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School of Hard Knocks Podcast

School of Hard Knocks Podcast

The School of Hard Knocks 60 Episodes Jul 22, 2026

Featuring the world's top entrepreneurs and creators, this podcast is brought to you by The School of Hard Knocks. Each episode shares insights and stories from successful business leaders and innovators. The show aims to provide valuable lessons learned through real-world experience.

Episodes

Dr. Jason Wersland | How a Terrible Motorcycle Accident Led to the Invention of Theragun
Dr. Jason Wersland | How a Terrible Motorcycle Accident Led to the Invention of Theragun Jul 22, 2026 1:13:21 Dr. Jason Wersland is the inventor of the Theragun and the founder of Therabody, the global wellness company that transformed percussive therapy and recovery.After a serious motorcycle accident left him in extreme pain, Jason created the first Theragun prototype from a modified power tool and spent years developing the product while facing financial pressure, family doubt and failed business partn
David Stout | He Started With a $400 Loan… Now His AI Company Is Worth $2.5 Billion
David Stout | He Started With a $400 Loan… Now His AI Company Is Worth $2.5 Billion Jul 15, 2026 1:07:02 David Stout is the founder of WebAI, an artificial intelligence company publicly valued at $2.5 billion. After growing up on a Michigan ranch, he launched a web services company in college that generated more than $750,000 annually before leaving school to pursue AI.In this episode, David explains how a $400 loan, repeated investor rejection, and a relentless focus on on-device intelligence shaped
Mike Sherbakov | He Came To America With Nothing… Now He Funds $1 Billion Companies
Mike Sherbakov | He Came To America With Nothing… Now He Funds $1 Billion Companies Jul 6, 2026 1:23:16 Mike Sherbakov is a Russian-born immigrant, Marine Corps veteran, entrepreneur, angel investor, and co-founder of The Veteran Fund. After building and selling companies, Mike moved into venture capital and now helps back veteran-led startups across defense, AI, space, energy, robotics, and critical technology.In this episode, Mike breaks down his journey from poverty and military service to entrep
John Imah | He Sold 2 Tech Companies At 16… Now His AI Company Is Worth $1.5 Billion
John Imah | He Sold 2 Tech Companies At 16… Now His AI Company Is Worth $1.5 Billion Jun 27, 2026 1:02:40 John Imah is the founder of SpreeAI, a fashion technology company valued at $1.5 billion, and the youngest millionaire in School of Hard Knocks history after selling two tech companies before age 16.In this episode, John shares his journey from growing up poor in an immigrant family to working at Samsung, Twitch, Meta, and Snapchat before returning to entrepreneurship.He breaks down building AI fo
Ronnen Harary | Meet The Billionaire Toymaker Who Turned 5,000 Toys Into $2 Billion
Ronnen Harary | Meet The Billionaire Toymaker Who Turned 5,000 Toys Into $2 Billion Jun 20, 2026 1:00:32 Ronnen Harary is the co-founder of Spin Master, the global toy and entertainment company behind Paw Patrol, Bakugan, Air Hogs, Rubik’s Cube, and more. Starting with a handmade product called Earth Buddies, he helped build the company into a multi-billion-dollar business across toys, entertainment, and digital games.In this episode, Ronnen breaks down the early Kmart deal, passing on Beyblade, buil
Lynnwood Bibbens | He Sold Cutco Knives In College… Then Built A $2 Billion Empire
Lynnwood Bibbens | He Sold Cutco Knives In College… Then Built A $2 Billion Empire Jun 12, 2026 55:25 Lynnwood Bibbens is the founder of ReachTV and an entrepreneur who has built billions of dollars in business across tech, media, retail, film finance, and distribution. In this episode, he breaks down how he went from selling knives in college to building major companies, creating new rights windows, and acquiring CNN Airport during the pandemic. Lynnwood shares his philosophy on serving customers
Peter Tuchman | He Survived Every Stock Market Crash… Now He Trades $1 Billion/Day
Peter Tuchman | He Survived Every Stock Market Crash… Now He Trades $1 Billion/Day Jun 6, 2026 1:07:56 Peter Tuchman, known globally as the “Einstein of Wall Street,” is the longest-standing trader on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange and one of the most recognizable figures in finance. After starting as a $47-a-week runner in 1985, he built a decades-long career through Black Monday, the internet bubble, the 2008 financial crisis, Covid, and today’s AI-driven market boom. In this episode, P
Greg LaVecchia | He Had a 2.5 GPA… Now He’s Got a $1 Billion Brand
Greg LaVecchia | He Had a 2.5 GPA… Now He’s Got a $1 Billion Brand May 30, 2026 59:30 Greg La Vecchia is the founder of Bloom, one of America’s fastest-growing supplement and energy drink brands, now sold across 70,000 retail doors. After bootstrapping the company to $180 million with no investors, mentors, or traditional playbook, Greg helped turn Bloom into a category-defining brand doing $23 million in weekly net sales.In this episode, Greg breaks down the early days of selling
Patrick Terry | It’s Never Too Late… He Started At 47 And Beat McDonald’s Out
Patrick Terry | It’s Never Too Late… He Started At 47 And Beat McDonald’s Out May 21, 2026 1:04:56 Patrick Terry is the co-founder of P. Terry’s, the Texas burger brand that grew from a 527-square-foot Austin stand into 38 locations and 1,800 employees.In this episode, Patrick shares how he built the company with his wife Kathy, competed directly against national fast food giants, protected the brand’s culture, and refused franchising or private equity to preserve quality.We discuss leadership,
Andy Frisella | He Made $58K In 10 Years… Now His Portfolio Is Worth $1B
Andy Frisella | He Made $58K In 10 Years… Now His Portfolio Is Worth $1B May 13, 2026 1:08:20 Andy Frisella is the founder of 1st Phorm, creator of 75 Hard, and one of the most influential entrepreneurs in the fitness and personal development space. After making only $58,380 total across his first ten years in business, he built a vertically integrated supplement empire and a personal portfolio worth over $1 billion.In this episode, Andy shares the early years of struggle, the mindset behi
Eric Spofford | He Was Addicted To Drugs... Now He's Sold A $115 Million Company
Eric Spofford | He Was Addicted To Drugs... Now He's Sold A $115 Million Company May 7, 2026 1:00:30 Eric Spofford is an entrepreneur, investor, and founder who overcame heroin addiction before building and selling his treatment business for $115 million. After dropping out of high school at 15 and getting sober with almost nothing, he launched his state’s first sober living house and scaled it into a major operation.In this episode, Eric breaks down addiction, entrepreneurship, building a sellab
Lucy Guo | How She Became The World's Youngest Self Made Woman Billionaire
Lucy Guo | How She Became The World's Youngest Self Made Woman Billionaire May 1, 2026 41:01 Go try Agent Opus and start making your own videos today! Get 600 free credits using our link: https://agent.opus.pro/home?special_credit=SOHK Lucy Guo is the youngest self-made female billionaire in the world and the co-founder of Scale AI, one of the most important infrastructure companies behind the artificial intelligence boom. After dropping out of college through the Thiel Fellowship, she he

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