The Art of Super Connecting: Building Million Dollar Relationships with Michael Dash

What if the worst chapters of your life could become the foundation for your greatest impact?

In this episode, Michael Dash, entrepreneur, author, and self-described "super connector," shares his remarkable journey from 20 years of addiction and a six-year legal battle to becoming a force for connecting entrepreneurs, building meaningful communities, and helping the formerly incarcerated rebuild their lives. Through two pivotal relationships (his entrepreneurial father and spiritual mentor Soleil Rad), Michael discovered how early business training and a transformed prayer practice could unlock his gift for creating life-changing connections. His mission? Bringing like-minded entrepreneurs together to create exponential impact while building the Impact Accelerator alongside Vince Covino and Satya.

Michael reflects on how these mentors shaped his path at critical moments and why he believes authentic relationships and community (not transactional connections) are the keys to transforming both business and life.

 

[00:04:05] What Michael Does: The Super Connector

• Describes himself as a "super connector" who finds joy in introducing people from his network

• Runs Live Life Activated retreats focused on aligning entrepreneurs' physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual practices with their vision

• Has run six retreats over five years, resulting in three businesses, multiple lasting friendships, and relationships formed among participants

• Currently working with Vince Covino and Satya building the Impact Accelerator: matching impact-driven entrepreneurs with heart-centered investors

[00:11:26] Background: From Recruiting to Retreats

• Spent 20 years in recruiting and staffing, running his own business for 13 years

• Natural training ground for being a super connector: "basically what you're doing is matchmaking"

• Lived in Tulum, Mexico for 4.5 years before recently relocating to Austin, Texas

• Now focused on the Impact Accelerator: training entrepreneurs to receive funding and matching them with investors who want to make an impact beyond just ROI

[00:06:53] Connection Success Story: Winner's Circle

Heath & Shelly Winter's Partnership:

• Heath: Tennessee-based entrepreneur, expert at writing and winning grants

• Shelly Winter: Served five years in prison for addiction, became #1 salesperson at Microsoft after they initially rescinded her offer due to her record

• Mission: Helping current inmates train while incarcerated and connecting them with companies willing to hire formerly incarcerated individuals

• Michael's insight: "Imagine if you were judged your entire life by the worst thing you ever did"

• Now part of the Impact Accelerator community

.css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}