The Average Sucks Show

Most people don’t lack skill or opportunity—they lack the right beliefs, speed of action, and willingness to break through money blocks and self-doubt. In this episode of the Average Sucks Show, Michael sits down with Jason Wojo, founder of Wojo Media, a self-made entrepreneur who went from flipping Pokémon cards as a broke culinary school dropout in a New York mobile home to scaling businesses with over $100–150 million in tracked online revenue through paid ads, funnels, and high-converting webinars. This is a raw, no-fluff conversation about the real entrepreneurial journey: starting with nothing, facing painful money lessons (including a heartbreaking vet bill that shifted his entire mindset), dropping out of school, building from local social media gigs and Shopify stores, landing massive corporate clients, and eventually mastering the “big boy” version of Meta ads and one-to-many selling. Jason breaks down: Why belief matters more than raw ability for entrepreneurship How early money trauma (and chargebacks) can block you—and how to flip it into fuel Practical, battle-tested tactics for ads (first 5-second hooks, letting the copy do the targeting, placements that actually work, energy and pattern interrupts) The power of high-converting opt-in pages and why congruence between your ad, landing page, and delivery builds instant trust Why webinars (and selling one-to-many) outperform constant one-on-one sales calls for many offers, plus how to structure decks, offers, and closes that convert The importance of jumping on proven mechanisms as bolt-ons rather than blowing up what’s already working Lessons on ownership, learning from “failures,” peace over constant hustle, and why some people simply aren’t ready for scale Whether you’re running a service business, coaching/consulting/info offer, or scaling an e-commerce brand, Jason delivers actionable insights on generating demand, building funnels that sell while you sleep, and operating at a higher level without losing your edge. Average thinking stays stuck in comfort, hesitation, and one-on-one grind. Above-average thinking rewires beliefs, moves fast on proven systems, masters one-to-many, and turns every setback into a lesson that compounds. If you want more leads, better conversions, automated sales, or to install proven webinar funnels in your business, this episode will give you the mindset shifts and tactical edges to make it happen.

Most people are not limited by ability. They are limited by the way they think. In this episode of the Average Sucks Show, Michael sits down with Mark Victor Hansen, co-author of Chicken Soup for the Soul and a lifelong entrepreneur, to explore what actually separates average thinking from above average results. This is not a conversation about motivation or inspiration. It is a conversation about decisions, asking, action, and ownership. Mark shares how learning to ask changed the trajectory of his life, why “ask first and figure it out later” is not reckless but strategic, and how average thinking quietly keeps people stuck in comfort, hesitation, and self-doubt. If you are an entrepreneur, a leader, or someone who knows you did not come here to live an average life, this episode will push you to rethink what is possible. Average thinking waits. Above-average thinking asks and acts. If you want to learn more about our guest and the power of asking, visit askthebookclub.com

On this episode of The Average Sucks Show, Michael sits down with Max Hansen, founder of YScouts and a leader who has helped companies scale by fixing the one thing most entrepreneurs avoid: hiring. With resumes being gamed, AI rewriting job histories, and job boards flooded with noise, hiring has never been more confusing or more critical. Max breaks down why most hiring systems are broken, why the best people are not applying, and how great leaders actually build teams on purpose. This conversation is not about HR tactics. It is about leadership, culture, and why who you hire ultimately decides how far you go. If you are an entrepreneur, business owner, or leader who wants freedom, growth, and a team that actually performs, this episode will change how you think about hiring forever.

In this episode of the Average Sucks Podcast, Michael sits down with financial expert, entrepreneur, and creator of Wealth Factory, Garrett Gunderson, for a conversation that will shift the way you think about money, value, and freedom.

What if your brand matters more than your bank account? In this episode of The Average Sucks Show, Michael Bernoff sits down with entrepreneur, identity coach, and branding expert Travis Brady for a conversation that will challenge everything you think you know about marketing and business growth. If you’ve ever felt stuck in your business... if the strategies aren’t working... or if you're tired of playing small—this is the wake-up call. Travis breaks down why your identity is the foundation of your brand—and how most entrepreneurs are sabotaging their results by ignoring it. This episode dives deep into branding, influence, mindset, and the psychology of standing out in a crowded market. You’ll learn: - How to create a brand that actually attracts clients - The real reason your marketing isn’t converting - Why framing your identity is the key to breakthrough results - How to stop hiding and start leading with confidence Whether you're a business owner, coach, or creator... this episode will push you to think differently, show up bigger, and finally build a brand that reflects who you really are. This one might just be the most important shift you make this year.

What if your business isn’t stuck because you’re not working hard enough… but because you’re focusing on the wrong things? In this raw and eye-opening episode of The Average Sucks Show, Michael Bernoff sits down with Adam Bensman—founder of The Roof Strategist—who went from scraping by on $4.20/day to building a multimillion-dollar brand without a single paid ad. No funnels. No hacks. Just timeless strategy, real metrics, and a mindset built for growth.

In this episode of The Average Sucks Show, Michael Bernoff sits down with Mike Arce, founder of Loud Rumor, to discuss his transformation from a fitness studio owner to the head of a seven-figure marketing agency. Mike shares powerful insights on overcoming challenges, the importance of mindset, and the strategies that helped him break through barriers to reach success. Mike also introduces his new book, “The Standard is You,” a playbook for team members who want to lead, grow, and raise the standard. This step-by-step guide will help you live above average, set higher personal and professional standards, and unleash your full potential. Learn more and get your copy at

Have you ever watched a young athlete perform at a high level and thought, Where does that kind of drive come from?In this electrifying episode of Average Sucks, we uncover the answer. Some kids discover a passion so strong that it fuels them to excel—transforming their love for an activity into a relentless competitive fire. And in the pursuit of excellence, they develop an extraordinary set of life skills that set them apart.Our guest? My daughter, Maya Bernoff. From the moment she stepped onto the ice as a little girl, she felt something powerful—like she had found her place. Skating isn’t just a sport to her; it’s where she feels most alive. And that passion? It’s what keeps her pushing, competing, and winning.Her results speak for themselves. Maya competes in over 50 events annually, traveling across the U.S., and more often than not, she leaves with a medal around her neck. At just 12 years old, she’s already earned five national gold medals at the 2023 and 2024 National Showcase competitions hosted by U.S. Figure Skating.In this episode, we dive into the mindset, habits, and strategies that fuel her success, including:Belief in Yourself: Maya’s philosophy? Love yourself first—because you’re the one person you spend your entire life with.Entrepreneurial Spirit: At just 10, she created a fundraiser for a local dog rescue with only $40 in startup money, turning that into a great win for the rescue. Passion for Figure Skating: The ice isn’t just where she competes—it’s where she thrives, setting goals and pushing herself to new levels.Mental Toughness: The mindset work that helps her power through challenges, setbacks, and the dreaded brain rot.The Power of Visualization: A mental exercise Maya swears by to break through negative thoughts.And that’s just the beginning!This conversation is inspiring, insightful, and packed with wisdom—straight from a 12-year-old powerhouse. You won’t want to miss it. Tune in now!

How differently do you define success today compared to two, five, or even ten years ago?For most of us, life’s ups and downs have a tendency to reshape what truly matters.That’s why our latest guest on the Average Sucks Podcast brings a unique and powerful perspective. Vince DelMonte, founder of the 7 Figure Mastermind for Fit Pros, hit his biggest goals and then faced the question: Now what?In this candid conversation, Vince dives deep into redefining success for your life today and in the future.He doesn’t sugarcoat the journey, yet instead asks the hard questions and shares the reflections that shaped his “lifestyle first” approach. It’s a must-listen for anyone navigating the challenges of success and striving to align their life with what matters most.In this episode, you’ll discover:How Vince built his fitness empire with thousands of videos and 80+ hour workweeks—crushing his financial goals.The “true cost” of that success on himself and his loved ones.Why work-life balance is easier said than done—and how Vince tackled it head-on.The pivotal self-reflection that shifted his approach and transformed his business and life.His “lifestyle first” philosophy, which helps him balance success while knowing when to hit the gas.This thought-provoking conversation is packed with insights to help you redefine and elevate your own success.It was an absolute pleasure speaking with Vince. Don’t miss this compelling episode of the Average Sucks Podcast!

You’ve got a life plan. It goes great. Until it doesn’t.Ever catch sight of yourself in a mirror and are surprised by what you see? What you do when life hands you lemons will either bury you or strengthen you beyond measure.Our special guest in our Average Sucks Podcast has been through the fire and came back to help others. Natalie Jill is a former medical device sales professional who had risen to national sales director. She got married, bought a house, and had a daughter along the way. Life was awesome! It should have been…and yet still…her marriage fell apart while she was pregnant. She fell into a depression, watched her finances dwindle and threaten her home, and gained more than 60 pounds. Worse, she felt hopeless.Then, she had a series of epiphanies that triggered her comeback:She caught her reflection in a mirror and saw she was not who she wanted to be – overweight, depressed, overwhelmed and alone.She watched a television show where she was reminded of the importance of focusing on the possibility instead of the problem.She chose to focus on where she wanted to go and who she wanted to be, instead of “what was” at that moment.Her story continues to inspire from there. She turned it all around and now is a renowned fitness and fat loss expert at Natalie Jill Fitness. She transforms people’s lives as they navigate their midlife challenges. Her clients in midlife don’t feel alone, stuck, and overwhelmed. You don’t want to miss this extraordinary conversation with an extraordinary entrepreneur and leader! Head over now to hear her moving story in our Average Sucks Podcast. It was a pleasure and an honor to speak with her – and you’ll see why.

Warning: This Average Sucks Podcast starts out in a dark place. Drug addiction, drug dealing, and even worse. Our guest at 15 found himself outrunning the police. For a while, he descended deeper and deeper into a dark world. You wouldn’t expect a life that starts out that way to head into a sunlit place of serving others and making a powerful difference in their lives. But that’s where Dan Martell, a successful SaaS entrepreneur coach, did and that’s the life he lives now. Dan helps grateful SaaS CEOs scale their business and remove the “time assassins” that wreck their lives. He helps them be successful and get their time (and life!) back. Listen this special episode of the Average Sucks Podcast to hear how Dan:Overcame addiction and illicit business enterprisesLearned the hard way the entrepreneurial skills that kept him going Worked too hard and had too little to show for itLeveraged skills ranging from coping with uncertainty to finding the right peopleScaled his business with a reproducible process that can help others. Listen this entire powerful conversation. You don’t want to miss Dan’s story and apply the key lessons to your life (and boost your average). It was an honor and privilege speaking with my friend Dan. No matter where you are today on your journey, you’ll find real value in hearing his story. 

How can you create value for your customers and clients?Our guest this week says this: Be curious, caring, and giving. Authentic curiosity starts with meaningful conversations. You get those through real caring – because only then will people open up and be vulnerable with you. They’ll share what they want and don’t want with you. And that puts your giving on target. Mastering that process gives you a superpower in your business, says our latest Average Sucks Podcast guest Kevin Kauffman. Kevin is a one-of-a-kind real estate entrepreneur, coach, and podcaster. Join us and discover:The importance of expanding one's sphere of influence and maintaining meaningful relationships in business. Kevin provides a step-by-step approach to building and activating this sphere.How to cultivate and activate your sphere by finding ways to add value to these connections. Value can take various forms, such as phone calls, notes, or gestures that show you care. Always look for opportunities to expand and grow your sphere.How to nurture your sphere of influence as a long-term strategy. It may not lead to immediate results, but over time, it can become a powerful source of business. He also acknowledges that while this approach is essential, there may still be a need for other activities, like prospecting and actively seeking immediate business opportunities. However, your sphere should remain a core focus for long-term success.I loved sitting down with Kevin and hearing his insights and I know you’ll love it, too. I will also be speaking at his upcoming event NLA Live on December 5th. Check it out at NLALive.com and use code BERNOFF at checkout for a discount! 

How to bring a new community into your life (and your soul) is the focus of this month’s incredible podcast. You’ll be thrilled to meet Tori Totlis, a powerful entrepreneur and athlete who founded Compete Confidence Golf, Phoenix. Tori created a way for women to connect more deeply in their lives through the game of golf – showing women how to go from the beginner stage all the way to expert-level. And doing so with a supportive community where they’ll make new friends, share laughter and make memories.  From beginner-friendly courses that kick-start your journey, to carefully curated practice programs that sharpen your short game, and comprehensive six-week practice plans – Tori offers options to improve your game no matter how well you can put and swing. She hosts action packed women's tournaments, including her signature event The Desert Classic in Phoenix. And if that's not enough, she hosts luxurious golf retreats set against the backdrop of world-class courses across the globe. Tori's world of golf is nothing short of extraordinary.Tori is also the 2022 Arizona Golf Association Women’s Golfer of the Year. And she produces "T-Time with Tori", her podcast that shows strategies, inspiration and motivation on women’s golf – with weekly guests who share their wins, losses and challenges. She’s a woman that knows how to make things happen.Come join us in the inspiring podcast conversation with Tori. She’ll share:Why making new friends as a grown-up can be quite a challenge, and some great ways to connect with others, build some awesome relationships with people who are positive and supportive.The highly effective practice plan her coach gave her as a teen golfer that inspired her career. It’s the same plan she uses as a model for her courses, which brings great results.4 essential keys to elevate your golf game. Whether you're aiming for immediate improvements or long-term mastery, Tori knows what game-changing strategies to focus on - from the right equipment to navigating a course and most importantly…taking a swing well past your comfort zone.Tee up and hold on to your visors as you level up your golf journey! You won’t be hearing routine golf tips from this lady - there’s a lot more to this great conversation and you definitely will want to hear it.It was a joy and privilege to sit down with Tori and hear her insights into raising your average through community, soul work, and the game of golf. To become ABOVE AVERAGE (and lower your handicap), take Tori’s words to heart.

Eliminating limiting beliefs and ideas is what led our guest on The Average Sucks Show to achieve success, prosperity and peace.Jonathan Maynard is owner of The Huge Convention, one of the biggest conventions in the world and in this episode, Jonathan takes us on a powerful journey into the mind of an “accidental” entrepreneur. He shares how he went from a lucrative career in the IT world to starting and selling multiple businesses as he achieved his personal goals to spend more time with family. Come join us for this warm conversation with a wonderful person who is eager to share what he knows and to serve others, including: If you want more time for family and to travel and to do other things in life, avoid buying into limited beliefs that say that’s for someone else but not you – it is possible for you and do not let an off-target belief stop you before you start. Even if it sounds like a crazy idea at first. Free yourself from expectations of what you “should do” versus what makes entrepreneurial sense to do. Jonathan wanted more time with his family and to travel – and realized his IT career was never going to take him there. So he looked for what made sense entrepreneurially. Why you should remain open to opportunity wherever you might find it–Jonathan was inspired by a line at a kettle corn stand at an apple orchard. He did the math, started a business that his family could join him in, and pretty soon was counting $5,000 in cash around the dining room table with his family from a weekend take. And of course, crush those limited beliefs. Too many entrepreneurs lose out because they have the ownership mindset of “only I can do this … nobody can do this as good as I can.” That’s a fallacy and Jonathan gives you the formula for when you should turn something over. Plus, much more … It was an honor to have Jonathan Maynard join us on The Average Sucks Show. You’’ll definitely want to listen in to gain insight into your own life as you hear Jonathan’s approach to all around success.

You’re hiking with a team through the Grand Canyon. The plan is simple: You’ll go from one rim to another and back (46 total miles over rough, steep trails) and do the whole trip from sunrise to sunset. Thirteen miles in, you suffer a setback: You roll your ankle and break a bone. You keep going and finish despite the pain. What’s your take-home lesson? Our amazing podcast guest Brad Weimert says if he hadn’t broken his ankle, “It wouldn’t be as cool a story.”Brad is an absolute rock star. He’s the founder of Easy Pay Direct, a merchant account company for “high-risk” industries. Before that, he was a legendary (seriously) highest-selling  Cutco sales person in the world. And now he’s a dedicated endurance athlete.As you’d expect, Brad is a student of performance and of mindset – and obsessed with pushing the envelope. Come join us on this amazing podcast conversation with him, because Brad has so many gems to offer you’re going to want to keep stopping the interview to chew on what he’s said. Among them: If you want to participate in the outcome of a team, you will not help anyone if you complain about an injury. Choose what you will do and do that!Set goals that are realistic, but far enough outside of your comfort zone they scare you. Brad says when a goal scares him a little, his other behaviors fall into line so he achieves his goals.  There are two different ways to prepare for a big goal: (1)The “step up” where you build up your capacity, but set a stretch goal for “game day.” (2) Or the opposite, where you’ve already completed the goal in practice a few times, and go into game day knowing you can perform. Choose the one that works best with your own mindset. Plus, Brad gives us the secret to endurance in business and sports and life!There’s a lot more great stuff in this conversation (including about flying to Fiji with a team)! I loved every second of speaking with Brad and you will be changed just by listening to him.It was an honor to have Brad Weimert join us on The Average Sucks Show. To become ABOVE AVERAGE, listen and apply to what Brad does and says!

Why do people get stuck and not reach their personal financial goals? Why do they perform below what they are truly capable of?A powerful answer is provided by entrepreneur and elite business coach Garrett Gunderson. Garrett is the owner of 5 businesses (and was a millionaire at age 26). He is the Founder and Chief Wealth Architect of the Inc. 500 firm, Wealth Factory. His Killing Sacred Cows: Overcoming the Financial Myths That Are Destroying Your Prosperity is a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller in personal finance. And currently, Garrett’s been on a comedy tour and is a noted speaker on money and personal finance.I am thrilled to share this fascinating discussion with you. Garrett lays out the case that a powerful vision is necessary to truly go above (and then far above) your average. But your vision requires real thought and consideration. “Vision is the rarest commodity in the world,” Garrett explains. ‘And it drives all value – and dollars follow value. So if we can create a vision that’s so compelling that it would take a lifetime to accomplish it, we create a life we don’t want to retire from.”Get all the details on creating a compelling, life-altering vision (and much more) in this episode. It was an honor to have Garrett on The Average Sucks Show and discuss how you can rise above your current limitations and become ABOVE AVERAGE.

If you are a business owner you’ve probably asked yourself these questions at some point:How can I work more effectively with my team?How can I develop a team of leaders to run my business the way I want? You want to develop relationships with people you care about, grow your business, get your time back, and build the team you’ve always wanted. So, let’s get it done.For this episode, we enlisted “The CEO Whisperer” to show you exactly how to gain the momentum needed to grow your business. Cameron Herold has scaled 4 businesses, has written 6 books, and is the founder of the COO Alliance. His most recent book Second in Command: The Chief Behind the Chief is a BEST SELLER and a wealth of power tips for those in the driver’s seat of companies across the world.  He took 1-800-GOT-JUNK from $2 million to $106 million in revenue in only 6 years. Cameron Herold is a top business coach, catering to some of the top businessmen and women including Kimbal Musk, Elon Musk’s brother, and serving as a reference for the brothers’ first round of funding in 1995. In this episode, we waste no time. Cameron lays out exactly what you need to do, the crucial role you’ll want to play, and how you’ll get your team to free up your time!We were so excited to bring Cameron Herold to  The Average Sucks Show. Cameron’s entrepreneurial journey of scaling 4 businesses and his expertise showed us powerful ways for us and our teams to be ABOVE AVERAGE.

So how do you live your dreams…?Well the first thing is that it’s not only just about your dreams, it’s about helping those in your life live their dreams as well!And that’s what is covered in this amazing episode of The Average Sucks Show!Who would think that one of the largest garage door companies in the world started by an incredible man, who got his start in the restaurant business, would be run in such a powerful way that helps him, his team, his customers, and even his competitors live a better life. After listening to this episode, where I interviewed the founder of A1 Garage Door Service, Tommy Mello, you’re going to see very quickly how the mindset of Tommy works and how his process is something you can start using in your life and in your business. Hearing the story of how Tommy went from painting garage doors to running a company doing over $200 million dollars a year is not even the most impactful part of the story…The biggest part of the story is the psychology he puts into working with his team and how it’s changing the entire look and feel of the service industry. He gives incredible advice about growing your team + business, hiring, and retention. No matter what business you have or if you run the business of your life + family, this episode is going to give you many gold nuggets…and the best part is Tommy has a way of helping you learn all of these ideas directly from him through his storytelling. It is and was an honor to have Tommy Mello, the founder of A1 Garage Door Service, join us on The Average Sucks Show. He is truly a man who lives every aspect of his life ABOVE AVERAGE!

Being vs. Becoming…That’s the theme of just an extraordinary conversation in our latest Podcast with best-selling author and coach Ray Higdon.Ray’s story is intriguing and inspiring… In his own life, he went from foreclosure to generating multi-millions in a few short years. He takes what he learned and coaches with 8- and 9-figure executives and business professionals striving to succeed.Through his own life and his clients he’s realized that most people put off seeking joy. They “wait” until they reach some far off goal before they allow themselves a small pleasure. They focus on business and walk around with unfinished business in their head, waiting until one day to make peace with things in their past. They procrastinate on the most important thing in the world…themselves.Some of these high powered execs make the 50 million mark, and still aren’t satisfied… and it’s only then give themselves permission to seek joy.Why?Because they feel they can’t seek high levels of success at the same time… they can’t go for the money, for the success, for delivering high levels of value in the marketplace WHILE at the same time seeking the healing and forgiveness they crave.No matter what level of success you’re at, chances are you’ve found yourself avoiding things that would bring you inner joy because…there’s just not enough time.Ray Higdon made a decision to defy that stereotypical way of living. He wanted success yet didn’t want to only have financial success – he wanted to feel it in every aspect of his life.You will want to listen in to our passionate discussion – I am honored to have Ray on the Average Sucks Podcast and know you’ll find the conversation extremely useful to you right now.There’s no better time than now to build JOY into your life.

On this week’s episode, Michael sits down with Andy Mulvihill, whose father founded the family-owned Action Park, “the world’s most dangerous amusement park.” Andy is a developer who runs hotels, restaurants, and real estate in Sussex County, NJ. How he became the man he is today is largely in part to being the son of Action Park’s creator, Gene Mulvihill.  As a kid, Andy was often one of the first to test out these incredible rides at one of the most famous parks in the world - which is a very unique childhood!  Yet it was his father’s ethic and creativity that taught him the skills that have helped him achieve the success he has today.  Andy tells all in his just-published book, Action Park: Fast Times, Wild Rides, and the Untold Story of America's Most Dangerous Amusement Park. In this Podcast episode, you’ll hear: Why Action Park built such fierce loyalty among its employees and customers How entrepreneurs can use the lessons of Action Park today to seize opportunities that the pandemic response is opening up today The mindset and attitudes that make legendary businesses (and lives) work (because yes, “Average Sucks” And much, much more. If you want to learn how to pursue your business and life with wild abandon, and be exuberant about it and create something unforgettable, listen to this episode now!

Stay True, Stay Bold, Be F***ing Nice: How One Entrepreneur Took Her Business From Surviving to Booming During the Shutdown Who says the customer is always right? Susie Diamond believes the traditional view of customer service is not always the way to go. When customers ignore her store’s mantra, “Be F**king Nice!” they learn there’s an “or else” unspoken at the end. You might as well be bold, because the future of business is BOLD, says Diamond, the successful CEO and Owner of Scottsdale’s Rolling Rack Boutique told Michael Bernoff in our newest Podcast. Diamond’s destination boutique can be better described as “experience” than a store. She started out of a single truck of Rose Gold Chrome Wrap, Selfie Station, Faux fur ceilings and Chandeliers. She expanded to a 6,000 sq. ft. location in one of the most sought-after malls in the state, and has been invited to set up shop at Coachella’s music festival. How did she do it? She says life changes the moment you decide “Enough is enough.” As the daughter of a professional gambler, Diamond goes all in business and the podcast and shares what drove her to take the risk of starting a business and why she will never put off chasing her dream life ever again. *P.S. Listen to the end to hear Diamond’s story on how she turned one bad Yelp review into $22K in sales in two days. The future of business is BOLD. Be ready!

Are you ready to audition for the role of YOU? Well get ready, because it is time for this week’s episode of The Average Sucks Show with Host Michael Bernoff! Our featured guest is actor, director, and writer Brendan Wentworth, who is best known for his roles in JAG, Chicago Hope, and Cypher! Brendan shares with us his thoughts on how to stay confident even when the stakes are high, tips to push through tough periods of change, and ways to present yourself authentically in both business and everyday life. Michael and Brendan discuss how he got into acting and his experiences over the last couple decades while working in a highly competitive and evolving industry. Listen in and learn what it means to “miss on your own terms,” to dive deep into a role, and much more. For additional information on The Average Sucks show and Michael Bernoff, visit: theaveragesucksshow.com

I have to keep my doors open! Across the United States (and across the world for that matter) communities are greatly struggling.  COVID19 and politics and unemployment and the mental health crisis well...the list of all the things that are not going well is long and lengthy. Every day coaches like myself get asked the same thing - and it’s a version of this question: “How can I keep my business alive?” And every day I answer the question with answers, suggestions - ideas to implement, thoughts to consider - all of which are helping people gain and keep customers. Yet in this podcast, I publicly share the choices I personally made in my business to keep my business growing during the pandemic.  In this conversation I share my unfiltered perspective of what has and hasn't gone well, what I'm planning next and why you don't have to accept defeat. There are things you can do to stay on track. Listen to this podcast to walk away with ideas you can immediately incorporate into your own business. We are all going to make it, but how are you going to make it work?

How will you handle all this pressure? There’s an intense amount of pressure people are feeling right now and it’s because they can’t make things happen the same way they used to.  When you have a way of growing your business, of operating your life, and all of a sudden that way won’t work anymore, it puts your brain on overdrive. So you begin to think things to yourself, like: Can’t leave your house. Kids can’t go to school. Can’t run your business the same way. Can’t make enough money. Can’t pay your bills. Can’t get toilet paper. Can’t stop being afraid of getting sick. Can’t understand what’s happening in the news. Can’t believe what’s happening in the world. Can’t go out without a mask. These are just some of the whirlwind of thoughts that many people are having over and over again over the past few months.  The pressure is intense.  Panic, frustration and fear. Now let me say this - some are handling it better than others. Why?  You’ll find the answer as you listen to my latest podcast “Unrealistic Expectations” where I hit head on the scrambling of thoughts in your head that ratchets up the pressure. What expectations do you have for yourself now that businesses are beginning to open up again.  Are you rushing in a mad dash to make up for lost time and putting intense pressure on yourself to make money fast?  Are you freaked out about putting out the money you need to operate your business (spending money to make money) when it’s uncertain how the market will hold up? There are a lot of people that are feeling intense pressure and it’s based on their unrealistic expectations. What should you expect for yourself? What’s reasonable and intelligent as your next move? How fast do you need to move? Join me to learn a powerful new perspective to shift your thinking, move you forward and open up the door for more results than ever. Realistic Expectations with MIchael Bernoff

This episode of The Average Sucks Show with Shaun Alexander dispels the idea that changing your life is a long, exhausting uphill battle. Because once you make a decision that it’s time to go from who you are now to who you were meant to be… Raising your average can happen in an instant. And, once you do it, you’ll never, ever look back. In Shaun’s case, raising his average happened with a little help from Justin Bieber (and a heated encounter they had). In this episode, Shaun shares how he suffered for years after his brother’s suicide and how nightmares surrounding it kept him from sleeping more than a few hours a night for almost 10 years. He’d become a shell of the man he used to be. He’d lost himself to despair and didn’t know how to get back. But he did get back. Not to the person he was before, but to a better version of himself. (And what’s really cool is his wife says she can “see the guy she married again,” and his marriage is better than ever!) His business is booming (including closing a $1 million deal for a new company). He’s sleeping at night. Most importantly…raising his average has opened up the possibilities to what he wants to do. Shaun says “If you don’t kill the root, it’s going to come back again.” He killed the root. And you can, too. Do yourself–and your life–a favor and watch this powerful episode right now. Remember, The Best Is Yet To Come, Michael Bernoff

The world right now is a mass amount of chaos and if you step back and take a look at it you’ll see that what’s happening is there are leaders and followers doing both good and bad. All of these people have one thing in common and that is they believe they are doing WHAT IS RIGHT and that is based on how they’ve been influenced. Some people take advantage of that, some use it for the greater good. In this podcast I discuss the psychology of persuasion and influence so you can understand how the mind works and what makes people listen. We must step up and influence others in a positive direction – the world needs great leaders right now. Michael Bernoff

On this week’s episode of the Average Sucks podcast, I sat down with Stedman Graham, author, educator, businessman, speaker, and foremost expert on Identity Leadership. This is a powerful interview where we dive deep into what we need to be doing right now so we can have our lives work for us -- despite our current or future circumstances. The world shifted almost overnight, and it’s caused us to deal with a radical change in identity. We were gym owners, real estate agents, people who made things happen and -- in a split second -- many of use became homeschool teachers, unsure how we’re going to make a living. This loss in identity has left many of us wondering how we now lead in our families, in our businesses, and in our lives when everything seems to have crumbled around us. Stedman explains there has never been a better time than now to work on ourselves and redefine our identity, and then build a foundation based on who we can actually be rather than where we are right now. If you’re uncertain and shaky about your future, or if you find yourself wanting to go back to the way it was, you need to listen to this podcast because we go into detail about…. What you need to be working on right now to prepare yourself for the future world. How to get out of the survival state of mind and become a leader in your own life. What Identity Leadership is and why it’s critical for your success. How to become relevant in the 21st century based on who you are and what you do well. And why, with everything going on right now, you’re in the perfect spot to get what you want EVEN faster than you could before. Ladies and gentlemen, we have entered the YOU economy. It’s time to stop putting yourself in a box and confining your ability to design, create, and build the life you want. It’s time to step up and lead your life -- one that has meaning, purpose, and makes you happy.

Many people have lost their jobs or temporarily closed their doors during the COVID19 stay at home…Now we’re seeing states reopen and soon the world will be flooded with people wanting to get a new job, or get their business up and running again. The question on everyone’s minds is HOW DO I SET MYSELF APART FROM EVERYONE ELSE? Join Michael for an “Ask me Anything” session where he’ll answer your questions and share strategies to let the world know your value. He takes questions live from viewers in a variety of industries including real estate, HR and accounting, martial arts, party planning, network marketing and many more. The candid answers you’ll hear from Michael will set you on the fast track to regaining your footing in the market place.

On this week’s episode of the Average Sucks podcast, I sat down with Zach Bensen, founder of Assistagram, a company with a network of 220 million followers that guides influencers and Fortune 500 companies into social media success. Hotels and even countries around the world invite him to stay in some of the coolest places–for free. More impressive is that he built his company in 3 years, and still has time to manage his own Instagram network of millions. Yes, he’s successful. But, as you’ll hear, it’s because he’s relentless about living an above average life. In our conversation, Zac shares how he went from being a broke, professional breakdancer to being on So You Think You Can Dance and building a global 6-figure dance academy to running a multimillion dollar company with a network of 220 million Instagram followers. But it’s the stories in between his successes–how he lived on $2 a day for an entire year, let down his parents numerous times, got fired, destroyed his dance career due to injury, and struggled with depression–that’s really inspiring… The key moments where he was faced with adversity, disappointment, and failure, and refused to accept defeat. We all have these moments in our lives. Yet, far too few of us take that leap of faith and don’t stop moving forward toward our dreams. If you’re an entrepreneur or influencer, make it a priority to listen to this episode because Zac shares a few insider tips including… How to get yourself out there and build a social tribe to increase your influence. The #1 mental shift you need to have if you want to influence others online. His top 3 pieces of advice for brands wanting to sell on Instagram. Zac and I also discuss his simple formula for how to succeed on and offline. It’s so simple, it will blow your mind. And it’s a formula anyone can implement immediately.

When things go sideways in life, do you have a plan in place to protect yourself, your family and everything you’ve built from taking an unnecessary hit? When something major happens in your life, do you know what actions and steps to take to prevent yourself from taking a hit…mentally, emotionally, financially and physically? IN THIS LATEST EPISODE OF MY AVERAGE SUCKS PODCAST OUR GUESTS WERE PEOPLE FAR AND WIDE THAT JOINED ME LIVE TO ASK REAL AND RAW QUESTIONS. REAL QUESTIONS, LIKE… How do I make sure I can keep my business open? How do I manage a divorce in the middle of this economic crisis? How do I sell my product to people who aren’t even able to conduct business? This episode of the Average Sucks show is all about fear, uncertainty, and confusion that has surfaced in the face of the COVID19 Pandemic. This crisis has turned life as we know it on it’s side. And whether we’re faced with this again on a worldwide level, or something happens in our own personal lives. We must be prepared. People that are able to face challenges head on have an above-average mindset. People that bounce back quickly when struggles occur have above-average mental toughness. In this podcast I also share a simple “3P” process that is easy to remember and will keep you on track. Like I’ve been saying, nobody likes running from behind. Nobody wants to be the one struggling too catch up. Listen to this and BE ONE OF THE ONES RUNNING OUT FRONT. Playing catch up is average behavior and Average Sucks. Raise your average – take the steps. We’re all in this together!

Anyone who is in or has been in a relationship knows that it needs constant hard work and communication from both parties to make it work. In this week’s episode of the Average Sucks podcast, I sat down with Slade and Diane Carlson, owners of Core Chiropractic Arizona. Before Slade and Diane launched their practice, they were at a loss about how they would be able to work together. They wanted to find a way to make the relationship become something that grows in their lives. Each of them had a bustling career of their own. Slade was working on his radio show while Diane was busy with her career as a chiropractor. They’ve had a brief relationship before Slade moved to San Diego and took part in the Core Strength Experience course. After a year, they’ve reunited again and Diane found significant changes in Slade. He was now better at communicating, more relaxed. Whereas in the past, he used to run away so much. It’s evident that Core made Slade better at communicating what he thinks and feels, sparking the chain reaction of them they were able to get married, open up a practice, get it in operation, and move twice all for the sake of the relationship they’ve decided to build. In our conversation, Slade and Diane share the secrets behind successfully working together with your spouse. They give helpful recommendations such as switching one’s mood to help separate relationship issues from work as well as the effective communication methods everyone must learn to do in every relationship. If you’re ever in that position of not knowing what to do to improve the communication within your relationships - this is the podcast you surely can’t miss. During our conversation, they were able to provide valuable advice for couples who are considering working together. Among many great inputs, they shared… “Fix yourself first and build that life that you want instead of waiting for somebody to come rescue you or save you“ “Drop the fear of change, the fear of making a decision, the fear of what might happen, the what-ifs. If you don't you're gonna lay in there wondering why you didn't at the end of the day.” Relationships can be the most powerful part of someone’s life or the most painful. It only matters who you ensure it with and how you plan on going past the obstacles that threaten the relationship. Listen to this podcast to learn how Slade and Diane have moved past their troubles with communication in their past relationship and used it to change their new life together for the better. You’ll gain insights and tips to improve your own relationships so you can RAISE THAT AVERAGE!

Anyone that has an entrepreneurial streak in them knows that along with that excitement, freedom and payoff comes a ton of hard work, frustration, tenacity and patience. In this week’s episode of the Average Sucks podcast, I sat down with Brint Hiatt, Managing Attorney at HPS Law Group LLC. Anyone can take a look at Brint and easily see he’s a guy who has it all. He’s a work hard, play hard kind of a guy who has a wonderful family; a beautiful wife, five healthy children, a successful business and still makes time for travel, date night and personal development events. He has a lot of great stuff going on. However, he’s still not where he wants to be in life because he has an entirely new level he wants to reach. He wants to Raise His Average. In our conversation Brint shares stories about the challenges he’s faced growing his business and managing his responsibilities while he had to push past the thoughts and beliefs that were keeping him stuck. If you’ve ever questioned whether you can trust the people around you, or you’ve felt anxious about the decisions you’re making - this is a podcast you’ll definitely want to listen to. And...As you listen to Brint and I talk about where his lack of trust came from you may just find yourself realizing where your own frustrations come from and finally be able to put them aside. You know the old school saying “Expectations minus reality equals frustration.” During our conversation, Brint and I helped uncover the truth behind his frustration by giving him another perspective and resetting his expectations. Among many other great questions, I asked him… What if you can teach people to be better than you? What if you allowed people to be better than you? What if the only thing that's stopping you is that you're incorrect? As entrepreneurs, we’re all drawn to the idea that only we are the ones that can do the best job for our companies, when in fact, we’re simply setting ourselves up for failure when we try and get help from other people to do what we ask them to and expect them to do exactly as we do. Listen to this podcast to learn how Brint pushed past these typical business challenges.  You’ll gain strategies you can use to improve your own life and business and...Raise That Average!

The CHALLENGES we face on a daily basis can make or break the chances we have at excelling in what we do. How come? Because challenges don’t always present themselves to people beforehand. Oftentimes, they’re unexpected, further complicating our process of growth. So whether it’s becoming healthier, getting in better shape, or turning your life around, your attitude towards the challenges should not lead you to quit, but to inspire you to overcome them one by one. Joining my podcast this week is a student and a good friend of mine, Scott Giltner. Being an OIF veteran and a Spartan Elite, Scott shares stories about his struggles with alcoholism, bad habits, and becoming number one at the things he wants to excel in. Scott found a healthy outlet by joining Spartan races. These races not only boosted his confidence and following but had given him a healthy perspective in life, pushing him further away from the unhealthy lifestyle he had led. Today, he’s consistently aiming to do better than he did yesterday and helping push others to RAISE HIS AVERAGE and BECOME #1. Finding a healthy outlet is just one of the many solutions that you can do to overcome the challenges you have in life. It only matters that you take advantage of them in order to reach your goals and help others achieve the same things!

It’s true, trauma can prevent you from achieving GREATER THINGS IN LIFE. When something bad happens to someone, they have a choice.  They can either use it as a motivator to succeed...or get sucked up in the trap of avoidance, addiction and a life full of twists and turns down roads going nowhere. Bad day at work? Eat junk. Things with the spouse are getting rocky? Drink. Can’t cope with the loss of a loved one? Take a few pills. People that have experienced pain and trauma often have unhealthy ways of dealing with the hurt...and they often times walk day in and day out faking it...masking the pain and sadness. And why? Because hiding is easier than dealing with the pain. That’s exactly what my guest, Theo Fleury, did for many years.  While maintaining what looked like a functioning life on the outside, even while playing in the NHL, Theo filled his life with bad decisions, addictions and chaos.  In my podcast this week you’ll hear this really cool conversation I had with Theo, former NHL player and author of “Playing with Fire.” He’s an advocate-turned-activist who spent years fighting for mental health and addiction. He shares stories about his early life as a hockey player, his traumas, his experiences as a motivational speaker, and his insights about overcoming trauma and the best kind of treatment anyone can get for free. Listen to this podcast and learn from THEO how he rewired his brain against trauma. Theo knew that if he didn’t learn to rewire his thoughts, he would eventually return to making bad (average) choices that led him down a destructive path. And as we say here, AVERAGE SUCKS. Listen to this, especially If you’ve ever wanted to ditch the victim mentality and bring out the winner you know is inside you, you’ll want to listen to this episode now! The best is yet to come, Michael Bernoff

You’re going along, doing your thing, and working hard to get ahead. You know what it takes...put in the effort, make good decisions, finish what you start. Yet there’s always those things that “the man behind the curtain” knows, and you don’t. The cool thing you’ll discover in this episode is that the millennials are constantly searching and evaluating their world to get a really great picture of what’s going on around them and how they can get ahead. During my interview with my most recent guest, Anton Liberopoulos, who is the epitome of today’s millennial, we learn how Anton set out on a quest to figure out his life and why he was having highs and lows in his success. Along the way he learned that powerful communication is what controls everyone’s success; so he spent his time, energy and money learning how to be a master communicator. And if Anton hadn’t taken the steps to figure it out for himself, we’d never have met, he’d have taken a lot longer to reach his success, and he likely wouldn’t have been a guest on my show!  Because he would have been living an average life...which sucks. Anton sends a compelling message to anyone who learned to work doggedly for years with the hopes of a big payoff later.  On this episode of The Average Sucks Show, you’ll have the opportunity to hear first hand how Anton’s millennial nature led him to uncover exactly how to change his life so he could live the life he wanted, from improving his communication to slowing down his mind and basically re-wiring his brain to be consistently happier.

Speaking with my lovely wife Debra Bernoff, in this episode of The Average Sucks Show we discuss the challenges entrepreneurs have when juggling work with family. Entrepreneurs have one big thing in common and that is managing their lives while managing a business that can never be “left at the office.” The overlap of their work/home life can be intense, I discuss the challenges I faced in 2019 and the plans for 2020. Debra brings to the table some of the tricks she uses to make sure she still is at all her girls’ activities, exercising, eating healthy and doing things she loves, all while running our company. Debra implores viewers to make a decision to work on the skill of controlling their thoughts, she’ll share how she consistently raises her own average each year with strategies to minimize overwhelm, knocking off more tasks in one day then most people accomplish in a week all while making it look effortless. As Debra and I chat on this episode you’ll have the opportunity to use what you hear to map your own path to success! Remember, The Best Is Yet To Come, Michael Bernoff

“Don’t worry when the coach is yelling at you, worry when he stops.” Speaking with my very special guest and world-famous sports broadcaster, Mike Goldberg. In this episode of The Average Sucks Show we discuss what it takes to be great. Beginning his sports career as a hockey player at the age of five, Mike shares with us the fundamental lessons he learned all along the way from coaches and mentors, which paved the way for an incredibly successful career in broadcast. Now, decades later Mike’s illustrious career as a broadcast career precedes him. Whether ringside at a UFC or Bellator MMA fight or one of 900+ NHL games he’s helped bring to life for millions of fans. His life lessons are powerful and valuable to hear, no matter where you are on your quest to achieve personal greatness. I’m very excited to share with you Episode Three, filled with these valuable lessons: How to set goals high enough so you succeed even if you don’t reach your target’ How to be your best even when you don’t think it matters How to deal with the ‘hate mail’ in life How to take criticism when you’re focused on perfection How to decide to be great As Mike and I chat on this episode you’ll have the opportunity to use what you hear to map your own path to greatness! Remember, The Best Is Yet To Come,Michael Bernoff

On this week’s episode of The Average Sucks Show, I lay it all out plain and simple - it’s important you know what your AVERAGE is and, when you truly understand it, you can start getting what you want out of life And become a happier, more-fulfilled human being. I know you’re a smart person who is managing your life. And, I’m sure like most people, you know what it is you need to do, but you aren’t doing it. Or maybe you do those things for a while, but can’t seem to follow through. Consistency is the linchpin for success, no question. Working longer, trying harder, and forcing yourself to plug along is not the answer. Listen, it all comes down to communication. Your future hinges on your ability to effectively communicate. Your communication will get you where you want, and fast - and it has the power to destroy your current average--the way you currently do things in life. Of course, you're doing great things, and you've got a lot of awesome things happening in your life, but it's your average that controls you. You are your average. If you want to know how to elevate your current average so you can get anything you want in life, listen to episode 1 now! Remember, The Best Is Yet To Come, Michael Bernoff

TODAY’S SPECIAL GUEST IS ANDRE NORMAN, OR AS HE’S KNOWN: “THE AMBASSADOR OF HOPE.” His story is truly one of a kind… Andre went from prisoner to professor, from prison yard to Harvard Yard, in one transformational and inspiring story. Growing up in a broken home, fatherless from the age of six, going from illiteracy to gang activity, Andre’s childhood prepared him for nothing less than a life of crime and violence. Eventually leading Andre to be sentenced to over 100 years in prison. Having survived rock bottom, Andre knew he could help others do the same. Pulling from his life experiences, turning misfortune into fortune, Andre set out to touch the lives of those in need. Through speaking, mentoring and various online programs, he now helps individuals, families and corporations turn any negative situation around – regardless of the circumstances. Andre’s pledge is to help anyone in need. Andre’s travels have taken him around the world, serving as a mentor and a listening ear for more people than he can count. His impact has been felt in countries like Bahamas, Guatemala, Honduras, Liberia, Sweden, and Trinidad. On this episode, you’ll discover the epiphany which led him from solitary confinement to achieving his dream of attending Harvard University. I’m very excited to share with you Andre’s story, and his valuable lessons which you can apply in your life! Remember, The Best Is Yet To Come, Michael Bernoff