Getting After It

What does it actually mean to get after it ? In this episode, Ally Rossell joins me to break down the real meaning behind the phrase — beyond the t-shirts, the hashtags, and the highlight reels. This isn’t about motivational fluff. It’s about discipline, daily reps, mental battles, and doing the hard thing when no one’s watching. We talk about the difference between grinding blindly vs. reflecting...

What happens when you get dropped into the heart of the Amazon rainforest with nothing but a machete, a bow, and the will to make it out alive? In this episode, I sit down with Dustin Illgner — adventurer, survivalist, and perhaps the only man in the office who’s stared down a howler monkey after building his own jungle shelter. We talk about his expedition deep into the Amazon under the guidance...

Dave Daly should’ve died in that water. A family vacation. A rogue wave. A snapped neck. Paralysis from the shoulders down. But this isn’t a story about tragedy — it’s about what you do next . In this raw, honest conversation, Dave shares the moment his life changed forever: floating face down in the ocean, unable to move, unsure if he’d live to see another breath. What followed was surgery, a 40-...

In this episode, I sit down with my oldest brother Blake for a conversation that’s equal parts hilarious and humbling. We walk through the rise and fall of our business Swello—how we bootstrapped it from late-night ad gigs into a full-blown agency with 20+ employees… and how it all came crashing down. This isn’t just a story about business. It’s about losing a piece of your identity, dealing with...

In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend Payton Sellers—a future dentist, former missionary, and professional at learning the hard way. We talk about what it means to choose your hard , how to own rejection, and why taking life too seriously might be the worst way to live it. Payton shares stories that are as hilarious as they are honest—failed dates, lessons from Baltimore, and why lau...

“You don’t have to love the pain. But you can love what it produces.” This episode is deeply personal. Ally and I talk about Amor Fati —the Stoic mindset of loving your fate—and how it can shift the way you approach setbacks, suffering, and even grief. We walk through everything from infertility to losing a parent to injury during marathon training. It’s not a highlight reel. It’s real life. You’l...

Welcome back to the Getting After It podcast. In this episode, I take you into the heart of one of history’s most disciplined warrior codes: Bushido , the code of the Samurai. But I don’t just talk about it—I bring it to life through the story of Miyamoto Musashi , Japan’s most legendary swordsman, a man who won 60 duels and once killed his opponent with a wooden oar. At the end, I give you five p...

Today on the Getting After It podcast, I’m joined by a very special guest—my wife, Ally! We sat down (matching mustard chairs and all) to have a real conversation about trying hard things, embracing the discomfort of being a beginner, and staying consistent without losing your sense of self-worth. Ally shares her journey from being terrified of recording podcasts to launching Siblings in Crime wit...

Hey friends—welcome to the very first episode of my new "Code Series" on the Getting After It podcast. Over the next few months, we’re diving deep into the personal and historical codes that have shaped warriors, leaders, and everyday legends. From samurai and Bushido to pirates and medieval knights, we’ll look at how people from different walks of life created rules that anchored their...

Welcome back to the Getting After It podcast. In today’s episode, I break down a concept that’s reshaped how I view everything —from daily routines to long-term goals: “Life is what you think of it.” Inspired by a raw, honest TikTok video, I unpack what it really means when we say “the way you see yourself is how the world reflects you back.” This episode is all about reframing your mindset, confr...

Let’s be honest—boredom gets a bad rap. We’re told success should be fast, exciting, filled with dopamine and dramatic transformation. But what if the exact opposite is true? In this episode, I’m diving deep into a truth I’ve had to learn the hard way: before brilliance comes boredom . Whether you’re chasing fitness goals, building a business, writing a book, or just trying to become a better huma...

When I left home at 18, my dad gave me one piece of advice that stuck: “Remember who you are and always be true to yourself.” That single line has shaped so much of how I live, how I love, and how I lead.  In this episode, I dig into the power of authenticity—not the fluffy Instagram version, but the kind that comes from knowing yourself deeply, owning your quirks, your passions, and choosing to e...

This one lit a fire in me—and I hope it does the same for you. In this episode, I dive deep into The Strenuous Life , a philosophy championed by Teddy Roosevelt, and one that mirrors everything “Getting After It” stands for. Roosevelt wasn’t always the rugged, battle-hardened leader we think of—he was a sickly, asthmatic kid who made a choice: to fight. To grow. To get better. And he did. I walk t...

In this episode, I dive deep into one of the most misunderstood and underutilized tools in personal development—discipline. It’s not about punishment or rigidity. It’s about love. It’s about showing up, even when you don’t feel like it. It’s about choosing what you want most over what you want now. I talk about the truth behind “discipline equals freedom,” how it’s shaped every aspect of my life,...

Sometimes life throws curveballs—unexpected obstacles, setbacks, or moments that force us to rethink our goals. In this episode, I dive into the lessons I learned when I had to pivot from one ultra marathon to another after months of training, only to face another brutal challenge on race day. I share what it was like to push through heat exhaustion, dehydration, and self-doubt while running throu...

Ever felt like a fraud, like you’re not good enough, or that you’re just getting lucky? You’re not alone. Seventy percent of people struggle with imposter syndrome at some point in their lives. In this episode, I dive into the mental war of imposter syndrome—why we feel it, how to fight it, and how to finally own your wins. What You’ll Learn: The five red flags of imposter syndrome that might be h...

This episode is more than just running—it's about resilience, community, and the power of doing hard things in honor of those who can’t. Ally and I dive deep into Team Tim’s evolution into Be Hard to Kill , a movement dedicated to honoring those affected by cancer and life’s toughest battles. We share stories from the latest Team Tim race in Vegas, the power of pushing limits, and the deeper...

What’s up, friends? This one’s personal. We’re diving into fitness—not just the sweat and the gains, but what it really does for you. I’ve been that chubby kid who felt mediocre, and I’ve been the guy obsessing over a marathon time that nearly broke me.  Today, I’m unpacking it all: how exercise transforms your body (think 35% less risk of heart disease—nuts, right?), rewires your mind (15 minutes...

Think mental toughness is just for Navy SEALs or Olympians? Nah—it’s for me, it’s for you, it’s for anyone who’s ever set a goal and smashed into a wall chasing it.  I’m Brett, your host of Getting After It , and in this episode, I’m diving into the grit that keeps you swinging when life’s kicking you in the teeth. I used to think it was some rare gift—until I went from a cardio-free couch potato...

When was the last time you truly felt like the main character of your own life? Not the sidekick, not the NPC in the background—but the hero, standing at the edge of your journey, ready to slay dragons? In this episode, we break down Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey and how it applies to YOUR life. Whether you're stuck in the ordinary world, facing self-doubt, or on the verge of a massive bre...

In this episode, I let ChatGPT take the interviewer’s seat. After feeding it transcripts from past episodes, I asked it to act like a loyal listener—someone who gets after it in their own life—and throw some thought-provoking questions my way. The result? A dive into discipline, overcoming self-doubt, pushing limits, and the mindset shifts that fuel personal growth. Here’s what we cover: The bigge...

We've all been there—things are going well, you're making progress, you're feeling good… and then, suddenly, you lose momentum.  Life gets busy, obstacles pop up, and before you know it, you're off track. So, what do you do when that happens? How do you rebuild momentum and keep moving forward? In this episode, I break down: Why starting is always the hardest part (and how to p...

In this solo episode, we’re tackling one of the most critical principles for success—hard work. If you’ve ever wondered how to actually work hard in a way that moves the needle, this episode is for you. Inspired by Paul Graham’s essay How to Do Hard Work, we break down what separates those who get after it from those who stay stagnant. We explore why hard work is often misunderstood and how to app...

In this special episode, I sit down with my wife, Ally, for a conversation about discipline, creativity, and making the most out of life.  From starting her own true crime podcast to exploring art and quilting, Ally shares how she’s been challenging herself in new ways. We also dive into the importance of presence—how being intentional in marriage, work, and personal growth leads to a more fulfill...

Success isn’t just about effort—it’s about strategy. In this episode, I break down the fundamental principle that applies to running, business, relationships, and every major pursuit in life: how you fuel yourself determines how far you go. Whether you’re training for a marathon, chasing career growth, or simply trying to be 1% better every day, the quality of what you put in—mentally, physically,...