Speaker 2: 0:01

Welcome to the Heart Led Business Show, where compassion meets commerce and leaders lead with love. Join your host, Tom Jacobs, as he delves into the insightful conversations with visionary business leaders who defy the status quo, putting humanity first and profit second. From heartfelt strategies to inspiring stories, this podcast is your compass in the world of conscious capitalism. So buckle up and let's go. Let your heart guide your business journey.

tom-jackobs: 0:42

Well, ladies and gents, tie those laces tight. We're racing into a rocky terrain of resilience with Tyler Nehila. He's battled bipolar, ADHD, and anxiety like a Spartacus in a Spartan race. Laughing in Lycra at life's hurdles, now he's conquering in couture with his apparel company, Self Conquered Apparel, a true testament to tenacity. Tyler shows all who tussle with their psyche. That is not just a curse, but a superpower. Get ready for an uplifting gab fest. As on. Get ready for an uplifting gab fest. On this episode of the Heart Led Business Show, it's time to trot on a trailblazing trip. Hey Tyler. Welcome

tyler-nehil: 1:24

for having me honored to be here.

tom-jackobs: 1:25

Awesome. So glad you are here as well the focus of the business is promoting good mental health or promoting mental health or promoting the ability for men to speak about mental health. And you just happen to sell apparel as well, which is like most people will be like, well, you're an apparel company. And then, then you're kind of pigeonholed into that idea. And then you're always an apparel company. There's limited flexibility that you can have with that. So, tell us, tell us your story and what, what, what precipitated, precipitated you starting the, the, the movement?

tyler-nehil: 2:01

Where to start? So I was diagnosed with bipolar very early on in my life. Was an okay student, but was definitely like in and out of the principles, kind of misbehaved was like a problem child. Like I was kicked out of three preschools for not behaving and stuff like that. And so early on, I had like

tom-jackobs: 2:21

That and,

tyler-nehil: 2:22

the,

tom-jackobs: 2:23

early on I had like the,

tyler-nehil: 2:26

the thoughts that were coming in were not positive, just from like situations that I was in, whether it was like doing bad at school or the preschool thing or whatever. And then I I never felt like I really fit in. I always felt like I was different a little bit, whether that was just different socially or feeling like I was meant for more since I was a little kid. And got into high school, was not a great student, went through multiple depressions while I was in high school, trying to figure myself out, dealing with bipolar depression. Then got out of high school, went to college for construction, and it wasn't my thing, and I actually failed out and then tried to get in three times by taking like a math class at a community college, and I was like, this is just not for me. So I started working construction, went through one of the biggest depressions that I've gone through my whole life when I was like 22. I'm 29 now. And That kind of like set in motion where I'm at today. I started reading books. I started doing breath work. I started doing anything that I could get my hands on that could potentially pull me out of what I was dealing with or prepare me for this to happen again in the future and make me strong enough to where I would be able to Face it. So I really started working out. I read I read up on David Goggins and I connected with him really well and his story about how he was kind of like a problem child dealing with a bunch of stuff when he was young and he started doing all these really hard fitness challenges. So I picked up like Spartan races and I was like, let's do the hardest one for my first try. And then also add like 10 pounds of weight and do a seven hour Spartan race. And like, It was just craziness. And so I just tried to like really strengthen my mind.

tom-jackobs: 4:09

And so I just tried to like really

tyler-nehil: 4:11

and it's been a process. It's been a lot of growth and I've become somebody that I'm still trying to wrap my head around. I've become somebody that like people look up to and come to for information and are inspired by and for me it's like I'm just doing normal stuff that I think should be done. But so I Went through this journey of growth through the past couple of years and then kind of got tired with construction. And then, like I said, I realized there was something missing with like the mental health community. And, and that's when I started the apparel company. And so far it's been, it's been going great. It's been healing for me, which is awesome. And. I just recently added on the one on one coaching thing and I got five clients so far that I'm coaching weekly doing one on one coaching calls. And it's really cool to see that. It's weird that, so I, I read a lot of books and I, I know all this information about growth and becoming a better version of yourself. And I just feel like it's common knowledge, but it's, it's not, there's not a lot of There's a good amount of people who are on the same path as me, but not everybody knows what I know, even though I like, I think that. So sharing stuff that I was taught and these mindset shifts and the keys to resiliency and seeing people respond to them in such a positive way is, is almost life changing for me. Like, it's really cool to see that like I'm affecting people in such a positive light. And so yeah, that's, that's the coaching company that I just added. And, and that's kind of where we're at now. It's, it's been journey. And I don't, this is something that I've said to people a lot and they're, they kind of like their eyes kind of go in the back of their head, but I don't regret the suffering at all, even though it was like years of suffering and a lot like that's like when you're pushed into a corner, when you're pushed so you can't like. Like when, when all the all the boats are burned and you're, you're stuck on an island, like you got to figure your, your shit out, excuse me. But like, it's, it's, it's up to you. And so like I was pushed into a corner and I was forced to figure it out. So I don't regret the suffering at all. I wouldn't take it back for anything. It's, it's made me who I am today and it's made me better. So yeah, that's, that's my journey.

tom-jackobs: 6:24

That's my journey. Oh, that, that's, that's so amazing and congrats on figuring it out and, and continuing to work on yourself and obviously helping other people do the same thing. I think that goes back to what your definition of a heart led business is as well in terms of finding that need in the community and, and then fulfilling that need and helping the people first before thinking about

tyler-nehil: 6:48

A hundred percent.

tom-jackobs: 6:48

Now, when you started the apparel company, was it more kind of therapy for you or were you looking to make, you know, a good amount of profit doing it? Or what was the thought process

tyler-nehil: 7:01

Yeah. I I really wanted to make a

tom-jackobs: 7:04

I, I really wanted to

tyler-nehil: 7:06

I, I keep seeing videos on social media and stuff that like everyone nowadays is lonely and everybody wants community and, and the tribe and stuff like that. And especially men need to be with other men to grow nowadays. The I can only speak from what I've seen, but the men, like men are lost. There's not like, I don't know if masculinity is the right word, but it just seems like what I'm seeing is things are kind of falling off and men are lost a little bit. I guess that's the best way to put it. So I wanted to create a community. Yeah, I do want to make money like that is a goal. But I think in, in one of these books I read by it's called The Catalyst. I forget who it's by, but it talks about how when you, lead with trying to change someone's life or, or change a customer's life and improve their life without expectation. Like the money follows. So I really wasn't too worried about the money. I kind of just wanted to impact people's lives and, and create something bigger than myself that that I needed when I was younger. Cause there wasn't a lot of like mentors and coaching around me. Like it was. It was me trying to figure stuff out and YouTube videos. So that's why I started the coaching company as well. But yeah, it's really just like to bring people together and to have connections with people and information and, and inspiration and to feel belonging and cared for, which is something that I wish I had when I was going through it at a younger age. And I believe that'll help people immensely.

tom-jackobs: 8:34

Yeah, for sure. And the title of the book is The Catalyst, How to Change Anyone's Mind by Jonah

tyler-nehil: 8:40

Yes, I think that's, yeah, that's one of her.

tom-jackobs: 8:43

Yes. I think that's, yeah. By Jonah, Jonah Berger. Yeah.

tyler-nehil: 8:46

Let me just,

tom-jackobs: 8:47

We can link that up in the show notes as well, so, if that is actually the, the book. So community comes first, and then. The apparel company is to support that community, get the message out, which I think is again, a lot of people will think, well, that's kind of ass backwards in terms of, you know, create, create the company and then the movement, but create the movement and then the company will follow. And, you know, it, it seems to be working really well for you. Do you have any, I know that I'm putting you kind of on the spot here, but any samples of like what the sayings on the shirts are or what the. Apparel looks like other than like your logo behind you is completely like I love that. Yeah, logo

tyler-nehil: 9:29

Yeah, no, I, that gets a lot of love. Like, it's, it's really a, it's a great logo.

tom-jackobs: 9:33

Yeah. No, I like it's a lot of love like

tyler-nehil: 9:35

I

tom-jackobs: 9:36

it's a

tyler-nehil: 9:36

you want like, physical, like I could, I I could get something right now and,

tom-jackobs: 9:39

I

tyler-nehil: 9:40

you're looking

tom-jackobs: 9:40

you want like physical like I could I I could get some what

tyler-nehil: 9:43

Okay. Yeah, yeah. Gimme one sec. I'll be right back.

tom-jackobs: 9:46

Let let the okay viewers see what that is. Give me one sec. Yeah, no worries. We can cut this part Yeah

tyler-nehil: 9:51

And it was my mistake. The book is actually called The Go Giver and it's

tom-jackobs: 9:55

It was my mistake. The book is actually called The Go Giver. Oh, The Go Giver. And it's

tyler-nehil: 10:00

Bob Berg and John David

tom-jackobs: 10:02

Berg. Mr. Berg. Bob Berg and John David Mann. Yep. One of the best

tyler-nehil: 10:07

Yeah, it's a great book. So I don't know if you could see

tom-jackobs: 10:10

it's a great book. So I don't know if you could see

tyler-nehil: 10:14

so I've been given the gift of suffering. Because of it, I'm stronger. Because of it, I will not quit. And because of it, you will not stop

tom-jackobs: 10:21

stronger. Because of it, I will not quit. And because of it, you

tyler-nehil: 10:23

So the story behind that one is, yeah,

tom-jackobs: 10:27

that's cool. So the story behind that one is, yeah, yeah, thank

tyler-nehil: 10:32

really taking the fact that it's a superpower to like a whole nother level with just that one quote like Acknowledging. Yeah, I'm going through it. I've gone through it, but it's not gonna stop me and and nothing really will And then I have this one

tom-jackobs: 10:46

And

tyler-nehil: 10:47

watch me

tom-jackobs: 10:48

I have this

tyler-nehil: 10:49

Growing up, I had a lot of doubt in myself and then a lot of doubt in

tom-jackobs: 10:52

Growing up, I had a lot of doubt in myself and then a lot of doubt in or a lot of people.

tyler-nehil: 10:56

I'm, I'm a big on proving yourself, believing yourself and proving yourself right. And not listening to the doubts of other people. And then this one is one of our latest ones that's doing pretty well at peace and chaos to kind of like embrace what you're going through and like stay the course, keep the warrior

tom-jackobs: 11:15

Embrace yeah. That's, that's, those are great messages too, by the way. And I can see why they're resonating with, with a lot of people. And so going back to the, the community, like how, how long have, has the community been alive? And, and the,

tyler-nehil: 11:29

so, right now I have a Facebook

tom-jackobs: 11:32

Right now I have a Facebook group and that started

tyler-nehil: 11:37

March of last year. And

tom-jackobs: 11:40

March of last

tyler-nehil: 11:41

is definitely a challenge for me trying to like,

tom-jackobs: 11:44

that, that is definitely a challenge for

tyler-nehil: 11:46

daily on Facebook and not run out of ideas and have great engaging content as well as like the business and social on other platforms and stuff like that. So I'm I'm slowly growing and tinkering at that aspect. But it's, it's been going good. I'm learning that the more I share about my story versus like sharing motivational quotes or stuff, the more people engage and, and it's it's something that's growing and becoming bigger and I'm getting more engagement and people are, are, are liking the group. And I'm, I'm thinking about maybe doing like a discord because I know Facebook is not. Something that a lot of younger people necessarily are on. I think it's more TikTok and Instagram, so if I could find a platform to have like

tom-jackobs: 12:31

So if I could find a platform to have

tyler-nehil: 12:34

In like

tom-jackobs: 12:35

all ages of

tyler-nehil: 12:36

would be ideal.

tom-jackobs: 12:37

in like a group, that would be ideal. Yeah, yeah, for sure. And social media isn't all that great for mental health either. So you want to try to keep people off of that as much as possible. Yeah. But it's a great way of spreading the message. As, as I'm sure you've seen. Yeah, we can if you send, send that Facebook group over, we can link that up into the show notes and let the listeners you know, look at that and see if it might resonate with them as well. Get more people, you know, really talking about mental health. And we're recording this in July, but June was men's mental health month. Is that,

tyler-nehil: 13:13

Yeah. Yeah, that's correct. I I say it like that because I feel like

tom-jackobs: 13:19

I say it like that

tyler-nehil: 13:20

a lot of social media I see

tom-jackobs: 13:23

a lot of social media, I see,

tyler-nehil: 13:25

was talking about it, which is great, but I just feel like it's, it's one of those things where people don't think about it. Like, it's not like, it's Christmas time. I'm so excited for like the first two months before Christmas. And then that kind of thing. It's kind of like, it still feels like something that's shoved under the rug a little bit. Yeah. That's okay. I think people are starting to wake up and realize things, but yeah,

tom-jackobs: 13:46

Yeah, it only gets one month, right? But mental health is with us all day, every day, every year. And we really need to be taking care of, not only taking care of ourselves, but we need to be taking care of our fellow humans as well. And I think that's, that's the beautiful thing about the message that you're, you're putting out there and the community that you're creating is literally putting people first and helping them, which in turn, will help your business. And just like the book that you mentioned earlier, The Go Giver by Bob Berg. It's that whole give first and, and it will come back to you 10 times, 20 times, you know, multiple, multiple, times coming back. But it's a longer, it's a longer stretch though, right? Like if you were thinking, Hey, I just want to create a, an apparel company. I'm going to put some cool slogans on a, on a t shirt. And I'm going to put that up on Amazon. I'm going to make a bunch of money doing it. Do you think it would be as successful as what you've created now?

tyler-nehil: 14:45

that's a that's a problem I see a little bit with

tom-jackobs: 14:49

that's a

tyler-nehil: 14:49

startup brands specifically apparel is they they have cool apparel, but it's it's like there's no substance There's no Message behind it. There's no story. One thing that I learned just in the past year is that people buy from people they like. So if say for me, like I'm kind of the, the face of the brand right now just because my story is is part of the brand. I think brands that have some type of come up story or brands that have a real message, it's not just apparel. It's, it's the movement behind it. Do. A lot better than brands that are just like, here, buy my apparel. It's got, it says, don't quit. It just, it just says that. And, and that's the whole thing. Like what's, what's the substance behind it? Like there has to be a meaning.

tom-jackobs: 15:37

what's, what's the substance behind it? Like there has to be a meaning. Yeah, yeah, totally. Just do it. Major apparel brand that definitely makes tons of money as well. But yeah, yeah. Story is so important and that's part of like my sales coaching and, and that I, that I work with people on is developing that story so that it resonates with people because our, our minds. love a good story. Like we could tell people facts and figures all day long, they will forget that. But the moment that you tell them a good story that moves them, they'll never forget that story and they won't forget the brand either. So I think that's, that's a really important point that you brought up is that, you know, story is so important when building any brand and especially a passion, a passion business as well. That story is going to keep that business going a lot longer than, If there wasn't a story.

tyler-nehil: 16:31

hundred percent agree.

tom-jackobs: 16:32

I 100 percent agree. How difficult was it for you to start talking about the mental health

tyler-nehil: 16:40

Who very

tom-jackobs: 16:42

Oh,

tyler-nehil: 16:43

I

tom-jackobs: 16:43

I,

tyler-nehil: 16:44

started making Instagram videos when I started the apparel company and kind of took up the role as an influencer. And it, it wasn't one of my favorite things and it still isn't. I think nowadays everybody's trying to be an influencer and I'm, I wish it wasn't part of business, but that's okay. It's part of the job and it's part of getting my message out there. But when I first started, my, my videos were really bad. I was so, self conscious behind the camera and I was holding back on things. Like I, wasn't sharing everything. And I had a call with one of my coaches and he was asking me about what was going on with me and like everything. And, and I mentioned something and he's like, well, are you sharing that on social media? And I was like, no. And he's like, well, why not? You're not being authentic. Like you want to help people. If you share more, you might connect with more people. More people will understand you and more people will. Appreciate you. So divulge everything and don't have any expectations. Don't be afraid of people are, if you're learning to judge you, because people are going to judge you no matter what. So just share your story. Your people will come, people will resonate with it and, and go from there. And I kind of was just like, all right, like, let's do it. And I just told my story and I mean, nothing bad really happened. Like I was afraid of something bad happening or judgment or stuff like that. And.

tom-jackobs: 18:01

bad happening or judgment

tyler-nehil: 18:02

gotten more love because I've been authentic on

tom-jackobs: 18:05

actually gotten more love because

tyler-nehil: 18:07

me just being like this tough guy that does Spartan races. Like opening up and being authentic has really become part of my brand.

tom-jackobs: 18:15

Yeah, I think that's a great message for people that, you know, don't hold back your full self if you want to help other people is important, very important for any brand or any business as well. So when, when you, did you see a noticeable shift in the engagement in maybe followers and things like that from before being completely transparent to

tyler-nehil: 18:42

Oh yeah 100 percent. I think nowadays the content that

tom-jackobs: 18:46

percent. I

tyler-nehil: 18:47

picking up is more of

tom-jackobs: 18:48

the content

tyler-nehil: 18:50

Selfie videos or videos where you kind of just Are raw and it's obvious that it's not scripted. Like I do a lot of videos where I have like a scripted subject to talk about and I'm where I am now. And it's kind of like a podcast set up with a table and everything. And it just looks scripted and not real. But if say, if I'm in my car, I have my phone on like a amount and I just record a video from the heart, like that really has become popular on social media. And that really is what's The best way to go about it and becoming authentic and getting the most engagement. Like people want to see real, like vlogging is something that's coming back really strong because it's, it's authentic. It's not like a, a scripted video. So, I've definitely seen a huge change in, in all of those things. Followers, engagement, likes, like it's all, it's all gotten better. The more open I've been,

tom-jackobs: 19:43

like it's all, it's all gotten better. The more open I've been. I've been. Yeah. and and nothing bad happened to you. So you're, you're still alive. Nobody came after you, you know, the saber toothed tiger didn't come after you. Yeah. It's, it's so interesting that the human mind. people how we, we make things, you molehills as my mom always told me. It's like the little, but they're big to us, but we don't understand necessarily how that might affect or impact other people. And it's I think the tide is shifting in terms of we need to share more about our personalities, even in a business setting. I think it's important.

tyler-nehil: 20:24

Yeah. One thing my, my coach says is relationships beat

tom-jackobs: 20:28

thing my, my coach says

tyler-nehil: 20:29

it's pretty much

tom-jackobs: 20:30

relationships

tyler-nehil: 20:31

build as many relationships as you can. and and that'll, that'll definitely build the business

tom-jackobs: 20:35

many relationships as you can. And then that'll, that'll definitely build the business overall. Yeah. Yeah, no, that's, that's great. Great quote as well. So Tyler, how can people learn more about self conquered apparel and you and the coaching that

tyler-nehil: 20:50

So I have a Tik Tok, Facebook,

tom-jackobs: 20:54

have TikTok,

tyler-nehil: 20:55

Self conquered apparel. You could follow me

tom-jackobs: 20:57

at Self Conquered Apparel. You can follow me,

tyler-nehil: 21:00

Tyler Nehila, last name N E H I L A.

tom-jackobs: 21:03

Tyler Nehila,

tyler-nehil: 21:04

and

tom-jackobs: 21:04

I L A.

tyler-nehil: 21:05

I'm just getting back into YouTube, so,

tom-jackobs: 21:08

I am just getting

tyler-nehil: 21:09

Self Conquered Mindset is the YouTube page that I'm starting to grow

tom-jackobs: 21:14

is the the YouTube name. Awesome. Well, we'll link all that down in the show notes. So if anybody's interested in connecting with Tyler and learning more about self conquered apparel and the work that he's doing, definitely encourage you to do that as well. And Tyler, thank you so much for coming on the show and sharing your story and sharing your business with us and the great work that you're doing. I really, really appreciate you

tyler-nehil: 21:38

course, thank you for the opportunity. It's been an honor. It's been a lot Of fun.

tom-jackobs: 21:41

course, thank you for the opportunity. It's been an honor. It's been a lot of fun. Awesome. Thank you, and thank you listeners and those who are watching the show on YouTube. We really do appreciate it. Make sure you are checking out what Tyler is doing and all that stuff. And we provided all of those links into the show notes as well. So, go ahead and check that out. Connect with Tyler. And I know our, our guests really enjoy when listeners are connecting with them on social media and other places. So make sure you do that. The other thing that I'd love for you to do is to give the show a rating and review because that helps spread the word about what we're talking about being heart led businesses and who doesn't want to learn more about that. And And who doesn't want to learn more about that and helping other people get their heart led business strained out and take that advice that we had today and apply it to their own business. So please give the show a rating and review and until next time lead with your heart.

Speaker: 22:40

You've been listening to the Heart Led Business Show, hosted by Tom Jackobs. Join us next time for another inspiring journey into the heart of business.