P: What is the first step that readers can take to
reprogram your brain?
R: The first step is to become aware that you have thoughts,
that these thoughts are not you and that you can control
them. Negative thoughts change what you see in the world,
so our outer world is very literally a reflection of our inner
world, because that’s what we are telling the brain to
perceive. We have all the control in our heads. What do the
quality of your thoughts look like? Do they match where you
want to be in life? If not, you need to do some house-
cleaning. This is key to taking back control of your life.
P: How did you become interested in public speaking
and leading seminars? Why are doing these
important to you?
R: I was ready to take my own life because of my negative
thought patterns, and I had no idea what power I actually
possessed. Addiction rates are through the roof, people are
checking out with their devices, binging shows, overeating—
they’re seeking ways to numb their emotions and stress. Our
brains were not built for all this stimulation, and we were
never taught how to deal with it. My mission is to wake up
others to their own power and to teach people about the
ultimate control they have.
P: You’re also involved in helping others recover from
alcohol addiction. Could you tell me more about that,
what you do, and why it’s important to you?
R: I’ve been going back to my recovery house for four years
now, and almost all the people that pass thought those doors
are the same. We’re all intelligent people who don’t know
how to handle our overactive brains. I am passionate about
helping those who fight with addiction. Life is hard, and our
thought patterns can rule our lives if we don’t become aware
of them. I also know that sobriety doesn’t have to be hope
based (“I hope I don’t use this week”) and that we are
absolutely not powerless.
P: Lastly, what work do you do on Shark Tank? How
has working with so many entrepreneurs, not to
mention the Sharks, impacted your life?
R: Shark Tank has been such a great experience for the last
decade of my life. It’s a show that actually changes lives, and
being a part of that is really a unique experience. My
department designs the pitch displays for all the entrepre-
neurs, and we design them both for the Sharks and for the
people watching at home. For many of these entrepreneurs
it’s their first time on TV. After a career of designing for
camera, we know what works and what doesn’t. We help
them all equally, and each season that means designing for
over 220 entrepreneurs. It’s a massive coordination effort
tending to all of their unique needs, but we get paid to help
people realize their dreams: nothing gets better than that.
The Sharks have become friends and we all joke around on-
set in between pitches. It’s a family vibe in the Tank now, and
everyone on that stage loves coming to work. Our team is so
talented and it’s because of them we can pull these crazy
stunts off so smoothly. n
QUICK QUESTIONS
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE
MOVIE? The Martian, I can
watch it over and over. I like
his problem-solving brain and
the drive to never give up.
WHAT’S YOUR IDEAL VACATION?
Somewhere tropical with a beach!
Still hashing out my plan to work
six months out of the year from
a beach. I’ll keep you posted.
WHO HAS HAD THE
BIGGEST INFLUENCE
ON YOUR LIFE?
Joey Tabbanella; he woke me
up to my thoughts and
changed the course of my life
forever. Joey, if you are reading
this, the words “thank you”
could never express
enough.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE
FOOD? Sushi or a good
Poke bowl all day!
December 2018
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