Be Better Tribe

In this episode of the Be Better Tribe Podcast, I sit down with longtime colleague and friend Nate Pullen, Director of SDR at Gong. After working together across three companies and more than seven years, Nate and I reflect on leadership, career growth, resilience, and the mindset behind sustained success. Nate shares his unconventional journey from the Marine Corps and running a restaurant to bec...

Every meaningful choice comes with a trade-off. In this episode, I reflect on how the decisions we make with our careers, relationships, health, and time shape where we ultimately end up. I share personal examples of choosing growth over comfort and how different decisions can compound over time. The goal isn’t to sacrifice everything—it’s to be intentional about what you’re saying yes to and what...

Sometimes the biggest turning points in life start with one simple decision: show up . In this episode of Be Better Tribe, I share a childhood story about nearly skipping an Olympic Development Program soccer tryout because I felt too young, too small, and convinced I wouldn’t make the team. I went anyway, had one of my best days of soccer, and made the team. That moment became a reminder I still...

In this episode of Be Better Tribe, I reflect on the importance of building core memories, having fun, and not taking life too seriously. A weekend with my son, parents, and family at a Raiders game reminded me how easy it is to miss those moments when we are too focused on how we look, what others think, or simply trying to play it cool. That realization hit me when I almost let a special moment...

Inspired by my recent conversation with Morgan J. Ingram, I explore how his career changed when he stopped approaching his SDR role halfway and decided to fully commit. I also share how that same lesson applies beyond our careers, from leadership and personal growth to being fully present as a father. Key takeaways: Name the roles that matter most to you. Define the behaviors that commitment requi...

In this episode of Be Better Tribe, I sit down with sales leader, creator, and entrepreneur Morgan J. Ingram to talk about his journey from struggling as a new SDR to becoming one of the most recognizable voices in sales. Morgan shares how committing fully to his role changed the trajectory of his career, why creating the SDR Chronicles opened doors he never expected, and how building a personal b...

In this episode of Be Better Tribe, I explore the idea of living in a “microwave society,” a world where we’ve become conditioned to expect results almost instantly. Inspired by a concept shared by Q Myers on the Locked On Raiders podcast, I reflect on how instant gratification can impact our careers, health, goals, and willingness to stick with something when progress feels slow. Through personal...

In this episode of Be Better Tribe, I sit down with longtime friend and former teammate Anton Peterlin to talk about his journey from college soccer at UC Santa Cruz and Cal Poly to signing with Everton, playing professionally in England, and eventually becoming a doctor and surgeon in Denmark. Anton shares lessons on work ethic, resilience, relationships, and what he learned from competing alongs...

Getting promoted is about more than doing your job well. It is about taking ownership of your career, building a strong reputation, and proving you are ready for the next level before the opportunity arrives. In this episode of the Be Better Tribe Podcast, I share five lessons from over a decade of leading and coaching people to advance their careers. At the core are two simple ideas: be the best...

In this episode of the Be Better Tribe Podcast, I sit down with Matt Roberts, a sales development leader and co-host of the Top Shelf Outbound Leadership Podcast. Matt shares his unconventional journey from reality TV and bartending into tech sales, where he became a top-performing SDR and eventually moved into leadership. We talk about what it really takes to perform at a high level, why most car...

Building good habits is not about perfection, but consistency and getting back on track when life gets in the way. In this episode of the Be Better Tribe Podcast, I revisit Atomic Habits by James Clear and the idea of “never miss twice.” I share how travel, busy schedules, and marathon training have disrupted my routines, and what I’ve learned about staying consistent through it all. I also talk a...

What will matter most when your life comes to an end? In this episode of the Be Better Tribe Podcast, I reflect on The Top Five Regrets of the Dying by Bronnie Ware and the powerful lessons shared by people in the final chapter of their lives. Their regrets are not about money, titles, or success. They are about how they lived, loved, and spent their time. I share how these lessons have challenged...

In Episode 29 of the Be Better Tribe Podcast, I welcome back Eric Branagan-Franco for World Cup Part 2. Eric and I reflect on the World Cup experience, from attending the United States’ knockout round victory at Levi’s Stadium to watching the final together with friends and family. We discuss the passion of the fans, the cultures that came together throughout the tournament, and how soccer created...

In Episode 28 of the Be Better Tribe Podcast, I reflect on Mindset by Carol Dweck and the impact it continues to have on my life. I have read or listened to this book three or four times, and each time I walk away with something new. In this episode, I explore the difference between understanding a growth mindset and actually living it—especially when things do not go as planned. Key Takeaways: Th...

In this episode of the Be Better Tribe Episode, I sit down with an old friend, Alok Pandey. We've known each other for more than 30 years, ever since he was in first grade and I was in second. It's a conversation that reflects not only on a lifelong friendship, but also on the lessons, values, and experiences that have shaped us along the way. We discuss the power of the people you surround yourse...

In this episode of the Be Better Tribe Podcast, I reflect on why the FIFA World Cup is so much more than a sporting event. It's a celebration of people, cultures, and the shared experiences that bring us together. Using lessons from The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, I explore how being impeccable with our word, avoiding assumptions, not taking things personally, and always doing our best can...

In this episode of the Be Better Tribe Podcast, I sit down with Eric Schmitt, a highly respected strength and conditioning coach whose career has included stops at elite organizations such as the Memphis Grizzlies, UCLA and UCSB. Throughout his career, Eric has helped athletes perform at the highest levels while continually investing in his own growth as a coach, leader, and lifelong learner. We d...

In this episode of the Be Better Tribe Podcast, I share one of the most impactful lessons I've carried with me since my college soccer days at Cal Poly. Our sports psychologist, Jeff Troesch , introduced us to a simple but powerful framework: ACE — Attitude, Concentration, and Effort. Years later, these three principles continue to shape how I approach leadership, parenting, fitness, relationships...

In this episode of the Be Better Tribe Podcast, I sit down with Chris Harris, known as "The Warrior Maker," to discuss leadership, mindset, personal growth, and the power of transformation. Chris shares lessons from a lifetime of studying human performance, leadership development, and resilience. We dive into the concept of metacognition—the ability to think about your thinking—and why it may be o...

In this special solo episode of the Be Better Tribe Podcast, I reflect on the biggest lessons from my conversations in Episodes 16 through 21. Over the last several weeks, I've sat down with entrepreneurs, executives, coaches, mentors, and lifelong friends. While each guest had a unique story, I noticed many of the same principles kept showing up. Different paths, different careers, and different...

In this episode of Be Better Tribe, I sit down with world-renowned hairstylist, educator, and entrepreneur Sam Villa to talk about passion, purpose, and the mindset behind long-term success. Lucky for me I get to call him Tio Sam (AKA Uncle Sam). Sam shares his journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of the most respected names in the beauty industry, building a career centered around creat...

I sat down with Conor Begley to talk about the reality of entrepreneurship, betting on yourself, and what it takes to keep building through uncertainty. Conor shares his journey from Cal Poly to co-founding Fathers Brewing, along with the lessons that came from launching businesses, learning through failure, and continuing to evolve as an entrepreneur. We talk about persistence, staying focused wh...

I sat down with Elena Winters to talk about what it really takes to build a meaningful career over time. We start with her early days as a Sales Associate and how those foundational experiences shaped the way she approaches leadership today. Elena was actually the one who referred me into that role, which changed the trajectory of my career and is a real reminder that your network matters more tha...

I sat down with one of my best friends, Peter Balla. This is the longest episode I’ve done, and for good reason. Peter is one of my longest standing friends, and this conversation really captures what Be Better Tribe is all about… real conversations with people who have shaped your life. We go back to our childhood in Santa Cruz and how those early years influenced who we became. From there, Peter...

I had the chance to sit down with Brian LaManna to talk about something that shows up in almost every strong career path I’ve seen: Taking the leap before you feel ready. Brian’s journey from SDR to enterprise seller in just a few years didn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of consistency, learning from the right people, creating systems that support his goals, and maintaining a strong bias t...