17 Runs: Living Life Without Limits (A Conversation with Garnet Morris and Joe Polish)
Garnet Morris shares his powerful journey from millionaire hotel tycoon to bankruptcy at 40—and how he rebuilt his life by embracing humility, self-awareness, and strategic partnerships. With lessons on legacy, health, generosity, and business mastery, this conversation explores the inspiration behind Garnet’s upcoming book 17 Runs and the values that guide his extraordinary success.
Here’s a glance at what you’ll discover in this episode:
- How going bankrupt at 40 forced Garnet to rethink everything—and sparked the most profitable chapter of his life...
- Why “bricks” are the invisible mental blocks we all carry—and how identifying and removing just one can change everything.
- The story behind Garnet’s dramatic physical transformation, from 320 pounds and daily smoking to elite health and clarity—thanks to a chance encounter with a trainer named Olivia.
- Why generosity is one of the most underrated success multipliers—and how Garnet built a family (and fortune) by giving more, not less.
- The surprising secret behind building a $200M insurance business with just 1 salesperson and 12 support staff.
- How Garnet visualized wealth, health, and purpose long before it became his reality—and how you can do this too...
- Strategic Coach, Genius Network, and the values that created momentum (Why aligning with the right people was the real catalyst behind Garnet's success.)
If you’d like to join world-renowned Entrepreneurs at the next Genius Network® Event – then apply today for your invitation to attend at https://geniusnetwork.com .
Show Notes:
Make It Up, Make It Real, Make It Recur
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Garnet Morris rebuilt his life after bankruptcy by doing only what he was good at—and avoiding what he wasn’t.
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He reframed life insurance to make clients money today, not decades later.
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With one agent and 12 staff, he now generates $200M+ in annual commissions.
Guesses and Bets
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Success came from acting on educated guesses and refining through execution.
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His book 17 Runs emerged from real-life coaching sessions with Olivia, his personal trainer-turned-trusted confidant.
The Opportunity Multiplier
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Garnet examines past wins to extract repeatable patterns and fuel future growth.
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His “bricks and dominoes” metaphor helps Entrepreneurs identify mental barriers and breakthrough moments.
Creative Integrity vs. Copycat Culture
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He built his business model through original thinking, not funnel-hacking or industry mimicry.
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Reframed the narrative around estate tax and insurance to offer clear, measurable client value.
Collaboration That Works
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True collaboration emerged with partners who complemented—not duplicated—his skills.
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His marriage to Shirley and professional relationship with Olivia are built on shared values and vision.
The Trap of Misaligned Partnerships
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Garnet emphasizes the importance of alignment in both business and personal relationships.
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If values diverge, the partnership breaks down—no matter the initial potential.
Firing Yourself (and Others)
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Walking away from hotels and other ventures taught him the value of knowing when to quit.
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His leadership philosophy: cut losses fast, don’t wait for disaster.
The Social Root of Business Problems
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Most issues trace back to personal misalignment or poor relationships.
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Garnet built a chosen family of mentors, friends, and team members who elevate his life.
Teamwork and the Creative Mind
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He surrounds himself with younger thinkers to stay sharp on emerging trends.
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Creativity only works when paired with structure, deadlines, and delegation.
Make It Work (Or Walk Away)
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Garnet says no to opportunities misaligned with his values or strengths.
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His filter: if he’s not the best in the world at it, he moves on.
Resources:
📘 Resources Mentioned:
- 📕 17 Runs: The Unbeaten Path to Unlock Life's True Potential - buy Garnet's book on Amazon
- 🎙️ Strategic Coach – Dan Sullivan
- 💡 Genius Network
- ❤️ Genius Recovery – A nonprofit for addiction recovery support
- 🥗 Mediterranean Diet Info – Mayo Clinic
- 📚 Jordan Peterson – Referenced for his insights on family and values
- 🛠️ Kolbe Index – For understanding natural strengths and modes of operation
- ✈️ Ag in Motion – Canada’s largest outdoor farm expo