THE FORTITUDE FORUM
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THE FORTITUDE FORUM episodes

  • 025: Borrowing Belief & Creating Your Vision W/ TRENT CLARK, 3X World Series Coach

    In this compelling episode of The Fortitude Forum, Bill welcomes Trent Clark, a three-time World Series coach, author of 'Leading Winning Teams', and a notable keynote speaker. The discussion delves into Trent's early experience with goal setting at age 13, pivotal moments of belief and encouragement, and the significance of self-discipline, confidence, and effort in achieving success. Trent emphasizes the crucial aspects of leadership, mental toughness, and actionable strategies both in sports and business. He also discusses his approach to helping businesses win every day, the importance of hyper-learning, and the value of reviewing and measuring progress. Trent introduces his 'Bloom Grow System', a game-changing tool for businesses seeking growth and consistency. The episode is packed with insights on how to turn vision into achieved goals. 00:00 Introduction to Trent Clark 00:33 Trent's Early Vision and Goal Setting 03:00 The Power of Belief and Mentorship 04:41 Achieving Goals and Reflecting on Success 07:29 The Importance of Confidence and Resilience 10:51 Mental Toughness and Talent in Major Leagues 15:54 Leadership Lessons from Top Coaches 18:58 The Journey to Championship Success 19:20 Overcoming Self-Doubt and Imposter Syndrome 20:58 Embracing Failure as a Learning Tool 23:27 Winning Every Day: Practical Steps 27:51 The Importance of Measuring Success 30:34 Insights from Leading Winning Teams 34:05 Final Thoughts and How to Connect

    36 min
  • 024: Wiring Intelligence W/ DR. BOBBY LOW, BYU Mental Performance Director

    In this episode of The Fortitude Forum, Bill welcomes Dr. Bobby Low, a human performance psychologist and the director of mental performance at Brigham Young University. Dr. Low discusses his athletic background and how his struggles in pole vaulting led him to explore the mental side of sports performance. He shares transformative experiences from his career, including overcoming anxiety and distractions through mental training. The conversation covers the principles behind his upcoming book, 'Wiring Intelligence,' which focuses on the eight mindsets that foster high performance. Dr. Low also emphasizes the importance of developing the right thinking patterns, the concept of proactive and reactive intelligence, and the significant role of mental skills in achieving success. The episode offers valuable insights for athletes and non-athletes alike, aiming to enhance mental toughness and personal wellbeing. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:38 Dr. Lowe's Athletic Journey 01:40 Mental Performance Breakthrough 04:22 From Athlete to Psychologist 04:58 First Lessons in Mental Training 08:00 Applying Mental Skills in Competition 15:12 Proactive vs. Reactive Intelligence 19:56 Developing Proactive Thinking Patterns 21:13 Introduction to 'Wiring Intelligence' 21:57 The Eight Mindsets for High Performance 22:59 Proactive vs. Reactive Intelligence 23:51 Detailed Breakdown of the Eight Mindsets 28:29 Balancing Ambition and Wellbeing 30:02 Personal Application and Focus 34:27 The Bigger Mission and Mental Health 38:11 Pre-order Information and Conclusion

    39 min
  • 023: Faith, Family & Fortitude W/ BROCK HUARD, Former Fox Sports Analyst

    Brock Huard, a former NFL quarterback, left-handed thrower, and Fox Sports broadcaster, discusses his career journey from playing at the University of Washington and the Seattle Seahawks to entering the world of high school football coaching. Reflecting on memorable moments like the 1997 Aloha Bowl, he shares insights into his quarterback experiences, struggles with injuries, and life transitions post-football. Huard emphasizes the importance of faith, family, and building resilience from the inside out. As he transitions to coaching his son's high school team, he aims to instill the values of internal fortitude and perseverance in young athletes.

    00:00 Introduction to Brock Huard

    00:27 Memories from the Aloha Bowl

    03:43 The Challenges of Being a College Quarterback

    13:06 Transitioning to the NFL

    16:07 Life After Football

    18:30 Balancing Criticism and Empathy in Broadcasting

    18:57 Early Career Challenges and Growth

    19:51 Evolving Perspective with Experience

    21:25 The Importance of Genuine Broadcasting

    24:38 Handling Adversity in Broadcasting

    27:22 Insights from Coaching Meetings

    31:58 Transitioning to Coaching High School Football

    34:20 Building Fortitude in Young Athletes

    35:48 Staying Connected with Fans and Future Plans

    38 min
  • 022: Olympic Medal To Model Leadership W/ DR. JUDI BROWN CLARKE

    Dr. JudI Brown Clarke, Vice President and Chief Health Equity Officer at Stony Brook University, shares her inspiring journey from an Olympic silver medalist to a leadership role in higher education. Dr. Clarke discusses her early experiences in track, the mental challenges of competing at an elite level, and the lessons of resilience, discipline, and mental toughness she's carried into her professional life. She offers valuable insights on overcoming self-doubt, the importance of sequential steps to achieve goals, the role of fear as a catalyst for growth, and the significance of personal responsibility. Dr. Clarke also highlights the importance of team dynamics, understanding the individual needs of team members, and fostering authentic connections. Tune in for a stimulating conversation that explores the intersection of sports and professional success.

    00:00 Introduction and Welcome

    00:45 Early Days and Love for Track

    01:21 Facing Gender Barriers in Sports

    03:02 Olympic Journey and Mental Challenges

    05:03 Mindset and Performance Strategies

    11:22 Transition from Sports to Career

    17:15 Applying Athletic Skills to Professional Life

    20:17 Mapping Your Future Beyond Sports

    21:30 The Role of Adrenaline in Performance

    25:02 Leadership and Team Dynamics

    32:01 Personal Responsibility and Belief

    35:50 Embracing Fear for Growth

    38:16 Connecting and Impacting Others

    40 min
  • 021: The Match Point Mindset W/ TODD MARTIN, Pro Tennis Legend

    Unveiling the Match Point Mindset with Tennis Legend Todd Martin. In this episode of The Fortitude Forum, host Bill interviews Todd Martin, a former professional tennis player, philanthropist, coach, speaker, and former CEO of the Tennis Hall of Fame. Todd discusses his journey from childhood sports in Ohio to the professional tennis circuit, highlighting his experiences, challenges, and triumphs. The conversation delves into his mental and physical preparation for major tournaments, the significance of goal setting, and managing expectations. Todd also shares insights from coaching Novak Djokovic and the importance of recovery. The discussion culminates with Todd's ongoing work through the Todd Martin Youth Leadership Foundation and his new role at Swing Racket and Paddle. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

    00:30 Todd Martin's Early Life and Tennis Beginnings

    03:29 College Tennis and Professional Transition

    08:17 Facing Tennis Legends and Mental Preparation

    13:24 Grand Slam Experiences and Mental Fortitude

    26:12 Coaching Novak Djokovic and Insights

    31:21 Todd Martin Youth Leadership Foundation

    39:33 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

    42 min
  • 020: Learning From Legends w/ LORENZO GUESS, Director of Athlete Performance

    In this special edition of The Fortitude Forum, host Bill reunites with his former Michigan State University teammate, Lorenzo Guest. Lorenzo is currently the Director of Athlete Performance and the strength and conditioning coach for the prestigious MSU basketball team. The discussion covers Lorenzo's long-standing affiliation with Michigan State, reflecting on his experiences as a dual-sport athlete and lessons learned from coaching legends like Nick Saban, Tom Izzo, and Mark Dantonio. Lorenzo shares invaluable insights on time management, mental toughness, and his philosophy on coaching and developing young athletes for success both on and off the field. The episode delves into Lorenzo's transition from football to basketball coaching and how he incorporates the rigorous training methodologies of football into the basketball program, aiming to build not just strong athletes but well-rounded individuals.

    00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

    00:55 Lorenzo's Journey at Michigan State

    02:07 Balancing Dual Sports and Time Management

    07:47 Lessons from Legendary Coaches

    14:33 Transition from Football to Basketball

    16:55 Building Mental and Physical Toughness

    28:09 Rapid Fire Questions and Conclusion

    32 min
  • 019: Hard Lessons From The Hurt Business w/ ED LATIMORE, Pro Boxer

    Bill welcomes Ed Latimore, a former professional boxer, aspiring chess master, and author of 'Hard Lessons from the Hurt Business.' Ed delves into his journey back into boxing after a nine-year hiatus, driven by newfound health and biomechanical insights. He shares his philosophy of using watershed moments to transform life trajectories and emphasizes the importance of learning, self-sufficiency, and leveraging help to achieve success. Ed talks about his upcoming projects, including a podcast and a fiction book, while highlighting the challenges and triumphs of balancing physical and mental fortitude.

    00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

    00:25 Ed Latimore's Chess Journey

    02:12 Return to Boxing: A Knockout Comeback

    10:05 Lessons from Four Lives

    14:09 Growing Up in Pittsburgh: Strength and Survival

    19:40 Self-Sufficiency and Action Bias

    24:06 2013: A Year of Transformation

    27:02 Core Principles for Success

    31:34 Promoting the Book and Asking for Help

    34:24 Comparing Chess and Boxing

    36:16 What's Next for Ed Latimore

    36:52 Conclusion and Farewell

    39 min
  • 018: The RELENTLESS SUMMIT Preview

    Register Today: relentless-summit.com July 29-Aug 1 2025

    In this episode of the Fortitude Forum, Bill introduces the Relentless Summit, a virtual event designed to help attendees unlock their full potential and become unbreakable. Highlighting the core meaning of 'relentless' as a state of constant pursuit of excellence rather than mere hustle, Bill outlines the star-studded lineup of speakers including Coach Michael Burt, Molly Fletcher, Ben Newman, and more. Each speaker brings unique expertise in peak performance, leadership, and transformation, sharing strategies for mental toughness, authenticity, and resilience. This summit is crafted for driven individuals, from former athletes to business executives, aiming to ignite their next chapter. The event is free and accessible online, offering lasting transformation rather than temporary motivation. Listeners are urged to sign up and join the summit for an unparalleled growth experience. 00:00 Introduction to the Fortitude Forum 00:33 Unveiling the Relentless Summit 01:29 Defining Relentlessness 03:17 Meet the Speakers 07:28 Who is the Summit For? 08:49 How to Join the Summit 09:04 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    10 min
  • 017: Constructing The Process With DENNIS CARIGNAN, President of Granger Construction

    Constructing The Process With DENNIS CARIGNAN, President of Granger Construction In this episode of The Fortitude Forum, host Bill Burke sits down with Dennis Carignan, President of Granger Construction, to discuss the critical aspects of mental toughness and leadership in the construction industry. Dennis shares personal anecdotes from his career, highlighting high-pressure situations where strategic decisions were pivotal. He also dives into the importance of a process-focused mindset, particularly in turning around a struggling sales division. The conversation further explores the challenges of building both revolutionary projects and a robust organizational culture, offering listeners valuable insights into effective leadership and team-building strategies. As a distinguished leader, Dennis sheds light on how Granger measures success beyond financial metrics, emphasizing safety, brand perception, and community impact. 00:00 Introduction: Playing to Win 00:43 Welcome to The Fortitude Forum 01:45 High-Stakes Decisions in Construction 03:31 Turning Sales Around: A Leadership Challenge 09:08 Mental Toughness in Construction 14:14 Building Culture vs. Building Structures 18:44 Evolving Leadership Perspectives 22:32 Defining Success Beyond Metrics 23:37 Conclusion and How to Connect

    25 min
  • 016: Never Finished With BEN NEWMAN, Speaker, Performance Coach & Author

    Speaker and mental performance coach Ben Newman discusses the powerful concept of 'the burn'—the underlying driving force that fuels one's purpose and actions towards achieving greatness. Newman shares a personal story of his mother's battle with a chronic illness, which instilled in him the importance of resilience and not wasting a single day. The discussion also explores how this concept helps high performers in sports and business maintain their focus and discipline, even in the face of adversity or success. Newman emphasizes the need for individuals to find their own 'burn' to sustain peak performance and make the most of every moment. 00:00 Introduction: Playing to Win 00:49 Meet Ben Newman: Mental Performance Coach 01:42 The Burn: Finding Your Inner Fire 06:43 Lessons from Nick Saban 10:04 Standard Over Feelings: The Key to Consistency 17:50 Translating Sports Lessons to Business 20:20 Learning from the Greats 24:20 Staying Grounded and Motivated 26:28 Vision and Legacy: Impacting Billions 29:17 Conclusion and Contact Information

    31 min

About THE FORTITUDE FORUM

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to The Fortitude Forum, the podcast where mental toughness meets real-world success. Join host Bill Burke as he dives deep into the inspiring journeys of leaders from the worlds of business…