Imagine standing at the top of a black diamond ski slope with no bunny hill practice runs, only your dad’s voice telling you, “If you get scared, I’ll pick you up.” That moment shaped Amy Jo Martin’s mindset. Years later, when she got a call to teach Shaquille O’Neal how to tweet, she didn’t hesitate. She stepped into the elevator—and into a career that would change her life.
From her early days at the Phoenix Suns to founding Renegade Global and advising brands like Nike and Google, Amy Jo has lived her mantra: “You don’t brand yourself. You are yourself, and that creates your brand.” But her path wasn’t all highlight reels. At the height of her first company’s success, she found herself emotionally and physically bankrupt—until she started practicing what she now calls “calendar integrity.”
Amy Jo shares the hard-earned lessons of bandwidth vs. capacity, why every calendar entry is a vote for the life you live, and how to manufacture bravery when opportunity calls. She opens up about how becoming a mother forced her to 80/20 the 20%, stripping away distractions and doubling her company’s growth in the process.
In this episode, you will learn:
"Don is one of the best storytellers I’ve ever met. I’ve known him for a long time and every time we talk I walk away wiser and more inspired. He is the best in the business at teaching you a skill – storytelling – that will last you a lifetime.”
“The ability for athletes to get hired is carried on through you because you are putting out the message that lessons learned from sports are important in life. It is embedded in this podcast, what you’re doing is significant.”
We speak the same language. I am inspired by the stories you tell, the people you have met, and the things you’ve done. Those of us that are competitors like to follow others that have been down that journey, so it is always fun talking to you!”
“Many of the leaders I have worked with were excellent athletes, and I think there is a direct correlation. You’re one of the few people that really has pursued this study, Don. Keep up the great work. What you are doing really makes a difference.”
“Don, you have mastered the skill of interviewing and asking great questions. That is a great skill all leaders need in order to understand their team members’ thought processes.”
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