Brian Tracy: The Secrets to Doubling Your Income and Achieving Your Biggest Goals | LEAP Replay
Brian Tracy was fired from washing dishes, cars, and floors, and began to believe that “washing things” might be his destiny. But when he learned that the top 20% in any field earn 80% of the money, he committed to becoming one of them. That decision transformed him from a broke high school dropout into a global authority on success, speaking to millions across 84 countries and writing more than 80 bestselling books. In this episode, Brian shares the principles and habits that turned his life around, from the one skill that made him ten times richer to the $1.50 notebook that can make you a millionaire. He breaks down the secret to wealth and how to stay laser-focused on your biggest goals.
Brian Tracy is the Chairman and CEO of Brian Tracy International. He is a prolific businessman, renowned speaker, and bestselling author of over 80 books, including his latest, The 32 Unbreakable Laws of Money and Success.
In this episode, Ilana and Brian will discuss:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:37) From Washing Floors to Mastering Sales
(06:57) MMM Principle: The Key to Making More Money
(10:58) Financial Lessons from Business Giants
(15:17) The Golden Triangle of Leadership
(18:25) Activating the Superconscious Mind
(24:30) The Goal-Setting Exercise That Built Millionaires
(33:21) Hiring Your Dream Team with the 3x3x3 Method
(42:28) Crushing Financial Fears and “Excusitis”
(48:36) The Unbreakable Laws of Money and Success
(1:01:22) How to Actually Learn About Money
(1:05:21) The Seven Steps to Increase Productivity and Income
Brian Tracy is a renowned speaker, bestselling author, and the Chairman and CEO of Brian Tracy International. He trains individuals and organizations to achieve their personal and business goals more effectively. Brian has had successful careers in sales and marketing, investments, real estate development and syndication, importation, distribution, and management consulting. He has authored over 80 books, including bestsellers, Eat That Frog and The Success Secrets of Self-Made Millionaires, and the latest, The 32 Unbreakable Laws of Money and Success.
Connect with Brian:
Brian’s Website: https://www.briantracy.com/
Brian’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/brian-tracy-international
Resources Mentioned:
Brian’s Books:
The 32 Unbreakable Laws of Money and Success: Transform Your Life and Unlock Your Unlimited Potential: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1523007001
Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time: https://www.amazon.com/dp/162656941X
The 21 Success Secrets of Self-Made Millionaires: How to Achieve Financial Independence Faster and Easier than You Ever Thought Possible: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0369307534
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1585424331
Leap Academy:
Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW WAY for professionals to fast-track their careers and leap to bigger opportunities.
Check out our free training today at https://bit.ly/leap--free-training
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Build-A-Bear CEO, Sharon Price John: The Mindset Behind a Billion-Dollar Comeback | E134
When Sharon Price John was a kid, she spent a summer determined to climb a massive tree. After several falls, she reached the top, only to realize she didn’t know how to get down. As darkness fell, she jumped into the pine needles below and learned a lasting lesson: tough goals can be fun. Years later, that same mindset guided her as CEO of Build-A-Bear Workshop, a company that was $49 million in the red. Instead of retreating, she climbed again, leading one of retail’s greatest comebacks. In this episode, Sharon shares how to face fear with curiosity, lead with heart, and use storytelling to spark transformation in business and life.
Sharon Price John is the President and CEO of Build-A-Bear Workshop, where she led one of retail’s most inspiring turnarounds. She is also the author of Stories & Heart and Chair of the Toy Association.
In this episode, Ilana and Sharon discuss
(00:00) Introduction
(02:17) The Truth Behind Every “Overnight” Success
(03:53) The Tree That Taught Her Courage
(07:16) Breaking Into Advertising
(13:49) Climbing the Ladder at Mattel
(19:41) When Her Startup Collapsed
(28:55) Leading a Turnaround When Everything Seems Lost
(32:44) The One Rule Every Great Leader Lives By
(33:40) Avoiding the Mistakes That Cost You Most
(38:12) The Strategy That Saved Build-A-Bear
(50:57) Leading With Courage and Clarity Through Crisis(01:04:33) Storytelling as the Heart of Great Leadership
Sharon Price John has served as President and CEO of Build-A-Bear Workshop since 2013, leading the brand from a $49 million loss to record profitability. Before Build-A-Bear, she held senior roles at Hasbro, Mattel, and Stride Rite Children’s Group, earning a reputation as a turnaround expert. Sharon is the author of Stories & Heart and serves on the boards of Jack in the Box and First Book. She is also Chair of the Toy Association.
Connect with Sharon:
Sharon’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sharon-price-john-26239820
Sharon’s Website: storiesandheart.com
Resources Mentioned:
Sharon’s Book, Stories & Heart: Unlock the Power of Personal Stories to Create a Life You Love: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1950863441
First Book: https://firstbook.org
Build-A-Bear Workshop: https://www.buildabear.com
Leap Academy:
Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW WAY for professionals to fast-track their careers and leap to bigger opportunities.
Check out our free training today at https://bit.ly/leap--free-training
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Wikipedia Co-Founder: How Jimmy Wales Changed the Internet Forever | E133
He could have built a billion-dollar company, but instead, Jimmy Wales built a movement. When the dotcom crash hit and funding vanished, he didn’t sell out or add ads. He doubled down on values, creating Wikipedia, a global temple for the mind that made knowledge free to billions. In this episode, Jimmy joins Ilana to share the story behind that decision, the failures that shaped him, and the community that built the impossible. He breaks down why the best ideas come from doing something interesting, not chasing money.
Jimmy Wales is the co-founder of Wikipedia and the founder of the Wikimedia Foundation, the nonprofit that supports Wikipedia and its sister projects. He also co-founded Fandom (formerly Wikia), one of the web’s largest community platforms.
In this episode, Ilana and Jimmy discuss:
(00:00) Introduction
(02:31) How Childhood Curiosity Sparked Wikipedia’s Vision
(05:59) Turning Crisis Into Innovation During the Dotcom Crash
(08:08) The Creation of Wikipedia
(14:19) The Power of Community When Capital Runs Out
(20:14) Why Jimmy Refused to Monetize Wikipedia
(29:54) Early Fundraising Efforts for Wikipedia
(34:21) What Makes Someone Truly Notable on Wikipedia
(39:11) AI’s Role in Wikipedia's Future
(46:15) Inside The Seven Rules of Trust
(57:17) Jimmy’s Ultimate Advice to Just Start
Jimmy Wales is the co-founder of Wikipedia, the world’s largest free encyclopedia, and Wikimedia Foundation, the nonprofit that supports it. An advocate for open, collaborative knowledge sharing, he has empowered millions to contribute to a global resource of information. Recognized by TIME as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World, Jimmy is also the author of The Seven Rules of Trust, where he shares the principles that guided his journey and offers insights on building lasting endeavors.
Connect with Jimmy:
Jimmy’s Twitter: x.com/jimmy_wales
Jimmy’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jimmy-wales-919a8b
Resources Mentioned:
Wikipedia: https://www.wikipedia.org/
Jimmy’s book, The Seven Rules of Trust: A Blueprint for Building Things That Last: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0593727460
Your Money or Your Life: 9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0143115766
LEAP E122 with Nathan Blecharczyk: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nathan-blecharczyk-the-raw-truth-of-scaling-airbnb/id1701718200?i=1000723574008
Leap Academy
Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW WAY for professionals to fast-track their careers and leap to bigger opportunities.Check out our free training today at https://bit.ly/leap--free-training
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How Reebok’s Co-Founder Joe Foster and Ben Weiss Are Revolutionizing the Footwear Industry | E132
Ben Weiss set out to create the future of footwear. With nothing but conviction and a radical idea to merge AI with design, he reached out to Reebok co-founder Joe Foster, the man who turned a small factory dream into a global empire. What began as a cold message became a collaboration between two builders chasing the next revolution in shoes. In this episode, Ben and Joe join Ilana to unpack what it takes to see opportunity before the world does and how to keep building, no matter the odds or the decade.
Joe Foster is the co-founder of Reebok, the small family startup that became one of the world’s most iconic sports brands. Ben Weiss is the founder and CEO of Syntilay, a footwear innovation company building the future of sneakers through AI design and 3D printing. Together, their partnership is transforming the footwear industry.
In this episode, Ilana, Ben, and Joe discuss:
(00:00) Introduction
(03:50) The Birth of Reebok
(09:59) Breaking into the U.S. Market Against All Odds
(19:04) How Women Skyrocketed Reebok’s Success
(20:19) Hollywood and the Rise of Reebok
(23:04) Facing Challenges with Optimism
(25:27) Syntilay: A New Concept in AI Footwear
(28:30) Persistence and White Space Thinking
(32:56) Innovating with AI and 3D Printing
(36:17) The Future of Footwear and Technology
(41:41) Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Joe Foster is the co-founder of Reebok, the small startup he and his brother Jeff built into one of the world’s most iconic sports brands. Through innovation and perfect timing, he helped turn Reebok into a global household name. After stepping away, he authored the bestselling memoir Shoemaker and launched the How to Survive & Thrive series, now in its fourth edition. At 90, he continues to speak worldwide and mentor founders, sharing enduring lessons on creativity, resilience, and reinvention.
Ben Weiss is the founder of Syntilay, a Florida-based startup pioneering AI-designed, 3D-printed sneakers. With advisors like Reebok founder Joe Foster and original Shark Tank investor Kevin Harrington, Ben is redefining how shoes are created through technology, speed, and personalization. His mission is to empower creators to design and own their own footwear brands.
Connect with Joe and Ben:
Joe’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joe-foster-a38a4b10b
Ben’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/benxweiss/
Resources:
Syntilay: https://syntilay.com/
Joe’s Book, Shoemaker: The Untold Story of the British Family Firm that Became a Global Brand: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1471194019
Leap Academy:
Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW WAY for professionals to fast-track their careers and leap to bigger opportunities.
Check out our free training today at https://bit.ly/leap--free-training
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Square Co-Founder, Jim McKelvey: How to Build a Business No Competitor Can Copy | E131
Jim McKelvey did the impossible. He beat Amazon. The tech giant launched a product similar to Square’s, undercut their pricing, and leveraged its massive brand. Everyone thought Square was doomed. But a year later, Amazon quit and even mailed Square readers to their customers. That left Jim with a bigger question: “How did we survive when no one else ever has?” The search for that answer inspired his book The Innovation Stack, a blueprint for building a business that cannot be copied. In this episode, Jim joins Ilana to reveal the secret to creating an unbeatable business, why ignorance can be a superpower, and how to survive the impossible as an entrepreneur.
Jim McKelvey is the co-founder of Square (now Block), a billionaire entrepreneur, and author of The Innovation Stack. He also founded LaunchCode, a nonprofit providing free tech education and job placement.
In this episode, Ilana and Jim will discuss:
(00:00) Introduction
(02:04) Growing Up as an ‘Uncool’ Kid in St. Louis
(04:01) The Early Hustle That Jumpstarted His Career
(07:47) Launching a Business with 15-Year-Old Jack Dorsey
(13:50) The Birth of Square: From Glass Blowing to FinTech
(20:09) The Art of Selling and Capturing Attention
(26:48) How a Single Demo Won Over MasterCard
(31:04) Amazon's Failed Attempt to Crush Square
(32:17) The Innovation Stack: Building an Unbeatable Business
(35:55) Why Most Entrepreneurs Give Up Too Soon
(41:32) Why the Best Innovators Are Always “Unqualified”
Jim McKelvey is a serial entrepreneur, inventor, and philanthropist best known as the co-founder of Square (now Block), the fintech company that redefined digital payments. He is the author of The Innovation Stack, which explores how companies can survive by creating solutions that can’t be copied. Jim also founded LaunchCode, a nonprofit that provides free tech education and job placement for aspiring coders.
Connect with Jim
Jim’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mckelveyjim
Resources Mentioned
Jim’s Book, The Innovation Stack: Building an Unbeatable Business One Crazy Idea at a Time: https://www.amazon.com/Innovation-Stack-Building-Unbeatable-Business/dp/0593086732
Leap Academy:
Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW WAY for professionals to fast-track their careers and leap to bigger opportunities.
Check out our free training today at https://bit.ly/leap--free-training
The Leap Academy Podcast with Ilana Golan is all about honest and inspiring conversations about what it really takes to leap to bigger things, amazing careers, and craft the life you want.
Stories and tips you won't find anywhere else.
Ilana speaks with some of the world's most influential people, experts, and thinkers who created incredible careers, massive impact, built a reputation, and an extraordinary life.
Together we discover the untold truths, the emotions, and important lessons that enabled them to reinvent themselves & leap.
We take our audience on a journey that will not only inspire but also teach concrete lessons on how to leap careers: fast-track to leadership, jump to entrepreneurship, build a personal brand, portfolio career, and much more.
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