The Determined Society with Shawn French | Adversity & Mindset

In this raw episode, host Shawn French sits down with Daria Berenato—professional wrestler, actress, producer, and former WWE superstar—to unpack the real formula for success. Beyond the championship belts and Hollywood roles, Daria reveals how breaking norms, discipline techniques, and authenticity became her competitive edge. Expect a deep dive into overcoming failure, rebuilding identity after adversity, and the daily habits that fuel long-term determination. Perfect for athletes and entrepreneurs navigating their own comeback stories.

Key Takeaways

-Success comes from consistency and discipline, not motivation.

-Momentum builds confidence and leads to bigger opportunities.

-Authenticity and being yourself create real connection and impact.

-Healing past trauma unlocks growth and clarity.

-Determination is doing what you said you would long after the emotion fades.

-Trusting your intuition and staying obedient to your purpose leads to fulfillment.

Connect with Shawn:

All Links: https://link.me/shawnmf32

Get TDS updates: https://thedeterminedsociety.com/

Connect with Daria Berenato:

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

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French — a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it — and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After a vaccine-triggered seizure disorder in her late 20s, Zoe Karli transformed adversity into determination, building Zeta Body to help others reclaim cellular health. In this raw conversation, Shawn French uncovers how overcoming obstacles became the blueprint for discipline, the mindset shifts that saved her career, and why authentic health conversations matter now more than ever. Discover actionable strategies for resilience when life changes overnight.

Key Takeaways

-You always have a choice in how you respond to adversity.

-Resilience is built through repeated hardship.

-Determination is quiet, consistent action, not noise.

-Even chronic illness doesn’t remove your purpose.

-Discipline and structure create strength over time.

-Getting out of your own way changes everything.

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Zoe Karli

https://www.instagram.com/zoekarli/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French — a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it — and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this powerful live episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Derek Carlson, CEO of MVP Realty, to share a life-altering story of survival, faith, and transformation.

After suffering three heart attacks in 2023, Derek was forced to confront the reality that success without health, systems, and purpose leads to collapse. Speaking in front of 500+ people at Mind Your Business 3, he walks through his near-death experience, rebuilding his health, redesigning his business, strengthening his faith, and creating a new operating system for life built on Mindset, Vision, and Purpose (MVP).

Derek also shares how completing 75 Hard, losing 65 pounds, quitting alcohol, and embracing non-negotiables helped him reclaim his life , and inspired his upcoming book, Unlock Your MVP, releasing March 15.

Key Takeaways

-Health is more important than money or status.

-Success without systems collapses under pressure.

-A vision that ignores health will eventually fail.

-Purpose must be bigger than money and titles.

-Faith can be rebuilt even after doubt and confusion.

-Consistency beats motivation every time.

-Real change happens after the wake-up call.

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Derek Carlson

https://www.instagram.com/derekcarlsonmvp/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French — a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it — and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Check Out Therabody 👇

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In this episode of The Determined Society, Shawn French sits down with entrepreneur, author, and Members Only Palm Beach star Taja Abitbol to talk about manifestation, fearless action, and building a life without waiting for the perfect plan.

Taja shares how she built multiple businesses, opened restaurants in New York and Las Vegas, and launched her wellness brand by trusting her instincts, embracing risk, and learning through experience.

The conversation dives into resilience, family influence, mindset, manifestation, and why determination often means jumping first and figuring it out along the way.

Key Takeaways

-You don’t need a perfect plan to start something meaningful.

-Manifestation requires belief plus consistent action.

-Resilience is built through failures and setbacks.

-Success often comes from trusting your instincts.

-Determination is a daily decision to keep moving forward.

-Focusing on positive energy attracts better outcomes.

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Taja Abitbol

https://www.instagram.com/tajalucky/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French — a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it — and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Check Out Therabody 👇

https://www.therabody.com/discount/DETERMINED

Use Code: DETERMINED to get 15% off at checkout

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In this episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Emmy-winning producer and Amazing Race Season 2 winner Alex Boylan, creator of the hit series The College Tour and author of his new memoir The Miles That Make You.

Alex shares how growing up with nothing, embracing discomfort, and chasing adventure shaped his entire life; from traveling the world for free to building a show that helps students find the right path in education.

Key Takeaways

-Your past doesn’t define you; your choices do.

-Growth happens when you get comfortable being uncomfortable.

-Education is valuable when it aligns with your path and ROI.

-Hard experiences build resilience and character.

-Community and connection matter more than ever.

-Action and consistency create real impact over time.

-The weight you carry shapes who you become.

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Alex Boylan

https://www.instagram.com/boylanalex/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French — a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it — and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Check Out Therabody 👇

https://www.therabody.com/discount/DETERMINED

Use Code: DETERMINED to get 15% off at checkout

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In this powerful episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with entrepreneur and media powerhouse Hala Taha, founder of Young and Profiting and CEO of YAP Media.

Hala shares the raw truth behind being rejected, blackballed from the radio industry, and feeling like the “black sheep” of a high-achieving family, only to later build a podcast and media empire generating over $1M in sponsorship revenue.

Key Takeaways

-Rejection can become your greatest advantage.

-Determination is built through consistency, not perfection.

-You don’t need permission to pursue your path.

-Action matters more than motivation.

-Confidence comes from repetition and self-belief.

-Social media growth is driven by emotion and shareable content.

-Your struggles can shape your strongest identity.

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Hala Taha

https://www.instagram.com/yapwithhala/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French — a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it — and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Check Out Therabody 👇

https://www.therabody.com/discount/DETERMINED

Use Code: DETERMINED to get 15% off at checkout

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In this powerful Pulse episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with his business partner and close friend Pat Sitkins to reflect on the evolution of the show, the power of clarity, and what it actually takes to become the person you want to be.

They discuss why most people never start, how preparation builds confidence, and why the “messy middle” is where real growth happens. Shawn breaks down the difference between wishing for success and manifesting it through daily discipline, while Pat shares what makes this community-driven movement so impactful.

Key Takeaways

-Clarity is the cheat code to real progress.

-Cringing at old work means you’re growing.

-You don’t need perfect conditions to start.

-Preparation is what separates winners from wishers.

-Manifestation only works when paired with action.

-The messy middle is where strength is built.

-Extreme accountability creates real transformation.

-Impact is the true purpose of The Determined Society.

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Pat Sitkins

https://www.instagram.com/patsitkins/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French — a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it — and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Stacey Kay's wake-up call to mental health and adversity transformed her from struggling with addiction, anxiety, and burnout into the founder of hydr.ate. Shawn French sits down with Stacey to unpack her raw journey through personal crisis—and how facing hard truths about her mental health became the foundation for building something real. A conversation on overcoming addiction, founder resilience, and the discipline it takes to rebuild identity. This is the story of how adversity became clarity.

Key Takeaways

-Burnout often shows up physically before we acknowledge it mentally.

-Addiction and anxiety thrive when emotions go unprocessed.

-Meditation creates space between reaction and response.

-True accountability must be paired with self-compassion.

-Slowing down is sometimes the most productive move.

-It’s never too late to pivot into meaningful work.

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Stacey Kay

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacey-kay-hydrate/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French — a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it — and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Breaking norms in recovery starts with admitting you need help. In this episode, Shawn sits down with Zach Cogen, Head of Athlete Rehabilitation for the New York Red Bulls, to explore what real recovery actually looks like—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Zach breaks down how elite athletes approach rehabilitation as a discipline practice, the mental resilience required to rebuild after injury, and why recovery habits separate determined performers from those who burn out. A raw conversation on overcoming obstacles, developing the mindset to return stronger, and the often-hidden mental game behind elite performance.

Key Takeaways

-Return to play is not the same as return to performance

-Recovery must address both physical and mental readiness

-Sleep and nutrition are essential for healing and performance

-Pneumatic compression improves circulation and recovery

-Trust between athlete and practitioner is critical

-Discipline and determination are built through consistency

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Zach Cogen

https://www.instagram.com/thesportsphysio_/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French — a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it — and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of The Determined Society, Sean sits down with Nicole Jaques, creator of the “House CEO” framework, content educator, and systems-driven parent helping families calm the chaos of modern life.

Nicole shares how leaving a corporate public-relations career after becoming a mother forced her to confront an outdated narrative around being a “stay-at-home mom.” What emerged instead was a powerful reframe: running a household requires leadership, systems, and intentional design, just like any successful business.

Throughout the conversation, Nicole breaks down how time blocking, simplified systems, and documented routines can reduce burnout, eliminate resentment, and create more space for real family connection. She explains why rest is not a luxury, why the “default parent” role is operational and how accountability and structure can actually bring freedom back into the home.

Key Takeaways

-Running a home requires leadership, not more effort

-Systems reduce burnout by removing emotional friction

-Time blocking creates freedom, not rigidity

-Rest is essential to regulating mood and nervous system health

-The “default parent” role works best when it’s structured and shared

-Boundaries determine family connection

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Nicole Jaques

https://www.instagram.com/itsnicolejaques/

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French — a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it — and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.