Lolo Jones is world-renowned athlete famous for her tenacity and competitive spirit. She is a four-time world champion and three-time Olympian, having represented the United States in both the Summer and Winter Olympics. Despite adversities such as narrowly missing an Olympic medal, Jones shares her perspective on how failures are integral to success. She offers a vivid narration of her experiences, from the grueling path to the Olympics, coping with setbacks, and transcending into bobsledding inspired by the nostalgic movie Cool Runnings. This episode is a deep dive into the mindset of perseverance and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

Lolo Jones shares her early struggles, including growing up in a challenging environment with limited resources, and how sports became her sanctuary. Highlighting the importance of failure in achieving greatness, she reveals insights gathered from her career in athletics and bobsledding. With a focus on discipline, motivation, and resilience, the conversation targets both athletes and entrepreneurs seeking inspiration. Rudy and Lolo discuss how the principles learned from sports seamlessly transition into successful businesses, emphasizing the notion of taking risks and learning from both wins and losses.

• Using Failure as Motivation: Lolo emphasizes that failure should be seen as a motivator rather than a deterrent. She argues that setbacks provide valuable lessons and possibilities for future success.
• The Importance of Discipline: Discipline is highlighted as a key factor that can surpass talent, helping individuals improve and excel in their respective fields.
• Resilience in the Face of Adversity: Lolo shares her story of transitioning from track and field to bobsledding, showcasing her adaptability and determination despite facing difficult circumstances.
• Setting and Achieving Goals: Continuous goal setting and perseverance are central themes, as Lolo discusses the necessity of a strong work ethic and diligence in reaching success.
• Inspiring Generational Change: By pushing boundaries and breaking records, Lolo hopes to inspire future generations to redefine what is possible, particularly in sports and personal achievements.

1. "Failure is your greatest motivator because, like, you can't have a Rocky movie without a comeback."
2. "I just fell to the track. Like, it felt like I just got gutted in the stomach."
3. "Do I have enough protein in my system? Have I had enough protein shakes? Supplements."
4. "You can't have these iconic moments if you don't have something that is, like, got you stuck."
5. "The little things you can do to improve usually turn into huge gains."

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Debbie and Denna are the co-founders of Xvertuz, an innovative smoke shop chain aimed at creating a vibrant and welcoming customer experience. Despite the challenges presented by Utah's vape ban, they navigated their business through creativity and persistence, transforming it into a vibrant hub for diverse clientele. This episode explores their journey, entrepreneurial spirit, and the innovative approaches they've taken to redefine the smoke shop experience.

Debbie and Denna discuss the culture and challenges associated with running a smoke shop, specifically within the restrictive legislative environment of Utah. They emphasize the importance of building a welcoming atmosphere that defies the typical perceptions of such establishments. The co-founders share strategies for engaging customers and maintaining product quality, highlighting their focus on trends, customer feedback, and social media presence despite the challenges of being shadow-banned. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, the transformation of conventional businesses, and the tactical adaptability needed to thrive under regulatory constraints.

• Debbie and Denna successfully transitioned their business from a vape-oriented shop to a broader smoke shop concept due to legislative changes in Utah.
• Xvertuz aims to break away from the stereotypical smoke shop image by offering an inviting and lively atmosphere.
• Customer feedback and staying current with industry trends are crucial in maintaining a competitive edge.
• Social media challenges, such as being shadow-banned, are navigated creatively through engaging customer interactions.
• Despite industry obstacles, adaptability and innovative thinking drive the successful expansion of their smoke shop business.

• "Every time something happened, it was pushing us to where we had to go."
• "If they're asking for it, they're the people that keep us in business, so we should make the effort to find it."
• "Our goal is to make it more welcoming and less like the typical sketchy place on the corner."
• "Adults like candy flavor, and adults like pretty things."
• "Stick to it, and things just start happening for you; being positive all the time."

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Jessica Conrad, a dynamic figure in mental health advocacy and trauma support, shares her personal journey from overcoming adversity and abuse to becoming a mental health advocate and founder of "Shattered into One." She speaks candidly about the importance of facing hard truths and stepping out of the victim mindset to embrace personal empowerment and growth. Jessica highlights the common misconceptions about darkness and despair, suggesting that confronting these emotions can lead to profound, positive transformation.

Throughout the discussion, key themes like authenticity, the dichotomy between wanting and needing, and the nature of conscious living are explored. This episode delves into how individuals can harness both their fear and love to spur growth and transformation, encouraging listeners to embrace their shadows to find their inner strength. Jessica's method involves a unique mix of counseling and coaching, supporting clients through healing and guiding them towards fulfilling futures. The episode concludes with insights into Jessica’s sanctuary of personal growth and her enthusiastic involvement in mission work, painting a picture of a holistic approach to life that intertwines service, personal development, and community building.

• Confronting Darkness: Jessica advocates for embracing rather than shunning the darker aspects of our experiences, as they are central to personal growth and self-discovery.
• Balance and Authenticity: Living authentically involves balancing the pendulum of emotions and experiences, fostering a state of equilibrium between action and reaction.
• Empowerment Through Truth: Facing the 'hard truths' about oneself can be painful but is essential for breaking free from victimhood and stepping into empowerment.
• The Role of Community: Integrating service work, such as missions in Belize, is crucial in Jessica’s journey, offering mutual growth and transformation.
• Dynamic Healing Practices: Jessica’s work features a blend of therapy and coaching, focusing on emotional liberation and moving clients towards personal and professional goals.

1. "When you lose everything and realize life is still here, you stop relying on people and the external to make you feel like you are somebody." – Jessica Conrad
2. "Darkness has an implication of negativity, which is quite the opposite; it's positive to understand and embrace it." – Jessica Conrad
3. "I want to hurt your feelings to the point where you don't stay stuck in this place, and you can grow out of it." – Jessica Conrad
4. "Everything we do in life is a choice. Every way we think, every decision that we make, is driven by love or fear."
5. "I told everybody no in 2012 as a New Year's resolution and realized I didn't like living for myself alone either." – Jessica Conrad

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