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Index/Leadership/The Circuit of Success Podcast with Brett Gilliland
The Circuit of Success Podcast with Brett Gilliland artwork

Johnny Hilbrant on Going Viral, Building the PE Guy Brand & Making Millions Laugh

The Circuit of Success Podcast with Brett Gilliland · 2026-07-06 · 27 min

0:00--:--

Key moments - from our scoring

Substance score

36 / 100

Five dimensions, 20 points each

Insight Density6 / 20
Originality7 / 20
Guest Caliber8 / 20
Specificity & Evidence7 / 20
Conversational Craft8 / 20

Johnny Hilbrant built his personal brand "PE Guy" by accident - a character created using a filter that unexpectedly went viral on Instagram Reels about a year ago. His content involves impersonating wealthy professionals from different cities, leveraging crowdsourced information from DMs combined with Zillow research to authentically capture local details about neighborhoods, schools, clubs, and lifestyle choices. The character resonates because it satirizes status-obsessed professionals Johnny encountered working at the Ellen Show and as a Soul Cycle instructor. What started as a passion project quickly turned into a sustainable business when brands and celebrities began requesting personalized Cameos and corporate appearances. Johnny now produces 2-8 videos daily, manages multiple revenue streams (platform monetization, brand partnerships, speaking engagements), and recently signed with an agency to handle business development. His philosophy centers on consistency without chasing virality - he emphasizes that going viral isn't replicable, and success came from authentic passion rather than algorithmic gaming.

Key takeaways

  • →Viral success isn't formula-driven; the most effective strategy is creating content you'd make regardless of views, treating it like a serious business while maintaining the original passion to make people laugh.
  • →Crowdsourcing research from your audience through DMs and cross-referencing with tools like Zillow allows you to create hyper-authentic, location-specific content that resonates locally and nationally.
  • →Building a personal brand creates unexpected monetization opportunities (Cameos, corporate events, brand partnerships) that weren't the original intent but require treating content creation as a full-time commitment with consistent posting cadences.
  • →The transition from creator to entrepreneur requires infrastructure - Johnny recently signed with an agency to handle invoicing, booking, and business development to maintain quality and scale the operation.
  • →Maintaining perspective on success prevents ego inflation; Johnny uses his Ellen Show experience to remind himself that nothing fundamentally changes with money or attention, keeping him grounded and focused on the core mission of making people laugh.

Guests

Johnny Hilbrant

Topics in this episode

Instagram ReelsContent creationZillowSoul CycleWarner BrothersThe PE GuyEllen ShowCameoGreen screencharacter comedy

Questions this episode answers

How did Johnny Hilbrant create such accurate and detailed parodies of people in specific cities?

Johnny crowdsources information directly from his DMs where followers provide specific details about local schools, clubs, restaurants, and cars. He cross-references this with Zillow to find the most expensive neighborhoods and homes, then ad-libs a script around these researched details to create authentic-feeling characters.

What was Johnny Hilbrant's job at the Ellen Show?

Johnny worked as a Production Assistant (PA) for two years, which meant performing various tasks like running errands for staff, picking up items for celebrities, and working on the Warner Brothers lot.

When did the PE Guy character start making money?

Johnny's character went viral about a year before the podcast episode aired, but it didn't become a business until May of that year when he started receiving Cameo requests and inbound business inquiries from companies wanting to work with him.

How many videos does Johnny film in a typical day?

Johnny films between 2-8 videos per day, with about 2 being posted publicly while the rest are personalized videos for Cameo requests or corporate clients.

What was Johnny's previous work experience before becoming the PE Guy?

Johnny worked at the Ellen Show as a PA for two years, then moved to New York and Boston where he was a full-time Soul Cycle instructor leading fitness classes while making people laugh on the podium.

What our scoring noted

Our reviewer’s read on each dimension, with quotes from the episode.

Insight Density

6 / 20

The episode is primarily a personality-driven interview with minimal actionable business insights. While Johnny discusses his content creation journey and consistency mindset, these insights are surface-level observations rather than novel or non-obvious claims. Most advice ("do what you love," "be consistent," "take risks") represents well-worn platitudes in entrepreneurship. The transcript contains substantial filler including extended anecdotes about the Ellen Show, tangential stories about TPS, and repetitive motivational messaging that adds little substantive value.

There is no formula. There is no way... if there was a formula, everyone would use it and then everyone would be viral and it wouldn't
I often say this in my soul cycle classes... if you are strong enough and healthy enough to be here this morning in this room, like you, you have a responsibility to

Originality

7 / 20

The guest offers limited contrarian or first-principles thinking. His observations about virality not being formulaic and the importance of authentic motivation are reasonable but not particularly fresh or counterintuitive. The advice about not chasing metrics, doing what you love, and maintaining perspective is commonly circulated in creator economy discourse. The character-based humor approach itself is derivative of existing filter-comedy trends on social media.

I know people who have quit their jobs because they want to pursue being a content creator. And I'm like, I love a ballsy move.
nothing really changes, you know? No, I, uh. I don't know. I'm not making $20 million a year, but, like, no amount of money I don't think is going to make me go, like, okay, well, now I'm. Now I'm more fulfilled

Guest Caliber

8 / 20

Johnny Hilbrandt is a content creator with genuine traction (millions of views, paid opportunities, brand partnerships) and real operational experience building a business from a viral moment. However, his relevance is primarily to aspiring creators and comedians, not to the stated B2B operator audience (founders, marketers, sales leaders, ops, finance). His background as a Soul Cycle instructor and Ellen Show PA, while interesting, doesn't establish deep expertise in business scaling, strategy, or operations that would resonate with typical B2B podcast listeners.

I worked at the Ellen show for two years
I've been feeding this machine... every post since has been viral in a way

Specificity & Evidence

7 / 20

The episode relies heavily on anecdotes and general observations rather than concrete data, metrics, or timelines. While Johnny mentions he posts 2-8 videos per day and started monetizing in May of last year, there are minimal specifics about revenue, growth rates, or measurable outcomes. The examples of his characters and jokes are illustrative but not quantified. The crowdsourcing research method for location videos is described vaguely without examples of how data validation actually occurs or failure rates.

between two and eight videos a day being filmed. So. And then those would be, like, maybe two of them are, Are actual things that I'm gonna post
once people started reaching out in May, that's when I was like, oh, this can be a thing

Conversational Craft

8 / 20

Brett conducts a friendly, rapport-building interview but rarely pushes back or probes deeply. Questions are open-ended and surface-level ("What's your typical day look like?") without follow-ups that challenge assumptions or extract more granular business lessons. The host does show genuine interest and attempts some clever callbacks (TPS story, Ellen Show audience selection), but misses opportunities to question the sustainability of the model, monetization specifics, or the tension between artistic integrity and commercialization that Johnny briefly touches on.

What have you learned about that since, you know, again, posting, it just went viral. Uh, what have you learned about that?
How do you stay us want a student of the game, right, to say what's, what's relevant?

Conversation analysis

Computed from the transcript - who did the talking, and the words that came up most.

Share of words spoken

  • Speaker B66%
  • Speaker C31%
  • Speaker A3%

Most-used words

cool16keep11love10character10grainger9johnny9laugh9didn8podcast7making7viral7brett6show6funny6crazy6started6

Episode notes

In this episode of the Circuit of Success Podcast, Brett Gilliland sits down with comedian and creator Johnny Hilbrant, the mastermind behind the viral Private Equity Guy (PE Guy) character. Johnny shares his journey from working behind the scenes at The Ellen Show and teaching SoulCycle classes to becoming one of social media's fastest-growing comedy creators. He opens up about how one satirical character unexpectedly launched a career built on millions of views, brand partnerships, and a loyal online audience. Known for his sharp, hilarious take on corporate culture, Johnny has built a brand by exaggerating the ego, quirks, and everyday absurdities that often come with professional success. While the PE Guy is rooted in the world of private equity, the humor resonates across every industry because it captures the familiar behaviors, conversations, and personalities that professionals encounter every day. Johnny explains how authentic storytelling, consistency, and a willingness to simply hit record helped transform relatable observations into one of today's most recognizable comedy brands.

Full transcript

27 min

Transcribed and scored by The B2B Podcast Index.

Speaker A: Um, Grainger knows. When you're a procurement manager for an office park, you're not managing one building, you're managing all of them. And to stay ahead, you need to see through walls and around corners. Lights about to fail, filters ready to clog H Vac on its last leg. If you wait until something breaks, you're already behind. Count on Grainger for quality products, easy reordering and 24. 7 support. Call 1-800-GRAINGER click grainger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done. Welcome to the Circuit of Success podcast.

Speaker B: The Circuit of Success podcast with your host, Brett. Brett.

Speaker C: Brett.

Speaker B: Brett Gillilay of Visionary Wealth Advisory.

Speaker A: The Circuit of Success podcast.

Speaker C: Welcome to the Circuit of Success. I'm your host, Brett Gillilay, and today I've got Johnny Hillbrandt with me. Johnny, how you doing?

Speaker B: I am well, Brett. Thank you for having me.

Speaker C: Well, you might have to pull out the phone so people that are watching you can show us the filter since we can't filter on this deal. Johnny, uh, is the PE Guy, if you've ever seen him. Right there. That. Yeah, go there. There you go. That is Johnny, for those of you watching, which is incredible, that you, you know, good looking dude and then you can turn into that guy, you know, so it's pretty amazing. And, uh, we'll dive into the story, but you are the PE Guy on social media. Somebody sent me a video that you did and, uh, for St. Louis, and you've got them all over the place now. And so I just, I sent you a message on Instagram and said we got to get you on the podcast and here we are. So, man, thanks for being with us.

Speaker B: I love it. Of course.

Speaker C: Yeah. So we normally talk about, you know, what helped make you the man you are today and all that good stuff, but I got to start first with where. Where the heck did Johnny come from? And, uh, where did you, uh, where'd you. What made you start doing all this?

Speaker B: So I'm from the suburbs of Chicago and, uh, I've always been, like, kind of the funny guy, but not to the masses, just to my friend, group and family. And I was kind of the kid who the teachers, like, hated or loved to hate, I guess. You know, they'd be like, all right, like troublemaker. But I would catch them laughing. I'm like, all right, I can make the teachers laugh while they're taking me in hallways. Um, and then I worked in LA for two years in tv. I worked at the Ellen show for two years. Which was crazy. Uh, wow. I thought it more fun than it was. Um, supposed to be like a fun, you know, comedy environment. And it wasn't really that. So, uh, I thought, okay, well I'm, you know, I don't think that LA is for me, like the comedy world of LA is not probably for me. So I left L. A, Moved back to Chicago, was kind of like floundering in life, but I was 24, so if there's ever a time to do that, that's, that's when. So I find this, um, specifically Soul cycle, the indoor cycling. And that was a huge thing back 10 years ago when I started it was like the only boutique fitness place and it was the thing. And in a few major cities. Um, so I moved to New York for training, moved to Boston and I'm a full time soul cycle instructor. Making people laugh on the podium, but also like leading them through a workout. So I did that for a little bit, tried my hand at a couple other little jobs here and there. And then recently, ah, a year ago, stumbled upon this character that I posted and he just went viral kind of. And you know, every post since has been viral in a way. Yeah, everything does. Yeah, all does has been a year. And I've been feeding this machine. Um, and I've developed the character and uh, but I think it's. I, I've always had a acute, like a heightened sense of awareness of everything around me. So I, I watch things, I look at. Um, I'm just an observer. So I think that a lot of comedians are, um, are that. So I've just observed. And for years I've gotten stuck talking to the wrong guy at a wedding or a party. And I'm like, okay, this is the character.

Speaker C: Yep, I love it. So I had to tell uh, you. One of the stories that I wanted to share was actually in Chicago. Uh, we were at the Four Seasons in downtown Ch and my business partner and I, we were at a finance, um, you know, financial planning, wealth management conference. And, and the people can annoy the

Speaker B: hell out of you, right?

Speaker C: Where, where they talk about, you know, EBITDA and EBOK and they're using all these words and then they say finance, not like finance. And it's just, uh, for some reason it annoys the hell out of me. Right. And it obviously it must you as well. And so, uh, driving up to Chicago from St. Louis, we, um, I said, you know what, let's we, we call it Tiny Pebble Syndrome, TPS and maybe that's too much to Share. But, you know, that's one of the things we, we do. And we, and I said, you know what we got to do, let's try to fit in TPS into as many conversations, uh, as we can and see how many these guys won't actually say what the heck is tps, right? And so I was proud I got it in five times in one setting is we look at, you know, um, TPS and all this stuff, and then it became this joke. And, uh, but I was proud I got it in five times. And the guy didn't even ask me what TPS was because he was so smart that he, uh, he didn't want to know, right?

Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, yeah. He didn't want you to know that he didn't know what that was.

Speaker C: Exactly, exactly. So again, that's why I connect with your stuff, man. It's just so awesome. And, and when you hit record that first time, I mean, you shared it on social media and you're just kind of sharing it because you thought it was funny. Or did you try to think, hey, I'm going to create a business out of this?

Speaker B: No, I, I had been playing around with different filters and posting the videos, you know, 20 second videos of a, of a character, an old lady character, uh, uh, you know, really crazy filter, like a, like a frog. I mean, all these things I would post for like, for months and years actually. And then that character, that filter, someone was like, this is hilarious. You should post this as a reel. And uh, you know, more people can see it. So I posted it as a real, not as a, just as like, all right, well, this will live on my page and it won't disappear because it's a story. So I posted just because I wanted to make more people laugh and it turned into this thing. But I will say it didn't turn into like a business or my mindset wasn't even that it could be a business until May of last year when I started getting cameo requests and business requests, people reaching out, asking if I, you know, would advertise for them. And I was like, me, this filtered face, this like, you know, because I didn't realize, like, it's not me. So I, you know, that's a, that's a complexity of the whole thing. But, uh, once, once people started reaching out in May, that's when I was like, oh, this can be a thing. This can be a, uh, sustained, sustaining business.

Speaker C: Yeah, it's interesting, isn't. I think a lot of people will post things because they want it to go Viral, but it's something special, has to make it go viral. Right? And so did you. What have you learned about that since, you know, again, posting, it just went viral. Uh, what have you learned about that?

Speaker B: Yeah, I think it's, like, not replicable. Like, it's not, uh. If there was a formula, everyone would use it and then everyone would be viral and it wouldn't. It would all be diluted. So, like, there is no formula. There is no way, uh, you know, people are. I. I know exactly what you mean. There's lots of people who are like, I'm trying to make these, like, videos do well, and I'm posting every day, and I'm doing all these things that Gary Vanderchuck says I need to do. And I'm like, it might not happen for you, but I. So I feel lucky that my attitude going into it was never, I want a bunch of followers and I want to go viral. Like, and I want to make a. Like, you know, I know people who have quit their jobs because they want to pursue being a content creator. And I'm like, I love a ballsy move. I have done a lot of things in my life that are, like. People are like, what are you doing? You know why? You moved out to LA to work in tv and you were only there for two years and you only went to one show and you're leaving. Like, I. But I've just, like, I've always done what I know is right for me. Um, so my. My advice to anybody who asked me about it is just do something that you love and do it knowing that if only 200 people see it, you'll still be cool with that. You know, you're. You're not doing it for the views, and then if something comes of it, that's great. But, um, to chase virality or whatever is just. I'm just like, I don't know that. That sounds like a tough road.

Speaker C: Yeah, yeah, it's. You're right, man. I've been. You're the 485th person I've interviewed, so. Been doing this for, gosh, seven or eight years, whatever it's been, and I've never. To get, you know, millions and millions of views. If that happens, great. But it's just. It's passion, right? And it's. It's that business of. Of being passionate and being consistent. So that's one of the things I want to talk about today is what have you learned about your consistency and building a business and building a platform from doing everything that you're doing well.

Speaker B: Yeah. So I, I will say, like, while it is fun and it is my, you know, everyone says if you do what you love, you won't work your day in your life. There, there is some truth that I love what I do every day. Ah. And I would do it without all the views and with the money that comes along with it. Um, but I feel like I owe it to myself to see this as far as it'll go. And that requires consistency and some well thought out. You know, to the, to the viewer it might be like, oh, here comes another like, you know, video where he is yapping at his, at his phone. But there's a lot that goes into this. It is a full time thing. Like, it's as many hours a day as I, as I want it to be, but I want it to be as many as it can. I want it to be full. I want a schedule that's full. And, uh, I owe it to myself to like, be on a cadence of like, all right, you know, you haven't posted in two days. Like, so think something up. Because, you know, not like, not to remain relevant, but like, you have this thing, you have lightning in a bottle. Don't, don't get lazy. Like, and how lucky are you that you don't have to go to a job that you hate? Like, uh, how luckier. Don't, don't screw this up. So I hold myself to a, to like a higher standard in that way than I. Then I think I would ever look at another content creator or a comedian and think that they would ever. Now I just, I have a little more, uh, perspective and a different take on it. So I have a lot of respect for people who've been doing this for a long time. Because I'm like, oh, this is a lot more than just what I'm seeing. Um, so I, I definitely am consistent and trying to keep myself organized. Um, but. And treating it like it's like, it's a business. It's a serious. It's the most serious, unserious thing I've ever done in my life.

Speaker C: Yeah. Are you doing a lot of research on your own or how, like, how do you know, like the, the St. Louis one, for example, since I'm here. I mean, you nailed it. You absolutely nailed it. Uh, schools, everything. What. How did you know all that?

Speaker B: Well, people will send me all the details pretty much in my DMs. So if I search any city in my messages right now, it will pop up. There will be all of the messages from people saying, you go to this school, you go to this club, go to this restaurant, you drive this car. Everyone in the neighborhood drives this car. So I pretty much. It's all like crowdsourced without me, without me advertising. I need, you know, people are like, I really want to see you do Newport Beach, California. I'll make it easy for you. Here's everything. Here you go. Yeah. So then I do my own, reference it with, um, I go on Zillow, I search where the, the most expensive house is for sale in that area. And then I just say the name of that street is where my house is. So I. It takes a little bit of, uh, it takes a little bit of research in that way and just cross referencing, you know, is this person, the person who gave me this information, is it real? Are they trying to like, you know, make me look like I don't know what I'm talking about? Right, you cross and I, and then I punch. I put together like a little like, punchy script. That's not, um. Maybe there's a couple like really funny lines in there that I'll have, but it's more so just the name of the club, the name of the school, whatever. And then I ad lib a little bit as I, as I get. Go through the video.

Speaker C: I love the one. I don't know if it's a St. Louis one or a different one where you, you asked the person that you're talking to what they do and you said, uh, they're. They're a fitness instructor. And you're like, oh, curious cur. And like, I always wondered how you guys pay your bills every month. And so, yeah, I thought it was great because then when I'm doing my research last night, I'm like, holy crap. He actually is in fitness. And. But he was just, you know, making fun of that, which I thought was pretty, uh, Pretty clever.

Speaker B: Exactly. That's my, um, that's my actual experience with a lot of people, like at weddings who are, who will stand there and talk to me about their job in I Banking or whatever it is. And then I'm like. And then they finally, when they've taken a breath, they're like, what you do? Like, I'm teaching fitness. And their heads fall off. They're like, whoa. Like, you mean you like, what is, uh. And I'm like, no, I'm a fitness trainer. And they're like, oh, they're just sort of like, how could you? You know? And I, But I, I, um, I often have like. So I'VE had those interactions and I think it's just like, like all of them compounded, kind of made this character, like. I think that's where it comes from is, is that weapon interaction with the guy or the girl who's just like non stop.

Speaker C: Yeah.

Speaker B: And then I'm. Whatever I say won't, you know, they. I'm like, I hope you feel good about your, like, you know, maybe you feel better, but I feel much better about my position here than, than yours. I'd rather be my shoes right now. Um, yeah.

Speaker C: Yeah. It's funny is sometimes they may not even ask you what you do because they just, they just talk, talk, talk, talk, talk.

Speaker B: Yeah.

Speaker C: You know?

Speaker B: Yeah.

Speaker C: Like, that's great. What's, um, zero self awareness? What, what is the, uh, something that's happened that you didn't expect to happen when this whole thing started kind of getting crazy?

Speaker B: Um, well, I would say cameos in general. Just people wanted personalized videos. They still do. Um, that was crazy. But I, I. All of it, all of the monetizing of it has been shocking. But I would say being invited by companies to come to conferences or, you know, annual meetings or whatever, uh, the in person stuff has been shocking to me because I'm like, well, you're not going to get him. You're going to get me. And they're like, right. We, you know, well, you know, you can make a video for our company, uh, to watch for two minutes and then you'll get, you'll get on stage and we'll do a Q A. And I'm like, me, like, do you want to talk that.

Speaker C: And you're gonna pay me.

Speaker B: We're talking to me like, and you're gonna pay me to. And you know, like, I'm, it's, um. But then I, it's kind of cool. I'm like, I bet this is what everybody feels like. I bet this is what even, like, you know, Tina Fey writes a book and goes on a book tour. She's probably like, whoa, these people are gonna pay me to go to this, right? Like, no, we're all human. So I, It's a cool thing. It's a cool, like, peek into like a little bit of the. Whatever you want to call it. Like, if it's like, if it's celebrity, if it's like attention, like, it's, it's, um, it's a good, the good perspective that I've always had about it, I think, which from working, uh, at Ellen, I think maybe kind of crap. The peak behind the Curtain is like, it. All the lights come down at the end of the day, the excitement of it all. Like, you just. At the end of the day, it's you in the mirror and you're like, uh, nothing changes, you know? No, I, uh. I don't know. I'm not making $20 million a year, but, like, no amount of money I don't think is going to make me go, like, okay, well, now I'm. Now I'm more fulfilled and I'm going to bed happier. So it's cool because this is exactly what people want. And what I want to tell them is, like, nothing really changes. Like it. Yeah, but I love. I. I am fulfilled because I see people laughing, and that's what I want to make people do. Like, money coming in, you get a little dopamine hit, and you're like, cool. People want me to come to this thing. That's so cool. Um, that I, you know, I still have to eat, I still have to go to bed. I still have to think the fact that my time on this earth is finite, like, you know, it's. Yeah.

Speaker C: Yeah, that's awesome. Uh, I love that, man. I love that attitude about it. What's a typical day look like for you now that you're doing all this stuff?

Speaker B: Um, it's. There's. I'd say there's between two and eight videos a day being filmed. So. And then those would be, like, maybe two of them are, Are actual things that I'm gonna post. Um, and then maybe the rest of them are, like, personalized, either for companies or for people like, hey, you know, Jim, happy birthday. Your wife Karen said she loves you very m much. You know, that kind of thing.

Speaker C: Yeah.

Speaker B: Um, so there's. There's that, uh. So the filming stuff, I try to block it out. So I'm upstairs in my attic where I am now, where I do my filming. Um, I try to block it out where I do all my filming at once. And then there's the editing, um, which is, like, usually, you know, making sure the green screen thing works. And I can put a background. No. And then there's, uh, things like this. Cool opportunities like this. Answering LinkedIn messages, answering DMs, answering, uh, inbound stuff in my email inbox, invoicing people for things. Uh, and all that should get a little bit easier. I just signed with, uh, an agency, so, like, they can help. I can say, like, hey, can you take this off my plate? Um, so I'm starting to find that I might. I might need a Little bit of a team around me, um, to keep. To keep things greased, keep the wheels greased, you know?

Speaker C: Yeah. It's pretty crazy, isn't it, man? They were pin. You pinch yourself yet? And said, holy crap, this is real.

Speaker B: Yeah. I mean, every. Anytime I'm on a. Pretty much anytime I'm on a plane going to something that I'm being paid to go do, I'm like, what are you like, I'm, um. I mean, you have this, like, weird. I have this weird, like, what is going on? Thing, right? Like, I do have moments where I just, like, I take it all in and I'm like, just remember, you know, Just remember this is not normal. You know, like, yeah, flying first class to go whatever. You know, do whatever. Like, just. Or get used to it, but don't let it get to your head.

Speaker C: Yeah, there you go.

Speaker B: Laugh at it. I can. Like, I'm like, this is so ridiculous. Like, it is. It's ridiculous, but it. That doesn't mean it's not, um, like, viable and serious and cool, too. It is at the same time, like, I'm like, what are we doing here? And then I pull this up and I'm like, you know, the filter's on. And I'm like, whoa, you know? Oh, yeah, there I am.

Speaker C: That's funny. Yeah. You think, uh, hopefully you just. You don't become the PE Guy.

Speaker B: I know, I know. I hope have the awareness to not do that.

Speaker C: Yeah, yeah, yeah. So what was it? So I went to the Ellen show once. My wife, I'm, uh, using air quotes here, bought it, uh, at a, uh. She won it, she wanted at a charity deal. And so her and I flew out and went to an Ellen Show. And, uh, and there was a lot of rules, like, we had to be there early. There's certain clothes you had to wear, and then they, like, you know, tell you where you have to sit and they seat you in your seat. And so we got lucky. We were in the front row. I don't know what that means, if that was good or bad. But we, uh, we were in the front row, which was cool, but, uh, Jon Bon Jovi performed. Say it again.

Speaker B: That means they thought you were attractive enough to be on tv.

Speaker C: They must have thought my wife.

Speaker B: Yeah, they would hide people. Um, so you were. If you were front row, that's good stuff.

Speaker C: Oh, cool. All right.

Speaker B: No doubt. Well, yeah, yeah, it was very.

Speaker C: And, uh, so you did that for two years. And what was your role there?

Speaker B: I was a PA so production assistant, basically one of eight production assistants on a staff of 80 or 90. So you're basically everybody's like, hey, I need you to go get a. I need you to get me a straw from Starbucks. Hey, I need you to go to Ryan Secret House and pick something up for me. Like, cool stuff like that. And then just like, you, um. Forgot my ketchup. Oh, damn it. Um, but it was cool.

Speaker C: It was a very.

Speaker B: It was cool to, like, work around celebrities and be on the Warner Brothers lot every day. That was, like, amazing. It's historic, you know, So I, I. It was a lucky. It was a lucky, uh, thing that I kind of happened to.

Speaker C: Yeah, that's a great tour, man. We've done that two or three times. And it's amazing how that park in there is so small, but yet then on the shows or, like, Friends or whatever, they make it look so big. It's just incredible.

Speaker B: Yeah. Movie and TV magic.

Speaker C: It is. It's. It's crazy. Um, you ever think about. So, like, what's the vision? Right? I mean, obviously, you can continue doing this thing. And so if you wake up one year, three years, five years from now, where does Johnny see this going?

Speaker B: I think it's like, you know, I think PE Guy's the anchor. And then there are. There is a world where there's, like, you know, maybe another character, maybe a family of characters. Maybe there's a TV show that's, like, loosely based off of the character, but is, like, more, like, realistic. But it's kind of like the Keeping up with the Jones thing and the character. You know, maybe there's something like that. And there's some really strong brands that I work with that I'm partnered with. Um, maybe there's a book. I don't know what that looks like. Um, but. But I'm open to anything. I kind of look at other people that have come before me, like comedians specifically, and I'm like, think about what they've done. And. And they probably didn't have. They may have had some doubt, but, like, you wouldn't look at Amy Poehler and go, like, why does she have a book? Why does she have a successful podcast? Like, she just played Leslie Nova on Parks and Rec, and, you know, like, she was just in movie. Like, you can do anything. So I think, my, my, the possibilities are endless, and I want to keep going, um, without losing sight of the original goal, which is just to make people laugh. So whatever I'm doing, if I make people laugh, even if I'm doing the same thing in three years and it's making people laugh. There's a reason it's still working in three years. I'm going to keep doing it.

Speaker C: Yeah. What's the, what's the advice you have for somebody listening to this? Whether they're creating content, doing comedy, they're in wealth management, a lawyer, whatever, some business owner.

Speaker B: Huh.

Speaker C: How do you stay us want a student of the game, right, to say what's, what's relevant? And so what advice would you have there for people that are in whatever industry that they're in

Speaker B: as it pertains to social media or just, just.

Speaker C: No, just in general. Like, you know, your mindset, you don't wake up every day and say, oh my gosh, I can't wait to grab this phone and go do this right there. There are certainly some times where you may to do it. And so, uh, what feedback do you have there on to keep that grind going?

Speaker B: Yeah, I, I, uh, I often say this in my soul cycle classes. I say, um, you know, if you are strong enough and healthy enough to be here this morning in this room, like you, you have a responsibility to. I don't. It's, it's. I say it a little bit differently every time, but you wake up every morning and you can pick up your phone and make people laugh, or if you can get up in the morning and walk yourself to your treadmill in your basement, like, there are people that would do anything to be in your position this morning. There, there are people that are waking up thinking like, all right, I have may. I was told I have four months to live five months ago. Like, and they would anything to be in. And it's kind of a morbid, uh, like outlook, but it's, it's the reality. So I do think that way and it's, and it does help because I'm like, all right, well what are you, what are you complaining about right now? As far as, you know, you're strong enough and healthy enough to do anything you want to do. So go do anything you want to do.

Speaker C: Yep. That's great mindset, man. Really good mindset. Um, when you think about the, um, the, the just the first time to hit record. So let's talk about that for a second. You know, it takes courage to get on here, right? And for us, I mean, I remember when I started my podcast, I'm like, who the hell do I think I am that people are actually going to want to listen to a podcast that I'm interviewing people, you know, and that was my self defeating thinking Back then. Um, and sometimes still, I'm like, you know, I don't. I don't know. I can't believe this guy even responded to me on Instagram. He's got millions of views, and it's like, I just sent out this message, and he hits me back, and I'm like, huh, that's pretty cool. And even all this times later. So what advice do you have for somebody? Whether it's Hit record or that thing that they want to go do or that business they wanted to get go do, where's the confidence come from? And what advice would you have for them?

Speaker B: I feel like you just have to. It's like jumping, like, when you're. When you're skydiving. Like, you just have to go. You don't. Don't give yourself the choice. And, like, the. What is the word? As long as you're not harming somebody, the worst case scenario and something like what I'm doing. Worst case scenario is it doesn't get a lot of views. I'm like, okay, uh, like, it's pretty. It's. It's pretty low. The stakes are low. Try things, like, try. And you're never too old. That's another thing. You're never too old to try something. I'm 36 years old. Like, I don't need to be. Like, I don't need to act. No one says I can't act like a kid on the Internet. As long as I'm not being mean or, like, hurting people's feelings or saying something messed up. Like, it's all good.

Speaker C: Yeah. Yeah, it's solid. Just do it, man. Just trust yourself. Just do it. What, um. What's your favorite? Your. Your go to lines? What's. What are some of your favorites?

Speaker B: I, um, would say, uh, obviously, it's the things on the hat. It's substantial. It's decent. Decent when talking about something that's clearly actually great. Like, once you're like, oh, well, Dartmouth's a decent school. Um, substantial when talking about himself and his things. Um, due to my role is one that's really funny. Like, well, I'm flying privately and kind of, like, leaning in and being like. Due to my role. Um, hype. Like, when I say pe. Private. Private Equity.

Speaker C: Yeah, that's a good one, too, because

Speaker B: people in the comments are like, why does he keep doing that? Like, it's obviously a joke, you know?

Speaker C: Yeah, it's because I'm not smart enough to know what PE Is, so you got to explain it to me. Right? Because that's that's exactly how it goes down. That's great. Uh, any big events coming up, man, that you're excited about?

Speaker B: Um, I don't think so. I have a couple things that I like in person. Things that I can't even talk about because I'm have NDAs signed for them.

Speaker C: Yeah, it's awesome.

Speaker B: Cool.

Speaker C: Good for you, man. I'm so happy for you.

Speaker B: Thank you.

Speaker C: Yeah. And, ah, substantial. So what is the hat? Is that a brand for you or what is it?

Speaker B: I know it's the word, but that's just like. He would just be like, well, I have a substantial network when that worth, you know, I just. Anytime. I'd say anytime I say substantial. People really caught on to that. And then I started making hats, and people like, you got to make one that says substantial.

Speaker C: Um, so I can buy your hat?

Speaker B: Yeah. Well, I'll send you one. You okay?

Speaker C: You want awesome? I'll do that, man.

Speaker B: Like, I don't want to put that on somebody, but if you want to, I'll send you one. You send me your, your, uh, your address.

Speaker C: I'll send you my address. I'll send it to you on Instagram as soon as we're done, man. I'll wear that hat and support the heck out of it, man. Share those. What do our listeners find more of the PE guy?

Speaker B: Um, on TikTok, YouTube, uh, Instagram, Instagram at Johnny Hillbrandt. Tik Tok at Johnny Hillbrandt. H, I, L, B, R, A N T. And, uh, I just stay tuned. Every day there's something new.

Speaker C: Can't wait, man. Stay with me here while I hit record or ending the recording, man. But Johnny, thanks so much for being with us. It's awesome what you're doing. Keep hitting record, man. Keep believing yourself and keep, uh, making people laugh.

Speaker B: I will. Thank you so much.

Speaker A: Grainger M knows when you're a procurement manager for an office park, uh, you're not managing one building, you're managing all of them. And to stay ahead, you need to see through walls and around corners. Lights about to fail, Filters ready to clog H Vac on its last leg. If you wait until something breaks, you're already behind. Count on Grainger for quality products, easy reordering and 24. 7 support. Call 1-800-GRAINGER click grainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.

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