Ben Thinking

In this episode of Ben Thinking, I sit down with Justin to unpack the world of private equity—what it is, how it works, and why it plays such a big role in today’s business landscape.

Justin shares his journey into finance, the differences between private equity, venture capital, and hedge funds, and what really goes into acquiring and scaling companies. We also dive into misconceptions about the industry, risk management, investor expectations, and the real impact private equity has on everyday businesses.

Whether you’re a student, entrepreneur, or just curious about how big business deals actually happen, this conversation breaks down private equity in a way that’s both approachable and insightful.

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to succeed in this field—or how these firms create long-term value—you won’t want to miss this episode.

• What private equity is and how it differs from venture capital and hedge funds

• Real-world examples of deals and how companies are acquired and scaled

• Risk management, investor expectations, and long-term value creation

• Misconceptions about private equity and what it really takes to succeed

• How private equity impacts the broader economy and everyday businesses

• Justin’s personal journey, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring professionals

0:00 – Intro & guest Justin
2:15 – What is private equity?
7:42 – Justin’s journey into finance
12:30 – PE vs. VC vs. hedge funds
18:05 – How deals are structured
25:40 – Acquiring & scaling companies
33:12 – Managing investors & expectations
41:55 – Misconceptions about private equity
48:22 – Risks, failures & lessons learned
54:10 – Private equity’s impact on everyday businesses
1:01:45 – Advice for young professionals
1:06:30 – Closing thoughts
1:08:00 – Outro

If you enjoyed this conversation, follow Ben Thinking so you don’t miss future episodes. Share this podcast with a friend who’s curious about finance, investing, or private equity.

Key TakeawaysTimestamps (1h 8m)Call to Action

In this episode, Ben sits down with Joe Tepe, owner of Stripe Barbell, to talk about building a business, training athletes, and creating a culture of strength. Joe shares his journey as a gym owner, the lessons he’s learned from the weight room, and why simplicity still beats trends in the fitness industry.You’ll discover:The story behind Stripe Barbell and Joe’s journey as a gym ownerWhy discipline and consistency matter more than motivationThe business side of running a gym and building a brandCommon mistakes people make in training and recoveryWhat real success looks like inside and outside the gymTimestamps (48 minutes)00:00 – Introduction and Joe Tepe’s background03:00 – The story behind Stripe Barbell07:00 – Discipline, consistency, and gym culture12:00 – Lessons learned from building a business in fitness16:00 – The role of ego in training and ownership21:00 – Simplicity over trends: why the basics always work27:00 – Training athletes and general population differently32:00 – Entrepreneurship and the realities of gym ownership37:00 – Mental health, community, and why gyms matter43:00 – Joe’s advice for anyone starting their training or business journey47:00 – Closing thoughts and gratitudeKey Takeaways:Strength training is simple — the basics still deliver the biggest results.Owning a gym is less about equipment and more about building community.Discipline beats motivation; consistency creates results.Ego can derail both training and business ownership.True success isn’t just financial; it’s about impact and longevity.Call to ActionIf Joe’s story resonated with you, make sure to like, subscribe, and share this episode.Comment below: What’s the biggest lesson the gym has taught you?Catch new episodes every week on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

In this powerful conversation, Ben sits down with Jon Anderson to explore the realities of entrepreneurship, leadership, and self-mastery. From early struggles to scaling businesses, from family values to personal discipline, this episode is a masterclass in resilience and growth.You’ll discover:Why entrepreneurship is more grit than glamourThe mindset shifts that separate winners from quittersHow to balance ambition, health, and relationshipsStories of failures turned into stepping stonesWhy leadership starts with leading yourself first

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS (1h 3m)

00:00 – Intro & Jon Anderson’s backstory

04:30 – Early lessons from family & childhood struggles

09:00 – Entrepreneurship is solving problems, not chasing titles

14:00 – Learning from failure & turning setbacks into fuel

19:00 – Building discipline: fitness, routines & personal standards

25:00 – The hardest lessons of leadership

30:00 – Why ego can destroy businesses (and how to avoid it)

36:00 – Creating balance: family, ambition & service

42:00 – Scaling businesses without losing yourself

48:00 – Mental health, burnout & staying resilient

54:00 – Advice to young entrepreneurs starting out

1:00:00 – Final reflections & gratitude

🔑 Key Takeaways

Failure is feedback. Every setback holds the seed of your next breakthrough.Entrepreneurship isn’t about looking successful — it’s about solving problems.Your ego can bankrupt you faster than any recession. Stay humble, stay hungry.Leadership is self-leadership first. You can’t guide others until you master yourself.Balance matters. Money without health, family, or peace isn’t real success.

📢 CALL TO ACTION🔥

If this conversation resonated, don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and COMMENT your favorite insight.💬 What’s the toughest lesson entrepreneurship has taught you? Drop it below!

🎧 Catch new episodes weekly on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube.

Ben Thinking Podcast | Stephanie: Resilience, Reinvention & Finding Strength in Struggle 💪🌱In this heartfelt episode, Ben sits down with Stephanie, an entrepreneur and leader who has faced incredible challenges and come out stronger. From personal loss to professional pivots, Stephanie opens up about what it really takes to rebuild, grow, and thrive in today’s chaotic world.This isn’t just about success — it’s about survival, mindset, and the power of perspective.You’ll hear about:Overcoming devastating life changesBuilding a career and business after setbacksHow mindset shifts create new opportunitiesThe role of family, faith, and inner strengthWhy struggle can be the ultimate teacher TIMESTAMPS:00:00 – Intro & Stephanie’s backstory04:00 – The turning point that changed everything09:00 – Learning resilience through struggle14:00 – Building confidence after loss19:00 – The messy middle: balancing work, life & healing24:00 – Entrepreneurship as a path to freedom29:00 – Reinventing yourself at any age34:00 – Lessons from failure & starting over39:00 – Finding purpose through service & leadership45:00 – Advice for anyone “in the storm”50:00 – Reflections on growth, gratitude & moving forward55:00 – Closing thoughts & wrap-up🔑 Key TakeawaysPain can become power if you choose growth over victimhood.Entrepreneurship is resilience training — setbacks are part of the journey.Reinvention is always possible. You’re never stuck, only evolving.Support systems matter. Family, mentors, and community keep you grounded.📢 CALL TO ACTION💥 If Stephanie’s story inspired you, LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE to the channel — it helps us keep bringing powerful conversations like this.💬 Share in the comments: What’s one struggle you turned into strength?🎧 Don’t miss future episodes — follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube for weekly drops!

In this episode, Ben Nevares sits down with Mackenzie Copley, founder of Shine, a mission-driven startup offering cash incentives to people with HIV who take their medication consistently. With a powerful blend of data, economics, empathy, and a little bit of charisma, Mackenzie breaks down how his team is working to eliminate HIV in the U.S. through behavioral incentives and health tech.

We cover:

The origin of Shine and its missionHow behavioral economics is being used to improve medication adherence

Lessons from running a nonprofit in D.C.

The ethical challenges in health tech

Mackenzie's journey from volunteer to presidential advisor

The dream to expand beyond HIV and take on the world's biggest problems

Whether you're interested in social entrepreneurship, health innovation, or how to build a purpose-driven company, this is a must-watch.

🌐 Learn more about Shine: https://www.shineapp.co/

Timestamps:

0:00 – Introducing Mackenzie & Shine

1:17 – The Discovery: U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable)

2:18 – Incentives to Take Medication

5:05 – Cash Rewards for Health Outcomes

7:50 – Proving Shine’s Legitimacy

10:31 – Nonprofit Roots & Early Struggles

14:51 – From Nonprofit to For-Profit Model

18:16 – Partnering with Doctors & Clinics

23:56 – Passion, Naivety & Persistence

29:12 – Future Goals: Expanding Beyond HIV

33:36 – Long-Term Vision: Ending Big Problems

38:17 – Personal Background & Communication Style

40:00 – Fitness, Training, and Podcast Beginnings

44:12 – Technical Struggles of Starting a Podcast

46:22 – Editing Workflows & Using AI Tools

47:02 – Building a Podcast Team & Scaling Up

49:25 – Balancing Breaks and Consistency

50:19 – Recording Frequency & The Algorithm

52:03 – Launching Shine in Las Vegas

55:09 – Family, Relocation, and Long-Term Plans

💬 What societal problem would you solve if you had unlimited resources? Drop it in the comments below.

🔔 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss stories from individuals changing the world.

👍 Like this video if you believe technology and compassion can solve big problems.

📲 Share this episode with someone who needs to hear that solutions like Shine are out there!

#HealthTech #StartupStory #BehavioralEconomics #ShineApp #MackenzieCopley #SocialImpact #PublicHealthInnovation #HIVAwareness #UequalsU #CashIncentives #MedAdherence #FoundersJourney #PodcastInterview #HealthcareStartup

The Orozco siblings, Bernice and Jose, share their powerful journey from growing up as immigrants in Mexico to leading a nonprofit that empowers underserved youth and families in Las Vegas. Through mentorship, scholarships, and community workshops, they are breaking barriers and building bridges for the next generation. This episode dives deep into their personal stories, the mission behind their organization, and their vision for uniting people across backgrounds to create lasting change.

Chapter Markers:

00:00 – Welcome & Introduction of Bernice and Jose Orozco

01:03 – The origin of the Orozco Siblings nonprofit

05:23 – Personal stories of growing up as immigrants in Mexico

07:12 – Balancing family life and career success

09:47 – The ripple effect of small actions in creating change

11:38 – Maintaining a strong sibling relationship while working together

15:04 – The importance of family unity and cultural roots

18:52 – Healing from the inside out: creating safe spaces for expression

20:25 – Workshop structure and approach

27:28 – Using hardship as fuel for progress

29:05 – Caregiving struggles and lessons in resilience

33:10 – Building comfort in professional spaces

37:06 – Pay-it-forward philosophy in youth empowerment

39:06 – Seizing opportunities even when unprepared

40:12 – Upcoming workshop details and community invitation

44:33 – Closing thoughts and how to connect with the Orozco Siblings

Be part of the movement to inspire and empower! Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode filled with stories of resilience, community, and impact.

Connect With the Orozco Siblings:

🌐 Website: https://orozcosiblings.org/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orozcosiblings/#ImmigrantSuccess

#NonprofitLeadership #YouthEmpowerment #MentorshipMatters #LasVegasNonprofit #CommunityImpact #FamilyUnity #InspiringStories #CulturalPride #ImmigrantVoices #BuildingBridges #FromStruggleToStrength #LatinoLeaders

In this episode of The Ben Thinking Podcast, we catch up with Anna several months into her fitness journey. From overcoming fear of the gym to prepping for her first powerlifting meet, Anna opens up about the highs, the struggles, and the small wins that changed her life. 💪We talk training soreness, lifting confidence, smarter eating, snacks (yes, including her Chips Ahoy obsession), and the mental clarity that comes with physical progress. Whether you're a fitness newbie, coach, or someone needing a little push, this episode is packed with relatable moments and practical takeaways.🎧 Tune in to hear:What changed since Anna started liftingHow she lost 33 poundsWhy she’s training for her first powerlifting meetThe underestimated link between training and mental health👉 Drop a comment if you're on a similar journey or thinking about starting one. Subscribe for more real, honest convos on fitness, mindset, and growth.Timestamps:00:00 – Welcome back & Anna returns00:45 – Why she was scared to train01:30 – Dealing with soreness & sticking with it02:20 – Favorite & least favorite lifts03:00 – Benefits she’s noticed since training04:00 – Working at a vet clinic with strength gains04:30 – Down 33 pounds!05:00 – Meal prep & better food choices06:15 – Healthy snack swaps (and her cookie weakness)08:00 – Sweet potato chips & veggie straws debate09:10 – Rice cakes, fruit, and protein shakes10:30 – Feeling happier and mentally sharper11:20 – Night routines & water before bed12:00 – Cutting back caffeine12:40 – Training for a powerlifting meet!13:30 – Balancing strength & conditioning14:20 – Anna’s “why” for competing15:00 – Internal vs. external motivation15:50 – Defining success & fear of failure16:45 – Ben’s experience with first meet nerves17:30 – The pressure of competition18:15 – Setting expectations & goal planning19:30 – Final reflections & closing thoughts✅ Call to Action🎯 Ready to start your own journey?Subscribe for more transformation stories and honest coaching convos. Got questions for Anna or Ben? Drop them in the comments – we read every one.

In this episode, host Ben Nevares sits down with UFC dietitian Michelle to explore what really goes into fueling elite fighters. From her surprising career shift—from aspiring midwife to world-class sports dietitian—to managing nutrition strategies during intense fight weeks, Michelle shares the science, psychology, and passion behind her work.

We unpack myths around carbs, weight cutting, refeeding, and how she helps fighters stay strong, healthy, and ready for battle. Whether you're into MMA, nutrition, or high-performance habits, this episode is packed with insights from the front lines of combat sports.

⏱ Chapter Markers

00:00 – Intro: From Midwife to UFC Dietitian

02:45 – Michelle’s First Steps into MMA Nutrition

07:20 – Understanding the UFC Dietitian Role

10:35 – Carbs, Fueling, and Recovery for Fighters

15:10 – Fight Week Nutrition: What Changes?

20:50 – Cutting Weight Safely and Effectively

26:00 – Refeeding: How Fighters Bounce Back

30:30 – Managing Stress and Expectations in the UFC

34:15 – Michelle’s Favorite Nutrition Myths to Bust

37:40 – How to Break Into Sports Nutrition

41:00 – What It’s Like Behind the Scenes

45:25 – Rapid Fire: Favorites and Final Advice

💬 Comment with your favorite nutrition or mindset insight from Michelle👍 Like the video to help elevate voices behind the fighters🔔 Subscribe for more raw conversations with high-performance professionals📤 Share this with someone striving for strength, discipline, and balance

#UFCNutrition #FightWeekFuel #UFCDietitian #WeightCutScience #CombatSportsNutrition #PerformanceEating #HighPerformanceHealth

In this raw and insightful episode of Ben Thinking, Ben Nevares sits down with Dennis Davis, Head Coach at Extreme Couture MMA in Las Vegas. Known for his quiet strength and deep care for fighters, Dennis opens up about the realities behind the fight game — from grief and growth to leadership, loyalty, and the journey of becoming a better human through combat.This episode isn't just for fight fans — it's for anyone navigating loss, transformation, and the ongoing tension between toughness and tenderness.🥋 Topics covered:The unspoken grief of losing teammates and brothersWhat makes a great fighter — and a great coachHow MMA teaches character, discipline, and identityThe Extreme Couture culture: ego vs unityWhy coaching is more about listening than instructingDennis’ journey through loss, fatherhood, and healingBalancing warrior mindset with emotional intelligence“Fighting’s temporary. But becoming a good human being — that lasts.” – Dennis Davis⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters00:00 – Intro to Dennis Davis and Extreme Couture02:00 – MMA roots and the transformation through fighting05:30 – Coaching mindset: Teaching values, not just skills09:00 – Loss in the gym: Grieving teammates and the bond of fighters13:00 – Dennis’ fatherhood journey and how it changed him17:30 – Why ego breaks gyms: Culture at Extreme Couture21:00 – “Tough vs hard”: Learning when to soften26:00 – How fighters grow as men through the process30:00 – The power of being heard as a coach34:00 – Navigating trauma, community, and healing39:00 – MMA and identity: What happens when it ends?43:00 – Lessons learned from 20+ years in the sport48:00 – Trust, loyalty, and how to lead in silence53:00 – Final thoughts on growth, grief, and coaching for life📢 Call to ActionIf this episode moved you, give it a like, drop a comment, and subscribe for more real conversations like this.💭 What part of Dennis’ story stuck with you the most?🧠 Share this with someone who believes in fighting for more than just wins.🔖 Hashtags#BenThinking #DennisDavis #ExtremeCouture #MMACoach #FightLife #HumanGrowth #CombatSports #GriefAndGrowth #LeadershipInMMA #FightersJourney #MindsetAndMartialArts #PodcastClip

In this episode, Ben is joined by Dr. Cordero Roche, a powerhouse in sports performance, biomechanics, and applied exercise science. They dive deep into how elite athletes actually train, what makes good data useful, and why the “boring stuff” still works best.

From D1 football to the New York Mets to founding the SPEED Lab at UNLV, Cordero shares how science and performance intersect, and why many programs still miss the basics. This is a masterclass in modern coaching, research, and real-world athletic development.

00:00 – Intro & the role of a speed coach
01:00 – The biomechanics behind vertical jump & power
03:00 – “Just move” – why simplicity beats overthinking
05:00 – Cordero’s journey: from football to strength coach to PhD
08:30 – Choosing UNLV & building the SPEED Lab
12:00 – Vegas as a rising sports science city
15:00 – Are pro teams like the A’s really ready for Vegas?
18:00 – The SPEED Lab’s mission and tech toolkit
21:00 – Community outreach, pro team collabs & Raiders partnerships
25:00 – Why pro teams still need university support
28:00 – What excites Cordero most about sports science in 2024
30:00 – Overcomplicating fitness: IG myths vs real performance
33:00 – Basic movements that STILL outperform fancy trends
36:00 – Cardio, VO2 max & the weightlifting connection
39:00 – How the CSCS and PhD together opened career doors
42:00 – Behind the scenes: working with the Mets in NYC
44:00 – Why he left pro sports (and might still go back)
46:00 – How to get involved with the SPEED Lab & UNLV Innovation

• 🏃 Speed and power come from mastering the basics—not fancy gadgets.

• 🧪 Data without application is noise. Pro teams often collect more than they can use.

• 🌎 Vegas is becoming a sports science powerhouse with real pro access.

• 💼 Combining real-world coaching with research is the future of human performance.

• 👏 The SPEED Lab is shaping the next gen of performance science — and it’s mobile!

🔥 If this episode got you thinking deeper about fitness, science, or pro sports — LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more cutting-edge convos.
🏈 Want the SPEED Lab at your event or school? Visit the UNLV Sports Innovation Institute site and fill out the interest form.
🎧 Follow Ben Thinking on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube for more episodes every week!

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS🔑 Key Takeaways📢 CALL TO ACTION