Last Updated on January 25, 2026 by David Thomas
DAILYdEPOSITS Podcast 007
Summary
On this month’s episode of DAILYdEPOSITS, David and Troy sit down with Nick Shaffer — longtime friend, barber, and the man who introduced David to jiu jitsu. From their early days cutting hair at Grey Matter to early-morning training sessions in Santa Monica, this conversation dives deep into discipline, purpose, and the unseen weight barbers carry behind the chair.
Nick shares how martial arts and barbering overlap — through humility, service, and showing up even when it’s hard. Now based in Bozeman, Montana, he’s learning to slow down, reconnect with nature, and carry the same focus he once had in the shop into a more grounded lifestyle.
Highlights
💈 Barbers as the Original Social Network — Nick reminds us that barbershops were the first true community hubs long before social media.
🥋 How Martial Arts Builds Better Barbers — The discipline of jiu jitsu taught Nick accountability, calm under pressure, and the power of showing up.
🌿 Grounding in Montana — From city life in L.A. to wide-open skies, Nick shares how connecting with nature reshaped his sense of peace.
🦬 Be the Bison — His brand “Tatanka Goods” is inspired by the bison’s instinct to run through the storm, not away from it — a lesson in courage and resilience.
Quotes That Hit:
“A herd of bison don’t wait for the storm—they run through it head-on. You can’t go around life’s problems. You face them and move forward.”
– Nick Shaffer
Connect with Nick:
Website: https://tatanka-goods.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tatankagoods/