HawkeTalk

Did you know the Olympic trials can be more daunting than the Games themselves? In this episode, I am delighted to sit down with Jordyn Wieber—Olympic gold medalist, world champion, and now a game-changing gymnastics coach. Jordyn takes us through her incredible journey from a determined young gymnast in Michigan to standing atop the Olympic podium.

We explore her deep competitive spirit, the intense highs and lows of elite gymnastics, and the challenges that shaped her—including the injuries that nearly derailed her path. Jordyn shares what it was like to navigate the pressure of Olympic trials, the emotional rollercoaster of competing on the world’s biggest stage, and the moment she knew it was time to transition from athlete to coach.

Now, as the head coach at the University of Arkansas, Jordyn is shaping the next generation of gymnasts, emphasizing perseverance, goal-setting, and the power of a supportive environment. She opens up about the lessons she learned through sport; the mindset shifts that helped her grow, and why embracing setbacks can be just as valuable as chasing medals.

And, of course, she leaves us with some powerful advice for aspiring athletes—encouraging them to stay the course, trust the process, and find purpose beyond the podium.

If you love stories of grit, resilience, and transformation, this one’s for you.

In this episode:
(01:19) Family athleticism
(05:34) First competition experience
(10:43) Competing at a young age
(11:46) Injuries and setbacks
(13:15) Overcoming doubts
(14:20) Return to competition
(14:42) World championship success
(15:43) The journey to confidence
(17:06) Olympic dreams begin
(17:48) Nerves and excitement
(18:55) Making the team
(20:15) Age range in gymnastics
(21:11) Factors driving change in gymnastics
(22:36) Olympic experience overview
(24:45) Going for 2016
(25:48) Transition to coaching
(26:51) Current role at Arkansas
(28:10) Future aspirations
(29:22) Advice for dream pursuers

Hawke Media
https://www.linkedin.com/company/hawkemedia/
https://www.instagram.com/hawkemedia/?hl=en
https://hawkemedia.com/
https://twitter.com/hawkemedia
https://www.facebook.com/hawkemedia/

About Our Guest

Jordyn Wieber is an Olympic gold medalist, world champion gymnast, and current head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks gymnastics team. A fierce competitor turned inspiring mentor, she now dedicates her career to coaching, speaking, and shaping the future of gymnastics.

Jordyn Wieber
Jordyn Wieber-X
Jordyn Wieber- Facebook
Jordyn Wieber- Instagram
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

They say childhood experiences can shape our futures in unexpected ways. Have you ever considered how growing up in a vibrant food scene might spark a lifelong passion? Imagine taking that love for food and swapping a career in Hollywood for the exciting world of culinary innovation. It’s a big leap, right?

In this inspiring episode of "Hawke Talk," I sit down with Lawrence Longo, a dynamic entrepreneur whose journey is as flavorful as it is fascinating. From the glittering lights of Hollywood to the sizzling kitchens of the food industry, Lawrence's story is a masterclass in passion, adaptability, and the relentless pursuit of dreams.

Join us as Lawrence takes us from his roots in a food-loving Italian family in Toronto to the bustling streets of Hollywood and, finally, into the heart of the food business. With a background in the film industry, Lawrence shares how his love for food led him to create a groundbreaking app centered around secret menu items at top restaurants.

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a food enthusiast, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical advice to fuel your journey. Don’t miss this chance to learn from Lawrence Longo's experiences and discover how to navigate your path with confidence and creativity.

In this episode:
(00:40) Lawrence's food critique
(05:31) First job in Hollywood
(10:02) Hustling in Hollywood
(15:38) App's success
(20:00) Burger showdown event
(26:07) Timeline of restaurant openings
(30:51) Celebrating business success
(35:39) The journey of grit
(37:07) Perseverance in parenting
(37:24) Quality and customer happiness

Hawke Media
https://www.linkedin.com/company/hawkemedia/
https://www.instagram.com/hawkemedia/?hl=en
https://hawkemedia.com/
https://twitter.com/hawkemedia
https://www.facebook.com/hawkemedia/

About Our Guest

Lawrence Longo, a Canadian-born entrepreneur with deep Italian roots, moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in entertainment. However, his true passion—nurtured by a family that cherished cooking and sharing meals—soon led him down a different path. An unforgettable dinner at Wolfgang Puck’s Spago, where he stumbled upon a hidden “off the menu” item, sparked an idea that would change his life.

Lawrence Longo
Lawrence Longo- LinkedIn
Off the Menu - Instagram
Irv's Burgers- Instagram
Prince St. Pizza- Instagram
Off the Menu-Website
Lawrence Longo - Instagram

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Water is essential to life, and each day, the world consumes millions of gallons… from plastic bottles. Whether we want to accept it or not, plastic bottles are damaging our world immensely. We’re at a tipping point, and someone must make a stand if we’re ever going to get moving in the right direction.

Our guest today is indeed making a stand and building a global brand. He’s Shadi Bakour, CEO and Co-Founder of PATHWAY, a company focused on breaking our addiction to bottled water while creating out-of-the-box paths to sustainability. Today, he’ll share his successful journey, why the struggle has been the greatest reward, and how he went from dreaming about Wall Street to a world free from bottled water.

In This Episode

(2:20) – Shadi finds his passion for the environment and the harmful impact of plastic.
(3:30) – Discusses the emphasis his parents placed on education.
(5:12) – Received martial arts training at the Shaolin Martial Arts Temple.
(5:20) – Military school helps Shadi awaken the entrepreneur inside.
(8:20) – Wall Street dreams never come to fruition.
(11:30) – He learns that the key to success is knowing how to manage.
(16:44) – PATHWATER is born.
(18:40) – Shadi dives into his team's sacrifices to grow the business.
(22:42) – The lessons learned during the struggle.
(24:04) Shadi embraces the concept that " the road to riches is a marathon, not a sprint.”
(25:20) – The turning point for PATHWATER.
(26:27) – The investor party allows PATHWATER to reach the next level.
(27:39) – The inflection point: Series A.
(29:12) – Shadi and the team decide to go big or go home.
(30:15) – The business has a near-death experience.
(33:40) – Human resources are the most valuable resource.

Our Guest

Shadi Bakour is a visionary entrepreneur and water sustainability advocate. At just 31 years old, he has significantly contributed to reimagining the water business. Shadi has pioneered sustainable solutions through his innovative approaches, transforming the industry. His passion for addressing global water challenges is evident in his work, inspiring positive change worldwide.

Resources and Links

Hawke Media

https://www.linkedin.com/company/hawkemedia/
https://www.instagram.com/hawkemedia/?hl=en
https://hawkemedia.com/
https://twitter.com/hawkemedia
https://www.facebook.com/hawkemedia/

Shadi Bakour

https://drinkpathwater.com/
https://www.instagram.com/shadibakour/?hl=en
https://m.facebook.com/people/Shadi-Bakour/100069384513609/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shadibakour
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Hawke Talk, I sit down with legendary waterman Laird Hamilton to dive into his extraordinary life story from being pushed into waves at age two in Hawaii to pioneering the biggest breakthroughs in surfing history.

Laird opens up about growing up on some of the most dangerous beaches in the world, the influence of his single mother and stepfather, and the relentless drive that kept him chasing the ocean day after day. He shares the behind-the-scenes of breaking barriers in big-wave surfing from inventing tow-in surfing to riding Tahiti’s “Millennium Wave” that redefined what was possible.

We explore the evolution of his career beyond traditional surfing: windsurfing, hydrofoiling, modeling, and entrepreneurship, all while holding true to his philosophy that persistence, curiosity, and loving what you do are the keys to a life well-lived.

Through near-death wipeouts, industry skepticism, and reinventing equipment to keep up with nature’s power, Laird’s story is a testament to relentless pursuit, faith in the unknown, and never letting your memories outgrow your dreams.

In this episode:
(00:00) The best advice: be relentless and love the pursuit
(04:30) Riding waves by age two and shaping his first custom board at six
(10:05) Obsession with the ocean and ditching school to surf
(21:45) Breaking barriers with tow-in surfing and the Millennium Wave in Tahiti
(28:17) Facing near-death wipeouts and rescues at sea
(31:40) Transitioning into hydrofoiling and riding a 10-minute wave on his 60th birthday
(36:25) Why curiosity and openness fuel the next frontier of ocean exploration
(40:15) Laird’s advice: be relentless and love the work

Hawke Media
https://www.linkedin.com/company/hawkemedia/
https://www.instagram.com/hawkemedia/?hl=en
https://hawkemedia.com/
https://twitter.com/hawkemedia
https://www.facebook.com/hawkemedia/

About Our Guest

Laird Hamilton is a world-renowned big-wave surfer, innovator, and pioneer of modern-day surfing. Born in San Francisco and raised on Hawaii’s North Shore, he grew up on the world’s heaviest waves and went on to redefine the boundaries of ocean sports.

Credited with inventing tow-in surfing, advancing hydrofoiling, and tackling some of the largest waves ever ridden, Laird has built a career on pushing limits and embracing fear as fuel. Beyond the ocean, he has modeled, acted, and co-founded companies like Laird Superfood, bringing his passion for health and performance to a global audience.

For Laird, surfing is more than a sport; it’s a lifelong pursuit of flow, innovation, and respect for the ocean.

Laird Hamilton
Laird Hamilton Website
Laird Hamilton on Instagram
Laird Hamilton on LinkedIn

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when a theater-loving kid from suburban Chicago finds his true calling not on stage, but on a treadmill?

In this episode, I sat down with Joey Gonzalez, Global CEO of Barry’s and one of the boldest voices in boutique fitness. His journey is wild—in the best way possible. From being the least athletic kid in a super-fit immigrant family to leading a global fitness empire, Joey’s story is all about identity, resilience, and betting on yourself.

Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, Joey was surrounded by sports-obsessed siblings and marathon-running parents. From secretly dreaming of the stage while eating pizza and watching TV to landing a lead role in a Chicago musical at 13, which led to a decade in film and TV. However, burnout prompted him to try Barry's workout on a whim, resulting in a significant transformation. He evolved from a client to a trainer, then General Manager, and eventually, the owner. Despite having no prior experience in operations or fitness leadership, Joey taught himself everything and worked his way into ownership.

We talk about everything: stepping into your power, learning to scale a brand from two studios to 90 worldwide, what makes a great leader (hint: it’s not a title), and why he believes the most successful people don’t let fear sit in the driver’s seat. If you’re navigating a pivot, chasing purpose, or just trying to figure out your next big move… this episode is 100% for you.

In this episode:

(0:00) Replacing fear with focus
(1:00) Growing up Latino and artistic in suburban Chicago
(3:26) The audition that changed everything
(10:30) Burnout, USC, and searching for what’s next
(12:37) His first Barry’s class—and how it hooked him
(14:01) Becoming a trainer and finding purpose
(15:06) The early vision to transform lives
(16:19) Climbing from GM to business leader
(24:32) Building the Barry’s blueprint in NYC
(31:53) Scaling to 90+ locations and counting
(34:47) The mindset shift that changed everything

Hawke Media

https://www.linkedin.com/company/hawkemedia/
https://www.instagram.com/hawkemedia/?hl=en
https://hawkemedia.com/
https://twitter.com/hawkemedia
https://www.facebook.com/hawkemedia/

About Our Guest

Joey Gonzalez is the Global CEO of Barry’s, the original high-intensity interval training workout that’s built a worldwide cult following. From sweeping floors to building out franchises and raising private equity, Joey has lived every chapter of Barry's story. A former actor and USC theater grad, he’s blended performance, passion, and persistence to scale one of the most recognized fitness brands in the world. He now lives in New York and leads Barry’s into its next era of growth.

Joey Gonzalez

Barry's-Website
Joey Gonzalez-Instagram
Joey Gonzalez-LinkedIn
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.