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Be Authentic or GTFO Podcast
Real Stories of Sobriety, Business, & Resilience
BE AUTHENTIC OR GTFO PODCAST
Ready to be inspired?
Join us on Be Authentic or GTFO as we explore real stories of sobriety, business, and resilience. Through our mission to help people learn to be the human they were supposed to be, we'll inspire you to be authentic and intentional with your people.
Let's get started!
LATEST SEASON - 6
Rich at Work, Broke at Home — Why It’s Time to Recalibrate with Daniel Ferguson
What happens when you hit every benchmark of success… but still feel like something’s missing?
In this raw and powerful episode, Daniel Ferguson joins Eric to unpack what it means to stop living on autopilot and start showing up with intention. From fatherhood guilt and broken priorities to setting rock-solid boundaries, Daniel shares how writing Life Recalibrated helped him shift from being “the guy crushing it at work” to a man fully present for his family—and himself.
The conversation hits deep on building real connection with your kids, saying no without guilt, and the hard truth that your ego won’t tuck your kids in at night. Eric and Daniel open up about the lessons they’ve learned, the ones they’re still working on, and why legacy has nothing to do with your bank account.
This isn’t a fluffy self-help convo. It’s two dudes being brutally honest about how easy it is to drift—and how damn important it is to recalibrate before it’s too late.
If you’ve ever felt stuck between doing what’s expected and doing what matters… this one’s going to hit hard.
In this raw and powerful episode, Daniel Ferguson joins Eric to unpack what it means to stop living on autopilot and start showing up with intention. From fatherhood guilt and broken priorities to setting rock-solid boundaries, Daniel shares how writing Life Recalibrated helped him shift from being “the guy crushing it at work” to a man fully present for his family—and himself.
The conversation hits deep on building real connection with your kids, saying no without guilt, and the hard truth that your ego won’t tuck your kids in at night. Eric and Daniel open up about the lessons they’ve learned, the ones they’re still working on, and why legacy has nothing to do with your bank account.
This isn’t a fluffy self-help convo. It’s two dudes being brutally honest about how easy it is to drift—and how damn important it is to recalibrate before it’s too late.
If you’ve ever felt stuck between doing what’s expected and doing what matters… this one’s going to hit hard.
Built to Lead: From Breakdown to Breakthrough
Jim Johnson built the kind of success most contractors chase… until it nearly broke him.
From uncovering fraud in his own company to watching his identity crumble under the weight of growth without purpose, Jim opens up about the brutal lessons that forced him to rebuild — not just his business, but his life. We dive into intentional leadership, the danger of skipping foundational work, and the personal cost of chasing scale without soul.
This episode doesn’t just talk shop — it gets real about legacy, relationships, recovery, and what it actually means to lead a life that matters.
If you’ve ever felt the pressure to keep up while quietly falling apart, this conversation will hit different.
From uncovering fraud in his own company to watching his identity crumble under the weight of growth without purpose, Jim opens up about the brutal lessons that forced him to rebuild — not just his business, but his life. We dive into intentional leadership, the danger of skipping foundational work, and the personal cost of chasing scale without soul.
This episode doesn’t just talk shop — it gets real about legacy, relationships, recovery, and what it actually means to lead a life that matters.
If you’ve ever felt the pressure to keep up while quietly falling apart, this conversation will hit different.
The Roofing Godfather
From slinging shingles to shaping industry standards, Greg Bloom has seen it all—and stayed loyal through it. In this raw and energized episode, Eric sits down with the man who helped shape one of the biggest names in distribution, and who still writes 5,000 birthday cards a year to stay human in a corporate world.
Greg opens up about his 43-year journey in roofing, the Beacon/Allied merger, and how authenticity, relationships, and courage have fueled his success. We dive deep into what it means to lead with heart, how to build trust that withstands hard seasons, and why educating—rather than selling—is the real secret to growth.
You’ll leave this one fired up, challenged, and maybe even questioning how you treat your partnerships.
Greg opens up about his 43-year journey in roofing, the Beacon/Allied merger, and how authenticity, relationships, and courage have fueled his success. We dive deep into what it means to lead with heart, how to build trust that withstands hard seasons, and why educating—rather than selling—is the real secret to growth.
You’ll leave this one fired up, challenged, and maybe even questioning how you treat your partnerships.
Burn the Ships: Leading When There’s No Way Back
From hustling out of survival to leading with purpose—David Rosenwasser’s story is raw, real, and a masterclass in growth through adversity.
We get into what happens when the trades force you to grow the hell up. From early mistakes that almost cost him everything to learning how to lead teams the right way—David doesn’t sugarcoat a damn thing. We talk about breaking cycles, earning respect, and how vulnerability became his superpower in a business world full of fake bravado.
If you’ve ever struggled to lead while still figuring out who the hell you are, this episode’s gonna hit deep.
We get into what happens when the trades force you to grow the hell up. From early mistakes that almost cost him everything to learning how to lead teams the right way—David doesn’t sugarcoat a damn thing. We talk about breaking cycles, earning respect, and how vulnerability became his superpower in a business world full of fake bravado.
If you’ve ever struggled to lead while still figuring out who the hell you are, this episode’s gonna hit deep.
From Strip Clubs to Roofing Empire
From hustling valet shifts outside a strip club to building and selling a multi-location roofing powerhouse—Martin Pettigrew has lived it all. In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Eric sits down with the founder of Monarch Roofing to unpack the real behind the rise.
Martin shares how golf got him to the U.S., what it took to build a culture-first company from scratch, and why he chose to sell to private equity. He dives deep into what it means to transition from operator to leader, the dark side of expansion, and the overlooked impact of living with intention—at home and in business.
If you’re building something bigger than yourself and wondering if you’re doing it right, this episode is a must. Packed with lessons on hustle, legacy, and learning to let go without losing your purpose.
No fluff. Just truth.
Martin shares how golf got him to the U.S., what it took to build a culture-first company from scratch, and why he chose to sell to private equity. He dives deep into what it means to transition from operator to leader, the dark side of expansion, and the overlooked impact of living with intention—at home and in business.
If you’re building something bigger than yourself and wondering if you’re doing it right, this episode is a must. Packed with lessons on hustle, legacy, and learning to let go without losing your purpose.
No fluff. Just truth.
Built Not Bought: Earning Respect and Leading with Backbone – Jim Ziminsk
When your name carries weight in the trades, it's not because someone handed you a title — it's because you earned it. Jim Ziminski brings that kind of legacy to the table. In this raw and honest episode, we unpack how to command respect without ever raising your voice, how to lead without the ego, and what it really takes to build something worth a damn.
From grinding it out in the field to leading global teams, Jim drops hard-earned wisdom on dealing with entitlement, raising the bar, and keeping your soul intact in a world full of shortcuts. If you're ready to shut up, listen, and actually learn something — this one’s for you
From grinding it out in the field to leading global teams, Jim drops hard-earned wisdom on dealing with entitlement, raising the bar, and keeping your soul intact in a world full of shortcuts. If you're ready to shut up, listen, and actually learn something — this one’s for you
Question Everything, Even Yourself
From corporate cancel culture to billion-dollar government waste, this episode rips the mask off the bullshit we’re all being force-fed—and Becca Switzer holds nothing back.
We dive deep into what it really means to be uncancelable in a world where free speech is dying, government overreach is the norm, and speaking your truth can cost you everything. Becca opens up about why she started calling out the system, how she built a business that made her untouchable, and what happens when you stop watering down your message to make people comfortable.
Then we go even harder—blowing the lid off insane taxpayer-funded experiments (spoiler: transgender monkeys and alcoholic rats), the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the broken public education system, and the modern-day witch hunt against people who question the narrative.
It’s raw, it’s unapologetic, and it might be the most important conversation we’ve had on this show.
If you’ve ever felt like you were the only one seeing through the noise—this episode is your confirmation. Welcome to the other side.
We dive deep into what it really means to be uncancelable in a world where free speech is dying, government overreach is the norm, and speaking your truth can cost you everything. Becca opens up about why she started calling out the system, how she built a business that made her untouchable, and what happens when you stop watering down your message to make people comfortable.
Then we go even harder—blowing the lid off insane taxpayer-funded experiments (spoiler: transgender monkeys and alcoholic rats), the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the broken public education system, and the modern-day witch hunt against people who question the narrative.
It’s raw, it’s unapologetic, and it might be the most important conversation we’ve had on this show.
If you’ve ever felt like you were the only one seeing through the noise—this episode is your confirmation. Welcome to the other side.
From the NFL to Overcoming Life’s Hardest Hits – Buck Rasmussen’s Epic Journey
From the grind of the NFL to life’s most brutal curveballs, Buck Rasmussen has been through it all. A former New England Patriot, Buck opens up about his football career, devastating injuries, and the battle off the field that truly tested him—his wife’s cancer diagnosis while pregnant, his daughter’s type 1 diabetes, and his own spiral into a dark place.
We go deep into resilience, rebuilding, and finding purpose beyond the game. From selling real estate to dominating the roofing industry and stepping into motivational speaking, Buck shares his hard-earned wisdom on overcoming adversity, setting personal standards, and creating a vision for life—one that actually means something.
This episode is raw, real, and packed with lessons that’ll hit you hard. If you’ve ever felt stuck, lost, or like you’re up against impossible odds—this one’s for you.
We go deep into resilience, rebuilding, and finding purpose beyond the game. From selling real estate to dominating the roofing industry and stepping into motivational speaking, Buck shares his hard-earned wisdom on overcoming adversity, setting personal standards, and creating a vision for life—one that actually means something.
This episode is raw, real, and packed with lessons that’ll hit you hard. If you’ve ever felt stuck, lost, or like you’re up against impossible odds—this one’s for you.
From $100K to $300M: How Collin Schwartz Built an Empire & Avoided the Traps That Kill Businesses
Most people dream about making money work for them. Collin Schwartz actually did it—turning $100K in home equity into a $300 million real estate empire. But it wasn’t easy. It took grit, discipline, and a refusal to stay trapped in a system designed to keep you stuck.
In this episode, we go deep into:
The brutal truth about real estate investing (and why most people fail)
How Collin leveraged debt, discipline, and the right partnerships to scale fast
The red flags in business deals that almost took Eric down—and how to spot them
Why being comfortable in your own skin is the real key to success
The 4-step process that can change everything in just 30 days
This one’s a masterclass in building wealth, trusting your gut, and playing the long game. If you’re ready to break free from the cycle of working for money and start making money work for you, hit play now.
In this episode, we go deep into:
The brutal truth about real estate investing (and why most people fail)
How Collin leveraged debt, discipline, and the right partnerships to scale fast
The red flags in business deals that almost took Eric down—and how to spot them
Why being comfortable in your own skin is the real key to success
The 4-step process that can change everything in just 30 days
This one’s a masterclass in building wealth, trusting your gut, and playing the long game. If you’re ready to break free from the cycle of working for money and start making money work for you, hit play now.
The Power of Belief & Quantum Healing
From submarine piloting on Paul Allen’s yacht to decoding the mysteries of energy medicine, Dr. Gary Montemayor has lived a wild, unconventional life. In this episode, we dive deep into quantum medicine, heart rate variability, cold plunges, belief systems, and the science behind authenticity—and why it’s the most powerful force in the universe.
We challenge the skepticism, unpack the mind’s ability to heal itself, and explore entanglement theory—because let’s be real, we’ve all had those moments where someone calls the second we think about them. Coincidence? Or science?
If you’re ready to rethink everything you thought you knew about health, mindset, and human potential, hit play now.
We challenge the skepticism, unpack the mind’s ability to heal itself, and explore entanglement theory—because let’s be real, we’ve all had those moments where someone calls the second we think about them. Coincidence? Or science?
If you’re ready to rethink everything you thought you knew about health, mindset, and human potential, hit play now.
No Shortcuts, No Bullsh*t
This episode is all about building something real. Chris Zimmerman went from running a roofing company in Ohio to reshaping the way contractors approach claims, leadership, and company culture.
Eric and Chris dive into what it actually takes to build a brand that lasts, why turning down the wrong people is just as important as finding the right ones, and how real leadership starts with mission—not just money. They break down the bullshit of fake gurus, the power of authentic business growth, and why doing things the right way always wins in the long run.
If you're tired of the noise and ready to build a legacy instead of just a paycheck, this episode is for you.
Eric and Chris dive into what it actually takes to build a brand that lasts, why turning down the wrong people is just as important as finding the right ones, and how real leadership starts with mission—not just money. They break down the bullshit of fake gurus, the power of authentic business growth, and why doing things the right way always wins in the long run.
If you're tired of the noise and ready to build a legacy instead of just a paycheck, this episode is for you.
Burnout, Betrayal & A Sausage Explosion
From explosive sausage mishaps to a DNA test that changed everything, this episode with Adam Patterson is a wild ride of humor, hard truths, and practical wisdom.
We dive into the unexpected ways our past shapes us, how to break the cycle of resentment, and why most people waste time on the wrong things. Adam shares his personal journey—one that includes a shocking family discovery, escaping burnout, and ultimately creating a business that helps others reclaim their time and freedom.
Oh, and he also drops the most practical piece of advice you’ll ever hear about using a public restroom. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this one.
If you’re serious about leveling up your business and your life, hit play now.
We dive into the unexpected ways our past shapes us, how to break the cycle of resentment, and why most people waste time on the wrong things. Adam shares his personal journey—one that includes a shocking family discovery, escaping burnout, and ultimately creating a business that helps others reclaim their time and freedom.
Oh, and he also drops the most practical piece of advice you’ll ever hear about using a public restroom. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this one.
If you’re serious about leveling up your business and your life, hit play now.
Hustle, Growth & Hard Truths with Noah Williams
Noah Williams shares how he transformed from a door-knocking teenager with shattered baseball dreams into a powerhouse consultant reshaping the roofing industry. We dive into hard-earned lessons about quitting bad habits, building scalable business systems, and the power of mentorship. Noah also opens up about selling his successful business to pursue a higher purpose—empowering others to thrive with precision and accountability.
If you’re ready to level up your mindset and learn how real success is built from the ground up, this episode is for you.
If you’re ready to level up your mindset and learn how real success is built from the ground up, this episode is for you.
The Power of Truth and Connection
Ever walked into a room where you could feel the tension? That’s exactly how it went when Nick Alfano and I first met—two alpha personalities clashing on stage. But today, we’re cutting past the noise and diving deep: connection, faith, burnout, and why success alone won’t fill the emptiness inside.
This conversation is raw, real, and loaded with life-changing insight. And Nick’s powerful story about walking away from a multi-million-dollar business will stick with you.
Ready to face some hard truths? Press play now.
This conversation is raw, real, and loaded with life-changing insight. And Nick’s powerful story about walking away from a multi-million-dollar business will stick with you.
Ready to face some hard truths? Press play now.
How to Build, Scale, and Sell Your Business Like a Pro
From Grand Cayman’s Exhale 2.0 retreat, Eric dives deep with M&A expert Brian Franco on scaling, planning exits, and building legacy-ready businesses. They tackle how to create a culture that sticks, why recurring revenue changes the game, and how prepping your business for sale—whether in a decade or tomorrow—puts you in control. Oh, and did we mention Porsche racing, paddleboarding, and diving into deep waters, literally and metaphorically? This episode is packed with insights for entrepreneurs ready to level up.
A Filmmaker's Journey
From Overcoming Loss to Mastering Storytelling: A Filmmaker’s Journey
This episode dives deep into resilience, creativity, and connection. From growing up without a father to redefining his identity as a filmmaker, William Renken's story is packed with insight and raw emotion. Together with Eric, they explore the lessons learned through obstacles, how storytelling inspires connection, and why authenticity is non-negotiable.
You’ll hear about William’s journey into filmmaking, his transition to life in France, and how he finds fulfillment in the art of storytelling—both in business and in life. They discuss the importance of taking risks, embracing failure, and teaching the next generation to face challenges with courage.
This is an episode that will make you think, laugh, and reflect on how you approach growth, leadership, and building a meaningful legacy.
This episode dives deep into resilience, creativity, and connection. From growing up without a father to redefining his identity as a filmmaker, William Renken's story is packed with insight and raw emotion. Together with Eric, they explore the lessons learned through obstacles, how storytelling inspires connection, and why authenticity is non-negotiable.
You’ll hear about William’s journey into filmmaking, his transition to life in France, and how he finds fulfillment in the art of storytelling—both in business and in life. They discuss the importance of taking risks, embracing failure, and teaching the next generation to face challenges with courage.
This is an episode that will make you think, laugh, and reflect on how you approach growth, leadership, and building a meaningful legacy.
Chaos, Mishaps, and the Unexpected Lessons
From scorpions to runaway boats and pitch-black nights on Lake Powell, this episode is packed with chaos, laughter, and those moments that make you rethink what really matters.
We dive deep into what it means to embrace the unknown, face technical failures head-on, and come out stronger from the unexpected challenges that life throws our way. It’s not just about surviving the trip, but how those moments shape our friendships, growth, and the lessons we often overlook.
Tune in for the highs, the lows, and a few hard-earned truths that’ll make you laugh, think, and maybe even reframe how you approach your own adventures.
If you're ready for real talk and to learn from some of the wildest experiences we've had, hit play now.
We dive deep into what it means to embrace the unknown, face technical failures head-on, and come out stronger from the unexpected challenges that life throws our way. It’s not just about surviving the trip, but how those moments shape our friendships, growth, and the lessons we often overlook.
Tune in for the highs, the lows, and a few hard-earned truths that’ll make you laugh, think, and maybe even reframe how you approach your own adventures.
If you're ready for real talk and to learn from some of the wildest experiences we've had, hit play now.
Why Most People Fail to Accept Life's Hard Truths
In this unfiltered, raw conversation, Eric and Ty dig deep into the power of authenticity, overcoming resentment, and why the art of listening is a lost skill we desperately need to reclaim.
They tackle the hard truths about ego, communication, and finding balance in a world full of distractions. From sharing personal struggles to exploring how resentment can drive—or destroy—success, this episode is packed with insights you can apply to your own life and career.
Tune in for laughs, hard-earned wisdom, and a few moments that might just make you rethink how you approach your own relationships and goals.
If you’re ready to embrace real talk and level up, hit play now.
They tackle the hard truths about ego, communication, and finding balance in a world full of distractions. From sharing personal struggles to exploring how resentment can drive—or destroy—success, this episode is packed with insights you can apply to your own life and career.
Tune in for laughs, hard-earned wisdom, and a few moments that might just make you rethink how you approach your own relationships and goals.
If you’re ready to embrace real talk and level up, hit play now.
Surviving the Impossible: Marine's Shocking Journey from Combat to Redemption
From life-threatening combat zones to overcoming personal demons, this Marine Raider's story of survival and redemption will leave you speechless.
In this raw and emotional conversation, Marine Raider and retired Scout Sniper Matthew Dolley shares his powerful story of survival, resilience, and recovery. From overcoming a traumatic childhood and 12 deployments to battling PTSD and near-death experiences, Matthew’s journey is a testament to strength, perseverance, and hope. Discover how he turned his pain into purpose by helping veterans reclaim their lives and why checking in on loved ones is more important than ever.
In this raw and emotional conversation, Marine Raider and retired Scout Sniper Matthew Dolley shares his powerful story of survival, resilience, and recovery. From overcoming a traumatic childhood and 12 deployments to battling PTSD and near-death experiences, Matthew’s journey is a testament to strength, perseverance, and hope. Discover how he turned his pain into purpose by helping veterans reclaim their lives and why checking in on loved ones is more important than ever.
How I Built a Business Empire from My Fitness Journey
From fitness to building multimillion-dollar businesses—learn the secret strategies that scaled success!
Join us on Be Authentic or GTFO as host Eric dives into a raw and unfiltered conversation with professional bodybuilder Kris Zizzo. From the struggles of fitness transformations and steroid use to the journey of building a multi-million-follower platform and scaling businesses with Black Label Solutions, this episode is packed with authentic insights, hard truths, and a dose of humor. Don’t miss this deep dive into personal growth, business strategy, and keeping it real
Join us on Be Authentic or GTFO as host Eric dives into a raw and unfiltered conversation with professional bodybuilder Kris Zizzo. From the struggles of fitness transformations and steroid use to the journey of building a multi-million-follower platform and scaling businesses with Black Label Solutions, this episode is packed with authentic insights, hard truths, and a dose of humor. Don’t miss this deep dive into personal growth, business strategy, and keeping it real
The Truth About Work-Life Balance: Can You Really Have It All?
Work-life balance is real—but it’s messy. Tiffany explains the raw truth and practical tips to align your personal and professional goals.
Dive into an unfiltered conversation about fossils, family dynamics, and finding balance in life and work. Tiffany Wallrack shares her passion for fossil hunting, uncovering ancient treasures across the U.S., while Eric explores the deep challenges of marriage, communication, and overcoming struggles in business. A raw and inspiring discussion about authenticity, perseverance, and the journey to success.
Dive into an unfiltered conversation about fossils, family dynamics, and finding balance in life and work. Tiffany Wallrack shares her passion for fossil hunting, uncovering ancient treasures across the U.S., while Eric explores the deep challenges of marriage, communication, and overcoming struggles in business. A raw and inspiring discussion about authenticity, perseverance, and the journey to success.
From Relapse to Real Talk: How I Rebuilt My Life and Business
Hunter Adams reveals the truth behind his relapses and how sharing his story opened the door to real connections and new opportunities.
In this episode of Be Authentic or GTFO, Eric O sits down with Hunter Adams to discuss his journey through recovery, overcoming relapses, and finding authenticity in both business and life. Hunter opens up about his struggles with addiction, how he rebuilt his life, and the importance of asking for help. Tune in for a raw and inspiring conversation on staying genuine, leading with integrity, and embracing the challenges that shape us. Plus, hear about the impact of recovery on building a thriving business and personal growth.
In this episode of Be Authentic or GTFO, Eric O sits down with Hunter Adams to discuss his journey through recovery, overcoming relapses, and finding authenticity in both business and life. Hunter opens up about his struggles with addiction, how he rebuilt his life, and the importance of asking for help. Tune in for a raw and inspiring conversation on staying genuine, leading with integrity, and embracing the challenges that shape us. Plus, hear about the impact of recovery on building a thriving business and personal growth.
Business Strategies That Will Change Your Life—Straight from the Experts
Authenticity isn’t just a buzzword—it's a way of life. Eric Oberembt and Joe Hoffman discuss their path to financial freedom, diving deep into the sacrifices, struggles, and triumphs of leadership.
Join Eric and guest Joe Hoffman in this dynamic episode of Be Authentic or GTFO. From exploring the transformative power of scuba diving to discussing the critical role of Virtual Assistant services in scaling businesses, this conversation dives deep into personal growth, business insights, and authentic connections. Learn about Joe's journey, the value of SMA Support Services, and how embracing authenticity can change your life and business.
Join Eric and guest Joe Hoffman in this dynamic episode of Be Authentic or GTFO. From exploring the transformative power of scuba diving to discussing the critical role of Virtual Assistant services in scaling businesses, this conversation dives deep into personal growth, business insights, and authentic connections. Learn about Joe's journey, the value of SMA Support Services, and how embracing authenticity can change your life and business.
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