Learn from failure, don't quit - Josh Otero - S6 - E14

Learn from failure, don't quit - Josh Otero - S6 - E14

This episode of A Founder’s Life is brought to you by Thankz, helping founders scale with reliable remote talent. Get $1,000 off your first month by emailing founders@thankz.com with the subject line Founder’s Life. 🌐 Follow A Founder’s Life  • YouTube:   @AFoundersLife    • LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-founder-s-life-podcast/  • Instagram: @afounderslife    • Spotify & Apple Podcast: https://linktr.ee/afounderslife 👤 Connect with Today’s Guest – Josh Otero LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshotero/ Elanah AI: https://elanah.ai Warrior GMR Foundation: https://warriorgmrfoundation.org What happens when a personal mission becomes a company with the potential to save lives? In this episode, Josh Otero shares his journey from athlete, financial services professional, CrossFit gym owner, and entrepreneur to founding **Elanah AI**, a platform focused on mental readiness and proactive support for veterans, service members, and their families. Josh explains how tragic events during COVID inspired him to launch the Warrior GMR Foundation and eventually create an AI-powered platform designed to provide confidential support when people need it most. We also discuss mental health, resilience, endurance sports, leadership, family, and why entrepreneurs must learn to keep moving forward through failure. What you’ll learn: • How tragedy inspired the creation of Elanah AI • Why mental readiness matters before crisis happens • Lessons from ultra-marathons and Ironman races • How failure helps entrepreneurs grow • Why persistence is one of the most important founder traits LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/leogestetner [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=channel_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbWRVMmVCb3JfcmZKTVRMdVl2aVdUbTJWZFBEZ3xBQ3Jtc0tuTEVZZ2szMVF3VkNWUkRKN0c0aW9lZlY0anJldnJrTWh0NXEzWkFiQjVHWk9pNXdhcXVueC1mc2ZMOXhfbnI5dl9uMEVXSEh5M3hpdHZCYXZoX19lakluTWVQNXoxWEo5b0ZUb1luVmZ2NGk3YW1ZTQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fleogestetner%2F] Website leogestetner.com/leo [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=channel_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3FVbDA4RUlFOFgtUUpZQ3p6X3Eta052N2ppZ3xBQ3Jtc0tuZEplNmFobWVoZFpOWFc5Mzg3bHZ3NFdNVHc2RWtWNDc0OGxGQ3dsT2ZEamFNUmVDeGkzQUg1eFNmSFllem1YcmVESHo2czRacE5ZZ01Qc2xKNzI5TVR6Z2xoX0xWWVA4bEtIZnhVS0tRYXRfc0F3WQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fleogestetner.com%2Fleo%2F] Subscribe Now! youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1 [https://youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1]

Why Saying “No” Builds Better Businesses - Rusty Fulling - S6 - E13

This episode of A Founder’s Life is brought to you by Thankz, helping founders scale with reliable remote talent. Get $1,000 off your first month by emailing founders@thankz.com with the subject line Founder’s Life. 🌐 Follow A Founder’s Life  • YouTube:   @AFoundersLife    • LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-founder-s-life-podcast/  • Instagram: @afounderslife    • Spotify & Apple Podcast: https://linktr.ee/afounderslife 👤 Connect with Today’s Guest – Rusty Fulling Website: https://www.fullingmgmt.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rustyfulling/ Company's LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/fulling-management-&-accounting What happens when burnout lands you in the hospital? In this episode, Rusty Fulling shares how overwhelming stress and unhealthy work habits pushed him to completely rethink his career and eventually launch his own accounting and fractional CFO business. Rusty opens up about the early years of entrepreneurship, balancing faith, family, and business, and the lessons he learned about saying “no” to the wrong opportunities — even when they looked financially attractive. We also discuss running, health, purpose-driven work, mentorship, and why entrepreneurs should never try to build alone. What you’ll learn: • Why burnout can become a wake-up call • The importance of defining your ideal client • Why saying “no” can protect your business • How purpose improves health and performance • Why entrepreneurs need strong community and support systems LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/leogestetner [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=channel_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbWRVMmVCb3JfcmZKTVRMdVl2aVdUbTJWZFBEZ3xBQ3Jtc0tuTEVZZ2szMVF3VkNWUkRKN0c0aW9lZlY0anJldnJrTWh0NXEzWkFiQjVHWk9pNXdhcXVueC1mc2ZMOXhfbnI5dl9uMEVXSEh5M3hpdHZCYXZoX19lakluTWVQNXoxWEo5b0ZUb1luVmZ2NGk3YW1ZTQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fleogestetner%2F] Website leogestetner.com/leo [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=channel_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3FVbDA4RUlFOFgtUUpZQ3p6X3Eta052N2ppZ3xBQ3Jtc0tuZEplNmFobWVoZFpOWFc5Mzg3bHZ3NFdNVHc2RWtWNDc0OGxGQ3dsT2ZEamFNUmVDeGkzQUg1eFNmSFllem1YcmVESHo2czRacE5ZZ01Qc2xKNzI5TVR6Z2xoX0xWWVA4bEtIZnhVS0tRYXRfc0F3WQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fleogestetner.com%2Fleo%2F] Subscribe Now! youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1 [https://youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1]

Success Starts in Your Mind - Bruno Drummond - S6 - E12

This episode of A Founder’s Life is brought to you by Thankz, helping founders scale with reliable remote talent. Get $1,000 off your first month by emailing founders@thankz.com with the subject line Founder’s Life. 🌐 Follow A Founder’s Life  • YouTube:   @AFoundersLife    • LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-founder-s-life-podcast/  • Instagram: @afounderslife    • Spotify & Apple Podcast: https://linktr.ee/afounderslife 👤 Connect with Today’s Guest – Bruno Drummond Website: https://drummondadvisors.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bdrummond/ What does it take to go from the bottom of a Brazilian favela to building multiple international businesses? In this episode, Bruno Drummond shares his incredible entrepreneurial journey, from selling baked goods in high school to founding Drummond Advisors and multiple SaaS and real estate businesses across the U.S., Brazil, and beyond. Bruno opens up about growing up in difficult environments, developing a relentless growth mindset, and why learning languages and acquiring knowledge became his path forward. We also discuss leadership, parenting, health, mental resilience, and why your mind can either become your greatest ally or your biggest enemy. This is a powerful conversation about pressure, discipline, growth, and building a life with intention. What you’ll learn: • Why mindset determines entrepreneurial success • How Bruno built companies across multiple industries • Why knowledge is the key to long-term growth • The importance of family structure and intentional parenting LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/leogestetner [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=channel_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbWRVMmVCb3JfcmZKTVRMdVl2aVdUbTJWZFBEZ3xBQ3Jtc0tuTEVZZ2szMVF3VkNWUkRKN0c0aW9lZlY0anJldnJrTWh0NXEzWkFiQjVHWk9pNXdhcXVueC1mc2ZMOXhfbnI5dl9uMEVXSEh5M3hpdHZCYXZoX19lakluTWVQNXoxWEo5b0ZUb1luVmZ2NGk3YW1ZTQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fleogestetner%2F] Website leogestetner.com/leo [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=channel_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3FVbDA4RUlFOFgtUUpZQ3p6X3Eta052N2ppZ3xBQ3Jtc0tuZEplNmFobWVoZFpOWFc5Mzg3bHZ3NFdNVHc2RWtWNDc0OGxGQ3dsT2ZEamFNUmVDeGkzQUg1eFNmSFllem1YcmVESHo2czRacE5ZZ01Qc2xKNzI5TVR6Z2xoX0xWWVA4bEtIZnhVS0tRYXRfc0F3WQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fleogestetner.com%2Fleo%2F] Subscribe Now! youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1 [https://youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1]

Why You Must Love the Problem You Solve - Caleb Avery - S6 - E11

This episode of A Founder’s Life is brought to you by Thankz, helping founders scale with reliable remote talent. Get $1,000 off your first month by emailing founders@thankz.com with the subject line Founder’s Life. 🌐 Follow A Founder’s Life  • YouTube:   @AFoundersLife    • LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-founder-s-life-podcast/  • Instagram: @afounderslife    • Spotify & Apple Podcast: https://linktr.ee/afounderslife 👤 Connect with Today’s Guest – Caleb Avery Website: https://tilled.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caleb-avery/ What does it really take to build a fintech company from scratch? In this episode, Caleb Avery, Founder and CEO of Tilled, shares his journey from going door-to-door selling payment solutions at 19 to building a company redefining embedded payments with “PayFac as a Service.” Caleb opens up about the early days of entrepreneurship, the reality of startup life, and a defining moment during COVID when he had to decide whether to go all-in on his business while supporting a growing family. We also discuss why balance may be a myth, how to be intentional with time, and why founders must choose problems they’re willing to commit to for the long term. What you’ll learn: - Why most founders misunderstand “balance” - How Caleb built a fintech company from real market needs - The importance of being intentional with your time - Why passion for the problem matters more than the idea - How to think long-term as an entrepreneur LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/leogestetner [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=channel_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbWRVMmVCb3JfcmZKTVRMdVl2aVdUbTJWZFBEZ3xBQ3Jtc0tuTEVZZ2szMVF3VkNWUkRKN0c0aW9lZlY0anJldnJrTWh0NXEzWkFiQjVHWk9pNXdhcXVueC1mc2ZMOXhfbnI5dl9uMEVXSEh5M3hpdHZCYXZoX19lakluTWVQNXoxWEo5b0ZUb1luVmZ2NGk3YW1ZTQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fleogestetner%2F] Website leogestetner.com/leo [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=channel_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3FVbDA4RUlFOFgtUUpZQ3p6X3Eta052N2ppZ3xBQ3Jtc0tuZEplNmFobWVoZFpOWFc5Mzg3bHZ3NFdNVHc2RWtWNDc0OGxGQ3dsT2ZEamFNUmVDeGkzQUg1eFNmSFllem1YcmVESHo2czRacE5ZZ01Qc2xKNzI5TVR6Z2xoX0xWWVA4bEtIZnhVS0tRYXRfc0F3WQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fleogestetner.com%2Fleo%2F] Subscribe Now! youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1 [https://youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1]

Believe in Yourself and Just Do It - Meredith Hirsh - S6 - E10

This episode of A Founder’s Life is brought to you by Thankz, helping founders scale with reliable remote talent. Get $1,000 off your first month by emailing founders@thankz.com with the subject line Founder’s Life. 🌐 Follow A Founder’s Life  • YouTube:   @AFoundersLife   • LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-founder-s-life-podcast/  • Instagram: @afounderslife   • Spotify & Apple Podcast: https://linktr.ee/afounderslife 👤 Connect with Today’s Guest – Meredith Hirsh Website: meredithhirsh.com [https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3a%2f%2fmeredithhirsh.com%2f%3ffbclid%3dIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExTDNIWUIwQ3FtS1lRUzVCRnNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR7KLM4jG_WlQhaFjOXzisY-W2lf1fkB5xvorWeWrV_sxt9S2X9TdlvT7kogIg_aem_pU2Oggnxo0_GQDiyO-7riA&c=E,1,-Loy-CGg7JaQ_V-eRXk_zzhOb5yXCWDff4VmwousieKj6Bg_P4Ra_33vp2eTBXa6GY6sIlW6e3wSNxxLtcMOTbw-55GK36FK60UkYoUxcA,,&typo=1] Instagram: @WorkingHealthcare Facebook: @WorkingHealthcare LinkedIn: @meredithfhirsh YouTube: @WorkingHealthcare LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/meredithfhirsh [http://www.linkedin.com/in/meredithfhirsh] Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/working-healthcare/id1746629912 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/working-healthcare/id1746629912] What happens when someone who never planned to work in medicine ends up building a thriving healthcare business? In this episode, Meredith Hirsh shares her journey from advertising and teaching to becoming CEO of the Hirsh Center for Arthritis and Sports Medicine, a 60-person independent medical practice in Florida. Meredith opens up about marriage at 21, raising three boys, balancing ambition with motherhood, flipping homes, going back for her MBA in her 40s, and the pivotal moment she realized founders can never fully walk away from their company. We also discuss confidence, health, yoga, family priorities, and why many aspiring entrepreneurs simply need to believe in themselves and start. What you’ll learn: - Why confidence is critical for entrepreneurs - How Meredith built a practice from scratch - The reality of balancing business and motherhood - Why founders must stay close to their business - How health and mindset fuel long-term success LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/leogestetner [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=channel_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbWRVMmVCb3JfcmZKTVRMdVl2aVdUbTJWZFBEZ3xBQ3Jtc0tuTEVZZ2szMVF3VkNWUkRKN0c0aW9lZlY0anJldnJrTWh0NXEzWkFiQjVHWk9pNXdhcXVueC1mc2ZMOXhfbnI5dl9uMEVXSEh5M3hpdHZCYXZoX19lakluTWVQNXoxWEo5b0ZUb1luVmZ2NGk3YW1ZTQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fleogestetner%2F] Website leogestetner.com/leo [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=channel_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3FVbDA4RUlFOFgtUUpZQ3p6X3Eta052N2ppZ3xBQ3Jtc0tuZEplNmFobWVoZFpOWFc5Mzg3bHZ3NFdNVHc2RWtWNDc0OGxGQ3dsT2ZEamFNUmVDeGkzQUg1eFNmSFllem1YcmVESHo2czRacE5ZZ01Qc2xKNzI5TVR6Z2xoX0xWWVA4bEtIZnhVS0tRYXRfc0F3WQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fleogestetner.com%2Fleo%2F] Subscribe Now! youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1 [https://youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1]