What can founders learn from elite athletes, and how does coachability translate into venture building?
In this episode of The Augmented Life, Michael J.J. Tiffany sits down with Ruben A. Austin, founder of All In All, former football player, and serial entrepreneur.
From growing up in Düsseldorf to joining an NFL international recruitment program, Ruben’s journey spans continents, careers, and communities.
They dig deep into Ruben’s philosophy on adaptability, leadership, and why building real human connection offline, is still the most powerful force in business.
Ruben also shares what it takes to curate a high-trust room, how he sees seasonality shaping creative work, and why slowing down is the ultimate founder superpower.
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⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 – Intro: From athlete to entrepreneur
01:13 – Growing up in Düsseldorf & playing American football
02:13 – NFL pipeline & facing failure early
03:31 – Why Ruben chose Mystique as his favorite villain
04:27 – Coachability and adaptability in startups
06:24 – What makes someone truly coachable
07:23 – Why peer groups may matter more than mentors
08:14 – Surrounding yourself with people who tackle big problems
09:38 – Trump, thinking big, and perspective shifts
11:05 – Worst-case scenario thinking as a mental unlock
12:19 – Mortality as a driver for intentional living
14:32 – Can AI replicate the soul of human creativity?
16:13 – Empathy, texture, and what AI still can’t do
17:24 – What “good energy” really means at events
19:00 – From transactions to relationships: Ruben’s evolution
20:25 – Shared interests as the root of strong communities
22:20 – Why New York’s seasonality drives creativity
24:28 – Slowing down to spark ideas
25:46 – Summer, seasonality, and the hidden opportunity in downtime
27:14 – Optimizing during off-seasons
28:20 – Fundraising, VC cycles, and the post-Labor Day relaunch
28:55 – Where to find Ruben and All In All
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