261. David Grutman: On Relationships, Miami Restaurants & Why Success Is the Hardest Part

The Ultimate Human with Gary Brecka

Gary Brecka

Health & Fitness

4.8 • 3.1K Ratings

🗓️ 14 April 2026

⏱️ 47 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

The most powerful business tool in the world isn’t capital, technology, or talent, it’s a relationship. David Grutman built one of the most dominant hospitality empires in America not by outspending competitors, but by outrelating them. In this episode, he breaks down the relationship-first philosophy that took him from the back of the house at Tantra on South Beach to partnering with Live Nation’s Michael Rapino and building some of the highest-grossing restaurants per square foot in the country. CLICK HERE TO BECOME GARY’S VIP!: https://bit.ly/4ai0Xwg Get David Grutman’s book, “Take It Personal”: https://bit.ly/4mMn3xv Connect with David Grutman Website: https://bit.ly/426KZSq Instagram: https://bit.ly/4ejDoHp Facebook: https://bit.ly/3O53GTn TikTok: https://bit.ly/4tCEJNW X: https://bit.ly/4cjnz0R LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4e4HVOb Thank you to our partners A-GAME: “ULTIMATE15” FOR 15% OFF: http://bit.ly/4kek1ij AION: “ULTIMATE10” FOR 10% OFF: https://bit.ly/4h6KHAD AIRES: "ULTIMATE20 " FOR 20% OFF: https://bit.ly/4a3Duze BAJA GOLD: "ULTIMATE10" FOR 10% OFF: https://bit.ly/3WSBqUa BODYHEALTH: “ULTIMATE20” FOR 20% OFF: http://bit.ly/4e5IjsV COLD LIFE: THE ULTIMATE HUMAN PLUNGE: https://bit.ly/4eULUKp CYMBIOTIKA: "ULTIMATE10" FOR 10% OFF: https://bit.ly/4tjyluP GENETIC METHYLATION TEST (UK ONLY): https://bit.ly/48QJJrk GENETIC TEST (USA ONLY): ⁠https://bit.ly/3Yg1Uk9 GOPUFF: GET YOUR FAVORITE SNACK!: https://bit.ly/4obIFDC H2TABS: “ULTIMATE10” FOR 10% OFF: https://bit.ly/4hMNdgg HEALF: 10% OFF YOUR ORDER: https://bit.ly/41HJg6S PEPTUAL: “TUH10” FOR 10% OFF: https://bit.ly/4mKxgcn SNOOZE: LET’S GET TO SLEEP!: https://bit.ly/4pt1T6V WHOOP: JOIN & GET 1 FREE MONTH!: https://bit.ly/3VQ0nzW Watch the “Ultimate Human Podcast” every Tuesday & Thursday at 9AM EST: YouTube: https://bit.ly/3RPQYX8 Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3RQftU0 Connect with Gary Brecka Instagram: https://bit.ly/3RPpnFs TikTok: https://bit.ly/4coJ8fo X: https://bit.ly/3Opc8tf Facebook: https://bit.ly/464VA1H LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4hH7Ri2 Website: https://bit.ly/4eLDbdU Merch: https://bit.ly/4aBpOM1 Newsletter: https://bit.ly/47ejrws Ask Gary: https://bit.ly/3PEAJuG Timestamps 00:00 Intro of Show 04:13 David’s Humble Beginnings in the Service Business 13:53 Key is Building Authentic Relationships 15:16 From Relationships to Establishing Culture 23:17 Lessons on Relationships from His New Book 27:07 Investing in New Brands 29:06 Red Flags when Building Foundation 33:04 Entrepreneurial Journey 36:27 Blueprint for Entrepreneurship 39:48 “Take It Personal” 43:41 What’s Next for David? 45:49 What does it mean to you to be an Ultimate Human? Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. It is not intended for diagnosing or treating any health condition. Always consult a licensed healthcare professional before making health or wellness decisions. Gary Brecka is the owner of Ultimate Human, LLC which operates The Ultimate Human podcast and promotes certain third-party products used by Gary Brecka in his personal health and wellness protocols and daily life and for which Ultimate Human LLC and / or Gary Brecka directly or indirectly holds an economic interest or receives compensation. Accordingly, statements made by Gary Brecka and others (including on The Ultimate Human podcast) may be considered. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	I've had more issues with success than I have with failure. People don't talk about enough as once you're on top of the world, how does that affect you? Because that's where for me was the most challenging. You go from the back of the house where you're in the service business to now where you're running multiple service businesses. To manage it at scale, that's what fascinates me. Listen, it's a grind and there's ups and downs. I think at the end of the day, everything I do is just about building a brand. I don't think that most people realize the intellectual property they have in themselves. I love that I've built relationships where people feel like there's a long game with me. Instead, I want to invest in your brand. I want to grow your brand. brand. Relationships meant so much to me that it's the greatest way to push a brand.
0:40.8	Where do you think a lot of entrepreneurs that have their head down
0:44.1	are going wrong in building the foundation of their business?
0:47.6	I think the most important thing for people out there is... Hey,
0:59.0	Ultimate Human.
1:03.5	Hey guys, welcome back to the Ultimate Human podcast.
1:06.3	Every once in a while, somebody sits down in this chair and reminds me that optimizing your life isn't just about what's happening inside your cells.
1:13.1	It's about what you're building with the time you've been given.
1:16.1	Dave Grutman was my very first podcast guest.
1:18.8	He was one of the first people to believe in me when nobody knew who Gary Brecker was.
1:22.8	Today, he runs one of the highest grossing restaurant empires in America, Groot Hospitality, Live Nightclub,
1:29.2	poppy steak, one of the highest grossing restaurants per square foot in the entire country.
1:33.8	Live Nation is his partner. Kim Kardashian wrote his forward. Johnny Ive designed his book cover,
1:38.8	but here's what sets Dave apart from every other name in the hospitality space. It all comes back to
1:44.1	relationships.
1:45.1	His new book, Take It Personal, is the blueprint for any entrepreneur who wants to build
1:49.7	something that lasts.
1:51.1	This conversation is going to change the way you think about business, legacy, and loyalty.
1:55.7	Hey guys, welcome back to the Ultimate Human Podcast.
1:57.9	I'm your host, human biologist Gary Brecker, where we go down the road of
2:01.4	everything, anti-aging, biohacking, and everything in between, longevity. And today's guest,
2:08.0	we're taking you back, we're hearkening you back to my very, very, very first podcast episode.
	...

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