Mick Unplugged

Latest Episodes:

Daymond John: Why the Best Deals Are the Ones You Walk Away From Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

The most powerful move in business is not always saying yes. Sometimes it is knowing when to walk away.

Daymond John joins Mick Hunt for a candid conversation about the decisions that shape a business and a life. The FUBU founder and Shark Tank investor explains why his deeper purpose is “because I should,” how mentors can save us from painful mistakes and why growing too quickly can quietly destroy what an entrepreneur worked to build.

Daymond also opens up about his health journey after cancer and the discipline of making gradual, sustainable change. He shares how he thinks about investing through his “My Money, Homie” framework, why he supports artists without asking for anything in return and how a five-to-seven-person filter helps him decide what belongs on social media.

This episode is a sharp, funny and personal masterclass in protecting your time, choosing the right people and refusing opportunities that no longer respect your value. Daymond’s message is clear: get narrow, go deep and keep the power to walk away.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Why Daymond’s deeper purpose is “because I should”

• How dyslexia, business and cancer shaped his perspective

• Why mentors and mistakes are the two great teachers

• How scaling too fast can weaken a business

• The difference between purpose-driven and return-driven investments

• Why Daymond supports artists without asking for anything back

• The five-to-seven-person filter behind his social media decisions

• Why too many opportunities can become a liability

• How walking away protects your value

• Why a small, trusted inner circle can outperform a massive network

CHAPTERS

00:00 Mentors or mistakes

01:38 Meet Daymond John

03:38 “Because I should”

06:04 What Daymond had to overcome

08:13 Fasting, discipline and gradual change

12:09 Cancer and the decision to study health

16:44 Why mentors matter

20:15 Don’t scale too fast

23:50 “My Money, Homie” and smarter investing

28:47 Supporting artists with no strings attached

33:16 The two-year-old turkey leg debate

35:29 Daymond’s five-to-seven-person filter

39:34 Drowning in opportunity

41:15 The power to walk away

41:30 Quick Five

43:39 Go narrow and deep

43:53 Leadership and what Daymond is building

46:22 Closing

Connect with Daymond John:

Website: daymondjohn.com

Instagram: @thesharkdaymond

LinkedIn: @daymondjohn

YouTube: @TheSharkDaymond

Facebook: @TheSharkDaymond

FOLLOW MICK ON:

Spotify:MickUnplugged

Instagram: @mickunplugged

Facebook: @mickunpluggedYouTube: @MickUnpluggedPodcast

LinkedIn: @mickhunt

Website: MickHuntOfficial.com

Website: howtobeagoodleader.com

Website: Leadloudseries.com

Apple: MickUnplugged

#MickUnplugged #Leadership #Podcast #daymondjohn

Kier Gaines: Why Healing Starts With the Truth You Keep Avoiding Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

Mick sits down with licensed therapist, mental health advocate and author Kier Gaines for a direct conversation about emotional honesty, uncomfortable truths and the courage to begin.

Kier explains why saying "you hurt my feelings" can be an act of strength, especially for men who have been conditioned to hide emotion. He and Mick unpack avoidance, awareness, curiosity, boundaries, professional value and why credentials still matter in a culture that often rewards visibility over expertise.

Kier also shares the barber shop conversation that helped him recognize his mind as a valuable tool for change. He explains why his book, It All Starts When You Do, rejects shallow positivity and invites readers into the real work of self-healing.

This conversation is honest, practical and deeply human. It is about telling the truth, protecting what matters and taking the first step before you feel completely ready.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Why emotional honesty is a form of authority, not weakness

• How to move beyond surface-level wellness

• Why awareness and curiosity are the first two steps toward change

• The connection between boundaries, business and self-respect

• Why credentials create accountability, safety and protection

• How attention and notoriety can weaken integrity

• The barber shop conversation that changed Kier's view of his work

• Why "walking away from what does not serve you" can become avoidance

• The meaning of an authentic and consistent legacy

MICK'S BOOK OFFER

As discussed in the episode, the first 20 people who message Mick with the words "I'm starting" will receive a copy of It All Starts When You Do, purchased by Mick. Available while the offer remains open and supplies last.

CHAPTERS

00:00 The Attention Economy and Integrity

00:24 Meet Kier Gaines

01:00 Saying "You Hurt My Feelings"

04:46 The Because: Because Why Not?

07:01 Why Surface-Level Wellness Is Not Enough

10:14 It All Starts When You Do

14:12 Two Ways to Start Healing

18:15 Boundaries, Business and the Cost of Free

23:53 Hot Takes: Credentials, Safety and Anti-Intellectualism

34:13 The Room: A Barber Shop Conversation That Changed Everything

37:43 The Book, the Podcast and Mick's Offer

40:15 The Unplugged Five

44:03 Legacy, Authenticity and Kept Promises

46:00 Closing

Connect & Discover Kier:

Instagram: @kiergaines

Instagram: @learnedthehardwaypod

LinkedIn: @kiergaines

Podcast: Learned the Hard Way with Kier Gaines

Facebook: @kiergaines

TikTok: @kiergaines

Book: It All Starts When You Do

Threads: @kiergaines

FOLLOW MICK ON:

Spotify:MickUnplugged

Instagram: @mickunplugged

Facebook: @mickunpluggedYouTube: @MickUnpluggedPodcast

LinkedIn: @mickhunt

Website: MickHuntOfficial.com

Website: howtobeagoodleader.com

Website: Leadloudseries.com

Apple: MickUnplugged

Faith Over Fear: Governor Wes Moore on Service, Patriotism & Moral Leadership Aug 27, 2026

Show notes

Discussion about service, patriotism, faith, leadership, technology, and the responsibility to leave no one behind.

Governor Moore explains why "service saved me," beginning with the mentors, teachers, coaches, ministers, aunties, and uncles who saw his potential before he could see it himself. He reflects on losing his father at age three, wearing handcuffs by eleven, being sent to military school, and eventually discovering that leadership is not about individual achievement. It is about lifting as we climb.

The conversation then turns to the meaning of American patriotism. Governor Moore draws a sharp distinction between patriotism and nationalism, arguing that faith, not fear, is the foundation of a more perfect union. He and Mick also discuss Maryland's public-safety progress, service-year opportunities, apprenticeships, cannabis pardons, energy affordability, AI, data-center accountability, and why technological progress must include guardrails and public trust.

IN THIS EPISODE

00:00 Mick’s most important conversation

02:05 Governor Moore’s “Because”: service saved me

04:39 Running away from military school

06:37 The Unplugged Truth: a speech that moved Mick’s family

08:41 Faith, fear, patriotism, and nationalism

13:22 God’s grace and moral leadership

15:21 Hot Takes: Maryland’s progress through collaboration

20:49 Energy affordability, AI, and data-center guardrails

28:55 The Room: you belong because the room needs you

33:11 The Unplugged Five and a legacy of compassion

FEATURED SPEECH

Watch Governor Wes Moore's July 4, 2026 address, "The Work of Patriotism":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfLQy82IsWo

Read the official transcript:

https://governor.maryland.gov/news/speeches/work-patriotism

Connect & Discover Governor Wes Moore:

Website: theofficeofgovernorwesmoore.com

LinkedIn: @iamwesmoore

X: @iamwesmoore

Facebook: @iamwesmoore

Instagram: @iamwesmoore

FOLLOW MICK ON:

Spotify:MickUnplugged

Instagram: @mickunplugged

Facebook: @mickunpluggedYouTube: @MickUnpluggedPodcast

LinkedIn: @mickhunt

Website: MickHuntOfficial.com

Website: howtobeagoodleader.com

Website: Leadloudseries.com

Apple: MickUnplugged

Giada DeLaurentiis: The Secret Ingredient is Joy Aug 20, 2026

Show notes

What if one of the most important ingredients in a healthy life isn’t actually on your plate?

In this episode of Mick Unplugged, Mick Hunt sits down with Emmy Award-winning chef, bestselling author, restaurateur, and Giadzy founder Giada De Laurentiis for a joyful conversation about food, family, entrepreneurship, community, and la dolce vita.

Giada shares how a shy young chef learned to tell stories to millions of viewers, why audience feedback transformed her into a stronger teacher, and how her desire to cut through the noise of the food industry became the foundation for Giadzy. She explains what makes high-quality Italian ingredients different, why Giadzy’s gluten-free pasta surprised even her, and how small Italian producers helped inspire a growing lifestyle marketplace.

The conversation goes beyond cooking. Giada explains why the people at your table can affect how you experience and digest a meal, why joy and connection belong in the conversation about longevity, and how she is bringing her businesses together through her new Chicagoland restaurant, Sorella by Giada.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

• How Giada overcame shyness and learned to teach through storytelling

• Why repetition and audience feedback are essential to becoming a great teacher

• How Giadzy grew from a blog into a marketplace for Italian pantry products

• What makes bronze-cut, slow-dried Italian pasta different

• Why Giadzy’s gluten-free pasta became an unexpected breakthrough product

• How stress, connection, and the people at your table shape the experience of food

• Why la dolce vita is more than indulgence—it is part of health and longevity

• How Giada is connecting her media, product, and restaurant businesses

LISTENER OFFER / FEATURED PROMOTION

ACTIVE LISTENER OFFER 1 — The next 20 people who DM “GIADZY” to @mickunplugged on Instagram receive a $100 Giadzy gift card.

ACTIVE LISTENER OFFER 2 — The first 20 people who DM “SUPER ITALIAN” to @mickunplugged on Instagram receive a copy of Giada’s Super-Italian cookbook.

CHAPTERS

00:00 — Giada’s impact on Mick and learning to tell stories on television

03:37 — What’s your because?

08:49 — The Unplugged Truth: how Giada changed Mick’s relationship with pasta

12:58 — Building Giadzy from audience feedback

15:28 — The unexpected success of gluten-free pasta

20:59 — Hot Takes: cauliflower rice, coconut, and food trends

23:46 — The secret ingredient: joy, connection, and la dolce vita

26:16 — Sorella by Giada and bringing the businesses together

28:51 — The Unplugged Five

31:23 — Super-Italian, Mick’s cookbook offer, and the send-off

Connect & Discover Giada:

Website: giadadelaurentiis.com

Website: giadzy.com

Instagram: @giadadelaurentiis

Facebook: @giada

X: @GDeLaurentiis

TikTok: @giadadelaurentiis

YouTube: @gdelaurentiis

Cookbook: Super-Italian

FOLLOW MICK ON:

Spotify:MickUnplugged

Instagram: @mickunplugged

Facebook: @mickunpluggedYouTube: @MickUnpluggedPodcast

LinkedIn: @mickhunt

Website: MickHuntOfficial.com

Website: howtobeagoodleader.com

Website: Leadloudseries.com

Apple: MickUnplugged

You're Not Burned Out - You're Bored Out: Mitch Matthews on Reigniting Your Fire Aug 13, 2026

Show notes

What if the exhaustion you feel isn’t burnout at all?

Success coach, keynote speaker, and Dream Think Do host Mitch Matthews joins Mick Hunt for a conversation about purpose, clarity, action, and the hidden problem affecting many high achievers: being “bored out.”

Mitch shares how a bad-fit corporate promotion began extinguishing his fire, how his wife helped him recognize the work he was born to do, and how he built a coaching and speaking business that surpassed his income in just five months. He also explains why a small injection of novelty can restore energy, why dreaming bigger must be paired with experimentation, and how to move from comparison and fear toward learning and love.

In this episode:

• Mitch’s “Because”: loving God, loving his family, and encouraging encouragers

• The clues that revealed his calling

• Why action separates great from exceptional

• Building an “authority bridge” without blowing up your life

• The difference between burnout and being bored out

• How 15 minutes of novelty can reignite your fire

• Why successful people struggle to name their own dreams

• Giving yourself permission to experiment

• Reframing imposter syndrome as “winner’s syndrome”

• The five-word prayer that changed how Mitch entered important rooms

LISTENER OFFER / FEATURED PROMOTION

FREE TRAINING — Make Time for Your Next Chapter

Visit: https://www.mitchmatthews.com/time

Use code: MICK

CHAPTERS

00:00 - Meet Mitch Matthews

01:39 - Mitch’s “Because” and encouraging encouragers

08:39 - The bad-fit job that extinguished his fire

14:31 - Building an authority bridge without blowing up your life

16:34 -Burnout vs. “bored out”

23:13 - Dream bigger and act on it

27:08 - Clarity, permission, and experimentation

34:27 - The room that transformed comparison into learning

40:54 - The Unplugged Five

45:50 - Generosity, legacy, and Mitch’s free gift

Connect & Discover Mitch Matthews:

Website: mitchmatthews.com

Free Training: mitchmatthews.com/time. Use Code MICK

LinkedIn: @mitchmatthews

Instagram: @mitch.matthews

Facebook: @mitch.matthews.104

Podcast: Dream Think Do

FOLLOW MICK ON:

Spotify:MickUnplugged

Instagram: @mickunplugged

Facebook: @mickunplugged

YouTube: @MickUnpluggedPodcast

LinkedIn: @mickhunt

Website: MickHuntOfficial.com

Website: howtobeagoodleader.com

Website: Leadloudseries.com

Apple: MickUnplugged

Confidence Comes Last: Nick Koumalatsos on Leadership, Purpose & 8-Figure Brands Aug 06, 2026

Show notes

What happens when the uniform comes off but the mission is far from over?

In this episode of Mick Unplugged, Mick Hunt sits down with Marine Raider veteran, entrepreneur, author, and leadership strategist Nicholas Koumalatsos for a direct conversation about purpose, identity, leadership, confidence, fatherhood, and building businesses that create real impact.

Nicholas shares how childhood scarcity shaped his “because,” why military leadership does not automatically translate to every part of civilian life, and what it took to rebuild his identity after service. He also explains the formula he lives by, commitment plus courage creates confidence and challenges the online leadership industry to show its receipts.

The conversation moves from the hard truths of veteran transition to the origin and extraordinary growth of Johnny Slicks, Nicholas’s work through The Agoge, and the ideas behind Excommunicated Warrior and Reclaiming the Man Within.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

• Why confidence is the result, not the prerequisite of taking action

• How commitment creates the courage required to move forward

• Why leadership must be adapted to the person, environment, and mission

• What veterans often lose when the uniform and built-in mission disappear

• How Nicholas turned an unexpected moment into the foundation of Johnny Slicks

• Why defining “done” and reverse-engineering phase lines improves execution

• How presence, fatherhood, and legacy reshape the meaning of success

CHAPTERS

00:00 - Introduction

01:13 - Nicholas’s “because” and the roots of his mission

04:44 - Learning leadership in the Marine Corps

05:24 - Why military leadership can be one-dimensional

10:22 - The Unplugged Truth: the uniform is gone, but the mission isn’t over

11:29 - The biggest myth about leadership

18:16 - Hot Takes

19:12 - Why confidence comes last

21:50 - Commitment + courage = confidence

22:32 - AI, online gurus, and showing the receipts

25:08 - Partnership, family, and building a legacy

28:50 - Who are you uniquely qualified to help?

30:32 - The Room: the moment that launched Johnny Slicks

33:42 - Scaling from no structure to eight figures

36:01 - Johnny Slicks

36:31 - Excommunicated Warrior

39:43 - What if your next chapter is your best chapter?

42:35 - Reclaiming the Man Within

44:09 - The Unplugged Five

44:55 - Define “done” and reverse-engineer the mission

45:47 - Fatherhood and being present

47:56 - The one-word legacy answer

49:05 - Closing

Connect & Discover Nick:

Website: nickkoumalatsos.com

Facebook: @NickKoumalatsos82

Instagram: @nickkoumalatsos

LinkedIn: @nick-koumalatsos

X: @NickKoumalatsos

YouTube: @NickKoumalatsos82

Website: johnnyslicks.com

Book: Excommunicated Warrior: The 7 Stages of Transition

Book: Reclaiming the Man Within

FOLLOW MICK ON:

Spotify:MickUnplugged

Instagram: @mickunplugged

Facebook: @mickunplugged

YouTube: @MickUnpluggedPodcast

LinkedIn: @mickhunt

Website: MickHuntOfficial.com

Website: howtobeagoodleader.com

Website: Leadloudseries.com

Apple: MickUnplugged

Called to Act: André Holland on Purpose, Community, and Creating Room for Others Jul 30, 2026

Show notes

André Holland has built an acclaimed career through performances in Moonlight, Selma, The Knick, High

Flying Bird, and more—but his deepest calling reaches far beyond the screen.

In this conversation with Mick Hunt, André shares how his parents and his Bessemer, Alabama

community taught him to move with integrity, care for his gifts, and stay shoulder to shoulder with the

people who helped him flourish. He opens up about the teacher who made him feel truly seen, the

responsibility he feels to create opportunities for emerging voices, and why commitment is the word he

hopes will define his life.

André also discusses They Fight, his preparation as a character actor, Harper Road, and the Holland

Project’s restoration of Bessemer’s historic Lincoln Theatre.

This is a conversation about calling, craft, second chances, community, and planting trees whose fruit

may belong to the next generation.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

• Why André describes storytelling and service as a calling

• How his parents and Alabama roots shaped his civic responsibility

• Why opportunity—not a lack of talent—often separates people from their potential

• The NYU classroom moment that changed André’s view of his own stories

• How he approaches character work with research, vulnerability, and faith

• Why They Fight resonated with him as a story of mentorship and second chances

• How the Holland Project and Harper Road are creating room for new voices

• Why “committed” is the word André wants attached to his legacy

LISTENER OFFER / FEATURED PROMOTION

Watch They Fight on Hulu: https://www.hulu.com/movie/they-fight-a1bba82e-2550-4ffc-81df-

b973b9c85339

Discover the Holland Project and Lincoln Theatre restoration:

https://www.birminghamtimes.com/2024/10/renovating-bessemers-lincoln-theatre-andre-hollands-next-

act/

CHAPTERS

Timing is grounded in the supplied transcript. Reconfirm against the final uploaded master after

correcting the intro-name issue.

• 00:00 — Welcome to Mick Unplugged

• 01:44 — André’s Because: answering the call

• 04:25 — Family, faith, and growing up in Alabama

• 06:19 — Bessemer, opportunity, and giving back

• 07:44 — The Unplugged Truth: becoming a symbol of hope

• 12:58 — They Fight, second chances, and the craft of acting

• 18:48 — The Room: the teacher who truly saw André

• 23:11 — Creating rooms through the Holland Project and Harper Road

• 29:18 — The Unplugged Five

• 32:20 — Supporting André’s work and closing thoughts

Connect & Discover André Holland:

Instagram: @andreholland

X: @AndreHolland_

The Holland Project — Historic Lincoln Theatre: alabamalincoln.com

Lincoln Theatre on Instagram: @bamalincoln

Support the Restoration (Donate): Give to the Lincoln Theatre

Watch They Fight on Hulu: hulu.com/movie/they-fight

FOLLOW MICK ON:

Spotify:MickUnplugged

Instagram: @mickunplugged

Facebook: @mickunplugged

YouTube: @MickUnpluggedPodcast

LinkedIn: @mickhunt

Website: MickHuntOfficial.com

Website: howtobeagoodleader.com

Website: Leadloudseries.com

Apple: MickUnplugged

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Unfiltered Truth: Comedy's Power with Leslie Jones Jul 23, 2026

Show notes

Don't apologize for who you are... because you were made that way for a reason.

Comedian Leslie Jones, renowned for her groundbreaking work on Saturday Night Live, shares how embracing her authentic self propelled her career. This episode delivers valuable insights on personal branding and navigating the entertainment industry with conviction.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

- 3 key mindsets for creative success

- Why Hollywood resilience is essential

- 5 strategies for maintaining authenticity

- How comedy connects 2 different worlds

- Building a personal brand foundation

QUOTES THAT HIT

"You have to stay true to who you are, because that’s what makes you unique." - Leslie Jones

"The biggest lesson SNL taught me was how to trust my own voice." - Leslie Jones

"Failure isn't the end, it's just a different way to get where you need to be." - Leslie Jones

CHAPTERS

00:00 Leslie Jones' Path to SNL

07:15 The Art of Stand-Up Comedy

15:30 Authenticity in Entertainment

22:45 Navigating Hollywood Challenges

30:00 Leslie's Creative Process

38:10 The FCKRY Podcast Journey

45:00 Future Vision for Black Women

52:00 Leslie Shares Closing Thoughts

QUESTIONS THIS EPISODE ANSWERS

Q: How does Leslie Jones maintain authenticity in her career?

A: Leslie Jones emphasizes staying true to herself by not apologizing for her unique perspective and embracing the qualities that set her apart, believing this authenticity is what resonates with audiences.

Q: What key lesson did Leslie Jones learn from Saturday Night Live?

A: She learned the importance of trusting her own voice and comedic instincts, which allowed her to develop and deliver material that truly reflected her personality and experiences.

Q: Why is resilience crucial for success in the entertainment industry?

A: Leslie Jones explains that resilience is vital because the industry involves numerous rejections and setbacks, and the ability to persist through these challenges is what ultimately leads to breakthroughs and sustained success.

Connect & Discover Leslie Jones:

Facebook: @Lesdoggg

Instagram: @lesdogggg

Website: justleslie.com

X: @Lesdoggg

YouTube: @lesdogggg

TikTok: @lesdoggggg

Book: Leslie F*cking Jones

FOLLOW MICK ON:

Spotify:MickUnplugged

Instagram: @mickunplugged

Facebook: @mickunplugged

YouTube: @MickUnpluggedPodcast

LinkedIn: @mickhunt

Website: MickHuntOfficial.com

Website: howtobeagoodleader.com

Website: Leadloudseries.com

Apple: MickUnplugged

#MickUnplugged #Leadership #Podcast #LeslieJones

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why Not Swing Big: Unlocking Your Undeniable Potential with Kwame Christian Jul 16, 2026

Show notes

Because the best things in life are on the other side of difficult conversations.

Mick Hunt welcomes Kwame Christian, CEO of the American Negotiation Institute, who reveals how to approach difficult conversations to change your business and life. This episode will equip you with a new negotiation framework.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

- The 3 Core Skills for better negotiation

- How to avoid the "why" question trap

- Building the "undeniable" personal brand

- Why the entire sales process is negotiation

- The power of Compassionate Curiosity framework

QUOTES THAT HIT

"Because the best things in life are on the other side of difficult conversations." - Kwame Christian

"There's a big difference between being liked and being respected. Those are not the same thing." - Kwame Christian

"My goal isn't to be good, my goal isn't to be recognized, my goal is to be undeniable." - Kwame Christian

"The harder we push, the harder they push back." - Kwame Christian

CHAPTERS

00:00 Welcome Kwame Christian to Mick Unplugged

02:18 Kwame Christian's Life Purpose: "Because"

04:54 Overcoming People-Pleasing With Mentorship

10:02 Why Avoiding "Why" Questions Improves Conversations

13:55 The Importance of Deep Knowledge and Credentials

19:48 Empathy and Humility in Negotiation

24:10 Convincing Others By Empowering Self-Persuasion

31:39 Compassionate Curiosity Negotiation Framework

35:23 The Origin of Kwame Christian's Negotiation Journey

37:46 Big Swings Only: New Podcast Announcement

43:27 Rapid Fire: Cooking, Loyalty, and Inspiration

QUESTIONS THIS EPISODE ANSWERS

Q: How does a leader improve their negotiation skills?

A: You need to recognize that negotiation requires three core skills: becoming a better listener, asking better questions, and managing your own and others' emotions.

Q: Why should leaders avoid asking "why" questions in difficult conversations?

A: The word "why" is often associated with judgment and criticism, triggering defensive responses and preventing open communication. Instead, use "what" or "how" questions to gather information.

Q: What is the compassionate curiosity framework in negotiation?

A: The compassionate curiosity framework has three steps: acknowledge and validate emotions, ask open-ended questions with compassion, and engage in joint problem-solving.

Connect & Discover Kwame:

Instagram: @kwamenegotiates

Podcast: Negotiate Anything

Website: kwamechristian.com

LinkedIn: @kwamechristian

X: @KwameNegotiates

TikTok: @kwamenegotiates

YouTube: @TheKwameChristian

Book: Finding Confidence in Conflict

FOLLOW MICK ON:

Spotify:MickUnplugged

Instagram: @mickunplugged

Facebook: @mickunplugged

YouTube: @MickUnpluggedPodcast

LinkedIn: @mickhunt

Website: MickHuntOfficial.com

Website: howtobeagoodleader.com

Website: Leadloudseries.com

Apple: MickUnplugged

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Greatness Isn’t Accidental: Intentional Living with Sanya Richards-Ross Jul 09, 2026

Show notes

FIRE LINE: "Being great was not just going to happen because I was extremely talented."

Sanya Richards-Ross, an Olympic Gold medalist and track and field icon, shares her leadership insights on intentionality, the 400-meter race strategy, and her impactful work with mothers. This episode will equip business leaders with actionable frameworks for sustained excellence.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

- 3 "Because Statements" for daily drive

- Sanya Richards-Ross' 4 Ps strategy for success

- Impact of early mentorship on an athlete

- Balancing physical and mental discipline

- Why "MommiNation Gives" supports black moms

QUOTES THAT HIT

"No, baby. Do you really want to be great?" - Sanya Richards-Ross

"I want to always see myself beyond being a track and field athlete." - Sanya Richards-Ross

"You're impacting the life of a family." - Sanya Richards-Ross

CHAPTERS

00:00 Defining Sanya's Three Becausals

03:06 Early Beginnings of "Because I Can"

07:30 Unplugged Truth about 400m Dominance

19:00 Intentionality Beyond Track and Field

22:07 The Vision for Beyond the Curve

24:15 Dad's Car Conversation: The Greatness Room

31:10 Mission of Mommy Nation Gives

34:58 Unplugged Five Rapid Fire

QUESTIONS THIS EPISODE ANSWERS

Q: What was Sanya Richards-Ross's strategy for winning the 400-meter race?

A: Sanya Richards-Ross utilized the "four P's" strategy: Push, Pace, Position, and Poise, along with a silent "Pray" for the final hundred meters, which she also applies to life.

Q: How did Sanya Richards-Ross prepare for her career transition after track and field?

A: Sanya Richards-Ross was intentional about her transition for two years before retirement, thinking about how her athletic skills would serve her next, leading her to pursuits in television, writing, and family.

Q: What is the main goal of Sanya Richards-Ross's nonprofit, MommiNation Gives?

A: MommiNation Gives supports Black moms on their motherhood journey, helping homeless mothers and families affected by the black maternal mortality crisis by providing resources and community.

Connect & Discover Sanya Richards-Ross:

Website: sanyarichardsross.com

Foundation: MommiNation.com

Instagram: @sanyarichiross

Facebook: @sanyarichards

YouTube: @sani400

TikTok: @sanyarichiross

FOLLOW MICK ON:

Spotify:MickUnplugged

Instagram: @mickunplugged

Facebook: @mickunplugged

YouTube: @MickUnpluggedPodcast