The Charismatic Leader

Elite performance isn’t just about grit—it starts when your eyes are closed. In this episode, human performance expert Dr. Greg Wells joins Brett to reveal how mastering sleep can unlock next-level energy and focus. From breaking his neck as a competitive swimmer to becoming a leading physiologist, Dr. Wells shares science-backed habits to help you outsmart the afternoon slump and wake up sharper every day.

If you’re new here, get ready to learn why a 15-minute walk can be more effective than a nap and how getting just 10-20% more deep sleep can give you a significant edge in your daily life.

Key Takeaways

• Sleep drives success: Tonight’s rest determines tomorrow’s results.
• Guard the last hour: Ditch screens and stimulation so melatonin can do its job.
• Beat the crash: A brisk 15-minute midday walk can revive energy better than a nap.
• Aim for 7–8 hours: This sweet spot supports longevity and overall health.
• Keep the rhythm: Consistent bedtimes train your body to fall asleep—and stay asleep.
• Check persistent oversleeping: Regularly needing 9+ hours may signal an underlying issue.
• Morning trifecta: Breathe, hydrate with a liter of water, and get sunlight before grabbing your phone.

In this episode of the Persistence Playbook, host Brett McDermott sits down with bestselling author, speaker, and coach, Chris Welton. Chris is a resilience expert with a fascinating journey, from a childhood upheaval and limb difference to becoming an impactful leader.

Chris breaks down what it truly means to turn adversity into action and how to have an "Undefeated Morning" by stacking wins before the day even begins. He reveals how to use your personal story as your greatest superpower and why vulnerability is key to captivating an audience of any size. This conversation navigates the importance of powerful communication, the art of the pause, and the discipline of living a life by design.

If your life feels more like chaos than a consistent winning streak, this episode offers a grounded roadmap for taking control of your outcomes by making and keeping promises to yourself.

Takeaways

• Telling a true story is a superpower from the heart can captivate an audience and why vulnerability is so powerful in that space.
• Intentional pauses can keep your audience on the edge of their seats and make your message more impactful.
• Your past challenges is a source of strength and proof that you can overcome anything.
• Your standards must be greater than your feelings, it teaches to live a life by design.
• Earn Your Dopamine: Get strategies for not picking up your phone first thing in the morning and instead, earning the right to your rewards by completing tasks for yourself first.

What if the only thing holding you back isn’t lack of ideas, but lack of focus? In this episode, Brett McDermott unpacks how entrepreneurs can cut through daily resistance and lock in on the work that really moves the needle.

If you're new here, get ready to learn why a long list of tasks can be a bad idea, and how to work in "structured sprints" instead of "endless marathons". From defeating distractions to structuring your time like a pro, this conversation is all about building the focus muscle that separates busy work from meaningful progress.

Key Takeaways:

• Set clear intentions and stick to a short list of priorities.

• Work in 50–90 minute sprints instead of grinding endlessly.

• Cut digital distractions—every interruption costs more than you think.

• Fuel your brain: hydrate and eat protein-rich meals.

• Single-task and practice mindfulness to sharpen attention.

• Protect your sleep—it’s the ultimate foundation for focus.

Today we sit down with Brian Galke; founder of SubtleSkills, keynote speaker, trainer, and self-proclaimed “awesome podcast guest.” With a career built on teaching others how to unlock the power of human connection, Brian has developed an eye for the nuances that often go unnoticed in our daily interactions.

In this conversation, Brian pulls back the curtain on the hidden language of the face. From the way our eyebrows frame connection, to the subtle cues that reveal how someone learns and engages. What begins as a discussion on facial features unfolds into a deeper exploration of presence, trust, and the kind of interpersonal skills that can’t be automated.

Listeners will find themselves rethinking the role of eye contact, noticing what technology is quietly eroding, and questioning whether technical expertise alone can sustain success in a world where soft skills are becoming the true currency.

Takeaways

• Decoding facial features can significantly enhance interpersonal connections.

• The rise of technology has led to a decline in face-to-face interactions.
• Understanding learning styles based on facial features can improve communication.

• Soft skills are essential for standing out in an AI-driven job market.

Today, we sit down with Juan Bendana: A motivational keynote speaker and best-selling author who’s built a career on showing people what’s possible when persistence meets intention. Known for his ability to turn fear into fuel, Juan has inspired audiences across the globe to step past hesitation and into the kind of action that changes everything.

In our conversation, Juan shares the real story behind his journey; the moments that nearly stopped him, the feedback that reshaped him, and the practices that helped him master his craft. He reflects on how self-talk can quietly dictate success, why time management is less about clocks and more about choices, and the unseen role personal branding plays in creating lasting opportunities. His perspective on acting from goals instead of feelings, and on clearing obstacles instead of stacking strategies, offers a way of thinking that lingers long after the conversation ends.

Some of what Juan shares might feel familiar, until it doesn’t. Because the difference isn’t always in knowing what to do, but in finally seeing it in a way that makes you act.

Takeaways

-Persistence is often not measured in short bursts but in long-term commitment.

-Removing obstacles can be more impactful than adding new strategies.

-The smallest decisions can lead to significant life changes.

-Acting based on goals rather than feelings can transform your life.

-Creating a personal brand is vital for success in any field.

-Confidence is built through action and evidence of success.

If you’ve been rocking with Persistence Playbook for a while, you already know Brett doesn’t just love a solid list. He builds with it. But for the newcomers, welcome. 

Around here, lists aren’t about ticking boxes they’re tools for transformation and this week, Brett’s taking the mic solo giving you 10 practical ways, to gain clarity on your purpose—not in theory, but in practice.

From creating mental space to revisiting your earliest passions, this episode is a field guide for designing a more meaningful, self-defined life. Expect insights like:

– Reflecting on childhood passions to reconnect with current interests

– Visualizing your own funeral to uncover what truly matters

– Auditing your energy to notice what drains vs. what drives

– Having conversations with people you admire for lived insight

You’re probably thinking some of these sound familiar. That’s because they are. When you’re committed to doing what matters most, sometimes the most powerful answers are the ones you’ve heard before. Only now, you’re ready to use them.

Clarity isn’t always about chasing something new. Sometimes, it’s about recognizing what’s been waiting for you all along. So if your to-do list has started to feel like a performance instead of a path, this one’s for you.

Today we sit down with Alan Stein Jr., keynote speaker, performance coach, and author known for bridging the worlds of elite athletics and high-level entrepreneurship. With decades of experience working with top athletes, Alan shares how the habits that build champions on the court can also build clarity, consistency, and confidence in business.

In this episode, Alan breaks down why discipline, not motivation is the real driver of success, and how mastering the fundamentals is more impactful than chasing the next hack. He explores the dangers of the comparison trap, offers practical productivity tactics, and explains how self-awareness can become your competitive edge. Through honest reflection and actionable insight, Alan shows how personal growth begins with how we talk to ourselves and how we lead ourselves when no one is watching.

If you’ve ever felt like you're doing everything right but still not moving forward, this conversation will help you refocus on what actually matters.

Takeaways

Today we sit down with Jessica Janzen, bestselling author, mindset coach, and keynote speaker. Jessica is a high-energy resilience expert who knows how to bring both laughter and wisdom into leadership, even when life feels messy.

In this episode, Jessica breaks down what it really means to choose joy, not as a mood or mantra, but as a practical strategy for getting clear, staying grounded, and actually accomplishing more. This conversation navigates grief and internal resistance, while exploring how to lead with purpose and create space for help. Jessica pulls back the curtain on how joy can sharpen your focus and transform how you move through the world through honest reflections.

If your leadership feels more like chaos than clarity, this episode offers a grounded roadmap showing you how to confront imposter syndrome by naming your negative thoughts and creating distance from the noise.

Takeaways

• People are inherently willing to help if asked.
• Recognizing and naming your thoughts can create distance from negativity..
• Resistance often indicates where breakthroughs can occur.
• Accountability partners can help overcome challenges.
• Service to others can enhance personal joy.

If you’ve been following Persistence Playbook for a while, you know one thing about Brett McDermott: he doesn’t just like a good list; he believes in mastering it.

This week, we’re getting intentional about something that’s easy to overcomplicate: your to-do list. And no, this isn’t about color-coding sticky notes or downloading another app. This is about how entrepreneurs can quietly rewire the way they move through their day with clarity, momentum, and more energy left over than they started with.

In just 10 shifts, Brett breaks down how to:

– Structure your daily tasks around how you work best (not just when),

– Build a system that doesn’t just track your output, but actually improves it,

– And rethink the way you approach delegation, decision fatigue, and daily wins.

...And yes, some of these you’ve probably tried before but not like this. Because it’s not just about doing more. It’s about doing what matters, when it matters most and knowing exactly when to call it a win. So if your to-do list is starting to feel more like a guilt trip than a strategy, this one’s for you.

In this episode, we revisit the deeper layers of what it truly means to grow, succeed, and live with intention. Joining us is Kaylor Betts, business and life coach, and host of Awake and Winning for a conversation that pulls no punches.

With candor, clarity, and a few unexpected laughs, Kaylor explores the unspoken tensions between ambition and mental health, achievement and fulfillment, and what it really takes to show up whole in a world obsessed with hustle.

This isn’t a highlight reel. It’s a return to the uncomfortable truths, the mindset shifts, and the grounded practices that move you forward when motivation fades.

Whether you're building a business, rebuilding your mindset, or just trying to find peace in the process, this episode holds a mirror to the moments that matter.

What you’ll walk away with:

• Why mental wealth isn’t about perfection, but presence

• How fulfillment trumps happiness in the long game

• The power of doing delayed-return activities that pay off later

• Why resilience is built in the unsexy, hard things

• The difference between attention and impact

• Why time, not money, is the real luxury

• And how consistent, imperfect action can still change everything