What if your brand matters more than your bank account?In this episode of The Average Sucks Show, Michael Bernoff sits down with entrepreneur, identity coach, and branding expert Travis Brady for a conversation that will challenge everything you think you know about marketing and business growth.If you’ve ever felt stuck in your business... if the strategies aren’t working... or if you're tired of playing small—this is the wake-up call.Travis breaks down why your identity is the foundation of your brand—and how most entrepreneurs are sabotaging their results by ignoring it. This episode dives deep into branding, influence, mindset, and the psychology of standing out in a crowded market.You’ll learn:* How to create a brand that actually attracts clients* The real reason your marketing isn’t converting* Why framing your identity is the key to breakthrough results* How to stop hiding and start leading with confidenceWhether you're a business owner, coach, or creator... this episode will push you to think differently, show up bigger, and finally build a brand that reflects who you really are.This one might just be the most important shift you make this year.

He Built a 7-Figure Brand Without Ads: Adam Bensman on Marketing That Actually WorksWhat if your business isn’t stuck because you’re not working hard enough… but because you’re focusing on the wrong things?In this raw and eye-opening episode of The Average Sucks Show, Michael Bernoff sits down with Adam Bensman—founder of The Roof Strategist—who went from scraping by on $4.20/day to building a multimillion-dollar brand without a single paid ad.No funnels. No hacks. Just timeless strategy, real metrics, and a mindset built for growth.Here’s what you’ll take away:* Why ONE offer beats 17 every time* The 4 numbers that drive exponential growth* How to stop trading time for money—for good* Why protecting the wrong leads is costing you more than you think* And how YouTube + a whiteboard built an empire (without tech overwhelm)This isn’t about working harder.It’s about working smarter—and building a business that runs without burning you out.If you’re scaling your first six figures, rebuilding after burnout, or ready to become the GC “General Contractor” of your marketing… this episode is your blueprint.Listen now. Take notes. Watch it again.—Subscribe for more real-talk conversations that challenge the norm and help you grow with intention.

In this episode of The Average Sucks Show, Michael Bernoff sits down with Mike Arce, founder of Loud Rumor, to discuss his transformation from a fitness studio owner to the head of a seven-figure marketing agency. Mike shares powerful insights on overcoming challenges, the importance of mindset, and the strategies that helped him break through barriers to reach success.Mike also introduces his new book, “The Standard is You,” a playbook for team members who want to lead, grow, and raise the standard. This step-by-step guide will help you live above average, set higher personal and professional standards, and unleash your full potential.Learn more and get your copy at

Have you ever watched a young athlete perform at a high level and thought, Where does that kind of drive come from?In this electrifying episode of Average Sucks, we uncover the answer. Some kids discover a passion so strong that it fuels them to excel—transforming their love for an activity into a relentless competitive fire. And in the pursuit of excellence, they develop an extraordinary set of life skills that set them apart.Our guest? My daughter, Maya Bernoff. From the moment she stepped onto the ice as a little girl, she felt something powerful—like she had found her place. Skating isn’t just a sport to her; it’s where she feels most alive. And that passion? It’s what keeps her pushing, competing, and winning.Her results speak for themselves. Maya competes in over 50 events annually, traveling across the U.S., and more often than not, she leaves with a medal around her neck. At just 12 years old, she’s already earned five national gold medals at the 2023 and 2024 National Showcase competitions hosted by U.S. Figure Skating.In this episode, we dive into the mindset, habits, and strategies that fuel her success, including:Belief in Yourself: Maya’s philosophy? Love yourself first—because you’re the one person you spend your entire life with.Entrepreneurial Spirit: At just 10, she created a fundraiser for a local dog rescue with only $40 in startup money, turning that into a great win for the rescue. Passion for Figure Skating: The ice isn’t just where she competes—it’s where she thrives, setting goals and pushing herself to new levels.Mental Toughness: The mindset work that helps her power through challenges, setbacks, and the dreaded brain rot.The Power of Visualization: A mental exercise Maya swears by to break through negative thoughts.And that’s just the beginning!

How differently do you define success today compared to two, five, or even ten years ago?For most of us, life’s ups and downs have a tendency to reshape what truly matters.That’s why our latest guest on the Average Sucks Podcast brings a unique and powerful perspective. Vince DelMonte, founder of the 7 Figure Mastermind for Fit Pros, hit his biggest goals and then faced the question: Now what?In this candid conversation, Vince dives deep into redefining success for your life today and in the future.He doesn’t sugarcoat the journey, yet instead asks the hard questions and shares the reflections that shaped his “lifestyle first” approach. It’s a must-listen for anyone navigating the challenges of success and striving to align their life with what matters most.In this episode, you’ll discover:* How Vince built his fitness empire with thousands of videos and 80+ hour workweeks—crushing his financial goals.* The “true cost” of that success on himself and his loved ones.* Why work-life balance is easier said than done—and how Vince tackled it head-on.* The pivotal self-reflection that shifted his approach and transformed his business and life.* His “lifestyle first” philosophy, which helps him balance success while knowing when to hit the gas.This thought-provoking conversation is packed with insights to help you redefine and elevate your own success.It was an absolute pleasure speaking with Vince. Don’t miss this compelling episode of the Average Sucks Podcast!

You’ve got a life plan. It goes great. Until it doesn’t.Ever catch sight of yourself in a mirror and are surprised by what you see? What you do when life hands you lemons will either bury you or strengthen you beyond measure.Our special guest in our Average Sucks Podcast has been through the fire and came back to help others. Natalie Jill is a former medical device sales professional who had risen to national sales director. She got married, bought a house, and had a daughter along the way. Life was awesome! It should have been…and yet still…her marriage fell apart while she was pregnant. She fell into a depression, watched her finances dwindle and threaten her home, and gained more than 60 pounds. Worse, she felt hopeless.Then, she had a series of epiphanies that triggered her comeback:* She caught her reflection in a mirror and saw she was not who she wanted to be – overweight, depressed, overwhelmed and alone.* She watched a television show where she was reminded of the importance of focusing on the possibility instead of the problem.* She chose to focus on where she wanted to go and who she wanted to be, instead of “what was” at that moment.Her story continues to inspire from there. She turned it all around and now is a renowned fitness and fat loss expert at Natalie Jill Fitness. She transforms people’s lives as they navigate their midlife challenges. Her clients in midlife don’t feel alone, stuck, and overwhelmed. You don’t want to miss this extraordinary conversation with an extraordinary entrepreneur and leader! Head over now to hear her moving story in our Average Sucks Podcast. It was a pleasure and an honor to speak with her – and you’ll see why.

Warning: This Average Sucks Podcast starts out in a dark place. Drug addiction, drug dealing, and even worse. Our guest at 15 found himself outrunning the police. For a while, he descended deeper and deeper into a dark world. You wouldn’t expect a life that starts out that way to head into a sunlit place of serving others and making a powerful difference in their lives. But that’s where Dan Martell, a successful SaaS entrepreneur coach, did and that’s the life he lives now. Dan helps grateful SaaS CEOs scale their business and remove the “time assassins” that wreck their lives. He helps them be successful and get their time (and life!) back. Listen this special episode of the Average Sucks Podcast to hear how Dan:* Overcame addiction and illicit business enterprises* Learned the hard way the entrepreneurial skills that kept him going * Worked too hard and had too little to show for it* Leveraged skills ranging from coping with uncertainty to finding the right people* Scaled his business with a reproducible process that can help others. Listen this entire powerful conversation. You don’t want to miss Dan’s story and apply the key lessons to your life (and boost your average). It was an honor and privilege speaking with my friend Dan. No matter where you are today on your journey, you’ll find real value in hearing his story. 

How can you create value for your customers and clients?Our guest this week says this: Be curious, caring, and giving. Authentic curiosity starts with meaningful conversations. You get those through real caring – because only then will people open up and be vulnerable with you. They’ll share what they want and don’t want with you. And that puts your giving on target. Mastering that process gives you a superpower in your business, says our latest Average Sucks Podcast guest Kevin Kauffman. Kevin is a one-of-a-kind real estate entrepreneur, coach, and podcaster. Join us and discover:* The importance of expanding one's sphere of influence and maintaining meaningful relationships in business. Kevin provides a step-by-step approach to building and activating this sphere.* How to cultivate and activate your sphere by finding ways to add value to these connections. Value can take various forms, such as phone calls, notes, or gestures that show you care. Always look for opportunities to expand and grow your sphere.* How to nurture your sphere of influence as a long-term strategy. It may not lead to immediate results, but over time, it can become a powerful source of business. He also acknowledges that while this approach is essential, there may still be a need for other activities, like prospecting and actively seeking immediate business opportunities. However, your sphere should remain a core focus for long-term success.I loved sitting down with Kevin and hearing his insights and I know you’ll love it, too. I will also be speaking at his upcoming event NLA Live on December 5th. Check it out at NLALive.com and use code BERNOFF at checkout for a discount! 

How to bring a new community into your life (and your soul) is the focus of this month’s incredible podcast. You’ll be thrilled to meet Tori Totlis, a powerful entrepreneur and athlete who founded Compete Confidence Golf, Phoenix. Tori created a way for women to connect more deeply in their lives through the game of golf – showing women how to go from the beginner stage all the way to expert-level. And doing so with a supportive community where they’ll make new friends, share laughter and make memories.  From beginner-friendly courses that kick-start your journey, to carefully curated practice programs that sharpen your short game, and comprehensive six-week practice plans – Tori offers options to improve your game no matter how well you can put and swing. She hosts action packed women's tournaments, including her signature event The Desert Classic in Phoenix. And if that's not enough, she hosts luxurious golf retreats set against the backdrop of world-class courses across the globe. Tori's world of golf is nothing short of extraordinary.Tori is also the 2022 Arizona Golf Association Women’s Golfer of the Year. And she produces "T-Time with Tori", her podcast that shows strategies, inspiration and motivation on women’s golf – with weekly guests who share their wins, losses and challenges. She’s a woman that knows how to make things happen.Come join us in the inspiring podcast conversation with Tori. She’ll share:* Why making new friends as a grown-up can be quite a challenge, and some great ways to connect with others, build some awesome relationships with people who are positive and supportive.* The highly effective practice plan her coach gave her as a teen golfer that inspired her career. It’s the same plan she uses as a model for her courses, which brings great results.* 4 essential keys to elevate your golf game. Whether you're aiming for immediate improvements or long-term mastery, Tori knows what game-changing strategies to focus on - from the right equipment to navigating a course and most importantly…taking a swing well past your comfort zone.Tee up and hold on to your visors as you level up your golf journey! You won’t be hearing routine golf tips from this lady - there’s a lot more to this great conversation and you definitely will want to hear it.It was a joy and privilege to sit down with Tori and hear her insights into raising your average through community, soul work, and the game of golf. To become ABOVE AVERAGE (and lower your handicap), take Tori’s words to heart.

Eliminating limiting beliefs and ideas is what led our guest on The Average Sucks Show to achieve success, prosperity and peace.Jonathan Maynard is owner of The Huge Convention, one of the biggest conventions in the world and in this episode, Jonathan takes us on a powerful journey into the mind of an “accidental” entrepreneur. He shares how he went from a lucrative career in the IT world to starting and selling multiple businesses as he achieved his personal goals to spend more time with family. Come join us for this warm conversation with a wonderful person who is eager to share what he knows and to serve others, including: * If you want more time for family and to travel and to do other things in life, avoid buying into limited beliefs that say that’s for someone else but not you – it is possible for you and do not let an off-target belief stop you before you start. Even if it sounds like a crazy idea at first. * Free yourself from expectations of what you “should do” versus what makes entrepreneurial sense to do. Jonathan wanted more time with his family and to travel – and realized his IT career was never going to take him there. So he looked for what made sense entrepreneurially. * Why you should remain open to opportunity wherever you might find it–Jonathan was inspired by a line at a kettle corn stand at an apple orchard. He did the math, started a business that his family could join him in, and pretty soon was counting $5,000 in cash around the dining room table with his family from a weekend take. * And of course, crush those limited beliefs. Too many entrepreneurs lose out because they have the ownership mindset of “only I can do this … nobody can do this as good as I can.” That’s a fallacy and Jonathan gives you the formula for when you should turn something over. Plus, much more … It was an honor to have Jonathan Maynard join us on The Average Sucks Show. You’’ll definitely want to listen in to gain insight into your own life as you hear Jonathan’s approach to all around success.

You’re hiking with a team through the Grand Canyon. The plan is simple: You’ll go from one rim to another and back (46 total miles over rough, steep trails) and do the whole trip from sunrise to sunset. Thirteen miles in, you suffer a setback: You roll your ankle and break a bone. You keep going and finish despite the pain. What’s your take-home lesson? Our amazing podcast guest Brad Weimert says if he hadn’t broken his ankle, “It wouldn’t be as cool a story.”Brad is an absolute rock star. He’s the founder of Easy Pay Direct, a merchant account company for “high-risk” industries. Before that, he was a legendary (seriously) highest-selling  Cutco sales person in the world. And now he’s a dedicated endurance athlete.As you’d expect, Brad is a student of performance and of mindset – and obsessed with pushing the envelope. Come join us on this amazing podcast conversation with him, because Brad has so many gems to offer you’re going to want to keep stopping the interview to chew on what he’s said. Among them: * If you want to participate in the outcome of a team, you will not help anyone if you complain about an injury. Choose what you will do and do that!* Set goals that are realistic, but far enough outside of your comfort zone they scare you. Brad says when a goal scares him a little, his other behaviors fall into line so he achieves his goals.  * There are two different ways to prepare for a big goal: (1)The “step up” where you build up your capacity, but set a stretch goal for “game day.” (2) Or the opposite, where you’ve already completed the goal in practice a few times, and go into game day knowing you can perform. Choose the one that works best with your own mindset. Plus, Brad gives us the secret to endurance in business and sports and life!There’s a lot more great stuff in this conversation (including about flying to Fiji with a team)! I loved every second of speaking with Brad and you will be changed just by listening to him.It was an honor to have Brad Weimert join us on The Average Sucks Show. To become ABOVE AVERAGE, listen and apply to what Brad does and says!

Why do people get stuck and not reach their personal financial goals? Why do they perform below what they are truly capable of?A powerful answer is provided by entrepreneur and elite business coach Garrett Gunderson (https://garrettgunderson.com/). Garrett is the owner of 5 businesses (and was a millionaire at age 26). He is the Founder and Chief Wealth Architect of the Inc. 500 firm, Wealth Factory. His Killing Sacred Cows: Overcoming the Financial Myths That Are Destroying Your Prosperity is a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller in personal finance. And currently, Garrett’s been on a comedy tour and is a noted speaker on money and personal finance.I am thrilled to share this fascinating discussion with you. Garrett lays out the case that a powerful vision is necessary to truly go above (and then far above) your average. But your vision requires real thought and consideration. “Vision is the rarest commodity in the world,” Garrett explains. ‘And it drives all value – and dollars follow value. So if we can create a vision that’s so compelling that it would take a lifetime to accomplish it, we create a life we don’t want to retire from.”Get all the details on creating a compelling, life-altering vision (and much more) in this episode. It was an honor to have Garrett on The Average Sucks Show and discuss how you can rise above your current limitations and become ABOVE AVERAGE.

If you are a business owner you’ve probably asked yourself these questions at some point:How can I work more effectively with my team?How can I develop a team of leaders to run my business the way I want? You want to develop relationships with people you care about, grow your business, get your time back, and build the team you’ve always wanted. So, let’s get it done.For this episode, we enlisted “The CEO Whisperer” to show you exactly how to gain the momentum needed to grow your business. Cameron Herold has scaled 4 businesses, has written 6 books, and is the founder of the COO Alliance. His most recent book Second in Command: The Chief Behind the Chief is a BEST SELLER and a wealth of power tips for those in the driver’s seat of companies across the world.  He took 1-800-GOT-JUNK from $2 million to $106 million in revenue in only 6 years. Cameron Herold is a top business coach, catering to some of the top businessmen and women including Kimbal Musk, Elon Musk’s brother, and serving as a reference for the brothers’ first round of funding in 1995. In this episode, we waste no time. Cameron lays out exactly what you need to do, the crucial role you’ll want to play, and how you’ll get your team to free up your time!We were so excited to bring Cameron Herold to  The Average Sucks Show. Cameron’s entrepreneurial journey of scaling 4 businesses and his expertise showed us powerful ways for us and our teams to be ABOVE AVERAGE.

So how do you live your dreams…?Well the first thing is that it’s not only just about your dreams, it’s about helping those in your life live their dreams as well!And that’s what is covered in this amazing episode of The Average Sucks Show!Who would think that one of the largest garage door companies in the world started by an incredible man, who got his start in the restaurant business, would be run in such a powerful way that helps him, his team, his customers, and even his competitors live a better life. After listening to this episode, where I interviewed the founder of A1 Garage Door Service, Tommy Mello, you’re going to see very quickly how the mindset of Tommy works and how his process is something you can start using in your life and in your business. Hearing the story of how Tommy went from painting garage doors to running a company doing over $200 million dollars a year is not even the most impactful part of the story…The biggest part of the story is the psychology he puts into working with his team and how it’s changing the entire look and feel of the service industry. He gives incredible advice about growing your team + business, hiring, and retention. No matter what business you have or if you run the business of your life + family, this episode is going to give you many gold nuggets…and the best part is Tommy has a way of helping you learn all of these ideas directly from him through his storytelling. It is and was an honor to have Tommy Mello, the founder of A1 Garage Door Service, join us on The Average Sucks Show. He is truly a man who lives every aspect of his life ABOVE AVERAGE!

Being vs. Becoming…That’s the theme of just an extraordinary conversation in our latest Podcast with best-selling author and coach Ray Higdon.Ray’s story is intriguing and inspiring… In his own life, he went from foreclosure to generating multi-millions in a few short years. He takes what he learned and coaches with 8- and 9-figure executives and business professionals striving to succeed.Through his own life and his clients he’s realized that most people put off seeking joy. They “wait” until they reach some far off goal before they allow themselves a small pleasure. They focus on business and walk around with unfinished business in their head, waiting until one day to make peace with things in their past. They procrastinate on the most important thing in the world…themselves.Some of these high powered execs make the 50 million mark, and still aren’t satisfied… and it’s only then give themselves permission to seek joy.Why?Because they feel they can’t seek high levels of success at the same time… they can’t go for the money, for the success, for delivering high levels of value in the marketplace WHILE at the same time seeking the healing and forgiveness they crave.No matter what level of success you’re at, chances are you’ve found yourself avoiding things that would bring you inner joy because…there’s just not enough time.Ray Higdon made a decision to defy that stereotypical way of living. He wanted success yet didn’t want to only have financial success – he wanted to feel it in every aspect of his life.You will want to listen in to our passionate discussion – I am honored to have Ray on the Average Sucks Podcast and know you’ll find the conversation extremely useful to you right now.There’s no better time than now to build JOY into your life.

On this week’s episode, Michael sits down with Andy Mulvihill, whose father founded the family-owned Action Park, “the world’s most dangerous amusement park.” Andy is a developer who runs hotels, restaurants, and real estate in Sussex County, NJ. How he became the man he is today is largely in part to being the son of Action Park’s creator, Gene Mulvihill.  As a kid, Andy was often one of the first to test out these incredible rides at one of the most famous parks in the world - which is a very unique childhood!  Yet it was his father’s ethic and creativity that taught him the skills that have helped him achieve the success he has today.  Andy tells all in his just-published book, Action Park: Fast Times, Wild Rides, and the Untold Story of America's Most Dangerous Amusement Park. In this Podcast episode, you’ll hear: Why Action Park built such fierce loyalty among its employees and customers How entrepreneurs can use the lessons of Action Park today to seize opportunities that the pandemic response is opening up today The mindset and attitudes that make legendary businesses (and lives) work (because yes, “Average Sucks” And much, much more. If you want to learn how to pursue your business and life with wild abandon, and be exuberant about it and create something unforgettable, listen to this episode now!

Stay True, Stay Bold, Be F***ing Nice: How One Entrepreneur Took Her Business From Surviving to Booming During the Shutdown Who says the customer is always right? Susie Diamond believes the traditional view of customer service is not always the way to go. When customers ignore her store’s mantra, “Be F**king Nice!” they learn there’s an “or else” unspoken at the end. You might as well be bold, because the future of business is BOLD, says Diamond, the successful CEO and Owner of Scottsdale’s Rolling Rack Boutique told Michael Bernoff in our newest Podcast. Diamond’s destination boutique can be better described as “experience” than a store. She started out of a single truck of Rose Gold Chrome Wrap, Selfie Station, Faux fur ceilings and Chandeliers. She expanded to a 6,000 sq. ft. location in one of the most sought-after malls in the state, and has been invited to set up shop at Coachella’s music festival. How did she do it? She says life changes the moment you decide “Enough is enough.” As the daughter of a professional gambler, Diamond goes all in business and the podcast and shares what drove her to take the risk of starting a business and why she will never put off chasing her dream life ever again. *P.S. Listen to the end to hear Diamond’s story on how she turned one bad Yelp review into $22K in sales in two days. The future of business is BOLD. Be ready!

Are you ready to audition for the role of YOU? Well get ready, because it is time for this week’s episode of The Average Sucks Show with Host Michael Bernoff! Our featured guest is actor, director, and writer Brendan Wentworth, who is best known for his roles in JAG, Chicago Hope, and Cypher! Brendan shares with us his thoughts on how to stay confident even when the stakes are high, tips to push through tough periods of change, and ways to present yourself authentically in both business and everyday life. Michael and Brendan discuss how he got into acting and his experiences over the last couple decades while working in a highly competitive and evolving industry. Listen in and learn what it means to “miss on your own terms,” to dive deep into a role, and much more. For additional information on The Average Sucks show and Michael Bernoff, visit: theaveragesucksshow.com

I have to keep my doors open! Across the United States (and across the world for that matter) communities are greatly struggling.  COVID19 and politics and unemployment and the mental health crisis well...the list of all the things that are not going well is long and lengthy. Every day coaches like myself get asked the same thing - and it’s a version of this question: “How can I keep my business alive?” And every day I answer the question with answers, suggestions - ideas to implement, thoughts to consider - all of which are helping people gain and keep customers. Yet in this podcast, I publicly share the choices I personally made in my business to keep my business growing during the pandemic.  In this conversation I share my unfiltered perspective of what has and hasn't gone well, what I'm planning next and why you don't have to accept defeat. There are things you can do to stay on track. Listen to this podcast to walk away with ideas you can immediately incorporate into your own business. We are all going to make it, but how are you going to make it work?

How will you handle all this pressure? There’s an intense amount of pressure people are feeling right now and it’s because they can’t make things happen the same way they used to.  When you have a way of growing your business, of operating your life, and all of a sudden that way won’t work anymore, it puts your brain on overdrive. So you begin to think things to yourself, like: Can’t leave your house. Kids can’t go to school. Can’t run your business the same way. Can’t make enough money. Can’t pay your bills. Can’t get toilet paper. Can’t stop being afraid of getting sick. Can’t understand what’s happening in the news. Can’t believe what’s happening in the world. Can’t go out without a mask. These are just some of the whirlwind of thoughts that many people are having over and over again over the past few months.  The pressure is intense.  Panic, frustration and fear. Now let me say this - some are handling it better than others. Why?  You’ll find the answer as you listen to my latest podcast “Unrealistic Expectations” where I hit head on the scrambling of thoughts in your head that ratchets up the pressure. What expectations do you have for yourself now that businesses are beginning to open up again.  Are you rushing in a mad dash to make up for lost time and putting intense pressure on yourself to make money fast?  Are you freaked out about putting out the money you need to operate your business (spending money to make money) when it’s uncertain how the market will hold up? There are a lot of people that are feeling intense pressure and it’s based on their unrealistic expectations. What should you expect for yourself? What’s reasonable and intelligent as your next move? How fast do you need to move? Join me to learn a powerful new perspective to shift your thinking, move you forward and open up the door for more results than ever. Realistic Expectations with MIchael Bernoff