Kim Elenez, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish North Texas, shares the powerful impact of granting wishes to children facing critical illnesses. From her diverse career path to leading a large nonprofit chapter, Kim reveals how grit, purpose, and deep empathy drive her work and inspire her team. She also offers honest insights into overcoming self-doubt and the challenges of maintaining hope amid hardship.

Grit Mindset with Matt Rosen (Highlights 2025) brings together entrepreneurs, leaders, and builders for an honest conversation about grit, hard work, and the realities of personal and professional growth. Across the episode, one message is clear: hard work never gets easier, but you get better at doing hard things. Grit isn’t something you’re born with; it’s learned through experience, discipline, and the decisions you make when challenges show up. When you have clarity around the future you want to create, the values you stand for, and why it all matters, it becomes easier to push forward, adapt, and stay in motion, even when things get uncomfortable. Failure is reframed as part of the process, not a personal identity. Every setback is an event, a lesson, and an opportunity to grow. When things feel overwhelming, the advice is simple: focus on the next most important action, keep moving, and build courage by doing the hard things. One speaker shares wisdom passed down from his father: inside your head is a small switch, turn it just half a revolution, and fear becomes fight. The discussion also dives deep into entrepreneurship and career building. For young professionals, success often requires seasons of imbalance, paying your dues, grinding it out, and focusing intensely on your work before expecting balance. Surrounding yourself with people who challenge you, rather than staying comfortable, is emphasized as a key to growth. Vision, self-belief, and refusing to compromise what you’re building matter just as much as skill. Leadership is not about ego. It’s a “we” thing, not a “me” thing. Great leaders inspire hope, belief, and purpose, and they look beyond short-term wins toward a longer 10-year horizon. Giving back through philanthropy and lifting others up is framed as part of a truly successful life. As one guest puts it, happiness, not just wealth, is the real goal, joking that his tombstone will read: He could have made more money, but he couldn’t have had more fun. The episode also highlights the strength of the Dallas–Fort Worth business community, described as dynamic, diversified, and resilient. With strong roots in finance, real estate, aviation, and emerging tech and life sciences, the region continues to adapt and thrive, weathering economic cycles through balance and innovation. Bottom line: Grit is built, not given. The journey is hard, imperfect, and demanding, but it’s also deeply rewarding for those willing to jump, commit, and keep going.

NFL legend. Five-time Super Bowl champion. Unfiltered truth.

In this powerful episode of The Grit Mindset with Matt Rosen, Charles Haley opens up like never before, sharing the raw story behind his greatness. From growing up struggling in school and battling undiagnosed bipolar disorder to playing through pain, winning five Super Bowls, and losing his identity after football, Haley’s journey is a masterclass in real grit.

He breaks down what grit truly means, why failure is part of success, and how shifting from problems to solutions can change your life. Haley also shares the mission behind his Tackle Tomorrow Foundation, his faith, and the lessons he’s passed on to his children about discipline, resilience, and purpose.

This isn’t just a football story. It’s a conversation about mental health, faith, leadership, and finding strength when life hits hard.

If you want motivation that’s real, raw, and unforgettable, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. 🎧🔥