World-renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Terry Dubrow (Botched, The Swan, RHOC) joins Randall Kaplan on In Search of Excellence to talk about fame, the realities and risks of plastic surgery, Brazilian Butt Lift dangers, choosing the right surgeon, pricing myths, breast implants (Motiva), AI in surgery, GLP-1s (Ozempic/Mounjaro) for longevity, and the mindset of extreme preparation that fueled his success. If you care about healthspan, aesthetics, safety, and high performance, this episode is packed with “can’t-Google-this” wisdom from the most recognized plastic surgeon on TV.

What You’ll Learn:
•The double-edged sword of fame: why reality-TV notoriety is “hypnotic—and dangerous,” and how it changed Terry’s practice overnight.
•Behind The Swan & Botched: from a wild casting journey to the pitch that became Botched (and why “It’s a scalpel, not a magic wand” still matters).
•The hardest saves: a jaw-dropping case involving illegal facial injections and how Terry engineered a safe, creative fix.
•Safety over trends: the real risk profile of BBLs (fat embolism), why Terry won’t do them, and smart alternatives.
•How to choose a great surgeon: the 3 non-negotiables—board certification (ABPS/ABFPS), hospital privileges, and credible word-of-mouth—plus why “before/afters” can mislead.
•Pricing myths: why paying $40k–$80k+ for basic procedures (e.g., primary breast aug) doesn’t guarantee better results.
•Breast implants 101: capsular contracture reality, why some results feel “like coconuts,” and promising data on Motiva’s lower hardness rates.
•Celebrities & surgery: reputational risk calculus—and why Terry often says no.
•Family patients & objectivity: when he’ll operate (and when he won’t).
•AI in plastic surgery: why robot “hands” are still the bottleneck.
•GLP-1s & longevity: Terry’s board certification in Obesity Medicine, why micro-dosing GLP-1s may benefit metabolic health, and emerging indications.
•Extreme Preparation: the mental reps that saved trauma patients—and how he studied his way to a 94th-percentile board score.
•Housewives, fame traps, and kindness: cultural takes, life boundaries, and why kindness is a high-leverage success habit.

Guest Bio — Dr. Terry Dubrow
Dr. Terry Dubrow is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, star of the hit TV show Botched, and a nationally recognized expert in complex reconstruction and cosmetic surgery. He trained at UCLA and completed advanced academic work at Yale, where he honed a research mindset that led to dozens of publications early in his career. Today, he practices in Newport Beach, CA, while educating millions on surgical safety, outcomes, and ethics.

Want to Work One-on-One with Me?
I coach a small group of high achievers on how to elevate their careers, grow their businesses, and reach their full potential both professionally and personally.

If you're ready to change your life and achieve your goals, apply here: https://www.randallkaplan.com/coaching

Listen to my Extreme Preparation TEDx Talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIvlFpoLfgs

Listen to this episode on the go!
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Follow Randall!
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Website: https://www.randa

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World-renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Terry Dubrow (star of Botched) sits down with Randall Kaplan for a raw, inspiring conversation on rising from poverty in Los Angeles to medical excellence at UCLA and Yale, the mentors who changed his life, and what it really takes to build a top practice in Newport Beach. We cover career pivots, boldness vs. fear, medical training, research & publishing, and wild rock-n-roll stories with his brother Kevin DuBrow of Quiet Riot—plus practical, step-by-step success frameworks you can use today. If you’re chasing excellence in medicine, entrepreneurship, or any high-stakes field, this episode is your blueprint.

What You’ll Learn
• Humble beginnings & grit: Growing up with a single mom in LA, learning self-reliance, and the mindset that formed his drive to “figure it out and get it together.”
• Choosing a path (and changing it): Why dentistry felt empty, how volunteering in the UCLA ER “lit” him up, and the decision to take pre-med coursework at Yale while earning a master’s.
• Mentorship that transforms careers: The life-altering lecture by Dr. Mal Lesavoy, how Terry chased him down the hallway, joined his lab, and authored 23 surgical papers—learning that publishing is currency in academic medicine.
• The power of boldness: Specific, repeatable tactics for approaching mentors (be authentic, add value, do the homework) and why “clever and bold” beats “smart” alone.
• Quiet Riot, Ozzy, & loyalty: Unfiltered stories about Kevin DuBrow, Randy Rhoads, Ozzy Osbourne, sold-out Forum concerts—plus hard lessons on loyalty and the realities of entertainment.
• From residency to practice: The old-school general surgery track, complex reconstructive flap cases, and the leap from LA to Newport Beach practice (and what unexpectedly made it work).

Guest Bio — Dr. Terry Dubrow
Dr. Terry Dubrow is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, star of the hit TV show Botched, and a nationally recognized expert in complex reconstruction and cosmetic surgery. He trained at UCLA and completed advanced academic work at Yale, where he honed a research mindset that led to dozens of publications early in his career. Today, he practices in Newport Beach, CA, while educating millions on surgical safety, outcomes, and ethics


Want to Work One-on-One with Me?
I coach a small group of high achievers on how to elevate their careers, grow their businesses, and reach their full potential both professionally and personally.

If you're ready to change your life and achieve your goals, apply here: https://www.randallkaplan.com/coaching

Listen to my Extreme Preparation TEDx Talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIvlFpoLfgs

Listen to this episode on the go!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/23q0XIC...

For more information about this episode, visit https://www.randallkaplan.com/

Follow Randall!
Instagram: @randallkaplan
LinkedIn: @randallkaplan
TikTok: @randall_kaplan
Twitter / X: https://x.com/RandallKaplan
Website: https://www.randallkaplan.com/
1-on-1 Coaching: https://www.randallkaplan.com/coaching

Coaching and Staying Connected:

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Joe Kudla, Founder & CEO of Vuori, reveals the real playbook behind one of the fastest-growing performance lifestyle brands. We unpack the decisions and economics between direct-to-consumer vs. wholesale, community-led growth, cash-flow discipline, fundraising (from early tranches to secondaries), hiring and culture systems, ambassador strategy, operational excellence, and how Extreme Preparation and a 100/100 work ethic compound into a secret weapon to success. If you’re building a consumer brand, apparel/DTC company, or high-performance team, this episode is a masterclass in strategy and execution.

What You’ll Learn:

• The origins of Vuori and why the market was primed for a new kind of performance lifestyle brand blending technical fabrics with California ease.
• Why wholesale under-expressed the vision and how Vuori’s pivot to a direct-to-consumer business unlocked authentic community, faster feedback loops, and hugely profitable growth.
• Fundraising in the messy middle: bridging cash crunches, raising in tranches, and choosing investors who back the mission—not just the model.
• Operating with discipline after secondary rounds: how to avoid “easy money” bad habits and keep teams scrappy, focused, and cash-flow aware.
• Learning how the company has paid its original investors and early employees more than $1 billion.
• Hiring for “fit + range” over resume, building values people can feel, and creating systems (like no-meeting time blocks) that protect deep work.


Chapters / Key Moments

00:00 – Intro & Why This Conversation Matters
09:47 – Why Vuori & Joe’s Origin Story
17:34 – Raising Over $1 Billion To Give To Their Investors
19:27 – First Hires & Building the Team
28:59 – Wholesale Lessons & Retail Reality
38:28 – The DTC Pivot & Strategy
48:04 – Purpose, Values & Culture Systems
57:39 – IPO Readiness: Pros & Cons
67:16 – Closing / Final Takeaways

About Our Guest — Joe Kudla

Founder & CEO, Vuori. Joe is the entrepreneur behind Vuori, a global performance lifestyle brand known for technical apparel, premium materials, effortless style, and community-centric growth. He’s scaled from startup scarcity and near failure to international reach by pairing cash-flow discipline with brand-first thinking, values-driven leadership, and a relentless commitment to product and culture.

Guest Links:

Vuori: https://vuoriclothing.com

Joe Kudla (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/joekudla/

Want to Work One-on-One with Me?
I coach a small group of high achievers on how to elevate their careers, grow their businesses, and reach their full potential both professionally and personally.

If you're ready to change your life and achieve your goals, apply here: https://www.randallkaplan.com/coaching

Listen to my Extreme Preparation TEDx Talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIvlFpoLfgs

Listen to this episode on the go!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-search-of-excellence/id1579184310
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/23q0XICUDIchVrkXBR0i6L

For more information about this episode, visit https://www.randallkaplan.com/

Follow Randall!
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LinkedIn: @randallkaplan
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Twitter / X: https://x.com/RandallKaplan
Website: https://www.randallkaplan.com/
1-on-1 Coaching: https://www.randallkaplan.com/coaching

Coaching and Staying Connected:

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How do you build a category-defining apparel brand from zero? In this episode of In Search of Excellence, host Randall Kaplan sits down with Joe Kudla, Founder & CEO of Vuori, to unpack the real playbook behind scaling a modern athleisure/performance apparel company.
We cover building a brand from the ground up, market whitespace, direct-to-consumer vs. retail, product-market fit, storytelling, community, leadership, peak performance habits, and how sobriety, mindfulness, and the FILO (first-in, last-out) work ethic shaped Joe’s journey—from accounting and modeling in Milan to launching one of the most talked-about activewear brands.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro — fear vs. confidence; the FILO advantage
02:04 Early years, sports & learning differences → leadership lessons
06:45 Internships that lead to jobs; how to stand out and get hired
11:30 From accounting to Milan: rejection, fit modeling & thick skin
18:52 First ventures → what failed, what stuck, and why
25:40 Building community; why brand is a lived experience, not a logo
31:28 Money milestone & “golden handcuffs” → redefining success
38:12 Clarity, sobriety, yoga & meditation: founder operating system
44:05 Meeting collaborators; the Vuori spark & market whitespace
50:10 Product obsession, positioning, and everyday performance
56:30 DTC vs. retail: distribution, margins, and scale
1:02:18 Hiring, leadership principles, and culture that compounds
1:07:59 Rapid-fire advice for students, job seekers, and founders
1:11:30 Closing thoughts + Joe’s #1 lesson

About our guest — Joe Kudla
Joe Kudla is the Founder & CEO of Vuori, a California-inspired performance apparel brand known for premium fabrics, everyday versatility, and a community-driven approach to product and retail. Joe’s path spans accounting (EY), entrepreneurship, and the fashion world, culminating in Vuori’s growth as one of the most influential athleisure brands of the last decade.


Want to Work One-on-One with Me?
I coach a small group of high achievers on how to elevate their careers, grow their businesses, and reach their full potential both professionally and personally.

If you're ready to change your life and achieve your goals, apply here: https://www.randallkaplan.com/coaching

Listen to my Extreme Preparation TEDx Talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIvlFpoLfgs

Listen to this episode on the go!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-search-of-excellence/id1579184310
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/23q0XICUDIchVrkXBR0i6L

For more information about this episode, visit https://www.randallkaplan.com/

Follow Randall!
Instagram: @randallkaplan
LinkedIn: @randallkaplan
TikTok: @randall_kaplan
Twitter / X: https://x.com/RandallKaplan
Website: https://www.randallkaplan.com/
1-on-1 Coaching: https://www.randallkaplan.com/coaching

Coaching and Staying Connected:

1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Want to learn how I got my big break? DM me the word “LETTER” on Instagram for a guide on how to get any job you want: https://www.instagram.com/randallkaplan Welcome to another episode of In Search of Excellence! My guest today is the amazing Jesse Itzler.

Jesse is a serial entrepreneur who has built and sold five companies, including Marquis Jet and Zico Coconut Water. He is an Emmy Award winner, a former rapper and former manager of Run DMC, a globally recognized keynote speaker, and a part-owner of the Atlanta Hawks NBA basketball team.

He's also a passionate endurance athlete who has run more than 35,000 miles over the last 25 years, including 50+ marathons. Jessie is also the author of two awesome best-selling books, Living with the Seals 31 Days: Training with the Toughest Man on the Planet and Living with the Monks: What Turning off My Phone Taught Me About Happiness, Gratitude, and Focus.

Time stamps:

01:54 The influence of Jesse’s parents

- They showed up for everything
- They let him explore
- They didn’t over-schedule him
- Didn’t teach him about hard work, he watched them doing it

05:58 The entrepreneurial gene

- Jesse’s grandfather was born in poverty in Russia
- He immigrated to America and came with nothing
- Jesse’s grandfather and father worked very hard
- Jesse grew up middle-class

07:42 Should kids go to college?

- College gave him some important skills
- He went to everything and was exposed to knowledge and people
- His mom encouraged him to be curious and take every opportunity
- He was aware of the time and urgency

12:50 The start of Jesse’s career – getting a foot at the door

- Jesse wanted to have a record deal
- His approach – go to every door until someone says yes
- He got a deal from a record label called Delicious Vinyl
- It’s essential to get a foot at the door and get into the system

16:47 The ridiculous offer and believing in yourself

- Started the music business doing commercial jingles
- He lived on his friend’s couches
- Someone offered him $10,000 for 10% of his future earnings
- Can you? vs. Will you?

24:39 How to bounce back from a failure?

- Sold his business for $1 million
- Tried many different things and failed
- Extremely enthusiastic about trying fun things and projects
- Failures didn’t bother him
- Sold celery and carrot sticks and loved it even without the profit
- In business, three strikes and you're not out

29:30 Is there a time to stop trying?

- Jesse kept going despite failures
- He never stopped
- The tolerance of embarrassment
- Never got embarrassed by his failures

31:51 The value of relationships

- Wanted to start a private jet company but didn’t have jets
- Met with the president of the largest private jet company in the world – Net Jets
- Got his daughter onstage with Christina Aguilera, a year prior
- He presented him his idea
- Brought his own focus group rather than pitching on a PowerPoint
- If you have one chance, you have to be prepared and stand out
- Got the deal and built a $5 billion company

Want to Connect? Reach out to us online!
Website – https://insearchofexcellencepodcast.com
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/randallkaplan/
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/randall-kaplan-05858340/

Coaching and Staying Connected:

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Gary Vaynerchuk, commonly known as Gary Vee, is an influential entrepreneur, speaker, and internet personality, best known for his expertise in digital marketing and social media. Starting his career in his family's wine business, Gary's innovative approach to e-commerce and content creation catapulted the business from a local enterprise to a national leader in wine retail. He later founded VaynerMedia, a leading digital agency that services Fortune 500 clients across the globe.

In this episode, Gary shares his unfiltered insights on the dynamics of building and scaling businesses, the evolution of consumer engagement, and the relentless pursuit of hustle. He opens up about his journey from a Belarusian immigrant to a global business mogul, reflecting on the impact of his heritage on his work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit. With his characteristic candor and deep passion for empowering others, Gary offers listeners not only a glimpse into the competitive world of digital marketing but also imparts profound lessons on perseverance, vision, and personal branding.

Timestamps:
00:00 - Gary Vee discusses the early influence of social media on his content creation, specifically Twitter.
03:02 - A discussion on strategic moves in poker and their parallels to business decisions.
06:02 - Gary shares his experience of working in his father's store during college and the lessons learned.
09:02 - The conversation covers the significant impact of actions in leadership and business.
12:02 - Gary talks about the inception of his agency and his disbelief at the scale of corporate engagement in the late 2000s.
15:05 - Reflections on personal moments, including a honeymoon in Hawaii and the settings that influenced his life.
18:05 - A hypothetical scenario is discussed where a major social platform is forced to sell, reflecting on the potential impacts.
21:06 - Discussion of missed opportunities and the financial implications of quick decisions in business.
24:07 - Gary Vee emphasizes the power of word-of-mouth in marketing and personal convictions.
27:09 - Analysis of the cost-effectiveness of Super Bowl advertising and its comparison to other marketing platforms.
30:10 - Advice for professionals feeling dissatisfied with their job, stressing the importance of commitment and effort.
33:10 - Gary discusses the importance of setting goals and the effectiveness of writing them down.
36:12 - A personal reflection on family dynamics and the distribution of affection among siblings.
39:15 - Gary shares his views on retirement, emphasizing his desire to never stop working.
42:18 - Thoughts on legacy and giving back, including advice Gary would offer to his younger self.

In Search of Excellence Podcast - with Randall Kaplan

Listen to this episode on the go!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-search-of-excellence/id1579184310
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/23q0XICUDIchVrkXBR0i6L

One-on One Coaching: I coach a select group of high achievers on how to elevate their careers, grow their businesses, and unlock their full potential.
Apply Here = https://www.randallkaplan.com/coaching

Follow Randall!
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Website: https://www.randallkaplan.com/

Coaching and Staying Connected:

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Gary Vaynerchuk, commonly known as Gary Vee, is an influential entrepreneur, speaker, and internet personality, best known for his expertise in digital marketing and social media. Starting his career in his family's wine business, Gary's innovative approach to e-commerce and content creation catapulted the business from a local enterprise to a national leader in wine retail. He later founded VaynerMedia, a leading digital agency that services Fortune 500 clients across the globe.

In this episode, Gary shares his unfiltered insights on the dynamics of building and scaling businesses, the evolution of consumer engagement, and the relentless pursuit of hustle.

Timestamps:

02:41 - Introduction.
05:21 - Gary Vee narrates the immigration challenges faced by his family leaving the Soviet Union and adjusting to life in America.
08:02 - Gary Vee talks about his father's entrepreneurial journey from managing a store to owning it and the lessons learned from observing his work ethic.
10:41 - Randall Kaplan praises the inherent strength and resilience of influential women in challenging environments.
13:20 - Randall Kaplan shares an emotional personal story, underscoring the importance of strong family values.
16:04 - Gary Vee elaborates on the supportive dynamics within his extended family and the emotional bonds that shaped his upbringing.
18:41 - Gary Vee emphasizes the crucial life skill of dealing with adversity and finding comfort in uncomfortable situations.
21:20 - Gary Vee reminisces about his childhood summers, filled with familial connections and simple joys.
24:03 - Randall Kaplan reflects on his childhood outdoor activities, noting the less supervised yet richly interactive play of his youth.
26:40 - Randall Kaplan discusses overcoming personal challenges and the motivation behind his drive to succeed despite obstacles.
29:23 - Gary Vee debates the nature of entrepreneurial success, questioning if innate talent is a necessary component and sharing his personal experiences with early business ventures.
32:03 - Gary Vee discusses his youthful business initiatives, including running a lemonade stand and the creative ways he expanded it.
34:44 - Gary Vee recalls his childhood efforts to earn money through various small ventures, from selling flowers picked from neighbors’ gardens to singing carols.
37:22 - Gary Vee shares his philosophy on the value of hard work over formal education, reflecting on his personal and family experiences.
40:00 - Gary Vee looks back on a defining weekend in his youth that solidified his passion for business and innovation.

In Search of Excellence Podcast - with Randall Kaplan

Listen to this episode on the go!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-search-of-excellence/id1579184310
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/23q0XICUDIchVrkXBR0i6L

One-on One Coaching: I coach a select group of high achievers on how to elevate their careers, grow their businesses, and unlock their full potential.
Apply Here = https://www.randallkaplan.com/coaching

Follow Randall!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/randallkaplan
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@randall_kaplan
Twitter / X: https://x.com/RandallKaplan
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randallkaplan/
Website: https://www.randallkaplan.com/

Get More Excellence! In Search of Excellence Clips: https://www.youtube.com/@iseclips

Coaching and Staying Connected:

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In this extraordinary episode of In Search of Excellence, I sit down with the legendary Mike Tyson — former heavyweight boxing champion of the world, cultural icon, entrepreneur, and philanthropist.
Mike opens up like never before about confidence, redemption, pain, preparation, and success. From his rise as the youngest heavyweight champion in history to his darkest battles with drugs, prison, and public controversy, Mike shares the raw truths that shaped his life.

We dive into his iconic fights, including Evander Holyfield and Buster Douglas, his struggles after boxing, and his transformation through family, philanthropy, and Tyson 2.0. He speaks candidly about the role of cannabis, psychedelics, and extreme preparation in finding peace and purpose.
Mike also reflects on fatherhood, his marriage, and what true success and happiness mean — offering advice that will inspire anyone facing setbacks, doubts, or big dreams.

Timestamps / Chapters
00:00 - Mike Tyson's Journey to Success
01:53 - The Role of Money and Success
06:59 - Prison Experience and Personal Growth
15:35 - Challenges and Redemption
15:49 - Friendship and Mentorship
22:47 - Life After Boxing
23:05 - Philanthropy and Giving Back
23:41 - Advice for Young People
33:35 - Reflections on Life and Death
38:48 - Final Thoughts and Future Plans

Highlights from this Episode:
Why confidence breeds success — and how Mike applied it inside and outside the ring

The mindset of extreme preparation and learning from Muhammad Ali
Behind the scenes of the infamous Holyfield “Bite Fight”
What Mike learned from losing to Buster Douglas
How prison became the “three most valuable years” of his life
The role of cannabis and psychedelics in his transformation
Powerful lessons on family, fatherhood, and love
The mission of the Mike Tyson Cares Foundation
What motivates Mike Tyson today
Whether you’re chasing greatness, rebuilding after failure, or seeking a deeper understanding of success, this conversation with Iron Mike is one you won’t forget.

In Search of Excellence Podcast - with Randall Kaplan

Listen to this episode on the go!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-search-of-excellence/id1579184310
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/23q0XICUDIchVrkXBR0i6L

One-on One Coaching: I coach a select group of high achievers on how to elevate their careers, grow their businesses, and unlock their full potential.
Apply Here = https://www.randallkaplan.com/coaching

Follow Randall!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/randallkaplan
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@randall_kaplan
Twitter / X: https://x.com/RandallKaplan
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randallkaplan/
Website: https://www.randallkaplan.com/

Get More Excellence! In Search of Excellence Clips: https://www.youtube.com/@iseclips

Coaching and Staying Connected:

1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn