Mateo Askaripour — New York Times bestselling author of Black Buck — joins Spirit of Gratitude for a bold, no-holds-barred conversation about breaking free from society’s boxes, reclaiming your story, and refusing to settle for crumbs when you deserve the full meal.
In this episode, Mateo gets candid about his journey from tech sales to bestselling author, the toxic ways gratitude can be used to silence ambition, and why stepping away from social media gave him the Clarity to live with intention. He shares how self-awareness, courage, and community are the real markers of success — not applause or algorithms.
This episode is for anyone who’s tired of shrinking themselves to fit in or confusing comfort with purpose. It’s your reminder that gratitude and ambition are not at odds — and that liberation begins with the belief that you are already enough.
✅ What You’ll Learn:
- The hidden ways gratitude can limit ambition
- How to unplug from digital distractions to reconnect with purpose
- Why self-awareness is your greatest asset
- What it takes to find community that fuels your Growth
✨ Key Takeaways:
- Crumbs aren’t enough — claim your full meal
- The person holding you back might be you
- True connection starts offline
- Courage is the path to Clarity
🎧 Tap play — and start reclaiming your power with every honest step forward.
I've spent over 28 years in technology sales, working with companies like Dell and Apple. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area tech scene, I had the incredible experience of meeting visionaries like Steve Jobs and Michael Dell—moments I'll never forget.
A few years ago, I moved to Arizona to improve my allergies after undergoing eye surgery at the Mayo Clinic. I've been married for 27 years and have two amazing daughters, now 24 and 20.
Outside of work, I love playing tennis, practicing martial arts (I was just six months shy of earning my black belt!), and surrounding myself with good people. I'm also deeply proud of my Indian heritage. Back in California, I served as President of our local Indian Association, where I worked to pass down our culture, values, and traditions for others to experience.
Loyalty is everything to me—I stand by my friends no matter what. Whether in business or life, I believe in the power of strong relationships and always showing up for those who matter
