How do you build a thriving brand while working more than a full-time job?

In the inaugural episode of The Lionheart Podcast, Rob Kwas sits down with John Fendt—better known as PlyRock, creator of PlyRockNation—to discuss perseverance, entrepreneurship, creativity, leadership, and building a community from the ground up.

John shares the setbacks that shaped him, lessons learned from years of streaming and content creation, why he never gave himself permission to quit, and how gaming became a platform for connection, leadership, and helping others.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, business owner, creator, or someone chasing an ambitious goal while balancing work and family, this conversation is packed with practical insights and inspiration.

Topics include:

• Building a brand while working full-time
• Overcoming adversity
• Growing an online community
• Leadership through authenticity
• Creativity and entrepreneurship
• Why consistency beats talent
• The future of creator-driven media

Connect with John (PlyRockNation):

Twitch:

https://twitch.tv/plyrocknation

Website:

https://plyrocknation.com

Socials:

@PlyRockNation

Learn more about Lionheart

https://lionheartteam.com

If you enjoyed this conversation, follow The Lionheart Podcast and share this episode with another entrepreneur or leader who would benefit from John’s story.

Jump to the topics that interest you most using the chapter timestamps below.

CHAPTERS

00:00:00 – Pre-Roll

00:00:13 – Highlights from Episode 001

00:01:09 – Welcome to The Lionheart Podcast

00:02:24 – The Journey Begins

00:05:23 – How Gaming Changed John's Life

00:07:50 – Gaming, Community & Friendship

00:09:53 – Why Gaming Is More Than Entertainment

00:10:43 – Hollywood, Storytelling & Independent Creators

00:19:37 – Music's Influence on Creativity

00:24:41 – A Funny Childhood Story

00:26:59 – Overcoming Adversity

00:35:28 – The Competitive Mindset: Learning to Hate Losing

00:43:54 – Building PlyRockNation

00:50:21 – Building Systems That Scale

00:51:48 – How PlyRockNation Generates Revenue

00:55:06 – Why You Shouldn't Ignore Facebook

00:57:15 – Don't Put All Your Eggs in One Basket

01:09:05 – Lionheart Lightning Round

01:10:10 – The Biggest Misconception About Streamers

01:10:38 – What Being a Lionheart Means

01:11:14 – Final Thoughts & Closing