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2015 Chicago Marathon. Mile 13. I’m flying—feeling like I could run forever. Heart surgery, back surgery, barely able to stand a decade before, and here I am crushing it. Then I see the sign: NOT ALMOST THERE.
Everything changed. Heavy legs. Cramping. Mental breakdown. I barely finished what started as my best race ever.
That sign broke me, but it also built me. Southside Chicago kid who studied for 15 seconds between building cars on the assembly line. Graduated in 5 years. Built companies. Sold two. 800 employees. Young father at 20 who figured it out as I went.
I’ve spent 50+ episodes of Not Almost There interviewing experts, and now my cohost and I are diving deeper into the conversations that matter most. We dig into what it really takes—in business, branding, health, life. No fluff. Real talk about building something that matters while the clock’s ticking.
Whether you’re running your first mile or your hundredth company, we’re here to help you go the distance.
Because almost there isn’t good enough.
Episodes
Saturday Oct 25, 2025
Saturday Oct 25, 2025
An Unbelievable Story of Defying Expectations That Is a Lesson for All Entrepreneurs
When a 61-year-old Australian potato farmer showed up to run a 540-mile ultra-marathon in rain boots, everyone laughed. Joe unpacks the unlikely legend of Cliff Young and what his story reveals about innovation, disruption, and the power of not knowing the “right” way to do things. From herding sheep to building startups, this conversation unlocks how not knowing the rules can become your biggest advantage in business.
5 Key Takeaways:
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Ignorance can be an advantage. Maybe you see the norms and then break them, but what if you never see them at all?
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Everyone does it the same way until... someone does it differently...and better. And THAT changes EVERYTHING.
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Disruption is a context race. The biggest innovations often come from those who see how the world is changing and then get their first.
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Results beat credentials. Cliff’s steady “shuffle” outlasted the pros. A start-up's "attribution" software beats a publicly-traded company.
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Belief is fuel. Whether it’s a marathon or a new venture, conviction is a mighty propellent. And having a chip on your shoulder doesn't hurt.
With references to Uber, Airbnb, Go Brewing, Easy Man and Dealer Inspire.
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