The More We Know by Meer

Welcome back to The More We Know! The more we know, the more we grow!

Your Mentor today is award-winning filmmaker Josh Webber!

Josh A. Webber is a Canadian, award-winning independent filmmaker, director, producer, and screenwriter. A graduate of the New York Film Academy in New York City (2009), he has pursued a career working on commercials, television programs, short and feature films.

His first short film, Batter Up (2009), won the Golden Honu Award for Best Family Short in the Big Island Film Festival and received awards in several North American Film Festivals including Best Family Film in the Palm Beach International Film Festival, and Best Canadian Film in the Young Cuts Film Festival.

Webber has written, directed and produced several feature films including A Broken Code (2012), There Is Many Like Us (2015) American Rackets (2017), Secrets of Deception (2017), and Never Heard (2017).

Webber has also worked as the Director of Photography and editor on several television programs and with corporate clients such as General Motors, Ford, McDonald's, DreamWorks, Warner Brothers, Budweiser, and Red Bull to produce promotional videos, documentaries.

Weber also recently won a lawsuit that gained nationwide press against Dame Dash. That movie also included popular rap star Lil Durk! In this episode, he speaks about that lawsuit and goes into detail . You do not want to miss this one! Some valuable business lessons.  

Follow Josh: @joshawebber on instagram 

His website: https://www.webberfilms.com/

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Welcome back to The More We Know Podcast- Because the more we know, the more we grow!

Your mentor today: Joe De Sana.

Joe De Sena is the founder and CEO of Spartan, the world’s leading endurance sports brand. Growing up in working-class Queens, De Sena has demonstrated an entrepreneurial spirit since his preteens. He built a multimillion-dollar pool cleaning business before moving to Wall Street, where he started his own trading firm. In 2001, De Sena fled Wall Street for Riverside Farm in rural Vermont. It was during this time that he discovered his passion for adventure races and endurance events, and Spartan Race was born.

De Sena has built Spartan into a global fitness and wellness brand, with a 10 million+ community of athletes across the globe. Under his leadership, Spartan’s portfolio of brands has grown to include Spartan Trail, DEKA, La Ruta, Tough Mudder, and HIGHLANDER.

A New York Times bestselling author, De Sena’s latest book, 10 Rules for Resilience: Mental Toughness for Families, hit bookstores last October.

Joe De Sena is also the host of the amazing NEW CNBC Primetime TV Show "No Retreat" helping coach and take companies to the next level. 

Follow Joe on social media here- @realjoedesana and check him out on his amazing TV show on CNBC or Spartan.com.  He has been featured on media outlets across the world (ESPN, Forbes etc), is a distinguished business mogul, and has even been on one of the worlds most popular podcasts with Joe Rogan. You are in for a treat and a special gift today at the end!

Who wants to join me (your host) in a free spartan race?! Email me at [email protected]

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Welcome back to The More We Know Podcast- Because the more we know, the more we grow!

Your mentor today: Julian Sanchez. Julian Sanchez is a legally blind analyst who works for Goldman Sachs.  Julian is also a two-time double-organ transplant recipient and a cancer survivor. Sanchez was born with polycystic liver and kidney disease, which began manifesting in life-threatening ways at 2 years old, when his mother ultimately donated her kidney to replace his. At the age of 9, that liver began to fail, resulting in a major gastrointestinal bleed. This event limited oxygen to his optic nerve which led to the loss of most of his eyesight. At 17, he was diagnosed with post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder and had to undergo chemotherapy. In 2013, he underwent a double organ transplant, which necessitated his being airlifted from Singapore to Chicago for the operation. He is here today on The More We know show to share his story and inspiring all of us to say, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE! Not only does Julian work at one of the most prestigious firms in the world and has a disability,  but he is using his story as his strength by helping people with disabilities score their dream jobs. He was recently featured on Business Insider to share his story (https://www.businessinsider.com/legally-blind-goldman-analyst-julian-sanchez-disability-careres-lime-connect-2022-1?r=US&IR=T).  Julian has paved the way for many, and has overcame things that we take for granted in our day to day lives. 

In todays episode you will be inspired by someone who not only landed a job at one of the most prestigious firms, but also used his setbacks in his life to still accomplish his goals and give back to the community. Julian sheds light on the importance of never giving up, fighting through it, and being true to yourself. This episode was one of my favorites, and you are in for a treat. Julian embodies key traits that we should all aspire to have.  I left this interview feeling extremely inspired. You can connect with Julian on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julian-sanchez-83a175b5/

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Welcome back to The More We Know Podcast- Because the more we know, the more we grow!

Your mentor today: Chuck Runyon. Chuck Runyon is the co-founder and CEO of Anytime Fitness, the world's largest co-ed fitness club franchise. Think of them like the Mcdonald's of fitness! With MILLIONS worldwide at 4000+ gyms, the company does BILLIONS of revenue a year. With more than 20 years of experience managing, owning and franchising health clubs, Chuck Runyon has distinguished himself as a leading authority in the field of fitness. Runyon revolutionized the fitness industry when he and Dave Mortensen co-founded Anytime Fitness – an alternative to big-box gyms which typically feature expensive “frills” that few members actually use or need.

Under Runyon’s leadership, Anytime Fitness has earned numerous industry accolades, including the #1 Franchise on the planet, according to Entrepreneur magazine in 2015 & 2016, “One of America’s Most Promising Companies,” according to Forbes, and the “Fastest-Growing Fitness Club in the world,” according to the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA). Additionally, Anytime Fitness has been honored as a “Top Franchise for Minorities” and “The Best Place to Work in Minnesota” three years in a row.

In 2012, Self Esteem Brands, the parent company of Anytime Fitness, acquired Waxing the City under Chuck’s leadership. Waxing the City specializes in providing outstanding, high-quality facial and body waxing services for women and men. Waxing the City has been named in Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Top New Franchise” list. Also owns  The Bar Method and Basecamp Fitness

You are in for a treat with one of the rare few who succeed with building a billion dollar empire, and still serve as CEO. One of my favorite interviews.

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Check out Chuck's company: https://www.anytimefitness.com/ . His firm today  serves millions of people in 40 countries. More about Self Esteem Brands here: https://www.sebrands.com

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Your Mentor Today- Dan Ives!  Enjoy the master class today, and if you get value, like comment, subscribe and share!!

Daniel Ives is a Managing Director and Senior Equity Research Analyst covering the Technology sector at Wedbush Securities since 2018. Dan has been on Wall Street for two decades covering the software and the broader technology sector. He spent the first few years of his career as a financial analyst at HBO and then received his MBA in Finance before becoming a well known technology equity research analyst and Managing Director with FBR Capital Markets for 16 years, focusing on the enterprise software/hardware sectors including cyber security, cloud computing, big data technology, and the mobile landscape. A major area of his research focus is electric vehicles and disruptive technology over the next decade.

Dan is a highly sought after tech expert globally, has been a keynote speaker across the US, Europe, and Asia and regularly makes television appearances on networks such as CNBC, Bloomberg, BBC, ABC, CNN, and Fox to provide commentary related to his technology experience. Dan is often cited around the world by publications such as The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Investors Business Daily, Los Angeles Times, The Telegraph, San Francisco Chronicle, Time Magazine, The Washington Post, The Guardian, South China Morning Post, Barrons, Financial Times, The Sydney Morning Herald, and New York Times, among others. He holds a BS in Finance from Penn State University and an MBA from the University of Maryland.

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Brian Benstock is the General Manager and Vice President of the #1 Certified Honda and Acura dealer in THE WORLD. Paragon Honda and Paragon Acura. The Queens, NY dealerships continue to grow rapidly, selling more than 1000 cars per month and 34 cars every single day.

A sought-after keynote speaker, author, podcast host and forward thinking thought leader in the automotive industry. Benstock has been interviewed by CNN Money, FOX Business, Bloomberg Technology, CBS News, Automotive News, The John Batchelor Show and The New York Daily News.

Everything Brian does is for his family. A proud family man, Brian has raised 5 wonderful children with his wife. An all-around enthusiast of boats & motorcycles, Brian is always moving, staying fit and healthy fuels his body and mind.

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Your Mentor Today- The Founder of Reebok. 

Joe founded Reebok in 1958 with his late brother Jeff, following their family heritage back to 1895. Joe's Grandfather, also Joseph W Foster, pioneered the spiked running shoe and famously made shoes for the Worlds best athletes of the early 20th century, with World records and Olympics Gold Medals.

Wearing (pumps) made by J W Foster & Sons Ltd, Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell won Olympic Gold Medals in the 1928 Paris Olympics and were immortalised in the film ‘Chariots of Fire’.

With Reebok they followed in his footsteps, with Olympic, Commonwealth and European medals and World record breaking performances, represented now by the range of Reebok Classics.

The Foster family had been hand-making running shoes since the late 19th century, supplying the likes of Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams - later immortalised in the film Chariots of Fire - as well as providing boots to most football league clubs. But a feud between Joe Foster’s father and his uncle about the direction of J W Foster & Sons prompted Joe and his brother Jeff to leave the family business and set up a new company. Inspired by the success of brands such as Adidas, Reebok was born and Joe’s ambitions were sky-high.

At first, money was so tight that Joe, Jeff and their wives all lived in their rundown factory, with the heavy shoe-making machinery strategically placed to avoid the floor collapsing. As the business grew in fits and starts, Joe’s vision for the brand became ever clearer and the setbacks, near bankruptcies and tough lessons only served to push Joe and reebok harder towards the ultimate goal: breaking America

While Reebok continued to be known for it’s excellent running shoes, it’s big break came thanks to the aerobics craze of the 1980’s. Soon Reeboks were on Hollywoods red carpets, on the feet of rock stars and even played a starring role in Aliens when Sigourney Weaver took down extra-terrestrials in a pair of Reebok Alien Stompers.

Shoemaker tell Joe Foster’s inspiring story, revealing the grit, hard choices and personal sacrifices that go into creating a world beating brand. It’s a take of belief - with the right products and the right vision, the risks can pay off and a family business in a small factory in Bolton can be transformed into a global phenomenon.

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Ian Wishingrad is the co-founder of Three Wishes Foods, the award-winning creative director/founder of BIGEYEDWISH, and the Host of ADWEEK's "I'm with the Brand." Three Wishes is now in EVERY whole foods nationwide. Three Wishes has been featured on fortune & entrepreneur.com 

Since his teenage years, Ian has had a penchant for building brands, businesses and big ideas. After years of working on clients like AT&T, Diageo, Nestle at his own agency, BIGEYEDWISH, Ian sought to build a brand of his own.

He and his business partner/wife Margaret created Three Wishes Cereal after looking for a good option for their 6-month old son and not finding any. Their divergent skillsets and passions have been one of the keys to their success in business to date.

Prior to forming Three Wishes and BIGEYEDWISH, Ian served as the Director of Creative Development at United Entertainment Group working on leading brands including P&G Beauty, Frito-Lay and General Mills. Before leading the creative department at UEG, Wishingrad served as the Sr. Manager of Creative Development at Vimeo. There he helped craft the Vimeo brand, established partnerships with Hollywood studios, and collaborated with the ad sales team to create custom campaigns for their advertisers. Before Vimeo, Wishingrad served as the youngest Senior Copywriter at TracyLocke. While there, he created the award-winning Wisk-it Facebook app, SoBe Skinsuit campaign, and “The Land of &” for Buffets Inc.

Ian has won many accolades throughout his career including a Best in Show and Gold & Viral Promotion for the Wisk-it Facebook app. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and holds a Bachelors of Science in Television, Radio and Film. Wishingrad is a board member of the esteemed Newhouse Network.

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Kara Goldin is a TRUE INSPIRATION AND BOSS. She is the Founder and CEO of Hint, Inc., best known for its award-winning Hint® water, the leading unsweetened flavored water. She has been named one of InStyle’s Badass 50, Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business, Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs, Fortune's Most Innovative Women in Food & Drink and EY Entrepreneur of the Year for Northern California. The Huffington Post listed her as one of six disruptors in business, alongside Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg. Kara has successfully navigated the world of large companies and startups in many industries including media, tech and consumer products. In addition, she understands retail and direct to consumer well. She is an active speaker & writer and hosts the podcast The Kara Goldin Show where she interviews founders, entrepreneurs and other disruptors across various industries. Kara’s first book, Undaunted, published by Harper Leadership, was released in October 2020. She lives in the Bay Area. Follow Kara on all social handles @KaraGoldin. She has been featured on Forbes, INC, Entrepreneur, Fortune, and more!

Check out her book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Undaunted-Overcoming-Doubters-Kara-Goldin/dp/1400220289/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=kara+goldin&qid=1627603258&sr=8-2

I particularly love Jamie Dimon- the CEO of JP Morgan, review of the book: “Undaunted is a lively account of how Kara Goldin took incredible risks and overcame huge challenges in founding Hint, which is the story of many great American businesses. She reveals how Hint water could have just been another idea that never went anywhere, if she had let her own doubts or the doubts of others be the end of the story. For anyone who has ever questioned whether it is worth taking a chance and pursuing their dreams, this is a must read.”

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Welcome back to The More We Know Podcast-- today your mentor is Suzie York.

Suzie Yorke, is the CEO and founder of Love Good Fats - a healthy snack empire which is on a mission to bring healthy fats back. Before launching Love Good Fats, Suzie was VP of marketing for companies like Weight Watchers, Wellnx Life Sciences, and Zag Group. 

Suzie is a  mom, eleven-time Ironman competitor and yoga enthusiast, Suzie spent years adhering to a low-fat diet only to hit a wall in her mid-40s. After reading Nina Teicholz’s best seller, Big Fat Surprise, she immediately shifted to a high-fat, low-carb diet, and felt better right away. While she loved the benefits of her new lifestyle, Suzie found it challenging to find convenient, good-fat snacks. Suzie developed Love Good Fats, a company that produces high-fat, low-carb, and low-sugar products. Love Good Fats now has 10 flavors. Her Mission as she puts it, "is to play a key role in getting North Americans eating more healthy fats, less sugar, feeling great about it and living healthier lives. Finally, fat is back!" Recently, Love Good Fats did over $100 million in goods sold- an amazing accomplishment for such a young company!

Suzie has been recognized several times since launching Love Good Fats, including the 2019 Mompreneur® Start Up Award, 2019 WXN Top 100 BMO Entrepreneur Award and 2020 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards Ones to Watch Award. She has been on a phenomenal journey inspiring so many. On this episode we learn more about that journey, and what tips she could give you- welcome to your mentor today!

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