In this heartfelt episode of Live Life by Design, host Jeff Mendez sits down with NBA Champion and Lakers legend Michael Cooper to talk legacy, leadership, and living life on purpose.

Michael opens up about his humble beginnings in Pasadena, how his five personal “D” principles helped him reach the NBA, and what made the Lakers dynasty of the 80s so powerful — both on and off the court. From brotherhood and family to culture, faith, and business, Coop shares the untold lessons that made Showtime so much more than basketball.

He also speaks vulnerably about love, loss, and the personal relationship that grounded his life after sports. If you're looking for wisdom, inspiration, and a deeper look into the mind of a champion, this episode delivers.

⏱️ Key Timestamps

0:00 Welcome to Casa de Mendez

1:00 Early Life in Pasadena & The Five D’s

2:30 Overcoming Doubt & Earning a Spot in the NBA

3:15 Favorite Championship Moments with the Lakers

5:00 Beating the Celtics in 1985

6:00 Building Brotherhood Within the Lakers

8:15 The Legendary Lakers Reunion in Maui

10:00 Spencer Haywood’s Return to the Family

11:30 Culture, Conflict, and Accountability

13:00 Lessons from Dr. Jerry Buss

14:30 What Made Magic Johnson’s Business Mindset Stand Out

15:50 Respecting Roles & Building a Lasting Organization

17:00 Final Advice: Living Life by Design

18:15 The Power of Partnership & Choosing the Right Person

19:30 Closing Reflections & Gratitude

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In this powerful episode of Live Life by Design, host Jeff Mendez sits down with Damon Price, Chief Sales Officer at Pure Light, for a deep and raw conversation about leadership through adversity in both business and life.

From rebuilding a company after a seismic industry shift to navigating the heartbreak of personal loss, Damon shares the real journey behind the titles. He opens up about how he handled a nine-figure acquisition, the toll of burnout, and the mental frameworks that keep him aligned through chaos. This episode is packed with practical wisdom for entrepreneurs, sales leaders, and anyone chasing purpose beyond profit.

Damon also reveals something deeply personal he’s been holding back, and why now might be the time to share it with the world.

This episode will challenge your mindset, recharge your drive, and remind you what really matters.

⏱️ Key Timestamps

0:00 Welcome to Casa de Mendez

1:00 Major Industry Shifts & The "Big Beautiful Bill"

3:00 Leadership in Crisis Mode

5:45 Turning Turmoil Into Strength

8:15 Lessons from a Nine-Figure Acquisition

10:40 Burnout, Loss & Work-Life Alignment

14:00 What Sales Leaders Actually Need to Teach

19:30 Damon’s Must-Read Book Recs

22:20 Founders Don’t Run Out of Money, They Run Out of Will

25:00 Do Hard Things on Purpose

28:00 A Perspective Shift on Time, Loss & Legacy

33:45 “Backstory” and The Rocking Chair Test

36:00 Keep It Simple, Keep It Soulful

40:00 The Real Sales Strategy: Consistency Over Charisma

44:00 Vivint Memories and Industry Mentors

48:00 “I’ve Been Holding This Back…”

50:00 Jeff’s Final Thoughts

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In this inspiring episode of Live Life by Design, Jeff Mendez sits down with solar sales legend Ashton Buswell, whose 20-year journey through direct sales, leadership, and personal growth reveals what it really takes to live intentionally.

From his early door-to-door days to selling over 1,000 solar systems and creating the “28+ Challenge,” Ashton shares his mindset for consistency, leadership, and building a life fueled by purpose and love.

Whether you’re in sales or simply chasing personal growth, this episode delivers lessons on discipline, perspective, and the daily non‑negotiables that lead to success.

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes of Live Life by Design — and share this with someone who needs the inspiration.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 Ashton opens the show

00:45 Meeting Jeff in Kansas City

03:10 Career path through sales

05:25 Back into solar with Luke

07:25 1,000+ installs at Legacy

08:44 The 28+ Challenge explained

10:33 Least favorite part of sales

12:30 Sales as a sport mindset

15:19 Everyone should do door-to-door

17:26 Building leaders through mentorship

22:20 Selling by asking, not telling

23:35 Book rec: Chop Wood, Carry Water

25:00 Momentum Mondays & health habits

31:10 Selling 16 in a day to win a Tesla

36:00 Why love is the real superpower

45:21 Ski story: practicing patience

51:23 Ashton’s gift: spreading love

56:00 Final thoughts & farewell

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On this episode of Live Life by Design, host Jeff Mendez sits down with Jeremy Lieber, founder of Uncommon Education and a successful day trader who’s redefined what it means to live on your own terms. They explore what true wealth really looks like, why discomfort can be the key to happiness, and how to avoid the dangerous trap of success without fulfillment. From jungle fly fishing to life lessons in the stock market, Jeremy shares his unfiltered journey of designing a life filled with intention, freedom, and joy.

Timestamps

00:00 Welcome & Guest Intro

01:08 The Jungle Reset: Discomfort is the Point

03:22 Why Simplicity Trumps Luxury

05:14 From Porsche to Peace

07:41 Wealth Redefined

10:03 A Perfect Day in the Life

13:19 Confidence is the Cure

15:51 Vulnerability is the Superpower

18:55 Building Uncommon Education

21:19 The Biggest Mistake Traders Make

24:17 Trading Should Be Boring

25:12 Should You Quit Your Job to Trade?

28:48 Top Success Story: $10K to $270K

35:03 Biggest Failure: The $400K Blow-Up

43:16 Thoughts on Real Estate Investing

45:03 Book Recommendations

48:29 What Gift Are You Hiding?

52:49 Wrap-Up & Final Thoughts

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In this high-impact episode of Live Life by Design, Jeff Mendez is joined by Ryan Lee — real estate investor, educator, and co-author of Retire in 10 Years or Less. Together, they challenge traditional financial advice, unpack how to escape the “retirement trap,” and explore what it really means to live life by design. From smart tax strategy to redefining freedom, this conversation is packed with real talk, actionable insights, and powerful perspective shifts for anyone ready to take control of their time, money, and purpose.

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome & Life Update

01:06 Retire in 10 Years or Less

02:14 Real Estate Beginnings

03:54 Rich Dad, Poor Dad Takeaways

05:15 Savers Are Losers

06:00 Debt is Money

08:10 The Tax Code & Patriotism

11:06 Inflation as a Hidden Tax

13:12 Playing the Tax Game Smart

17:06 Favorite Chapter of the Book

19:06 The 3 Investing No-Nos

23:27 Financial Freedom is a Lifestyle

26:59 The Day Ryan Quit His Job

30:25 Advice for People Feeling Stuck

32:00 Life Insurance & Legacy

34:00 The 3 Questions That Change Everything

38:00 The Ownership Economy

40:01 Last Words of Wisdom

42:15 Where to Get the Book

43:34 What’s Next for Ryan Lee

44:33 Closing Remarks

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In this episode of Live Life by Design, Jeff Mendez is joined by Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith for a powerful conversation on discipline, staying prepared, and mastering your craft.

From humble beginnings to becoming a baseball legend, Ozzie drops wisdom for athletes, entrepreneurs, and anyone chasing greatness.

💬 "You only get out of life what you put in." – Ozzie Smith

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 Welcome Ozzie Smith

00:54 Early life & baseball roots

03:46 Seizing opportunities

06:10 Mental toughness

07:04 Longevity in the game

10:55 Talent vs work ethic

14:16 Life after baseball

20:45 Giving back

25:40 Hall of Fame mindset

30:23 Fundamentals & success

36:57 Living by design

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In this powerful episode of Live Life by Design, host Jeff Mendez sits down with Adam Hall, head wrestling coach at Utah Valley University, former All-American, and leadership powerhouse. From his roots in Idaho to coaching on the national stage, Adam shares raw, tactical insights on what it takes to lead under pressure, delegate with trust, and build a winning culture from the ground up.

Whether you're building a business, leading a team, or striving for personal greatness—this episode breaks down how structure creates freedom, how to lead with clarity, and why accountability is love. It’s not just about wrestling. It’s about life, purpose, and living by design—not default.

⏱️ Key Moments

0:00:07 Intro & Guest Welcome

0:00:49 Adam’s Journey to Coaching

0:03:29 Leadership & Delegation

0:05:21 Culture & Communication

0:11:38 Team Structure & Roles

0:16:06 Budgeting & Fundraising

0:21:56 Raising Academic Standards

0:24:00 Life After Graduation

0:38:58 Recruiting & Transfer Portal

0:49:06 Structure Creates Freedom

0:53:50 Wrestling Mindset & Ownership

0:56:35 Leading Through Tragedy

1:05:00 Living by Design

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NBA icon Oscar Robertson joins host Jeff Mendez on Live Life by Design to discuss the legendary Oscar Robertson Rule, how it reshaped basketball, and his perspective on success, faith, and purpose. From averaging a triple-double before it was tracked to navigating racism and redefining player freedom, this episode is a masterclass in perseverance and design—on and off the court.

💡 Comment your biggest takeaway and share this episode with someone who needs the inspiration.

⏱️ Key Moments

00:00 Welcome and intro with Oscar Robertson

01:22 The Oscar Robertson Rule explained

03:15 Building winning teams and key trades

05:31 Modern NBA money and evolution

07:58 Early years, the draft, and hard lessons

10:27 Averaging a triple-double before it mattered

13:26 Growing up through racism and sports

17:06 Eternal happiness and faith

19:02 The person he’d look for first: God

23:58 Final life advice and closing

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On this episode of Live Life by Design, host Jeff Mendez sits down with Cedric Ceballos—1992 NBA Slam Dunk champion and former All-Star—to unpack an unlikely journey: from playing only five games in high school to a 12-year NBA career with the Suns, Lakers, Mavericks, and Heat. Cedric shares lessons on resilience, choosing the right system over the shiny opportunity, the realities of pro life, transitioning to the front office, and why falling in love with the process beats chasing the result. Inspirational, candid, and packed with practical takeaways for designing a life on your terms.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro & name

1:51 Drafted & teams

3:34 Lakers homecoming

6:47 Late-bloomer spark

10:18 Pre-draft breakout

11:20 Fit over draft hype

12:00 Draft night emotions

14:48 Rookie “point-a-minute”

17:58 All-Star & Dunk Champ

19:38 Overseas stints

22:01 Pro life realities

34:17 Process over results

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In this inspiring episode of Live Life by Design, Jeff Mendez sits down with MLB legend Dwight “Doc” Gooden for an unforgettable conversation on greatness, mistakes, and redemption.

From growing up in Tampa with his nephew Gary Sheffield to facing Pete Rose in the majors, and ultimately battling addiction—Doc opens up about it all. His honesty, grit, and comeback story will move anyone who’s ever struggled with failure, purpose, or identity.

Whether you're chasing dreams or fighting demons, this episode reminds you: it's never too late to rewrite your story.

Key Moments:

00:00 Welcome + Intro to Doc

00:31 Childhood & falling in love with baseball

02:48 Realizing he could go pro

08:13 Baseball idols: Pete Rose & Nolan Ryan

13:34 Battling addiction & breaking cycles

19:27 Turning pain into purpose

21:56 Why they call him "Doc"

29:35 The one thing he'd get back

30:23 His mom & the person he'd hug again

31:42 Final advice: Live life by design

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In this episode of Live Life by Design, host Jeff Mendez sits down with entrepreneur Jared Chichia, founder of JCF & Co. and Sonny Golf. From working for free in a jewelry shop to launching a golf brand named after his son, Jared shares a raw and inspiring story of sacrifice, vision, and legacy. If you're chasing your dream life, this one's a must-listen.

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome & Intro

01:05 How Jewelry Started

03:18 Working for Free

06:15 Delayed Gratification

08:29 Jewelry to Manufacturing

11:01 Starting JCF

12:15 Building with Referrals

14:53 Launching Sonny Golf

22:46 Early Life & Soccer

24:54 Mentorship in Mexico

31:13 Why Entrepreneurship

35:11 Being a Father

39:07 Legacy Vision

42:48 Diamonds Explained

50:02 Living Life by Design

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NFL Hall of Famer Warren Moon joins host Jeff Mendez on Live Life by Design for an unforgettable conversation on leadership, overcoming adversity, and building a legacy on and off the field. From transitioning from the CFL to the NFL, to navigating racism and fatherhood while quarterbacking at the highest level, Warren opens up with raw honesty and profound insight.

This episode is a masterclass on mindset, emotional intelligence, character, and designing a life of impact. Whether you're a leader in business, sports, or life — you’ll walk away inspired.

Key topics:

🏈 Transitioning from CFL to NFL

🧠 Leadership through EQ and example

🔥 Dealing with adversity & doubt

🏆 The Hall of Fame journey

💼 Life after football & entrepreneurship

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Work-life harmony & fatherhood

✊ Breaking barriers & building legacy

📣 Don’t forget to comment and share to help more listeners discover the show!

00:00 Welcome Warren Moon – Career intro & episode theme

00:50 Transitioning from CFL to NFL – Early challenges

02:00 Gaining trust, emotional intelligence, and team dynamics

04:00 Leadership as a quarterback & building team connection

07:00 Becoming a Hall of Famer at 27 – first in both CFL and NFL

08:00 Reputation vs Character – The true meaning of leadership

11:00 Navigating team mistrust and the pain of losing seasons

14:00 Defining moments in CFL & NFL – resilience under pressure

16:00 The current state of the NFL & honoring past trailblazers

17:30 Hall of Fame process – the emotional journey & first-ballot selection

20:30 Racism in football & being the only African-American QB in the Hall of Fame

24:00 Life after football – broadcasting and business ventures

28:00 Work-life harmony as an NFL quarterback & father

30:30 Warren’s closing advice on living life by design

33:00 Final thoughts & wrap-up

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In this inspiring episode of Live Life by Design, host Jeff Mendez sits down with NBA Hall of Famer Spencer Haywood to explore the untold story behind one of the most impactful figures in basketball history.

Spencer shares how he turned early adversity into Olympic gold, how he took on the NBA in a Supreme Court battle that reshaped the league forever, and how he transitioned from the hardwood to building multi-million dollar real estate developments. He opens up about overcoming addiction, advocating for mental health, and why authenticity is the ultimate superpower.

This episode is packed with raw truth, wisdom, and inspiration for anyone chasing purpose, freedom, and legacy.

🔑 Topics Covered:

Real estate investing for long-term wealth

Supreme Court battle that changed the NBA

1968 Olympic gold during a turbulent time

Mental health, recovery & second chances

Why telling your story is your strength

🎧 Perfect for: Basketball fans, entrepreneurs, real estate investors, and anyone looking to live life by design—not default.

⏱️ Key Timestamps:

00:00 Intro + Spencer Haywood Joins the Show

01:00 NBA Board Work & $16M Health Insurance Win

03:40 Real Estate Investments in Salt Lake & Detroit

07:10 Taking the NBA to the Supreme Court

13:00 Winning Gold at the 1968 Olympics

20:30 Struggles with Addiction & Mental Health Recovery

28:00 Hall of Fame Induction & Legacy Reflections

36:00 Winning Time on HBO & Owning His Story

41:00 Final Advice: Living Life by Design

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From Compton to Columbia to the NFL, Marcellus Wiley shares his incredible journey of defying expectations, navigating the business of football, and building a legacy beyond the game. In this deeply personal and powerful conversation with Jeff Mendez, Marcellus opens up about survivor's guilt, smart money moves, the pressure of being the “one who made it,” and why real success is about what you keep, not what you flash.

Whether you're an athlete, entrepreneur, or dreamer looking for direction, this episode delivers gems on grit, growth, and giving back.

00:00 Intro & Childhood Talent

02:45 Jeff’s Background

04:01 Football Chooses You

07:09 Ivy League vs Local Options

10:00 Getting Drafted

12:31 Money & Mindset

17:26 Saying No Without Guilt

22:11 Real Success vs Flash

27:29 Survivor's Remorse

29:31 Wanting to Quit

35:01 Knowing When It's Over

38:01 Life After Football

42:46 Final Question: Who Do You Look For First?

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In this inspiring episode of Live Life by Design, Jeff Mendez sits down with legendary boxing champion James “Buster” Douglas. From his early days in Columbus, Ohio, to his iconic upset victory, Douglas shares raw insights about his boxing journey, mindset, and the battles outside the ring that shaped him. Learn how personal accountability, passion, and perseverance have driven his life—inside and out of the ring. A must-listen for anyone chasing greatness.

Timestamps & Key Moments

00:00 Introduction & Guest Welcome

00:59 Boxing Post-COVID & Amateur Revival

02:01 Buster’s Boxing Origin Story

02:58 What Made Muhammad Ali Great

03:54 Realizing Boxing Was His Calling

04:22 Madison Square Garden Memory

06:16 Why He Never Truly Felt Defeated

07:00 Personal Accountability in Competition

08:17 Life Lessons from the Ring

08:40 Top 3 Fights of Buster’s Career

09:44 Training & Recovery Between Fights

11:30 What Champions Are Really Made Of

12:20 Why Buster Never Fully Retired

13:16 Dreams Fulfilled Through Boxing

14:11 Everyone You've Ever Met in a Room

15:00 Jeff’s Closing Message on Living Life by Design

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In this inspiring episode of Live Life by Design, host Jeff Mendez sits down with baseball legend Sammy Sosa. From humble beginnings in the Dominican Republic to hitting 66 home runs in 1998, Sammy shares the discipline, resilience, and faith that fueled his journey to greatness. He opens up about the struggles of his early life, the defining moment after 9/11, his retirement by design, and his new chapter in real estate.

Packed with wisdom, grit, and timeless advice, this conversation is a masterclass in living life with intention and never giving up.

⏱ Key Moments

00:00 Welcome & Jeff shares his Dominican roots

00:28 Sammy Sosa’s childhood and first steps into baseball

02:55 From street baseball to signing with the Texas Rangers

04:06 Jeff on “the law of the harvest” and discipline

05:23 Losing his father young & overcoming struggle

06:42 Sammy recalls 9/11 and his iconic American flag moment

08:57 Playing with the Cubs, Rangers, White Sox & Orioles

11:07 1998 season: the chase for 66 home runs

12:50 Retirement by design & comeback years

14:26 Sammy’s ventures in real estate & building communities in Panama

16:07 Life after baseball: golf, family, and balance

17:23 Sammy reflects on the most important people he’s met

19:27 His advice on living life by design vs. default

23:09 Closing thoughts & gratitude

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In this heartfelt episode of Live Life By Design, host Jeff Mendez welcomes entrepreneur and mentor Nathaniel Olsen to discuss what it truly means to lead with love. From his mission in Sweden to building a successful direct-to-home business, Nathaniel shares pivotal lessons on faith, fatherhood, and finding focus in a world full of distractions. Discover how horseback rides, youth mentorship, and family traditions shape his vision of legacy and leadership. A powerful listen for anyone seeking to live life more intentionally.

00:00 Introduction & Early Life

04:36 Mission & Growth

11:16 Youth Conference Story

19:20 Fatherhood Through Storytelling

25:35 Slow Down & Be Present

42:07 Leadership Through Uncertainty

52:43 Final Takeaway

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In this inspiring episode of Live Life by Design, Jeff Mendez sits down with Vessie Pearson—CEO of Aptive and founder of Utah United Academy. From taking his son to train with a pro soccer academy in Italy, to leading a $100M+ employee payout, Vessie shares lessons on leadership, resilience, and living with purpose.

This episode covers family, business growth, entrepreneurship setbacks, and how mindset and preparation can shape success.

00:00 Catching Up: Vessie’s Italy Soccer Experience

08:58 Aptive’s Growth & Private Equity Deal

16:15 Why Vessie Gave 30% Equity to Employees

17:27 Health Struggles During Business Pressures

32:15 Final Reflection: Building for a Higher Purpose

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In this powerful episode of Live Life by Design, Jeff Mendez sits down with Josh Sluyter for an unfiltered, inspiring conversation about resilience, leadership, fatherhood, and personal transformation. From a turbulent childhood and homelessness to building a successful career in solar sales and leadership, Josh shares how embracing vulnerability and choosing love over anger shaped his life. This episode is packed with emotional moments, leadership insights, and real talk on parenting, business, and overcoming life's toughest seasons.

00:00 Introduction & 90s Basketball

02:00 Growing Up with Adversity

06:45 Homeless at 17 & Turning Points

16:00 Fatherhood & Blended Family Life

39:00 Overcoming Anger & Choosing Love

47:00 Breaking into Sales & Solar Leadership

56:00 The Room Question: His Late Brother

59:00 Embracing Vulnerability & Final Takeaways

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In this inspiring episode of Live Life by Design, Jeff Mendez welcomes Blake Erickson to discuss the transformative journey of embracing risk, reinventing yourself, and finding purpose beyond comfort. Blake shares his experiences from door-to-door sales to co-authoring a book, launching a training company, and embracing a life of intentionality. Jeff and Blake dive deep into overcoming fears, managing financial risk, navigating family support, and building a fulfilling life designed around contribution and growth. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to break free from playing small and step into their full potential.

⏱️ Key Moments & Time Stamps:

00:00 – Introduction & Peru Travel Stories

02:00 – Blake’s Leap from Door-to-Door to Entrepreneurship

04:00 – How Blake Met Ben Hardy & Pitched the Book

06:00 – Facing Financial Uncertainty

10:00 – Rediscovering Purpose and Passion

13:00 – Navigating Family Support & Big Life Decisions

17:00 – Lessons from Door-to-Door & The Power of No’s

21:00 – Public Speaking and Storytelling

28:00 – Future Goals: Building a Legacy & Giving Back

35:00 – A Heartfelt Reflection on Loss and Legacy

40:00 – Redefining Money & Investing in Yourself

47:00 – Final Takeaways: Don’t Play Small

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