304. Maks Chmerkovskiy: Dancing With The Stars, Losing Money, Building Businesses & The Work Ethic Behind It All

This week, Jason is joined by world-renowned dancer, entrepreneur, and Dancing With The Stars legend, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, for a conversation about career longevity, entrepreneurship, financial lessons, family, and the relentless work ethic that has fueled every chapter of his life.

Before becoming one of the most recognizable faces in ballroom dance, Maks immigrated to the United States from Ukraine with his family in search of opportunity. Arriving in Brooklyn without speaking English and with little more than determination, he quickly immersed himself in the growing ballroom dance community that would eventually become the foundation for an extraordinary career.

Maks reflects on his rise from competitive dance champion to one of Dancing With The Stars’ most iconic professionals, sharing how the show evolved into a cultural phenomenon spanning multiple generations. He explains why the current success of Dancing With The Stars isn’t an accident, how social media transformed the show’s reach, and why today’s professional dancers are becoming stars in their own right.

Beyond television, Maks opens up about the business side of his career. He shares lessons learned from building a nationwide dance studio company, launching new ventures, investing in businesses, and navigating costly entrepreneurial mistakes along the way. From a failed restaurant venture that never opened to learning hard lessons about money management and lifestyle inflation, Maks reveals the financial realities behind life in entertainment.

Jason and Maks also discuss the importance of diversification, building businesses outside of television, and why financial success isn’t just about making money — it’s about learning how to keep it. Maks explains how he and his wife, fellow Dancing With The Stars pro Peta Murgatroyd, continue balancing entrepreneurship, parenthood, and multiple growing businesses while raising three young children.

The conversation also takes a deeply personal turn as Maks reflects on his upbringing, his parents’ sacrifices, the emotional moment his father expressed pride in his accomplishments, and the perspective he carries from staying closely connected to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Throughout the episode, Maks shares the mindset that has guided him through success, setbacks, criticism, and reinvention. Whether discussing dance, business, family, or personal growth, one theme remains constant: an unwavering commitment to hard work.

From immigration and ballroom dance to entrepreneurship and fatherhood, Maks reveals what it truly takes to build a lasting career while continuing to evolve long after the spotlight shifts.

Maks reveals all this and so much more in another episode you can’t afford to miss!

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Host: Jason Tartick
Co-Host: David Arduin
Audio: John Gurney
Video: Marc Colcer
Guest: Maksim Chmerkovskiy