The 1% with Deepak Sharma

Deep sits down with Alex Lotier, founder of Culture Media, the media company behind some of the biggest sneaker and sports content on the internet, with over five million followers across platforms. Alex breaks down the wild moment that changed everything, the viral video that hit 500 million views across 30 days, and how that single swing reshaped the entire business from a sneaker resale brand into a full media company working with names like eBay, StockX, Crypto.com, PrizePicks, and more.They get into the real story behind the hustle, from selling shoes out of a Jeep, late-night meetups, and “back against the wall” seasons, to the day Alex walked into his warehouse and realized $78,000 of inventory had been stolen. Alex shares what that moment forced him to learn about risk, leadership, faith, and why he refuses to burn bridges even when it would be the easy clickbait move.Deep and Alex also go deep on what it takes to scale in the creator economy, why operators matter more than most founders realize, and how building systems and teams is the difference between a brand that stays small and one that turns into an empire. They talk audience data, shifting from 90% male to a more balanced demographic, the strategy behind Culture’s college tour that generated hundreds of millions of impressions, and why volume and speed still win when the content is real.They wrap on ambition, debt, pressure, and why “buying another day” is the real founder skill, plus Alex’s vision for 2026, including new education and mentorship programs for the next generation of hungry creators and builders.🎯 Access the tools, offers, and ways to work with me: https://linktr.ee/deepaksharma.co📲 Enjoyed the episode? Share it and tag me on IG: @deepaksharma.coThanks for tuning in. And just rememberIt’s Not That Deep.

Deep sits down with Gill Valerio, a serial entrepreneur who sold his agency for multiple seven figures and now helps other agency owners build something that can actually scale, and eventually exit. But this conversation goes way deeper than tactics. Gill breaks down the real journey behind the “3.5 years” headline, including a decade of failure, the mindset required to keep going when it makes zero logical sense, and what it really takes to raise your standards as a founder.They talk about discipline over motivation, why your income can only rise to the level of your personal development, and how habits carry you through the moments that would normally break most people. Gill shares the story behind building Limitless, why he believes in in-person rooms and real relationships, and how credibility is earned when you stop trying to look successful and start doing the hard work consistently.Deep and Gill also get into the hidden tradeoffs of ambition, the cost of greatness, how to think about time and priorities when you are “spinning a million plates,” and why betting on yourself is still the best ROI even after you get burned a few times. If you are building an agency, scaling a service business, or trying to become the kind of person who can actually hold the life you say you want, this episode will hit.🎯 Access the tools, offers, and ways to work with me: https://linktr.ee/deepaksharma.co📲 Enjoyed the episode? Share it and tag me on IG: @deepaksharma.coThanks for tuning in. And just remember:It’s Not That Deep.

Deep sits down with Jake and Ax, the founders of The Nucleus Network, a private warm-introduction community that has transformed how founders and investors build relationships. What started as two friends connecting people has evolved into a network responsible for more than 7,000 warm introductions, over 50 million dollars in deal value generated through connections, and more than 43 million dollars invested into 16 companies in under ten months.In this conversation, Jake and Ax break down what makes great networking actually work. They explain how their double opt-in method creates trust, why the best business relationships begin with genuine human connection, and how the incentive structure behind introductions shapes the outcomes. They also share the story behind building Nucleus from scratch, their criteria for vetting members, and how their ventures, advisory arm, and events ecosystem all compound into long-term value for founders, operators, and investors.Deep and the guys also explore the mindset behind saying no, managing opportunity as you grow, and why in-person meetings still outperform every digital alternative. You’ll hear behind-the-scenes stories from early experiments, their philosophy on warm introductions as a business model, how they evaluate top 1 percent founders, and why connection is becoming one of the most irreplaceable currencies in the age of AI.This episode is a masterclass in relationship building, community design, and playing the long game with people. If you’re an entrepreneur, investor, operator, or someone who wants to build a powerful network the right way, you’ll take a lot from this conversation.🎯 Access the tools, offers, and ways to work with me: https://linktr.ee/deepaksharma.co📲 Enjoyed the episode? Share it and tag me on IG: @deepaksharma.coThanks for tuning in. And just rememberIt’s Not That Deep.

This week on It’s Not That Deep, I sit down with Elan Bibas – ultra-marathon runner, former Love Island contestant, and a relentless advocate for mental health.We explore what drives someone to run 100 kilometers through pain, silence, and solitude – and how those same miles became a pathway to healing. Elan opens up about a moment in his life when everything familiar fell apart: the end of a long-term relationship, the loss of academic structure, and a career path that left him questioning his identity.Through that breakdown, he rebuilt himself by experimenting with life – trying new things, chasing curiosity, and most importantly, reconnecting with his deeper purpose. Today, his mission is clear: help others navigate mental health through radical honesty, resilience, and movement.We talk identity, emotional resets, over-identifying with titles, and the inner work it takes to stay aligned with who you really are – especially when your reality changes faster than you can process it.If you’ve ever felt lost, stuck, or unsure of who you’re becoming, this episode is for you.🎯 Access the tools, offers, and ways to work with me: https://linktr.ee/deepaksharma.co📲 Enjoyed the episode? Share it and tag me on IG: @deepaksharma.coThanks for tuning in. And just rememberIt’s Not That Deep.

Amr Alian is a rare breed. A creative entrepreneur, mentor, and philosopher of the modern age. In this episode of It’s Not That Deep, we explore the lessons that shaped him as the founder of multiple businesses, a man of many cities, and a believer in taking bold action with faith.We talk about what it means to truly listen to yourself, to others, and to the world around you. Amr shares the story of growing up in a conservative Egyptian family, navigating identity and expectations, and finding his voice through creativity, entrepreneurship, and stillness.From starting his first brand in his early 20s, to facing bankruptcy, to rediscovering his calling through community and spirituality, this conversation is a masterclass in perspective. We unpack masculine energy, faith, intuition, and the internal vs. external metrics of success.This episode is an invitation to slow down, question your programming, and lead a life that feels aligned — not just impressive. If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything right but something still feels off, this one’s for you.🎯 Access the tools, offers, and ways to work with me: https://linktr.ee/deepaksharma.co📲 Enjoyed the episode? Share it and tag me on IG: @deepaksharma.coThanks for tuning in. And just rememberIt’s Not That Deep.

What if you treated your life with the same systems, KPIs, and standards as your business?This week I sit down with Mina Elias, a no-nonsense operator and serial entrepreneur who has built multiple 7 and 8-figure companies while optimizing every area of his life—from sleep and social life to SOPs and supplements.We talk about the real cost of not having structure, why hiring a life manager might be the most underrated business decision you ever make, and how to build systems that protect your time, energy, and sanity. Mina breaks down his Sunday planning ritual, personal CRM setup, team scoreboards, and how he built a corporate university inside his company to replicate himself.We dive into health, habits, and the brutal lessons from MMA that made him a better CEO. And we unpack the mindset shift from “working hard” to “operating like a pro” across every domain.This is a full blueprint for anyone serious about building a high-performance life. No fluff. No shortcuts. Just systems, standards, and results.🎯 Access the tools, offers, and ways to work with me: https://linktr.ee/deepaksharma.co📲 Enjoyed the episode? Share it and tag me on IG: @deepaksharma.coThanks for tuning in. And just rememberIt’s Not That Deep.

This week I sat down with Michael Smoke, entrepreneur, content creator, and the man behind one of the most honest transformations on the internet.Once known as “Sloppy Smoke,” Michael was living below his potential, undisciplined, unfocused, and disconnected from who he truly was. But through extreme ownership, faith, and the daily decision to do hard things, he rebuilt himself from the inside out.In this episode, we dive deep into what real confidence is, not affirmations or fake hype, but evidence-based confidence earned through keeping promises to yourself. Michael opens up about how shame became his wake-up call, the identity shift that comes with doing uncomfortable things, and the spiritual growth that comes from taking full responsibility for your life.We explore what it really means to change, the psychology behind self-mastery, the tension between vulnerability and strength, and how redefining masculinity starts with telling yourself the truth.This conversation is for anyone who’s tired of feeling stuck, searching for direction, or ready to become the kind of person their younger self needed.🎯 Access the tools, offers, and ways to work with me: https://linktr.ee/deepaksharma.co📲 Enjoyed the episode? Share it and tag me on IG: @deepaksharma.coThanks for tuning in. And just rememberIt’s Not That Deep.