
#50 – Hunting Discomfort with Sterling Hawkins
- S1E50
- 32:29
- December 16th 2022
If you are like many people or me, it's easy to shy away from discomfort. But to win as a recruiter, you need to do the exact opposite. Chasing down and hunting discomfort could get you to the next level as a recruiter, search firm owner, or leader. In this episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast our guest Sterling Hawkins walks us through the different types of discomfort that he wrote about in the book Hunting Discomfort that could be holding you back from hitting that next level and what you can do to break through and hit those big goals you have.
Highlights:
The book - Hunting Discomfort
The 5 types of discomfort, how they are holding you back, and how
to break through them
How Sterling Hawkins went from the highest highs founding a
multi-billion company to the lowest lows and how he was able to break free and build himself back up...
What is his favorite book is!
What you should do as an experienced recruiter to hit new goals
Sterling Hawkins LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sterlinghawkins/
Book – Hunting Discomfort: https://amzn.to/3WkMSqp
Sterling Hawkins: https://www.sterlinghawkins.com/
Sterling Hawkins Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sterling_hawkins/
Sterling Hawkins Twitter: https://twitter.com/sterlinghawkins
Hunting Discomfort Quiz: https://www.sterlinghawkins.com/hunting-discomfort-quiz
No Matter What Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thenomatterwhatcommunity
With your Host Benjamin Mena with Select Source Solutions: http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/
Benjamin Mena LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/
Benjamin Mena Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benlmena/
The Elite Recruiter Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theeliterecruiter/
Benjamin Mena Twitter: https://twitter.com/benjamin_l_mena
The Elite Recruiter Podcast
The Elite Recruiter Podcast is the number one podcast for recruiting professionals.
This is where the top recruiters share: How they got there. What kind of work did it take. Tips, Tools, and Tricks. The Mindset needed to get them to where they are. What they are doing with their success. Goals and visions for the future. So please join me on this journey as I interview some of the best in our industry.
Benjamin Mena
The Elite Recruiter Podcast Host
Meet the Hosts

Benjamin Mena is the founder of Select Source Solutions and the host of The Elite Recruiter Podcast — one of the top global podcasts for agency and executive recruiters. With over a decade of experience placing top talent in the government contracting (GovCon) and cleared space, Ben brings a no-BS approach to the business of recruiting.
Each week, he interviews high-performing recruiters, agency owners, and industry innovators to uncover the real stories behind their success. From six-figure solo producers to million-dollar billers and AI-powered solopreneurs, Ben’s mission is simple: help recruiters level up their careers and businesses through actionable insights, raw conversations, and a community of like-minded professionals.
Based between the U.S. and Bordeaux, France, Ben is also a dad, summit host, and advocate for the future of AI-powered recruiting.