This episode is a little different.

Instead of hosting, I sat down with my good friends Brennon Poynor and Josh Hissong for their podcast If Not Now, When?—and what came out of that conversation surprised even me.

We talk about growing up in Spokane, what martial arts taught me about failure, and how rejection shaped some of the biggest pivots in my life. I also open up about things I haven’t shared publicly—stories about identity, fatherhood, and the pressure to perform that I’ve carried for a long time.

Josh and Brennon created the kind of space that pulled these stories out of me, and I’m grateful for it. This one’s real, it’s reflective, and at times… it’s raw. But if you’ve been listening to Navigating No, you know that’s exactly the point.

Let me know what resonates—and if you’ve got your own story of turning rejection into purpose, I’d love to hear it.

00:00 The World Owes You Nothing

00:45 Introduction to the Podcast Episode

01:37 Starting the Conversation

02:57 Growing Up in Spokane

03:38 Martial Arts Journey Begins

03:50 Facing Bullying and Finding Strength

05:09 The Karate Kid Story

09:33 Lessons from Failure

14:57 Early Entrepreneurial Spirit

19:56 College Rejections and Persistence

26:48 Life Lessons from Mentors

30:11 Finding Mentors and Building Confidence

31:32 Overcoming Bullies and Life Lessons

35:14 Experiences in Japan and Personal Growth

37:15 Career Shifts and Personal Training

42:42 The Journey to Becoming a Teacher

52:17 Public Speaking and Modeling Challenges

01:00:11 The Journey to Writing a Second Book

01:00:46 Defining Personal Success

01:01:06 The Importance of Family and Relationships

01:02:47 Embracing Challenges and Growth

01:11:12 The Power of Mentorship

01:18:10 A Life-Changing Encounter

01:23:37 Returning to Spokane

01:25:42 Final Thoughts