Are you afraid of what lies ahead—of the challenges that might test your confidence and resilience? Mike Montague, Founder of Avenue9, shares a client horror story that toughened his skin and proved that if he could survive this, he could survive anything.

Back in 2005, Mike worked at a retro radio station in Kansas City. The station was sponsoring a Billy Idol concert, and before the show, Billy and his manager approached him with an exciting offer: to DJ the event. Thrilled by the opportunity, Mike prepared a fun, upbeat setlist perfectly tailored to the crowd—mostly soccer moms and casual music fans.

But just 15 minutes into his set, Billy's manager stormed on stage and shouted, "I thought we said rock music—like the Rolling Stones?" Mike froze, realizing he had misunderstood what kind of "rock" they meant. Still, he tried to recover, queuing up a few edgier tracks.

Before he could regain control of the moment, the manager cut the lights, stopped the music, and fired him—onstage, in front of everyone.

It was humiliating—but it became one of the defining moments of Mike's career. Tune in to hear how he bounced back, what he learned about resilience, and how that unforgettable night shaped his fearless approach to challenges today.

Morgan Friedman

Mike's Website

Mike's LinkedIn