Episode 069: Jesse Itzler – Taking Risks, Selling For Millions, Living With A (Navy) SEAL, Married To A Billionaire

Jesse Itzler is an incredibly interesting person. Despite all of his (massive) success, he’s one of the most down to earth people I’ve ever spoken with. This conversation felt like I was reconnecting with an old friend. I absolutely loved it.

Jesse cofounded Marquis Jet, the world’s largest prepaid private jet card company in 2001, which he and his partner sold to Berkshire Hathaway/NetJets. He then helped pioneer the coconut water craze with Zico coconut water, which he and his partners sold to The Coca-Cola Company in 2013. He is a former rapper on MTV and he produced both the NBA’s Emmy Award-winning “I Love This Game” music campaign and the popular New York Knicks anthem “Go NY Go.” When he is not running ultra-marathons or being a dad to his three kids, Jesse can be found at the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks games, where he is an owner of the team. He is married to Spanx founder Sara Blakely whom Forbes listed as one of the “100 most powerful women in the world.” Forbes labeled her as the one of the richest self-made American Woman with a net worth of $1.1 Billion.

Most recently, Jesse has written a new book titled, “Living With A SEAL.” When Jesse felt himself drifting on autopilot, he hired a rather unconventional trainer to live with him for a month-an accomplished Navy SEAL widely considered to be "the toughest man on the planet"! Lebron James says the book is “Hilarious!”

Episode 069: Jesse Itzler – Taking Risks, Selling For Millions, Living With A (Navy) SEAL, Married To A Billionaire

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“I am a huge fan of Sara. When the light is shining bright on her, I’m her #1 fan. And the same way when it’s shining on me. Sara is 50% Einstein and 50% Lucille Ball.” – Jesse Itzler describing the relationship with his self-made billionaire wife, Sara Blakely

"Jesse is a risk taker and is always trying different things to get better. Plus, he fun's to go out with." – Tom Brady, New England Patriots Four-Time Super Bowl Champion

The Learning Leader Show

Some Questions I Ask:

What are the common characteristics of high achievers?
What made you start Marquis Jets?
What was the process like to sell the company?
Discuss the importance of leaping outside your comfort zone…
How did you meet Sara? How quickly did you know she was the one for you?
What is it like being married to a self-made billionaire?
Why did you write “Living With A SEAL?”
What are some of the key life lessons you learned from the experience?
How do you stay so grounded?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The importance of a singular focus
The process for partnering with the right person when creating a business
What it was like to sell his company to Berkshire Hathaway
What it’s like at home being married to a self-made billionaire and raising 3 kids together
Why specifically Jesse needed to get off auto-pilot and how SEAL helped him do that
Takings risks and how to do it wisely
The importance of finding great people to work with
Being willing and able to adapt on a daily basis

“Money is a great magnifying glass. If you’re an asshole, you become a bigger asshole when you get money.” – Jesse Itzler

Continue Learning:

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Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Jesse Itzler is a leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From The100MileMan.com

Jesse cofounded Marquis Jet, the world’s largest prepaid private jet card company in 2001, which he and his partner sold to Berkshire Hathaway/NetJets. He then helped pioneer the coconut water craze with Zico coconut water, which he and his partners sold to The Coca-Cola Company in 2013. He is a former rapper on MTV and he produced both the NBA’s Emmy Award-winning “I Love This Game” music campaign and the popular New York Knicks anthem “Go NY Go.” When he is not running ultra-marathons or being a dad to his three kids, Jesse can be found at the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks games, where he is an owner of the team. He is married to Spanx founder Sara Blakely whom Forbes listed as one of the “100 most powerful women in the world.” Forbes labeled her as the one of the richest self-made American Woman with a net worth of $1.1 Billion.

Most recently, Jesse has written a new book titled, “Living With A SEAL.” When Jesse felt himself drifting on autopilot, he hired a rather unconventional trainer to live with him for a month-an accomplished Navy SEAL widely considered to be "the toughest man on the planet"!

Living with a SEAL is like a buddy movie if it starred the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air... and Rambo. Jesse is about as easy-going as you can get. SEAL is...not. He even shows up at Jesse's apartment with an inflatable raft just in case the Itzler family ever has to escape Manhattan by crossing the Hudson River. Lebron James calls the book “Hilarious!”

069: Jesse Itzler – Taking Risks, Selling For Millions, Living With A (Navy) SEAL, Married To A Billionaire

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

069: Jesse Itzler – Taking Risks, Selling For Millions, Living With A (Navy) SEAL, Married To A Billionaire