Grateful Living

Peter Bell has quite literally done it all in business. He began his career in 1986 at a growing startup EMC, as Employee #81. After spending 10+ years at EMC, Peter became an entrepreneur co-founding Storage Networks and later taking the company public and serving as its CEO. Afterwards, Peter became a venture capitalist working at Highland Capital Partners, a $3 Billion venture capital firm, for 12 years.

After Highland, Peter helped launch Amity Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on partnering with founders of technology companies to build category-defining businesses and serves as Amity's Chairman. Based in San Francisco, CA, the partners at Amity have invested in over fifty companies across all stages of company growth throughout their years in business together.

In this interview, we talk about:

- Peter's corporate journey with EMC - being a part of a growing startup, getting an MBA at Harvard Business School

- Peter's entrepreneurial journey with Storage Networks, taking the company public and serving as a public company CEO

- Peter's academia journey - being an Adjunct Professor at MIT's Sloan School and Boston College

- Peter's venture capital journey with Highland Capital Partners and now his own venture firm Amity Ventures

- Peter's personal journey - meeting his wife at BC, managing work-life balance, and fatherhood/parenting

Peter's Socials:

Amity's Ventures: https://www.amity.vc/

Peter's Twitter: https://twitter.com/peterwbell

Peter's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterwbell/

Grateful Living Info:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Bo0LHtRJJNJBUYIceg27w

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Hn4ttttmbWfVqAhWh4Jhi

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1503185956

My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aroy81547/?hl=en

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/gratefulliving4

Medium: https://gratefulliving4.medium.com/

Time Stamps:

0:00 Intro

0:55 Can you talk about your childhood and what type of kid you were?

4:14 What was your relationship with business?

8:17 You met your wife in college. Any advice on love?

14:06 You left PWC 2 months into starting the job. Was that a hard decision?

18:21 Are there lessons from your early business career at EMC?

21:55 How did business school come about?

26:04 EMC grew a lot over the years. Any leadership lessons from Dick and Roger?

32:30 You started Storage Networks after EMC. Can you talk about Storage Networks?

35:12 Any words of wisdom on taking a company public?

39:07 How was your work life balance as a public company CEO?

42:07 You sold Storage Networks. Any advice on selling a company?

45:28 Getting into academia after selling your company, how was that?

50:50 You joined Highland Capital Partners in 2006, how was that process?

53:51 young people going straight into VC

59:33 Starting Amity

1:02:25 Raising a fund?

1:07:06 Managing all aspects of running a VC?

1:11:21 Any traits for becoming an entrepreneur? Any good way to prepare?

1:20:19 How do you keep up with trends and markets?

1:25:08 How have you managed parenting your kids as someone whose found a good amount of success?

Dean Karnazes is an ultramarathon runner – among his many accomplishments, he has run 50 marathons, in all 50 US states, in 50 consecutive days, run across Death Valley in the middle of summer, run a marathon to the South Pole, and on 10 separate occasions he’s run a 200-mile relay race solo, racing alongside teams of twelve.

He’s been named by TIME magazine as one of the “100 Most Influential People in the World. Dean is also a writer and a NY Times best-selling author. His latest book is “A Runner’s High: My Life In Motion”.

In this interview, we talk about:

- Dean's running history - being on the cross country team in high school, why he stopped running after high school, and how he started again at age 30

- Dean's personal history - losing his sister to a car accident the day before her 18th birthday, marrying his high school sweetheart Julie, and being the father of 2 kids

- Dean's advice on variety of topics related to being a full-time runner - navigating the business of a full-time runner, managing social media, managing burnout

Dean's Socials:

Website: ultramarathonman.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DeanKarnazes

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ultramarathon/

Grateful Living Info:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Bo0LHtRJJNJBUYIceg27w

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Hn4ttttmbWfVqAhWh4Jhi

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1503185956

My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aroy81547/?hl=en

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/gratefulliving4

Medium: https://gratefulliving4.medium.com/

Time Stamps:

0:00 Intro

1:05 Can you talk about your background and childhood?

4:13 Do you know why you stopped running after being a part of the cross country team in high school?

6:26 You lost your sister to a car accident on the eve of her 18th birthday. Is there something you’ve learned from the grief process you would pass on to someone in a similar situation?

8:51 You married your high school sweetheart Julie. Any advice on love and marriage?

12:06 You started running in 1992 on your 30th birthday. In 2002, you quit your job and became a full-time runner. What were the steps that allowed you to quit your job?

15:36 How has fatherhood changed you and raising 2 kids?

18:13 How have you dealt with fame?

23:20 How have you always embraced adversity and tough races?

25:45 How do you stay present in your runs?

27:43 How do you approach not getting into medical physical trouble versus pushing yourself?

30:30 Have you ever felt a lack of motivation?

32:30 How do you make sure your drive in life doesn’t affect the people around you?

34:50 How is navigating the business of being a full-time runner?

37:10 Have you ever dealt with burnout?

38:45 Any writing advice?

42:00 How do you manage social media?

44:10 What do you hope the reader gets from your latest book A Runner’s High?

45:39 Any other life advice?

Mohamed is a Howard University graduate who started a financial planning practice with Northwestern Mutual. Mohamed is also someone who unfortunately lost both his parents before the age of 20 (he lost his dad to lung cancer at age 8 and his mom to a natural accident at age 19).

In this interview, Mohamed talks about:

- Losing his father to lung cancer at age 8

- His thoughts on how a surviving parent should tell their child about the other parent’s death

- Losing his mom to a natural accident (falling down the stairs) at age 19

- Managing being the eldest sibling during periods of grief

- His advice to people who have lost their parent at a young age

Mohamed's Socials:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mohameddiarra_/

Grateful Living Info:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Bo0LHtRJJNJBUYIceg27w

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Hn4ttttmbWfVqAhWh4Jhi

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1503185956

My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aroy81547/?hl=en

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/gratefulliving4

Medium: https://gratefulliving4.medium.com/

Time Stamps:

0:00 Intro

1:13 Can you introduce us to your childhood and life story?

20:20 How were you processing your dad’s battle with lung cancer as a young kid?

25:29 Your mom was very honest with you about your dad. Is that how you would recommend all parents do it?

30:55 How did you deal with your dad’s death? Did you act out?

33:42 What advice would you give to a kid whose lost their parent at a young age today?

41:55 How was getting the call about your mother passing?

49:33 How was managing being the eldest sibling?

1:05:40 Any regrets you have? Any advice you would give to people with their parents?

1:21:25 Was there anything else you wanted to talk about?

Matt Chatham is currently the Owner of Rub Smoke Love. Rub Smoke Love is a smoked food BBQ culture brand featuring the company’s BBQ rubs & seasonings—like Beef Cake (steaks, burgers, roasts, ribs, pastrami, etc) and Gold Bark (all manners of pork and chicken).

Before that, he was an NFL player for 8 seasons from 2000 to 2008. He played with the New England Patriots from 2000 – 2005 and then the New York Jets from 2006 to 2008. With the Patriots, Matt won 3 Super Bowls.

In this interview, we talk about:

- Matt's football journey from then Division 2 University of South Dakota to having an 8-year NFL career

- Matt's lessons from being a part of the New England Patriots early 2000s dynasty winning 3 Super Bowls in 4 years

- What Matt learned under Coach Bill Belichick and from teammate Tom Brady on leadership and becoming your greatest self, and how others can apply that to their life

- Matt's entrepreneurial journey with Rub Smoke Love, why he loves dry brining, and the products they currently offer

- Matt's personal life journey with his wife and kids and managing that being in the NFL

Matt's Socials:

Rub Smoke Love Website: https://rubsmokelove.com/

Matt's Twitter: https://twitter.com/chatham58

Grateful Living Info:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Bo0LHtRJJNJBUYIceg27w

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Hn4ttttmbWfVqAhWh4Jhi

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1503185956

My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aroy81547/?hl=en

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/gratefulliving4

Medium: https://gratefulliving4.medium.com/

Maryanne J. George is a dynamic worship leader/songwriter/musician who is passionate about encountering the Lord through worship.

Maryanne is a member of Maverick City Music - a collective of worshipers committed to deconstructing unspoken rules that exist in the CCM and Gospel world.

In 2021, Maryanne released her first EP entitled “Not Just Stories”. It captures the essence of Maryanne’s journey with the Lord, featuring a collection of deep-felt worship and uplifting praise songs.

In this interview, Maryanne talks about:

- Her introduction to God and her faith journey throughout her life

- Her experience as an Indian Christian and the pressure of representing her culture

- Her music journey - how she got into song-writing, joining Maverik City, and releasing her first EP “Not Just Stories” in 2021

Maryanne's Socials:

Website: https://maryannejgeorge.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryannejgeorge/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4nMPNmeygaudrlnaoEjpf3

Grateful Living Info:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Bo0LHtRJJNJBUYIceg27w

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Hn4ttttmbWfVqAhWh4Jhi

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1503185956

My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aroy81547/?hl=en

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/gratefulliving4

Medium: https://gratefulliving4.medium.com/

Time Stamps:

0:00 Intro

0:57 Can you talk about your childhood and what you were like as a kid?

3:45 Was it a dream for you to be an internationally known singer as you are today?

7:01 What was your introduction to God and how did you maintain that relationship as you grew older?

13:23 Has being an Indian Christian been hard given Indian Christians are a minority?

16:24 Do you ever feel the pressure of representing Indian Christians?

23:53 You were sexually assaulted at 12. Can you speak about this experience?

35:16 As you look back at 18-22, any wisdom you wish you had?

44:00 What gave you the confidence to publicly publish your first cover?

47:14 What has your husband Jon meant to you in your life journey?

51:03 How did song-writing become a part of your life and how did you end up joining Maverik City?

59:30 How did you build confidence to sing in front of big crowds?

1:01:26 How do you balance loving the Lord versus viewing it as work and being a professional?

1:05:11 How has fame been?

1:09:30 How do you guys manage group dynamics in Mav?

1:14:08 What was it like winning a Billboard Award and a Grammy?

1:17:20 What was it like making the “Not Just Stories” EP?

1:19:00 How do you set goals in a healthy manner?

1:21:11 How was having a child in 2021 and be a mother?

1:24:30 Anything else we should be looking forward to?

Atin is the Founder & General Partner at 27V (Twenty Seven Ventures), a global VC Fund that invests in EdTech and Future of Work Startups. An ex-entrepreneur, Atin has been investing in venture for 8+ years across firms.

Before that, he was a Principal at the hardware-focused VC firm Q Venture Partners. He continues to be involved with the amazing team at QVP, in the role of Venture Partner

In this interview, we talk about:

- Atin's advice to undergrads or MBAs on making the most of their school experience

- Atin's advice on several business topics - including entrepreneurship and the power of networking

- Atin's advice to entrepreneurs on pitching venture capitalists

- Atin's lessons from being an investor over the last 8 years

Atin's Socials:

Atin’s Personal Twitter: https://twitter.com/batraatin

27 V Website: https://www.27v.vc/

Grateful Living Info:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Bo0LHtRJJNJBUYIceg27w

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Hn4ttttmbWfVqAhWh4Jhi

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1503185956

My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aroy81547/?hl=en

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/gratefulliving4

Medium: https://gratefulliving4.medium.com/

Approximate Time Stamps:

0:00 Intro

0:47 Can you tell us about your childhood?

5:32 Mindset wise, is there any advice you would give to a current undergrad?

11:04 Any advice on current MBA’s student making the most of their MBA experience?

14:55 Lessons from being an Assistant Brand Manager at Economic Times?

21:37 How can bigger organizations be more nimble and be satisfactory to younger employees?

25:41 Any advice to entrepreneurs looking to start their own venture?

30:02 Transition from Delhi to Hong Kong?

32:53 You got married in December of 2014, any love advice?

34:56 Can you talk about how you got involved in QVP Partners?

41:09 Any advice for startups in general?

44:13 How do you start a venture capital firm?

46:24 How was raising a fund?

49:55 Any advice to entrepreneurs on pitching venture capitalists?

55:07 Any lessons from investing?

57:05 How do you keep up with your portfolio companies?

1:01:55 Is there a company from your portfolio you want to talk about?

1:05:25 What is 27V’s motivation with its portfolio companies?

1:07:23 How did you get into ultra marathon trail running?

1:10:16 How has fatherhood changed your life?

The other day was speaking to a college sophomore and he asked me, in one of my friend groups, I’m the only minority. Do you have any advice on just not letting this fact making me too self-conscious?

In this vlog, I give my 4 pieces of advice for people in this situation.

Grateful Living Info:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Bo0LHtRJJNJBUYIceg27w

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Hn4ttttmbWfVqAhWh4Jhi

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1503185956

My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aroy81547/?hl=en

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/gratefulliving4

Medium: https://gratefulliving4.medium.com/

Justin Simmons is the starting safety for the Denver Broncos. He is a 7th year player who was drafted 98th overall in the 3rd round of the 2016 NFL Draft after playing at Boston College. He was named a Pro Bowler in 2020 and All-Pro second-team in 2019 and 2021.

In his first 6 seasons, he’s had 453 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 21 interceptions, 49 passes defensed. He was chosen as Broncos nomination for Walter Payton Man of the Year Award for 3 consecutive years from 2019-2021 and was selected as the inaugural winner of the Demaryius Thomas Team MVP award.

In this interview, we talk about:

- Justin's football journey - going to Boston College, being drafted by the Denver Broncos and how he became an All-Pro Safety and the highest paid safety in 2021, his favorite Demaryius Thomas story

- Justin's spiritual journey - his relationship with God and how his relationship with Christ has centered him throughout various times in his life

- Justin's personal journey - growing up birracial, meeting his wife Taryn, becoming a father, staying grounded, the effects of fame, and why he’s so active in volunteering his time to the Denver community

Justin's Socials:

Justin's Website: https://thejustinsimmons.com/

Justin's Twitter: https://twitter.com/jsimms1119

Justin's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jsimms1119/

Justin Simmons Foundation: justinsimmonsfoundation.org

Grateful Living Info:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Bo0LHtRJJNJBUYIceg27w

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Hn4ttttmbWfVqAhWh4Jhi

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1503185956

My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aroy81547/?hl=en

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/gratefulliving4

Medium: https://gratefulliving4.medium.com/

Approximate Time Stamps:

0:00 Intro

1:13 Justin’s childhood and summary of life

4:16 What was it like growing up biracial? Any pieces of advice to younger people in a similar position?

7:10 What is your relationship with God and how has that developed over time?

12:59 What was your sports journey? Did you only play football in high school?

14:35 Any advice to high school football players trying to play D1 football?

20:11 Can you talk about your college football transformation from sophomore to junior year?

26:03 In college,you made a decision to not drink. There’s a lot of peer pressure in college. How were you able to stay true to your identity despite the parties and the overall college environment?

33:45 You were in a long-distance relationship for 4 years during college, any advice to others in a similar position?

36:12 Any stories from the NFL draft process?

47:23 NFL combine experience?

47:49 Advice on first year of camp

52:16 How did you continually get better as a NFL player from year 1 to year 3?

56:16 How did you develop the mentality of greatness to be like I can compete with the best offensive players in the NFL?

1:00:03 What’s motivating you today?

1:01:38 How did fatherhood change you?

1:05:25 What’s your relationship with social justice? Why did you speak out in 2020?

1:10:26 How has fame been?

1:15:01 I’ve known you since college and you haven’t changed a ton despite all the professional success. How do you stay so grounded?

1:20:00 Can you share a struggle or fear in your life?

1:25:57 How do you deal with the lack of time/availability?

1:29:23 Why do you give back and volunteer so much of your time to the community?

1:32:33 Can you talk about Demaryius Thomas or share a story of him?

1:36:22 What are the Broncos 2022 Season Goals?