In this episode of the Grind It Up Podcast, we sit down with Derrick Marquis Johnson (Derrick4Real), the visionary entrepreneur and mastermind behind the SUPA Unit booking agency. Derrick breaks down his pivotal role as the business engine for legendary Louisiana artists like Webbie and Boosie Badass, sharing how he navigated the industry from the MySpace era to founding the first national black-owned distribution company. He provides a masterclass on the importance of building a corporate structure, managing family dynamics in music, and choosing an asset-driven mindset over ego.

Derrick also opens up about his upcoming bucket-list album project, his new business ventures including Crown Marquis Vodka and Chronic Lifestyle Magazine, and the reality of life on the road managing superstar health and safety. From his take on the Glorilla situation to the need for more entertainment lawyers in the South, this conversation is packed with gems for any aspiring artist or entrepreneur.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:02:15 - Building an Independent Music Empire with Webbie

00:07:26 - The Machine Behind the Music

00:11:44 - Leading by Example

00:13:25 - Protecting Your Wealth

00:15:27 - Webbie’s Brother Reveals the Secret to Boosie Badazz & Savage Life’s Success

00:21:25 - Why Paperwork is Everything in the Music Industry

00:23:07 - Why Artists Need a Business Plan

00:27:01 - How Derrick Built a Liquor Empire with Boosie & Webby

00:35:54 - How Hurricane Katrina Transformed Baton Rouge

00:39:30 - Baton Rouge Street Style Secrets

00:42:33 - Managing Health and Stress in the Music Industry

00:45:54 - Business vs. The Streets

00:53:30 - How Rappers Should Handle Family Business

01:01:36 - Living Without Regret

01:08:01 - How to Master Networking

01:13:26 - Why Artists Should Book Their Own Shows

01:16:49 - Why I Want to Produce for 8Ball & MJG

01:20:41 - Authentic Louisiana Soul Food Secrets

01:26:48 - Inside the Baton Rouge Rap Scene

01:31:00 - 50 Cent’s Marketing Tactics

01:36:52 - From the Streets to Success

01:44:33 - Robbed At Gunpoint

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Support the Grind! Help cover podcast, studio, & equipment costs — every bit keeps the raw vibes coming.

In return: exclusive content, behind-the-scenes, early drops, shop/sponsor deals, giveaways & more — plus donor names occasionally featured in videos, and verbal shoutouts for bigger supporters!

Buy us a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/grindituppod ☕🔥

Support cancer fighters in need!

The Mauer Foundation sends 100% of every donation straight to patients battling cancer—no overhead, just real help with treatments, bills, travel & moments of hope.

Make a direct impact today: https://www.themauerfoundation.org/ ❤️

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In this episode of the Grind It Up Podcast, the crew explores mind-bending conspiracy theories ranging from extraterrestrial life and ancient civilizations to the existence of a multiverse. They debate whether the pyramids were power sources, the validity of the moon landing, and the eerie connection between our dreams and alternate dimensions.

The conversation shifts to the future of humanity, examining how power and greed influence global issues like hunger and the scrutiny of public figures. They also touch on personal resilience, the mission of the Mauer Foundation, and wrap up with a critical review of the Stranger Things Season 5 finale and its controversial character arcs.

TIMESTAMPS:

01:43 - Why Aliens 100% Exist

07:36 - UFOs, Ancient Pyramids & The Kardashev Scale

14:03 - Human Connectivity and Ancient Secrets

16:06 - The Truth Behind the Space Race

24:30 - Exploring Multiverses, Deep Sea Mysteries, and Ghost Frequencies

29:29 - Multiverse Conspiracy Theory

38:46 - Spooky Dreams & The Multiverse Theory

43:16 - Science, Comics, and Alternate Realities Explained

45:41 - Diddy, Global Greed, and Earth's Future in 50 Years

52:12 - Radical Transparency

56:28 - Priorities, Sex Drive, and Chasing Dreams

01:00:32 - Grind It Up Trivia

01:01:29 - O-Zone: Stranger Things 5

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Support the Grind! Help cover podcast, studio, & equipment costs — every bit keeps the raw vibes coming.

In return: exclusive content, behind-the-scenes, early drops, shop/sponsor deals, giveaways & more — plus donor names occasionally featured in videos, and verbal shoutouts for bigger supporters!

Buy us a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/grindituppod ☕🔥

Support cancer fighters in need!

The Mauer Foundation sends 100% of every donation straight to patients battling cancer—no overhead, just real help with treatments, bills, travel & moments of hope.

Make a direct impact today: https://www.themauerfoundation.org/ ❤️

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In this episode of the Grind It Up Podcast, we sit down with veteran firefighter Will Smith and entrepreneur K to discuss the raw realities of life as a first responder. With 28 years of service, Will opens up about the adrenaline, the trauma, and the evolving culture within the fire department. K shares gripping personal stories of surviving house fires and the vital importance of community preparedness. The discussion covers everything from the physical demands of the job to the mental health challenges first responders face after retirement. We also go behind the scenes of the famous 'Guns and Hoses' charity boxing event and wrap things up with some fun trivia and heated NBA history debates.

TIMESTAMPS:

02:27 - A Firefighter's Impact and Life-Saving Stories

05:31 - Choosing the Firefighter Path

07:07 - Does Wearing A Uniform Actually Attract Women?

08:54 - Veteran Firefighter Explains Why New Recruits are 'Softer'

14:04 - The Reality of Being a Volunteer Firefighter

15:45 - Are Firefighters the Only Loved First Responders?

17:42 - Firefighter's Biggest Pet Peeves

20:12 - The Harsh Reality of Firefighter Trauma & Mental Health

25:55 - The Shocking Reality of Firefighter Health and Life Expectancy After Retirement

33:43 - The Harsh Reality of Firefighter Insurance & Health Struggles

36:17 - the Trauma of House Fires & Fire Safety

43:19 - Stay Ready?

50:10 - Why Modern Houses Burn Faster Than Ever

54:10 - Police vs. Firefighters

01:05:04 - What Was The ORIGINAL Capital Of The USA?

01:09:21 - Biggest NBA What Ifs

In this episode of the Grind It Up Podcast, the crew sits down with returning guests JC and Odis to dive deep into the intersections of law enforcement and the medical field. With JC’s extensive experience as a CNA and Odis’s background in corrections and medical aftercare, they discuss the grueling realities of healthcare—from managing "frequent flyers" in the ER to the intense physical and emotional demands of clinical aftercare.

The conversation takes a serious turn as the guests address upcoming legislative changes affecting the nursing profession and provide their expert analysis on the tragic Sonya Massey police shooting case. They also touch on the emotional toll of losing patients, the complexities of hospice care, and the importance of identifying intellectual disabilities in the field. Stick around for some lighthearted moments and the signature "Grind It Up Trivia" to round out this insightful episode.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:02:08 - The TRUTH About ER 'Frequent Flyers'

00:06:28 - Blood, Needles, and the Dirty Work

00:09:25 - The Reality of Home Healthcare & Aftercare Challenges

00:13:19 - The Strongest Patient I Ever Had

00:15:56 - The Best and Worst Parts of Working in Healthcare

00:21:45 - Is Nursing No Longer a Profession?

00:24:13 - The Reality of Hospital Life

00:29:06 - Ethics, Dignity, and Life-Saving Decisions

00:32:16 - Why TV Medical Dramas Get It Wrong

00:37:57 - When Cops Must Play Medic

00:41:53 - Sonya Massey Shooting Analysis

00:54:30 - How Many HBCUs are in America?

00:56:43 - 100 Duck-Sized King Odies vs. One King Odie Sized-Duck?

In this powerful episode of the Grind It Up Podcast, we sit down with Leslie Hestwood to discuss the harrowing realities of navigating the special education and mental health systems. Leslie shares her personal journey as a mother advocating for her daughters, highlighting systemic failures, lack of transparency in federally funded programs, and the bureaucratic hurdles that often leave families searching for answers in the dark. From the exorbitant costs of private evaluations to the intricacies of IEP meetings, this conversation provides an essential look at the reality of special needs advocacy today.

The episode also touches on the host's personal battle with stage four cancer and the mission behind the Mauer Foundation, which aims to bring direct support to those in need with 100% transparency. Join us for a raw and honest discussion about resilience, the necessity of school district accountability, and the need for ground-up reform in our public services.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:01:32 - Fighting Stage 4 Cancer & Shooting Guns

00:08:45 - The Hidden Struggle of Special Education

00:18:59 - Why Special Education & Mental Health Reform is Failing Families

00:25:35 - The Brutal Reality of Special Needs Parenting

00:31:33 - Why Texas Schools Failed My Daughter

00:40:31 - The Harsh Reality of the Special Education System

00:45:36 - A Mother’s Raw Experience with Special Education Meetings

00:47:46 - Why the Disability Support System is Failing Families

00:53:58 - The TRUTH About IEPs

01:03:05 - Fighting the System

01:15:24 - Understanding Intellectual Disabilities

01:19:54 - Why Driving Styles Are Completely Different

01:28:26 - Mama Bear Activated

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In this episode of the Grind It Up Podcast, we sit down with retired pro MMA fighter and expert commentator Lance DeClue to pull back the curtain on the high-stakes world of mixed martial arts. Lance shares his fascinating journey from high school wrestling to the professional cage, detailing the grueling reality of extreme weight cuts, the mental warfare of pre-fight nerves, and his transition into becoming the premier voice for the Nemesis Fighting Alliance and Cage of Honor.

Beyond the cage, the conversation shifts into the business of combat and personal finance. We explore the controversial impact of the Paul brothers on boxing, the complexities of fighter management, and Lance’s unique dual life as a professional banker. Whether you are an aspiring athlete or interested in the mechanics of the fight game, this episode provides a masterclass in grit, technique, and professionalism.

TIMESTAMPS:

01:15 - How MMA Began

03:42 - The Brutal Truth About MMA Weight Cutting

07:04 - My Journey From the Cage to the Commentary Booth

10:33 - How The Ultimate Fighter Saved MMA

16:59 - The Best Martial Arts for a Street Fight

24:18 - How Pro Fighters Really Train

27:25 - Is Modern Fighting Rigged?

39:39 - Why MMA is Dominating Boxing

48:07 - How to Get Signed to Nemesis Fighting

51:29 - Banking Secrets You Need To Know

56:32 - The Truth About Industry Insurance

01:01:14 - How Aspiring MMA Fighters Level Up

01:04:13 - MMA Concussions, Brutal Injuries & The GOAT Debate

01:06:57 - The Most Brutal MMA Knockouts Witnessed

01:09:02 - Debating Top 5 MMA Fighters

01:09:02 - Inside MMA Commentary

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Follow Lance LeClue

Facebook: TheSilencerLanceDeClue

TikTok: @thesilencermma

Instagram: thesilencermma

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This episode of the Grind It Up Podcast features the incredible William Williams, a double transplant survivor who received both a kidney and pancreas. Bill shares his raw and inspiring journey, from being diagnosed with brittle diabetes at age nine and enduring grueling dialysis treatments, to the life-changing phone call that led to his transplant. He opens up about the challenges he faced, the profound impact of organ donation, and how he's learned to live life to the fullest, including incredible experiences like deep-sea scuba diving.

Joined by Odis and Coach Edwards, the conversation also delves into broader themes of health vigilance, the historical nuances of Cahokia, and even a dive into local paranormal phenomena. Bill's story is a powerful reminder of resilience, the importance of self-advocacy in health, and never letting circumstances dictate your dreams.

TIMESTAMPS:

01:45 - Surviving a 1,150 Blood Sugar Level

04:59 - The Harsh Reality of Kidney Failure and Life on Dialysis

07:38 - How I Got a Double Organ Transplant in Just 16 Days

12:52 - Living Without Limits

17:52 - The Real Truth About Dialysis and Diabetes Management

19:39 - The Meaning Behind My Blue Flamingo Tattoo

21:00 - Meeting My Donor's Mom & Surviving Recovery

26:32 - Why This Ice Cream Shop Was My Favorite Job Ever

28:00 - Why Staying Vigilant About Your Health Saves Lives

33:33 - Mistaken for Drunk?

37:33 - Secrets of Busch Stadium Security

42:24 - Growing Up in Cahokia

53:06 - The Forgotten NBA Draft Pick from Cahokia

59:05 - Haunted Cahokia

01:08:33 - Iconic Hangout Spots & Hidden History

01:10:29 - The Lemp Mansion & The Dark Secrets of Waverly Hills Sanatorium

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Welcome to another explosive episode of the Grind It Up Podcast, Episode 11! This week, the hosts dive deep into the controversial Diddy documentary, dissecting allegations of manipulation, violence, and the shocking claims surrounding his character. The discussion gets intense with theories about his power, influence, and the alleged hidden tapes.

Beyond the drama, the team also shares their ambitious New Year's resolutions for 2026, including a personal battle against stage four cancer, plans to raise $1 million for the Mauer Foundation, and career advancement goals. They also throw down a boxing challenge for a future fundraiser and debate the classic 50 Cent vs. Ja Rule rivalry. Tune in for a blend of serious goals, hot takes, and entertainment!

TIMESTAMPS:

01:14 - New Year's Resolutions for 2026

07:08 - Mauer Foundation Fundraising & Boxing Challenges

10:34 - Cybersecurity, Camera Gear & CompTIA Security+ Guide

15:09 - The 15-Second Movie Franchise Challenge

17:46 - 50 Cent vs Ja Rule: Who Had More Bangers?

20:37 - The ULTIMATE Troll Battle

22:35 - Inside the Shocking Reckoning Documentary

34:01 - Diddy's Allegations & Dark Theories

45:07 - Blackmail, Orgies & Elite Manipulation Theories

59:40 - From Ideal House Temps to Ghost Strippers

01:51:15 - Predator Badlands Review: A Deeper Dive into the Alien Saga