The future of the metaverse may be the topic of the day for many tech pundits, but the reality is that it's already here. The virtual reality, that is.

In this episode of Get Reworked, we talk to Derek Belch, CEO of virtual reality firm Strivr, about how VR is being used to train employees right now and what potential it holds for the future. We've entered a new era of VR technology, he said, and the recent buzz around the metaverse is only going to accelerate its use in the enterprise.

"The effect on the human brain is so real," Derek says. "If VR is done well, the brain can't tell the difference between a virtual simulation and real life. So I think that's the difference is we're in that cheaper, lighter, faster era. And this technology that used to be very cumbersome, very expensive, very heavy ... that's all gone."

Highlights of the conversation include:

• How an aspiring football coach turned into a VR training entrepreneur.
• When VR training is a good option for companies.
• The difference between VR and augmented reality.
• Why organizations that don't invest in emerging technologies like VR and the metaverse will be left behind.
• How Walmart used VR training to prepare employees for Black Friday and why he's bullish on its use for soft skills.
• What companies need to get started in VR for employee training and development.

Co-hosts Siobhan Fagan and Mike Prokopeak also talk with Derek about his career as a college football player at Stanford, how the end of his coaching career was just the beginning he needed, and why he's both a tech optimist and realist. Plus, Siobhan's got jokes! Listen in for more.

Have a suggestion, comment or topic for a future episode? Drop us a line at [email protected].