SOLO | Make Money by Thinking Like an Underdog - Lessons from my Randy Couture interview

In this episode, Travis and producer Eric go completely off the rails—in the best way possible—while unpacking the business genius of Dolly Parton. What starts as a conversation about the Country Music Hall of Fame turns into a fascinating breakdown of ownership, publishing rights, long-term thinking, and why saying “no” to Elvis Presley may have been one of the smartest financial decisions in entertainment history. Along the way, they discuss celebrity leverage, podcast growth, plateauing in business, and the value of building something you actually own. On this episode we talk about: Dolly Parton turning down Elvis Presley over publishing rights The long-term value of owning your intellectual property How one business decision created generational wealth The difference between short-term opportunities and long-term ownership Podcast growth, celebrity interviews, and building sustainable momentum Top 3 Takeaways Ownership matters more than hype. Dolly Parton’s refusal to give up publishing rights became a decision that paid her for decades. Big opportunities aren’t always the right opportunities if they require giving away too much control. Success often grows in plateaus and jumps—consistency and long-term thinking matter more than overnight wins. Notable Quotes “These are my songs. They’re like my children. I expect them to support me when I’m old.” “Doors open, but whether you walk through them or not is up to you.” “One hit does not make the career.” Connect with Travis Chappell: Instagram: https://instagram.com/travischappell Website: https://travischappell.com A Word from Our Sponsors: - Are you ready to start your own creatorjourney and make it big? Visitwww.fanvue.com today and launch yourcareer!- To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go tohttps://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney-Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Yana Werner and Phil LeBrun are senior leaders at Amazon Web Services who help Fortune 500 companies navigate AI innovation, organizational change, and leadership transformation. Yana is an Executive in Residence at AWS, a Harvard Business Review Press author, and a global transformation leader with experience spanning financial services, startups, and DHL. Phil is the former international CIO of McDonald's, where he led technology modernization across 38,000 restaurants in 120 countries. Together, they co-authored The Octopus Organization, a book focused on helping organizations embrace decentralized leadership, AI adoption, and human-centered change. On this episode we talk about: Why most corporate transformations fail — and how to avoid “soul-destroying” change initiatives The rapid acceleration of AI and why companies are struggling to keep up How Amazon approaches AI innovation internally and encourages experimentation at scale The meaning behind “The Octopus Organization” and decentralized intelligence Why curiosity is one of the most valuable career skills in the modern economy Phil’s journey from flipping burgers at McDonald’s to becoming international CIO Yana’s philosophy of saying “yes” to opportunities and connecting the dots later Why leadership isn’t tied to a title — and how anyone can become a leader The importance of learning over certainty in today’s workplace How AI tools are reshaping organizational structures and decision making Why transformation projects fail 70–90% of the time Advice for young professionals navigating today’s corporate and AI-driven landscape How experimentation and autonomy create innovation inside large organizations The role of curiosity, lifelong learning, and ownership in career growth Why successful leaders ask better questions instead of pretending to have all the answers Quotes from the Episode: “We prefer two teams solving the same problem rather than everyone waiting for permission.” — Phil LeBrun “If AI stopped developing today, it would still take companies five years to catch up.” — Dr. Yana Werner “We train people to have answers, not ask questions.” — Phil LeBrun “My career is a strange connection of dots because I said yes to a lot of things.” — Dr. Yana Werner Connect with Dr. Yana Werner & Phil LeBrun: The Octopus Organization Official Website A Word from Our Sponsors: - Are you ready to start your own creatorjourney and make it big? Visitwww.fanvue.com today and launch yourcareer! - To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney-Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this solo episode, Travis breaks down some of the biggest lessons he learned from his conversation with Randy Couture. Randy is a five-time UFC heavyweight champion, actor, entrepreneur, and former Olympic wrestling alternate who built an incredible career during the early “Wild West” days of mixed martial arts. From fighting professionally at age 33 to starring alongside Sylvester Stallone in The Expendables, Randy’s story is a masterclass in resilience, calculated risk-taking, and embracing the underdog mentality. Travis shares key takeaways from their conversation that apply to business, entrepreneurship, personal growth, and life. On this episode we talk about: Why setting a clear goal and reverse engineering a plan changes everything How Randy Couture used “cookie cutter” systems to accomplish major life goals Why opportunities are useless unless you’re willing to walk through the door The hidden advantage of being underestimated and overlooked How to silence negative internal dialogue and regain control of your mindset Why perfectionism keeps people from ever stepping into the arena The difference between ambition as a feeling versus ambition as a system What Randy’s fighting career teaches about handling pressure and public failure Why high achievement often comes with personal sacrifice The importance of presence, balance, and honesty in long-term success How Randy transitioned from UFC champion to actor and entrepreneur Why taking imperfect action is more valuable than waiting for certainty Lessons on risk-taking from a man who entered professional fighting at 33 years old The power of consistently putting yourself in rooms where opportunities exist Quotes from the Episode: “Set the goal, draw the map, and go get it.” “Doors are always going to open. Whether you walk through them is up to you.” “Thoughts are not facts. They’re just noise.” “Perfectionism is a hustle that keeps you out of the arena.” “Being the underdog is not a disadvantage — it’s a gift.” A Word from Our Sponsors: - Are you ready to start your own creatorjourney and make it big? Visitwww.fanvue.com today and launch yourcareer!- To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go tohttps://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney-Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Travis and producer Eric dive into one of the most controversial topics in creative and entrepreneurial spaces: working for free. Drawing from experiences in photography, freelancing, sales, and business, they break down when free work is actually a smart investment versus when it becomes exploitation. The conversation covers entitlement, skill-building, getting your foot in the door, and why the people most offended by free work are often the least successful. Along the way, they also unpack value-based pricing, customer service, and one surprisingly passionate steakhouse tangent. On this episode we talk about: Why working for free can be one of the fastest ways to build experience and opportunity The difference between strategic free work and being taken advantage of How entitlement holds people back in creative industries Why successful people rarely complain about beginners offering free work Pricing, negotiation, and understanding value in business relationships Top 3 Takeaways Working for free can be incredibly valuable when it helps you gain skills, build a portfolio, or get access to opportunities you otherwise couldn’t reach. The key is making sure every opportunity creates a “net positive,” whether through experience, relationships, exposure, creativity, or future income. Instead of blaming competition or market conditions, focus on becoming so good that people willingly pay premium prices for your work. Notable Quotes “You’re paying for the opportunity before you have money to pay for the opportunity.” “Don’t wish it were easier — wish you were better.” “I don’t always need to get paid, but everything I do needs to be a net positive for me.” Connect with Travis Chappell: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell Website: https://travischappell.com A Word from Our Sponsors: - Are you ready to start your own creatorjourney and make it big? Visitwww.fanvue.com today and launch yourcareer! - To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go tohttps://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney-Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Travis sits down with entrepreneur Josh Whalen, co-founder and CEO of Joi + Blokes, a rapidly growing diagnostics and telehealth platform focused on hormone optimization, longevity, and preventative wellness for both men and women. After struggling with his own health issues and becoming frustrated with traditional healthcare, Josh built a company that has now served tens of thousands of patients and scaled to a $50 million run rate. Josh shares his journey from farm work and medical device sales to entrepreneurship, along with lessons on resilience, sales, health optimization, and building businesses around real problems. On this episode we talk about: Josh’s journey from military school and medical device sales into entrepreneurship How failing early in outside sales helped shape his career path The realities of building and scaling businesses through uncertainty and setbacks Why personal health struggles led to the creation of Joi + Blokes Hormone optimization, peptides, longevity, and the future of preventative healthcare Top 3 Takeaways Sometimes the best business ideas come from solving a painful problem in your own life. Early failures and difficult experiences can create the resilience and skills needed for long-term success. Preventative healthcare and optimization are becoming increasingly important as more people take ownership of their health outside traditional systems. Notable Quotes “Hard work gets you some type of reward.” “I got hit in the face pretty hard.” “There’s no way they’ve made it this hard for a guy to feel good.” Connect with Josh Whalen: Instagram (Men’s Health): https://www.instagram.com/getblokes Instagram (Women’s Health): https://www.instagram.com/joiwomenswellness Website: https://www.joiandblokes.com A Word from Our Sponsors: - Are you ready to start your own creatorjourney and make it big? Visitwww.fanvue.com today and launch yourcareer! - To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to ⁠https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney⁠ -Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Travis breaks down his conversation with wellness creator and fitness educator Michael Smoak, better known online as HigherUpWellness. With millions of followers across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, Michael has built a massive audience by cutting through the noise of the fitness industry and sharing practical, evidence-based advice that actually works. Travis reflects on the lessons from their conversation, including why nuance matters in health, how simple habits outperform trendy hacks, and why taking ownership of your physical health can completely transform your life. On this episode we talk about: Why certainty and absolutism are major red flags in the fitness industry The importance of getting your physical health in order early in life Why fitness and weight loss are simple, but not easy How honestly tracking your food can completely change your perspective Why personal responsibility matters more than relying on the healthcare system Top 3 Takeaways Most health and fitness advice fails because people focus on hacks and shortcuts instead of mastering the fundamentals like sleep, movement, nutrition, and consistency. Tracking your calories honestly — even for just 30 days — can expose the habits that are actually holding you back. Taking control of your health improves far more than your body; it impacts your confidence, mental clarity, opportunities, and overall quality of life. Notable Quotes “Nuance isn’t weakness — nuance is honesty.” “It’s not easy, but it is simple.” “Nobody’s coming to fix this for you.” Connect with Michael Smoak: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/higherupwellness TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@higherupwellness Other: https://higherupwellness.com A Word from Our Sponsors: - Are you ready to start your own creatorjourney and make it big? Visitwww.fanvue.com today and launch yourcareer! - To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go tohttps://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney-Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Travis and producer Eric break down different ways to make your first $100,000 and rank them based on speed, scalability, and difficulty. From freelancing and niche agencies to content creation, sales jobs, and flipping products, Travis shares candid insights from his own entrepreneurial journey—including what worked, what didn’t, and which opportunities offer the fastest path to real income. The conversation also dives into the psychology of sales, building valuable skills, and why service businesses are still one of the best places to start. On this episode we talk about: Ranking business models for making your first $100K Why niche agencies and high-ticket service businesses are S-tier opportunities The realities of building a business through content creation How freelancing can evolve into a scalable agency Why sales remains one of the highest leverage skills for making money Top 3 Takeaways Selling a clear result is often easier — and faster — than selling a promise or coaching offer. Freelancing and service businesses can generate cash flow quickly while teaching valuable entrepreneurial skills. Sales is one of the best foundational skills you can learn because it allows you to earn without carrying the operational burden of running a full business. Notable Quotes “When you do stuff done-for-you, it makes up in offer strength what you lack in sales skills.” “You eat what you kill.” “Money only solves your money problems, but it’s easier to solve the rest of your problems when you got some money in the bank.” Connect with Travis Chappell: Instagram: Instagram Website: Travis Chappell Official Website A Word from Our Sponsors: - Are you ready to start your own creatorjourney and make it big? Visitwww.fanvue.com today and launch yourcareer!- To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go tohttps://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney-Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Travis sits down with serial entrepreneur Adrian Salamunovic to talk about building, scaling, and exiting companies. Adrian shares lessons from launching multiple successful startups — including CanvasPop, which sold for over $30 million — and explains why the future belongs to founders who deeply understand product, customer experience, and community. The conversation also dives into entrepreneurship, product-market fit, networking, and Adrian’s newest venture, DexaCam. On this episode we talk about: How Adrian built and exited multiple successful startups Why the best products often come from solving your own problems The relationship between product, marketing, and sales How entrepreneurs can find product-market fit faster Why surrounding yourself with ambitious founders changes your trajectory Top 3 Takeaways Great products are often created by founders solving problems they personally care about. Speed matters in business, but craftsmanship and customer experience are becoming even more valuable in the AI era. The people you surround yourself with can dramatically reshape what you believe is possible. Notable Quotes “If you create a remarkable product that’s inherently viral, your job to sell it becomes a lot easier.” “Overnight successes take 10 years.” “When you deliver enormous value to people, you’ll make money — almost whether you want to or not.” Connect with Adrian Salamunovic: LinkedIn: LinkedIn Instagram: Instagram Website: DexaCam A Word from Our Sponsors: - Are you ready to start your own creatorjourney and make it big? Visitwww.fanvue.com today and launch yourcareer!- To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go tohttps://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney-Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this solo episode, Travis breaks down his conversation with bestselling author and former Navy SEAL Jack Carr. From building elite discipline in the SEAL teams to creating a blockbuster book franchise adapted into an Amazon series starring Chris Pratt, Jack’s story is packed with lessons on focus, generosity, preparation, and pursuing ambitious goals without letting the odds stop you. Travis shares the biggest takeaways from their conversation and explains how these principles apply to entrepreneurship, creativity, and life. On this episode we talk about: Why obsessively consuming great work is a form of training The importance of making a physical and psychological break during major life transitions How generosity and helping others can create life-changing opportunities Why singular focus and full commitment matter when pursuing big goals Jack Carr’s “never pay attention to the odds” philosophy and how it applies to business and life Top 3 Takeaways The things you naturally love consuming may point directly toward the work you’re meant to do. Major growth often requires changing your environment so you can fully step into a new identity. Big dreams only become reality when preparation meets opportunity — and when you stop focusing on how unlikely success seems. Notable Quotes “The education wasn’t separate from the enjoyment. It was the enjoyment.” “You can’t build a new chapter in your life while you’re still living inside the set design of the old one.” “Never pay attention to the odds.” Connect with Jack Carr: Books: The Terminal List Series Connect with Travis Chappell: Instagram: https://instagram.com/travischappell Website: https://travischappell.com A Word from Our Sponsors: - Are you ready to start your own creatorjourney and make it big? Visitwww.fanvue.com today and launch yourcareer!- To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go tohttps://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney-Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Travis Chappell and his producer, Eric, break down the real-world pros and cons of different creator monetization methods. From sponsorships and coaching to affiliate marketing and live events, Travis shares candid insights from years of building content businesses, working with clients, and growing revenue streams online. The conversation blends humor with practical advice for creators trying to decide where to focus their time and energy in today’s digital landscape. On this episode we talk about: Why sponsorships and brand deals are still one of the best monetization methods for creators The hidden downside of launching merch too early without a large audience How one-on-one coaching helps creators build scalable offers and frameworks Why communities and memberships are becoming increasingly valuable The difference between sponsorship ads and programmatic podcast advertising How affiliate marketing can sharpen valuable business and traffic-generation skills Why live events and in-person experiences may become even more important in the AI era The growing shift back toward analog habits, physical media, and human connection How creators should think about audience size before choosing monetization strategies Why digital products are still effective, even as AI makes information more accessible Top Quotes: “High ticket is better than low ticket when you’re starting online.” “You can’t fix who you are while staying in the environment that created you.” “If you have the impressions and can sell sponsorships, it’s basically mailbox money.” “We’re all still human, and we still crave in-person connection.” “Affiliate marketing teaches you how to get traffic and sell before you take on business risk.”Connect with Travis Chappell: Instagram: @travischappell Other: https://travischappell.com A Word from Our Sponsors: Are you ready to start your own creator journey and make it big? Visit www.fanvue.com today and launch your career! To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices