Inside Pat Flynn’s World: Family, Fishing, Pokémon, and Smart Passive Income

This week, I talk with Pat Flynn, a legend in the creator economy and founder of Smart Passive Income. Pat’s journey began in 2008 when he was laid off as an architect during the recession. Since then, he’s built an online empire by experimenting with niche projects and side hustles, teaching modern, effective principles to entrepreneurs worldwide. We dive deep into his journey—from building Smart Passive Income to leading with empathy and authenticity. Pat shares how he turned his love of Pokémon cards into a million-subscriber YouTube channel, Deep Pocket Monster, and how hobbies and family keep him grounded and inspired. This conversation is personal, insightful, and packed with actionable lessons for entrepreneurs, creators, and anyone wanting to build a meaningful career while staying true to your values. Let’s get to it!

In this episode:

(00:00) - Intro
(02:58) - Kayak bass fishing tournaments?
(10:50) - The importance of getting outside regularly
(14:38) - The hardest part of Pat's lifestyle change
(21:38) - Parenting and dealing with negativity online
(38:08) - How Pat built his career around family
(41:26) - Being present with family
(43:54) - Involving family in business
(46:18) - How Pat created open communication with his children
(49:24) - Standing out and embracing uniqueness
(55:33) - Pat on losing his first architecture job
(59:13) - The journey to online business
(01:02:56) - Launching the first online product
(01:08:29) - Learning from mistakes and moving forward
(01:10:00) - Embracing just-in-time learning
(01:12:39) - Overcoming the inner conflict of perfectionism
(01:16:18) - The importance of mentorship
(01:17:23) - Hiring a Fortnite coach
(01:18:13) - Triathlon Training with Jeff McMahon
(01:18:58) - The art of asking for help
(01:21:47) - Embracing consistency and iteration
(01:22:29) - Mastering storytelling and content creation
(01:30:33) - Building relationships with an audience
(01:37:49) - Finding success by making content community-driven
(01:41:08) - Teaching by example vs telling people what they should do
(01:45:23) - Pat's beautiful future
(01:46:46) - Who Pat is becoming

Key Takeaways

Embrace Failure as a Learning Opportunity: Pat highlighted the importance of gamifying challenges, like fishing or business, to constantly improve and learn. He emphasized that failing is better than not trying at all, as every failure teaches valuable lessons that help refine future efforts.
Prioritize Being Present: During the pandemic, Pat rediscovered the value of being fully present in the moment. He shared an experience where he resisted the impulse to capture a serene sunrise on his phone, choosing instead to immerse himself in the beauty of the moment. This mindset also applies to how he engages with family and nature.
Redefine Success by Internal Standards: As an Enneagram 3, Pat shared how he shifted from relying on external validation to finding value in the process and effort, rather than outcomes. This mindset can help all creators to maintain resilience, especially when projects don’t meet your aspirations and goals.

Use Nature as a Wellness Tool: Both Pat and Barrett discussed how nature provides a mental reset. Pat emphasized how activities like fishing allow for flow states and mindfulness, which make you feel better both mentally and physically. They also referenced research on the benefits of immersing yourself in nature regularly.
Lead with Empathy and Curiosity: Pat shared how he engages with critics and online negativity, often reaching out with empathy to understand their perspectives. He noted that many people just want to feel heard, and approaching them with kindness can transform them into supporters. This approach has also informed how he raises his children, fostering open communication and resilience.

Quotes

“There is a world where everybody can win. We're not at a poker table where if you're winning, that means I'm losing. However, that's how we often live our lives.” ~ Pat Flynn

“I can only control what I can control and my value should be put in the work that I'm doing toward great things, not necessarily the outcome of those great things.” ~ Pat Flynn

“ It's been neat to do the Pokemon thing now as a creator. I didn't go into it thinking I'd be a creator. I went into it wanting to be a part of the community, and I saw a lot of holes that I could fill. And that's exactly what I'm doing.” ~ Pat Flynn

“ There have been many moments where people have reached out because they've misunderstood something or because they heard something from somebody else. In 99 percent of those cases, people just want to be heard. They just want to know that somebody is listening to them because they don't get anybody else to listen to them elsewhere.” ~ Pat Flynn

“I try to find pockets of time to step away. Even now, I take a lot of my meetings while on walks around the neighborhood. That has been big for my mental health.” ~ Pat Flynn

Links