Beyond the Beast: Kadan Ward on Luck, Grit, and Authenticity

By Noah Cisneros
Host of the Why Not Podcast

What if the thing you want most isn’t out of reach—it’s just hiding behind your fear of looking foolish?

That’s the kind of hard truth that comes to life in this episode of the Why Not Podcast, where I sat down with someone who embodies hustle, humility, and the pursuit of the seemingly impossible: Kadan Ward.

From knocking doors in a pandemic to standing on a global stage in Amazon Prime’s Beast Games with MrBeast, Kadan has proven that you don’t need to be born lucky—you just need to choose your direction and keep moving.

“We’re All Lucky—Some Just Work Harder for It”

“If you’ve got your health and food in your cupboard, you’re already lucky. Everything else is choice.” — Darren Hardy, The Compound Effect

We kicked off this episode with a heavy question: Is luck real?

Kadan’s answer was refreshing. He credited his parents for giving him a foundation rooted in humility, work ethic, and emotional intelligence. But he was quick to point out that success didn’t come from coasting on those gifts—it came from being raised to believe that nothing was guaranteed.

Kadan’s Perspective on Luck:

You earn it through humility and hustle.
People who stay humble are often given more opportunities.
Being underestimated can become your greatest advantage.

The Tesla, the Door, and the Turning Point

You can’t talk to Kadan without bringing up the Tesla.

He rolled into our old BYU-Idaho agency job in a sleek electric car, but not once did he brag about it. That car wasn’t a flex—it was the byproduct of a goal: prove everyone wrong and buy a Tesla from summer sales.

“I was never the cool kid. This was my chance to flip the script.”

His first day selling? Four closes before lunch. That drive didn’t just fund his car—it rewired how he saw himself.

Humility Isn’t a Buzzword—It’s a Strategy

“I’ve seen my dad fire people on the spot for being entitled. That stuck with me.” — Kadan Ward

One of the core themes of our conversation was humility—both its power and its rarity.

When a bold marketing idea Kadan pitched at a law firm rubbed leadership the wrong way, his response wasn’t defensiveness. It was accountability. And it worked. That interaction built more trust than any campaign metrics could have.

Humility in Practice:

Prepare backups: Don’t bank on one idea surviving.
Say sorry and mean it: Ego costs more than it earns.
Know your place: Be real about where you stand—then climb.

Authenticity: It’s Not Cringe If It’s Real

Kadan is the kind of person who posts about organ concerts and Beast Games in the same month—and makes it work.

“If I’m real about it, it doesn’t matter if it’s cringe. I’d rather be authentic and weird than fake and forgettable.”

He breaks down what real authenticity looks like versus social media posturing:

Kadan’s 3 Rules to Spot Fake:

Virtue signaling: Posting for clout, not conviction.
Too many “best friends”: If everyone’s close, no one is.
The uncanny valley smile: If it feels forced, it probably is.

The antidote? Surround yourself with people who let you be you. That’s what gave Kadan the confidence to share both his wins and weirdness.

Beast Games: The Magic of Momentum

Nothing tested Kadan like MrBeast’s Beast Games. Competing with 1,000 contestants for a $10 million prize, Kadan brought his sales-game mindset: be prepared, stay humble, and lock in.

“Every day was the best day of my life. It was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for adults.”

From turning down $100,000 in the first episode to earning his place in Beast City, Kadan didn’t just compete—he soaked in the experience. And his biggest lesson?

“Next time, I’ll lean harder into the friendships. It’s not about being cutthroat. It’s about being real in every moment.”

The Final Word: Get Your Hopes Up

We ended the conversation with a mic-drop moment from Kadan:

“Why wouldn’t you get your hopes up? That’s where the magic happens.”

This isn’t toxic positivity. It’s resilience. It’s emotional courage. Kadan’s story is a blueprint for anyone who’s felt behind, overlooked, or like their shot already passed them by.

So whether you’re chasing your own version of a Tesla, signing up for a life-changing game show, or just looking for permission to believe in yourself again—let Kadan’s story be your sign.