In this powerful episode of Art of Reading the Room, Gerard sits down with Gianna Bullock — a 5x Tennessee State Champion, University of Oregon heptathlete, and one of the top-ranked NIL athletes in the country.

Gianna opens up about how she built her personal brand, secured major brand deals (including McDonald's), and turned social media risk-taking into a strategic career move — all while competing at an elite level and staying grounded in faith, discipline, and gratitude.

She shares honest insights into the world of student athletics, balancing academics, life on the road, and what makes a great team culture. Whether you're a parent, athlete, creator, or entrepreneur, her story will inspire you to stop waiting and start building.

Topics Covered:

1) Balancing athletic ambition with academic excellence

2) What it takes to build an NIL brand from zero

3) The courage to post online even when it makes you uncomfortable

4) How failure and family create a “safe space to fall”

5) Social media identity vs. real-life authenticity

6) How to pitch brands when you’re just starting out

Quote of the Episode:

“I’m not afraid of failing… because even if I do, I know you guys are here to catch me.”

🎧 Subscribe for more conversations that go deeper than the feed.

In this episode of Art of Reading the Room, Gerard and Sarah dive deep into one of the most debated questions in business and life: when to take the meeting, and when to walk away.

Gerard shares how “just showing up” opened unexpected doors early in his career — and the hard lessons learned from taking too many meetings later on. Sarah challenges the idea with thoughtful boundaries, and together they break down the real cost of time, intention, and hidden agendas.

Plus: a rant on social media politics, referral risk, and why building genuine relationships still matters more than ever.

🎙 Subscribe for more real, unfiltered conversations about navigating relationships, business, and leadership in the real world.

💬 What’s your take: Should you always take the meeting? Drop your thoughts in the comments!

For 27 years, we talked about starting this podcast — and life kept getting in the way. Kids. Work. Perfectionism. Excuses. In this first episode of The Art of Reading the Room, we finally stop overthinking and start doing. This isn’t just a podcast — it’s our story of learning to balance business, family, and the chaos of everyday life.

We talk candidly about starting imperfectly, leading with discipline, delegating tasks, and letting go of the need to be “ready.” Whether you’re building a business, managing a family, or just tired of putting things off, this episode is for you.

Topics Covered:

• Why 80% done is enough to begin
• The trap of overplanning and fear of failure
• Real-life lessons from marriage, entrepreneurship, and distribution logistics
• Why you should hire before you’re fully “ready”
• The power of communication and feedback in messy beginnings
• How momentum builds confidence — not the other way around

Quote of the Episode:

“I can’t stand getting ready to get ready. Just start. You’ll get better as you go.”

Let us know: What’s one thing you’ve been waiting to start? Drop it in the comments — we want to hear your story.