Determined Society with Shawn French | Adversity & Mindset - Authenticity in Artistry: Trusting Your Gut & Embracing Failure with Krash Minati

Episode Date: March 18, 2024

Summary In this conversation, host Shawn French interviews recording artist Krash Minati. They discuss the challenges of being an artist, dealing with failure, and staying authentic in the music industry. Krash Minati shares his journey of discovering a passion for music and the importance of separating personal identity from artistry. They also explore the mindset of pursuing greatness and the significance of trusting your gut and taking action. In this conversation, Shawn French and Krash Minati discuss the importance of trusting your gut and intuition. They explore the concept of intuition as a second brain and the role of energy in our lives. They also emphasize the value of collaborations and supporting others in their journey. Krash Minati shares his experience creating his album and the adversities he faced. The conversation highlights the significance of betting on oneself and learning from failures. They discuss the importance of supportive relationships and the impact of changing the world through authenticity and determination. Takeaways Being an artist involves facing challenges and obstacles, but it is important to stay authentic and true to oneself. Failure is a natural part of the journey and should be embraced as an opportunity for growth and learning. Discovering a passion for music can happen through unexpected moments and experiences. Separating personal identity from artistry allows artists to navigate failures and criticism more effectively. Trusting your gut and taking action are essential for pursuing greatness and making a meaningful impact. Trust your gut and intuition, as they can guide you in making important decisions. Energy plays a significant role in our lives, and it can be felt physically. Collaborations and supporting others can lead to fruitful partnerships and mutual growth. Betting on yourself and putting in the work can lead to personal fulfillment and success. Failures are a part of the journey and can provide valuable lessons. Surround yourself with supportive relationships that believe in your dreams. Authenticity and determination can create a positive impact and change the world. Connect with Krash Minati: Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/krashminati/?hl=en Album Drop- https://www.even.biz/releases/that-s-what-i-m-here-for Connect with Shawn: Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/theshawnfrench/?hl=en Work with Shwn- https://calendly.com/shawnmf32/strategy-call?month=2024-03   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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We get started with Edge and transform the middle way. What is up, everybody? Welcome back to another episode. I am your host, Sean French, and today I have with me something new for you guys. I believe it's a true treat. I have an electrifying, performing artist who is from Columbus, Ohio, who is known for selling out all his local shows in Columbus and Ohio statewide, but also has gained major interests and major fans in other key markets. He has an album dropping on the 18th or the 15th, I believe, coming up here really quickly. So we're here with my boy Crashmanotti.

And hey man, welcome to the show, buddy. Man, thanks for inviting me, man. It's a pleasure. Bro, I'm excited to have you here, dude. Like, I haven't had a performing artist on yet. And it's exciting for me. Yeah, like, I've been like, I'm excited because I just recently started getting into the whole, like, actually like tapping into podcasts and different things like that, bro.

And once I, I've seen the determinances. and I knew I would have the chance to actually come on here and speak, man. I was really excited about it, you know, and I really couldn't wait for real because it's something I've just recently actually just like really gotten into, bro. And I love the message you're putting out and everything you're doing. So thank you, bro. Thank you. You know, the crazy thing about my show is that no matter what you're doing, whether you're

an entrepreneur or a performing artist like yourself, an athlete, there's always some mental journey that comes along with everything that we're doing, right? the rise and the obstacles, the adversity. So I'm just super stoked to have you on equally, man. And when Justin brought you to me, I thought this is a great opportunity to expand my scope. Because I looked at it, I'm like, man, this might be tough. This might be hard for me, right? But I'm thinking like, well, hell yeah, this is good then.

You know, because I want to be able to expand my knowledge base and expand, you know, my abilities right here on my show. And, dude, I'm just super jacked. So why don't you, for a quick moment, for the audience that doesn't know you, give a brief, I guess, bio into your background, who you are and everything that's you've gone through on the come up so far. My name is Krasmanati with the K. I kind of, I got into music, really like recording music and taking it seriously, like right after high school. I started making music in high school. I was in a group called Google Gang.

That's kind of where we all started for real. But I just progressed, like, you know, over the time, I was in another group called the Manati Boys. I'm from Columbus, Ohio, 29 years old. I mean, I make movies. I just directed, produced, and wrote my first film last year called Tears for Tasha. I pretty much, you know, I'm one of those artists that do it all.

You know, I feel like I'm a jack of all trades, you know. I don't think I don't think I'm, you know, like I don't say I'm the best at any one thing, but I do say I'm at least good at everything. Dude, I think one of the things, man, I look at myself like that too. You know, some people will argue it's better to be great at one thing than really good at a lot of other things. And I always like to think about that and challenge it, bro, because it's like, wait a second, man. Like, I don't know. So I have a lot of things going on in my life right now that are indicative of the fact that I'm just dynamic in my skills. And half, if I'm only good at one thing

or great at one thing. When it comes to what your family eats and drinks, you know your choices matter. You're the expert because you know what fits your life. And getting it right starts with good information. That's why America's beverage companies are sharing more information about our ingredients at good to know facts.org. No spin, no judgments, just the facts straight from the experts for more than 140 beverage ingredients. Visit good to know facts.org. Then there's a lot of revenue or income streams that I don't have because of that. So, um, so dude, what was it like? Right. You know, let's let's get down to it because I know a lot of people, you know, have questions about recording artists and what their life is like and how it how it is you know writing a song producing it creating it and putting

it out there what does that entail for you it does um it entails a lot of being open you know um you kind of have to be vulnerable in in in in some form of way at least with the type of music that i tend to make sometimes it takes a a sense of vulnerability um because i'm really putting it all out there especially this tape but i'm dropping a tape called that's what i'm here for March 15th. So I'm really being very vulnerable and like kind of opening up and telling my real side of this story. Sometimes I feel like as an artist, we get trapped into staying in one lane, you know, and giving the people what they want to hear, you know, and trying to beat the algorithm and doing this and doing that. And I feel like that's kind of taken away from artistry

nowadays, you know, because back then it was just how, what do I have to do to be an artist nowadays is what do I have to do to beat this algorithm, you know? And I kind of try to stay on the path of I'm an artist. You know, it's okay. You feel me? They may not like this, but you're an artist. You feel me? You're going to make something else that they may, you know, like next time, you know.

Yeah. And that's the vulnerability part, you know, it's kind of never knowing. Are they going to like it? Is this when you fall off? Is this when you, you know? Yeah. I do feel you, man. I do feel you. It's interesting. I want to interject real quick because I'm listening to you and you can see me smiling, right?

And if people, the audience right now listening on Apple or Spotify or whatnot, you can't see my face. I'm completely invested in what Crash is saying right now because what I just realize is like, dude, me and you are not too far off. We're alike, man. We just, we're artists in different genres. I'm still an artist, right? I mean, I feel that being a show host is, you have to be an artist. And everything I put out there, you know, I'm sitting there myself and saying, okay, I'm not going to stay in one lane. I'm an eclectic individual. And it took my show a long time to kind of gain that, excuse me, I guess that momentum

because of the fact that I didn't want to chase the clicks. I didn't want to chase the algorithm. And I will never fucking do that. I'm never going to do it. I'm going to be me. And I just want to acknowledge you here on the show early on and say, thank you for your authenticity because a lot of other artists would sell out. So can you talk to the audience a little bit about that mindset, man?

Because that's a tough line to kind of be like, all right, well, am I going to straddle this thing or am I going to hop over on each side? How did you deal with that decision making process? I mean, and here's what I mean by that. I'm sure the decision was simple. Like, deciding is always simple, executing as hard. So walk us through that. I feel like I'm kind of, I can't speak for everyone.

But I know like my mindset about this whole thing has kind of what's kind of led to, you know, my happiness in it and being able to stay happy throughout it all is because I've always been the type of person that believe like everything happens for a reason, you know. So even if, you know, Even if this happens, I know it's for a reason. And it's up to me to try to decide, you know, like, what do I learn from that? What am I going to take from this situation to better the next one? And I feel like a lot of the times as an artist, you don't, you neglect that part. You feel me?

You take failures personally. At the end of the day, you know, it's not personal. You know, you're an artist. You know, we're sensitive about our shit. You know, that's the same. But, like, really, you know, artists, we're sensitive about it because we actually put our hearts and souls into this thing.

But once I think you kind of, once you separate, you know, other people's feelings to, you know, to your artwork kind of become, it's easy, you know. You know, it's not that I don't care, but I know what I do this for, you know. It's not for necessarily,

necessarily you to like it. I mean, I'm doing this because I have to get it out. I'm an artist. This is how it comes out. And the fact that you guys, you know, and other people can agree and, you know, feel the way that I feel, man, it's a blessing. And I, you know, I love it. No, dude, I love your vibe, man. I love the fact what you're saying is, you know, things happen for a reason.

You know, life's happening for me, not to me. And, you know, to your point, though, on failure, it is very difficult, right? It is very difficult, especially when you get started to deal with those failures and not take them personally. because this shit's coming from your soul dog. Like it, you know, and just like my brand, when I started it, when I would put something out there and I'd get 25 listens, it crushed me. It crushed me. It's like, wow, you know, like I know I suck right now, but I don't suck that bad.

I like, come on. Like, can I get 60? Can I get 60 listens? Can I get 60 downloads? And, you know, now we're, you know, exponentially, you know, more every single episode. But I think it's just because I stayed the course, man. And a lot of people, you know, will take those failures. And I want to stick on failure right now, right?

Because I just feel like there's a negative connotation around failure, right? And I think we need to continue to bring to light that anything that you're doing in this world, you should be seeking failure first, right? That's how you learn. It's an opportunity. Just like when you're lifting weights, you know, they say you're not going to grow unless you go to failure. All right. But we all want to make it easy.

And so then there's no change in our bodies. our careers and our artistry is no different. So this is a question that I want to ask you because I think it's going to help people out. And whether they're listening now and they're a recording artist or they're a business person or businesswoman, when you're starting out early and you're having an exponential amount of failure, how did you personally forge on with the courage and the determination and not allowing maybe some of those limiting beliefs kind of control your actions? You love it and you just, you know, you feel me? Like I've always had like an undying faith, like an unwavering faith that I knew one day I'm going to change the world in some way.

way. I still all the way don't feel like I've done it yet, but I've never, you know, even when I felt, I know it's coming, you feel me? And I've always, I've truly, honestly believed that, you know, and it just so happened that I, you know, got into music, you know, it was kind of crazy how it happened because I wasn't, I thought I was going to play football, you know, but at knee surgery when I was 12, so, you know, I started thinking around that time, like, man, you know, how long am I going last? You know, my knee wet, my knee wet, my knee wet. be hairy now. I'm 13, 14 years old, like, having to wrap my knee up. I'm sitting, like, man, I don't know. Is this what I'm going to do? You know, so it's like around, like, I think I was

my sophomore year, I really started getting into making music or whatever, but, um, uh, oh, yeah, to get back to your question, though, um, uh, where was I at? I started talking about football. I know, it was more of like, you know, how did you? you stay on path when all the failure was coming early, right? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, that was a thing, man. I feel like I've always honestly really, you know, you have those moments where you're like, man, do I? Or should I, maybe I should be doing something else. And that, you know, that's what kind of took me to doing these other things, man, and kind of never really focusing on one thing. I always wanted to be like, okay, well, let me go.

I know I'm good at least this too. Let me go try to do this. Let me go make a movie. Let me try to make a singing song. I've never sung before. Well, let me try to put it out. I don't know. Because you never really know. And I've always believed that, you know, one day, one day, may not be today, may not be tomorrow. But one day I'm going to do something that's going to change the world.

And I've always believed it. And I don't like, you know, when you're a kid and they ask you what do you want to, you know, do when you grow up. I used to be like, it was football for a long time, you know. and then eventually just like change the world. That was what I always used to say is to change the world. I didn't really know anymore. I don't know. I'm going to change the world.

And that's interesting because, you know, when I was growing up, I was going to be a major league baseball player. That's the only thing that I wanted to do. And when that identity was dead, when that version of Sean died, I didn't know who I was. You know, I had this big identity crisis. In fact, I'm speaking, I'm doing a TED talk in about, gosh, less than two weeks on the identity crisis of athletes transitioning from sport to the real

world. I'm extremely nervous about it. By the way, I don't know if I have my shit together. I think I do. What I do know, though, is I'm on that stage for a reason.

And when I get up there, I'm going to rise to the occasion, period, into story. The one thing I will say, man, is the whole thing about changing the world, right?

There's a lot of people that say it, but then there's a lot of people that take action and, you know, are attempting to do it. You know, you're one of those dudes. I'm one of those dudes. You know, for me, right now where I'm at is I'm not talking about changing the whole world. I want to make a huge impact in athletes and public figures because what happens is those individuals are viewed upon as good or bad or amazing or goat based on their performances, whether they're an actor, actress, celebrity, you know, recording artists, country singer, baseball player, it doesn't matter. I'm on the mission to show people that all of these people are exactly that. They're human beings, right? And what they're doing is just something that they do, right?

And I think it's important to talk about that really quickly. Like, you know, I would imagine that you know who you are outside of artistry. Would that be accurate? Oh, yeah, 1,000%. My mom has always told me, like, you know, Crashinati is one person, but don't forget who Sharrae Pollard is, you know. Exactly, you know, and that always stuck with me,

you know, and like, so I know when I, you know, you know, Crash Manati is a character, you know, I've been crashed, you know, I got the name in high school, so it's not like I just made it up to, or anything like that, but like, yeah, it is different. You know, sometimes when you get too trapped into that, you know, that's kind of how you can separate the failures from, you know, taking them personally, though,

you know what, this is Krasmanati. They like, you know, this is what they want from Krasnadi. Krasnadi has to do these things. Rav Pollard has to do these things. Right. Kappala has to call mom, you know, because he knows, no, Shrod Pollard has to, you know, pay bills. You know, Krasnani might not give a bit about anything.

You know, you have to be able to separate those. That's a good point. You know, I think people just in general want to do big things in the world, right? because I think that it's innate in us. Like we know we're here for something bigger, right? Do you remember that moment, that exact moment when you were destined to do more than what you were currently doing? And if so, can you talk about it a little bit? The exact moment I was destined to do more than I was currently doing.

I honestly don't think it was one exact moment. It was kind of like a can. glomerate of moments like a multitude of things that kind of led me to believe like, all right, you know, maybe it's not this, you know, or maybe it's, you know, I don't know. I've, I've always been the type of person. My grandma used to say, don't do anything wrong because I pray that you get caught. I feel I mean, I didn't get it back then. Yeah.

You know, I didn't get it back then. You know, I'm like, why would you pray that I get caught? you learn. You know, so you learn, you know, and I'm just one of those people who things, you know, just happen to, you feel me? And I always remember, you know, my grandma told me, oh, no, she's my, I got a praying grandma, you got me, she's praying, you've got me, like, either way that it goes, you know, so I feel like, I don't know, but I've always just had so much support from my family and,

like, like from everybody, and they've always kind of told me that I was going to be more, you No, no, I was going to do more about it. They instilled it in me at a young age. You know, I'm so blessed and grateful for my family. My mom, my dad, literally, like, everybody, my entire family. Like, I have a great family. Dude, that's big. I don't think it was just one thing, but kind of when I, okay, I will say this.

When I thought, you know, football was it for me. When I did have that first knee surgery, that was when I kind of started feeling like what do I do that's better that's going to be better than football? What can I do? And I didn't have it in my mind, but I went to one of my friend's house one day and we were all in the basement.

His name was JV. He started, him and Doobie were making a song. And I actually went there, I actually went there and they were making a song and we were kind of like clowning on them about their song or whatever. So we started rapping in the background. They're like, man, y'all might as well get on the song then.

So we ended up getting on the song and everybody was like, bro, you need to do this. Like, this is what you do. Like, Jamie was like, bro, get in the studio. This time, like, look, this is what we do. You come get in the studio. And from that point, it was like, it was something else that was like effortless for me. I didn't really have to try. So I kind of knew then that I was like, you know what?

I think I can, I think I can take this to the next level. No, but that, you know, that was like one of the moments where I'm like, you know what? I can do this. That's the moment. That's the moment. You guys, you guys listen and I pulled that shit out of him. He didn't want to go. He went there.

He found it. You know, and it's important, right? When, when your boys said that, like, you got to do this, did you immediately subscribe to the thought or did you fight it a little bit? But you kind of cut out for a minute, the thought of what? Did you, did you immediately go all in when they were saying, like, hey, you should do this? or did you think about it and try to talk yourself out of it? Well, these are my friends.

You know, they were my homie. So, like, I was going to be around them, like, somewhere anyway. So I don't know. Like, it kind of built like a camaraderie. So it wasn't hard for me, you know, like, and I'm, you know, I trusted their opinion. So when they say, like, yo, you're snapping. Yeah. That's something that made me feel good.

All right, I'm coming back. So it wasn't really hard for me. And then my brother Ivy, he used to tell me all the time, like, yo, you're different, you know, like, you need to. That's important, man, to have that level of trust and vulnerability and the people in your circle with it, your parents, your, your grandma, your, your boys, girlfriend or whatever, it doesn't matter, right? If you can sit there and trust what they're saying and knowing, like, okay, it's on. Like, that person would never lie to me. For me, my person, that does that for me is my wife. if I'm doing something and I'm like, hey, is this good?

Is this? Yeah, it's good. No, no, no. Let me, let me reframe it. Is it me? Like, do I do this? Like, is this great? Because I'm not putting anything out there that's not great.

At least have some substance to where it can help somebody. I don't do mindless bullshit, right? And she's that person to me is just like, hey, this is fantastic. continue to move forward, right? Or if she says, like, don't know if you want to go there, then I'll listen. I'm like, okay, cool, right? Because she knows me best. I need that.

But like when I was contemplating this, doing this, obviously my wife's the first person I called because it's almost like my brain exploded in the car and I just, I was driving down the interstate, heading to work one day. And that was the moment for me. Of course, like, again, there is a whole bunch of other micro moments that, led to that macro moment. But I said, hey, this is what I'm thinking. Please tell me I'm crazy. And just to go to go go to work and shut up. She goes, no, I don't think you're crazy. I think you're spot on. I think that you have a, you're a very talented person. And if this is

something that you set your mind to, you're going to be one of the greats. I was like, yeah, yeah, yeah, okay, okay, I'm going to do it. And so then I did it. And in the beginning, it didn't feel very great. I remember sitting in the, you know, recording my first show. I was just using my iPhone. And I was talking in circles. And it was just the dumbest thing ever. And then after that, it ended up being in my car after a workout. Like I ran my show out of my car the first 30 episodes. I mean, I don't know, 25, that 20, 25 episodes. And so when someone tells me they can't do it because they don't have X, Y, and Z, I call bullshit on them. I'm like, nah, man, you just, you just don't want to fucking do. do it, right? If you wanted to do it, you would just do. So like for me, you know, having that

person and those people in my life, they're going to tell it to me straight, right? Because they have my best interest in mine. Like, I got to listen right away. Now, I'm going to preface it. She's listening now. There's some things in this business I do not listen to her on. She's been right about 95% of the time, but I'm always going to chase feel, right? If I can feel something and I feel it's still okay, nobody can get me off of it. There's like zero anybody can say like, hey, I don't think that's good. You know, how are you on feel? Like, do you go off of feelings?

You do? 1,000%, man. I literally have a, I literally have trust tattooed on my stomach because I always trust my good, bro. Like literally, no matter what, like, I've been in so many situations where my gut has saved literally so many situations, man. And anytime you go against it, you learn, you know? And like, literally, bro, and that's the feeling, you know, like, I never go against,

like, I always trust my feeling, whatever my gut is telling me, you know, and it could be just the most random things, bro. Like, I've walked into studios before and I'm just like, I don't feel like recording here. I walk out, you know, and then I just find out something that happened later on or anything, you know? Yeah. And like, I've just learned over time, bro. Like, I'm 29 now.

And I realize when you do not trust your gut, you learn. Well, do you call it your second brain for a reason. Like, there's, there's some type, I'm not a scientist. I'm not a biologist. But I know there's a reason they say trust your gut. That's your intuition. Like, that is your second brain. It's strange to me.

I should probably dig down. I should probably find an expert on that and have them on the show because, I mean, everybody says trust your gut, trust your gut. Nobody understands why. And I'm going to tell you, like, when I feel something, when I'm thinking about something, and I feel like this weird, warm feeling, like, I don't do it. You know what I'm talking about, right? It's just, dude, and you can feel it physically.

Literally. It's crazy to me, man. It's crazy. That's like it's our natural defense mechanism or something, you know, like somehow, like, it's some type of way. But that's the, we were made up. of, you know, like, atoms, you feel that, like, we're moving particles, just like we are, like how the world is the same, like, that's what we are, you know?

So it's like every, every vibe, every motion, every, like, literally were made up of mostly water or whatever they say, you know, so it's like the feeling of waves are real, they really move throughout the air. You know, I'm no scientists or anything either, you know, so I'm just, you know, I'm like, you know, measurements of mine. Like, you know, my way of knowing what it means, you know? Yeah.

Like literally the ways are real. Like, we can't see them, but they're real. Energy, bro. It's a frequency. It's the energy, right. That's why music makes you feel certain ways. Yep. You know, people get me all the time.

Like, oh, your voice just makes me feel some type of way. Like, it's a certain decibel. You know, once you reach a certain decibel, it gives you a certain feeling, you know. Bro, I'm not going to lie, dog. I have to interrupt you. Like, people are going to go crazy because we both have phenomenal voices. to the audience, I apologize to you because we're putting you through some shit right now because these are some two good voice dudes right here.

So my bad. Yeah, my bad. Yeah, you know, them poor people listening right now. They don't know what to do. All the vibes, bro. All the energy. My bad, dude. I didn't mean to interrupt.

Nah, no, no, you're good, bro, literally. Your voice is beautiful. There's two, man. I absolutely love it. Like, I wasn't joking. when we talk the first time, I want you to do a song for my show. I got you. Literally, I'm doing it after we get off today.

Like, bro, like hype, like, dude, dude, I can't wait. I can't wait. I moved a couple hours extra after, after we get off here. So I got you. I'm about to, I'm not going to. Bro, that'd be sick, man. That'd be, I'd be grateful and blessed. I want to, I want to ask you.

That have, you know, questions I wanted to ask you. So I want you to, you know, we're coming down towards the back, you know, 18, 20 minutes of show before we land the plane here. And I want to talk about that's what I'm here for, right? I want to hear about the album. You're dropping it on the 15th, right? And that's why we're, you know, wanting to get this out there quick. You know, I want this out here so people can, you know, go and see the relevance and snag that thing. Talk to me about the process of this album and what you're most proud of and, you know, maybe some of the adversity.

that you went through in creating it. Well, this entire album is kind of like I was signed to a label for the past six years, six seven years. And this is actually

the first project that I've released that isn't under that label. And, you know, of course, there's been like hardships and things going on that, you know, like the fans and the supporters, you know, We just haven't put out there and let them know about. But, you know, I just started, you know, No Briggs Records.

So this is the first time I feel like people were actually getting to know what I've been going through personally. Like my son is it? People ask me all the time. Why is it that you weren't bigger than what you are? You know, and that's a weird question to ask somebody, you know, when it's like, you know, how, you know. But I've listened to your shit. Like, I'm thinking it. Like, it's a compliment, bro.

You know what I mean? It's a compliment. I hear it all the time. Like, bro, like, it is a compliment, you know, and I feel like in this album, I kind of explain that in a sense. You know, like, each song is kind of like, okay, this is what I've been going through. This is where my mind state is it. This is where, you know, that's what I'm here for. You know, sometimes, you know, you feel like you're not in the right place.

But that's what you're there for. You know, you can't forget. You feel me? Once I realize, you know, sometimes you feel like you're out of place. Sometimes you feel like you're not where you're supposed to be. Sometimes you feel like you're just, you know, you're unappreciated. You know, you feel like you're left out. But that's what I'm here for.

You know, me taking on that feeling and me being able to be strong. enough to, you know, go through that for, you know, as long as I did because of the love that I have for other people. That's what I'm here for. I'm not here to change. You know, sometimes you start questioning like, man, people are doing me like this. I should do them like that. No, that's, you know, that's not you. I mean, you got to save your soul.

You got me save your own soul. And that's what I always tell myself, bro, like save your own soul. You know what? You're here to love. You're here to care unconditionally. you're here to be there for those people. So just do that. That's what I'm here for, you know.

And that's kind of where it comes from, man. So I'm really proud of this project and I can't wait to get it out there, man. Well, you had me in goosebumps and in my feelings on in that from like minute 28 until now because I feel you. Like I get it. It's like every position that we're in, even that we don't want to be in, this is what I'm here for. Right? Because that moment, that moment right there is going to make you into a strong, for those you listen, it's going to turn you into a stronger man, stronger woman, husband, wife, professional artist, whatever it is. That moment is what you're here for. You would not be

in that moment specifically if in fact, the higher power didn't want you there and or if you didn't attract it in some type of way. And people really have a hard time, really have a hard time with that one. Everything that we have in our life, it is the sum of our thum. thoughts, right, that have turned into our actions. And now here are the results, right? And I can remember back, and it wasn't too far long ago, man, 2023. I've said it multiple times on air. Maybe I thought, I think I have, but I'm going to say it again, was the roughest year that I've had in a very long time. And I'm talking like financially, spiritually, physically, like, I mean physically, shit, dude, I got fat in

23 and I'm trying to rebound, right? It's like, it's one of those things, though, where I look at them like, hmm, okay, one thing at a time. Now in 2024, I have several opportunities now that finances are no longer the issue, right? I learned from what happened in 2023, and then I bet on myself in 2024. And since I did that, I'm being rewarded financially.

So what I want the audience to really learn from what I'm saying right now and from what you have spoken about in your transition into no breaks records, right, is bet on yourself. You want to be blessed. Then then throw it out there, right? Talk to the audience about how important it is in your mind, in your eyes, to bet on themselves instead of, putting their fate in somebody else's hands. Well, it's a quote that I love is that without being tested, you don't have a testimony. You know, so it's like, if you don't go through anything, you don't have anything. You know, like, if you don't go through anything, how do you really enjoy the fruits of your labor?

You know, you have to put in the work and you have to, you know, go. through these things, man, and I'm not going to lie to you. Like, say, writing, I don't want to say, I don't want to use the word writing somebody else's co-tail because that's not, for lack of better words, I'll say that, you know, like, say you ride somebody else's hotel all the way to the top. You get there. Yay, we win. How do you really feel inside? Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. How do you feel unfulfilled? You feel unfulfilled because you didn't, you know, you didn't hurt. You didn't, you didn't help do, you know, any other work. Go bet on yourself.

Put the work in. Sweat the blood, the sweat, the tears. Bet on yourself, put the work in, man. And, you know, you reap the benefits that way. And, yeah, I hate the ride your co-tail because, you know, I don't necessarily believe. I feel like there are certain moments when riding somebody's co-tail, well, you know, it works in your favor. You know, and I'm totally not against that, you know, but I feel like at some point, you know, you, want to have the coat tail.

You want to have the table people want to sit at. Like that, exactly. That's the thing. And dude, I think, you know,

what you're talking about is there is a time to ride the coattail. But I think it's just a really, it's funny, like, because we hear it all the time. But I think it's a nasty way of saying, like,

put yourself in good collaborations. Exactly. The most people, I mean, collaborations, I mean, look at, look at all the artists.

Look at all the artists. the artist, bro. What about that Drake song? That, oh my gosh, that had it, Eminem in it, Lil Wayne. What was that called? Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's one of my favorite songs. It wasn't because of Drake. It's the collaboration. It was a collaboration. Everybody had their own sauce and mixed it into the pot and made. So good, but so good. So, like, they leveraged each other's audiences. And all these artists back in the day understood that, right, doing the collabs. And then also doing the repurposing of old tracks. Like, you know, like the vanilla ice, ice, ice baby. Everybody loved that. Oh, shit, this is under pressure. Oh, my God. No, it's not.

What is this? And then it brought the young generation like, oh, this is ice ice baby. Wait, this is an ice ice baby. This is under pressure. What came from? first. And now you have different exposures. Those things right there. Collaborations are so important, right? And whatever you can do respectfully to leverage audiences and introduce new people to your audience, I mean, that's just, that's giving, man. That that's, you know, I love that. Yeah. And I don't think there's a problem with that at all, you know. And, and, and, and being able to, you know, count on yourself, it just gives you it just gives you

another sense of fulfillment, like, you know, personally. Yeah. Where you're, like, even because you're, you're not always going to win, you know, you're going to fail a lot. Yeah. You know, so, you know, just going through those failures, you know, like, without the sunshine, there's no rain, without the rain, there's no

sunshine, you know, like you need both. And I kind of feel like betting on yourself is just, you know, you just take everything. The wins, the losses. it's more fulfilling at the end of the day. You win, you lose anyway.

Might as well take them personally. Yeah. You know, it's so funny because like, you know, and then we'll land the plane here. Excuse me. I think it's,

when people come up or want to come up, they want to skip the part where it hurts. They want to skip the blood, the sweat, the tears. They want to skip the rejection. They want to skip the people laughing at them. They want to skip the part where their own

family don't believe in them. And, you know, because, you know, here's the, here's a reality, bro. Not everybody has a family like you. Like, not everybody's family supports them and listens to their stuff, you know, listens to their podcast, buys their book, you know, cheers them on. Like, I don't get, I don't get that from the majority of my family, you know, maybe a few, you know, my mom, my aunt Kay, my wife, right? But like, that's a thing. man. You can't skip that part. You know, that ties into what you're saying. You can't have I mean, that's kind of, that's kind of how you learn who should be there and who should, you know. Like you got your day one, your day twos, and then your day threes, you know, like you got to know how

to separate those. You feel me? Like the day threes are the people who you grow with. Yeah. You feel me? Those are the people who you realize, okay, I have a lot in common with this person because we're doing positive things together. We're growing. together. Yeah. And, you know, like, you know, the day ones are the people who you were born around and that you can't really separate from, you feel me? But now it's like we don't fit together no more.

So, you know, they're upset at you because they feel like, you know, but you create your own tribe. You do. And it's funny. Yeah. When you grow or ascend to a certain point, you start to offend people. And I mean, you're going to lose people, man. And your homies that are still there, like my best friend, Quinn Stewart, still here to this day.

Ryan Patterson, all my dudes that I play ball with at LSU, Justin Higgins from when I was a kid, you know, 11 years old. You know, I mean, I know they're never leaving, right? My guy, Dan, I can, if I'm missing people that and you guys are listening, I'm sorry. If you have to sit there and say, he didn't mention me, trust me, I'm thinking about you. I love you, right? But for the sake of the show, you know, I can't keep naming people off. But like those are the people, when I'm the biggest sports media brand on the freaking planet, they're coming.

Like those are my people I'm bringing in to work with me and they ain't ever got to worry about anything. Doesn't matter what the qualifications are. We're going to find something, right? You take care of your people. Do you know what I mean? Always. You got those people.

You got them people. That's one thing I stand on, man. If you were there from the beginning, man, there's no way I can enjoy. You know, I'm not sitting in first class if my brothers can't come with me. Yeah. I'm not going to be sitting here, you know, as a big, huge sports journalist brand and not have my best friend Quinn Stewart sitting right next to me. There's no, there's no world that that exists in.

You know, to a point where I was sitting with one of my athletes this weekend and we're having dinner. We're having dinner. And he says to me, I had homework last night. I mentioned you in my paper. I said, what? I said, damn. I was like, what was it about? He's like, well, you know, coming from, you know, being an athlete, there's like certain brands that I would love to collab with. I'm like, oh, well, shoot, man, when it's time, you don't even have to ask. Like, that's my day one athlete. You know, he was my first athlete. I started working. with and that's my guy. Like if he needs something and I can provide it, I'm going to. Right. But we have those people in our lives, right? And that's the thing. Like it's the little things

that I think we forget to really celebrate, bro. Like you're changing the world. Like the little things that, you know, like I know how like that that probably hits you when he said, you know, like I got you in my favorite, probably like, oh wow, you know, hit you like that. Yeah, bro. You're changing the world. Like little by little. You know, like when I seen it, just the determined society, bro, I was so, like, it just fit hand in hand with, like, the message that's going on with this album. And the fact that, you know, I could collaborate with you on this podcast, bro. I'm like, you know, it's, this is supposed to happen, though.

So once again, I appreciate you, bro. Like, I'm so glad that I could come and chop it up with you here, bro. Well, dude, absolutely, man. And in future, future collabs coming, I want to be there. You know, I want to, I want to watch a perform in person. So we'll work that out too. And, you know, but for the audience listening, I just want to encourage you to, you know, look at the show notes, find crashes, Instagram, follow him, his YouTube, subscribe to his channel and look for all his drops and support him. Because you do not find good people often enough to where you know that they have a true authentic heart.

And this man's one of them. He has that or else he wouldn't be here sitting with me on such short notice. I see you, brother. I can see us becoming really good friends. And ladies and gentlemen, please, please, please, once again, share this episode with somebody that you know love and trust and tag us in social media. And I want you to remember one thing that Crash said, you know, and then as you move on to your day, just bet on yourself. Just whatever it is, know that where you're at, you're there for a reason, and bet on you and move forward so you can go win quicker.

Crash, I appreciate you, bro, to the end of the world, man. And I cannot wait to see everything that you do in the future, buddy. Thanks again, bro. I know we'll definitely have to do this again for sure. You know it, bro. I'll have you on my podcast next time. Come on, man. I'm there, bro.

I'm there. All right, guys. Well, hey, until next time, follow the show, share it. leave a written review, and until next time, be determined and go chase your dreams. Peace. Southwest Florida is one of the most beautiful places on the planet to live. For those of you that are thinking of moving from other states to come to Florida, or even just moving to a different part of the state, I want you to think of a big, beautiful,

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Feeling like I didn't belong on the field with my teammates. But it doesn't have to stay that way. I used to compare myself to everyone around me. I thought that no matter how hard I work, I'd never be as good as the other guy. It killed myself for me. I now help athletes develop an elite mindset, so comparison no longer controls them. We teach techniques to cut out the negative self-talk and unlock people for full potential. Imagine stepping into the box when it counts the most and feeling totally confident in your ability,

feeling invincible instead of insecure, ready to seize the opportunity instead of shrinking from it. That's the mindset I help athletes develop. Don't waste another minute on comparison and self-doubt. Take control of your mindset and be comfortable. the confident, unstoppable competitor you were meant to be. The end more comment below. Get started with Edge and transform the mental network.