The Ain’t Dead Yet podcast is back from a three-month break with a new plan to release one deep-dive episode per month while I finish my book. In this kickoff, Brett Ender and I talk about "Moments vs. Tomorrow," which is the discipline of making choices today based on how you want to feel tomorrow rather than chasing instant comfort. We also discuss the "seasons" of friendship, why it's okay to go quiet while you're locked in on big goals, and the importance of detaching yourself from other people's results when you're trying to help them. Brett also shares the story of dislocating his knee during a jiu-jitsu match and his decision to continue the fight to honor the story he wants to tell his future sons. He explains why he is delaying surgery until after his July MMA fight and how he uses setbacks as fuel rather than excuses. We close with a candid talk on the pressures of marriage, business, and self-doubt, focusing on building an identity rooted in faith rather than just achievements.

 

01:22 Brett’s Back: Friendship Seasons & Staying Aligned

04:23 Cutting the Noise: Shedding, Focus, and Faith vs Ambition

07:22 Youth Mentorship & Why Change Gets Harder

11:04 Coaching, Accountability, and Detaching From Other People’s Outcomes

14:55 Athlete Mindset: Consistency, Routine, and Leading by Example

20:08 Moments vs Tomorrow

24:09 Compartmentalizing & Mental Control: Lessons From Djokovic

28:42 The Knee Injury Story

35:10 No ACL, No Excuses

41:09 From Ultras to MMA:

46:57 Training With a Coach Who Can ‘Kill You'

53:37 Why He Won’t Do Another Ironman: Identity, Ego & Going Backwards

59:11 Being a Man of God, Not a ‘Runner’

01:06:23 What He’s Struggling With Now: Marriage, Money Pressure & Inner Demons