The SMARTA Podcast

Successful people do THIS everyday. With Dr. John L. Terry, III

The SMARTA Podcast

Show Notes

You do not need a title to be a leader. At the time I’m posting this, I just got my university acceptance letters.

Today, we are shattering the myth that you need a title to be a leader. I am sitting down with Dr. John L. Terry III, the "Black Belt Leader," to explore why true leadership is a discipline, not a position. As I prepare to step into my university journey in Dublin, this conversation about confidence, discipline, and purpose could not be more timely.

What you will learn in this episode: How to conquer the three enemies of focus: flinching, freezing, and chasing.

The Black Belt Acrostic and the 10 character traits of elite leaders.

Why successful people do daily what unsuccessful people do sometimes or not at all.

How to apply the concept of Kaizen (never-ending improvement) to your daily life.

Who is Dr. John Terry, III? Dr. John is a keynote speaker, executive coach, and a three-time Martial Arts Hall of Fame inductee. He blends martial arts mastery with real-world leadership strategies. You can find his work and his book, Black Belt Leadership 101, online https://www.beablackbeltleader.com/

In this episode: 00:00 - Welcome

02:49 - Passion, Purpose, and Intentionality

03:47 - John’s story

05:26 - Overcome The 3 Enemies of Focus: Flinching, Freezing, Chasing

07:42 - The Black Belt Acrostic & The Power of Belief

09:57 - Escape the Autopilot Trap

11:04 - Kaizen: The Pursuit of Black Belt Excellence

12:09 - The 10 Essential Character Traits of a Leader

17:51 - Earning a Black Belt is Just the Beginning

25:03 - Why You Must Fail Your Way to Success

27:31 - True Servant Leadership

32:56 - The Global Leadership Deficit

40:50 - How to Maximize Your 1,440 Minutes a Day

45:37 - Advice to His 18-Year-Old Self

Take a screenshot of this episode and tag me and Dr. John on your Instagram Story! Tell us one thing you are doing today to get out of your comfort zone. Subscribe so you never miss a conversation that helps you grow 1% SMARTA every day!

More from The SMARTA Podcast

Oct 21, 2026

What if failing publicly is the single fastest way to build the exact life you want?

Oct 15, 2026

What if waiting for permission is the exact thing keeping you from the life you actually want? Today, I am sitting down with the incredibly disciplined 20-year-old entrepreneur and copywriter, Jay Yang. At just 16, Jay realized that following the traditional path was leading him toward a life he did not want. He stopped waiting for permission and started taking action. We talk about how his permissionless mindset helped him land opportunities with massive entrepreneurs like Noah Kagan, Alex Hormozi, and Tyler Denk before he even finished high school.

Oct 7, 2026

What if the four massive crises facing humanity right now are actually your greatest opportunity to completely reinvent your future, and you have way less time than you think to act?

Sep 28, 2026

What if the most prestigious college degree in the world is actually a quarter-million-dollar trap holding you back?

Sep 21, 2026

What if everything you have been taught about finding the "perfect" career path is not entirely true?

See all episodes →