Determined Society with Shawn French | Adversity & Mindset

Chad Willardson, founder of Pacific Capital, six-time author, father of five, and wealth advisor managing over $1.5 billion, joins The Determined Society for a powerful conversation on faith, family, money, leadership, risk, and building real wealth without losing what matters most. In this episode, Shawn and Chad discuss the moment Chad walked away from Merrill Lynch with no safety net, no clients to take with him, and everyone telling him he was making a mistake. Chad opens up about building Pacific Capital from the ground up, choosing family over hustle culture, walking away from millions

Michael Franzese, former Colombo crime family captain, author, speaker, husband, father, and one of the only men to publicly walk away from the mob life and live to tell the story, joins The Determined Society for a powerful conversation on family, loyalty, faith, accountability, forgiveness, and redemption. In this episode, Shawn French and Michael discuss the moment his father was sentenced to 50 years in prison, why Michael left the path to becoming a doctor, what it meant to enter the Colombo family, the blood oath, the gasoline tax scheme, trials, prison, and the decision to walk away fr

Bedros Keuilian, entrepreneur, author, speaker, founder of Fit Body Boot Camp, and creator of The Project, joins The Determined Society for a raw conversation on success, trauma, anxiety, healing, leadership, fatherhood, and becoming a better man. Bedros opens up about coming to America as an immigrant child, growing up on welfare and food stamps, being bullied, learning to reframe adversity, and building a massive fitness franchise from a place of drive and survival. In this episode, Shawn French and Bedros discuss the anxiety attack that forced him to face what success could not fix, the th

Trevor Bauer, 2020 Cy Young Award winner and former Los Angeles Dodger, joins The Determined Society for a raw conversation on baseball, pressure, public judgment, media narratives, and refusing to quit. Trevor opens up about his early obsession with the game, his engineering mindset, his rise from UCLA to the Major Leagues, winning the Cy Young, signing a historic Dodgers contract, and the moment his career changed. In this episode, Shawn French and Trevor discuss the controversy that pushed him out of MLB, the suspension and release that followed, his decision to keep competing in Japan, Me

Phil Daru, world-class performance coach, former Mixed Martial Artist, and trainer to elite athletes like Dustin Poirier, Amanda Nunes, and Colby Covington, joins The Determined Society for a powerful conversation on discipline, faith, purpose, adversity, and what it really means to become unkillable in life. In this episode, Phil opens up about his early life in Broward County, training martial arts from a young age, playing Division I football, losing both parents within months, becoming a father, and being forced to pivot after a neurologist told him one more hit could change his future. H

She grew up with no friends, no roadmap, and a father who died before she could  tell him who she really was.   By 32, she had 400 million views, a national tour, a Fox News debut, a Washington  Post profile, and a spot in a Billboard Award-winning music video — playing a Wild  West sheriff.   Blaire White is one of the most-watched, most-debated, and least-understood people  on the internet. In this episode of The Determined Society, Shawn French sits down  with Blaire for the conversation her own platform rarely makes room for — not the  pundit, not the controversy, but the person underneath

ABOUT THIS EPISODE What does real determination actually cost? Aaron Singerman has a story that most people only know one chapter of. He grew up in New Orleans, survived Hurricane Katrina, became an intravenous heroin and cocaine addict, lost people he loved to violence and overdose, and found his way out through fitness and bodybuilding. He broke into the supplement industry with nothing but hustle — became editor-in-chief at RxMuscle, co-founded Blackstone Labs at a kitchen table, and then left to launch REDCON1 in 2016. Within four years, REDCON1 went from 5 employees to 150+, expanded to 8

In this unforgettable episode of The Determined Society, Shawn French sits down with legendary LSU baseball coach Skip Bertman, alongside former LSU Tigers Ryan Theriot and Blair Barbier, for a powerful conversation on leadership, character, culture, brotherhood, and building champions beyond the game.  When Skip arrived at LSU, the program had no national championships, only a few hundred fans in the stands, and a culture still waiting to be built. Through vision, belief, discipline, and a commitment to high-character players, he helped turn LSU baseball into one of the greatest dynasties i

What does it actually take to rebuild your body, your business, and your belief in yourself, from absolute zero? Anthony Lolli knows. He was a millionaire at 23, running 800 agents across 100+ New York City real estate locations. He had the Rolls-Royce. The mansion. 50 Cent filming commercials in his backyard.  Then came his two-year-old daughter, who looked up at her 315-pound father and said: "Daddy, you're fat. I don't want you to die." That sentence changed everything. TereZa Lolli came to America from Armenia with $300 and a fire that doesn't quit. A piano prodigy, a ping pong champion, a

Most people quit because success doesn’t happen the way they imagined.  Tyler Filmore shares the truth about the music industry, why he kept betting on himself, and how one random performance led to working with Pitbull.  This is a powerful conversation on staying authentic, taking risks, and never giving up when the dream feels close.   Key Takeaways  -Success often comes from opportunities that look small at first.  -Most people stop because the journey doesn’t match their expectations.  -Staying authentic creates long-term fulfillment, even if growth is slower.  -You don’t know who is watch

Determination. Adversity. Discipline. Mindset. adversity it takes to rebuild trust, set boundaries, and develop the discipline to choose themselves. Real growth happens when your mindset shifts from surviving to taking control. In this episode, Jana Kramer opens up about healing from trauma, learning to trust herself again, and building the determination and mental toughness required to stop repeating the same patterns. This conversation is about developing high performance habits, choosing consistency over motivation, and having the courage to say no—even when it’s uncomfortable. If you’ve ev

Most people talk about chasing their dreams… but very few are willing to sacrifice everything for it.  In this episode, rising country artist Coey Redd shares how she went all in, selling the only thing she owned to bet on herself, and why that decision changed everything. If you’ve ever felt like quitting, this conversation will challenge how you think about risk, rejection, and what it really means to trust your journey.   Key Takeaways  -If you don’t go all in on yourself, nobody else will -Rejection is often protection pushing you toward the right path -You only truly fail when you quit -S

Most people see success, but they don’t see the adversity, discipline, and relentless determination it takes to get there. What looks like overnight success is really years of rejection that build the mindset and mental toughness required to last. In this episode, Tony Goldwyn shares the reality of breaking into Hollywood, the power of committing fully, and how adversity shapes your determination, discipline, and long-term success. This is about developing high performance habits, choosing consistency over motivation, and staying locked in when most people would quit. If you’ve ever felt like

Most people see adversity as a stop sign, but it’s actually an invitation to grow.  In this episode, Sean breaks down how hard seasons expose your habits, force you to build discipline, and shape you into the person you need to become.  If you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or tempted to quit, this message will help you shift your mindset and move forward.   Key Takeaways  -Adversity reveals who you are and where you need to grow -The work beneath the surface is the real win -Confidence is built by keeping your word to yourself -Systems and daily habits create relief during hard seasons -The outcome

She built a thriving fashion business… then lost almost everything overnight.  In this episode, Diana Mahrach shares how she went from multiple stores in New York to survival mode during COVID, and how she fought her way back.  This is a raw, powerful story about resilience, staying in your lane, and never quitting when everything falls apart.   Key Takeaways  -Losing everything doesn’t mean the journey is over—it’s often the reset. -Staying in your own lane is a competitive advantage. -Action beats ego—do whatever it takes to survive and rebuild. -Creativity requires peace—protect your mental

What feels like a setback might actually be your setup.  In this episode, LaMyiah Pearlinia opens up about losing her job, facing identity loss, and learning to trust God through uncertainty.  This is a raw conversation about purpose, pivots, and stepping into what you’re truly called to do.   Key Takeaways  -Losing your job can be a redirection, not a failure. -Staying authentic matters more than fitting into the wrong role. -Fear often comes from identity being tied to your career. -You can’t operate in purpose while chasing someone else’s vision. -Sometimes growth requires surrender, not co

You can look healthy on the outside and still be struggling internally.    In this episode, Shawn French sits down with Dr. Sophia Hadar to uncover what traditional medicine often misses. From hidden imbalances to deeper root causes, this conversation challenges how we think about true health.   Key Takeaways  -Looking fit doesn’t mean your body is functioning optimally -Traditional medicine often treats symptoms—not root causes -Fatigue, inflammation, and imbalance can exist even in “healthy” people -True health requires a deeper look at lifestyle, environment, and internal systems -Awareness

Everyone sees the success, but no one sees the weight behind it. In this episode, Shawn French and Pat Sitkins pull back the curtain on what it really takes to build something meaningful.  From pressure, sacrifice, and family impact to the loneliness of leadership, this is the raw truth about entrepreneurship.   Key Takeaways  -Building something meaningful comes with pressure no one prepares you for. -Success impacts your family more than people realize. -You can’t balance everything—prioritization is required (Four Burner Theory). -Determination is doing the work even when you don’t feel lik

Doug Bopst shares how hitting rock bottom, facing felony drug charges, and jail time became the turning point that changed his entire life.  What started as fear and addiction turned into discipline, purpose, and a complete identity shift.   Key Takeaways -Hitting rock bottom forced him to take full accountability for his life. -Jail became the environment that built discipline and new habits. -Real transformation starts when you separate from your old identity. -Confidence is built by doing hard things consistently, not motivation. -Turning pain into purpose is the key to long-term success an

Check Out Therabody 👇 https://www.therabody.com/discount/DETERMINED Use Code: DETERMINED to get 15% off at checkout ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ In this episode, we sit down with Donnie Keller, owner of Ionic Fitness in Bonita Springs and founder of Wilson’s Fit Futures, a program helping kids ages 11–17 build confidence, discipline, and better health through fitness and nutrition education. After years of sacrifice, working multiple jobs, and nearly quitting during the pandemic, Donnie turned his gym into something bigger th

Check Out Therabody 👇 https://www.therabody.com/discount/DETERMINED Use Code: DETERMINED to get 15% off at checkout ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ At just 33 years old, Jessie Morales heard the words no one expects to hear: “You have Stage 3 breast cancer.” In this powerful and emotional episode, Jessie shares her journey from finding a lump accidentally, to receiving her diagnosis, and navigating life as a young mother fighting cancer. Jessie opens up about the fear, the strength it takes to continue showing up for her family,

Check Out Therabody 👇 https://www.therabody.com/discount/DETERMINED Use Code: DETERMINED to get 15% off at checkout ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ In this powerful episode of The Determined Society Podcast, Shawn French sits down with entrepreneur and coach David Waldy for one of the most honest and vulnerable conversations yet. They dive into fatherhood, identity, faith, and the power of men having real conversations with each other. Shawn shares the emotional moment when his father told him he was proud, while David explains

Check Out Therabody 👇 https://www.therabody.com/discount/DETERMINED Use Code: DETERMINED to get 15% off at checkout ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Most people want a better life, but very few are willing to take radical responsibility for it. In this powerful conversation, Shawn French sits down with TV host and author Christy Primmer to talk about self-accountability, personal transformation, and the mindset required to truly level up. Christy shares how she rebuilt her life by letting go of shame, facing her past head-on, and

Check Out Therabody 👇 https://www.therabody.com/discount/DETERMINED Use Code: DETERMINED to get 15% off at checkout ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ In this powerful episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with therapist, author, and founder of Rugged Counseling, Trey Tucker, to talk about the growing crisis facing young men today. From the lack of strong father figures to the emotional struggles men carry silently, Trey shares why so many young men feel lost—and what we must do to change it. Trey opens up

Check Out Therabody 👇 https://www.therabody.com/discount/DETERMINED Use Code: DETERMINED to get 15% off at checkout ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Most people chase the perfect body but ignore their mental and emotional health. In this episode, Francesca Scerbo shares her powerful story of overcoming anorexia, body dysmorphia, and industry misinformation. She breaks down how balance, strength training, and personalized nutrition can transform your confidence, hormones, and long-term health.   Key Takeaways -Your mindset and sel

Check Out Therabody 👇 https://www.therabody.com/discount/DETERMINED Use Code: DETERMINED to get 15% off at checkout ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ What happens when the thing that defines you disappears? In this behind-the-scenes Pulse episode, Shawn French opens up about losing his identity after baseball and how that collapse became the catalyst for purpose, growth, and reinvention. This conversation dives deep into discomfort, community, and why embracing change is the key to building the life you truly want.   Key Takeaways

Check Out Therabody 👇 https://www.therabody.com/discount/DETERMINED Use Code: DETERMINED to get 15% off at checkout ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Most people spend their lives trying to fit into a system instead of becoming who they truly are. In this powerful conversation, Gayle Guyardo shares what it really took to walk away from a 33-year career in journalism, embrace authenticity, and step into a new season of purpose. We discuss media, identity shifts, faith, family, human trafficking awareness, and why real conversations

Check Out Therabody 👇 https://www.therabody.com/discount/DETERMINED Use Code: DETERMINED to get 15% off at checkout ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ In this powerful episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Daria Berenato, professional wrestler, actress, producer, and former WWE superstar,  for a deep and raw conversation about authenticity, discipline, and the mindset required to build lasting success. Daria shares her journey from bartending and fighting MMA to breaking into WWE, producing films, and

Check Out Therabody 👇 https://www.therabody.com/discount/DETERMINED Use Code: DETERMINED to get 15% off at checkout ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ After receiving a vaccine in her late 20s, Zoe Carly, President of Carly Health and Founder of Zeta Body, began suffering from grand mal seizures that changed her life forever. In this powerful episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Zoe to unpack her journey, from leaving home at a young age, to battling seizures for nearly a decade, to building resilienc

Check Out Therabody 👇 https://www.therabody.com/discount/DETERMINED Use Code: DETERMINED to get 15% off at checkout ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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

Check Out Therabody 👇 https://www.therabody.com/discount/DETERMINED Use Code: DETERMINED to get 15% off at checkout ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 in

Check Out Therabody 👇 https://www.therabody.com/discount/DETERMINED Use Code: DETERMINED to get 15% off at checkout ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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

Check Out Therabody 👇 https://www.therabody.com/discount/DETERMINED Use Code: DETERMINED to get 15% off at checkout ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 generat

Check Out Therabody 👇 https://www.therabody.com/discount/DETERMINED Use Code: DETERMINED to get 15% off at checkout ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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

Check Out Therabody 👇 https://www.therabody.com/discount/DETERMINED Use Code: DETERMINED to get 15% off at checkout ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ In this episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Stacey Kay, founder of hydr.ate, to unpack a powerful journey through addiction, anxiety, burnout, and personal transformation. Stacey opens up about struggling with alcohol and drugs in her twenties, pushing herself through high-pressure sales careers, and the moment her body forced her to stop; heart palpit

Check Out Therabody 👇 https://www.therabody.com/discount/DETERMINED Use Code: DETERMINED to get 15% off at checkout ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ In this episode of The Determined Society, Shawn sits down with Zach Cogen, Head of Athlete Rehabilitation for the New York Red Bulls, to break down what real recovery actually looks like; physically, mentally, and emotionally. Zach shares his journey from collegiate wrestling to working with elite professional athletes across UCLA, EXOS, DC United, and now Major League Soccer. He ex

Check Out Therabody 👇 https://www.therabody.com/discount/DETERMINED Use Code: DETERMINED to get 15% off at checkout ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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

Check Out Therabody 👇 https://www.therabody.com/discount/DETERMINED Use Code: DETERMINED to get 15% off at checkout ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Nik Kleverov joins The Determined Society to break down the biggest misconceptions about AI, creativity, and the future of Hollywood. From his journey as an immigrant storyteller to becoming one of the first creatives working with OpenAI, Nik explains why there is no “magic AI button,” why creatives are more important than ever, and how AI is opening doors to original films, brand st

Check Out Therabody 👇 https://www.therabody.com/discount/DETERMINED Use Code: DETERMINED to get 15% off at checkout ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ In this powerful episode of The Determined Society Podcast, Brady McDonald shares his raw journey from alcohol dependency and fear to sobriety, faith, ultra-endurance racing, and building a life rooted in discipline and purpose. Brady opens up about quitting alcohol after realizing the cycle he was passing down to his daughters, how doing hard things like 75 Hard and ultra running ga

What do you do when heartbreak, betrayal, or a toxic relationship leaves you broken on the floor? In this powerful episode of The Determined Society Podcast, Shawn sits down with world-renowned breakup and divorce coach Sara Davison to talk about reclaiming your power when life knocks you down. Sara shares the deeply personal story behind her mantra “Screw You, Watch This,” how toxic relationships quietly trap people in cycles of fear and self-doubt, and the practical tools anyone can use to break free.   Key Takeaways -Toxic relationships often feel familiar and safe, which is why people repe

What does it really take to build a scalable business that survives without you? In this episode of The Determined Society Podcast, David Royce shares how he went from knocking doors as a college student to building and exiting multiple pest control companies, including a $500M empire operating across 34 states and 5,000+ cities. David breaks down the real mechanics of scale, why blue-collar businesses with white-collar systems are massively underrated, and how obsession, systems, and cash flow discipline separate businesses that grow from those that collapse.   Key Takeaways -A business is tr

2025 was a turning point. Personally, professionally, and mentally. This episode is a raw reflection on how fixing one overlooked area of my life changed everything, from my marriage and mindset to the growth of The Determined Society. If you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or like something small is quietly holding you back, this conversation is about identifying that one thing and committing to real change. Growth doesn’t come from motivation, it comes from discipline, ownership, and doing the work when no one’s watching.   Key Takeaways -Personal growth off-camera directly fueled professional succ

In this episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Dr. David Karli, a renowned physician and entrepreneur in regenerative medicine, to explore the intersection of health, determination, longevity, and the future of medical technology. Dr. Karli opens up about his personal health crisis in his early 40s; including burnout, panic attacks, hormonal imbalance, and the wake-up call that forced him to rethink everything he believed about aging, performance, and medicine. What followed was a complete transformation that reshaped not only his body, but his mindset, career, and

In this raw and deeply emotional episode of The Determined Society, Shawn French sits down with Matt Dillon for a powerful conversation about adversity, identity, addiction, resilience, and what it truly means to build yourself back up when life breaks you down. Matt opens up about leaving Australia for New York, starting over from nothing, navigating addiction, loneliness, and career pressure, and learning how to survive by showing up every single day, even when everything felt impossible. From swimming through rock bottom to rebuilding discipline, trust, and self-worth, this episode explores

In this episode of The Determined Society, Shawn French sits down with Baiju Bhatt, co-founder of Robinhood, for a wide-ranging conversation that spans entrepreneurship, immigration, resilience, artificial intelligence, and humanity’s next energy frontier: space. Baiju opens up about growing up as the child of Indian immigrants, learning English by watching TV, and how that outsider perspective shaped his worldview, work ethic, and belief in opportunity. He reflects on building Robinhood in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, the skepticism they faced, and how democratizing access to t

In this deeply moving episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Liz Caplan, world-renowned vocal coach, founder of Liz Caplan Voice Studios, and trusted voice teacher to some of the biggest names in film, television, and Broadway, including Hugh Jackman, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Andrew Garfield, Ben Platt, Stephen Colbert, and more. From growing up with asthma to discovering that singing and breathwork could literally change how her body functioned, Liz explains how music became her first medicine, long before success, recognition, or a thriving business. She shares how de

In this episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Olivia Mock, founder and CEO of The Check-In Club, a rapidly growing fitness accountability app helping thousands of people build discipline, community, and confidence, without the toxicity, filters, and comparison traps of modern social media. What begins as a conversation about fitness quickly turns into a deep discussion on mental health, self-talk, consistency, childhood insecurities, and the emotional battles people face long before they ever touch a weight. Shawn and Olivia open up about their own struggles with

In this episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with entrepreneur and wellness advocate Jerome, whose life story is a raw testament to trauma, resilience, and the determination to build something better for the next generation. What begins as a conversation about childhood adversity becomes a shocking revelation: Jerome discovered that he was likely a surviving twin, the result of selective abortion practices in 1970s France. That discovery unraveled decades of unexplained psychological pain, complex PTSD, and emotional disconnection. For the first time publicly, he open

In this episode of The Determined Society, Shawn French sits down with Kwame Christian, a bestselling author, attorney, corporate negotiation consultant, TEDx speaker, and host of Negotiate Anything, the #1 negotiation podcast in the world. Kwame breaks down the real meaning of determination: making an agreement with yourself and keeping the promise, even when fear, conflict, or discomfort stand in the way. But this conversation goes far beyond traditional negotiation. It dives into the psychology of people-pleasing, childhood conditioning, internal self-talk, emotional regulation, boundaries,

In this inspiring episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Greg Rosenbaum, SVP of Programming at South by Southwest and a 15-year veteran behind one of the most influential festivals in the world. From dyslexia to leadership, Greg shares the personal and professional journey that shaped him, and how SXSW has become a global model for community, creativity, and connection across music, film, TV, technology, comedy, and education. Greg reveals how adversity forced SXSW to reinvent itself after losing its long-standing convention center home, and why focusing on communi