

In Search Of Excellence
Randall Kaplan
We all have dreams of being successful and achieving excellence in our lives. But we inevitably experience resistance, challenges, and obstacles in the pursuit of our dreams. In Search of Excellence provides us with the inspiration we need to overcome these obstacles and accomplish our goals. In Search of Excellence takes us through the stories, routes, and strategies of people from hundreds of different backgrounds who have achieved excellence in both their professional and personal lives. Guest features include Sharon Stone, Kevin O'Leary, Sammy Hagar, Lara Logan, Sam Zell, and many more.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 7, 2025 • 50min
Anna Leigh Waters: Mental Toughness, Financial Wisdom, and the Future of Pickleball | E145
Anna Leigh Waters is the youngest professional pickleball player to achieve world number one status in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, a feat she accomplished at just 14 years old. As a pioneer in the rapidly growing sport, Anna Leigh has not only dominated on the court but also navigated the complexities of contracts, sponsorships, and the professionalization of pickleball. With accolades like being the top pick in the MLP Draft and endorsements from major brands, she’s become a trailblazer in the sport's evolution. Beyond her athletic achievements, Anna Leigh offers inspiring insights into mental toughness, managing fame, and preparing for the future, all while balancing her role as a role model for young athletes worldwide.Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction and Anna Leigh’s Pickleball IQ and Early Journey06:45 – MLP Draft and Strategies Behind Player Selections13:15 – Professional Sports Contracts: The Evolution in Pickleball20:30 – Mental Toughness and Dealing with High-Pressure Matches28:00 – Growth of Professional Pickleball Teams and Investment Opportunities35:20 – Extreme Preparation: Anna Leigh’s Approach to Practice and Strategy42:10 – The Future of Pickleball: Olympic Dreams and Global Recognition47:35 – Closing Reflections: Passion, Positivity, and GoalsCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Dec 31, 2024 • 1h 4min
Anna Leigh Waters: From the Youngest Prodigy to Pickleball’s #1 Player | E144
Anna Leigh Waters is the youngest professional pickleball player to achieve world number one status in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, a feat she accomplished at just 14 years old. As a pioneer in the rapidly growing sport, Anna Leigh has not only dominated on the court but also navigated the complexities of contracts, sponsorships, and the professionalization of pickleball. With accolades like being the top pick in the MLP Draft and endorsements from major brands, she’s become a trailblazer in the sport's evolution. Beyond her athletic achievements, Anna Leigh offers inspiring insights into mental toughness, managing fame, and preparing for the future, all while balancing her role as a role model for young athletes worldwide.Timestamps:00:01:59 - Anna's Childhood00:09:12 - Anna's First Pickleball Game00:12:27 - Rules of Pickleball00:17:09 - Anna's First Tournament00:24:27 - Anna's Love for Soccer00:33:03 - Anna Playing Tennis00:38:56 - Anna's Parents00:49:30 - How to Master Pickleball00:54:20 - Different Leagues in PickleballResourcesAnna's Favorite Pickleball PaddleCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Dec 24, 2024 • 51min
Gabby Reece: Fitness, Failure, and Big-Wave Surfing | E143
Gabby Reece is a former professional volleyball player who has carved out an extraordinary career as a sports announcer, fitness advocate, entrepreneur, public speaker, and author. She became the first woman to design a shoe for Nike and has been a spokesperson for major brands like Nike and Coppertone. In addition to excelling on the volleyball court, Gabby has graced magazine covers, hosted shows on MTV and CBS, and co-founded successful ventures like XPT, a fitness training program, and Laird Superfood, a popular line of coffee supplements. As the host of The Gabby Reece Show, she dives into topics like health, relationships, and business. Gabby's diverse experiences offer a wealth of insights into leadership, resilience, and personal growth.Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction and the Five Keys to Fitness06:45 – Learning from Failure08:18 – Launching XPT and Laird Superfood: From Passion to Business Success16:07 – Skiiing on a 60-Foot Wave: Trust and Overcoming Fear24:13 – The Five Keys to Fitness30:00 – Fill in the Blank to Excellence44:20 – The Best Piece of Advice Gabby HasResources:Gabby's InstagramGabby's WebsiteGabby's PodcastCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Dec 17, 2024 • 1h 15min
Gabby Reece: Lessons on Resilience, Reinvention, and Redefining Success | E142
Gabby Reece is a former professional volleyball player who has carved out an extraordinary career as a sports announcer, fitness advocate, entrepreneur, public speaker, and author. She became the first woman to design a shoe for Nike and has been a spokesperson for major brands like Nike and Coppertone. In addition to excelling on the volleyball court, Gabby has graced magazine covers, hosted shows on MTV and CBS, and co-founded successful ventures like XPT, a fitness training program, and Laird Superfood, a popular line of coffee supplements. As the host of The Gabby Reece Show, she dives into topics like health, relationships, and business. Gabby's diverse experiences offer a wealth of insights into leadership, resilience, and personal growth.Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction to Gabby Reece: Athlete, Entrepreneur, and Icon07:20 – Childhood Challenges: Losing a Parent and Finding Stability15:45 – Lessons from Volleyball: Discipline and Team Dynamics24:10 – Modeling Career: Balancing Sports and the Fashion Industry33:30 – Pioneering at Nike: Designing the First Female Cross-Training Shoe42:15 – Transitioning to Media: MTV, CBS, and Breaking New Ground51:50 – Family Life and Parenting Philosophy: Building Connections1:02:10 – Defining Success: Authenticity, Relationships, and GrowthResources:Gabby's InstagramGabby's WebsiteGabby's PodcastCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

17 snips
Dec 10, 2024 • 1h 12min
Graham Weaver: How to Scale Bright Spots, Overcome Limits, and Achieve Asymmetry | E141
Graham Weaver, Founder and CEO of Alpine Investors and a Stanford lecturer, shares rich insights from his 23-year journey in private equity. He discusses the real utility of money, emphasizing peace of mind over materialism. Graham dives into the importance of executive coaching for leadership growth and nature of effective mentoring. He also highlights the significance of focusing on strengths for strategic growth, and explores principles for an asymmetrical life, blending personal reflections with practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

11 snips
Dec 3, 2024 • 1h 20min
Graham Weaver: How to Achieve Your Goals, Manage Your Time, and Live Purposefully | E140
Graham Weaver, founder and CEO of Alpine Investors and a distinguished lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business, discusses the nuances of leadership and personal growth. He shares how childhood experiences and parental influences shaped his work ethic and resilience. Graham reflects on quitting wrestling to learn about failure and persistence. He emphasizes setting goals in the present tense for success and explores the emotional impact of losing a close friend, rediscovering purpose, and the balance between ambition and mental well-being.

Nov 26, 2024 • 1h 21min
Brock Pierce: What Is Bitcoin, How Does It Work, And The Importance Of Contribution | E139
Brock Pierce, began his career as a child actor, notably appearing in Disney's "The Mighty Ducks" series and "First Kid." Transitioning from entertainment to entrepreneurship, he co-founded the Digital Entertainment Network (DEN) in the late 1990s, aiming to deliver original episodic content online. Pierce later became a prominent figure in the cryptocurrency industry, co-founding Tether in 2014, a leading stablecoin, and serving as Director of the Bitcoin Foundation. In 2020, he ran as an independent candidate in the U.S. presidential election. His diverse experiences offer valuable insights into the intersections of technology, finance, and media.Coaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Nov 19, 2024 • 1h 1min
Brock Pierce: When to Exit Your Startup and How to Avoid Common Entrepreneur Pitfalls | E138
Brock Pierce, began his career as a child actor, notably appearing in Disney's "The Mighty Ducks" series and "First Kid." Transitioning from entertainment to entrepreneurship, he co-founded the Digital Entertainment Network (DEN) in the late 1990s, aiming to deliver original episodic content online. Pierce later became a prominent figure in the cryptocurrency industry, co-founding Tether in 2014, a leading stablecoin, and serving as Director of the Bitcoin Foundation. In 2020, he ran as an independent candidate in the U.S. presidential election. His diverse experiences offer valuable insights into the intersections of technology, finance, and media.Coaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Nov 12, 2024 • 2h 12min
Amanza Smith: Hardships, Defying the Odds, and Selling Sunset | E137
Amanza Smith is an accomplished entertainer, real estate agent, and advocate who has overcome immense personal challenges. Born to a mixed-race family in small-town Indiana, Amanza faced racism and abuse from a young age. Despite these adversities, she pursued her dreams, becoming a cheerleader, model, and reality TV star. Amanza's big break came on the hit show "Deal or No Deal," which led to her joining the prestigious Oppenheim Group and starring on "Selling Sunset." Beyond her professional success, Amanza's most inspiring role is that of a single mother. After her ex-husband's sudden disappearance, she fought tirelessly to provide for her children, relying on government assistance at times. Today, Amanza uses her platform to advocate for victims of abuse, encouraging others to seek help and support. Her ultimate goal is to inspire change through a design-focused TV show and a line of home goods. Amanza's journey is a testament to the power of resilience, creativity, and the pursuit of excellence in the face of adversity.2:18 - Introduction to Amanda Smith's Diverse Career 12:01 - Amanza's Unconventional Family Background18:55 - Experiencing Racism and Physical Abuse as a Child 30:35 - Coping Mechanisms: Gymnastics and Humor36:00 - Transition to Modeling and Acting42:27 - Challenges in Marriage and Financial Struggles 48:15 - Joining the Oppenheimer Group and Selling Sunset54:38 - Ralph Brown's Disappearance and Legal Battles1:00:52 - Advice for Victims of Abuse: Seeking Help and Therapy1:06:35 - Amanza's Goal: Hosting Her Own Design-Focused TV Show1:12:15 - Developing a Line of Home Goods and Furniture Products1:18:35 - Considering Adopting an Older Child in the Future1:24:23 - Amanza's Perspective on Dating in Los Angeles1:30:30 - Dealing with Haters and Social Media Criticism1:36:06 - Amanza's Responsibility as a Successful Black Woman1:42:29 - The Biggest Lesson Amanza Has Learned in Life1:48:13 - Amanza's Number One Personal and Professional Goals1:54:32 - Amanza's Biggest Regret and the Craziest Thing in Her CareerCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Nov 5, 2024 • 1h 1min
Dave Asprey: Health Misconceptions and Empowering Personal Change | E136
Dave Asprey, known as the "Father of Biohacking," is an influential entrepreneur, author, and founder of Bulletproof 360. He pioneered the Bulletproof Coffee trend and has played a crucial role in promoting the biohacking movement, which focuses on optimizing human performance and health. Starting his career in tech, Dave shifted focus to explore how nutritional and environmental changes could enhance personal well-being. In this episode, he discusses his journey from tech enthusiast to wellness advocate, sharing practical biohacking tips and his transformative health experiences. Dave's story is not just about personal success; it's about empowering others to achieve better health and resilience through groundbreaking self-optimization techniques.Timestamps:02:18 - Insights into monthly health meetings and their benefits.05:13 - Personal reflections on overcoming recurrent health issues.06:58 - Techniques to ferment coffee to enhance its health properties.18:41 - Introduction to the concept of 'bicep brief' in fitness routines.28:46 - Discussing the challenges and lessons from working multiple jobs.37:52 - Examination of sexual health practices and their implications.39:26 - Dave Asprey shares critical conclusions on health optimizations.40:24 - The effects of dietary changes on hormonal levels.47:17 - Recommendations for nutritional supplements to aid muscle growth.47:57 - Lifestyle tips for maintaining fitness through cycling.51:00 - Benefits of specialized glasses for vision and health.51:15 - Dave Asprey discusses the importance of accessible health tools.Coaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn


