The BRINK OF MIDNIGHT PODCAST with John Brenkus

Record winter Olympic medalist and legendary speed skater, Apolo Ohno, joins The Brink of Midnight Podcast.  Apolo Ohno, retired short track speed skater, has won a record eight Winter Olympics medals for the USA. He started breaking records at age 14, when he became the youngest US National Champion in short track speed skating. The winning streak continued, but not without a devastating bump in the road and a rude awakening that nearly derailed him. You won't believe the one distinctive "brink of midnight" moment that shaped the rest of his life. In Apolo's words: "When you win, you win. When you lose, you learn." For full show notes, visit:  | Contact:  | Connect: @brinkofmidnight (twitter, instagram, Facebook)

Sell-out stand up comedian, podcaster, and actor, Bryan Callen, joins The Brink of Midnight Podcast. You know Bryan from sell-out stand up shows, hilarious roles in movies like "The Hangover" and TV shows like "MAD TV", "How I Met Your Mother", and "The Goldbergs", and from his successful podcasts (The Fighter and the Kid, Mixed Mental Arts, The Bryan Callen Show). Our long time friend and favorite funny guy, Bryan Callen, is a unique combination of comedian, actor, podcaster, philosopher, and history fanatic. Born overseas and living in six countries outside the U.S. before age 14 gave Bryan a world lens few experience. A master observer of the world and himself, asking difficult questions is the foundation of everything Bryan does from stand-up and acting to podcasting and being a family man. His pattern of repeatedly questioning everything and choosing to get uncomfortable has developed his sense of responsibility to his opportunities and his process for growth as an artist and human being. Bryan believes self-growth begins by being brutally honest with yourself. By honestly asking of yourself, "What would I want if I knew I couldn't fail? What would I really ask for if I knew I would 100% get it?" This conversation is chock-full of gems and takeaways on how to question, pivot, commit to your personal vision, practice less attachment, be more generous, and start with honesty and curiosity. Listening to Bryan make a point is like taking a journey through philosophy, poetry, history, real talk, self-deprecation, and gut-wrenching laughter. Bryan's vast knowledge and willingness to learn will make you want to simultaneously pick up ancient texts, learn a language, LAUGH, scare yourself, and share your original talents with the world for the greater good. For full show notes, visit:  | Contact:  | Connect: @brinkofmidnight (twitter, instagram, Facebook)

Legendary and record-holding swimmer, Diana Nyad, joins The Brink of Midnight Podcast. Diana Nyad is the only human being to successfully swim the 111 treacherous miles from Cuba to Florida (without a shark cage). That fact alone stops us all in our tracks. The ONLY human being. But that is just one piece of Diana's story. The arc of ultra-endurance swimmer Diana Nyad's life so far is anything but traditional or predictable. What she has endured and also chosen to endure is remarkable in every sense of the word.  Simultaneously coming to terms with an abusive childhood and understanding the fleeting nature of our individual human experiences led her down a path of chasing unthinkable dreams and living with fierce passion and personal belief. Accomplishing numerous swimming feats by the time she was in her 30s, she hung up her cap and goggles for 30 years before embarking on a goal that still captivated her decades later. Learn how the combination of Christopher Reeves' influence, a chance conversation with a Holocaust survivor, the death of her mother, turning 60, and reading Mary Oliver's poem, The Summer Day, led Diana to step into the water on Cuban shores convinced she would make the swim to the shores of the Florida Keys.  You will be shocked and moved by this conversation, and Diana's plea to live to your fullest potential will both give you the chills and light you on fire. You may re-evaluate the excuses you've been telling yourself, perhaps for years. Like Diana, you, too, may deeply consider Oliver's poignant, poetic question: "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"  For full show notes, visit:  | Contact:  | Connect: @brinkofmidnight (twitter, instagram, Facebook)

Emmy-Award winning actor, Tony Hale, joins The Brink of Midnight Podcast.  You've seen him on "Arrested Development" (FOX, Netflix) and "Veep" (HBO), the latter for which he won two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. In this episode, we learn how impactful a 7th grade theater class was in Tony's life and how his creative journey evolved from his very first NYC Shakespeare performance in a parking lot! In an industry obsessed with "what's next", Tony also shares how fatherhood woke him up to being more fully present and how he carries that perspective with him in all that he does. As Tony says,"Wake yourself up 100 times a day to where you are." For full show notes, visit:  | Contact:  | Connect: @brinkofmidnight (twitter, instagram, Facebook)

The prolific and insightful Dr. Drew Pinsky joins The Brink of Midnight Podcast. Dr. Drew is most well known for his daily podcasts and radio shows that span medicine to inspiration, his work with Adam Carolla on podcasts and LoveLine (MTV), and his role in helping spread the message of prevention with the initial AIDS crisis. Did you know that Dr. Drew almost didn't become a doctor? In this episode, learn how Dr. Drew Pinsky created a life by following what intrigued him. From nearly falling to his death to leaving medicine altogether, you will be surprised and inspired by how Dr. Drew has learned to lead with his heart and help so many along the way. The simple sense of urgency in talking to young people about prevention, whether in the context of AIDS, drugs, or addiction, led him down a unique path in medicine, radio, and TV, in the quest of reaching and educating people about living with intention and conscious decision-making for a better life. For full show notes, visit:  | Contact:  | Connect: @brinkofmidnight (twitter, instagram, Facebook)

Master brand builder and "Shark" Daymond John joins The Brink of Midnight Podcast. Known for Shark Tank and starting out by developing his first ground-breaking company, FUBU, Daymond John is the ultimate DIY businessman. From the powerful moment of selling $800 worth of hats on a street corner in an hour to scaling to $1million per day, Daymond learned everything by innovating and persevering. Daymond takes us through his most life-changing "brink of midnight" moments starting with unrelenting tough love from his mother, the pressure of growing up around serious drug culture in Hollis Queens, and how joining the Run-DMC tour and Russell Simmons' developing music scene would forever change his life.  Ready to be challenged and inspired to hustle for your dreams? Concerned that you might not be enough for whatever wild pursuit is calling you? This conversation with Daymond John will light you up! For full show notes, visit:  | Contact:  | Connect: @brinkofmidnight (twitter, instagram, Facebook)

Randy Couture, MMA legend, Hollywood star, and retired U.S. Army Sergeant joins The Brink of Midnight Podcast. Randy has led a remarkable life and his most pivotal, "brink of midnight" moments were grounded in the faith that he was moving in the right direction and that things would eventually work out how they're supposed to. Hear how Randy's circuitous pursuit of his dreams in wrestling led him to the military, UFC, Hollywood, and beyond. Learn how, from the age of 12, visualization has been essential to his success as an athlete and human being and how the simple act of trying something new led to phenomenal opportunities he never considered. Randy shares several life lessons, among others, how getting back to fun was the key to getting over his fear of failure. His perspective and true patriotism will move you and fill you with inspiration. For full show notes, visit:  | Contact:  | Connect: @brinkofmidnight (twitter, instagram, Facebook)

Mr. Beastmode, NFL star for the Seattle Seahawks and Oakland Raiders, Marshawn Lynch, joins The Brink of Midnight Podcast.  Marshawn Lynch is a true character and unequivocally true to himself. Known for his incredible "beast mode" run, he has made "Beast Mode" a way of life outside of football and in giving back to his hometown community of Oakland, California. Few successful athletes who come from an underprivileged neighborhood make a point to come back and actually live in the same neighborhood like Marshawn has. Marshawn is a staple in his Oakland community, biking through the streets, "walking through the same pissy hallways", often showing up unannounced in classrooms to check on kids, expanding the life vision of Oakland youth through his foundation, and sharing his "Beast Mode" approach to life through his statement apparel and production company projects. For full show notes, visit:  | Contact:  | Connect: @brinkofmidnight (twitter, instagram, Facebook)

Super Bowl MVP and NFL analyst, Ray Lewis, joins The Brink of Midnight Podcast. This is the story of Ray Lewis before you knew who Ray Lewis was... a unique look at Ray unlike any interview with or article on him you've ever seen. Ray Lewis' story is one of remarkable self-actualization. From growing up in a violent household and having to skip meals to a complete stranger investing $15 in him to play for his local Lakeland Lumberjacks football team, Ray is the ultimate example of doing the best he can, with what he has, when he has it. He shares how, at a young age, he found a way to develop his physical and mental strength from nothing, and how developing that strength was motivated by honoring his mother. Ray also shares the importance of finding, articulating, and nurturing one's own foundation and considers it the most important work we can all do. This conversation both humbles and inspires and you can't help Ray's energy from entering your soul like a ray of light. He continues to pay it forward every day in his day-to-day interactions to working with fellow elite athletes like Michael Phelps. For complete show notes, visit  | Contact:  | Connect: @brinkofmidnight (twitter, instagram, Facebook)

Learn what we're up to with The BRINK OF MIDNIGHT PODCAST with John Brenkus! We talk to luminaries in the worlds of sport, entertainment, business, tech, philanthropy, and beyond about the moments in their lives when everything changed.