429. “Failure is a lesson, not a setback.” | Being a Self-Made Maverick with Dr. Reza Zahedi

We sit down with Dr. Reza Zahedi—civil engineer, international real estate leader, and author of Self-Made Maverick—whose story begins as a child refugee from Iran and evolves into a career built from scratch across Europe. What struck us wasn’t the highlight reel, but the mindset shift he credits for everything: believing he could build something from nothing and change his destiny despite the doubters.

Dr. Reza challenges the Instagram myth of overnight success. He reframes failure as a daily teacher, not a verdict, and calls out five persistent myths that stall founders—from “you need rich parents” to “money is the most important thing.” We also explore how a clear why and a durable brand make sacrifices bearable, and why today’s entrepreneurs can’t hide behind screens: real-world reps, relationships, and proof of work matter more than ever. The throughline is gritty, values-driven execution—showing up when no one’s clapping so impact outlasts image.

The Biggest Helping: Today’s Most Important Takeaway

Never give up—treat failure as part of the path, keep showing up, and let persistence do the compounding.

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Thank you for joining us on The Daily Helping with Dr. Shuster. Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube to download more food for the brain, knowledge from the experts, and tools to win at life.

Resources:

• Learn more at DrRezaZahedi.com
• Read Self-Made Maverick by Dr. Reza Zahedi
• Connect with Dr. Reza on LinkedIn
• Follow Dr. Reza on Instagram: @drrezazahedii

Produced by NOVA