Simon Arias is an entrepreneur, speaker, business leader, and mentor known for combining high-performance leadership with a message rooted in discipline, resilience, and personal growth. As the President and State Director of Arias Organization, formerly Arias Agencies, he has built one of the top-performing organizations within the Globe Life American Income Division while mentoring thousands of sales professionals and entrepreneurs across the United States. Born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio,
Simon Arias developed his work ethic early through athletics, adversity, and a determination to create a different future for himself and those around him. His transition from athlete to entrepreneur shaped the mindset that now defines his leadership
philosophy: growth comes through consistency, accountability, and the willingness to embrace discomfort. Arias is also the creator and host of the GRINDcast, a motivational podcast focused on leadership, mindset, entrepreneurship, and self-development.
Through solo episodes, interviews, and coaching conversations, he challenges audiences to pursue excellence in every area of life, from business and finances to physical and mental discipline. The podcast has built a loyal following among entrepreneurs, athletes, and professionals looking for practical motivation and honest conversations about success. Beyond business, Simon Arias is deeply committed to mentorship and community impact. He frequently speaks at leadership events, youth programs, and entrepreneurial conferences where he shares lessons on overcoming setbacks, building winning habits, and creating lasting success through service and integrity. His mission continues to center on helping people unlock their potential while building stronger leaders, families, and communities.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I typically wake up around 5:00 AM and start my day with a workout, whether that’s weight training or grappling. I spend time in prayer and scripture, then read something educational or listen to motivational content on YouTube. Starting my day with discipline, faith, and personal growth helps set the tone for everything else.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I’m excited by how much information is now at our fingertips with tools like ChatGPT and AI technology. I also think it’s encouraging to see more people becoming health conscious and focused on improving themselves physically and mentally.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Going to bed early and waking up early has been a huge factor in my productivity. Prayer and starting my day grounded spiritually also helps keep me focused and disciplined.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell my younger self that sacrificing and working hard in your 20s to build a better future is absolutely worth it. I’d stress the importance of saving money early because compound interest is powerful. I’d also say that mentorship is a cheat code in life, humility will take you farther than ego, and I wish I would have started martial arts and grappling at a younger age.
Tell us something you believe that almost nobody agrees with you on?
I don’t believe true balance exists when you’re trying to become great at something. I think you have to go all in first, and then over time that level of success can create balance later in life.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
MBS in the morning AKA. mindset, body, and spirit. Starting the day by strengthening all three areas consistently can completely change your life.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I go back to the basics: prayer, MBS, and breath work. Those things help me reset mentally, spiritually, and physically.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
One strategy that has helped me tremendously is continually reinvesting back into myself and my business. A lot of people chase shiny objects or spread themselves too thin, but I believe the most controllable investment is yourself and your own company.
I also believe in staying focused on one thing at a time and mastering it before moving on to something else. Everyone talks about needing seven streams of income, but I think it’s better to build one strong stream first and then expand from there. The man who chases two rabbits at the same time catches neither.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
One of my biggest lessons came from trusting someone close to me too quickly. It taught me to be more discerning and to understand that true loyalty is tested during difficult times, not just during success.
That experience helped me become stronger mentally, more aware, and more intentional about the people I allow into my inner circle.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Continue investing back into your own business and personal development.
Also, schedule consistent one-on-one meetings with key up-and-coming leaders. It helps develop them, strengthens relationships, and creates long-term loyalty and growth for everyone involved.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
ChatGPT has become a very useful tool for me. I use it regularly for brainstorming ideas, solving problems, organizing thoughts, and getting unstuck when I need a fresh perspective.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
The Bible has had the biggest impact on my life. Having faith and keeping God at the center has given me wisdom, discipline, and strength during some of the hardest times in my life.
As a Man Thinketh is another book that really influenced me because it teaches how powerful our thoughts are and how everything is created first in the mind before it becomes reality.
I also highly value The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. It’s foundational for anyone leading people and provides timeless leadership principles.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I honestly don’t watch a lot of movies, but the original Home Alone is probably one of my favorites because my whole family enjoys it together. It keeps us in the Christmas spirit, and most of the time I watch movies, it’s really about spending quality time with my kids.
Key learnings
- The hardest and most important person to lead is yourself first. Consistent MBS (mindset, body, spirit) is essential for personal growth.
- Go all in on one thing before spreading your focus across multiple opportunities.
- Make major decisions alongside your inner circle and trusted people.
- Invest back into yourself and your business before chasing outside opportunities.
- Discipline, faith, and humility create long-term success more than talent alone.