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The Sunday Series (108), with Mark Brodinsky

May 22, 2016 By markbrodinsky Leave a Comment

If I could reach the stars
Pull one down for you,
Shine it on my heart
So you could see the truth.

  • Eric Clapton, lyrics from Change the World

We all know the truth: the reflection of your true heart and desire is what can inspire each and every one of us. There is no other way, especially if you want to live a life and leave a legacy.

The question becomes is your story one worth sharing? I for one, believe that it is. Why wouldn’t it be?

After all, everyone has a story.

I am Mark Brodinsky and this is The Sunday Series.


The Sunday Series (108): Fulfilled

gerard-adams-website-1200x800

It hit him hard the moment he saw the big man come on stage and share his message.

Gerard Adams was right there in the front row, gazing up at the man who could change his life, or at least make sure he was heading down the right path to get him there. Up on that stage Tony Robbins can seem larger than life. For Gerard, the words Tony Robbins would share would change his life.

“Success without fulfillment is the ultimate failure.”

robbins

Those words hung in the air for a moment, and then inside Gerard’s brain for days and weeks to come.  Sometimes one idea, one message, one moment in time can change the trajectory of your life.

And what about that life? Gerard Adams is a serial entrepreneur, co-founder of Elite Daily, and now at age 31, worth millions. So how do you get “there from here”?

Gerard says growing up in New Jersey he was taught to be tough.”My early childhood was beautiful,” says Gerard. “I have such great parents who both worked 7 days a week. I was an outdoors kid. There was no smartphone so I went outside to play baseball, basketball, hockey. In high school I got into some trouble, and I knew my family didn’t have a lot of money, so I started hustling t-shirts. I would by them at wholesale and re-sell them for a profit.”

gerard handshake IMG_9844

“I also learned very early in my life that nothing would be handed to me,” says Gerard. “I had to have faith and confidence and be a leader. I wanted to study entrepreneurship and business and finance in college but I couldn’t get into any of those classes because I had to earn other credits just to get the opportunity to step up to the classes I really wanted.  I started studying student loan debt and decided I could self-educate. A lot of people judged me for dropping out of college. They said, ‘you won’t be successful, we knew you would always drop out’. But college was not for me. I saw it as big business. It forced me to get into debt and didn’t allow me to learn what I wanted to learn to start a company and learn how to invest. I dropped out during finals at the end of the first semester.”

“I went against everybody, including my parents. Everyone looked upon me as a failure. My parents said to me ‘look it’s your life, you have to live with your decision. If you fail then you have to figure out a way to get back up and get back to school’. I liked the challenge. I put destiny in my own hands. I wanted to prove to everybody, my parents, my town, everybody. I work well under pressure.”

That’s also when Gerard says he started failing. But failing forward.

“My first failure was my next challenge which was starting my business. It was Wall Street Grand, a forum for investors and traders. The website included a 5-star rating system to evaluate those who wrote about investing. If they got 5-stars they were gold and a guru. I got to about 10,000 members, (reportedly worth about $10 million), then I got a call about helping promote a technology to build a nano battery, a battery with an infinite shelf life.

“So we do a big launch for this company, mPhase, with investors, brokers, bankers…I will never forget that day. I do my first public speech to introduce the product and the founders. I hit the button to prove this infinite battery to the crowd and nothing works. It was over right then, big failure. Or at least I thought it was over. But I decided I would not let this shape me. I would learn from it.”

Like any great entrepreneur knows, failure is simply success deferred. But there was more to come.

In 2008 the stock market crashed and Gerard says he lost everything. His business was in shambles, he made some bad investments, his dad got laid off and his friends were graduating and couldn’t get jobs.

“I started making documentaries on the economy”, says Gerard. “I made videos about college conspiracy, about inflation, I exposed the student loan debt crisis and got millions of views and got on TV. That got me hooked up with David Arabov. He said he wanted to start this website, Elite Wall Street. I said no way, Wall Street is tainted, why don’t we create a HuffPost for millennials. I had a couple of folding tables and chairs in my apartment and David, Jonathan Francis and I got to work connecting millennials and what they really wanted to read with no filter. We were being judged for not being real journalists, but we knew we were on to something, because the millennials were reading and sharing, it was going viral.

The site is called Elite Daily and by the end of 2013 it had earned $400,000 in profit and averaged 80 million readers a month. It got so big it was a hot commodity for an acquisition. Which is exactly what happened. Gerard and his partners sold Elite Daily to Daily Mail, for $50 million.

Failing forward. Success deferred. But once you have the success – as Gerard heard Tony Robbins say, you need fulfillment.

Gerard says he had this dream, and it should be every entrepreneurs dream – when the company gets big – to give back to the people who supported you your whole life and to do great things. He credits his Tony Robbins experience with helping him to have this moment of clarity.

gerard and robbins

“To see Tony Robbins up close, I was in the 2nd row, his energy is infectious. He helps you take a deep dive into your soul and purpose in life. I did the hot coal walk and when I was done I was asking myself what does my legacy look like? I thought it would be so cool to go back to Jersey and help the youth and help the community where they really need it. To help them have what I didn’t – an education on how to start a business, overcome obstacles and bounce back from failure. Things you don’t really get in school.”

The experience has led Gerard to create FOWNders, (http://www.fownders.com/). FOWNders is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a community for young entrepreneurs in Newark’s University Heights neighborhood. The FOWNders building is a live-work space boasting a restaurant, large roof deck, and event space for their members in addition to luxury apartments. It’s much like MIT’s Building 20 – a magical incubator of collaboration.

Gerard says: “I’m building a program where every 12 weeks there are hack-a-thons and we allow five start-ups to work in the space. Depending on how disciplined and how well they do I will switch it up. I’m working on the curriculum, which start-ups to invite, the age brackets, seeing what is needed, talking to the community and finding out what they are looking for.”

It’s all about legacy. “Our generation is not thinking about legacy and impact, they are lost,” says Gerard. “So much has changed in the past ten years. The amount of information shifts all the time – you have to look on it as an opportunity and take an idea you are passionate about and build it into an empire and leave an impact. This is the time to take those risks – now.”

What it all comes down to says Gerard is giving, living and getting in the game: “A lot of the young people I meet, even older people, they let their egos get in the way. We need to let go of our egos and really look in the mirror. Forget what happened in the past. What am I doing right now? Today, tomorrow the next five years, what am I going to do to make an impact around me and leave a legacy that will make you happy in life?”

“What can you do to bring value to other people’s lives? Stop blaming other people and other things. Stop looking at what you can take from this world, look at what you can give. Start taking action.”

(http://gerardadams.com/)

Until next time thanks for taking the time (and taking action),

Mark

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Author: The #1 Amazon Best Seller: It Takes 2. Surviving Breast Cancer: A Spouse’s Story
(http://www.amazon.com/Mark-Brodinsky/e/B00FI6R3U6)

Huffington Post: (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-brodinsky/)

The Profile: (http://www.talkinggood.com/profiles/MarkBrodinsky)

The Podcast: (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sunday-series-courage-inspiration/id1028611459)

USHEALTH Advisors: (http://www.prweb.com/releases/markbrodinsky/072015/prweb12862708.htm)

 

 

 

 

 

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Mark Brodinsky
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Blog Reviews

Love seeing new blogs hit the ground running like this one (by a dad no less), but I also urge anyone vaguely interested in blogging to stay tuned, I am. Good luck on your journey – glad that I am along for the ride.

Rachel Blaufeld

Great blog Mark! I always appreciate reading what you have to say. You are very gifted and talented and hopefully someday you’ll not just blog, but write a book.

 Stephen Koncurat

I’m definitely along for the ride. We’ve all seen how much damage the written word can inflict. More positive writers are needed. And I love how you are using your personal experiences – those with your wife and children – and your gift of writing to open eyes and to inspire others.

Victoria Endicott

Absolutely beautifully written! The girls in your life must be very proud of you. Thanks for sharing Mark, I look forward to reading more!

Gina Glick Jolson

Very shortly this site will be famous amid all blogging and site-building users, due to it’s pleasant posts.

Leila Galloway

Absolutely beautiful! Are you at all thinking of penning a book? You’ve got a fan base out there that really thinks you should Mark. You write so eloquently. Glad that I got onto this site.

Marilyn Lefkowitz

Mark, You are truly a gifted writer and obviously, a special father and husband . Always a delight to read your words.

I’m speechless…beautiful words flow from your heart just like a gentle waterfall into a tranquil stream… thank you so much for the friend request I was blessed the day I clicked confirm.

Lynne Turner Dorsey

From your first writing in 4th grade entitled “People” which was published in the school newspaper, you have always been able to write. Never more so than when you started “Caringbridge” and now your blog, everyone who reads says what a wonderful writer you are. Our DREAM for you is to become an author and encourage people every day. You are by the far the best and we hope and pray you reach your dream.

Bonnie Brodinsky

I know you always thank us for reading but I would like to say thanks for writing.

Stuart Abell

Great piece. You are an inspiration!

Rob Commodari

Mark I just wanted to let you know that you are succeeding in your “ultimate goal”. I have gained so much from your blogs. I look forward to reading them for the special lift that they give me. Thank you.

Amy F.

I love waking up and starting my day with my coffee and your blog! It a great way to start my day with positive uplifting thoughts!! It puts me in a positive frame of mind throughout the day and allows me to reflect on my personal life, make changes, and grow !!!

Gayle Blank

You are quite talented Mark. Thanks for sharing!

Cynthia

I always look forward to your Blog Mark. Thanks for sharing and as you always do, make it a great / remarkable Day!

Chuck Connolly

Thanks for your Blog Mark. It is fun, encouraging and a nice break from a day full of ups and downs.

Jackie Hetrick

With my busy schedule, there is (sadly) little time for reading. But I have two must-reads every time I come across them, the sports section and your blogs. Keep inspiring and following your dream!

Ed Nemec

Mark, you are a truly remarkable individual. You do speak from your heart, I can’t wait to read your book. You are an incredible writer.

Debbie Press

Mark, I am glad I clicked on your post this morning, which lead me to your writing, your goal.
Would like to connect. This speaks to me.

Aileen Braverman

I can’t wait to read the book. I have followed all the blogs and feel so good that I know u guys. You make me cry but you make me laugh too. All the very best to you!

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WOW!!! It Takes 2 is a must read for anyone who has known someone diagnosed with cancer or other life threatening disease. This is the real story of a family lead by an incredible woman, Debbie Brodinsky, who took radical steps to beat the breast cancer beast. The story is told by her husband, Mark Brodinsky, through journal entries he kept starting with diagnosis through one year cancer free. This author's unique ability to pour his heart out onto the page draws you in from the beginning and holds you until the very end.

Thanks to Mark and Debbie Brodinsky for this gift...I have a new perspective on what it means to be a breast cancer survivor. You are a hero, Debbie Brodinsky!

TeeBThree
September 25, 2013

ittakes2_reviews_2

This book gives a heartfelt, in depth description of what it is like to go through breast cancer with the one you love. It is beautifully written and I felt as though I was living it with them! I highly recommend this book!

Jgs17
September 24, 2013

ittakes2_reviews_2

In It Takes 2, Mark Brodinsky windows us into his world where his wife, the cancer patient, is not the only victim. Part journal, part roadmap, It Takes 2 goes to the real humanity of facing the mortality of one's better half. Mark's candid perspective, love, and fierce intention resonate with hope in a story which is about much more than cancer. Mark himself is perhaps the most heroic character for the way he appreciates this life and so many of us in it...as he says, "thanks for caring."

Réné Pallace
September 24, 2013

ittakes2_reviews_2

It Takes Two: A Spouse's Story by Mark Brodinsky should be read by every person who is experiencing serious illness or injury or by a loved one of someone who is experiencing either of those situations. The book is an eloquent testament to the power of love and the healing energy derived from the belief that things will get better. There is not one word of "poor me" from the author or his wife who suffered breast cancer and the radical surgery she elected to have to beat the cancer. Rather, the book is a celebration of the courage displayed by them both in seeing it through.

The book also encourages readers to speak and write down their true feelings and be validated in them. John Mackovic writing in the Palm Springs, CA Desert Sun on November 2, 2013 quoted author and artist Doe Zantamata who said, " To be happy, you don't have to do anything new. You just have to remember how to believe again...Believe everything good is possible. Believe in your dreams. Believe in people. Believe in love. But most of all...believe in yourself." The author, his wife, their family and extended family and friends never stopped believing in his wife's recovery, and I think, in themselves. Read this book and believe.

Paul A. Riecks
November 4, 2013

ittakes2_reviews_2

This book is a must read for anyone with a family member with breast cancer. It takes you through the spouse's perspective from diagnosis to recovery. Mark journaled his wife's journey and put all of his emotions out there. It is beautifully written and inspiring to anyone going through breast cancer. Thank you, Mark for sharing Debbie's story.

Jmu1109
October 23, 2013

ittakes2_reviews_2

A friend recommended this book. This was a great perspective of a man standing beside his partner and passing along to the reader fear, hope, useful information and a broader story than his own. I loved Vinnie the tattoo artist. This is a great book. Thanks for sharing, Mark and "thanks for caring"

Blahsan

ittakes2_reviews_2

This book is a must read. What sets this book apart from other books about surviving breast cancer is that it is told by the husband and his point of view, not from the survivor. At times sad, at times poignant but even through the worst of it you can always feel the love he has for his wife, her strength and the strength of their extended family and friends. The posts that are included from their friends and family lets you really into the heart and strength of the family. I would recommend this book to anyone who is currently going through this, whether you are the person or the caregiver. I also recommend this book to anyone who has a friend that has been or is currently going through their fight now. It was an eye opener for me.

L. Bogash
Seven Valleys, PA

ittakes2_reviews_2

There isn't a shortage of books about breast cancer, but most are written from the perspective of the person who has battled cancer or a physician or other expert. What an enlightening experience to read about breast cancer from a husband and caregiver's perspective! Not only does the author give us insight into his wife's experience and emotions, but he openly shares and reveals his love, compassion, support, and, yes, sometimes anger at the disease as he stands by his wife's side during their journey to beat the beast. Your story may not be the same, but I guarantee if you have a loved one battling cancer, you won't go wrong reading It Takes 2.

 PattiM
September 25, 2013

 

ittakes2_reviews_2

From the moment I opened this book I never stopped reading. Mark invites the reader to come along on this journey that his family went through. I cried, laughed and learned so much. This book will give comfort and knowledge to those going through similar situations. Most importantly, Mark and his family never give up. They get knocked down and get right back up. They fought cancer together and with their strength, determination and will to prevail... They do!

 Jenny Schloss 

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