Ambition and Grit

Ambition and Grit

Download on the App Store

Ambition and Grit episodes

  • Fast Cars and the American Dream with John Hennessey

    For over 30 years, John Hennessey has turned his passion for modifying cars into a thriving high performance vehicle brand. Making fast cars faster, Hennessey Performance Engineering has become a name worth knowing in the sports car industry. And it all began with John’s belief in the American Dream. As a young man, he learned that he had to work hard for everything he wanted. This persistent level of effort and the ability to learn from mistakes is what allowed John to go from racing his own modified cars to making an impact in the automobile industry with his elite, high-performance vehicles. As his brand grew, so did his family. John wanted to bring his family together through his passion for cars. Now the Hennessey family travels the world both working events for the company and taking in the sights together. John is proud of what he’s built and values his legacy carried on through both his cars and his children. 

    Main Topics

    • How John got started in modified vehicles (02:17)
    • John is determined to race at Pike’s Peak (04:46)
    • Taking the risk to start Hennessey MotorSports (06:19)
    • Balancing work and home life (09:00)
    • John’s creations are his legacy (10:30)

      

    Episode Links

    • https://www.hennesseyspecialvehicles.com

     

    Connect with John:

    https://www.facebook.com/venomf5

    https://www.instagram.com/johnhennesseytexas

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-hennessey-9645a0b

    Connect with Dave:


    https://www.daveliniger.com

    https://www.instagram.com/davelinigerofficial/

    https://www.facebook.com/DaveLLiniger

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/davelinigerofficial/ 


    Listen, rate, and subscribe!

    13 min
  • Overcoming Challenging Times in Business

    Having lived through nine presidencies and seven major economic recessions, Dave Liniger knows what it means to adapt business methods in order to thrive when others are failing. 

    From solopreneurs to C-suite executives, many people fear how the current economic recession will impact their businesses. Pivoting in the face of challenges means looking for creative solutions that will allow you to stay ahead of the competition. The best way for leaders to manage times of crisis is through outthinking and outworking others in the same industry. 

    Another important business strategy that stands the test of time is being honest and transparent with employees. When team members trust their leadership to openly communicate an organization's obstacles, they are more likely to get on board with the plan for addressing those challenges. It is important for team members to feel a sense of investment in a company’s values, especially for younger generations in the workforce. 

    Remembering that success is not linear, those who approach difficult times with perseverance and a positive attitude have a much better chance at surviving whatever roadblocks arise. 

    Main Topics

    • The impact of the 2007 recession on the housing market (02:20)
    • How RE/MAX responded by adjusting business methods (03:27)
    • Going on the offensive in a recession (04:51)
    • Pivoting means adaptability (06:28)
    • Outthink and outwork your competition (07:50)
    • How to manage crisis in business (08:50)
    • Business practices that stand the test of time (10:20)

      


    Connect with Dave:


    https://www.daveliniger.com

    https://www.instagram.com/davelinigerofficial/

    https://www.facebook.com/DaveLLiniger

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/davelinigerofficial/ 


    Listen, rate, and subscribe!

    14 min
  • Fearlessness in the Face of Adversity with Joan Lunden

    A legend and trusted voice of America, Joan Lunden overcame immense obstacles on her path to personal and professional success. Over the span of forty years, Joan built her inspirational career as a nationally loved television host, award-winning journalist, best-selling author, and motivational speaker. She isn’t afraid to take risks. When life presents her with an opportunity, she says yes and figures out how to make it happen later. This fearless approach to life has allowed her to be a living example of perseverance through deeply challenging seasons in her life. 

    As one of the first female news anchors, Joan worked within a system plagued by sexism and bigotry to create space for women in the industry. A pioneer in her own right, she earned her place as one of America’s most beloved interviewers, pursuing the truth with tenacious candor. She started each morning with a smile in the mirror, choosing a positive attitude regardless of external circumstances. This resiliency pushed her to accomplish her goals, including overcoming her fear of public speaking and performing as a Las Vegas showgirl. Her love for life helped her battle bravely through the terror of breast cancer, survive, and share her inspirational story with others. Retirement for Joan looks like hosting a television show and a podcast, serving as an adjunct professor, and traveling the country as a keynote speaker. As a woman who believes herself capable of accomplishing anything, her legendary life reflects what is possible with fierce hard work and determination. 

    Main Topics

    • Joan’s initiation into the world of broadcasting (01:26)
    • Joan’s rise to the top from weather girl to anchor (04:06)
    • Revolutionizing the status quo as a woman in a male-dominated industry (07:00)
    • Her greatest challenges as co-host of Good Morning America (07:49)
    • Joan performs as a Las Vegas showgirl (09:43)
    • Overcoming her fear of public speaking with Tony Robbins (11:25)
    • Her greatest hurdle yet: surviving breast cancer (15:00)

      

    Episode Links

    • https://www.joanlunden.com/

     

    Connect with Joan:

    https://www.facebook.com/JoanLunden

    https://www.instagram.com/joanlunden/

    https://twitter.com/JoanLunden

    https://www.youtube.com/user/JoanLunden

    Connect with Dave:


    https://www.daveliniger.com

    https://www.instagram.com/davelinigerofficial/

    https://www.facebook.com/DaveLLiniger

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-liniger-578a7517/


    Listen, rate, and subscribe!

    Apple Podcasts

    Spotify

    Google Podcasts

    19 min
  • How to Avoid Failing in the First 5 Years of Your Business

    50% of small businesses fail within the first five years. Founder of RE/MAX and real estate titan Dave Liniger has over 50 years of experience in growing, managing, and investing in business. Though the first two years of RE/MAX threatened to defeat him in his goal of improving the lives of real estate agents nationwide, he persevered through the challenges and revolutionized the industry. He encourages founders to make sure they have the capital backing needed to support the business through natural ups and downs of the first few years. And most importantly, those trying to build a business from the ground up should always keep their vision at the forefront of every decision. Being a young man himself in the early days of his company, he especially supports young adults in their endeavors to pursue a dream, however big or small it may be. With enough confidence, enthusiasm, and a community of like-minded individuals surrounding you, your business can avoid the pitfalls that many encounter in the early stages of an organization. 

    Main Topics

    • Dave revolutionized the real estate industry in spite of perceived failure (02:04)
    • Incentivizing engagement in real estate from diverse demographics (04:36)
    • How Dave persevered through the challenges (07:03)
    • Important tips for business founders (09:10)
    • Youth can be an advantage in startups (11:05)
    • Pitfalls to avoid while building a business (13:37)

     


    Connect with Dave:


    https://www.daveliniger.com

    https://www.instagram.com/davelinigerofficial/

    https://www.facebook.com/DaveLLiniger

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/davelinigerofficial/ 


    Listen, rate, and subscribe!

    16 min
  • Shattering Limitations with Guts and Grit with Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour

    Coming from a legacy of military heroes, FlyGirl knew early on she wanted to follow in her family’s footsteps and serve her country. Her desire to be a police officer led her to enroll in the army during her college years. One day, seeing a black woman in a flight suit opened her eyes to limitless possibilities, and from that day forward FlyGirl worked tirelessly to become the best fighter pilot she could be. Though a mountain of challenges stood in her way such as discrimination, sexism, and numerous rejections, she embraced her tenacious determination to achieve her dreams. 


    Having cultivated a life of gritty perseverance, FlyGirl now applies strategies she learned in the military to business. Much of her coaching centers around making gutsy moves. In her experience as an executive coach and consultant, she encourages leaders to make decisions that push them outside their comfort zone every day. This courage allows people to push past what she calls the “gutsy gap,” that challenge that seems insurmountable. By taking calculated action even in the face of fear, FlyGirl helps activate leaders towards their highest potential. Of course, she leads by her powerful example.


    Main Topics

    • Vernice’s military family background inspired her career in the Marines and law enforcement (01:00)
    • How seeing a black woman in a flight suit changed the course of her life (02:48)
    • Through willful determination, she excelled in flight school (05:19)
    • How Vernice dealt with discrimination and sexism in the Marines (06:20)
    • Tips for success at any stage of business (09:50)
    • Making gutsy moves in business and on the battlefield (13:00) 


    Episode Links

    • https://vernicearmour.com/

     

    Connect with Vernice:

    https://www.facebook.com/VerniceFLYGIRLArmour


    https://twitter.com/VerniceArmour


    https://www.youtube.com/user/VerniceArmour


    https://www.instagram.com/verniceflygirlarmour/


    Connect with Dave:


    https://www.daveliniger.com

    https://www.instagram.com/davelinigerofficial/

    https://www.facebook.com/DaveLLiniger

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-liniger-578a7517/


    Listen, rate, and subscribe!


    17 min
  • Ambition & Grit Trailer

    In this season, we'll hear from guests like Vernice "FlyGirl" Armour, America's first black female combat fighter pilot. Legendary American journalist Joan Lunden. Automotive pioneer John Hennessey, founder and CEO of Hennessey Performance Vehicles—manufacturer of some of the world's fastest cars. And J.R. Martinez, an Army veteran, burn survivor and New York Times Best-Selling author.
    Dave also delves into his decards of knowledge and experience spanning as he shares leadership insights and stories of drive and determination that will leave you inspired!

    2 min

About Ambition and Grit

From the publisher's feed

In this podcast hosted by the trailblazing founder of RE/MAX, Dave Liniger, we discover the secrets of those who have overcome challenges, pushed past their own limits, and experienced the best…