Evolved Entrepreneur Podcast

15: Why Retired Athletes Struggle (Brutal Truth Revealed) With: Brandon League MLB Pitcher (Dodgers)

He had the dream life. Then it ended. And the question that followed nearly broke him: “Who am I without this?” In this conversation, a former MLB pitcher opens up about the reality nobody talks about after professional sports. After more than a decade in the league, the game ended and so did the identity he had built his entire life around. We talk about growing up in Hawaii, getting drafted, playing in the majors, losing direction after baseball, and rebuilding himself through business, coaching, and personal growth. This conversation goes far beyond sports. We get into: Why so many athletes struggle after retirement What happens when your entire identity is tied to achievement The hidden cost of chasing success without knowing yourself What business failure reveals about who you really are How to rebuild your life when the thing that defined you is gone The mindset shift that changed everything for him This is for anyone who has ever outgrown a version of themselves and had no idea what came next. If you’ve ever felt lost, disconnected, or uncertain about your next chapter, this conversation will stay with you. Drop a comment: Have you ever had to reinvent yourself? Subscribe for more conversations on identity, purpose, leadership, and growth.

14: Talent Isn't Enough (Why You're Still Invisible) With: Uakea Sasaki Egami

Your kid isn’t invisible… they’re just posting for the wrong audience. And it’s costing them LIFE-CHANGING opportunities. In this powerful conversation, we break down how social media has completely changed the game for young athletes—and why most families are doing it wrong. This isn’t about going viral. This is about getting SEEN by the people who actually matter. From building trust with “cringe-resistant” teens… to turning highlight videos into real scholarship opportunities… this episode dives deep into what it really takes to stand out in today’s competitive recruiting world. You’ll discover: Why posting for friends is killing your athlete’s future The exact mindset shift that leads to college exposure How branding + character stats alone The truth about NIL, recruiting, and athlete visibility What parents MUST do to support without sabotaging This story goes beyond sports. It’s about leadership, identity, discipline—and building a future on purpose. If you’re a parent, athlete, or coach… this might completely change how you approach the game.

13: Are Fighters Today Weak? : The Truth In MMA Nobody Wants To Admit With Brian "Goze" MMA Junkies Host Brian "Goze" Garcia

In this episode Marc sits down with his longtime friend Brian "The Goze" Garcia, MMA media veteran and co-host of MMA Junkie Radio (now with USA Today), for a raw and wide-ranging conversation about building something from nothing, the evolution of MMA, generational accountability, and what it really means to stay true to your path when nobody believes in you. Key Topics Covered The Origin Story How Goze and his brother built a show before "podcasting" even had a name The loss of Sound Off Radio host Ryan Bennett and how grief became the spark for creation Covering Pride FC on MySpace and building an audience before social media was mainstream Frank Trigg, tequila shots, and how Goze accidentally became a co-host on episode one Building Without Permission Family pressure, skepticism, and being told MMA would never go anywhere The teacher who said "cracking jokes and watching sports will never get you anywhere" — and what happened when Goze returned to that school 15 years later to speak How doubt became fuel, not a stop sign The Mandalay Bay Studio Era How they walked in, asked a question, and landed a 10-year broadcast home The pandemic pivot to home studios and how the industry never went back Adapting the show when the world changed Old Guard vs. New Guard in MMA The accountability gap between fighters then and now Training in the early days: text threads between Frank Trigg, Frank Mir, Randy Couture, and Marvin Eastman just to find a gym Santiago "Border Boy" Luna — waking up at 3am in Mexico to drive to LA to train, then driving back Why wrestlers dominate: discipline built from day one, no days off Generational Shifts Social media, cyberbullying, and the pressure of maintaining a persona 24/7 Technology was supposed to free us — instead it gave our bosses more of our time The lost art of walking up to someone and starting a conversation Mumble rap, reggaeton, and the dilution of craft Relationships, Circles, and Boundaries Don't be somebody's Plan B Family is not defined by blood The Latin cultural dynamic of turning a blind eye to protect family Healthy conflict as the foundation of strong relationships Fighter Favorites Current favorite: Ilia Topuria — translating traditional boxing into MMA with intelligence and precision All-time GOAT: GSP — well-rounded, humble, cerebral, never pushed around by the organization Most mentally tough: Khabib Nurmagomedov — unshakeable under Connor McGregor's psychological warfare Scariest overall: Gilbert Yvel and Alexander Emelianenko Behind the Scenes of MMA Fighters don't realize how important they are — no fighters, no sport The UFC's Paramount deal and the long-overdue bonus raises The paradox of fighters: warriors in the cage, full of self-doubt outside it CTE, brain trauma, and the long-term cost of the old-school sparring culture Marc's personal story of a former NFL friend whose CTE-related breakdown ended in tragedy Closing Wisdom — The Goze Rules You didn't do it alone. Build and protect your support system. Your circle doesn't need to be big. It needs to be real. The most broken people give the most advice. Filter accordingly. Don't be afraid to go backwards — that's where the lessons live. The real enemy is standing still. Your time is the reward. Don't waste it.

12: Write the Damn Book: Why Writing a Book Changes You Forever (Not Just Your Business) With Sierra Melcher Owner of Red Thread Publishing

In this conversation, Marc sits down with Sierra Melcher, founder of Red Thread Publishing, to explore what it really takes to write a book, build a mission driven company, and evolve into the person your work demands. This isn’t about tactics. This is about identity, creation, and the long game. They break down why books still matter in a world dominated by AI and social media, and why writing one might be the most transformational thing you ever do. They cover why books are still one of the most powerful forms of authority and connection, the difference between creating content and creating something that actually lasts, and why writing a book is a personal transformation not just a project. They talk about the myth of overnight success and what really builds long term results, how creativity actually works and why it doesn’t come from hustle, and the balance between execution and inspiration. They get into why most people never finish their book, how books function as a business asset not just something you sell, and the identity shift that happens when you become an author. They also go deep on building a mission driven company, navigating fear and growth, and why you cannot do any of this alone. A few key takeaways from this conversation. Your first draft is supposed to be bad. That’s part of the process. Writing a book forces you to become someone new. Creativity doesn’t come from grinding, it comes from space. Success is built through small daily actions over time. The hard seasons shape the depth of your work. A book isn’t just something you sell, it’s something that elevates you. Sierra Melcher is the founder of Red Thread Publishing, a company focused on helping people write and publish impactful nonfiction books that amplify voices and create real change. You can find her at redthreadbooks.com and on Instagram at redthreadbooks. You don’t become an author when you publish the book. You become an author through the process of writing it.

11: From Street Kids to Entrepreneurs: A Journey of Grit and Resilience with AG Gregoroff (Owner Toe Hold Flip Flops)

Podcast Show Notes Guest: AG Gregoroff Host: Marc Anthony Longwith This episode is a real conversation between two guys who grew up in chaos and built something out of it. No fluff. No theory. Just lived experience. AG shares how he went from street fights, jail, and random jobs to building one of the most unique premium product companies in the world. This is about standards, pressure, identity, and what it actually takes to build something real. Episode Overview: This conversation goes deep into what it really takes to build at a high level. Not tactics. Not hacks. The way you think The way you operate The standards you hold Most people want success without becoming the person who can handle it. This episode breaks that illusion. Key Takeaways Where you start does not matter Both of us came from unstable environments surrounded by violence and chaos The difference was not opportunity It was a decision to become excellent at something Your past explains you but it does not define you Obsession beats strategy AG did not set out to build a company He became obsessed with making the best product possible The business came after that Most founders chase money The ones who win chase mastery The product is not enough Having the best product in the world does not guarantee anything What actually matters Customer experience Communication Brand Speed Standards If your business is not working it is usually not the product It is everything around it Customer experience is everything Most companies try to distance themselves from their customers AG does the opposite Direct communication Fast response times Personal involvement Example 27 second response time to customers on Christmas day That is the difference Standards are everything One small mistake can damage your reputation Wrong size product shipped Employee sent home immediately Not emotional Not personal Standards Work ethic is the real advantage The world is moving toward less work More comfort More delegation That is why most people are average If you are willing to take on more Work harder Stay close to everything You will stand out immediately Perspective solves most problems Most founders think they are under pressure But it is usually a lack of perspective If you would not trade your life for something worse Then you are not actually stuck You just need to keep going The world is getting softer Lower standards Less discipline More shortcuts That creates opportunity If you are willing to be consistent and disciplined You already separate yourself from most people Show Resources: 🌐 Website: www.evolvedentrepreneur.co [http://www.evolvedentrepreneur.co] 📆 Book a complimentary 1:1 call with Marc Longwith to figure out your next steps: https://calendly.com/evolvedentrepreneur/actionplan [https://calendly.com/evolvedentrepreneur/actionplan] https://shoptoehold.com/