Grit Mindset with Matt Rosen

What happens when you mix the analytical rigor of a nuclear physicist with the creative intuition of an artist? You get the leadership style of Andrew Brock. In this episode, Matt Rosen sits down with the Global CIO of Associa and CEO of HOAM Ventures to deconstruct a career path that defies the standard corporate trajectory. From his early days in East Tennessee to high-stakes finance roles at Kr...

Everyone talks about "grit" until they’re cold, wet, and failing. Real resilience isn’t a feeling—it’s a tactical decision made when your body is begging you to stop. Nate Wisan didn’t just survive the transition from Marine Corps Infantry to the Green Berets; he mastered the psychological discipline required to lead where most people quit. The Intel: In this episode, we strip away the Hollywood v...

How do you go from an "accidental technologist" at Pizza Hut to leading world-class organizations like Clario? In this episode of The Grit Mindset, Matt Rosen sits down with Jay Ferro—CTO, CIO, and Allata board member—to deconstruct a career defined by evolution and a life defined by resilience. Jay pulls back the curtain on the high-stakes world of global technology, discussing the impact of AI i...

Most CEOs talk about their wins. Ryan Blair, CEO of Alloy Automotive, is here to talk about the scars. Ryan didn’t climb a corporate ladder—he built one out of scrap metal. In this episode of Grit Mindset, Matt Rosen digs into the transition from a struggling student and Audi technician to the head of a multi-location automotive powerhouse. This isn't a story about luck; it’s a masterclass in what...

What does it take to walk away from a stable career at a Big Four firm to build a consulting empire during an economic meltdown? In this episode of The Grit Mindset, Matt Rosen sits down with Landon Smith—a "recovering accountant" who traded the corporate ladder for the grit of entrepreneurship. From his humble beginnings in West Texas to founding and scaling Riveron, Landon reveals the raw realit...

How does an elite "Horse Soldier" transition from the rugged mountains of Afghanistan to the strategic halls of Washington, D.C.? Jeremy Thompson spent 22 years as a Special Forces Intelligence Analyst, but his journey of resilience began long before the military. In this episode of The Grit Mindset, Matt Rosen sits down with the Executive Director of the Special Operations Association of America...

In this episode of Grit Mindset, Matt Rosen sits down with serial entrepreneur and owner-operator of Flatout Logistics, Donnie Lopez. Donnie isn't just a business owner; he’s a master of the pivot. From a turbulent childhood to the high-stakes worlds of the oil patch, professional arm wrestling, and global event production—including Will Smith’s legendary 50th birthday jump in the Grand Canyon—Don...

In this episode of Grit Mindset, host Matt Rosen sits down with speaker, leadership coach, and author Mike Rose to unpack the concept of Return on Energy (ROE) and the driving forces behind his entrepreneurial journey. Mike shares vivid stories of his early hustles—from charging tolls in his Texas neighborhood to buying his first business at 18—and how these adventures shaped his unique perspectiv...

In this episode of Grit Mindset with Matt Rosen, host Matt Rosen goes solo to dive deep into the realities of setting and sticking to New Year's resolutions and goals. He shares his personal journey, including his mission to do 10 pull-ups, how dwindling gym crowds inspired his thoughts on perseverance, and why writing down specific, actionable goals is key to success. Matt discusses strategies fr...

In this episode of Grit Mindset with Matt Rosen, host Matt Rosen goes solo to explore the age-old question: Is grit something you’re born with, or can it be built through life’s challenges? Matt dives into his own upbringing as a military kid constantly adapting to new environments, shares stories from his formative paper route job, and reflects on the lessons that tough, hands-on work instills. H...

“I was fired.” It’s a sentence most leaders are terrified to say out loud. But for Andrew Snow, getting fired from a major leadership role wasn't the end of his career—it was the birth of his company, Track15. The secret to his rebound? It wasn't "white-knuckling" it or grinding harder. It was learning how to lean on others. In this episode of Grit Mindset, we’re tearing down the myth of the "Lone...

In this episode of Grit Mindset with Matt Rosen, Matt Rosen sits down with special guest Eric Winton, former CEO of The Bridge, to explore the real meaning of grit through candid storytelling and valuable life lessons. Eric Winton reflects on his journey from a humble, hardworking upbringing in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to climbing the ladder in consulting and tech, successfully navigating major career piv...

Kim Elenez, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish North Texas, shares the powerful impact of granting wishes to children facing critical illnesses. From her diverse career path to leading a large nonprofit chapter, Kim reveals how grit, purpose, and deep empathy drive her work and inspire her team. She also offers honest insights into overcoming self-doubt and the challenges of maintaining hope amid ha...

Grit Mindset with Matt Rosen (Highlights 2025) brings together entrepreneurs, leaders, and builders for an honest conversation about grit, hard work, and the realities of personal and professional growth. Across the episode, one message is clear: hard work never gets easier, but you get better at doing hard things. Grit isn’t something you’re born with; it’s learned through experience, discipline,...

NFL legend. Five-time Super Bowl champion. Unfiltered truth. In this powerful episode of The Grit Mindset with Matt Rosen, Charles Haley opens up like never before, sharing the raw story behind his greatness. From growing up struggling in school and battling undiagnosed bipolar disorder to playing through pain, winning five Super Bowls, and losing his identity after football, Haley’s journey is a...

In this episode of The Grit Mindset , host Matt Rosen sits down with his friend, neighbor, and respected healthcare leader Becky Tucker , SVP of Channel Integration at Texas Health Resources , one of the largest faith-based nonprofit healthcare systems in North Texas. Becky oversees thousands of employees —yet her road to leadership began far from the boardroom. From her early years as a competiti...

In this powerful episode of The Grit Mindset , Matt Rosen sits down with longtime friend, mentor, and client Richard Maranville, now CTO of Pinnacle Live, an innovative event-technology company operating in 150+ hotel properties nationwide. Richard’s story is a masterclass in grit, adaptability, and leadership. From a humble upbringing with a single mother in Southern California to discovering cod...

Thanksgiving Special: The Untold Origin Story of Allata In this special Thanksgiving episode, Host Matt Rosen sits down for a rare solo conversation to share the full origin story of Allata — the pivotal moments, the early supporters, the tough lessons, and the grit it took to build a company from his garage into a national consulting firm. Matt opens up about the mentors who shaped him, the seaso...

In this inspiring episode of The Grit Mindset, host Matt Rosen sits down with Christine Rogers, co-founder of Spark Farm, a marketing and PR agency built on flexibility, integrity, and a bold mission: reinventing the workplace—especially for working moms. Christine shares the deeply personal and professional journey that led her from male-dominated big-agency environments to launching Spark Farm i...

In this episode of The Grit Mindset, Host Matt Rosen sits down with longtime friend and Cloud Communications Group partner, Chris Moffett, for a candid conversation on entrepreneurship, innovation, resilience, and navigating the ever-changing world of technology. Chris shares his unconventional entry into the tech world — from carrying luggage at a Houston hotel to installing one of the building’s...

In this inspiring episode of The Grit Mindset, host Matt Rosen sits down with Mandy Austin, President of Corporate Banking at Vista Bank, to explore how purpose, perseverance, and service define true grit. Mandy shares her journey from growing up in North Texas to building a 20-year career in banking, culminating in her leadership role. She reflects on the influence of her father’s small business...

Host Matt Rosen sits down with longtime neighbor and friend Kyle Wick, co-founder of 22 One Advisors, to unpack the grit behind building a purpose-driven wealth advisory from the ground up. Kyle traces his path from small-town Iowa to Dallas—hauling boxes at UPS, managing third-shift sanitation crews in meat-packing plants, repo’ing cars for a farm bank—before betting on himself in a commission-on...

In this episode of The Grit Mindset, host Matt Rosen sits down with Scott Wood, CEO and Co-Founder of True North Advisors. Scott opens up about his early career — from dreaming of New York finance to launching his own firm that felt straight out of Wall Street. He shares how his family’s entrepreneurial roots shaped his work ethic and perspective, from his grandfather’s lighting company to his fat...

In this inspiring conversation, Matt Rosen sits down with Eric Benanti, a marketing major turned creative entrepreneur, who shares his journey of joining and eventually leading his family’s renowned creative agency, Tractorbeam. Eric reflects on the early days — when a set of business cards gifted at Christmas didn’t feel like much of a “gift,” but rather the beginning of a lifelong calling. Over...

In this inspiring episode of The Grit Mindset, host Matt Rosen sits down with Joan Kuehl, a trailblazing former CIO whose career has spanned technology, leadership, and mentorship. From growing up in a working-class family to leading global IT projects for major corporations like Sabre, Bank of America, and Travelers Insurance, Joan’s story is a powerful lesson in perseverance, adaptability, and c...