When your reputation is destroyed overnight, what do you do next? In this episode of Sell Anything, entrepreneur and martial-arts founder Adam Kifer shares how he rebuilt his life and business after being falsely tied to a murder investigation. Betrayal, public scrutiny, and financial collapse nearly ended everything, but instead, Adam used faith, integrity, and emotional intelligence to rebuild stronger than ever.

JL and Adam break down what it really takes to lead through crisis, why character outlasts reputation, and how silence, self-awareness, and spiritual alignment restore alignment when life falls apart. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, leader, or anyone fighting to rise again, this story is proof that true strength isn’t about hustle, it’s about who you choose to become when everything’s on the line.

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction

(03:45) Innovating Martial Arts and Youth Development

(09:10) Scaling to 100+ Studios Through Consulting

(14:32) Lessons From Franchising Done Wrong

(20:55) Crisis Hits: False Accusations and Public Scrutiny

(28:10) Internal Theft

(33:40) Reputation vs. Character: What Really Matters

(39:22) The Power of Silence and Reflection for Leaders

(45:15) Emotional Intelligence Business

(52:05) Building Values-Driven Success That Lasts

What’s the toughest challenge you’ve faced that made you stronger? Share it in the comments, I want to hear your stories

Connect with Adam on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adamkifer/?hl=en

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