Welcome back to A Good Pour! I’m your host, Kathryn Good, and today, we have the incredible Troy Smith joining us. He’s the founder of Moto 365, and to be honest, I didn’t know much about it before this interview. But after hearing from so many people, including past guest Daniel Becker and even my dad, I knew I had to get Troy on the podcast. I’m excited to learn more about his journey in both the banking industry and his passion project, Moto 365.
Born and Raised in Knoxville: Humble Beginnings
Troy grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee—Go Vols!—and he’s got a deep connection to the area. Raised by a single mom who had him at just 15, Troy’s background is full of hard work and determination. His father had 16 kids, so Troy likes to joke, “He was a walking stone, not a rolling one.” But out of that young, challenging start came Troy’s story of grit and resilience.
He moved to Nashville to attend Tennessee State University, where he played football until he realized the NFL wasn’t in the cards for him. “I sat on the bench for the first time in my life, and that’s when I knew it was time to hang up the cleats,” Troy says with a laugh. But what he gained from his experiences—on and off the field—helped shape who he is today.
The Banking Industry and Beyond
Since 2008, Troy has been making his mark in the banking world, but it’s Moto 365 that’s really captured the hearts of many. When I asked Troy what inspired him to start Moto 365, he said it began as a personal accountability tool to get himself to work out. “I started doing live videos on Facebook to hold myself accountable. It was really just for me at first,” Troy shares. But soon enough, people started tuning in, waiting for his next video, and even offering tips on how to improve his live streams.
Moto 365—short for motivation 365 days of the year—was born out of those simple, everyday workout videos. What started as a way to keep himself on track turned into a full-blown movement. “It became bigger than just me working out. It was about building community and inspiring others,” Troy says.
From Accountability to a Movement
Troy’s workout videos quickly caught on, and people were not only following along but engaging with him regularly. “People would ask, ‘Where’s the video today?’ when I didn’t post,” Troy laughs. He had built something special—a community of people holding each other accountable, encouraging each other, and sharing positive energy. Eventually, it led to conferences and speaking engagements and even inspired Troy to write his book, The Mindset of Successful Thinking.
A Shift in Perspective
One of the things I love most about Troy’s story is how he reframed his early experiences. He grew up in a rough neighborhood with gated projects, but instead of seeing the gates as a limitation, he shifted his perspective. “I used to think, ‘I live in a gated community,’” Troy explains. “I didn’t have to cut my grass; someone else did it. I had a pool—sure, it was a public pool, but it was mine.” This shift in mindset, turning what could be seen as disadvantages into advantages, became a central theme in Troy’s life and work.
Troy believes that success is relative to each person. “If your dream is to be a teacher, and you achieve that, you’re successful,” he says. For him, success is all about how you think and how you approach the world.
Family First
Troy’s passion for helping others achieve success isn’t limited to his professional life. He’s also deeply committed to his family. Every year, they take a summer vacation, with recent trips to Alaska, Disney World, and, most recently, New York. “My son asked me where we were going this year, and when I suggested Kentucky, he wasn’t having it!” Troy jokes. His family trips are just one of the ways he ensures that the work he does to help others is reflected in the joy he creates for his loved ones.
Mindset and Motivation: The Core of Moto 365
At the heart of everything Troy does—whether it’s in banking, with Moto 365, or his speaking engagements—is mindset. “Your mindset shapes your reality,” Troy says. He speaks passionately about how growing up in challenging circumstances forced him to change how he thought about his life. “I didn’t have a father figure around, so I made the decision to become the man I wanted to see,” he explains.
Troy’s philosophy is all about inspiring, edifying, and encouraging people to be better than they were five minutes ago. “If I can help someone positively change their mindset, I’ve done my job,” he says.
The Power of Positivity
When I asked Troy why negativity seems to have such a strong hold on the world, he pointed out that it’s easy to be negative. “It takes work to think differently,” he says. “We’re wired to go straight to the negative, but it takes effort to stop and say, ‘Wait, let’s look at this another way.’” For Troy, positivity isn’t just a choice—it’s a discipline.
Four Pillars of Success
In his book, Troy outlines the four pillars that guide his philosophy: appearance, relationships, education, and strategic planning. It’s about more than just how you look—it’s about how you present yourself to the world and build meaningful connections. “Relationships will get you places that money can’t,” Troy emphasizes.
And education, according to Troy, is a lifelong process. “It’s not just about going to school; it’s about educating yourself every day through life experiences.”
Looking Ahead
Troy’s story is one of perseverance, positivity, and the power of mindset. Through Moto 365 and his book, he’s helping people unlock their potential and see their lives through a lens of possibility. Whether he’s working with a client at the bank, speaking to an audience, or just sharing his journey on Facebook, Troy is making a difference one conversation at a time.
Thank you, Troy, for joining me on A Good Pour. I’m so grateful for your insights, and I know our listeners will be inspired by your story. Let’s all take a page out of Troy’s book—let’s focus on lifting each other up, finding our success, and staying motivated 365 days a year.