Talent alone won’t get you to the top, but grit just might.

This week we’re going to take a trip back to one of the first episodes of Let Me Save You 25 Years. Shawn sits down with none other than 4x Super Bowl champion, Rob Gronkowski, to discuss the Shawnism: “Grit is Half the Game.”

Shawn and Rob talk about the role grit has played in Rob’s life—from grueling practices and major injuries to launching entrepreneurial ventures and giving back through his Gronk Nation Youth Foundation. The two share their own lessons that they’ve learned the hard way, the power of consistency, and how saying “no” can be one of the most powerful moves in the game of life.

Whether it’s sports, business, or just trying to win at life, this episode explains why showing up—even when it’s hard—is what separates good from great.

If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to win: it’s not just talent. It’s GRIT.

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The product may open the door, but it’s the details that make it remarkable.

This week Shawn chats with the legendary entrepreneur and founder of The Real Real, Julie Wainwright, about the Shawnism: “Dominate Through Details.” From resale to reinvention, Julie shares how her obsession with the fine points transformed a luxury consignment concept into a billion-dollar business.

Shawn and Julie talk about what it really takes to win in business today: embracing innovation, building sales teams that actually serve the customer, and using AI to meet modern buyers where they are. Julie also shares her honest take on where e-commerce has gone wrong—and why we’re still just scratching the surface of what’s possible.

If you want to scale a business, adapt to shifting behavior, and create something unforgettable, it starts with sweating the small stuff. Because as Julie proves, those little details are where all the magic lives.

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When life gets tough, it’s tempting to just hope it passes—but what if the challenge is the opportunity?

This week Shawn invites professional performance coach and author of Inner Excellence, Jim Murphy, onto the podcast to unpack the Shawnism: “Don’t Wish It Away.”

Shawn and Jim share how growth and transformation often live in the uncomfortable moments, and why resisting hardship can rob you of your greatest breakthroughs. They also explore why a meaningful life balances joy and suffering, the subtle power of gratitude, and how to embrace vulnerability to break free from ego.

Plus, Jim gives us his tricks to living a life of gratitude every single day, and how finding your purpose can help push you far beyond whatever challenges you may face in life.

If you’ve ever wished the hard stuff away, this episode will change your perspective on how to embrace and overcome it.

Grab a copy of Jim's new book, Inner Excellence, available now!

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Whether you’re hunting for talent, partnerships, investors, or new opportunities, success often comes to those who shake every possible branch until something valuable drops.

This week Shawn sits down with entrepreneur, author, and founder of The Sweaty Startup—Nick Huber—to explore the Shawnism: "Shake Every Tree." The two discuss the dangers of living in “defense mode,” the beauty of “boring” business ventures, and the uncommon power of doing common things uncommonly well.

Nick also shares how The Sweaty Startup is shaking up entrepreneurial mindsets everywhere—and why being proactive, adaptive, and just a little bit stubborn might be your most important assets.

Be sure to pre-order a copy of Nick’s brand-new book, The Sweaty Startup: How to Get Rich Doing Boring Things, available April 29th!

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Real pros don’t quit when things get tough—they keep showing up, pushing through, and grinding it out, even when no one’s watching.

Shawn Nelson welcomes Chris Long—former NFL star, Super Bowl champion, and host of the podcast Green Light with Chris Long—onto the show to break down the Shawnism: "Pros Keep Playing."

The two talk about why adversity is actually an opportunity, how success doesn’t change who you really are, and the importance of giving yourself the slack you’re often waiting for from others. Chris also shares insights on reframing failure, staying mentally strong, and why sometimes, the only thing separating you from a breakthrough is persistence.

This is a great chat about internal struggles, being tough and kind to yourself, and why having the right people in your corner can make all the difference. Because in life, as in football—pros keep playing.

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Whether you're building a company, leading a team, or chasing storms, the messes you avoid at the top save you from chaos down below.

Shawn invites Jeff Shardell—former Google exec, founder of Humble Brands, and literal storm chaser—onto the show to unpack the Shawnism: “Get It Right At The Top And Everything Works Out.”

From leadership lessons to lightning strikes, Shawn and Jeff explore how simplicity, intentionality, and building the right team from the start can shape the entire culture of a company. They discuss the importance of recognizing your own strengths (and your competitors’ weaknesses), why innovation often rolls up from within, and how the best leaders know when to step in—and when to get out of the way.

Jeff also shares his wild passion for storm chasing and how the risk, unpredictability, and strategy required in the field mirror the very same traits needed in business.

If you want to build a company that grows in a way that lasts—start at the top, and everything else will follow.

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Hiring the right people is just the beginning; how you onboard them determines their success and, ultimately, the success of your company.

Shawn sits down with Adam Posner—host of The POZCast and founder of NHP Talent Group—to share their thoughts on the Shawnism "Through The Door Matters." The two break down why a thoughtful, intentional onboarding process is critical, and why investing time into new employees is an investment in the company itself.

They also discuss the hidden costs of poor onboarding, the art of setting and managing expectations, and why candidates need to take just as much responsibility in asking the right questions before accepting a role. Plus, Adam gives some great advice to anyone out there struggling to find a job: “Plan your work, and work your plan.”

From overcoming hiring biases to surrounding yourself with people who complement your weaknesses, this conversation is packed with insights to help you build a stronger, smarter team.

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It’s one thing to say you’ll be there—it’s another to actually show up when it counts.

Shawn (CEO of Lovesac) very comfortably sits down with Sean Mike Kelly, host of The Digital Social Hour Podcast, to break down the Shawnism “See Who Shows Up.”

The two talk about the power of a strong support system, the red flags in business relationships, and why working with friends can be a dangerous game. Sean reflects on how friends and family shape our journey, but their vision for us isn’t always our own. They also discuss why ego is the silent killer of relationships, the importance of recognizing naivete without losing optimism, and how friends and family can shape our journey, but their vision for us isn’t always our own.

And as Shawn and Sean both agree – If you have just five people who will truly show up for you, you’re already winning the game of life.

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In a world where too many leaders fall short of their own words, true leadership starts with leading by example.

Shawn welcomes Daniel Lubetzky, founder of KIND LLC, onto the show to discuss the Shawnism "We Do As We Say." The two talk about the power of embracing imperfections, the stark difference between being kind and being nice, and why compassion in tough decisions can change everything.

Shawn and Danielle also share their opinions on the tension between profitability and sustainability, the dangers of an addiction to success, and whether you’re the richest people in the world, or the person who has nothing, your word is the most valuable currency.

This is a great chat between two people who have authentically embodied their own beliefs when it comes to life and business. 

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How often do we say “no” to something before even thinking about what it could entail? 

Shawn, welcomes the former CEO of Barstool Sports and the current CEO of Food52, Erika Ayers Badan, onto the show to discuss the Shawnism, “Say Yes First.”

In a world where our usual impulse is to say “No,” Erika proves that saying “Yes” is crucial component to the formative times when growth matters most, how overthinking and micromanagement stifle long-term value, and why “I don’t know” can be the precursor to breakthrough decisions. With personal insights on relinquishing control and handling unpredictable challenges, Shawn and Erika reveal how committing to a clear mission starts with the courage to say yes.  

This chat proves what many successful people can attest to - that saying yes can turn hesitation into action and inevitably redefine leadership for lasting success.

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