Whether you’re responding to a life-altering mistake or a life-changing success, you need to keep this week’s Shawnism in mind: IT’S YOUR FAULT. Sure, there are often outside factors or other people that contribute to our decisions and their consequences. But, as Shawn and today’s guest discuss, there’s always room for more accountability—and that’s the not-so-secret ingredient to positive change and personal growth. Reality TV star and entrepreneur Jax Taylor (Vanderpump Rules) joins us this week and opens up about his journey from top of the world to rock bottom and back again. Jax doesn’t hold back from honestly reflecting on (and owning up to) his mistakes and behavior that led to his public fall from grace. But one thing that really makes Jax stand out is his commitment to the hard work and hard decisions that go into true and lasting growth. Shawn and Jax talk about the value of the RIGHT advice from the RIGHT people—and how anyone from your closest loved ones to a podcaster or author you’ve never met can save you from setting yourself back on your personal journey or having to start from the beginning. They also discuss why it’s so vital (though never easy) to balance and prioritize so many different important areas of your life, despite societal pressure to focus on things like finances and success. And, of course, throughout the conversation, they discuss how much control YOU have along the way—no matter what you’re responding to or what journey you’re on.

Experts are important- we need people who are so immersed, so focused on one thing that they know it inside and out. BUT there are times when they can be too much in it and the vision narrows, instead of expanding to the possibilities.. So this is when you need to MIND THE EXPERTS- know when to disregard them and move ahead anyway. We have a true expert in a super tricky field this week to weigh in on this topic. https://www.linkedin.com/in/abramsdan/ is the CEO and Founder of https://www.abrams-media.com/, host of Dan Abrams Live on NewsNation, host of https://www.reelz.com/, Chief Legal Affairs Correspondent for ABC News, host of SiriusXM radio’shttps://www.podcastone.com/the-dan-abrams-podcast, and host and executive producer of Court Cam and Taking the Stand on A&E Network. He is also the author of numerous New York Times bestselling books on overlooked trials in history. Shawn and Dan talk about media bias- and how we can recognize it and seek out the diverse perspectives we so desperately need now. They also get into what makes effective leadership (they agree humility is key) and reflect on past experiences about learning from experience and … some mistakes. You don’t want to miss this episode- because if you always follow the expert advice, you may miss you big opportunity. (And we would not have Lovesac as it is today). This Shawnism can get tricky but it is important: MIND THE EXPERTS.

Luck isn’t what it seems. You don’t sit back and receive it passively - you go out, live your life a certain way, make choices and DO things (sometimes many things) that position you to MAKE YOUR OWN LUCK. You need to get to where the opportunity is and be ready for it. This week we welcome to the pod a social media phenomenon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/londonlazerson/ Viral Creator of https://www.youtube.com/c/londonlaz, and someone who has proven it can be done. He has a massive following on social media- an astounding https://www.tiktok.com/@londonlaz?lang=en. London creates fun, entertaining, bold and creative content that includes all kinds of cool superhuman feats. Here is a living breathing example of this week’s Shawnism. Shawn and London banter about striving for a mix of effort and luck- how they make their own luck through hard work, networking, and strategic decision-making, BUT both also acknowledge the unpredictable and fortuitous elements that contribute to their achievements. If you are any type of creative - especially a content creator - you will want to hear how London keeps a beginner mindset and leans hard into perseverance. This isn’t just manifesting luck. This is work too - so get out there and put this Shawnism into practice: MAKE YOUR OWN LUCK.

Fun is essential. You can be the worker bee, head down- getting it done- but not only will you be missing out on the FUN, you may just miss the mark entirely. All work and no play? It may cost you your business. That is the Shawnism this week: PLAY ALONG THE WAY. This week we have a modern day business TITAN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamjohnmackey/, Founder of Whole Foods Market. He revolutionized retail and grocery while starting multiple movements in health and wellness, organic foods, conscious operations and many facets of positive movements in business and culture. Basically, Whole Foods Market revolutionized the way we do business. He is the co-author of https://www.amazon.com/Conscious-Capitalism-New-Preface-Authors/dp/1625271751/ref=as_li_ss_tl?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1513101894&sr=1-1&keywords=conscious+capitalism+liberating+the+heroic+spirit+of+business&linkCode=sl1&tag=conscicapit0f-20&linkId=ec72cad4aeaf5b268584d870f099ad85 and is in the midst of starting a new venture on wellness, https://love.life/. John and Shawn talk about playful attitudes and their profound impact in creating work culture (hear about meetings that have fun “top secret” missions), the importance of authenticity, how a holistic approach to health helps spur creative problem solving, and SO much more. Trust us, you want to be a fly on the wall for this conversation full of delightful stories and practical advice. Do you want to make your dreams a reality in an increasingly competitive world? You can just work- make the work fun and PLAY ALONG THE WAY,

If you really want to do something- anything!- and you want to be great, you’ve got to work in EVERY seam and crack because it's a competitive world and there's a TON to get done. That’s the ESSENTIAL Shawnism for you this week from Shawn D. Nelson, host of Let Me Save You 25 Years: work in the seams and cracks. This is for everyone who wants to excel in what they are doing- from building a business to simply getting to the top of your game. Shawn has built his career and company working these spaces. It’s more than the hustle, it’s the creativity to work the spaces that others pass over. We have the ultimate influencer, from a family of influencers, joining Shawn to tell you how he does it. https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-d-amelio-72629988/, Chief Executive Officer of https://www.dameliobrands.com/, a serial entrepreneur with a full footwear line, apparel, snack brand, and media empire, AND an influencer himself, shares how he has kept momentum and staying power over decades to build an iconic brand and a life full of joy. Marc and Shawn talk about finding those truly unique opportunities in business (they involve lots of risk!), what makes a TikTok trend, why results over hours worked is the goal and so much more. Marc did not get to where he is today without working in the seams & cracks and finding opportunities in these unlikely corners. Do you want to make your dreams a reality in an increasingly competitive world? Then make sure you work in the seams and cracks. Go on…. get in there!

Let Me Save You 25 Years’ Host Shawn D. Nelson is back for a brand new episode with a brand new Shawnism: Keep One Hand On the Now and One Hand On the Next. Shawn knows all too well the importance of following this lesson—because there was a time when he didn’t, and he paid for it. This week, we’re joined by https://www.linkedin.com/in/karagoldin/, the Founder of https://www.drinkhint.com/ and one of the most successful women entrepreneurs in a very crowded beverage industry. Throughout her journey from working in magazine circulation to a CEO in an entirely different industry, Kara has exemplified how to balance focusing on present challenges and keeping an eye out for future opportunities. Because of this, she has so many great stories that illustrate how far a little (or a LOT) of resilience and initiative can take you. From a buyer discontinuing their business with Hint and another one immediately stepping up to buy the resulting overrun, to an incredible (but challenging) opportunity presenting itself during the pandemic, Kara’s success with Hint pairs perfectly with this week’s Shawnism. Kara and Shawn also talk about the importance of challenging industry norms and conventional wisdom (just because you hire trusted experts doesn’t mean you ALWAYS have to trust them), and unexpected sources of inspiration—from other industries to worst-case scenario brainstorming sessions. It can be easy to get bogged down by day-to-day operations at the expense of future opportunities (or vice versa), but as you’ll see from Kara and Shawn’s conversation, achieving balance is not only possible, it’s NECESSARY to bring your business, career or craft to that next level.

Let Me Save You 25 Years’ Host Shawn D. Nelson is back with a Shawnism that could be what gets you ahead in your business or personal journey: GRIT. You’re not the most talented one in the room? Talent can only go so far without having GRIT. This week’s guest, Mr. Rob “Gronk” Gronkowski himself, talks about his own journey to success with hard work and consistency. From being a 4X NFL Superbowl champion to his own entrepreneurial business ventures, Gronk talks about the many lessons he learned on the way when it comes to playing the long game. Rob is not only successful in his NFL career, but gives back through https://www.gronknationyouth.org/ helping kids stay actively involved in school and sports by providing grants to sports programs inspiring kids to follow their dreams and living a happy, successful life. From learning lessons the hard way and learning when to say no, Gronk shares some of his own personal experiences with working hard and bettering himself. He also draws inspiration from other elite athletes who have overcome the odds and outworked others through having GRIT and consistently showing up even when they didn’t want to. Hear how success is made with those who work hard, have consistency, in other words, have GRIT.

Let Me Save You 25 Years’ Host Shawn D. Nelson has a fresh Shawnism this week… DRUM ROLL... a powerful reminder that “There Is Always A Way”. https://www.instagram.com/urbanmeyercoach/?hl=en, the legendary powerhouse in the world of football coaching, joins us on the show to dive into the nitty-gritty of creating high-performance teams, the importance of leadership, and the relentless pursuit of success, while simultaneously emphasizing the vital importance of prioritizing family over professional achievements. He encourages us to be interested in solutions, not the problem, and more importantly, ask yourself the BIG, yet simple question: “Are you the hardest working person on your team?” Hear some incredible stories and insights from Urban Meyer's career, covering everything from setting high standards, to the real impact of maintaining work-life balance and navigating mental health in high-pressure environments. This episode is a trove of wisdom for entrepreneurs and leaders looking to achieve greatness while maintaining balance and purpose. The mindset of a true champion: There Is Always A Way.

“Push Yourself Out of the Nest” - this is a critical concept for anyone who wants to do anything even remotely great. This bias for action is Let Me Save You 25 Years’ Host Shawn D. Nelson’s next Shawnism - embrace that discomfort! It’s part of the learning process even if that first flight is a bust. Shawn talks to one of his favorite authors https://www.danpink.com/, who penned five New York Times bestsellers (some of them #1 bestsellers), including his latest, The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward. His entire body of work has loads of insights on miscalculation, risk management, and valuable decision-making tools, such as opportunity costs and the "tie goes to the runner" heuristic. We think we have to figure things out, and then take action. When in fact, action is a form of figuring things out. Let’s be honest — we learn more by doing than we do by contemplating. Planning is overrated and doing is underrated. You learn to fly real fast when you just take the leap: PUSH YOURSELF OUT OF THE NEST!

Let Me Save You 25 Years’ Host Shawn D. Nelson has another Shawnism — this one may seem obvious, but you have to be very intentional to embody it: “Be An Insatiable Learner.” Real advice from a legendary fashion designer who knows this better than most: Be curious, seek out mentors, never be afraid to admit that you don’t know something, remember that no one person can do everything on their own, find what you love and apply it to your work, and last but not least — It's okay to be bossy. That’s straight from the mind of one of the most influential designers https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacey-bendet-a5072856/, the Founder, CEO and Creative Director of https://aliceandolivia.com/. Stacey's insatiable curiosity is what sets her apart as an entrepreneur. She constantly seeks to learn about new fabrics, techniques, and topics FAR beyond fashion. From her passion for product quality, to her unique approach to building a brand that embraces inclusivity and makes women feel confident and seen — she is always learning how to perfect everything she touches. Shawn and Stacey trade stories about embracing curiosity and what real continuous learning entails, how Stacey built a strong brand and fostered team collaboration, and how she balances work and wellness. Learning is something that truly never stops, but you need to remind yourself of this constantly. You can get comfortable at a certain level and think things won’t change — but they ALWAYS do. This means you need to constantly be pivoting to the change around you (while holding tight to your values) and BE AN INSATIABLE LEARNER! Additional link: https://www.lovesac.com/citysac-cover-lovesac-x-alice-olivia-sassy-stace.html https://www.lovesac.com/citysac-cover-lovesac-x-alice-olivia-sassy-stace.html