Noah Oliver is a former Navy EOD specialist turned entrepreneur and founder of Flowhold, a San Diego–based MMA and BJJ training apparel brand built around the idea of “flow state.” After six years in the military and earning his MBA, Noah explored multiple ventures—from Amazon FBA to surf ponchos—before launching Flowhold in 2018 while still in business school. What began as a socks company evolved into a full-time mission-driven brand focused on mindset, performance, and purpose. In this conversation, we discuss Noah’s transition out of the military, his early lessons in entrepreneurship, and the mindset shift that helped him build Flowhold into what it is today. We also talk about finding gratitude before success, the balance between discipline and creativity, and how to create products—and a life—that embody flow.
Partners:
HOSTAGE TAPE: https://www.hostagetape.com/CHRIS28059
Chapters:
00:00 – Intro
06:15 – The Birth of Flowhold: How Flow State, Jiu-Jitsu, & MMA Inspired a Brand
10:10 – Starting Small: From Socks to a Standout Training Brand
13:40 – Life After Service: Transitioning Out of the Navy & Into Entrepreneurship
21:25 – Early Ventures: Surf Ponchos, Amazon FBA, and the First Lessons in Business
26:15 – What Every Entrepreneur Learns Too Late: From Product Development to Purpose
31:00 – Building Flowhold: Turning a Passion Project Into a Movement
38:55 – Gratitude Over Grind: Finding Happiness Before Success
42:00 – Mindset Tactics for Internal Peace and Long-Term Fulfillment
53:00 – Apparel Branding Secrets: Marketing a Lifestyle, Not Just a Product
1:05:15 – Entrepreneur Life Hack: Prioritizing Vision Over Validation
Follow Noah Oliver:
Flowhold Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowhold/
Flowhold website: https://www.flowholdsd.com/
Follow Chris Nichols:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicholsanddimez
Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/builtforlegacypodcast
Website: https://builtforlegacy.buzzsprout.com
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/built-for-legacy/id1667715105
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4MAr6sSCwiyU9G1JZgeZxq?si=a7da325d67a64a72
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@builtforlegacypodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/nicholsanddimezshow/100090067950005
Contact: chris@nicholsanddimez.com
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