Down 40 Love with René Vidal

Hosted by René Vidal

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Mar 2025

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Down 40 Love is a tennis metaphor for turning adversity into advantage. Join 7-time NCAA championship coach René Vidal for conversations with bestselling authors, CEOs, elite coaches, and bold entrepreneurs—sharing tools to build resilience in life and work. Connect with René Vidal on Linkedin .

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March 6, 20251 min

How to Live a Useful Life with Derek Sivers | Pt 2: The Art of Reframing | Down 40 Love Podcast

This episode of Down 40 Love with René Vidal answers the following questions and more: What is the art of reframing? How do we turn adversity into competitive edge? • The magic question every champion is not afraid to ask. Top Takeaways from Derek: 1. Reframing is looking at any adversity as an advantage. 2. Reframing is taking anything that initially seems horrible and making yourself ask the question, “What’s great about this?” 3. Keep asking. Brainstorming is all about not stopping at the first, second, third, or fourth answer—you keep going until you reach out into the ridiculous. Coach Vidal’s Match Point: Reframing is about positive change. Any time a professional sports team hires a new coach, or a company brings on a fresh CEO, the goal is to better shape the narrative, plan, and focus of the organization. As leaders, we are in the reframing business. Our mission is to find the light in dark situations and to build a bridge for people who want to create a new picture of success and fulfillment. 4 Keys to Reframing to Win 1. Don’t beat yourself up when things don’t appear to be going your way. 2. Seek out wise counsel and sage advice. 3. Have a growth mindset. Ask, “What can I learn from this?” 4. Develop the ability to accent the positive and flip setbacks into bouncebacks.About: Derek Sivers is an author of philosophy and entrepreneurship, known for his surprising quotable insights and pithy succinct writing style. Formerly a musician, programmer, TED speaker, and circus clown, he sold his first company for $22 million and gave all the money to charity. Derek's books (Useful Not True, How to Live, Hell Yeah or No, Your Music and People, Anything You Want) and newest projects are at his website: sive.rs. René Vidal is a 7-time NCAA championship coach at Boise State, Colgate, Mississippi State, and McKendree. The 2022 GLVC Coach of the Year, Vidal currently serves as head coach at national powerhouse NIU men's tennis. As creator of the brand Down 40 Love (a metaphor for turning adversity into competitive advantage), Vidal hosts the Down 40 Love Podcast and is the author of Down 40 Love and Execute to Win. Visit www.renevidal.com.

February 19, 20252 min

How to Live a Useful Life with Derek Sivers | Part 1: Destroy Limiting Beliefs

This episode of Down 40 Love with René Vidal answers the following questions and more:What are limiting beliefs?How do limiting beliefs hold us back from being our best selves?What can I do to eradicate a limiting belief?Top Takeaways from Derek1. Limiting beliefs feel true but are not actually true.2. Social realities are presented as absolute realities, but they are not—they’re just norms or beliefs.3. Problem: People are not really living the life they want because they’re being held back by limiting beliefs that feel real.4. Solution: Deliberately choose beliefs that serve you well.René Vidal’s PerspectiveLimiting beliefs are lies that people tell themselves. These falsities disempower, disengage, and ultimately distract you from realizing your true potential.As a coach, I come across many athletes who carry heavy, debilitating negative stories:“I always buckle under pressure.”“My backhand will never be any good.”“I don’t know what to do.”My job is to help athletes and high performers write a better story.Because even if you have evidence that supports your limiting beliefs, the negative story is not useful. We must create a more empowering narrative.About:Derek Sivers is an author of philosophy and entrepreneurship, known for his surprising quotable insights and pithy succinct writing style. Formerly a musician, programmer, TED speaker, and circus clown, he sold his first company for $22 million and gave all the money to charity. Derek's books (Useful Not True, How to Live, Hell Yeah or No, Your Music and People, Anything You Want) and newest projects are at his website: sive.rs.René Vidal s a 7-time NCAA championship coach at Boise State, Colgate, Mississippi State, and McKendree. The 2022 GLVC Coach of the Year, Vidal currently serves as head coach at national powerhouse NIU men's tennis. As creator of the brand Down 40 Love (a metaphor for turning adversity into competitive advantage), Vidal hosts the Down 40 Love Podcast and is the author of Down 40 Love and Execute to Win. Visit www.renevidal.com.

August 7, 202443 min

CEO Doug Conant on Your Leadership Blueprint and Getting Unstuck

CEO DOUG CONANT ON YOUR LEADERSHIP BLUEPRINTDoug Conant played division 1 collegiate tennis at Northwestern before serving in the corner office as President at Nabisco, President and CEO at the Campbell Soup Company, and Chairman at Avon Products. Today, Doug serves as founder and CEO at ConantLeadership, a mission-driven community of leaders and learners who are championing leadership that works in the 21st century. To learn more, visit https://conantleadership.com.In this episode of Down 40 Love, former Campbell Soup CEO Doug Conant shares leadership insights from his life story and bestselling book, “The Blueprint: 6 Practical Steps to Lift Your Leadership to New Heights.”www.renevidal.com | Connect with René on LinkedIn

January 18, 202433 min

How to Generate Referral Business with Shep Hyken, CX Expert & NYT Bestselling Author

Shep Hyken is a customer service and experience speaker and is an international leading authority on customer service, customer experience and loyalty in business.Shep is also a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author who has been inducted into the National Speakers Association Hall of Fame.In S3 E1 of Down 40 Love, Shep shows us how to take the curve balls of life and transform them into amazing grand slams!Quick Take-Aways:1. Customer Experience is a Philosophy2. Create a Better Show3. Generate Repeat, Referral Business4. Ask the Extra Question5. Treat Every Point by Itself6. Expand Within Your Lane7. Look for Ways to Get Better8. Leave an Amazing Legacy=========================== CONNECT WITH US: ===========================Connect with Guest Shep Hyken: https://hyken.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/shephyken/Connect with Host René Vidal: https://renevidal.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachvidal/ https://www.instagram.com/down40love/

November 15, 202335 min

How to Lead People to a Common Goal with Technology Partners CEO Lisa Nichols

In this episode of Down 40 Love, Lisa Nichols, CEO at Technology Partners and Podcast Host "Something Extra," shares insight into what it takes to help people reach the next level and produce real results.3 Big Ideas:💡 Leadership - "We need to lead ourselves first."💡 Generosity - " You give before you receive."💡 Relationships - "When you feel like you're knocked down, you need a tribe to lean into."--Connect with Guest Lisa Nichols:www.technologypartners.nethttps://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholslisa/Connect with Host René Vidal:https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachvidal/ https://www.instagram.com/down40love/

November 8, 202323 min

How to Be a Visionary Leader with ITA CEO Tim Russell

In this episode of Down 40 Love, Tim Russell, CEO at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, shares the leadership lessons he's learned as a former Professor of Music at Arizona State University turned visionary leader guiding the National Governing Body for U.S. collegiate tennis.3 Big Ideas:💡 Confidence - "When all things are equal, the most confident player wins."💡 Vision - "Leaders ask, 'What does the future look like?...How are we doing against our goals?'"💡 Adversity - "Down 40 Love is a matter of perspective. It's a peak performance opportunity; a time to breathe, focus, and enjoy the challenge."--Connect with Guest Tim Russell:timothy.russell@itatennis.comConnect with Host René Vidal:https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachvidal/https://www.instagram.com/down40love/

December 15, 202239 min

The Soulful Art of Persuasion with Award-Winning Marketer and CEO Jason Harris

In this episode, Mekanism co-founder and CEO Jason Harris shares relationship-building strategies from his best-selling book, "The Soulful Art of Persuasion."Get the book: https://www.thesoulfulart.com/

December 15, 202236 min

How to Be a Titan in Your Industry with Real Estate Mogul Michael Staenberg

In this episode, founder and CEO Michael Staenberg shares how he uses creativity, hard work, and persistence to make big things happen in the world of real estate.

December 15, 202257 min

The Power of Full Engagement with Performance Psychologist Dr. Jim Loehr

In this episode, Dr. Loehr shares how energy management (not time management) is essential to create peak performance and live your best life.

November 28, 202236 min

How to Create a Magical Life with American Film Producer Hawk Koch

In this episode, American Film Producer Hawk Koch shares his leadership philosophy and personal stories from his best-selling memoir, "Magic Time: My Life in Hollywood."