January 20, 2026

From State Trooper to 860K YouTube Subscribers

35 minutes

Welcome to Season 2 of The Yeah, But Podcast. Expect brutally honest conversations about the excuses that hold leaders back.

Everyone told Matt Outlaw he was crazy. He was a Sergeant with the Arkansas State Police, next in line for Lieutenant, with a guaranteed salary and full benefits. But he was also broke, filing for bankruptcy, and staring at a 'Yeah, But' that wouldn't go away. This is the story of how he walked away from total security to build 731 Woodworks, grew a YouTube channel to over 860,000 subscribers, and why he says discipline, not motivation, is the only reason he survived.

In This Episode:In this episode of the Yeah, But Podcast, Marc Wolfe sits down with Matt Outlaw, the creator behind 731 Woodworks. Matt shares his brutally honest journey from financial ruin and filing for bankruptcy to leaving a 15-year career as an Arkansas State Trooper to become a full-time entrepreneur.

We dive deep into the fear of quitting a "safe" career, the power of "praying circles," and the exact moment Matt knew his mission in law enforcement was over. If you are stuck in a job but know you are meant for more, this conversation exposes the reality of the jump.

What We Cover:

Intro: From State Trooper to YouTuber
The Financial Crash: Bankruptcy and The $100 Start
The First "Side Hustle" (Selling Furniture on Facebook)
The Viral Moment: "5 Woodworking Projects to Sell"
The "Yeah, But" of Walking Away from Security
Faith Over Fear: The "In God We Trust" Shift
The Resignation: Walking into the Captain's Office
Discipline vs. Motivation (The Athlete Mindset)
Dealing with the "Valley of Despair" in Business
Marc’s Final Thoughts: Intentionality & Pre-Deciding

Quotes:"I was in anguish about leaving the state police... I'm leaving the insurance, I'm leaving a steady paycheck." — Matt Outlaw"If you stay motivated, your motivation's gonna come and go... You have to stay disciplined." — Matt Outlaw"I’ve only heard God talk to me twice... I heard: 'I created the universe, I got this.'" — Matt Outlaw

About the Guest:Matt Outlaw is a former Arkansas State Trooper turned full-time woodworker and content creator. He is the face of 731 Woodworks, a YouTube channel with over 860,000 subscribers dedicated to helping people build furniture and grow their own woodworking businesses.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/731woodworks
Website: https://www.731woodworks.com

About the Host:Marc A. Wolfe is an Executive Coach, Strategic Advisor, and President of the Nashville Chapter of the Private Directors Association. He acts as a catalyst for high-performing leaders, helping them navigate complexity and turn conversations into outcomes.

With a unique background that spans supporting early Apple technology at Fortune 500 companies to photographing U.S. Presidents and NFL teams, Marc brings a rare perspective to high-stakes environments. He is the author of Yeah, But, a framework designed to help leaders cut through the noise to accelerate growth and innovation.

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