Have you ever wondered why it seems like most men in our society aren't nearly as strong as they used to be? Does it seem like most men don't have that fire, drive and conviction that those that came before us had? It's all due to the "Big Dog Effect." In this episode Derek tells a story about how his friend would ensure that his big dogs would never turn on them starting from the time they were young puppies; make them understand who the authority is and never let them forget. What may sound to...
Jul 28, 2023•24 min•Season 1Ep. 199
Ron Lotti had an very tough upbringing. He experienced everything from abuse to neglect and was ultimately left wondering if he even had a place in this world at all. He thought that the military could provide some of the structure and discipline that he so badly needed but after an unfortunate incident, even that proved not to work. So many people that would've ran into the amount of obstacles that Ron did not only at an early age but even throughout his early adult years would have probably en...
Jul 22, 2023•55 min•Season 1Ep. 198
How often do you feel guilty about taking a few days off to go do something fun? Do you ever feel like you "can't afford" to do the thing that you've been wanting to do? As Derek has gotten into his 40th year, he is starting to lean into the idea of experiences. Having responsibilities and obligations can make a marriage suffer and can also create distance between you and your kids if you aren't very intentional. After a conversation with a friend, this topic became very relevant. So often we ma...
Jun 23, 2023•19 min•Season 1Ep. 197
Derek had the opportunity to speak at the graduation ceremony for his local high school and the first point that he talked about was suffering. That same topic came up again when his daughter was struggling with some of her own issues. It may sound like a crazy question on the surface but...is suffering actually helpful? As humans, we are built to avoid pain and suffering at all costs. We buy all kinds of products that make our life easier but is that actually giving us a better quality of life?...
Jun 16, 2023•24 min•Season 1Ep. 196
Do you ever feel like everyday is the same? Does it seem like you have the same lifestyle, the same routine and mostly the same outcome? Do you end up telling your kids to just go away and play on the iPad or the gaming system? Everyone has tough days when they're raising kids. There are plenty of times when it seems easier to just let them get what they want rather than dealing with another temper tantrum. It could seem easier to just be their friend and not the authority that they need. Rememb...
May 26, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 195
Tim Meeks grew up in Alabama very poor but he didn't let that stop him. Fortunately for him, although he was poor, he learned some of the most valuable lessons that will lead anybody to future success; hard work and humility. Although he was raised in a double wide trailer (and STILL lives in one right now despite running a multi-million dollar business) he didn't ever play victim to his circumstances. Instead, he went out and worked hard to get a good job, parlayed that into a startup business ...
May 19, 2023•53 min•Season 1Ep. 194
In this episode, Derek dives into the age old debate about nature vs. nurture. With this conversation however, he takes a look at a VAST study that confirms what he thought to be true: it's about 50/50. What this data shows is that there are actually a lot of things we can't change...but there are just a little more that we can. Have you ever been critical of your height or how you look? Have you ever obsessed about wanting to be different but no matter how much you worry, nothing changes? We AL...
May 12, 2023•21 min•Season 1Ep. 193
Chad Felderhoff grew up in a town of 1500 people and was working at his family business from a very young age. While most kids were off at the pool or playing, he was learning how to work and the value of a dollar. In our present culture, it seems like we don't value hard work or the "dirty jobs" like we used to. There used to be a ton of purpose and fulfillment created by working hard, earning money and providing for your family. Now, we would rather replace our blue collar jobs and businesses ...
May 05, 2023•56 min•Season 1Ep. 192
After a trip to St. Louis for a business conference, Derek is sharing the biggest takeaway from the experience. Western culture doesn't focus on death very much. After all, it does seem pretty morbid, right? With that thought process being so pervasive in our culture, it can actually make it tough to see how we're living and how we'll ultimately be judged. Derek heard David Goggins share his vision about what happens when we die. It wasn't so much about the spiritual side of it but the reflectiv...
Apr 28, 2023•22 min•Season 1Ep. 191
We all know work ethic is at an all time low which can be great for those of us willing to work. It means that we will always have a way to not only make money but do better than the average person who isn't willing to put in the work. However, you may be surprised to know that hard work will only take you so far and may only be sustainable for a short period of time before burnout happens. The question becomes this; what now? What if I'm not smart enough? What if I didn't get good grades in hig...
Apr 21, 2023•22 min•Season 1Ep. 190
"Do not pray for an easy life. Pray to be stronger men." -JFK Aftrer a tough situation this week, Derek talks about the false hope that so many of us have for creating an easy life. An "easy" life shouldn't be what we pray for. The trials and difficulties we go through are what CREATES the good stuff. Derek also goes into the examples that everyone needs to be aware of when it comes to building a bigger business, owning a big piece of land, achieving a higher title or nearly anything else that i...
Apr 14, 2023•20 min•Season 1Ep. 189
We wouldn't say that there is necessarily an attack on marriage in our current culture. However, there does seem to be a lot of glorifying the "hook up" culture that seems to paint it as so much more fun than committed relationships. This isn't some "marriage is the ONLY way someone can be happy" rant either. Derek and Jess wanted to advocate or at least exploring WHY marriage, although sometimes very difficult, is way more fulfilling than it is painted in silly shows like we see on TV. This epi...
Apr 07, 2023•57 min•Season 1Ep. 188
Whether we choose to learn history or not, it goes in cycles. It is often said that if you want to predict the future, you only need to look to the past. There is a book called "The Fourth Turning" that breaks this concept down and explains exactly why we are experiencing right now in our country. There are four turning points and the final one is "Crisis." We are living in that stage right now. If we are able to understand these cycles, it makes understanding how to navigate them much easier. W...
Mar 31, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 187
We all hear things like "Control what you can control" but what does that actually mean? Right now the world seems to be throwing so much at us that it can be hard to even know where to put our energy and focus. We hear crazy news stories and it seems like things are spiraling out of control whether that be politics, current events, potential wars and so on. If we allow it to, these things will consume a ton of time and energy and leave us feeling helpless but as much as we may hate to admit us,...
Mar 24, 2023•22 min•Season 1Ep. 186
Have you ever done your absolute best but still failed? Most of us have... Typically we will say things like "I can hold my head up high knowing that I gave it my best" or "At least I left it all out on the field." However, what if those are nothing more than cheap one-liners that will never actually help us get results? Doing our best is one thing. It may even be admirable to see someone laying it all out and doing their best. If you want to truly win and have success it's not about doing your ...
Mar 17, 2023•21 min•Season 1Ep. 185
What comes first: confidence or success? Maybe the better question is does it make more sense to practice all of the hocus pocus ways of being more confident? (yes, there are "gurus" that teach this stuff) OR, does it make more sense to commit to only doing things that create success? If you have ever struggled with confidence or with having success you need to tune into this episode... What if there is a simple answer on not only how to have more confidence but how to also have more success-whi...
Mar 03, 2023•22 min•Season 1Ep. 184
Derek and Jess are back and ready to dive in on one of the hardest topics that many people ask themselves: where do I apply grace and compassion and where do I hold fast to my standards and remove myself or other people around me to stay in alignment? If you are a Christian, we are taught to love and forgive. However, there are also very strict standards that we are instructed to live by. Should we judge other people and their decisions and their choices? Should we always forgive because we are ...
Feb 24, 2023•45 min•Season 1Ep. 182
During this solo episode, Derek talks about how one team in the Super Bowl has achieved greatness and it may not be what you think... Most teams in the NFL as well as most people in general are extremely happy with "good." Most of us would think that life simply has two options: good or bad. However, what does it take to actually achieve greatness? If you have been feeling like you are stuck on "good" in your body, your marriage or relationships, your finances or any other area of life, you have...
Feb 17, 2023•21 min•Season 1Ep. 181
Were humans, from a chromosomal and DNA standpoint, meant to live to be at least 120 years old? Dr. Anthony Chaffee began his journey into optimizing human health at the age of 16 when he began studying molecular and cellular biology at the University of Washington. From there he went on to become a professional athlete as well as a doctor that specializes in neurosurgery. One of his most controversial claims is that plants are actually killing us with their defense mechanisms deployed to keep u...
Feb 10, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 180
Which do you prefer; comfortable lies or unpleasant truths? Most of us will say that we want the honest truth but do we really? Derek talks about how painful the truth can be if you are anyone like him. No one wants to hear that you could lose weight if you really wanted to. No one wants to hear that you could make more money if you really wanted to. Really, no one wants to hear things that cause them discomfort in any way...which is why so many of us stay stuck day after day and year after year...
Feb 03, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 179
Whether you realize it or not, we all have an internal struggle to make good choices. Several times every day we go through a negotiation and often times, the terrorist wins... Whether the negotiation is to work out, eat good, treat your spouse with respect or just about any other decision, we have the negotiation on what to do. Have you ever wondered why you go against what you know is right? It's because the inner terrorist in you (and me) is a GREAT salesman. In this episode Derek goes throug...
Jan 27, 2023•22 min•Season 1Ep. 178
What would a classroom look like if Derek was teaching? On this episode, Derek talks about one of the things that he wishes schools did more of (hint: it centers around personal responsibility). Rather than diving into some of the culture wars that seem to be happening at schools across the country, he'd rather talk about the bigger picture and the solution. Most of us (including kids) never learn that we have the power and ability to shape the future based on the actions that we take. We can ov...
Jan 13, 2023•22 min•Season 1Ep. 177
It's the time of year that we all set our resolutions and intentions for the upcoming year. New Years can be a great time to reset and refocus. However, most of us will not accomplish the goals that we have set and there's one reason... In this episode, Derek goes through the reason why so many of us consistently miss out on our goals. We may lose weight temporarily or make more money for a little while but it doesn't ever seem to last; but why? If you have been in the same boat as Derek and you...
Jan 06, 2023•22 min•Season 1Ep. 176
Derek and Jess are back at it to talk about the past year and what the future for them looks like. On this same style of episode last year, they went through 5 important questions that they believe we should all be asking ourselves: -What accomplishment are you most proud of? -What is your biggest lesson this year? -What is your biggest disappointment? -What is ONE thing you will commit to this coming year to better yourself? -What is your BHAG (Big hairy audacious goal) in 2023? Althought they ...
Dec 30, 2022•59 min•Season 1Ep. 175
Wallace Vigo Nelson is a natural doctor and self described "health nut." He is also the founder of Vitavore that is built around maximizing your health and lifestyle. He got to the point where he would see person after person come to him needing help after trying various different fad diets and failing that he knew he had to do something about it. Rather than sit on the sidelines, he dove into give people a common sense approach to eating and living better. Derek and Wallace talk about everythin...
Dec 23, 2022•58 min•Season 1Ep. 174
In this new episode of the FIRE, Derek goes through what has allowed him to be successful in areas of his life that most may not have been able to achieve. If you are going to be a top level income earner, you will have to do things that the masses aren't willing to do. Derek tells the story of what is going through his mind when he's in the middle of the "suck." It could be working out, spending tons of hours on his business or just about any area; it comes down to the competition. Most may thi...
Dec 20, 2022•13 min•Season 1Ep. 173
It's the 6 year anniversary since Derek's dad passed away. This week he also saw that one of his former associates at Clickfunnels passed away as well at a relatively young age. This episode is more of a reflection of what has been learned after the sudden passing of his dad and just how fragile life is. Also, there can be some very critical lessons that we can all learn from understanding how quickly everything can change. Rather than fearing death and fearing how things can change so fast, wha...
Dec 16, 2022•22 min•Season 1Ep. 172
Josh Kosnick owns the fact that he is an Alpha male that loves to compete, drink bourbon and smoke cigars yet he also fully embraces his vulnerable side. Having these layers can be a key to powerful leadership skills. In a world that seems to convince so many of us simply fall in line, it is important to identify the traits that will help you rise in your business or career as a leader. Josh has used these same skills over his life to build a top level wealth management business, sell it, and no...
Dec 09, 2022•55 min•Season 1Ep. 171
It is Derek's 40th birthday and he is ready to share the top 3 takeaways he has after 40 years. The idea is always to gain more wisdom with age and also to have more perspective the longer that one lives. While 40 may not be super old, there are lessons that have been learned through experience as well as trial and error. If Derek can shed some light on these key takeaways, the hope is that you will be able to learn from is lessons whether you are younger than 40 or even if you've past that mile...
Dec 02, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 170
Have you ever seen the "gurus" online tell you how you can make a million dollars in 30 days with their "proven system?" Have you ever seen that young kid telling you how easy it is to start a 7 figure business? If you have, you need to listen to this FIRE episode! The "How to make money" and "How to build a business" space is just as fake as the weight loss industry when it comes to setting realistic standards. The same issues that weight loss gurus can create with body image also happen ALL TH...
Nov 30, 2022•13 min•Season 1Ep. 169
