Episode #16
#016 — Brandt Goodwin
Brandt Goodwin has spent decades inside one of the most fascinating industries most people never truly understand. From dealing blackjack and poker to working alongside professional gamblers, casino executives, and entrepreneurs, he's built a career around reading people, managing risk, and making decisions under pressure. Along the way, he's also navigated injuries, competition, relationships, and the challenge of finding purpose beyond chasing the next win. In this conversation, Brandt and Kevin (friends for 30+ years) explore everything from aging as an athlete and the psychology of competition to life inside casinos, entrepreneurship, card counting, perfectionism, and what it really means to be present. They unpack the realities of the gambling industry, discuss why great coaches adapt instead of forcing a system, and examine how our identities evolve as we get older. It's a wide-ranging conversation about ambition, resilience, relationships, and building a life that lasts longer than your career. Summary Brandt Goodwin has spent his life chasing mastery, whether it was in sports, the casino industry, fitness, or business. In this conversation, he and Kevin Mooney unpack what happens when identity collides with age, competition, and changing priorities. What starts as a conversation about training quickly expands into injuries, ambition, career decisions, entrepreneurship, gambling, relationships, and the search for meaning. Brandt shares stories from years as a blackjack and poker dealer, explains how professional gamblers actually think, and breaks down the reality behind card counting, casino operations, and risk management. Along the way, the discussion shifts into personal territory as both reflect on perfectionism, being present, long-term relationships, and the challenge of finding contentment instead of constantly chasing the next thing. It's a conversation about growing older without giving up your edge, understanding the psychology behind competition, and recognizing that success isn't always about winning. Sometimes it's about building a life you actually want to keep living. Chapters: 00:00 Training, Aging, and Staying Competitive 15:03 Injuries, Softball, and Athletic Identity 28:19 Why Functional Fitness Matters 34:31 Oregon, California, and Choosing Where to Live 52:22 Constant Change vs. Putting Down Roots 01:04:27 Relationships, Perfectionism, and Being Present 01:22:45 Life Inside the Casino Industry 01:38:07 Professional Gamblers and Card Counting 02:06:32 Entrepreneurship, Risk, and Decision Making 02:29:41 Lessons From a Career at the Tables 03:02:08 Gaming Regulation and Industry Realities 03:15:44 Final Reflections Takeaways Fitness changes from performance to longevity as you get older. Injuries force athletes to rethink what competition means. Great coaching is about adapting to the person, not the program. Consistency matters more than intensity over the long run. Professional gamblers focus on probabilities, not emotions. Card counting is real, but casinos have adapted to reduce the advantage. Small percentage changes create enormous financial swings in gambling. Entrepreneurship rewards patience more than constant change. Perfectionism can become a barrier to happiness and healthy relationships. Being present is often harder than staying busy. Long-term fulfillment comes from comfort, trust, and shared experience rather than excitement alone. Oregon and California create very different mindsets around lifestyle, freedom, and opportunity.
