Jiu Jitsu Changed My Life and Leadership | Jeremy Hass

Jiu Jitsu Changed My Life and Leadership | Jeremy Hass

Author: Bill April 10, 2026 Duration: 40:43
40% Better - Engineering Leadership
BusinessManagement
In this episode of the 40% Better Podcast, Jeremy Hass shares powerful insights from his leadership journey, shaped by his experiences in the military, startups, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Jeremy dives into the importance of resilience, risk-taking, and personal growth, explaining how embracing challenges can lead to long-term success in both life and business. He also discusses how Brazilian Jiu Jitsu transformed his mindset, teaching discipline, adaptability, and emotional resilience.
The conversation explores how leaders can build strong teams, communicate effectively, and develop future leaders within their organizations. Jeremy also shares practical advice for navigating failure, pursuing meaningful work, and surrounding yourself with the right people.

What you’ll learn in this episode:
Why resilience is essential for leadership and business success
How Brazilian Jiu Jitsu shapes mindset and discipline
The importance of risk-taking in personal and professional growth
How to build and mentor future leaders
Why effective communication is critical in leadership roles
How to overcome failure and learn from setbacks
The value of emotional intelligence in leadership
Why chasing passion leads to long-term fulfillment
Key insights:
“I’d rather try and fail than not try at all.”
“Surrounding yourself with the right people is key.”
“Jiu Jitsu saved my life.”
“My job is to build and enable the person below me.”
“Chase what makes you happy.”
This episode is perfect for leaders, founders, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to grow personally and professionally through resilience, discipline, and purpose.
Timestamps:
00:00 The Foundations of Leadership
02:52 Early Career Experiences and Responsibilities
05:53 Embracing Challenges and Risk-Taking
09:00 Resilience and Overcoming Failure
12:07 The Role of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Personal Growth
15:08 Leadership Lessons from Martial Arts
18:08 Current Work and Helping Startups
21:13 Operational Challenges in Business
23:52 Building Future Leaders
26:57 Effective Communication in Leadership
30:12 Personal Projects and Future Aspirations
33:11 Final Thoughts and Words of Wisdom
Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, growth, and performance.
#Leadership #Resilience #PersonalGrowth #Entrepreneurship #Startups #EmotionalIntelligence #RiskTaking #Mindset #BusinessGrowth #40PercentBetter

I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Bill and the 40 % Better podcast team

Connect with Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wblennan/ 
Visit the 40 Percent Better website here: https://40pb.com/

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#40PercentBetter #BillLennan #Leadership #TeamPerformance #EmployeeEngagement #PsychologicalSafety #BusinessGrowth #Kaizen #EngineeringLeadership #Coaching The 40% Better podcast with Bill Lennan unlocks previously unheard-of performance levels in teams and leaders. Bill Lennan, founder of 40 Percent Better, interviews experts on employee engagement, psychological safety, engineering leadership, and actionable mental models. Learn how to foster high-performing teams, improve team productivity, and achieve sustainable success in business through a focus on human-centered systems. 
#technologyleadership #productmanagement #engineeringleadership #leadershipdevelopment #careergrowth #podcast

Hosted by Bill, 40% Better-Engineering Leadership is a conversation for those who build and guide technical teams. This isn't about abstract theory; it's a practical dialogue focused on the tangible mechanics of morale, motivation, and output. Each episode features a single expert in employee engagement, and together we dissect the specific strategies that lead to measurable leaps in performance. You'll hear detailed explorations into what actually moves the needle for engineers and their managers, translating research and experience into actionable leadership techniques. The goal is straightforward: to provide the insights that can help your team operate at a significantly higher level of effectiveness and satisfaction. Tune in for a focused, deep-dive podcast that cuts through the noise of generic management advice, offering concrete ideas you can apply directly to the unique challenges of engineering leadership.
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