The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast

Most entrepreneurs think the next stage of their business requires a better strategy. Dwayne Kerrigan disagrees. In Part 2 of his live keynote at the LeanScaper Operations Intensive in Cape Coral, Florida, he makes the case that what's actually required is a different identity — and that without that shift, no system, tool, or team will get you where you're trying to go.
In this episode:
Dwayne walks through his personal identity chart — from the "warrior" and "general" identities that ran his life for years, to the consciously designed identities he operates from today, including the Chairman, the Profit Seeker, and the Peak Performance Coach
Why the Serenity Prayer became one of the most powerful business tools Dwayne ever learned — and how distinguishing what you can and can't control transformed his leadership at 32 years old, running an $18M business with 300 employees
A live identity creation exercise: how to write your own eulogy for a specific business role, and why that process is the starting point for becoming who your business needs you to be
The eight stages of the entrepreneur and the business lifecycle — and why understanding exactly where you are in both is critical to knowing which identity needs to show up
The four economic seasons (spring, summer, fall, winter) and why Dwayne believes the landscaping industry is currently sitting somewhere between late fall and early winter
40 years of lessons learned — distilled into the principles that have shaped how Dwayne builds, leads, and recovers

Episode Highlights:
00:00 - Tsunami Of Change
00:27 - Podcast Mission
00:59 - Internal Vs External
02:07 - Serenity Prayer Lesson
03:42 - Identity Chart Origins
04:32 - From Warrior To General
06:10 - Purpose And Marriage
07:47 - Building New Identities
08:48 - Chairman Identity Script
09:50 - Language And Questions
12:38 - Borrowing Role Models
13:41 - Post Fight Debrief
14:40 - Create Your Identity
16:48 - Write Your Eulogy
17:46 - Visualization And Realism
19:01 - Do The Work
19:48 - Physiology Guidelines
20:15 - Physiology and Rituals
20:57 - Energy and Emotions
22:00 - Identity Agent Tool
23:53 - Daily Identity Editing
24:56 - Future Shock and Adaptation
26:22 - Economic Seasons Framework
27:58 - Entrepreneur Stages
29:13 - Business Lifecycle Reality
31:33 - Shift Identity in 3D
31:56 - Courage and Deep Thinking
34:57 - Lessons Learned Log
37:19 - Hard Won Business Rules
40:19 - Final Fear and Farewell
Resources Mentioned:
Think and Grow Rich — Napoleon Hill
Stephen Covey — The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Covey Institute
Keith Cunningham — referenced as the "Rich Dad" in Robert Kiyosaki's Rich Dad Poor Dad
Tony Robbins — Date With Destiny, UPW seminars
Identity framework AI agent — available at The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast: https://www.dwaynekerrigan.com/identity-framework/

Quotes:
“You can either be right or you can be rich, but you can't be both.” - Dwayne Kerrigan
“I did this for my wife through a lot of pain and self suffering, I had to get to the point where the general just couldn't run the show anymore because it was just not sustainable.” - Dwayne Kerrigan
“You don't experience the life that you live. You're experiencing the life that you focus on.” - Dwayne Kerrigan
“ My greatest fear in life is on my final day to meet the man that I could have been.” - Dwayne Kerrigan

Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan
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Linked In
Website
Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

Most entrepreneurs don't burn out because the business gets too hard — they burn out because they never stopped being the operator. In this keynote, recorded live at the LeanScaper Operations Intensive in Cape Coral, Florida, Dwayne Kerrigan makes the case that the real battle isn't strategic, it's psychological. Until you understand the most powerful force in the human condition, no framework, system, or tool will save you.
In this episode:
Dwayne breaks down the operator's mindset vs. the owner's mindset — and why operators get tired while owners get rich
Why your purpose has to be large enough to keep you out of "the tyranny of how" — the trap that pulls owners back into the weeds
The identity principle Dwayne calls the single most important lesson from 10+ years at Tony Robbins' side: the most powerful force in the human condition is to remain congruent with how we identify ourselves
The event–meaning–emotion–behavior chain, and how changing the meaning you attach to an event changes your results
How physiology, language, and focus (the triad) function as your meaning-making filter — and how to use them to access empowering states more consistently

Episode Highlights:
00:00 - Purpose Over How
00:27 - Podcast Welcome
00:59 - Event Introduction
02:53 - Dwayne Takes Stage
04:12 - Finding The Why
05:40 - Mentors And Lessons
08:58 - Business Root Causes
11:55 - Operator Vs Owner
14:48 - Core Values And Purpose
19:37 - Identity Drives Action
21:20 - Bus Fight Identity Shift
24:14 - Reframing a Past Bully
25:17 - Identity and No Negotiation
25:51 - Procrastination Becomes Identity
27:47 - Event Meaning Emotion Loop
31:34 - The Triad Explained
32:45 - Physiology Power Positions
36:31 - Energy Thermostat and Mirroring
40:47 - Language Questions Shape Reality
45:21 - Focus Habits and Meaning
47:49 - Closing Thanks and Disclaimer
Resources Mentioned:
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People — Stephen Covey
Keith Cunningham — referenced as the "Rich Dad" in Robert Kiyosaki's Rich Dad Poor Dad
Tony Robbins — Platinum Partners immersion program
Simon Sinek — referenced in the context of finding your why
John Grinder — creator of NLP, mirroring and matching technique
LMN (Landscape Management Network) — referenced by Dwayne and Mark Bradley

Quotes:
“Taking your passion and turning it into a business is usually not a good wealth strategy.” - Dwayne Kerrigan
“If you stand like this for 10 minutes a day, it will increase your testosterone 20%. You can look this up. This is true 20%. It'll increase your testosterone. If you stand like this, it will reduce your cortisol from anywhere from 23 to 25% and it will increase the odds of you being able to make a decision by 33%.” - Dwayne Kerrigan
“I'm in the ground and I'm down there and I'm like, and I remember thinking, and through the course of this whole thing, this whole event, is that I am never, ever going to get beaten up again.
"From that day forward, I started working out…” - Dwayne Kerrigan
“The most powerful force in the human condition is to remain congruent with how we identify ourselves.” - Dwayne Kerrigan
“Change the meaning, change the emotion, change your life.” - Dwayne Kerrigan
“Operators get tired and owners get rich.” - Dwayne Kerrigan

Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan
Facebook
Instagram
Linked In
Website
Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

In Part 2 of this powerful conversation on The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast, Adel Sayegh shares the deeper chapters of his entrepreneurial journey — including betrayal in business, a life-threatening health crisis, and the resilience required to rebuild both physically and professionally.
After helping grow a company from the ground up to more than 1,200 employees, Adel watched it eventually go public for billions of dollars without receiving anything himself. For many people, an experience like that could lead to lasting bitterness. Instead, Adel chose a different path — one rooted in forgiveness and perspective.
But the challenges didn’t stop there.
Adel also opens up about facing a serious illness that forced him to confront his own mortality and rethink what success truly means. Through that experience, he rebuilt his health, refocused his priorities, and ultimately emerged stronger than before.
Today, Adel reflects on how adversity — whether in business, health, or life — can become the foundation for growth. His story is a powerful reminder that success isn’t just about wealth or status, but about resilience, forgiveness, and the ability to keep moving forward even after life’s most difficult setbacks.
Episode Highlights:
00:00 - Opening quote on forgiveness and harboring hatred
00:25 - Show intro and welcome back to Part 2
01:28 - Building a global security empire and the China partnership betrayal
03:58 - How RFID technology revolutionized retail loss prevention
06:10 - Facial recognition's secret use in catching shoplifters
09:08 - GPS chips in pharmaceutical bottles to track stolen opioids
10:45 - The Ring camera Super Bowl commercial backlash
14:22 - Microchip technology debate - child safety vs. privacy
20:15 - Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at 49 while at the peak of success
42:38 - Surviving the night when doctors said he wouldn't - and his wife's unconditional love
46:50 - Discovering the company was embezzled while fighting for his life
1:06:18 - Choosing forgiveness over prosecution and finding peace
1:12:10 - From discipline-driven to commitment-driven; a philosophical shift on purpose
1:17:00 - The Unbroken Foundation mission to end child trafficking
1:29:15 - Closing prayer and final words of encouragement
Key Takeaways:
True peace is impossible while holding onto hatred or resentment.
Forgiveness is often more about healing yourself than the other person.
Building a global company requires persistence, trust, and innovation.
Financial success alone does not guarantee fulfillment or peace.
Perspective and resilience help transform betrayal into growth.

Quotes:
“You can't have a hundred percent peace if you are harboring hatred on anyone.” - Adel Sayegh
“I don't approve what they do.” - Adel Sayegh
“I don't have them in my life, but I've forgave them because that was also medicine for me.” - Adel Sayegh
“ I never even dreamed of, you know, growing up a little kid immigrant from Jordan that I would have, the lifestyle that I would have.” - Adel Sayegh
“On a marketing level that’s about as bad as the Bud Light commercial.” - Dwayne Kerrigan
“Your story is unbelievable. You are an example of evolution and grace and commitment to the values and beliefs and faith that you have.” - Dwayne Kerrigan
Adel Sayegh’s story is one of grit, grace, and perseverance. From humble beginnings in his garage, he built a company that reached a $1 billion valuation. A Marine Corps veteran and pancreatic cancer survivor, Adel has overcome tremendous adversity, shaping his mission to use every challenge as a platform to serve others. His unwavering faith in God has been the cornerstone of his journey, grounding him through both triumphs and storms. Today, Adel speaks to entrepreneurs, leaders, and dreamers, challenging them to rise above adversity, pursue excellence, and live with purpose. His message of resilience, faith, and hope leaves a lasting imprint on audiences, calling them to embrace challenges as opportunities and build a legacy that outlives them.
Connect with Adel Sayegh:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adel-sayegh-06109a9/

Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan:
Facebook
Instagram
Linked In
Website
Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

In this deeply personal conversation, Adel Sayegh joins Dwayne Kerrigan to share Part 1 of his story of losing everything — financially, professionally, and emotionally — and the lessons that followed.
Adel opens up about the moment when the life he had built suddenly collapsed. The house, the car, the career, and the identity that came with success were all gone. What followed was one of the most defining moments of his life: facing fear, uncertainty, and the realization that everything he once believed about stability and success could disappear overnight.
But this story is not about loss — it’s about resilience.
Adel reflects on how faith, humility, and the support of his wife helped him rebuild from the ground up. He explains how identity often becomes tied to status and material success, and why losing those things forced him to rediscover who he really was.
This episode is a powerful reminder that adversity is not the end of the story. Often, it’s the beginning of the one that matters most.
Episode Highlights:
00:00 - Opening: Finding meaning and purpose in life's challenges
00:31 - Introduction to Adel Sayegh's remarkable journey of resilience
01:27 - Growing up in poverty in Jordan during the 1967 war
5:14 - Starting with childhood: The foundation of character
9:37 - The watermelon truck story: Early entrepreneurial lessons
12:06 - Life in a one-room house with 11 family members
16:23 - Zimbabwe lesson: True happiness vs material wealth
22:44 - Hit by a car at age 5: Experiencing hatred and survival
26:22 - Joining the Marines: Brotherhood and pushing beyond limits
33:20 - MetLife success: Youngest manager making $250K at 28
57:30 - The OJ Simpson moment: Vision for surveillance technology
1:05:52 - Rock bottom: Losing the house and filing bankruptcy
1:07:30 - Wife's ultimate sacrifice: Offering her jewelry to save the dream
1:09:02 - The turnaround: Business takes off and light at end of tunnel
Key Takeaways:
Success can become dangerously tied to identity and status
Losing everything can reveal who you truly are
Support from loved ones can anchor you during crisis
Resilience is built through hardship, not comfort
Faith and perspective can reshape how we view failure
Starting over requires humility and courage
True strength comes from facing adversity head-on

Quotes:
“I was vulnerable because for the first time in my life I just, I thought I had it all figured out and now I don’t.” - Adel Sayegh
“I just lost everything. I lost my house, I lost my job, I lost my car, I lost my identity.” - Adel Sayegh
“Now fear said, what? What if this doesn’t work out? What if this isn’t going anywhere?” - Adel Sayegh
“Businesses is a series of relationships and one of the biggest relationships that we have is with ourself.” - Dwayne Kerrigan
“Your story is unbelievable. It’s an unshakeable journey of overcoming obstacles.” - Dwayne Kerrigan

Adel Sayegh’s story is one of grit, grace, and perseverance. From humble beginnings in his garage, he built a company that reached a $1 billion valuation. A Marine Corps veteran and pancreatic cancer survivor, Adel has overcome tremendous adversity, shaping his mission to use every challenge as a platform to serve others. His unwavering faith in God has been the cornerstone of his journey, grounding him through both triumphs and storms. Today, Adel speaks to entrepreneurs, leaders, and dreamers, challenging them to rise above adversity, pursue excellence, and live with purpose. His message of resilience, faith, and hope leaves a lasting imprint on audiences, calling them to embrace challenges as opportunities and build a legacy that outlives them.
Connect with Adel Sayegh:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adel-sayegh-06109a9/

Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan:
Facebook
Instagram
Linked In
Website
Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

In this powerful episode, Brad May returns for Part 2 of a raw and honest conversation about leadership, resilience, identity, and what it truly takes to win at the highest level.
Brad reflects on being traded multiple times during his NHL career, adapting to new teams, and learning how to integrate into different locker rooms without disrupting culture. He shares the emotional journey of winning the Stanley Cup with the Anaheim Ducks — and why celebrating that moment with his family meant more than the trophy itself.
The conversation expands beyond hockey into business leadership. Brad breaks down why coaches are “salesmen,” why clarity of vision is essential, and why delegation without interference builds trust. He unpacks the difference between playing not to lose versus playing to win — and why excuses quietly erode culture.
At its core, this episode is about ownership. Ownership of performance. Ownership of mistakes. Ownership of mindset.
As Brad says, there is no “try.” You either do or you don’t.
Episode Highlights:
0:00 - Mindset over body: eliminating "try" and taking ownership
0:34 - Welcome and introduction to part two of the episode
1:31 - Adapting to seven different NHL teams and building new relationships
6:00 - Winning the 2007 Stanley Cup with Anaheim after 16-year career
7:50 - Scott Niedermeyer's perspective on being lucky to share the Cup with family
11:04 - What makes a good coach: selling a system and getting buy-in
13:49 - Comparing coaching styles: Mark Crawford vs Ted Nolan vs Randy Carlisle
15:30 - Ted Nolan's simple advice: "Just play left wing" analogy
17:31 - Randy Carlisle's relentless work ethic and pursuit of excellence
21:28 - Why some players leave the game bitter and unfulfilled
25:08 - Identity after hockey: from "I used to be" to "I am a hockey player"
30:28 - Eliminating excuses: "You either do or you don't"
33:28 - Leadership lesson from Brian Burke: delegating responsibility to coaches
55:38 - Playing to win vs playing not to lose: the power of identifying your goal
58:38 - The bar speech that united the team and families to win together

Key Takeaways:
Leaders must communicate crystal-clear goals (short, medium, and long term).
Identity loss can derail high performers after retirement or career shifts.
Playing to “not lose” creates hesitation; playing to win creates momentum.
Ownership beats excuses — every time.
Leaders must reflect on whether failure was execution or lack of resources.
Energy, clarity, and consistency win over time.
You must declare what you want — silence guarantees nothing.

Resources Mentioned:
The Secret (law of attraction concept)
Tony Robbins – mindset principle referenced
NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) era in NCAA athletics
Cold plunge discipline practice
Billions (TV show reference for executive coaching concept)

Notable Quotes:
“Your mind is in charge. Doesn’t matter what your body feels, just do it.” - Brad May
“It’s okay if you’re not successful, but own it and learn from it and let’s go. Let’s keep moving.” - Brad May
“The moment that a coach compromises his values, he's not the same guy and he's probably not as good.” - Brad May
“A coach is just a salesman. He needs 25 guys to buy in.” - Brad May
“You gotta enjoy the small wins.” - Dwayne Kerrigan
“There's just some people, some leaders, who are just not having the hard enough conversations.” - Dwayne Kerrigan
“You also have to have people around you that are willing to say - hey, you're being either too easy or too hard. Like you just, you have to have a team around you to help you identify as a leader.” - Dwayne Kerrigan

Guest Bio:
Brad May is a former NHL forward whose 19-year career spanned more than 1,000 regular-season games across the league. He is a Stanley Cup champion, winning with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007, and remains a recognizable figure in hockey history for his 1993 overtime playoff goal against Boston, remembered by fans as the iconic “May Day” moment.
Following his retirement from professional hockey in 2010, May transitioned into broadcasting, working as an NHL analyst with CBC, Rogers Sportsnet, and AT&T SportsNet, where his candid, player-first perspective made him a natural presence on air. In 2024, May entered a new chapter off the ice, joining NFP as a Client Executive, where he works with businesses and individuals on insurance and risk management.

Guest Social Links:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/maydayhockey
LinkedIn: ca.linkedin.com/in/brad-may-24228662

Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan:
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
Website
Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.