What happens when you’ve already experienced success… but realize you need to start all over again?

In this episode of The Big Dawgs with Manning Sumner, Alex opens up about his journey from Miami nightlife, partying, drinking and drugs younger to going broke in his 40s, swallowing his pride, and making one of the biggest bets of his life.

At 45 years old, with only a few months of money left to cover his expenses, Alex did something most people would be too afraid or too proud to do: he became an intern.

He walked into NEON16 willing to work for free alongside people half his age, choosing opportunity over ego. That decision ultimately opened the door to working alongside some of the biggest names in entertainment and eventually led him toward what he believes is his true purpose: using culture, relationships and influence to create meaningful impact.

Alex and Manning also look back on nearly two decades of friendship, the early days of Miami nightlife, the beginnings of LEGACY, Manning’s relentless refusal to quit, and what it really takes to reinvent yourself when life doesn’t go according to plan.

They talk about:

* Starting over later in life

* Swallowing your ego and betting on yourself

* Addiction, partying and becoming a better version of yourself

* Building relationships without an agenda

* Working with some of the biggest artists in the world

* Leaving a dream job to pursue a deeper purpose

* Love Has No Limits and Good Neighbor Day America

* Using entertainment and culture to create real-world impact

* Why kindness has the power to transform people

* Gratitude, mindset and intentionally creating the life you want

* Why Alex believes that at 49, he’s only getting started

Sometimes starting over isn’t going backwards.

Sometimes it’s the move that finally puts you on the path you were supposed to be on.

Subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, athletes, creators and leaders who are committed to becoming the best versions of themselves.Follow Alex@theyoung_aghttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-big-dawgs-with-manning-sumner/id1667127648https://open.spotify.com/show/4yJuvkdFdVChIdW0wdCm18?si=90ae60d43d2746e3___________________Follow Manning SumnerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/manningsumner/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manningsumnerTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manningsumnerTwitter: https://www.x.com/manningsumnerNO DAYS OFF: https://www.instagram.com/nodaysoff/_______________Follow NO DAYS OFF Premium WaterWebsite: https://www.drinkndo.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drinknodaysoff/_______________LEGACY GYMWebsite: https://legacyfit.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/legacynodaysoff/?hl=enNO DAYS OFF® is never taking a day off on you. It is a commitment to becoming your best self.NO DAYS OFF®

What does it take to turn a simple smash burger concept into one of the fastest-growing restaurant brands in Miami and New York?In this episode of The Big Dawgs Podcast, Manning Sumner sits down with Gonzalo Rubino, co-founder of Skinny Louie, to discuss his journey from launching a sushi delivery business in Argentina to building multiple successful restaurant concepts in the United States.Gonzalo shares how he and his business partner, Matias, started as competitors before realizing they could accomplish more by working together. Today, they operate multiple restaurant brands, have built approximately 10 Skinny Louie locations and plan to finish the year with 16.They discuss the realities of scaling a restaurant company, finding and developing the right people, promoting employees from within and recognizing that not every great employee is meant to become a manager.Gonzalo also explains why Skinny Louie has remained committed to a simple menu, consistent ingredients and operating every location themselves, even when taking shortcuts could make expansion easier.Gonzalo’s message is simple: there will never be a perfect time to begin. Start where you are, use what you have and learn as you move forward.You are going to make mistakes. You may lose money and make the wrong decisions but consistency, improvement and the refusal to quit can eventually turn an idea into something much bigger.Subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, athletes and leaders committed to becoming the best version of themselves.Follow Gonzalo:Instagram: @gonrubinoFollow Skinny Louie:Instagram: @skinnylouieburgersFollow The Big Dawgs Podcast for new episodes, clips and behind-the-scenes content.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-big-dawgs-with-manning-sumner/id1667127648https://open.spotify.com/show/4yJuvkdFdVChIdW0wdCm18?si=90ae60d43d2746e3___________________Follow Manning SumnerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/manningsumner/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manningsumnerTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manningsumnerTwitter: https://www.x.com/manningsumnerNO DAYS OFF: https://www.instagram.com/nodaysoff/_______________Follow NO DAYS OFF Premium WaterWebsite: https://www.drinkndo.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drinknodaysoff/_______________LEGACY GYMWebsite: https://legacyfit.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/legacynodaysoff/?hl=enNO DAYS OFF® is never taking a day off on you. It is a commitment to becoming your best self.#TheBigDawgsPodcast #SkinnyLouie #SmashBurgers #GonzaloRubino #ManningSumner #Entrepreneurship #RestaurantBusiness #MiamiBusiness #BusinessGrowth #NoDaysOff

Chef Weii’s story is one of rebellion, discipline, reinvention and an uncompromising pursuit of excellence.

After falling in with the wrong crowd growing up in Queens, New York, he was arrested at 13 and spent 18 months in juvenile detention. The experience introduced him to structure and consistency, but, more importantly, convinced him that he would never return to that life.

The gym became his anchor. Cycling gave him direction. An unexpected injury ended his opportunity to pursue professional racing, ultimately pushing him toward the culinary world.

After dropping out of college, Chef Weii walked into one of New York City’s most demanding Japanese restaurants with limited experience and the confidence to tell the chef:

“You have zero to lose, but you have a lot to gain.”

That opportunity would shape his discipline, attention to detail and relentless standards.

Today, Chef Weii is redefining what a modern chef can become. By combining world-class omakase, luxury hospitality, storytelling and highly intentional social media content, he has built a brand followed by hundreds of thousands of people around the world.

In this episode, Chef Weii and Manning Sumner discuss:

• Spending 18 months in juvenile detention
• How adversity created his discipline
• Why the gym became his place of solitude
• Walking away from a potential professional cycling career
• Dropping out of college to pursue cooking
• Earning an opportunity at an elite New York restaurant
• The brutal mentorship that transformed his standards
• Why he refuses to celebrate before the work is complete
• Building and managing a high-performance team
• Making omakase feel modern, luxurious and culturally relevant
• Growing from approximately 900 followers to more than 500,000
• Why storytelling changed the trajectory of his brand
• Creating an experience people travel across the world to attend
• His vision for expanding beyond the title of “chef”

Chef Weii isn’t interested in copying what already exists. His goal is to create something unmistakably his own, and he believes he is only 10% of the way there.

Watch the full episode and discover how rock bottom, discipline and an obsession with improvement created one of the most exciting culinary brands in the world.

Subscribe to The Big Dawgs Podcast for more conversations with entrepreneurs, athletes, creators and leaders committed to becoming their best selves.

Hosted by Manning Sumner
Presented by The Big Dawgs Podcast

NO DAYS OFF® is never taking a day off on you. It’s a commitment to becoming your best self.

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Follow THE BIG DAWGS podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-big-dawgs-with-manning-sumner/id1667127648https://open.spotify.com/show/4yJuvkdFdVChIdW0wdCm18?si=90ae60d43d2746e3___________________Follow Manning SumnerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/manningsumner/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manningsumnerTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manningsumnerTwitter: https://www.x.com/manningsumnerNO DAYS OFF: https://www.instagram.com/nodaysoff/_______________Follow NO DAYS OFF Premium WaterWebsite: https://www.drinkndo.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drinknodaysoff/_______________LEGACY GYMWebsite: https://legacyfit.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/legacynodaysoff/?hl=en#BigDawgsPodcast #ManningSumner #Omakase #Miami #NoDaysOff #Chefweii #Entrepreneurship

Kevin, the creator behind Snack Eating Snacks and founder of Mood Up, joins Manning Sumner on The Big Dawgs Podcast to talk about leaving ESPN, building a loyal online community, launching a better-for-you chocolate milk brand, and why true influence is about more than views.

In this episode, Kevin shares how one food review video changed his path, how he built Mood Up from his own love for chocolate milk, and why community, consistency, and authenticity matter more than chasing viral moments.

Manning and Kevin also dive into the realities of CPG, bootstrapping a brand, product development, influencer marketing, partnerships, and the importance of staying patient while the seeds of a brand continue to grow.

This is a conversation about entrepreneurship, content, nostalgia, community, and what it really means to take no days off on yourself.

Follow Kevin:
@snackeatingsnacks
@moodupmilk

Hosted by Manning Sumner
Presented by The Big Dawgs Podcast

Follow THE BIG DAWGS podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-big-dawgs-with-manning-sumner/id1667127648https://open.spotify.com/show/4yJuvkdFdVChIdW0wdCm18?si=90ae60d43d2746e3___________________Follow Manning SumnerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/manningsumner/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manningsumnerTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manningsumnerTwitter: https://www.x.com/manningsumnerNO DAYS OFF: https://www.instagram.com/nodaysoff/_______________Follow NO DAYS OFF Premium WaterWebsite: https://www.drinkndo.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drinknodaysoff/_______________LEGACY GYMWebsite: https://legacyfit.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/legacynodaysoff/?hl=en

NO DAYS OFF® is never taking a day off on you.

#BigDawgsPodcast #ManningSumner #Moo'dUp #Miami #NoDaysOff #ChocolateMilk #Entrepreneurship #kevinEscalera

A family dream turned into one of Miami’s most talked-about new brands.In this episode of THE BIG DAWGS, Manning sits down with the team behind Honey Veil to talk about tennis, family, matcha, sourdough, business, losing a scholarship, building without ads, and turning a personal dream into a real brand.What started as farmers markets, homemade recipes, and a matcha truck became something much bigger: a story about creativity, resilience, culture, and refusing to follow the copy-and-paste business model.This is more than a café story. It’s a reminder that sometimes the thing you thought you lost is what pushes you into the thing you were meant to build.🎙️ The Big Dawgs Podcast with Manning Sumner Follow Honey Veil: @honeyveilco📍 Miami, FL____________________Follow THE BIG DAWGS podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-big-dawgs-with-manning-sumner/id1667127648https://open.spotify.com/show/4yJuvkdFdVChIdW0wdCm18?si=90ae60d43d2746e3___________________Follow Manning SumnerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/manningsumner/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manningsumnerTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manningsumnerTwitter: https://www.x.com/manningsumnerNO DAYS OFF: https://www.instagram.com/nodaysoff/_______________Follow NO DAYS OFF Premium WaterWebsite: https://www.drinkndo.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drinknodaysoff/_______________LEGACY GYMWebsite: https://legacyfit.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/legacynodaysoff/?hl=en#BigDawgsPodcast #ManningSumner #HoneyVeil #Miami #NoDaysOff #Cafe #Entrepreneurship

Everyone sees the success.Nobody sees the years of pressure, doubt, debt, setbacks, betrayal, and sacrifice behind it.This episode goes deep into the REAL side of entrepreneurship:- Business partners turning against each other- Building companies from nothing- Why your first million dollars probably ISN’T profit- The compound effect of consistency- Leadership, discipline, purpose, and never giving upThis is one of the most honest conversations we’ve had yet.If you’re building something…if you’ve ever questioned yourself…or if you’re trying to become your best selfthis episode is for you.🎙️ The Big Dawgs Podcast with Manning SumnerFollow Chandler [email protected]📍 Miami, FL____________________Follow THE BIG DAWGS podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-big-dawgs-with-manning-sumner/id1667127648https://open.spotify.com/show/4yJuvkdFdVChIdW0wdCm18?si=90ae60d43d2746e3___________________Follow Manning SumnerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/manningsumner/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manningsumnerTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manningsumnerTwitter: https://www.x.com/manningsumnerNO DAYS OFF: https://www.instagram.com/nodaysoff/_______________Follow NO DAYS OFF Premium WaterWebsite: https://www.drinkndo.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drinknodaysoff/_______________LEGACY GYMWebsite: https://legacyfit.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/legacynodaysoff/?hl=en

He Built Four Loko, Got Fired From His Own Company, Then Built Koia | Chris Hunter

This episode isn’t just a story about Four Loko…

Chris Hunter built one of the most recognizable beverage brands in the world, lived through controversy, got fired from the company he helped create, and still came back to build again.

In this episode, Chris sits down with Manning Sumner to talk about the real side of entrepreneurship, the wins, the pressure, the mistakes, the partnerships, the dark moments, and the mindset it takes to keep going when everything feels like it’s falling apart.

From Four Loko to Koia, this conversation is about building brands, taking risks, staying resilient, and understanding that success is never as smooth as it looks from the outside.

Real story. Real lessons. Real perspective.

Follow Chris Hunter:

@__christopherhunter__

@drinkkoia

@fourloko

@drinkdrippy

Follow THE BIG DAWGS PODCAST: https://www.instagram.com/thebigdawgswithmanningsumner/

Follow Manning Sumner: https://www.instagram.com/manningsumner/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manningsumnerTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manningsumnerX: https://www.x.com/manningsumner

NO DAYS OFF: https://www.instagram.com/nodaysoff/

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_______________

LEGACY GYM

Website: https://legacyfit.com

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

What do you get when you mix a former investment banker, fifteen years of Miami nightlife, a beverage consulting empire, a Virgin Voyages contract, and a marriage proposal happening the very next day?You get one of the best episodes we've ever recorded.Ben Potts //Co-founder of Beaker & Gray, owner of The Sylvester, and founder of Unfiltered, Miami's premier beverage program development firm, sat down with Manning Sumner for a conversation that goes way deeper than cocktails.Ben's been building in Miami hospitality for over fifteen years. He quit a high paying investment banking job with zero plan, started as a barback at Purdy Lounge, and grinded his way to owning some of Miami's most iconic spots. When COVID shut everything down, instead of waiting, he built a whole new company from scratch. Now Unfiltered has a goal to touch ten thousand bars by 2034.We talk about all of it.🔑 What you'll hear in this episode:Why he walked away from investment banking with nothing lined up and never looked back, what it actually takes to build a beverage program that works and why most bars get it wrong, the brutal truth about the talent problem in Miami hospitality and what's causing it, how he's using AI and vibe coding every single morning to build the future of his business, why commitment is the most underrated skill in life and in business, and the story behind the proposal that happened the very next day.This one is for the builders. The ones who bet on themselves before anyone else did.Come hang.🎙️ The Big Dawgs Podcast with Manning Sumner🍹 Follow Ben Potts: @benpottsbenpotts📍 Miami, FL____________________Follow THE BIG DAWGS podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...https://open.spotify.com/show/4yJuvkd...___________________Follow Manning SumnerInstagram:   / manningsumner  LinkedIn:   / manningsumner  TikTok:   / manningsumner  Twitter: https://www.x.com/manningsumnerNO DAYS OFF:   / nodaysoff  _______________Follow NO DAYS OFF Premium WaterWebsite: https://www.drinkndo.com/Instagram:   / drinknodaysoff  _______________LEGACY GYMWebsite: https://legacyfit.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/legacynoday...#BigDawgsPodcast #ManningSumner #BenPotts #Miami #NoDaysOff #Hospitality #Entrepreneurship #TheSylvester #Unfiltered

No Days Off, No Shortcuts | How Chef Ivan Barros Bet on Himself and Won Everything | EP 89

What happens when you bet everything on yourself and refuse to quit?

Chef Ivan Barros has one of the most inspiring stories you'll hear this year. Born in New York, raised in Miami, he went from having hoop dreams and no culinary experience… to becoming an executive chef, a TV champion, and a restaurant owner building his empire right here in Miami.

In this episode of The Big Dawgs Podcast, Manning Sumner sits down with Chef Ivan for a raw, real, and deeply motivating conversation about what it actually takes to go all in on yourself with no safety net, no connections, and no shortcuts.

What you'll hear in this episode:

• How a random culinary school pamphlet changed the entire course of his life
• Working 20 hours a week for free in a 5-star kitchen just to level up
• Moving to LA with $2,000, no car, and nobody to call
• How showing up even when it's hard opens doors you never expected
• Winning the cooking competition show Ciao House on Max, filmed in Italy
• Building Magie and the upcoming Bar Fideo alongside his wife Caroline

This episode is for every person grinding in silence, doubting themselves, and wondering if it's all worth it. It is. Keep going.

🎙️ The Big Dawgs Podcast with Manning Sumner🍽️ Follow Chef Ivan Barros: @chefivanb📍 Visit Magie at Little River & Coconut Grove, Miami

Instagram: @ManningsumnerLinkedIn:  Manning sumnerTikTok: ManningsumnerTwitter: https://www.x.com/manningsumner

Episode Sponsored by NO DAYS OFF Premium WaterWebsite: https://www.drinkndo.com/Instagram:   / drinknodaysoff  

#BigDawgsPodcast #ChefIvanBarros #NoDaysOff #ManningSumner #Inspiration #ChefLife #Entrepreneurship #Miami

Gaston Becherano knew that he was built to do his own thing from a young age. Having owned and operated his own NYC brick and mortar restaurant by the age of 24, it’s no surprise that Gaston has continued to scale his influence across the hospitality industry.

Now the head of Smorgasburg, a marketplace company building unrivaled dining showcases across 4 states, Gaston is helping facilitate positive experiences for over 3 million people per year.

In this episode, you’ll hear about his journey, as well as his side project that may just be the coolest company we’ve ever heard of.

Connect with Gaston Becherano:

Gaston:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gastonbecherano/

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

Smorgasburg:

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

Website: https://www.smorgasburg.com/

Motorcycle Matcha:

Website: https://motorcyclematcha.com/

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

Connect with Manning Sumner & No Days Off:

Manning:

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manningsumner

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manningsumner

Twitter: https://www.x.com/manningsumner

NDO:

Website: https://www.drinkndo.com/

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