity. They will drain you, distract you, and eventually pull you into storms that were never meant for you.

And while you can't always distance yourself physically—especially in the workplace—you can distance your energy.

You can choose not to get pulled into cycles that go nowhere. You can protect your mental bandwidth. You can refuse to carry clouds that don't belong to you.

This episode is a reminder that not everyone wants sunshine—and that's okay. But you don't have to get wet with them.

• How to identify "storm chasers" in your life

• The litmus test for determining whether someone wants help or attention

• Why repeated complaints reveal someone's true mindset

• How negative people drain your energy without you noticing

• When—and how—to distance your energy from toxic conversations

• Why protecting your peace is a leadership skill

• The difference between problem-solvers and professional victims

• How to stay centered during the holiday season when negativity rises

"Some people chase storms so they can complain about being soaked—don't hand them your umbrella."