In this inspiring and candid episode, Steven welcomes his first in-person guest, Matt LeBris, host of the globally top 1% ranked Decoding Success Podcast and a Brand Strategist with Brand Builders Group. Matt shares his incredible career journey, beginning with a cold pitch to Shark Tank’s Damon John that turned a five-minute conversation into a multi-year internship and job. This experience taught him that proximity is power and the value of surrounding yourself with high achievers.

The conversation dives deep into the philosophy of personal branding, which Matt defines as the art of differentiation and owning who you truly are. He breaks down how Brand Builders Group helps clients in four key tracks: lead generation, new revenue development, author track, and public speaking. Matt and Steven also tackle the common struggles of discipline, balancing their love for fitness with a love for junk food (especially pizza), and the necessary role of AI in brand strategy. Ultimately, Matt emphasizes that social media is merely a vehicle to deliver a brand, not what builds it, and that focusing on impact for one person is more fulfilling than chasing virality.

Takeaways:

• Don’t Wait for Perfection, Just Start: If you have a big goal, don’t wait until the plan is 100% perfect or you feel perfectly ready. Take the first step, learn from the process, and know that your start isn’t where you’ll finish.
• Embrace Curiosity for Longevity: Lifelong curiosity is what kept Matt’s podcast running for seven-plus years. Use curiosity about others and the world as the fuel for your biggest initiatives.
• Proximity is Power: Intentionally put yourself in environments where you can be near people who motivate you and inspire you. Access to high-level success is often the most inspiring thing.
• Personal Branding is the Art of Differentiation: Your brand is owning your unique experiences and perspective. Since no two people have the same fingerprint, focus on how you solve a problem, not just what problem you solve.
• Social Media is a Vehicle, Not the Foundation: The actual building of your brand is the work done behind the scenes—identifying your audience, problem, message, and unique process. Social media (or a podcast) is simply the fast vehicle to deliver it.
• Fill Gaps with Purpose (The Boredom Cure): When you experience a “gap” of boredom, fill it with an activity that relates to the person you want to become (e.g., reading a book, going for a walk), instead of choosing something that provides immediate, comfortable gratification like an unhealthy habit.
• Focus on Impact, Not Virality: Instead of shooting for a viral hit, aim to post something aligned with your brand with the intention of moving or impacting just one person. That one connection is where the fulfillment—and often the business—is made.

Quote of the Show:

• “I think the minute we’re born, we’re all gifted with a personal brand, whether we like it or not. And ultimately… if you’re not taking ownership of your brand, you’re giving the power to someone else to craft your message for you.”

Links:

• Free Strategy Call with Matt: https://freebrandcall.com/mattlebris/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matt_lebris/?hl=en 
• Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@MattLeBris/podcasts 
• Personal Website: https://mattlebris.com/ 
• Company Website: https://brandbuildersgroup.com/ 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlebrisnyc/