Back to Great Men w/ Shane Sams

Podcast Episode

Great Men Chase Their Dreams (w/ WWE Referee Dan Engler)

Great Men w/ Shane Sams··27 August 2026·1h 29m

About this episode

Shane Sams sits down with longtime friend Dan Engler, veteran WWE referee and founder of The Refolution, for a candid and inspiring conversation about resilience, humility, and maintaining perspective under the bright lights of professional entertainment. Dan takes listeners back to his humble beginnings in Evansville, Indiana, sharing the relentless grind of sleeping in his truck and working regional shows for next to nothing while chasing his dream. From the emotional high of getting hired by WWE during the exact same year his home was foreclosed on to navigating over a decade of high pressure road life, Dan illustrates how true dedication requires putting skin in the game and staying committed even when the odds are stacked against you. The conversation goes well beyond the wrestling ring to explore the personal foundations that keep a man grounded when spending up to forty weeks a year traveling. Shane and Dan dive into the realities of mental health, combating isolation on the road, and recovering from near death health scares to rebuild physical vitality. They discuss the vital importance of financial simplicity, highlighting why solving for peace of mind is far more valuable than endlessly optimizing every single dollar. Grounded in faith, strong marriages, and authentic male brotherhood, this episode provides a masterclass on separating your personal worth from your public persona and staying true to what matters most. Join the brotherhood at GreatMen.org.