Business MVP

The world's best athletes train their minds to perform under pressure. So why do so many business leaders overlook theirs? Today's guest has turned the psychology of championship-winning teams into a business helping some of the world's biggest organizations perform better. In this episode, high-performance psychologist and Finding Mastery founder Dr. Michael Gervais joins Sammy to share how his work with NFL coach Pete Carroll evolved into a business serving companies like Microsoft. He reveals the challenges of scaling his expertise, the financial lessons behind his podcast, and how he learned to price his work. Michael also explains what leaders get wrong about company culture, how fear of judgment holds entrepreneurs back, and the 90-second routine for better performance. In this episode, Sammy and Dr. Michael discuss: (00:00) Introduction (03:58) Scaling High Performance From NFL to Microsoft (09:42) The Missing Piece of High-Performance Leadership (22:04) The Real Cost of Building a Successful Podcast (28:03) How to Price Your Expertise at the Highest Level (36:00) How Fear of People's Opinions Holds You Back (41:41) The Hidden Cost of High Performance (45:42) The Future of Finding Mastery and AI Coaching (54:25) The 90-Second Morning Routine for Better Performance Dr. Michael Gervais is a high-performance psychologist, USA Today bestselling author, and founder of Finding Mastery. He has spent his career working with some of the world's top performers, including professional athletes, championship-winning sports teams, and Fortune 100 executives. His work with the Seattle Seahawks and coach Pete Carroll helped lay the foundation for Finding Mastery, which brings psychological skills training to organizations and leaders. Dr. Gervais is also the host of the Finding Mastery podcast and author of The First Rule of Mastery. Resources Mentioned: Dr. Gervais’ Book, The First Rule of Mastery: Stop Worrying about What People Think of You: https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0BTJDS2XQ Connect with Dr. Michael: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Finding Mastery Connect With Sammy: Instagram⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠YouTube Become a Business MVP: Ready to level up the way you lead, build, and grow? The Entrepreneur’s Boardroom is where ambitious business owners come together to sharpen their next move, unlock bigger opportunities, and become the MVP of their business. Join Sammy Peterson today at www.theentrepreneursboardroom.com/

As entrepreneurs and business leaders, we often feel like we must have all the answers and keep making progress at all costs. Today’s guest insists that the best lessons are learned in periods of confusion, misdirection, and feeling stuck. In this episode, athletic retirement coach Ed Lubowicki joins Sammy to discuss how entrepreneurs can make the most out of failure, transitional stages, and feeling stuck in your routine or career. He also reveals what entrepreneurs need to cure burnout in their lives and business, how to find coaching clients with organic outreach strategies, and how to rise to the top of the businesses and organizations you admire most. In this episode, Sammy and Ed discuss: (02:05) The Transition from High School Sports to Division I (07:00) Failure in Business is Easy Compared to Sports (13:04) The Identity Breakdown and Revolution After Sports (18:58) How to Get Coaching Clients (22:49) Become a Leader in Your Favorite Organizations (28:18) Navigating Transitional Phases of Identity (31:20) What Burnt Out Entrepreneurs are Lacking (38:02) The Different Ways to Be a Business MVP Ed Lubowicki is a former Division I lacrosse player at Notre Dame and ex-Deloitte consultant. He serves as Executive Director of Athletes Soul and works formally with 42U, bringing both missions together under one commitment: helping athletes thrive beyond sport. He has held 400+ conversations with athletes navigating transition and coaches clients across current athletes, retirees, and executives shaped by sport. Connect with Ed: LinkedIn Athletes’ Soul Lubowicki Performance Advisory Connect With Sammy: Instagram⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠YouTube Become a Business MVP: Ready to level up the way you lead, build, and grow? The Entrepreneur’s Boardroom is where ambitious business owners come together to sharpen their next move, unlock bigger opportunities, and become the MVP of their business. Join Sammy Peterson today at www.theentrepreneursboardroom.com/

Why did the owner of The Cave insist on buying a $40,000 fridge for his gym? Easy—he believes that your business will fall to the lowest standard you allow. If you constantly set a high standard for your business, from the quality of your sales pitch to the quality of the water in your fridge, your business cannot fall to mediocrity. In this episode, celebrity trainer and gym designer John Damon describes how to commit to your vision for your business, from your product itself to the parking lot outside your building. He also reveals the danger of pursuing success without boundaries and the shared traits of his celebrity clientele that fueled their success. In this episode, Sammy and John discuss: (01:44) Leaving a Corporate Career to Pursue Entrepreneurship (09:50) Why I Fired 50% of My Staff (12:30) Why My Gym Needed a $40,000 Fridge (23:10) Co-Founding IRON and Creating a Sustainable Fitness Business (25:17) The Strategic Choice to Scale Back (27:30) Balancing Business Success with Family (35:21) Significance versus Love, Connection, and Fulfillment (38:50) What Every A-List Actor, CEO, and Professional Athlete Does (45:00) The Importance of Physical Space on Customer Experience (53:12) Preparing for Worst-Case Scenarios as a Business Owner John Damon is a celebrity trainer, high-performance coach, and gym designer with over 30 years of experience helping people maximize their potential. A former Boston College football player, John has earned the trust of elite athletes, Fortune 500 executives, coaches, and Hollywood talent. He launched Sports Club LA’s training program, led the buildout of the first Equinox in California, founded Active Fitness in Los Angeles, and co-founded IRON. Today, John runs The Cave, a private training and recovery sanctuary in Charlotte, North Carolina. Resources Mentioned: John’s Gym, The Cave Connect with John: Instagram LinkedIn Website Connect With Sammy: Instagram⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠YouTube Become a Business MVP: Ready to level up the way you lead, build, and grow? The Entrepreneur’s Boardroom is where ambitious business owners come together to sharpen their next move, unlock bigger opportunities, and become the MVP of their business. Join Sammy Peterson today at www.theentrepreneursboardroom.com

The issue for most small business owners is not a lack of expertise—it’s getting that expertise to the right audience. Today’s guest has built a seven-figure business around his personal brand and now helps business owners establish themselves as thought leaders through profitable speaking careers. In this episode, keynote speaker and creator of the Identity Shift methodology Anthony Trucks breaks down how he built his multimillion-dollar public speaking career with a $5K loan from his ex-wife. He also explains how to gain a competitive edge off stage, how to distill your message for the masses, and the mental shifts entrepreneurs need to make in order to reach seven figures. In this episode, Sammy and Anthony discuss: (00:32) From Foster Care to Coaching Fortune 500 Executives (04:45) Why I Never Quit My Failing Startup (09:02) The Last Resort: Borrowing $5K From My Ex-Wife (13:23) Why Real Revenue is Built Off-Stage (20:03) Building a Profitable Speaking Business (25:12) How Not Hiring a Team Costs More Long-Term (31:53) The Playbook for Turning Expertise into Impact (39:01) Everyone's Greatest Obstacle and How to Overcome It (44:14) Hitting the Buzzer on American Ninja Warrior Anthony Trucks is a bestselling author, international keynote speaker, six-figure consultant, and creator of the Identity Shift methodology. He is also the first former NFL athlete to hit the buzzer on American Ninja Warrior. As a speaker and Identity Shift coach, Anthony teaches people how to access the power of their identity, tap into their full potential, and Make Shift Happen. He’s also the creator of the Speak To Freedom Program, a complete system for turning your passion for speaking into a thriving, profitable business. Resources Mentioned: Anthony’s Books Speak to Freedom Connect with Anthony: Instagram LinkedIn YouTube Website Connect With Sammy: Instagram⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠YouTube Become a Business MVP: Ready to level up the way you lead, build, and grow? The Entrepreneur’s Boardroom is where ambitious business owners come together to sharpen their next move, unlock bigger opportunities, and become the MVP of their business. Work with Sammy and The Entrepreneur's Boardroom today.

Most business coaches preach that entrepreneurs should constantly evaluate their strategy and frequently change direction as a result. Today’s guest challenges that philosophy. In this episode, entrepreneur and retired NFL kicker Mike Hollis joins Sammy to discuss how he became one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history by not setting long-term goals. He breaks down why you shouldn’t change your strategy during big business decisions and the value of trusting the processes you’ve put in place. He also reveals who his biggest competitor has been throughout his career that drove him to return to professional football at age 49. In this episode, Sammy and Mike will discuss: (00:51) Proving Himself in Football Past His Size (05:30) What You Should Do Instead of Setting Long-Term Goals (07:28) Finding New Passions When Your First Plan Falls Through (11:20) Learning Entrepreneurship While Building a Business (18:09) The Scary Truth About Food and Nutrition in 2026 (22:04) Who Should Be Your Biggest Competitor? (25:21) The Consequences of Saying Yes to Everything (28:19) Don’t Change Your Winning Strategy During Big Decisions (34:29) Tom Brady’s Powerful Motto, “Embrace the Suck” (38:33) Persistence and Trusting the Process in Business (41:29) How He Played with the Jacksonville Sharks at Age 49 Mike Hollis played professional football for nine seasons, including seven seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, one with the Buffalo Bills, and one with the New York Giants. During his tenure, he led the NFL in scoring, made the Pro Bowl, and became one of the most accurate kickers in league history. Known for accuracy, consistency, and pressure performance, Mike now teaches athletes the same kicking principles that helped him succeed at the highest level through his coaching business, ProForm Kicking. He also became a managing partner in a meal prep software company and founded Zealous Wellness, a health and wellness platform. Resources Mentioned: Mike's Coaching Business, ProForm Kicking Mike's Wellness Business, Zealous Wellness Connect with Mike: Instagram LinkedIn Facebook YouTube X Connect With Sammy: Instagram⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠YouTube Become a Business MVP: Ready to level up the way you lead, build, and grow? The Entrepreneur’s Boardroom is where ambitious business owners come together to sharpen their next move, unlock bigger opportunities, and become the MVP of their business.