On this month’s episode of DAILYdEPOSITS, David and Troy sit down with Nick Shaffer — longtime friend, barber, and the man who introduced David to jiu jitsu. From their early days cutting hair at Grey Matter to early-morning training sessions in Santa Monica, this conversation dives deep into discipline, purpose, and the unseen weight barbers carry behind the chair.

Nick shares how martial arts and barbering overlap — through humility, service, and showing up even when it’s hard. Now based in Bozeman, Montana, he’s learning to slow down, reconnect with nature, and carry the same focus he once had in the shop into a more grounded lifestyle.

In this episode of DAILYdEPOSITS, we sit down with 10th Planet black belt Patrick Donabedian, creator of the 6:30 a.m. Day Slayer program, to talk about winning the micro battles in life.

Patrick shares how jiu jitsu taught him the importance of stacking small wins, taking losses as lessons, and bringing the discipline from the mats into everyday life. Whether you’ve trained before or not, you’ll take away something from this conversation.

In this episode, we reflect on what this podcast is really doing for us, not just as content, but as a form of accountability. We talk about the challenge of being present in conversation, the unexpected impact of reading scripture, and why some of these episodes feel more like a mirror than a mic. We also look ahead to the next Playa Del Rey Beach Cleanup happening on July 6th, and why keeping our community clean is about way more than trash bags. This episode is about checking in, protecting your energy, and finding purpose through small, consistent deposits.

https://www.barberstylist.com/events/

In Episode 4, we get real about the tension between freedom and structure, what it means to balance work and life when you’re your own boss, and how discipline often becomes the training ground for self-love.

We explore the habits that keep us grounded (like journaling, bullet calendars, and time blocking), but also open up about what happens when ego, doubt, and trauma creep in. There’s a deep convo around masculinity, fatherhood, and the weight men carry silently and how important it is to unlearn that “suck it up” mentality we were raised with.

This episode also touches on dating in your 30s, building trust, and why community feels harder to build in L.A. than anywhere else. It’s raw, thoughtful, and full of those moments that make you stop and check in with yourself.

Topics We Covered

• The illusion of “perfect” routines & how to stay present hour-by-hour
• Why freedom without structure can become a trap
• The tools we use to stay accountable (journals, calendars, phone blockers)
• How discipline builds the foundation for self-love
• Vulnerability, therapy, and the emotional weight men carry
• Parenting, love, and breaking generational habits
• Dating while sober & how trust really works
• The dream of building community—and why it’s so hard in L.A.
• Our hopes for barbershop culture and inspiring the next generation

In this episode, we reflect on what it’s been like launching the Daily Depositspodcast—and all the lessons that came with it. We talk about imposter syndrome, learning to slow down, how yoga humbled one of us real quick, and why teaching has been one of the scariest (and most fulfilling) new experiences.

I also share how teaching jiu-jitsu is helping me prepare for something I’ve always wanted to do: teach hair. And Troy talks about why it’s hard to train someone when you’re not even sure what you know. This convo goes deep on leadership, patience, ego, and why every good teacher is also a student.

Topics We Covered

• Getting over the nerves of launching Episode 1

• Yoga, humility, and learning to slow down

• Teaching jiu-jitsu and how it connects to teaching in the barbershop

• Why ego blocks growth

• How “daily deposits” are playing out in our lives—especially through movement, teaching, and reflection

• Why we’re excited to bring on guests and hear new perspectives

In this episode, we dive into the real reasons behind our quarterly beach cleanups—and it’s way deeper than just picking up trash.

We talk about how these cleanups became a ritual, how they give us clarity, and why doing something small for the planet feels better than almost anything else. There’s also some real talk about sustainability in our businesses, especially how I’ve built my haircare line around minimal waste, glass packaging, and clean ingredients.

From fatherhood and fears of setting goals, to how vision boards actually helped me manifest a travel trailer, this convo goes everywhere—but somehow lands exactly where it needs to.

Topics We Covered

• The story behind our beach cleanups and how it’s grown

• Creating sustainable products and cleaner business practices

• Why I don’t set long-term goals—and what I do instead

• My philosophy on parenting and embracing detours

• Struggling with commitment (even to vision boards)

• Bonus: Aliens, drones, and who we’d rather fight—a shark or E.T.

Watch on YouTube

https://youtu.be/6WIzvyqtKFg?si=05JHWGYWCGfvrVCV

Welcome to the DAILYdEPOSITS Podcast, where small, consistent actions add up to big life changes! Each episode, we explore personal growth, mindset shifts, and everyday habits that help us become better versions of ourselves. Think of these conversations as your regular dose of inspiration, practical tips, and down-to-earth stories from two friends on a journey to improve each day.

TIMESTAMPS

1:32 What does DAILYdEPOSITS mean to you?

5:30 Going Sober

7:47 Troy taking Control of his life

10:30 Dave’s Barber Journey

15:55 When did you know sports wasn’t your forever thing?

20:35 How important is a hug?

22:30 Have you ever had a moment when you’ve had enough

THANKS FOR LISTENING/ WATCHING

PART 2, RELEASING ON 3/23/25