The Determined Society with Shawn French | Mindset, Adversity & Growth

People think healing means you’re “over it”… but real healing is learning how to face it when it comes back.

In this episode, Jana Kramer opens up about surviving abuse, reliving trauma through acting, and the daily work it takes to trust yourself again. 

From setting boundaries to choosing family over opportunity, this conversation is a powerful reminder that growth isn’t perfect, but it’s necessary.

Key Takeaways
-Abuse conditions you to doubt your own reality and instincts 

-Trusting yourself again is one of the hardest—and most importan...

Most people talk about chasing their dreams… but very few have the determination and discipline to sacrifice everything when adversity shows up. It’s easy to say you want it—but real growth happens when your mindset is tested and you’re forced to choose between comfort and commitment.

In this episode, rising country artist Coey Redd shares how she went all in, selling the only thing she owned to bet on herself, and how that decision built the mental toughness, high performance habits, and consistency over motivationrequired to keep going. This is what it looks like to face...

Most people see success, but they don’t see the adversity, discipline, and relentless determination it takes to get there. What looks like overnight success is really years of rejection that build the mindset and mental toughness required to last.

In this episode, Tony Goldwyn shares the reality of breaking into Hollywood, the power of committing fully, and how adversity shapes your determination, discipline, and long-term success. This is about developing high performance habits, choosing consistency over motivation, and staying locked in when most people would quit.

If you’ve ever felt like quitting, this conv...

Most people see adversity as a stop sign, but it’s actually an invitation to grow. 

In this episode, Shawn breaks down how hard seasons expose your habits, force you to build discipline, and shape you into the person you need to become. 

If you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or tempted to quit, this message will help you shift your mindset and move forward.

Key Takeaways 

-Adversity reveals who you are and where you need to grow

-The work beneath the surface is the real win

-Confi...

She built a thriving fashion business… then faced the kind of adversity that forces you to discover your true determination.
What she lost overnight became the exact moment that tested whether she would break—or rebuild.

In this episode, Diana Mahrach shares how she went from multiple stores in New York to survival mode during COVID, and how she fought her way back.

This is a raw, powerful story about resilience, staying in your lane, and never quitting when everything falls apart.

Key Takeaways 

-Losing everything doesn’t mean the...

Adversity isn't a setback—it's your setup. When LaMyiah Pearlinia lost her job, she faced an identity crisis that forced her to rebuild from zero. In this raw conversation, she reveals how losing everything became the exact catalyst for finding real discipline, purpose, and what she's truly called to do. A candid exploration of career pivots, mental resilience, and trusting God through uncertainty.

Key Takeaways:

Explore a cultural perspective on breaking norms in traditional health approaches as Shawn French sits down with Dr. Sophia Hadar to uncover what traditional medicine often misses. From hidden imbalances to deeper root causes, this conversation challenges how we think about true health. You can look healthy on the outside and still be struggling internally. 

Key Takeaways 

-Looking fit doesn’t mean your body is functioning optimally

-Traditional medicine often treats symptoms—not root causes

-Fatigue, inflammation, and imbalance can exist even in “healthy” people

-True health requires a...

Everyone sees the success, but no one sees the weight behind it. In this episode, Shawn French and Pat Sitkins pull back the curtain on  Exploring the cultural perspectives on entrepreneurship and breaking norms around success

From pressure, sacrifice, and family impact to the loneliness of leadership, this is the raw truth about entrepreneurship.

Key Takeaways 

-Building something meaningful comes with pressure no one prepares you for.

-Success impacts your family more than people realize.

-You can’t balance everything—prioritization is required (Four Burner Theory).

-Dete...

Doug Bopst shares his journey of breaking norms and cultural transformation through personal struggle with addiction and landing himself incarcerated.

What started as fear and addiction turned into discipline, purpose, and a complete identity shift.

Key Takeaways

-Hitting rock bottom forced him to take full accountability for his life.

-Jail became the environment that built discipline and new habits.

-Real transformation starts when you separate from your old identity.

-Confidence is built by doing hard things consistently, not motivation.

-Turning pain into purpose i...

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In this episode, we sit down with Donnie Keller, owner of Ionic Fitness in Bonita Springs and founder of Wilson’s Fit Futures, a program helping kids ages 11–17 build confidence, discipline, and better health through fitness and nutrition education. You will witness a cultural perspective on youth fitness and breaking norms in childhood health.

After years of sacrifice, working multiple jobs, and nearly quitting during the pandemic, Donnie turned his gym into so...

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At just 33 years old, Jessie Morales heard the words no one expects to hear: “You have Stage 3 breast cancer.”

In this powerful and emotional episode, Jessie shares her journey from finding a lump accidentally, to receiving her diagnosis, and navigating life as a young mother fighting cancer. A cultural perspective on breaking norms in breast cancer awareness and mental health. 

Jessie opens up about the fear, the strength it takes to...

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In this powerful episode of The Determined Society Podcast, Shawn French sits down with entrepreneur and coach David Waldy for one of the most honest and vulnerable conversations yet.

They dive into fatherhood, identity, faith, and the power of men having real conversations with each other. Shawn shares the emotional moment when his father told him he was proud, while David explains how understanding your potential versus your capacity can change the...

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Most people want a better life, but very few are willing to take radical responsibility for it.

In this powerful conversation, Shawn French sits down with TV host and author Christy Primmer to talk about self-accountability, personal transformation, and the mindset required to truly level up.

Christy shares how she rebuilt her life by letting go of shame, facing her past head-on, and becoming the version of herself capable of...

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In this powerful episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with therapist, author, and founder of Rugged Counseling, Trey Tucker, to talk about the growing crisis facing young men today.

From the lack of strong father figures to the emotional struggles men carry silently, Trey shares why so many young men feel lost—and what we must do to change it.

Trey opens up about his journ...

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Most people chase the perfect body but ignore their mental and emotional health.

In this episode, Francesca Scerbo shares her powerful story of overcoming anorexia, body dysmorphia, and industry misinformation. She breaks down how balance, strength training, and personalized nutrition can transform your confidence, hormones, and long-term health.

Key Takeaways

-Your mindset and self-love are the foundation of lasting health.

-Bioindividuality matters because no n...

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What happens when the thing that defines you disappears?

In this behind-the-scenes Pulse episode, Shawn French opens up about losing his identity after baseball and how that collapse became the catalyst for purpose, growth, and reinvention.

This conversation dives deep into discomfort, community, and why embracing change is the key to building the life you truly want.

Key Takeaways

-Losing your purpose can lead...

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Most people spend their lives trying to fit into a system instead of becoming who they truly are. In this powerful conversation, Gayle Guyardo shares what it really took to walk away from a 33-year career in journalism, embrace authenticity, and step into a new season of purpose.

We discuss media, identity shifts, faith, family, human trafficking awareness, and why real conversations matter more than ever. If you’ve ever felt stuck...

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In this powerful episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Daria Berenato, professional wrestler, actress, producer, and former WWE superstar,  for a deep and raw conversation about authenticity, discipline, and the mindset required to build lasting success.

Daria shares her journey from bartending and fighting MMA to breaking into WWE, producing films, and pursuing her childhood dream of acting. She opens up about overcoming fear, trusting intuition, navi...

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After receiving a vaccine in her late 20s, Zoe Carly, President of Carly Health and Founder of Zeta Body, began suffering from grand mal seizures that changed her life forever.

In this powerful episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Zoe to unpack her journey, from leaving home at a young age, to battling seizures for nearly a decade, to building resilience through adversity, and ultimately launching her...

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In this powerful live episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Derek Carlson, CEO of MVP Realty, to share a life-altering story of survival, faith, and transformation.

After suffering three heart attacks in 2023, Derek was forced to confront the reality that success without health, systems, and purpose leads to collapse. Speaking in front of 500+ people at Mind Your Business 3, he walks through his near-death experience, rebuilding his hea...

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In this episode of The Determined Society, Shawn French sits down with entrepreneur, author, and Members Only Palm Beach star Taja Abitbol to talk about manifestation, fearless action, and building a life without waiting for the perfect plan.

Taja shares how she built multiple businesses, opened restaurants in New York and Las Vegas, and launched her wellness brand by trusting her instincts, embracing risk, and learning through experience.

The con...

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In this episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Emmy-winning producer and Amazing Race Season 2 winner Alex Boylan, creator of the hit series The College Tour and author of his new memoir The Miles That Make You.

Alex shares how growing up with nothing, embracing discomfort, and chasing adventure shaped his entire life; from traveling the world for free to building a show that helps students find the...

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In this powerful episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with entrepreneur and media powerhouse Hala Taha, founder of Young and Profiting and CEO of YAP Media.

Hala shares the raw truth behind being rejected, blackballed from the radio industry, and feeling like the “black sheep” of a high-achieving family, only to later build a podcast and media empire generating over $1M in sponsorship revenue.

Key Ta...

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In this powerful Pulse episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with his business partner and close friend Pat Sitkins to reflect on the evolution of the show, the power of clarity, and what it actually takes to become the person you want to be.

They discuss why most people never start, how preparation builds confidence, and why the “messy middle” is where real growth happens. Shawn breaks down th...

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In this episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Stacey Kay, founder of hydr.ate, to unpack a powerful journey through addiction, anxiety, burnout, and personal transformation.

Stacey opens up about struggling with alcohol and drugs in her twenties, pushing herself through high-pressure sales careers, and the moment her body forced her to stop; heart palpitations, numbness, and an anxiety episode that looked like a heart attack. Tha...

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In this episode of The Determined Society, Shawn sits down with Zach Cogen, Head of Athlete Rehabilitation for the New York Red Bulls, to break down what real recovery actually looks like; physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Zach shares his journey from collegiate wrestling to working with elite professional athletes across UCLA, EXOS, DC United, and now Major League Soccer.

He explains the critical difference between return to play and ret...

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In this episode of The Determined Society, Sean sits down with Nicole Jaques, creator of the “House CEO” framework, content educator, and systems-driven parent helping families calm the chaos of modern life.

Nicole shares how leaving a corporate public-relations career after becoming a mother forced her to confront an outdated narrative around being a “stay-at-home mom.” What emerged instead was a powerful reframe: running a household requires leadership, systems, and intentional design, jus...

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Nik Kleverov joins The Determined Society to break down the biggest misconceptions about AI, creativity, and the future of Hollywood.

From his journey as an immigrant storyteller to becoming one of the first creatives working with OpenAI, Nik explains why there is no “magic AI button,” why creatives are more important than ever, and how AI is opening doors to original films, brand storytelling, and entirely new forms of entertainment.

This...

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In this powerful episode of The Determined Society Podcast, Brady McDonald shares his raw journey from alcohol dependency and fear to sobriety, faith, ultra-endurance racing, and building a life rooted in discipline and purpose.

Brady opens up about quitting alcohol after realizing the cycle he was passing down to his daughters, how doing hard things like 75 Hard and ultra running gave him clarity, and the moment God intervened and changed the tra...

What do you do when heartbreak, betrayal, or a toxic relationship leaves you broken on the floor?

In this powerful episode of The Determined Society Podcast, Shawn sits down with world-renowned breakup and divorce coach Sara Davison to talk about reclaiming your power when life knocks you down.

Sara shares the deeply personal story behind her mantra “Screw You, Watch This,” how toxic relationships quietly trap people in cycles of fear and self-doubt, and the practical tools anyone can use to break free.

Key Takeaways

-Toxic relationships often feel famil...

What does it really take to build a scalable business that survives without you?

In this episode of The Determined Society Podcast, David Royce shares how he went from knocking doors as a college student to building and exiting multiple pest control companies, including a $500M empire operating across 34 states and 5,000+ cities.

David breaks down the real mechanics of scale, why blue-collar businesses with white-collar systems are massively underrated, and how obsession, systems, and cash flow discipline separate businesses that grow from those that collapse.

Key Takeaways

-A business i...

2025 was a turning point.

Personally, professionally, and mentally. This episode is a raw reflection on how fixing one overlooked area of my life changed everything, from my marriage and mindset to the growth of The Determined Society.

If you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or like something small is quietly holding you back, this conversation is about identifying that one thing and committing to real change.

Growth doesn’t come from motivation, it comes from discipline, ownership, and doing the work when no one’s watching.

Key Takeaways

-Personal growt...

In this episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Dr. David Karli, a renowned physician and entrepreneur in regenerative medicine, to explore the intersection of health, determination, longevity, and the future of medical technology.

Dr. Karli opens up about his personal health crisis in his early 40s; including burnout, panic attacks, hormonal imbalance, and the wake-up call that forced him to rethink everything he believed about aging, performance, and medicine. What followed was a complete transformation that reshaped not only his body, but his mindset, career, and mission.

Together, they dive...

In this raw and deeply emotional episode of The Determined Society, Shawn French sits down with Matt Dillon for a powerful conversation about adversity, identity, addiction, resilience, and what it truly means to build yourself back up when life breaks you down.

Matt opens up about leaving Australia for New York, starting over from nothing, navigating addiction, loneliness, and career pressure, and learning how to survive by showing up every single day, even when everything felt impossible. From swimming through rock bottom to rebuilding discipline, trust, and self-worth, this episode explores the realities most people never talk...

In this episode of The Determined Society, Shawn French sits down with Baiju Bhatt, co-founder of Robinhood, for a wide-ranging conversation that spans entrepreneurship, immigration, resilience, artificial intelligence, and humanity’s next energy frontier: space.

Baiju opens up about growing up as the child of Indian immigrants, learning English by watching TV, and how that outsider perspective shaped his worldview, work ethic, and belief in opportunity. He reflects on building Robinhood in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, the skepticism they faced, and how democratizing access to the markets reshaped an entire generation’s relationship with money.

In this deeply moving episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Liz Caplan, world-renowned vocal coach, founder of Liz Caplan Voice Studios, and trusted voice teacher to some of the biggest names in film, television, and Broadway, including Hugh Jackman, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Andrew Garfield, Ben Platt, Stephen Colbert, and more.

From growing up with asthma to discovering that singing and breathwork could literally change how her body functioned, Liz explains how music became her first medicine, long before success, recognition, or a thriving business.

She shares how deep, intentional breathing can...

In this episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Olivia Mock, founder and CEO of The Check-In Club, a rapidly growing fitness accountability app helping thousands of people build discipline, community, and confidence, without the toxicity, filters, and comparison traps of modern social media.

What begins as a conversation about fitness quickly turns into a deep discussion on mental health, self-talk, consistency, childhood insecurities, and the emotional battles people face long before they ever touch a weight. Shawn and Olivia open up about their own struggles with anxiety, body image, shame, yo-yo dieting...

In this episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with entrepreneur and wellness advocate Jerome, whose life story is a raw testament to trauma, resilience, and the determination to build something better for the next generation.

What begins as a conversation about childhood adversity becomes a shocking revelation:

Jerome discovered that he was likely a surviving twin, the result of selective abortion practices in 1970s France. That discovery unraveled decades of unexplained psychological pain, complex PTSD, and emotional disconnection. For the first time publicly, he opens up about prenatal trauma, childhood neglect...

In this episode of The Determined Society, Shawn French sits down with Kwame Christian, a bestselling author, attorney, corporate negotiation consultant, TEDx speaker, and host of Negotiate Anything, the #1 negotiation podcast in the world.

Kwame breaks down the real meaning of determination: making an agreement with yourself and keeping the promise, even when fear, conflict, or discomfort stand in the way.

But this conversation goes far beyond traditional negotiation. It dives into the psychology of people-pleasing, childhood conditioning, internal self-talk, emotional regulation, boundaries, and what keeps so many of us from speaking up for ourselves.<...

In this inspiring episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Greg Rosenbaum, SVP of Programming at South by Southwest and a 15-year veteran behind one of the most influential festivals in the world.

From dyslexia to leadership, Greg shares the personal and professional journey that shaped him, and how SXSW has become a global model for community, creativity, and connection across music, film, TV, technology, comedy, and education.

Greg reveals how adversity forced SXSW to reinvent itself after losing its long-standing convention center home, and why focusing on community over convenience...