Midlife Male by Greg Scheinman: Recent Episodes
Gow Media
The Midlife Male is a weekly newsletter and podcast designed to help men maximize middle age to achieve a better quality of life. Created & Hosted by Greg Scheinman, The Midlife Male is one of the top-rated ‘midlife’ podcasts and has featured CEOs, athletes, authors, chefs, coaches, entrepreneurs, celebrities and high performers. At The Midlife Male, Greg leans on his past experiences to guide compelling discussions and lead engaging conversations in what he calls ‘the 6 Fs’: Family, Fitness, Finance, Food, Fashion and Fun.
In this episode of Midlife Male, I am joined by entrepreneur and best-selling author Jason Wachob. Jason Wachob is the founder and co-CEO of mindbodygreen, the leading independent media brand dedicated to wellness He is also the host of the popular mindbodygreen podcast, the author of Wellth: How I learned to build a life, not a resume, and the co-author of The Joy of Well-Being which he wrote with his wife, co-founder and co-ceo, Colleen. He has been featured in the New York Times, Entrepreneur, Forbes, Fast Company, Vogue, The Megyn Kelly Show, and The Skinny Confidential. He has a BA in history from Columbia University, where he played varsity basketball for four years.
In today’s conversation, we discuss how to make major life decisions, determine your core values, and how loss sometimes brings a greater perspective. We talk about how Jason and his wife started mindbodygreen, what has changed in their health philosophy and business strategy along the way, and why they got into the supplement business. We also get an inside look at Jason’s daily routine and how he manages stress.
Brought to you by:
Plunge—The best home ice baths. Save with code MidlifeMale https://plunge.com/
Sisu Sauna—My go-to barrel sauna. Save with code MidlifeMale https://sisulifestyle.com/
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In this episode, we cover:
(05:21) Welcome Jason Wachob
(06:12) Why Jason and his wife relocated to Miami and chose a co-working space
(11:11) How Jason and his wife make major life decisions
(14:44) Jason and Colleen’s values
(18:49) What Jason learned from the tragic loss of his father at the age of 19
(23:30) Why Jason went into finance after getting out of Columbia
(25:24) Advice for transitioning from a safer career to finding more purpose
(29:10) How Jason’s healing journey led to founding mindbodygreen
(32:23) The evolution of mindbodygreen's business strategies and philosophies
(38:10) The hard parts of running a business
(39:27) What it means to walk the walk—a day in the life of Jason Wachob
(43:00) Why Jason doesn’t have much time for friends at this phase in his life
(47:50) How to build an inner circle and the importance of quality over quantity
(49:30) Why Jason believes he says no too often
(51:23) The future of mindbodygreen
(53:15) Why Jason and Colleen got into the supplement business
(57:19) Why Jason chose to partner with Frank Lipman
(1:02:14) How Jason manages stress
(1:04:44) Greg’s conflicted feelings on therapy
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Where to find Jason Wachob:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasonwachob/
X: https://twitter.com/JasonWachob
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wachob/
Where To Find Greg Scheinman:
Website: https://midlifemale.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregscheinman
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-scheinman-b442004/
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Production and marketing by https://penname.co/
I'm thrilled for this special episode of Midlife Male, where I have the incredible honor of sitting down with three-time Super Bowl champion and all-around legend Troy Aikman. Together, we peel back the layers to reveal the man behind the myth, delving into his struggles with fame, divorce, and social anxiety. Troy opens up about his relentless drive, why he considers himself in the prime of his life, and how meditation has helped unlock a new level of growth. He shares his daily routine and habits that keep him in the best shape of his life, his thoughts on fatherhood, the importance of defining your priorities, and so much more!
Brought to you by:
Plunge—The best home ice baths. Save with code MidlifeMale https://plunge.com/
Sisu Sauna—My go-to barrel sauna. Save with code MidlifeMale https://sisulifestyle.com/
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In This Episode, We Cover:
(06:06) Welcome Troy Aikman to the show
(07:23) An inside look at Troy Aikman’s winning routines
(10:34) How Troy sets boundaries to protect his time
(15:17) Why Troy truly feels that he’s in the best shape of his life
(19:44) How Troy’s definition of success keeps evolving
(24:20) Troy’s meditation journey
(29:33) How Troy’s relationship with fame has shifted
(32:38) Balancing family with professional life and self-care
(36:32) Why Troy still questions if he could have done more
(39:02) How Troy feels about having daughters
(43:10) Why Troy calls his divorces his biggest failures
(45:20) Troy’s inner circle
(47:58) Why Troy launched his own beer brand, Eight
(53:08) Troy’s biggest struggle, learning to relax and be content
(57:47) What Troy is looking forward to
(59:08) Troy’s favorite music
(59:50) What Troy is driving currently
(1:00:10) Troy’s favorite sleep technology products
(1:01:02) Troy’s thoughts on saunas and cold plunge
(1:02:44) How long Troy’s routines take daily and how he multi-tasks
(1:04:55) The importance of organizing your life around your priorities
(1:07:38) The value of writing and why Troy aspires to build a writing practice
(1:10:22) Why using a calendar/schedule is important
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Where to find Troy Aikman:
Eight Beer: https://eightbeer.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/troyaikman
X: https://twitter.com/troyaikman
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@troy.aikmanWhere To Find Greg Scheinman:
Website: https://midlifemale.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregscheinman
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-scheinman-b442004/
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Production and marketing by https://penname.co/
Middle age is about making tough decisions — but do you know how to make bold decisions? The art of boldness is a desired trait but often misunderstood. On this episode, we’re joined by Jen Cohen, the entrepreneur and bestselling author of Bigger, Better, Bolder: Live the Life You Want, Not the Life You Get. Together, we dive deep into the concept of boldness, dissecting the misconceptions that often blur the lines between boldness, narcissism, and genuine confidence. Jennifer shares practical strategies for building confidence, stepping into boldness, and cultivating self-awareness. Plus, we tackle the pervasive issue of Instagram coaches peddling bullshit advice, offering savvy tips on how to sift through the noise and find mentors who truly walk the talk.
Brought to you by:
Plunge—The best home ice baths. Save with code MidlifeMale https://plunge.com/
Sisu Sauna—My go-to barrel sauna. Save with code MidlifeMale https://sisulifestyle.com/
—
In this episode, we cover:
(03:46) How middle-aged men struggle with being bold
(07:04) Why boldness is a skill that can be learned
(10:04) The importance of self-awareness and emotional intelligence
(13:15) How we can all improve self-awareness, boldness, and confidence
(17:30) Tips for building confidence
(20:54) How choices impact our lives
(25:00) The importance of doing hard things
(26:45) Why consistency is key
(27:10) The differences between men and women when it comes to achieving goals
(31:02) The 10% target
(33:01) The problem with most coaches and men’s groups
(40:20) Advice on finding a coach or mentor
(45:20) Reframing middle age
(48:22) The problem with chasing youth
(52:25) Dating differences with men and women and why loneliness is an epidemic
(57:30) The lies we tell ourselves about success
(1:02:34) Why guys who are confident and secure don’t want to date women decades younger
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Where to find Jen Cohen:
Website: https://www.jennifercohen.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealjencohen
X: https://twitter.com/therealjencohen
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@therealjencohen
Where To Find Greg Scheinman:
Website: https://midlifemale.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregscheinman
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-scheinman-b442004/
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Production and marketing by https://penname.co/
This is a re-air of episode 225 with Mick Batyske, originally released on May 7th, 2023.
Mick Batyske is a multi-talented creative, entrepreneur, and DJ who went from presenting a 20-minute show on college radio to deejaying for Michelle Obama, LeBron James, and Jay-Z. Mick’s career as a DJ has taken him around the world and given him the opportunity to work with artists such as Adele, Busta Rhymes, and Leon Bridges. But he’s always happiest when he’s at home in Brooklyn, spending time with his wife and playing Super Smash Bros with his seven-year-old son.
This is a re-air of episode 183 with Chip Conley, originally released on April 17th, 2022.
Chip Conley is the founder of The Modern Elder Academy and the author of five bestselling books, including Wisdom@Work, which is based on his experience of mentoring Brian Chesky, the CEO of Airbnb. Chip’s extensive knowledge of the hospitality industry proved invaluable to the founders of Airbnb, who came to regard him as ‘a modern elder’. Today, Chip has transitioned into a powerful advocate for the pursuit of meaning and purpose in midlife and beyond. He’s eternally curious and energetic, and he’s proud to have learned to surf and speak Spanish at the age of 58.
This is a re-air of episode 210 with Coach Dana Cavalea, originally released on November 22nd, 2022.
Dana Cavalea is the former director of Strength & Conditioning and Performance for the New York Yankees. In 2009, he was the recipient of the Nolan Ryan Award for the top Strength & Performance Coach in Major League Baseball, and today he applies the skills he acquired coaching professional athletes to his work as a High-Performance coach to top CEOs, Wall Street Fund Managers, and Sales Teams. Dana is also a popular keynote speaker, the owner of a grass-fed beef farm, and the author of Habits of a Champion and Habits of a Champion Team.
This is a re-air of episode 216 with Robert Irvine, originally released on March 5th, 2023.
Robert Irvine is a celebrity chef, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He’s the host of The Food Network’s Restaurant: Impossible, the author of Overcoming Impossible, and the founder of multiple companies, including Fit Crunch, Robert Irvine foods, Robert Irvine’s Public House, and Fresh Kitchen by Robert Irvine. After growing up in a military family and spending 14 years in the Royal Navy, Robert feels called to support the welfare of the armed forces, and in 2014, he set up the Robert Irvine Foundation, which provides practical and financial support to military personnel, veterans, and first responders.
This is a re-air of episode 199 with Cody Jefferson, originally released on August 28th, 2022.
Cody Jefferson is a father, a life coach, and a former pastor who has overcome personal trauma and life-threatening illness to become a successful life coach and entrepreneur. Today, as the founder of the Embrace the Lion coaching program, Cody travels the country motivating good men to become great and have it all in life, love, and business.
This is a re-air of episode 177 with Christopher Robbins, originally released on March 6th, 2022.
Christopher Robbins is a husband, father, and the founder of Soul Degree, a coaching and personal development program for men that offers monthly meditations and runs restorative wilderness retreats. After twenty years of chasing the conventional version of success, Christopher has found his calling as a coach, meditation guide, and yoga instructor. He has also rekindled his love of the outdoors, and his Soul Degree retreats give men the opportunity to step out of their everyday lives and experience adventure, freedom, and inner growth.
This is a re-air of episode 168 with Jay Ferruggia, originally released on November 14th, 2021.
Jay Ferruggia, aka The Transformation King, is a life and fitness coach to CEOs, entertainers, authors, NFL athletes, baseball players, and WWE entertainers. Jay has been helping men build better bodies since 1994, and through his top-rated Renegade Radio health and fitness podcast, he aims to help them pursue excellence in every aspect of their lives. As well as being an avid reader, a die-hard wrestling fan, and a lover of old-school hip hop, Jay loves spending time outdoors, hiking, surfing, and rock climbing.
This is a re-air of episode 163 with Bobby Maximus, originally released on October 10th, 2021.
Bobby Maximus is a man of many talents. He’s a former UFC fighter and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion who has built a successful career as a trainer, fitness influencer, actor, and author. Bobby’s work is regularly featured in Men’s Health magazine, and his no-nonsense training methods help elite athletes, military personnel, and everyday people take their fitness to the next level. Known for his impressive physique and straight-talking style, Bobby is also a family man who has learned to manage his time effectively and maintain a sustainable and productive work-life balance.
This is a re-air of episode 191 with Jacob Zemer, originally released on June 26th, 2022.
Jacob Zemer is a weight loss specialist, high-performance coach, and public speaker who helps ex-athletes, business executives, and men like you and me look, feel, and perform better. Last year, Jacob’s highly effective, no-nonsense approach to diet and training helped over 200 people lose 20 pounds. His advice is sought after by celebrities and media outlets, and he currently works with and trains Brian Mazza, the founder of High-Performance Lifestyle Training.
This is a re-air of episode 187 with Bob Harper, which was originally released May 22nd, 2022.
Bob Harper is a renowned fitness expert, a New York Times bestselling author, and the creator of the Black Fire workout program. Best known for his role as the host of The Biggest Loser, Bob started his career working at the front desk of a fitness center in Tennessee. Eventually, his desire to succeed in the fitness industry led him to Los Angeles, where he became one of the most sought-after personal trainers in the city. However, in 2017, a heart attack forced Bob to rethink his approach to fitness. Today, he lives in New York, where he enjoys spending time with friends and compiling bespoke playlists for his hot yoga classes.
David Stewart is the founder of Ageist, a media company that champions the vitality, capability, and influence of the modern over 50. As a passionate advocate for living life to the fullest in middle age and beyond, David is in demand as a public speaker at premier venues around the world. He’s also the host of the Super Age Podcast and the creator of the Redesigning Age TEDx Talk. Before launching Ageist, David enjoyed an award-winning career as a photographer, and his work has been featured in GQ, Esquire, Wired, Harper's Bazaar, and The New York Times.
Frank Rich is a former bodybuilder, an entrepreneur, and the host of The Super Human Life podcast. As the founder and CEO of Rebuilt Recovery coaching program, Frank focuses on helping men overcome porn addiction and equipping them with the tools to regain control of their lives.
Forrest Smith is the CEO of Kineon Labs and the creator of the Kineon Move+, a targeted red-light and laser therapy device that helps relieve pain and improve mobility. As a CrossFit enthusiast and keen rugby player, Forrest is serious about health and fitness, and he developed the Kineon Move + to help people recover from injury, reduce inflammation, and stay active for longer.
Todd Anderson is a performance coach, public speaker, and entrepreneur who moved into the strength and conditioning profession after his career in the NFL ended. Over the last 10 years, Todd has helped thousands of athletes optimize their performance, and in 2020, he founded Synergy Dryland, an elite swimming program with his wife, ex-Olympic swimmer Katie Hoff. After spending some time with Jesse Itzler, Todd took up running, and in 2022, he teamed up with champion marathon runner Ken Rideout to create the game-changing Rideout Strong Training Program.
Gary Sanchez is the founder of the WHY Institute and creator of the WHY Discovery system, the first digital tool to enable individuals and businesses to gain more insight into what defines and drives them. As a former dentist who got clear on his purpose before transitioning into his current role as an international keynote speaker and mission-driven entrepreneur, Gary is committed to helping others discover their why and build more fulfilling, abundant, and purposeful lives.
BLKBOK, also known as Charles Wilson III, is a neo-classical pianist and composer who has worked with artists such as Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, and operatic tenor Lawrence Brownlee. BLKBOK’s first album Black Book was released to critical acclaim in 2021, and he continues to create, inspire, and innovate through his culturally-reflective compositions and high-energy live performances.
Joe Hirsch is a father of four, the host of the I wish They Knew podcast, and the author of The Feedback Fix: Dump the Past, Embrace the Future, and Lead the Way to Change. As an internationally recognized expert on leadership and communication, Joe helps organizations design and deliver feedback without fear, and he has shared his powerful message through his TEDx talk, The Joy of Getting Feedback, and on the global stage as a keynote speaker.
Justin Breen is a husband, father, and the best-selling author of Epic Business and Epic Life: How to Build Collaborative Global Companies While Putting Your Loved Ones First. Justin is also a member of the Abundance 360 entrepreneurial community and the founder and CEO of BrEpic Communications, a premier PR agency that caters exclusively to visionary entrepreneurs who want to extend their influence and change the world.
Dana Cavalea is the former director of Strength & Conditioning and Performance for the New York Yankees. In 2009, he was the recipient of the Nolan Ryan Award for the top Strength & Performance Coach in Major League Baseball, and today he applies the skills he acquired coaching professional athletes to his work as a High-Performance coach to top CEOs, Wall Street Fund Managers, and Sales Teams. Dana is also a popular keynote speaker, the owner of a grass-fed beef farm, and the author of Habits of a Champion and Habits of a Champion Team.
John Livesay is a keynote speaker who specializes in helping sales teams tell better stories and win more sales. Known as the Pitch Whisperer, John has had a long and successful career in sales, but he’s also experienced his share of setbacks and disappointments along the way. After weathering the 2008 recession and adapting to the demands of the digital revolution, John gave a TEDx talk entitled Be The Lifeguard of Your Own Life, which has garnered more than a million views. He's also the author of Better Selling Through Storytelling and The Sale Is in the Tale; 5 Storytelling Secrets to Keep From Drowning in a Sea of Sameness.
This is a re-air of episode 191 with Jacob Zemer, which was originally released June 26th, 2022. Jacob Zemer is a weight loss specialist, high-performance coach, and public speaker who helps ex-athletes, business executives, and men like you and me look, feel, and perform better. Last year, Jacob’s highly effective, no-nonsense approach to diet and training helped over 200 people lose 20 pounds. His advice is sought after by celebrities and media outlets, and he currently works with and trains Brian Mazza, the founder of High-Performance Lifestyle Training.
This is a re-air of episode 184 with Ryan Duey, which was originally released May 1st, 2022. Ryan Duey is the co-founder of Plunge, a health and wellness company based in Sacramento that creates affordable, stylish, and easy-to-use cold plunges. Plunge was founded in 2020 at the height of the Covid pandemic when Ryan and his business partner found themselves with unexpected time on their hands and a shared interest in creating an ice bath that would make it easier and more enjoyable for people to plunge at home. The company’s mission is to make cold plunging as common as coffee and to spread the word about the incredible health benefits of cold therapy.
This is a re-air of episode 184 with Ryan Duey, which was originally released May 1st, 2022. Ryan Duey is the co-founder of Plunge, a health and wellness company based in Sacramento that creates affordable, stylish, and easy-to-use cold plunges. Plunge was founded in 2020 at the height of the Covid pandemic when Ryan and his business partner found themselves with unexpected time on their hands and a shared interest in creating an ice bath that would make it easier and more enjoyable for people to plunge at home. The company’s mission is to make cold plunging as common as coffee and to spread the word about the incredible health benefits of cold therapy.
Ray Cash Care is a Navy SEAL veteran and a physical fitness and mindset coach who teaches men, boys, and businesses how to perform at their optimal level. Ray is the lead instructor at the MDK (Modern Day Knight) Project, a co-founder of the Squire Program and the LTD Project, and an MC for the Uncommon Grit Foundation, which raises funds for the families of fallen Navy SEALS.
At the age of 28, Sebastian Terry decided to write a list of a hundred things he wanted to do in his life. Since then, he has dedicated his time to working his way through that list and helping others achieve their goals. Sebastian’s story has been featured in an ESPN documentary, and he continues to motivate and inspire through his courses, keynote speeches, and best-selling book 100 Things; What’s on Your List?
Jeff Mahin is a chef, a restaurant owner, and the co-founder of Split Nutrition, which produces delicious nut butter and fruit jelly snacks. Jeff is also a keen cyclist, a judge on the Cooking Channel’s Sugar Showdown, and a curious-minded lifelong learner who believes in the inherent goodness of humanity.
Teddi Dean grew up immersed in Southern California’s surf and skateboard culture. As a teenager, he toured the country with the Vans skateboard team and became part of the legendary Powell and Peralta Bones Brigade. Later, Teddi branched into film-making, and although he struggled with alcohol addiction and anxiety along the way, he found contentment in the teachings of the Buddha and the practice of meditation. Today, Teddi is a respected yoga and meditation teacher who leads classes in mindfulness and meditation at the Modern Elder Academy in Baja.
Cody Jefferson is a father, a life coach, and a former pastor who has overcome personal trauma and life-threatening illness to become a successful life coach and entrepreneur. Today, as the founder of the Embrace the Lion coaching program, Cody travels the country motivating good men to become great and have it all in life, love, and business.
Todd Abrams is a serial entrepreneur, a former Men’s Physique competitor, and the CEO and co-founder of Icon Meals. He’s also a committed family man, a skilled networker, and a life-long learner who aims to get a little bit better every day. Todd keeps himself in incredible shape through a combination of healthy eating, intermittent fasting, and working out with legendary bodybuilder Mike O’Hearn. He’s a firm believer in the possibility of personal transformation, and he likes to share his thoughts on family, fitness, and life on his inspirational DadBod blog.
Doug Elks is an entrepreneur, a former college basketball player, and the host of the AIM (Ambition In Mind) podcast. Doug graduated from Western Carolina University in 2021 with a degree in Management and Marketing. He’s currently looking to scale his business, and when he reached out to me recently for guidance and mentoring, I was only too happy to help. I really enjoyed talking to Doug, so much so that I decided to share our conversation/coaching session on today’s show.
Ken Rusk is an entrepreneur, a blue-collar advocate, and the author of The Wall Street Journal bestseller, Blue Collar Cash: Love Your Work, Secure Your Future, and Find Happiness For Life. Ken started work as a ditch-digger at 15 and went on to build a successful construction company that gave him the financial and personal freedom to lead a comfortable and fulfilling life. He’s passionate about the benefits of blue-collar work, and his mission is to make people realize that you don’t need a college degree to be successful.
Jacob Zemer is a weight loss specialist, high-performance coach, and public speaker who helps ex-athletes, business executives, and men like you and me look, feel, and perform better. Last year, Jacob’s highly effective, no-nonsense approach to diet and training helped over 200 people lose 20 pounds. His advice is sought after by celebrities and media outlets, and he currently works with and trains Brian Mazza, the founder of High-Performance Lifestyle Training.
Mark Warren is a former MMA competitor, a Cross Fit enthusiast, and a serial entrepreneur. In 2015, Mark co-founded FitVine wine with his business partner Tom Beaton. Within a few months, the company built up a base of loyal customers who loved the full-bodied taste and low sugar content of its wines. Today, FitVine is the fastest-growing wine brand in the US, and it’s Mark’s ambition to turn it into a legacy brand that will continue to provide consumers with healthier, cleaner wine for many years to come.
Bob Harper is a renowned fitness expert, a New York Times bestselling author, and the creator of the Black Fire workout program. Best known for his role as the host of The Biggest Loser, Bob started his career working at the front desk of a fitness center in Tennessee. Eventually, his desire to succeed in the fitness industry led him to Los Angeles, where he became one of the most sought-after personal trainers in the city. However, in 2017, a heart attack forced Bob to rethink his approach to fitness. Today, he lives in New York, where he enjoys spending time with friends and compiling bespoke playlists for his hot yoga classes.
Tan Nguyen is the co-founder of Revolve Physical Therapy in Houston, Texas. Tan prides himself on taking a proactive rather than a reactive approach to physical therapy, and he believes in addressing the root cause rather than the symptom. With his love of sports and his background in personal training, Tan preaches the benefits of an active, healthy lifestyle, and his mission is to help people of all ages move well, avoid injury, and live pain-free.
Merril Hoge is a proud father, grandfather, and former NFL footballer who played for eight seasons as a running back for the Pittsburg Steelers and the Chicago Bears before retiring in1994. Since then, Meril has worked as a football analyst for ESPN and has written two best-selling books, Find a Way: Three Words That Changed My Life and Brainwashed: The Bad Science Behind CTE and the Plot to Destroy Football.
Ryan Duey is the co-founder of Plunge, a health and wellness company based in Sacramento that creates affordable, stylish, and easy-to-use cold plunges. Plunge was founded in 2020 at the height of the Covid pandemic when Ryan and his business partner found themselves with unexpected time on their hands and a shared interest in creating an ice bath that would make it easier and more enjoyable for people to plunge at home. The company’s mission is to make cold plunging as common as coffee and to spread the word about the incredible health benefits of cold therapy.
Chip Conley is the founder of The Modern Elder Academy and the author of five bestselling books, including Wisdom@Work, which is based on his experience of mentoring Brian Chesky, the CEO of Airbnb. Chip’s extensive knowledge of the hospitality industry proved invaluable to the founders of Airbnb, who came to regard him as ‘a modern elder’. Today, Chip has transitioned into a powerful advocate for the pursuit of meaning and purpose in midlife and beyond. He’s eternally curious and energetic, and he’s proud to have learned to surf and speak Spanish at the age of 58.
Khalil Rafati is the owner of SunLife Organics, a super-successful chain of organic juice bars with outlets in California, Texas, and Arizona. Today, Khalil is all about eating organically and maximizing longevity, but his journey to health and sobriety has been long and tortuous. As a former addict, Khalil perfected his smoothie-making technique while experimenting with ways to regain his strength in recovery. Eventually, his passion for clean living and organic superfoods led to the creation of a multi-million dollar business and resulted in a life full of health, happiness, and abundance.
Adam Jablin is an entrepreneur, a recovery specialist, and the author of Lotsaholic, From a Sick to Sober Superman. He’s also a sought-after sobriety coach who spent decades running and scaling his family’s garment business before he found his calling as a mentor and public speaker. Now, through his frequent media appearances and transformational Hero Project course, Adam uses his positive energy and personal experience of recovery to help others find the tools they need to tackle their addictions.
Paul Epstein is a former NFL and NBA business executive turned keynote speaker and leadership coach. Paul helps people find their why and motivates them to achieve their goals by embracing his core values of courage, growth, and authenticity. He prioritizes impact and purpose, and as well as being the Chief Impact Officer of PurposePoint and Chief Purpose Advisor of the WHY Institute, Paul is also the host of the Playmakers: On Purpose podcast and the best-selling author of The Power of Playing Offense: A Leader's Playbook for Personal and Team Transformation.
Nate Klemp is an author, philosopher, and mindfulness expert who specializes in helping people optimize their wellbeing and find peace of mind in a hectic world. Lately, Nate has been contemplating the subject of marriage, and together with his wife Kaley, he co-wrote The 80/80 Marriage, A New Model for a Happier, Stronger Relationship, which offers an alternative to the traditional 50/50 division of responsibilities and encourages couples to explore a mindset shift from perceived fairness to radical generosity.
Abdi Abdirahman is a five-time Olympian and the author of Abdi’s World: The Black Cactus on Running, Life, and Fun. Originally from Somalia, Abdi was forced to flee the country and spend time in a refugee camp in Kenya before settling with his family in the US. He discovered his talent for running at college and went on to become a professional distance runner, representing the USA at five Olympic Games. At the age of 45, Abdi still loves to run, and he’s currently focusing on preparing to qualify for his sixth Olympics.
Christopher Robbins is a husband, father, and the founder of Soul Degree, a coaching and personal development program for men that offers monthly meditations and runs restorative wilderness retreats. After twenty years of chasing the conventional version of success, Christopher has found his calling as a coach, meditation guide, and yoga instructor. He has also rekindled his love of the outdoors, and his Soul Degree retreats give men the opportunity to step out of their everyday lives and experience adventure, freedom, and inner growth.
Tanner Guzy is a men’s style coach, a TEDx speaker, and the author of The Appearance of Power: How Masculinity is Expressed Through Aesthetics. Tanner knows that what men wear matters, and through his blog, book, and coaching services, he’s on a mission to help them look and feel more confident. In this episode, Tanner explains how our choice of clothing affects the way we see ourselves (as well as how we are perceived by others), and he gives some expert advice on developing an authentic and affordable personal style.
Brian Mazza is a father, husband, and entrepreneur with a background in hospitality and fashion. He’s also a former D1 soccer player and a fitness icon who has appeared on the cover of Men’s Health magazine and collaborated with numerous high-profile fashion brands. In 2020, Brian founded High-Performance Lifestyle Training, a fitness company dedicated to maximizing human potential through health, wellness, and community.
Saad Alam is a mission-driven entrepreneur who builds companies focused on finding solutions to problems he has experienced in his own life. So, after turning his health around with the help of hormone optimization therapy, Saad founded Hone Health, a home testing and treatment company that helps men understand their hormone levels and get personalized guidance from physicians so they can feel healthier, energized, and more confident as they age.
Dr. Mike Simpson spent over thirty years in the army as an Airborne Ranger, a Special Forces Operator, and an Emergency Medicine Doctor assigned to the Joint Special Operations Command. During his time in the military, Mike trained as a demolitions expert, a SWAT sniper, and a high-altitude parachutist. Since leaving the Armed Forces, he has launched the Mind of the Warrior Podcast and set up the Greybeard Performance supplement company. Mike has also recently written his first book, Honed: Finding Your Edge as a Man Over 40.
Michael Umansky is an entrepreneur with over twenty years of experience in the tech startup industry. He’s currently the co-founder and CEO of INK, an AI platform that helps content creators optimize their writing, improve their Google rankings, and reach a wider audience. As well as being a technology geek, Michael is also a keen skier, and he’s recently moved from Houston, Texas, to Snowmass, Colorado, where he intends to enjoy a slower-paced but more family-friendly and outdoorsy lifestyle.
J.J Peterson is the co-founder of Clean Simple Eats, a company that helps people build healthy habits and elevate their lives through food and fitness. Along with his wife Erika, JJ has created over 700 great-tasting, family-friendly, macro-balanced meal plans that make following a healthy diet easy and fun. Through the Clean Simple Eats app and popular health and fitness challenges, J.J aims to help members of the CSE community prep, plan, and track their meals and develop a positive and sustainable relationship with food.
Jason Tuschen is a husband, father, surfer, and retired Navy SEAL Command Master Chief. After 27 years of serving his country, taking part in special ops missions, and working in senior leadership roles for Naval Special Warfare Group 1, Jason made the transition to civilian life, where he applies his exceptional team-building and leadership skills to his new role of CEO of Sylabs, a Silicon Valley tech startup.
Jeff Scult is the founder of One Golden Thread, an ethical clothing company that creates super-comfortable, unisex designs made from tree fiber. One Golden Thread is all about connection and community, and Jeff is committed to making a positive impact on the planet by planting a tree for every item his company sells. As well as being a clothing designer and a social entrepreneur, Jeff is a seeker who has embarked on a profound journey of self-inquiry and self-awareness. He believes in courage, curiosity, and encouraging others to find their voice and share their unique gifts with the world.
Jay Ferruggia, aka The Transformation King, is a life and fitness coach to CEOs, entertainers, authors, NFL athletes, baseball players, and WWE entertainers. Jay has been helping men build better bodies since 1994, and through his top-rated Renegade Radio health and fitness podcast, he aims to help them pursue excellence in every aspect of their lives. As well as being an avid reader, a die-hard wrestling fan, and a lover of old-school hip hop, Jay loves spending time outdoors, hiking, surfing, and rock climbing.
Kenny Santucci is the creator of Strong New York and owner of the Strength Club NYC. Despite growing up as an awkward and overweight kid in New Jersey, Kenny went on to become a TV host and one of New York’s top trainers. Today, he’s an influential figure in the health and fitness industry whose work has been featured in Shape, Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, and Well+Good.
Stalin Colinet was born and raised in the Bronx, and during his high school years, he excelled in football, basketball, and track. However, his heart was set on becoming a professional football player, and he accepted a scholarship to Boston College, where he became the captain of the football team. In 1997, Stalin signed with the Minnesota Vikings and went on to enjoy a 7-year career in the NFL. Today, Stalin is a software executive, a committed family man, and a born-again vegan who continues to apply the lessons he learned in his football career to his personal and professional life.
Joshua B Lee is a husband, a father, a serial entrepreneur, and the author of Balance is Bullsh*t. How to Successfully Integrate Work & Life. Known as the ‘Dopamine Dealer of LinkedIn,' Joshua helps entrepreneurs and business owners connect to their clients and build rewarding, long-lasting connections based on authenticity and trust. Through his StandOut Authority digital marketing company, Joshua works with businesses to personalize their brands, increase their reach, and stand out in a competitive online marketplace.
Garrain Jones is a motivational speaker and the author of the bestselling book, Change Your Mindset, Change Your Life. Garrain’s remarkable rags to riches story and his transition from a life of crime to a successful career as a transformational coach serve as a powerful example to anyone who wants to change their life for the better. Today, Garrain has found fulfillment in both his personal and professional life, and he’s a loving husband and a respected leader whose infectious energy and zest for life inspire others and keep him feeling healthy, happy, confident, and young.
Bobby Maximus is a man of many talents. He’s a former UFC fighter and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion who has built a successful career as a trainer, fitness influencer, actor, and author. Bobby’s work is regularly featured in Men’s Health magazine, and his no-nonsense training methods help elite athletes, military personnel, and everyday people take their fitness to the next level. Known for his impressive physique and straight-talking style, Bobby is also a family man who has learned to manage his time effectively and maintain a sustainable and productive work-life balance.
This is a re-air of episode 109 with Josh Taekman, which was originally released June 19th 2020. Josh Taekman is the founder and CEO of EBOOST, a wellness brand that manufactures and sells natural energy drinks designed to help you feel great and do more. Josh grew up in California but moved to New York to fulfill his dream of working at an urban record label. He started his entrepreneurial career working as VP of Marketing for Sean ‘P. Diddy’ Combs’ Bad Boy Entertainment and played an instrumental role in building Bad Boy into a global brand. As a health and wellness advocate who likes to box, surf, and work out, Josh came up with the idea for EBOOST when he was looking for an energy drink that wasn’t laden with sugar and artificial additives. Today, EBOOST offers the health-conscious consumer a wide choice of energy drinks, including pre-workout and recovery powders, that naturally improve energy and focus and help fuel an active, busy lifestyle.
This is a re-air of episode 39 with Joel Neeb, which was originally released September 14th, 2018.
Joel ‘Thor’ Neeb is a former F-15 fighter pilot, the president of Afterburner, and a stage four cancer survivor. In his days as a fighter pilot, Joel was often deployed to fly on presidential escort missions. He was in the process of auditioning for the Thunderbirds Air Force Demonstration Squadron when doctors discovered he had a cancerous tumor in his abdomen. After successful surgery and chemotherapy, Joel made a conscious decision to get the most out of his life. In the past few years, he’s climbed Kilimanjaro, competed in an Ironman triathlon, and appeared on American Ninja Warrior. He also became a partner in Afterburner, a company that employs ex-military professionals to teach leadership skills to corporate organizations.
This is a re-air of episode 26 with Daniel Singer, which was originally released May 18th, 2018.
Daniel Singer, aka Filthy Daniel, is the founder of the cocktail garnish company, Filthy Food. Daniel grew up in England and was an actor with the Royal Shakespeare Company before moving to the States. In 2009, he founded Filthy with his brother Marc, and they set about sourcing the finest olives and cherries to use in their garnishes. Daniel believes that details matter. He is obsessed with providing the best quality ingredients and taking the time to ferment them naturally. Today, Filthy’s pickles, cherries, and olives are served in some of the best bars and restaurants in the world, and Daniel is on a mission to make life a little filthier, one cocktail at a time.
This is a re-air of episode 81 with Jeff Fitzhugh, which was originally released October 4th, 2019.
Jeff Fitzhugh is a husband, father, and the CEO of RAEN Sunglasses. Before joining RAEN, Jeff worked for a series of other well-known brands, including Oakley, Converse, and Sanuk. As a Californian native and lover of the West Coast lifestyle, Jeff was a fan of the RAEN brand before he became its CEO. He loves RAEN’s classic style and its independent spirit, which has its roots in the laid-back Southern Californian surf and skate culture. Today, armed with a powerful combination of imagination, ambition, and positivity, Jeff and his team are on a mission to make RAEN the most popular eyewear brand on the planet.
This is a re-air of episode 58 with Seamus Mullen, which was originally released February 22nd, 2019. Seamus Mullen is an award-winning New York chef, restaurateur, and cookbook author known for his inventive yet approachable Spanish cuisine. Seamus first rose to national prominence in 2006 with Boqueria, one of the first critically acclaimed and highly successful Spanish restaurants in New York. Seamus has become a leading authority in the conversation on food, health, and wellness. He was diagnosed in 2007 with rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that forced him to rethink his relationship with food, and led to his first cookbook Hero Food, published in 2012. Through food, exercise and lifestyle changes, Seamus was able to successfully turn his health around. He shares his story through numerous speaking engagements around the country, and has been featured in major publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Chicago-Tribune, and The Guardian.
This is a re-air of episode 123 with Harry Arnett, which was originally released December 18th, 2020.
Harry Arnett has had a long and successful career in marketing. However, in 2019, he decided to leave his comfortable and well-paid executive position with Callaway Golf and devote his time and energy to creating something new. Although he was approaching fifty, Harry was excited about entering this new entrepreneurial phase in his life, and in 2020, Harry (along with Mark Wahlberg and Stephen Levinson) launched Municipal, an athleisure company selling high-quality but affordable sports utility gear. Municipal’s super-comfortable and effortlessly cool clothing is designed to be practical, stylish, and versatile. It can be worn at home, in the office, or at the gym, and it is the perfect choice for anyone who leads an active, busy life.
This is a re-air of episode 119 with Steve Schlafman, which was originally released November 13th, 2020. Steve Schlafman is a certified professional coach, an angel investor, and the founder of High Output, a boutique leadership development company. As a former venture capitalist and partner at one of New York’s top venture capital funds, Steve is a proven high performer. However, after decades spent working in high-stress corporate environments, he has decided to dedicate the next phase of his life to helping entrepreneurs fulfill their potential and bring their boldest visions to life. Through his transformational coaching, Steve aims to help business owners increase their output and evolve into extraordinary leaders. Recently, as part of his own transition towards a more flexible lifestyle, Steve and his family moved from New York City to the Catskills, where he enjoys spending time in nature and riding his bike on the trails.
This is a re-air of episode 114 with Robert Tuchman, which was originally released October 9th, 2020. Robert Tuchman is an experienced entrepreneur in the sports and entertainment industry who has built and sold two Inc.500 businesses. He’s also the host of Entrepreneur Magazine’s “How Success Happens” podcast, where he interviews other extraordinary business owners who have overcome challenges and used them as learning opportunities to achieve success. Robert has always loved sports and originally wanted to be a sports reporter before founding his first company, Tuchman Sports and Entertainment. Today, he plays baseball, rides his mountain bike, and meditates daily to keep himself mentally and physically fit. Although he’s a die-hard Jets fan, his ambition is to interview Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots, on the How Success Happens podcast.
This is a re-air of episode 101 with Phil Goglia, which was originally released April 24th, 2020.
Phil Goglia is the founder of Performance Fitness Concepts, one of the leading nutrition clinics in the United States. He’s also the founder of G-Plans online nutrition program and the co-founder of Split Nutrition which produces gluten-free, plant-based energy snacks. Phil has been a certified nutritionist for over 35 years, and he’s currently the official nutritionist for the World Boxing Committee. His clients include professional athletes such as Kevin Love, Alex Rodriguez, and Russell Wilson, and he’s employed by Marvel to help actors like Chris Pratt and Colin Farrell get into peak physical shape for their superhero roles. Phil has appeared on the E! Network’s Revenge Bodies, and, in his younger years, he was a collegiate All-American wrestler and a Mr. North America bodybuilding champion.
This is a re-air of episode 64 with Aaron Hinde, which was originally released April 19th, 2019.
Aaron Hinde was a successful sports chiropractor before he and his business partner Orion Melehan co-founded the LIFEAID Beverage Company in 2011. As someone with a background in sports and fitness, Aaron’s intention was to offer consumers a range of vitamin-infused drinks that would naturally enhance their health and performance. Today, LIFEAID makes FITAID, FOCUSAID, IMMUNITYAID, PARTYAID, and GOLFERAID. The company also sponsors the CrossFit Games and the U.S Spartan Races. However, life hasn’t always been plain sailing for Aaron. He was bankrupted during the financial crash of 2009 and has had to work tirelessly to create a better future for himself and his family. Resourceful, driven, and resilient, Aaron believes in living for the present, planning for the long term, and learning from those who have gone before.
Shawn Nelson is the founder and CEO of the Lovesac furniture company, which he started as a side hustle and built into a billion-dollar business. Shawn was born and raised in Salt Lake City and spent two years in Taiwan learning Mandarin before graduating from the University of Utah with a degree in Chinese and Business. In 2003, he was named The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, and in 2005, he won a million-dollar investment on the Rebel Billionaire reality TV show. Over the years, Shawn has become increasingly interested in sustainability, and Lovesac is committed to producing furniture that is designed to evolve and built to last. Shawn lives with his wife Tiffany and their four children in Utah, where he enjoys dirt biking, wakeboarding, and coaching his son’s soccer team.
Jeff Klein is the managing director of DKC, one of the country’s top independent public relations and integrated marketing firms. Jeff is an expert in nurturing relationships, enhancing reputations, and maximizing coverage for his clients. He’s a skillful strategist and a consummate storyteller who, after more than twenty-five years as a communications professional, is still passionate about PR.
Doug Sanders is the founder of Sanders Sports and Entertainment (SSE), a brand management company that crafts and grows the brands of high-profile professional athletes. Doug’s clients include some of the most notable and recognizable names in the NFL and the NBA, and he currently works with NFL All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins, Pro Football Hall of Famer Terrell “T.O.” Owens, and NBA Champions Channing Frye and Nick “Swaggy P” Young. Doug’s goal is to help his clients make an impact in the areas they’re most passionate about and create legacies that last far beyond their playing days. When he’s not working, Doug enjoys reading, sampling wine from Channing Frye’s Chosen Family Wines label, and spending time with his wife and two young children.
Jon Finkel is a sportswriter whose latest book, 1996: A Biography-Reliving The Legend-Packed, Dynasty-Stacked, Most Iconic Sports Year Ever, celebrates the achievements of the athletes who made that year so remarkable. Jon has written cover stories and feature articles for GQ, Men’s Health, Men’s Fitness, and The New York Times, and he’s the award-winning author of Hoops Heist, The Life of Dad, Jocks in Chief, The Athlete, and “Mean” Joe Green. He currently lives in Florida, where he works out in his garage gym and produces a weekly Books & Biceps newsletter featuring book recommendations, author interviews, and workouts.
Adrian Koehler is an executive coach and leadership engagement expert who specializes in guiding leaders through their feelings of frustration and isolation towards a sense of greater clarity and connection. He’s the founder and Senior Partner at Take New Ground, a leadership coaching company based in LA, and the co-host of Raising The Bar, a business podcast he presents with Alli Webb. Adrian is super-transparent about the challenges he’s faced in his own life and demands honesty and authenticity from his clients.
Dean Sheremet is a former professional dancer turned chef, cookbook author, TV personality, and wellness expert. Dean grew up in Detroit, and as a child, he excelled at athletics and dance. At the age of eighteen, he moved to LA to pursue his dream of becoming a dancer, but within a few years, he was married and devoting his energy to supporting the career of his famous wife. When his marriage ended, Dean moved to New York and set about turning his love of cooking into a career.
After graduating from culinary school, he worked at Nobu and the Michelin-starred Jean-Georges restaurant. In 2015, he wrote Eat Your Heart Out: The Look Good, Feel Good, Silver Lining Cookbook. Dean continues to provide inventive recipes and practical cooking tips through the videos he posts on Instagram. He’s perpetually curious about the world, and he’s super-excited about the next stage in his life, which he plans to dedicate to meeting new people, learning new things, and looking for new adventures.
Geof Rochester has had a long and distinguished career in marketing. Prior to founding his own company GRC Advising, Geof was the Senior Vice President of Affiliate Marketing at Showtime Networks and the Managing Director and Chief Marketing Officer for the Nature Conservancy. Today, he advises non-profits, social enterprises, and corporate brands on marketing strategy. As the son of a diplomat, he was interested in social and political issues from an early age, and he remains excited about the opportunity to help others and make a positive difference in the world
Zach Morgan is a fitness coach and wellness guru who works for Queer Eye’s Bobby Berk as his personal trainer and chef. Zach grew up in Kansas City and studied International Business and Finance in England for three years before returning to Kansas and enrolling in culinary school. When Zach’s health started to suffer from working long hours in the high-stress environment of a restaurant kitchen, he decided to get back into shape and transitioned from being a chef to being a trainer. He met the guys from Queer Eye when they were filming in Kansas City, and they joined the gym where he was working as an instructor. After Bobby offered him a job in L.A., Zach moved from the Midwest to the West Coast with his wife and their dog Marco. Zach is a super-fit and stylish guy who is a brand ambassador for Whoop and Rhone. At the moment, he’s on location with the cast of Queer Eye in Austin, where he’s making an effort to fit in his triathlon training and having fun exploring the city by bike.
Rich Kleiman is Kevin Durant’s manager and business partner. He’s also the co-founder of Thirty Five Ventures, which encompasses the pair’s joint enterprises in sports, technology, and philanthropy. Through their media company, The Boardroom, they produce video series, podcasts, newsletters, and long-form articles focused on the culture and business of sport. Their Boardroom University program delivers seminars on sport and entrepreneurship to college students, and the short film they produced was recently awarded an Academy Award. Before he worked with Kevin Durant, Rich was VP of Sports at Jay-Z’s Roc Nation. Rich is a born entrepreneur and a natural networker who values his friendships and believes in working hard and having fun.
Jonathon Catherman is the founder and director of the 1M Mentoring Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing mentoring resources to young people. He’s also the author of The Manual to Manhood, The Manual to Middle School, and the co-author of The Girl’s Guide to Conquering Life and The Girl’s Guide to Conquering Middle School. Jonathan’s most recent books, Guiding the Next Great Generation and Becoming the Next Great Generation, have just been released and are intended to help parents pass on important life skills and values to their children and support teenagers as they develop into confident and capable adults.
Mark England is the founder of Procabulary, a company that helps people harness the power of language to change how they perceive themselves and create more positive opportunities in their lives. After leaving college, Mark decided to move to Thailand to complete his kickboxing training. He hoped to turn professional, but after sustaining two serious knee injuries, he took a post as a sports teacher at an American school in Bangkok. He spent a further five years working as an emotional detoxification counselor in the island resort of Koh Samui.
Mark loves freedom, adventure, and language. He knows that the stories we tell about ourselves matter, and with Procabulary, he has created a system that encourages us to overcome our negative self-talk, challenge our limiting beliefs, and process our most traumatic memories.
Greg Patterson is the CEO of the Advisory Group, an independent financial advisory firm based in San Francisco which manages over one billion dollars in assets. He’s also an incredible athlete who recently qualified for the Ironman World Championship in Kona. Greg helps his clients identify their life goals and designs financial plans that make it easier for them to create the lifestyles they want. He believes that many of the lessons he’s learned from triathlon training can also be applied to financial planning, and he encourages his clients to think ahead, challenge their limiting beliefs and commit to achieving their ‘impossible’ goals.
Brian Peters is an NFL veteran who played in the Arena League and the Canadian Football League before joining the Houston Texans as a linebacker. Brian is a formidable athlete and an intrepid biohacker who uses cold exposure, contrast therapy, and Wim Hof breathing to optimize his health and performance. He believes that exposing the body to stressful environments (such as extremes of hot or cold) builds physical and mental resilience, and he can often be found meditating in his cold tub or sitting in an icy lake. Brian is always looking for new ways to push himself and, in his capacity as Strength and Leadership Coach for the MindStrong Project, he also helps others work towards their personal and fitness goals. His new podcast, Chasing Edges, which promises to uncover the hacks, habits, and mindsets of high performers, will be available soon.
Sean Garner is the founder of EntreFit, a company that helps fitness professionals optimize their income and scale their online fitness businesses. EntreFit’s business coaching program teaches trainers and coaches how to identify their perfect client, find their niche, and stand out from the competition. It also provides them with the blueprint they need to build a financially successful and emotionally fulfilling career.
Sean is an experienced personal trainer and content creator whose workouts and training programs are regularly featured in Men’s Health. He loves to help men feel more confident about their bodies, and through his business coaching, he teaches fitness professionals how to provide the best possible service to their clients. As a husband, father, and entrepreneur, he’s a firm believer in the importance of getting clear on your priorities and developing the self-discipline to work steadily and consistently towards your goals.
Alfred Spellman is a born storyteller. He grew up in Miami Beach and, along with his friend Billy Corben, he’s been making films since he was 15 years old. In 2000 they created their production company Rakontur and their first documentary, Raw Deal: A Question of Consent, premiered at the Sundance Festival in 2001. Since then, they’ve produced 537 Votes, Screwball, Magic City Hustle, Dawg Fight, Cocaine Cowboys, and ESPN’s 30 for 30: Broke, The U, and The U: Part 2. Rakontur’s films have tackled a diverse range of topics from sexual assault to college football to the Biogenesis doping scandal. Alfred’s not afraid to explore the sordid underbelly of society, and as a Miami native, he derives much of his inspiration from the real-life stories of crime, corruption, and hypocrisy that are rife in his hometown.
Greg Funderburk is the pastoral care minister at South Main Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. He is also an author whose first book, The Mourning Wave, A Novel of the Great Storm, was published to critical acclaim in September 2020. Greg’s second book, Let It Be Said We’ve Borne It Well, a collection of stories compiled to provide support and encouragement during the Covid pandemic, has just been released by Smyth & Helwys. Greg is inspired by tales of human endurance, compassion, and fortitude, and he believes in finding solace in the small things that bring joy and meaning to our lives. As a former lawyer, Greg has brought his practical problem-solving mindset to his current role as a pastor, and he is committed to helping his parishioners cope with the challenges they face in their lives.
Robby Sansom is the co-founder and CEO/Chief Land Steward of Force of Nature, a company based in Austin, which sells pasture-raised grass-fed meat sourced from farms and ranches that practice regenerative farming principles. Conservation and nature have always been important to Robby, who grew up in the Texas hill country where he learned to hunt and harvest his own meat.Before he co-founded Force of Nature, Robby was the CFO and COO of EPIC provisions, and he has spent the last six years studying regenerative agriculture at ranches all over the world.
Robby and the rest of the team at Force of Nature are committed to accelerating the creation of a regenerative agriculture system that helps enrich the soil, combat climate change, and make food production more sustainable. They are proud to sell premium quality meat from animals raised in natural grass pastures. With Force of Nature, consumers can invest in environmental regeneration by consuming nutrient-rich meat that is good for them and good for the planet.
Patrick Bolanos’ entrepreneurial journey started four years ago when he lost his job as the CFO of a restaurant group. With no savings to fall back on, Patrick realized he had to make some radical changes in his life. To make ends meet, he worked part-time in a catering company, but his mind was set on becoming an entrepreneur. Listening to motivational videos and podcasts inspired Patrick to take action and, after learning to weld, he set up Trailer King Builders, a company that builds customized food trucks.
As the company grew, Patrick made the decision to invest in his personal growth and enrolled in the Arete Syndicate and Apex Executives coaching programs. Being around people who have achieved considerable success in business has helped to make Patrick more accountable and enabled him to shift from a scarcity to an abundance mindset. Today, Trailer King Builders is thriving, and Patrick has launched his own podcast. He has also set up the Working For A Dream baseball academy in Nicaragua, which helps underprivileged kids to get an opportunity to sign with Major League Baseball teams.
James Fitzgerald is the founder of OPEX Fitness, a company that specializes in providing fitness coaching education. James grew up in Northern Canada and was a promising football player until an injury put paid to his plans of a professional career. Undeterred, he took up running, bodybuilding, weightlifting, and gymnastics. He also enrolled at The Memorial University of Newfoundland to study kinesiology and biology. Eventually, James discovered CrossFit, and in 2007, he was crowned The Fittest Man on Earth in the inaugural CrossFit Games. Following on from his competitive success, James managed to turn his love of fitness into a lucrative coaching career, and in 2011, he moved from Canada to Arizona to expand his business and establish OPEX Fitness.
Even though he’s super-curious about all things fitness, James isn’t just concerned about the physical aspects of health and wellbeing. He’s a life-long learner and an avid reader who has spent time thinking about some of the big questions, such as how to live a purposeful, moral, and fulfilling life. In today’s show, James explains how he balances family, fatherhood, and business and provides some straightforward suggestions for optimizing health, happiness, and longevity.
Tom Digan is the president and co-founder of Ladder, a digital fitness app designed to give its subscribers access to elite coaches and provide them with structured workouts, expert guidance, and enthusiastic support from a like-minded community. Prior to his role as president of Ladder, Tom spent 11 years trading credit and equity derivatives for a New York hedge fund. His career on Wall Street started in 2007(just on the cusp of the financial crisis), and for a few months, he was able to witness at first hand the sort of reckless conduct and excessive risk-taking that led up to the crash.
In 2016, after becoming interested in digital fitness and the idea of democratizing access to personal trainers, Tom decided to invest in Ladder. In 2018, he joined the company full-time as president and relocated from the New York area to Austin. Since then, he has been able to recruit some of the top trainers in the world to be part of his platform. Over the past year, Ladder’s strong community focus and structured programming have helped to keep people fit, motivated, and connected through the Covid pandemic. The company continues to grow and Tom is excited about its future and looking forward to offering Ladder members an ever-expanding range of innovative and fun fitness solutions.
Mark Samuel is a proud dad, a fitness enthusiast, and the founder and CEO of IWON Organics, a health and wellness company that makes super-delicious, high-protein, and gluten-free snacks. Mark is on a mission to make snacking healthy, guilt-free, and fun. He wants people to feel good about what they’re eating and explains that IWON stands for ‘I’m winning on nutrition’. As a matter of fact, Mark wants to help everybody feel like they’re winning, not just in nutrition but in life.
A firm believer in celebrating the small stuff, Mark’s recently released e-book, 'Small Wins Big Victories', is designed to help us appreciate the small wins we experience along the way. As a single parent who prioritizes his kids and an entrepreneur who likes to work out, Mark aims for balance in every area of his life and he shares his tips for fitting family, fitness, work, and fun into a purposeful and fulfilling life.
For Dr. Frank Lipman, health is more than just the absence of disease: it is a total state of physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social wellbeing. Dr. Lipman is a widely recognized trailblazer and leader in functional and integrative medicine, and he is a New York Times best-selling author of six books, How To Be Well, The New Health Rules, 10 Reasons You Feel Old and Get Fat, Revive, Total Renewal and his newest book, The New Rules of Aging Well.
Revival Strength was founded by Marcus Filly to help clients from diverse fitness backgrounds fall in love with their training. His interest in both athletics and human health and performance eventually led him to CrossFit in 2007. He has gone on to compete at the CrossFit Games 6 times, three times as an individual (2016 12th fittest) and three times as a team member (2012 6th fittest team). Marcus has been a health and fitness coach for 8 years since leaving Medical School in 2009. He was formerly a CrossFit facility owner for 5 years, has completed all 5 of the OPEX CCP courses, and has coached clients remotely from all over the world. He has coached athletes at the CrossFit Games as well as several Regionals athletes. He lives with his wife Megan, and two daughters. He lists his parents, Barbara and Roy, as his role models and drive to succeed in life.
Matt Williams is the Founder of FroPro. FroPro is a simple nutrient dense snack bar that tastes delicious. Matt started FroPro in his kitchen while working a nine to five job. On the surface, he had it all together. He was teaching private school and a varsity level coach but underneath that facade he was trapped in a self destructive cycle. Addiction does not define him but it is a central tenant of his story. His goal is to use his platform to educate, inspire and bring attention to recovery. He credits an incredible network of friends and family, including his wife Chelsea, helping him get and remain sober. With the creation of FroPro, he's aligned his actions with his passions and he has been able to accomplish his goals because of his experience with addiction, not in spite of it. He is the real deal and FroPro is a real deal product.
John Knopke launched Health House in 2013 in Kansas City. Health House is a high-intensity, rowing-based fitness concept. Health House’s goal is to be a premiere boutique fitness and lifestyle brand offering a variety of unique rowing classes.They currently have two locations, including a new, state-of-the-art studio that launched in December 2017 in Los Angeles which is where I took a class and met Founder & CEO John Knopke. Jon Knopke has 14 years of professional fitness experience, including over 3 years at Equinox in Chicago. Through this experience, he pioneered a new type of full-body low-impact workout that combines rowing and strength-training. He is a husband to Melanie and a father of four.
Cameron Weiss launched Weiss Watch Company to restore prestige to American watchmaking. In his pursuit to tell stories of the great American watchmaking past, he turned to vintage gauges and aviation from which to pull design inspiration for his namesake brand in a thoroughly modern way. Each milestone of development - from the case construction and finishing to adding the hands to the timepiece - felt like a huge accomplishment. In the US, there are no off the shelf parts to compose a timepiece, so each step was a full engineering bottom to top process. I own a Weiss watch and am a huge fan of the brand and Cameron’s personal story. It was a privilege to go see him and record at his shop in California where he is now producing hundreds of Weiss Watches. He’s been on the cover of the LA Times, been featured in GQ and Weiss Watches are seen on the wrists of celebrities, athletes and collectors worldwide. He is a husband, father and esteemed craftsman.
Adam Von Rothfelder is the Founder of Strong Coffee Company. He is a former MMA fighter, personal trainer, fashion and fitness model, husband and father. He is a self-described motivational Mind Bomb. He was raised in Wisconsin, had his first pro fight in 2008. He has battled injury, the loss of his brother, the emotional, physical and financial roller coaster of entrepreneurship, the modeling and entertainment industry and fitness business. He starred on NBC’s “Strong”, has modeled for Versace alongside Gigi Hadid and worked as a movement advisor to Laird Hamilton and Gabby Reece at XPT Life. With his new brand Strong Coffee Adam is out to revolutionize the coffee and supplement game with the world’s premier on-the-go coffee drink designed for people who aspire to reach their full potential.
James Ighedigbo is all about putting in the work. After a standout High School football career he had no scholarship offers so he took a preferred walk on role at UMass. Within a year he was on a full ride. After a stellar college career no NFL teams came calling despite being told he’d be taken in the 5th or 6th round...Here we go again he thought. He persevered and not only worked his way into the NFL but played 10 seasons for several teams including the Jets, Bills, Patriots and winning a super bowl with the Ravens. He recently retired from the game and we sat down to talk about the transition from athlete to entrepreneur and what it’s like at just age 34 to have your athletic career behind you and so much life left in front of you. The value of education, spirituality and family in his life that guides him. The missteps he made as a Young man/athlete and what he learned and how he’s approaching this next phase of his life.
Seamus Mullen is an award-winning New York chef, restaurateur and cookbook author known for his inventive yet approachable Spanish cuisine, he is also a leading authority on health and wellness. After cooking throughout Spain, New York and San Francisco, Seamus first rose to national prominence in 2006 with Boqueria, one of the first critically acclaimed and highly successful Spanish restaurants in New York. In 2009, he was one of three finalists on the Food Network’s “The Next Iron Chef.” Seamus opened his first solo restaurant Tertulia in Manhattan in 2011, which was awarded two stars from The New York Times and was a finalist for the James Beard Foundation Award for Best New Restaurant.
Entrepreneur Shareef Malnik is one of the country’s top restaurateurs. The Forge is Malnik’s celebrated, award-winning steakhouse. He has also owned the widely popular nightclubs: Jimmy’z, Cuba Club, Glass and Café Nostalgia. By day, Malnik is the Chairman of Nextwave Funding, which provides funding to thousands of small and mid-sized companies across the nation. “I work with a cross-section of businesses across the country and feel rewarded when I see our capital help their companies thrive and grow" says Malnik. Shareef has also added Executive Producer to his oeuvre with the documentary film "Sexology", which was directed by his wife Gabrielle Anwar. They are presently working on a subscription website and spinoff series of the film. As a prominent philanthropist, Malnik has held the prestigious title of Chairman of the InterContinental Make-A-Wish Ball for 11 years, helping to raise more than $14 million for the organization.
Joel “Thor” Neeb is a husband, father, former fighter pilot, an Ironman competitor, American Ninja Warrior, stage IV cancer survivor, expert leadership expert, and President of Afterburner Inc. As an F-15 pilot, Thor escorted the U.S. President through the sky and flew missions to ensure the safety of the country after the attacks of 9/11. He was the tactical leader of 300 of the most senior combat pilots in the Air Force and he oversaw the execution of a $150M/year flight program. Thor was named the Top Instructor Pilot at the Air Force Flight Training Headquarters and he’s flown thousands of missions teaching pilots from 25 countries around the world. In 2010, Thor was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer and given about a 15% chance to live. Instead of giving up, Thor decided to give back. He started a youth outreach program in San Antonio that has grown to help more than 15,000 at-risk kids.
Brian Gallagher is the co-founder of Throwback Fitness and the author of Simple Man Guide.
Adam Nelson has qualified for a total of five World Outdoor Championship teams and earned seven world and Olympic medals, which included the 2004 Olympic gold. He’s currently the COO of The D10 Decathlon; a nationally televised athletic competition produced for amateur athletes testing speed, strength, agility, and coordination through a mix of 10-events traditionally performed in the Olympic decathlon and NFL Scouting Combine. Adam, his wife and two daughters recently relocated to Houston. On this episode we talk about his journey from college football player to Olympic Shot Putter, the emotional and psychological toll of being awarded the gold medal almost a decade after the Olympic Games, fitness over the age of 40 and where he’s focused on taking the D10 and himself in the future.
Dr. Garth Davis is a leader in the field of bariatric medicine, He is recognized as a Texas Monthly Super Doc and starred with his father, Dr. Robert Davis, on the hit show docu-reality medical series, BIG MEDICINE. He is the author of the book Proteinaholic and competes in Ironman events.
Billy Mann is dedicated to the proposition that a Hit Life is richer than the pursuit of a Hit Song alone. He is however one of America’s most celebrated songwriters and producers having worked with Pink, John Legend, Celine Dion, and many others. He has been a top executive at EMI and President of Creative for BMG North America. He is a successful entrepreneur heading up the management firm Manncom as well as Green & Bloom/Topline a publishing venture and The Colors You Like which provides creative services for a variety of high profile artists and brands. Mann’s philanthropic involvement is even more impressive than his music career. He led more than 50 EMI artists from around the world in an initiative named “Answer The Call” after Earthquakes in Haiti and Chili. As the father of a family impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorder, he is a board member of Autism Speaks.
Eric Hinman is an entrepreneur, influencer, 2x Kona Ironman, and CrossFit Athlete. Eric loves helping brands that he’s passionate about share their products services, messages and stories. A prolific social media influencer, Eric is also the founder of Urban Life Athlete, Original Grainsters and Fellow Gent. Listen to Eric talk about structure, discipline, health, wellness and balance.
On the Midlife Male podcast today, I have Jeff Mahin, chef and partner at Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, one of the top restaurant groups in the country. He is the driving force of Stella Barra Pizzeria, one of my favorite places out in Santa Monica, my family and I love it. If you're out there, check it out, it’s some incredible pizza.
He's also the founder of a super cool new company called Split Nutrition. For years, Jeff was living by the mantra that taste trumps nutrition but was suffering with some depleted energy levels, as he was juggling his restaurants, long hours in the kitchen, and being an elite level cyclist.
As he started to become a little bit more mindful about what he ate, and the combinations of foods that he put into his body, he started to feel better. So, what came of that? He built Split, it's a result of a lot of tinkering in the kitchen, his passionate experimentation, and it's the perfect combination of two real foods in a very smart, ready-to-eat pack, so you can feel good about eating and sharing.
If you are a PB&J fan, and I am, or an almond butter and jelly fan, you are going to love this. Almond butter and strawberry, peanut butter and blueberry, almond butter and raspberry, all of my favorite combinations, go check out Split Nutrition.
Let's get into Jeff's story a little bit, he's going to tell you about how he went from being kicked out of high school to being a successful entrepreneur, restaurateur, and elite level cyclist. Pretty amazing stuff. So let's get to it, Jeff Mahin on the Midlife Male podcast.
Super excited for this week's show, I've got Mr. P.J. Nestler joining me. P.J. is the director of performance at XPT, Extreme Performance Training. If you are not familiar check out XPTlife.com and listen to the rest of this podcast, because P.J. is going to fill you in on what XPT life is all about. First, let me tell you a little bit about XPT and my experience with it. I got introduced to XPT through a buddy of mine named Justin Singer, he owns Mechanics Calisthenics down here in Houston, Texas. He is also a certified XPT coach. He introduced me to P.J. when P.J. was in town, we did a breath work class together. We actually hung out with Rob O'Neill, a Navy Seal who took down Osama Bin Laden as well, had some good times together.
XPT was founded by Laird Hamilton and Gabby Reese. If you think about the quintessential midlife male you've got to talk about Laird Hamilton. Big wave surfer, father, husband, entrepreneur, risk-taker, super fit guy, super spiritual guy, awesome stuff. Pick up his new book Liferiderand check out more on Laird at XPTlife.com.
Let's talk a little bit about P.J. too, because he's going to fill us in on XPT, his philosophy, what all this stuff means. He is a human performance specialist with over a decade of experience preparing top athletes for competition. His life mission is to help athletes, coaches, and guys like us realize their true potential. He's been a leader in sports performance training for years, he's worked with dozens of athletes from the NFL, NHL, Major League Baseball, over 100 fighters including multiple Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champions, top 10 ranked UFC fighters. He is out there raising the bar for fitness and lifestyle professionals with XPT.
XPT is about pushing your body to readapt. This is a program that's rooted in dynamic stressors and human adaptation. The idea being to maintain a well-balanced body and mind. It's a lifestyle. If you want to get out there and go paddle boarding, go do it. If you want to swim underwater holding dumbbells, go do it.
The idea with XPT, and what Laird Hamilton says, is “Don't be a liability”. Be flexible enough to be able to jump into any new activity presented to you and forget any limitations or negative construct holding you back. And that's how you live. Sustainable, longevity-based, performance-based fitness. The ability to get up and do what you need to do, when you need to do it, when you want to do it. It's about breathing, it's about moving, it's about recovering.
My personal regimen right now, consists of a lot of XPT. Constantly mixing it up, trying different things, moving a little bit better. Listening to my body, recovering a little smarter. As I get older I start to realize what's most important, and that's feeling good, having fun, being able to do the things that I want to do.
So let's get into this XPT life, XPT lifestyle story, learn a little bit more about it and learn more about P.J. Nestler, here on the Midlife Male Podcast.
Today on the podcast, musician and author of "Dad's Know Best" John Luzzi joins the show!
Aaron Hinde, the Co-Founder and President of Life Aid Beverage Company, joins the show!
Joseph Maroon is an American neurosurgeon, author, and triathlon athlete. He is the professor and vice chairman of the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and is the current Medical Director of WWE. He is a sports medicine expert and innovator in concussion management, personal fitness and nutrition. As an Ironman triathlete, he lives and breathes his own advice. He is the author of Square One: A Simple Guide to a Balanced Life. Dr. Maroon joins me on The Midlife Male Podcast this week to talk about his journey from despair to redemption and happiness.
“I was 40 when I suddenly lost my father to a heart attack and a marriage and family subsequently to divorce. I had been so focused on my work that I neglected most other aspects of my life – including my health. I was out of shape, living on fast food and not exercising. All these factors resulted in a deep depressed. Within a week, I plunged from a bright career as a clinical professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Pittsburgh to helping my mother run my father’s dilapidated truck stop in Wheeling, WV, which included pumping gas into 18-wheelers as they rolled in from the nearby interstate. My metamorphosis back to a healthy lifestyle began months later when a friend and running enthusiast invited me to go for a run. I ran just four times around the track and was exhausted. But that night was the first time I’d slept well in about a year. This memory still makes me smile. I started running more and more, and began to feel better and better. I became something like the Forrest Gump of Bridgeport, Ohio. After experiencing some muscle strains from running too much, I discovered cross-training: I learned how to swim, started biking, and soon competed in the first of what would be more than 70 triathlons. The exercise propelled me out my depression and back onto my feet, and soon after I returned to the University of Pittsburgh as Vice Chairman of the Department Neurological Surgery.”
I’m a huge fan of Greats Brand sneakers. I own 9 pairs of their Royale (yes, I have a sneaker problem…) so this is a huge pleasure for me to have Greats CEO and Founder on the podcast to talk to the man himself Ryan Babenzien about his passion for footwear, how he got Greats started, having the balls to call the company Greats, growing up on Long Island, fashion and what building an iconic brand really means and the loneliness and challenges of being an entrepreneur. In 2013 Ryan Babenzien founded the online footwear company Greats Brand with Jon Buscemi. He knew that he wanted to create a high quality footwear brand that was sold direct to the consumer rather than through 3rd party retailers. Taking a similar concept to what had previously been successful in other arenas, GREATS rapidly gained traction in a finicky market. By going direct-to-consumer, GREATS has been able to offer high-quality footwear -- not unlike other luxury footwear labels -- but at reduced costs. Babenzien began his career managing clients at ICM Partners. Towards the end of the 1990s, he began consulting with fashion companies, including Eckō Unltd. and Mecca. He later worked for Puma, eventually landing with K-Swiss. Babenzien served as the director of lifestyle and entertainment marketing for that company, and then the Global Director of Entertainment Marketing. Babenzien became the CEO of Boast in 2010, re-establishing the retail brand that had been founded in 1973. Babenzien worked with Andy Spade to revive the company, and began showing collections for both men and women in advance of the company’s 40th anniversary.
Cassidy Phillips is the founder and former CEO of Trigger Point Therapy. He's also the author of Blissful Ignorance and currently hosts the Blissful Ignorance Podcast.
Seamus Mullen is an award-winning New York chef, restaurateur and cookbook author known for his inventive yet approachable Spanish cuisine, he is also a leading authority on health and wellness. Seamus opened his first solo restaurant Tertulia in Manhattan in 2011, which was awarded two stars from The New York Times and was a finalist for the James Beard Foundation Award for Best New Restaurant. In 2013, he opened El Colmado, a Spanish tapas and wine bar at Gotham West Market, a food hall in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen. After cooking throughout Spain, New York and San Francisco, Seamus first rose to national prominence in 2006 with Boqueria, one of the first critically acclaimed and highly successful Spanish restaurants in New York. In 2009, he was one of three finalists on the Food Network’s “The Next Iron Chef.” He can often be seen as a featured judge on the popular Food Network series “Chopped” and “Beat Bobby Flay,” and is a frequent guest on programs such as The Today Show, The Martha Stewart Show and CBS This Morning. More recently, Seamus has become a leading authority in the conversation on food, health and wellness. An avid cyclist who raced competitively in his twenties, he was diagnosed in 2007 with rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that forced him to rethink his relationship with food, and led to his first cookbook Hero Food, published in 2012. Through food, exercise and lifestyle changes, Seamus was able to successfully turn his health around. He shares his story through numerous speaking engagements around the country, and has been featured in major publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Chicago-Tribune, and The Guardian. He has written about his experience for The New York Times and through his bimonthly column in Men’s Journal.
Brian Becker is an entertainment industry veteran with more than 35 years of experience building and managing worldwide live entertainment businesses. Currently, BASE’s productions include: Absinthe at Caesars Palace Plaza, Mat Franco Magic Reinvented Nightly at the Linq Las Vegas and Magic Mike Live at Hard Rock Resort. Current exhibitions include: Battle For Texas: The Experience at Rivercenter San Antonio. BASE programs The Planet Hollywood Showroom in Las Vegas and two theaters at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. Previous productions include: Phantom of the Opera: The Las Vegas Spectacular at Venetian, Peep Show starring Holly Madison at Planet Hollywood, Rock of Ages at Venetian, Jersey Boys at Palazzo, Million Dollar Quartet at Harrahs, Stomp Out Loud at Planet Hollywood, and national museum touring exhibitions: Spy: The Secret World of Espionage and Sea Monsters: What Lies Beneath. From 2000 to 2005, Brian served as Chairman and CEO of Clear Channel Entertainment, the world’s leading producer and promoter of live entertainment events, as well as the world’s largest owner and operator of event venues, managing acquisitions and operations in the music, theater, motor sports, exhibitions and sports agency businesses. During his tenure, Brian was named one of the 100 Most Powerful People in Entertainment by “Entertainment Weekly” Magazine for four consecutive years. Prior to SFX Entertainment’s sale to Clear Channel Communications in 2000, he served as Executive Vice President and Director of SFX Entertainment, and was involved in the development and implementation of corporate strategies and operations, including the acquisition and integration of more than 40 of the world’s most successful live entertainment companies. From 1996 to 1998, Brian served as CEO and President of PACE Entertainment Corporation, which at the time was the largest diversified live entertainment company in the world.
After spending years in different industries chasing their previous ideas of "success" in some of the world’s busiest cities, Adriaan and Ret came to the realization that there is something fundamentally broken about the way we, as a modern society, are approaching our health and well-being. The conclusion that we are feeling the consequences of device addiction, stress, anxiety, and a multitude of other ailments that have come to rule our lives and are too quick to turn to doctors and prescription drugs as a first line of defense. That is why they created NED. NED is a representation of their passion for feeling better and living better through simple means and a deep connection to the natural world. I have been experimenting with CBD and hemp for several months now and this conversation offered some insight and perspective on the benefits, varieties, differences in quality and philosophies behind the growing popularity and uses of CBD and Hemp based products.
My good friend and Former heavyweight boxing champion Lou Savarese joins me this week on The Midlife Male Podcast. Lou has recently opened his second boxing gym, Saverese Fight Fit, in West University Place, Houston Texas. It’s a high end boutique fitness studio that centers around boxing as a workout and getting that “Fight Fit” body. Boxing for fitness is in the midst of a major push and growing in popularity across the country and we get into detail about this on the show. It’s also a compare/contrast to his other gym in downtown Houston which is much more of a traditional boxing gym and home to many pro and amateur fighters and it was great to get Lou’s insight on both. He’s one of those rare guys that is both a boxing purist and also just as much at home and comfortable coaching a class full of West U Mom’s or a kid’s class…Lou really loves kids. Savarese, originally from New York, won two New York Golden Gloves championships during his amateur career, and turned professional in 1989. His overall boxing record was 46 wins and 7 losses, with fights against popular boxers such as George Foreman and Mike Tyson. He fought everybody… Bowe, Holyfield, Buster Douglas, Ruiz…The list just goes on. He’s a gentle giant at 6’5 250, family man, husband, father, poet, amateur comedian (very amateur…) and all around great guy. This one is super off the cuff as we’re friends and we tend to just go off on a bunch of tangents but the common thread throughout is that Lou has a heart of gold and I was touched by his relationship with his father, the love that he has for his wife and family, the perseverance and tenacity that he’s shown outside of the ring even more than his time in it and that he’s still a gym rat who feeds off the energy of training and being around people.
My guest today is Jim Donnelly, Founder & CEO of Restore Hyper Wellness & Cryotherapy. A former college athlete Jim continues to push himself with a variety of fitness challenges. He is the consummate entrepreneur, co-founder of IgoUgo.com, winner of a Webby Award as the top travel website in the U.S. Since then Jim has worked almost exclusively in the luxury retail market building high-end luxury condos (for homeowners including Michael Jordan, Cam Newton and Chris Daughtry), salons, spas and prestigious health clubs including the Charlotte Athletic Club. With Restore; Jim launched in Austin, TX and is rapidly expanding across the U.S. Restore is now the leading retail provider of Hyper Wellness services in the United States. Hyper Wellness modalities include Cryotherapy (localized and whole body), IV Drip Therapy, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Infrared Saunas, and Compression Therapy. Working in concert, these services help increase the overall performance of the body. I’m a big proponent of recovery and big fan of what Jim and his team at Restore are doing. I really enjoyed his perspective and philosophy on both the business as well as the personal commitment to improving the lives of their customers.
Mike Mckim is the CEO and Founder of Cuvee Coffee, Austin Texas. Sat down with Mike Mckim at his Cuvee Coffee bar on East 6th street in Austin Texas last week and had a great time hearing his story, vision for the company, lessons learned (some the hard way) successes and failures. Mike is a Navy Veteran, Entrepreneur, Husband, Father, Philanthropist and all around great guy. Aside from being the CEO and Founder of Cuvee Coffee, a brand that is largely credited as pioneering the craft coffee business in Austin, he’s the pioneer of Nitro Cold Brew and the Board Chairman of Operation Supply Drop. Really down to earth and genuine my main takeaway is that Mike is really just a guy trying to do a little better each day. We talked about managing expectations, the importance and value of living by this mantra and how it leads towards developing a positive mindset, corporate culture and an overall sense of balance. Mikey’s story is also one of hardship and perseverance and we can all learn from it. Make that call. Make it again at the same time everyday until you finally break thru. Keep moving forward. Try, try again. All of which has enabled Mike to ultimately succeed and now, set his future goals even higher.
Today, my good friend Brian Ching is my guest. Brian is a retired professional soccer player who played for twelve years in Major League Soccer and represented the U.S. national team for eight years.
He was the 16th pick by the LA Galaxy in the 2001 MLS Superdraft and in 2006 relocated to Houston to join the Houston Dynamo where he led the team to back-to-back MLS Cup Championships in 2006 and 2007 and four MLS finals overall. A six-time MLS All-Star, Ching retired from professional soccer in 2013 as Houston Dynamo's all-time leading scorer. Off the field, Ching is a pillar in the Houston community where he is partnered with Habitat for Humanity to build homes for underprivileged families in the Houston area through fundraising efforts under his program "The House that Ching Built".
He is also an entrepreneur and recently opened the soccer themed beer garden in Downtown Houston called Pitch 25 – Pitch for soccer pitch and 25 for his number. It’s 25,000 sq feet of awesomeness right across from Dynamo Stadium and even has a small “pitch” of its own right in the center. Highly recommend checking it out.
He also launched Hula Dog a food truck franchise that he brought over from his native Hawaii serving amazing hot dogs and sausages.
He is married to an amazing woman, hey Liz! He's a dad and just an all around great guy and fun training partner – he and I share a mutual interest in these XPT Life pool workouts and meet up each week to take ‘em on – we talk more about that later on in the show!
Jordan Strouse has practiced law since 2009. Jordan previously was in-house counsel with a publicly traded international land and offshore drilling contractor, and most recently was based in Cape Town, South Africa as Regional General Counsel for the Sub-Saharan Africa operations of one of the world's largest oilfield service manufacturers and service providers. Jordan's primary expertise is as transactional and business counsel in the oil & gas industry, but has counseled start-ups, entrepreneurs, investors, private equity-backed ventures and growth stage portfolio companies with respect to acquisitions and international contracting.
In 2016, while living in Cape Town, South Africa, Jordan formed a partnership with Sweat 1000 Founders Andrew & Paul Rothschild to bring Sweat 1000 to the United States with Houston as the brand’s first location outside of South Africa and first and home base for the United States. Sweat 1000 currently has 3 branches in South Africa (2 in Cape Town and 1 in Johannesburg) and the Houston location as the only other in the world. Along with his partners, Jordan opened Sweat 1000’s doors in Houston in early 2018 and eyeing potential expansion opportunities with investors from all over the country inquiring about opportunities.
Entrepreneur Shareef Malnik is one of the country’s top restaurateurs. The Forge is Malnik’s celebrated, award-winning steakhouse. He has also owned the widely popular nightclubs: Jimmy’z, Cuba Club, Glass and Café Nostalgia. By day, Malnik is the Chairman of Nextwave Funding, which provides funding to thousands of small and mid-sized companies across the nation. “I work with a cross-section of businesses across the country and feel rewarded when I see our capital help their companies thrive and grow" says Malnik. Shareef has also added Executive Producer to his oeuvre with the documentary film "Sexology", which was directed by his wife Gabrielle Anwar. They are presently working on a subscription website and spinoff series of the film. As a prominent philanthropist, Malnik has held the prestigious title of Chairman of the InterContinental Make-A-Wish Ball for 11 years, helping to raise more than $14 million for the organization. Under his leadership, the gala has become the most coveted event in South Florida with celebrity guests and entertainers spanning Diana Ross, Marc Anthony, Gabrielle Anwar, Wayne Newton, Paula Abdul, Macy Gray, Adam Lambert and Sharon Stone. In 2017 Malnik will become Chairman of the Board of Make-A-Wish South Florida. As a University of Miami School of Business graduate, Malnik also earned a J.D. degree from UM Law School. He sits on UM’s Medical School’s Advisory Board of the Psychiatry Department and is a board member of the PAL. Shareef is also a regular speaker at Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality. In his personal time, Malnik is an extreme skier, Jiu-Jitsu enthusiast, licensed helicopter pilot, former race car driver and offshore powerboat racer, and “tech” diver, having tested his steel at depths greater than 500 feet. He has run with the bulls in Pamplona and ice climbed the Cascades. Malnik resides in Miami Beach with his wife, children and assorted pets.
Dylan Seff is the Co-Head of Trading in America’s for Vitol Inc. - one of the world’s largest energy trading firms. Dylan’s a Harvard grad, former wrestler, current boxer, husband, father and has even dabbled in some standup comedy along the way. He’s a big time philanthropist being heavily involved with Epilepsy.org and recently stepped back into the ring going toe to toe with other energy industry executives to fight against child abuse raising over $1 million for the cause. Along with his wife Jordan they’re the Co-Owners of Savarese Fight Fit, Houston’s newest, and best Boxing themed fitness studio in West U along with my close friend and Heavyweight Boxing legend Lou Savarese.
Ever go to work out, go for a run, a walk, any type of activity and there’s just no good place for your keys, your phone, maybe even a credit card or a few bucks….Yeah, been there…constantly. It’s frustrating…Terry White had the same frustration. With his keys in his sock and a phone bouncing in his shorts, he couldn’t focus. That frustration sparked an idea. From day 1, Terry’s vision has been to empower people to pursue an active way of life. Thus, WOLACO – Way of Life Athletic Company. Terry spent 1.5 years designing, developing, and perfecting the North Moore Short. With sweat-proof pockets, this patented compression system changed the game. Finally, there was a functional, stylish, quality product out there that was also able to secure your phone and keys! Terry was raised in motion. He grew up playing every sport under the sun, and went on to become a collegiate Lacrosse player. Throughout his life, he put every type of gear to the test – not even realizing he was training for his own moment to make something better. Now he puts that intimate knowledge to use creating performance wear that is intuitively designed for the modern athlete’s active way of life.
After Daniel Nicholson tasted coconut-milk-based ice cream Nadamoo for the first time in 2008, he wanted to get involved with the startup. I first met Daniel around this time, the company was super small and sharing office space with Chameleon Cold Brew. I was totally hooked after my first taste. First, Daniel introduced Nadamoo to his family, who were so impressed with the product and branding that they invested in the company. He then convinced the company's founder to let him become its comptroller. Three years later, the founder decided to step away from the business, leading the then 27-year-old Nicholson to assume the role of the company's president and CEO. Nadamoo has grown rapidly with its products now available in more than 4,500 stores including Whole Foods, Sprouts, Albertsons-Safeway, Stop & Shop. It saw about 95 percent year-over-year growth in 2017, with retail sales of approximately $12 million, according to the company, and estimates similar growth this year. They also recently opened their first retail ice cream store in Austin, TX.
An entrepreneur and competitor, Adam Greenfeld found himself looking for a safe tool that made him feel unstoppable at the office and in life. He and his friend and partner, Alex Cesaria had for years, been obsessed with finding a way to maximize their performance as people. Like most entrepreneurs they started THE GO LIFE because of a need to find something that would make them perform that was also clean, safe and pure. Having tried many of the alternatives at the time, they determined that “we can do better”. With that, the GO Life was launched. Adam joins me the podcast to talk to us about his entrepreneurial journey and how The GO Life can help guy’s out there live better and perform better.
Creative, entrepreneurial, family oriented, philanthropic, ambitious and grounded. These are words I’d use to describe Aly Valiani. In 2006, Aly left the corporate world to found New Horizons Hospitality and has since successfully developed five properties, bringing the total portfolio to eight properties owned, and managed by New Horizons. Aly has a Bachelor’s of Business Administration from The University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Management. Since the formation of New Horizons, Aly's main focus has been expanding the portfolio through development and enhancing the guest experience across all New Horizons’ brands and properties. Today, many of New Horizons’ hotels are top RevPAR producing, brand award winners in customer service, and leaders in their respective markets. Aly is currently leading the development team on New Horizon’s eighth property, a 125 all-suite Homewood Suites by Hilton, due to open in summer of 2018. He’s the Vice Chairman of The Aga Khan Foundation a proud husband and father. Enjoy Aly Valiani on this episode of The Midlife Male Podcast.
Darryl Lyons knows what it means to be a Midlife Male, trying to balance finances, family and business. I was nervous for this interview because I know I need help with money, managing finances and Darryl’s the real deal. His book, 18 to 80 cuts right to it with great advice and insight into such areas as The Money Side of Marriage, Budgeting For Those Not Good At Budgeting and Adult Peer Pressure. Darryl’s San Antonio, Texas company PAX Financial Group is an Inc 5000 “Fastest Growing Company” and a “Best Place to Work.” His work and his passion have allowed Darryl to also give back to his community, earning him the praise of the likes of Dave Ramsey and San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro. Darryl also helped establish a Eurasia award called “The David Robinson Award” that recognizes an athlete in Eurasia who shows character and athletic excellence. Darryl’s latest mission is to help redefine retirement where we no longer think of retiring but rather PIVOT into the next chapter of life with purpose. This idea is rooted in thousands of one on one conversations with people about money and a relatively new study called behavioral finance.
On this week’s Midlife Male Podcast my guest is Steven Kaufman; an accomplished investor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He measures his success by how much the people around him prosper. Steven manages his family assets with a focus on thesis-driven opportunistic investments in three asset classes which include real estate financing, real estate investment, and private equity in small growth-companies. Steven has held C-Level positions in various financing enterprises for 18 years and has been investing in real estate for 20 years. During that time he coordinated over $1 billion in real estate financing for companies like American Express, Hewlett Packard, and Exxon Mobil and founded ZeusLending.com which is the leading online provider of real estate financing and the fastest real estate lender in the United States.At Zeus, Steven manages a team that is responsible for more than $2 billion of retail mortgage loan originations. According to Inc. Magazine, Zeus is the 37th fastest growing private financial service firm in the United States. National Mortgage Professional Magazine has repeatedly ranked Steven as one of the “Top 40 Most Influential Mortgage Professionals in the United States”, and the Houston Business Journal ranked him as one of the “Top CEO’s in Houston”. Steven is the founder of The Fanatical Change Foundation. His philanthropic recognition includes the Houston Astros “Hometown Hero”, the City of Houston “Humanitarian Award”, the Lululemon “Modern Day Man”, and the United States Presidential “Life-Time Achievement Award”.Steven is a four time world champion power-lifter and 2015 world record holder. He has summited Mt. Kilimanjaro, completed the Houston Marathon, ran with the bulls in Spain, and finished second in the Houston Amateur Arm-wrestling Championship. Steven resides in Houston with his wife and two children.
Matt D’Amour is the Chief Wellness Carrier at Tribe 9 Foods. Tribe 9 creates delicious, nourishing, and functional food to improve the lives of others. Tribe 9 Foods is comprised of Ona, RP’s Pasta Co., Taste Republic and YumButter. Prior to merging these brands together to form Tribe 9 Matt was the Co-Founder of YumButter, a world changing brand of nut butters. This stuff is seriously super good! On this episode of The Midlife Male Podcast Matt talks about starting YumButter and the challenges of scaling the business, his relationship with his partner, the lifestyle and social impact that is so important to their mission and how he remains focused throughout. As a holistic health expert, Matt is living proof that high quality, nutrient dense foods can lead to better health and longevity.
Michael Alfaro is a preeminent figure in the world of fitness, technology and brand partnerships. His latest venture is NEO U (“New You”). It’s being called “The Amazon of Wellness”, a one of a kind gym which brings together trainers, fitness instructors, brands and celebrity fitness personalities to create and shoot content that can be shared globally on a subscription basis. The company has raised over 20M and is about to launch their flagship studio in Midtown Manhattan, which can be transformed to look like a trainer is shooting content on a beach, in the mountains or pretty much anywhere in the world customizable to the individual and the brand. He’s a husband and new dad and splits his time between New York and Miami Beach.
Joel “Thor” Neeb is a husband, father, former fighter pilot, an Ironman competitor, American Ninja Warrior, stage IV cancer survivor, expert leadership expert, and President of Afterburner Inc. As an F-15 pilot, Thor escorted the U.S. President through the sky and flew missions to ensure the safety of the country after the attacks of 9/11. He was the tactical leader of 300 of the most senior combat pilots in the Air Force and he oversaw the execution of a $150M/year flight program. Thor was named the Top Instructor Pilot at the Air Force Flight Training Headquarters and he’s flown thousands of missions teaching pilots from 25 countries around the world. In 2010, Thor was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer and given about a 15% chance to live. Instead of giving up, Thor decided to give back. He started a youth outreach program in San Antonio that has grown to help more than 15,000 at-risk kids. Their efforts have been featured on every news channel for 100 miles and one national media outlet. In 2012, he was selected out of 62,000 people to receive the AETC National Public Service Award. Thor completed the New Zealand Ironman Triathlon in March of 2015 to commemorate the five-year anniversary of his Stage IV cancer diagnosis and to raise awareness for the rare and deadly cancer that he battled. As Afterburner’s President, Thor leads a team of more than 70 elite military professionals. He has helped achieve strategic objectives and foster elite teams for Fortune 100 companies within the tech industry, pharmaceuticals, finance, medical devices, retail apparel and several NFL teams. He has also competed on American Ninja Warrior.
Michael Chernow is the founder of Seamore’s Restaurants which focuses on sustainable seafood and has 6 locations around New York. He is also the co-founder of The Meatball Shop, a chain of successful, fast casual restaurants. He has been working in restaurants since he was a teenager and went on to graduate from the French Culinary Institute with honors with a degree in both Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management. He is a passionate fisherman, athlete, husband and father. He describes himself as a “fitness nut and food dude, with a keen eye for aesthetics.”
Nate Checketts grew up in a prominent sports family. His father Dave was the President of The NY Knicks and MSG. We could’ve talked sports for hours. He’s also got a brother who’s a sports talk host so it comes naturally. But rather, what we got into was his close, loving and respectful relationship with his family and how he was raised with chores, responsibilities and having to earn and learn for himself along the way. An entrepreneur from his early teen years starting a camp at age 13, collecting golf balls and re-selling them he’s resigned to the notion that entrepreneurship is his path and that creating, building and cultivating a business and brand is his calling. That brand is RHONE, a high end activewear brand for men. Founded in 2014, the company launched as an online retailer only. In 2015, it went out to retail in such places as Nordstrom and Equinox. It has continued to grow into one of the premier brands in a highly competitive marketplace. Nate is a husband, father and teacher, volunteering his time to teach high school kids during the week. He’s also one of the most structured planners I’ve had on the show. Hearing about his productivity planner and schedule was eye opening. His perspective on flow and living his days with intention really hit home. Enjoyed this conversation immensely and look forward to sporting RHONE at this year’s Decathlon and supporting the brand and Nate as they grow
Ken Lubin helps people achieve their dreams and companies to reach their goals. He has been in the Executive Search business for over 20 years and is The Founder of Executive Athlete Organization, which currently boasts over 16,000 members. He also recently launched The Executive Athlete Podcast. A competitive skier growing up he initially wanted to be a competitive skiing coach and realized that financially for him (and his girlfriend at the time and now wife...) that it wasn’t going to work. He took his love for coaching and turned his focus towards recruiting. He has remained an athlete throughout, competing and winning in Spartan, Ultra, Death Race and various other adventure races around the world. His mantra is on being your most authentic self. Recruiting is just like matchmaking and connecting, competing and networking with other likeminded executive athletes has enabled him to combine his business with his passion for athletics and adventure. At the end of the day people just want to work and be around people that they like. Ken’s a husband, father and resides in Massachusetts with his family.
Eric Falkenstein is a top Broadway producer. His company, Spark Production’s credits include “The Iceman Cometh”, “The Color Purple”, “All My Son’s”, “Long Day’s Journey Into Night,” and “The History Boys,”. He’s received multiple Tony Awards and nominations throughout his career. He’s also a husband and father to 3 children. We talked about the challenges of developing and mounting Broadway productions, juggling his professional and personal schedule, the need for work/life balance and the importance and value of being a good husband and parent. There’s even a great Midlife Male moment when his wife calls in while we’re on doing the podcast. So real. So perfect we had to leave it in. Enjoy!
Met Shayn Robinson thru The D10 Decathlon. He’s a super executive athlete, husband, father, entrepreneur and Midlife Male. Really enjoyed competing with him, getting to know him and he’s a super bright guy with a very sound and balanced perspective on life, business, family and health and fitness. He’s been one of my favorite guests to date as we share many of the same interests, values and similar positions in life. Shayn runs DARROW & Co. DARROW is a Houston based commercial real estate firm focusing on private equity placement for the acquisition, development and management of multi-family properties. From 1999 through 2014, Shayn ran DARROW as a private holding company, acquiring, repositioning, managing and developing various commercial properties in both Texas and Florida. With a 15 year track record DARROW turned outward facing in 2014, seeking partnership opportunities for acquisitions and new developments. Previously Shayn was a Senior Commercial Real Estate Consultant with Deloitte, advising clients on complex valuation, development and due diligence transactions. Prior to that Shayn worked as a Management Consultant in the financial services industry in New York and Houston.
Huge day on The MidLife Male Podcast. My guest is Chad Lemons - Mr. Drive himself, The Lone Wolf. Founder of The Drive Clothing Company and The Drive Diet program Chad has a distinct history and background in weightlifting, bodybuilding and nutrition along with being a successful entrepreneur and influencer on social media with his motivational and inspirational posts, videos and stories. Chad and I got to talk about the challenges of building a brand from the ground up, where he developed his work ethic and drive and what he does on a daily basis to keep moving forward and where he wants to take The Drive Brand. It’s a very candid, open and vulnerable glimpse into the way Chad thinks, operates, shares and promotes his message of positivity all while staying true to himself and his values. Check it out!
I read this story on Facebook and was completely moved. Luke Marklin, Bellhops moving company chief executive, gifted his car to an employee named Walter Carr in Birmingham, Alabama on July 16 after Carr walked nearly 20 miles to his first day of work when his car broke down. On so many levels this is beautiful and inspiring. From the commitment, perseverance and work ethic of Walter to the kindness of the police officers who bought Walter breakfast to the good nature of the Lamey’s who were moving that day and shared Walter’s story to Bellhops CEO Luke Marklin giving his new employee his own personal vehicle so that he could have a reliable car to get to work each day. These are the examples we should strive to set. This is truly leading by example. Paying it forward. Being of service. Being of value. I reached out to Luke right after I read the story – I really just wanted to say “Great job” and that I was moved by the entire story and chain of events. I wasn’t expecting to hear back. After all the story has gone viral and picked up by almost every major news outlet. But, I did hear back and Luke and his team set up a call where we spoke for over 30 minutes about how he first learned of Walter’s story, his call to action, the kind of company and culture he wants to have at Bellhops, the example he wants to set for his own two young son’s and the anticipation and feeling he had during that ride to Birmingham to present Walter with his car. At just 33 years old, he’s not a Midlife Male yet, but safe to say we can all learn something from Luke Marklin no matter what stage of life we’re at.
On the Midlife Male Podcast today I’ve got Robert Andrews he’s Founder of the Institute of Sports Performance in Houston Texas and the Author of Champion's Mental Edge – tales that help take you and your team to the next level of sports performance and beyond. Learn about overcoming mental blocks, addressing the emotional and impact of sports related injuries, parenting athletes and building championship sports culture with Champion's Mental Edge. For anyone that has coached youth sports, has kids participating in sports, been part of a team as a player, as a parent this one’s for you.
David Lazarus is the Sr. VP at Trillium Trading. He’s based in Miami, married, father of 3 and a 4 time D10 Decathlon Men’s over 40 Champion. He’s a perennial member of the 10k club for those raising over 10k each year for pediatric cancer research. We connected thru our mutual appreciation and commitment to health, fitness, family, business and philanthropy. We had a chance to talk about each of these topics, balance, motivation, inspiration and keeping things in perspective and how recovery and nutrition play a huge role in performance as we get deeper into our 40’s. I wanted to learn more about his training regimen, when he trains, how he trains, eats, sleeps and how he finds the time to train and balance his career and family. Really energizing and inspiring conversation that any guy looking for some extra motivation will get something out of - Enjoy David Lazarus on this week’s episode of The Midlife Male Podcast
here is no person that has been as effective an influence in my life over the past year than Chris Bernal. For years I resisted the notion of therapy or life coaching as from the outside looking in at least; things seemed to be going “pretty well”. My perception was that something had to be “wrong” in order to seek help or improvement. And maybe “wrong” isn’t the “right” term but certainly there were many areas I could use some help and improvement and thru a trusted friend Chris and I were connected and began working together. Chris is the President of Effective Systems Consulting - he has worked with CEO’s and executives across the country looking to maximize performance thru the application of behavioral science. This is an episode I’m very proud of as you get a glimpse into the unique and special gifts that Chris has and that have benefitted me greatly in our work together. To reach Chris directly go to: http://linkedin.com/in/chris-bernal-939846
Doctor, Lawyer, Police Officer, Pilot, Husband, Father…Dr. Aashish Shah is all of these. We spoke about the path he took thru education to achieve the career he was seeking and how along the way his priorities have changed and how marriage and fatherhood entering the picture have played a role in seeking greater balance in work and in life. A strong connection and desire to serve led him to pursue law enforcement as military service was no longer an option and becoming a Harris County Sheriff became a reality. A firm believer that “Clothes make the man” we got to chat about fashion, style and materialism in general and as to what place it exists in our current and future lives as seeking out experiences over things takes on greater importance.
Daniel Singer is the founder and CEO of Filthy Foods. Daniel opens up on all things “filthy” and his mission to build the best premium drink garnish brand in the world. He’s a husband, father, former Royal Shakespeare Company actor, and quintessential “Midlife Male” pushing the boundaries of balance, spirit and entrepreneurship. He’s also one of the best humans I know.
Brian Gallagher is the co-founder of Throwback Fitness and the author of Simple Man Guide.
Adam Lamb is the Co Founder and CEO of SizeSlim Supplements and author of Better Than The Binge.
Taylor Somerville worked in investment business for over 15 years. Last year, at age 38 and after experiencing a divorce and unfulfilled in his professional life he decided to transition his career to focus full time on health and fitness to help others become the best version of themselves. He became interested in XPT and attended two XPT experiences, one in Malibu and one in Kauai. He went on to earn his XPT Coaching Certification as well. He also holds the Art of Breath certification and is an Aerobic Capacity ambassador. He has competed in endurance events including the prestigious World's Toughest Mudder, a 24-hour race around Lake Las Vegas in November 2017. Based in Memphis, TN he is focused on working with professionals on breath work and recovery to assist them in their daily lives and athletic performance while also working with them to develop a more holistic approach to their training and lifestyle. He writes about this in his weekly newsletter, The Long Game.
Darren Sloniger is a real estate entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is The President of Marquette Companies and has over 25 years of real estate experience and executed over $1 Billion in acquisitions and development projects. We sat down in his latest development, The Catalyst in Houston and talked about his passion for development and business along with his commitment to spirituality, the development of community and helping people on a local, national and global level. We delved into an inspiring and vulnerable conversation on family, adoption, marriage and how money can affect life both positively and negatively. I found his candor refreshing, his demeanor encouraging and his taste in music much like my own (think alt rock – The National). This is a guy who seems calm and confident while simultaneously juggling numerous high profile projects. Living a life that’s inspired (it’s on the wall at The Catalyst) and purposeful and always includes a daily glass of wine with his wife at the end of the day, here’s an inside look at entrepreneur and risk taker Darren Sloniger.
James Ighedigbo is all about putting in the work. After a standout High School football career he had no scholarship offers so he took a preferred walk on role at UMass. Within a year he was on a full ride. After a stellar college career no NFL teams came calling despite being told he’d be taken in the 5th or 6th round...Here we go again he thought. He persevered and not only worked his way into the NFL but played 10 seasons for several teams including the Jets, Bills, Patriots and winning a super bowl with the Ravens. He recently retired from the game and we sat down to talk about the transition from athlete to entrepreneur and what it’s like at just age 34 to have your athletic career behind you and so much life left in front of you. The value of education, spirituality and family in his life that guides him. The missteps he made as a Young man/athlete and what he learned and how he’s approaching this next phase of his life.
Justin Singer is the owner and co-founder of Mekanix Calisthenics Gym; Houston's first and only dedicated body-weight fitness gym emphasizing calisthenics training. He also operates Singer Holdings which focuses on the acquisition, improvement, and operation of real estate including commercial and multi-family properties in the Texas market. He has been extremely successful in the software and tech world as President of SMBology and stints at Tibco and Scalable. He is a certified XPT Life coach and passionate fitness, health, wellness and mindfulness expert. We sat down after a Mekanix workout and Ice/Heat Therapy session to talk about his transition from the Tech world to the fitness world and his unique perspective on work/life balance, how he makes decisions, the importance of incorporating breathing, meditation and various therapies into your lifestyle for long term health benefits and where he intends to take his life and career in the years to come.
Joe Krouse is the owner/operator of Ten Mile House, Fred’s Garage and DB3 Donuts in Chicago. The consummate “mid life male”, he’s an entrepreneur and risk taker coming off of a successful audio/video business sale who changed direction and entered the hospitality business with no direct experience but armed with a passion for great food and the desire to take care of people.
He is a husband, father, son and brother and throughout this episode we chatted about how he makes decisions, family life and the effects changing industries and going out on your own has on your confidence, ability to balance work and life the highs of starting your own restaurant and the lows of having to close one.
We dug into our changing/evolving philosophies on money and time and how we choose to spend both and whats really important in life. Having recently experienced the loss of his sister, we went deeper into the family perspective, perseverance and a legacy that he holds dear along with the values he chooses to live by every day.
It’s always super interesting to me to reconnect with people I haven’t seen or spoken to in a while, or in this case knew when we were both just college kids trying to figure it out as opposed to now being 45 and still trying to figure it all out... Seeing what people have become, chosen to do, where they live, what type of family they have and what they’ve been up to for 20 years... Good times.
Robert White is a self described “Designer”. An architect by trade, entrepreneur, restaurateur, father and husband what I took away from our conversation is that he is more of a “Designer of life” than anything else. He expresses a personal sense of security, confidence, humility, creativity, vulnerability and passion for following his heart and conviction with each of his projects. He has experienced success, failure, loss and gain throughout his journey and speaks transparently throughout our conversation about many of his challenges, lessons learned and where he has chosen to step back and where he is compelled to move forward. This is one of the deepest and relatable conversations I’ve had to date and one that I think all men can both relate to and benefit from listening to. Enjoy!
Adam Nelson has qualified for a total of five World Outdoor Championship teams and earned seven world and Olympic medals, which included the 2004 Olympic gold. After initially winning silver at the 2004 Athens Olympics, Nelson was officially awarded gold in May of 2013 after Ukraine's Yuriy Bilonoh was stripped of the gold following a doping violation.
He is a graduate of Dartmouth and received his MBA from The University of Virginia. He’s currently the COO of The D10 Decathlon; a nationally televised athletic competition produced for amateur athletes testing speed, strength, agility, and coordination through a mix of 10-events traditionally performed in the Olympic decathlon and NFL Scouting Combine.
Adam, his wife and two daughters recently relocated to Houston. On this episode we talk about his journey from college football player to Olympic Shot Putter, the emotional and psychological toll of being awarded the gold medal almost a decade after the Olympic Games, fitness over the age of 40 and where he’s focused on taking the D10 and himself in the future.
Sat down with Brent Erenwert, Chief Innovation Officer for Brothers Produce to talk about what inspired him to create this role for himself after years of serving in management capacity as President and various other roles along the way. A family business started by his father and uncle Brent has helped Brothers Produce grow from 12 million revenue a year in 1999 to over 300 million per year today. In 2015 he started Houston Cold Storage a full service cold storage operation, that is doubling storage capacity at the end of 2017. He’s a father, coach and forward thinker with an eye and focus on innovation and looking to the future.
Dr. Garth Davis is a leader in the field of bariatric medicine, He is recognized as a Texas Monthly Super Doc and starred with his father, Dr. Robert Davis, on the hit show docu-reality medical series, BIG MEDICINE. He is the author of the book Proteinaholic and competes in Ironman events.
Dr. Richard Urso was a former college football player at UCONN before going on to medical at UT, where he graduated with honors and was number one in the class in both surgery and medicine. He has been chief of ophthalmology MDA hospital and is now in private practice in Houston, TX. Over 25 years he has written over 40 journal articles and given over 300 presentations at medical meetings. He has a patented diabetic wound healing drug as well as 4 trademarked eye drops for wound healing. A health and wellness fanatic, his latest product is Mitoade, a revolutionary non-GMO, physician formulated, Vegan and Gluten Free dietary supplement for efficient energy production in the mitochondria. He has a wife and six children and lives in Bellaire, Texas.
Terry Williams is the owner of The League in Houston, Texas; a unique warehouse gym that features his one-of-a-kind conditioning format called PAC(K) Training. It combines Power, aerobic and Circuit Training. Terry holds a Masters Degree in Exercise Science and recently released his first book; The Flavor Fuel Kitchen. He is an entrepreneur, athlete, husband and a father. We talked about building a business and brand, working alongside your spouse, fatherhood, work life balance and how to take an idea thru execution. Terry openly shared his thoughts on spirituality, discipline, drive, challenges and what’s in store for the future.
Greg grew up in Houston, Texas. He attended Baylor University, where he earned a BA in History in 1987, and was named Phi Beta Kappa. Greg attended law school at the University of Texas School of Law, earning a Juris Doctorate in 1990. Greg practiced law in Houston with Funderburk & Funderburk, LLP, specializing in civil litigation, from 1990 to 2011 before experiencing a call to ministry. Greg and his wife, Kelly, joined South Main as members in April 1994. Greg joined the South Main staff in 2012. They have two sons, Hank and Charlie.
Nick is an influential marketer and social media expert. He is the former COO of YogaOne Studios where he was instrumental in growing the brand from two to 8 studios during his tenure. Now as the COO of ROW Studios, a boutique indoor ROWing studio he is responsible for overseeing marketing and operations of the company and development of new studios.
Billy Mann is dedicated to the proposition that a Hit Life is richer than the pursuit of a Hit Song alone. He is however one of America’s most celebrated songwriters and producers having worked with Pink, John Legend, Celine Dion, and many others. He has been a top executive at EMI and President of Creative for BMG North America. He is a successful entrepreneur heading up the management firm Manncom as well as Green & Bloom/Topline a publishing venture and The Colors You Like which provides creative services for a variety of high profile artists and brands. Mann’s philanthropic involvement is even more impressive than his music career. He led more than 50 EMI artists from around the world in an initiative named “Answer The Call” after Earthquakes in Haiti and Chili. As the father of a family impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorder, he is a board member of Autism Speaks.
In 2008, Liam Caffrey was in a personal and professional rut, he decided to shake things up. He determined that life was too short put off things he'd always thought about doing so he embarked on a yearlong odyssey of travel, fun, and once-in-a-lifetime adventures. They ranged from running the Chicago Marathon to attending mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, playing a round on the Old Course at St. Andrews to throwing out the first pitch at a Major League Baseball game. He captured the spirit and lessons of that time in his recently published book, The Best Year Ever.
Chris Cusack sits down to talk to me about his rise and fall at the helm of the Treadsack Group and where he's at now. Chris was a media and restaurant industry darling while he was opening multiple concepts in 2016 and coming off the success of Downhouse and D&T Drive Inn. After shuttering high profile restaurants Hunky Dory, Bernadine's and Foreign Corespondents, Cusack's had to deal with the fall out, both personally and professionally and we got candid about his reputation, business dealings, relationships, lessons learned and how he's going back to basics and what it's like making a comeback after getting one's "comeuppance"
Thomas is a co-founder of the Peli Peli Restaurant Group, with three locations in Houston, Texas. Currently Peli Peli is ranked in the Top 5 in Houston on both Tripadvisor and Yelp. In 2015, Thomas was named as one of Houston Business Journal's 40 Under 40 for his philanthropic efforts. Thomas, along with his partners Chef Paul Friedman and Michael Tran, were featured in an episode of Restaurant Startup (Season 3) on January 27, 2015 and received the largest offer in Restaurant Startup history.
While attending The University of Texas at Austin, Ben Siegel, the entrepreneur behind Bangers Sausage House & Beer was enamored by The Best Wurst trailer on Austin’s famous Sixth Street. Post graduation Siegel moved to Dallas and became involved in commercial real estate. Not satisfied, Siegel took the leap and followed his college dream of opening a sausage house and beer garden in his college town of Austin, Texas. He is newly married, a new and very proud father and in the process of expanding Bangers and his growing Sausage empire.
Mark Pieper – Is the CEO of Baseball for Independent Sports and Entertainment (ISE) an integrated sports, media, entertainment and management company that represents more than 300 of the best athletes in the NBA, NFL and MLB. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan with a degree in economics and a law degree from Northwestern University. He lives in Chicago and is married to his college sweetheart Dana and they have triplets.
Naren Aryal – CEO Mascot Books - With a single self-published children’s book about a collegiate mascot, Naren Aryal co-founded Mascot Books in 2003. After meeting publishing success, he was more than happy to give up his career as a corporate attorney, diving head first into the dynamic world of books. That’s how we got our start and that’s the story behind our name. Over the years, the company has expanded its list of genres and has established itself as one of America’s fastest growing and respected independent publishing houses.
Jay Rusovich – Jay is a contemporary fine art photographer and writer based in Houston, Texas. Last year he published a satiric literary memoir titled, Urban Dystrophy, The Perverse Truth About Mid-Life in the Big City, which is sold through select bookstores, and on Amazon. He also hosts a wildly popular blog, urbandystrophy.com, which explores the inner workings of the urban Baby Boomer, with themes that parallel his memoir.
Eric Hinman – Entrepreneur, Influencer, 2x Kona Ironman and CrossFit Athlete. Eric loves helping brands that he’s passionate about share their products services, messages and stories. A prolific social media influencer, Eric is also the founder of Urban Life Athlete, Original Grainsters and Fellow Gent. Listen to Eric talk about structure, discipline, health, wellness and balance.
Joe Rosa – CEO Avalanche Food Group. Along with brothers John and Ricky, Joe Rosa Founded Avalanche Food Group in 2009 and has grown the company to own and operate 8 Twin Peaks Restaurant locations with over 500 employees. It is a family business that prides itself on integrity, loyalty and a transparent family environment for all staff and employees. AFG stands for Accountability, Family and Gratitude. In 2011, AFG was awarded The Franchisees of the Year Award from the International Franchise Association.