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What happens when a devastating stroke at age 25 leaves you completely paralyzed, conscious but unable to communicate for two weeks? For Maria Garcia, it became the first chapter in an extraordinary story of resilience, discovery, and ultimately, transformation.

Maria takes us through her harrowing experience of being "locked in" her body after a stroke, communicating initially only through blinking her eyes, and facing the overwhelming reality of relearning everything from swallowing to walking. Her brother became her unofficial physical therapist, medical professionals offered limited hope, and the simple act of trying to comb her hair became a crushing moment of realization about the mountain she faced.

For a decade, Maria threw everything she could at her recovery – stem cell treatments, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, specialized programs in Germany, and various dietary approaches. Progress was painfully slow. After ten years, she decided to stop living to recover and just live, accepting what she believed was her maximum recovery at about 70% of her pre-stroke functionality.

The breakthrough came unexpectedly. Fifteen years after her stroke, Maria enrolled in a nutrition course out of personal interest. Within just six months of implementing what she learned – particularly about proper hydration and reintroducing animal products after years as a vegetarian – she recovered an additional 20% of her functionality when she thought improvement was impossible.

This revelation transformed not just her health but her purpose. Today, Maria coaches others on nutrition, helping them understand that human bodies have specific nutritional needs that, when met, allow us to thrive. Her three-month program addresses not just what to eat but the psychology behind eating habits, particularly helping those with health challenges who are "tired of pills, lotions, and procedures."

Maria's story is a powerful reminder that sometimes our greatest challenges reveal our deepest purpose. As she quotes Mark Twain: "The two most important days of your life are the day you're born and the day you find out why." For entrepreneurs and anyone facing obstacles, her message resonates clearly – find something you truly love and can stand behind. That's where the real magic happens.

What nutritional changes could transform your health? Listen to Maria's extraordinary journey and discover how proper nutrition might be the missing piece in your own wellness puzzle.

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What if the reason you’re not following through isn’t laziness or poor planning—but a hidden program that takes over under stress? That question drives this solo recap of my conversation with Freeman Beals, where we reconnect after two years to explore how stress tools evolve when life changes and why the subconscious often wins the moment your emotions spike.

We dig into the gap between knowing and doing, especially for parents and business owners who juggle real-world demands. I unpack three core takeaways. First, you can’t think your way out of a subconscious problem: if you know the play but still freeze, there’s a belief or pattern underneath that needs updating. Second, you can rewrite the story of your past by changing what events mean—shifting failure from a verdict to a training run frees you to take bigger swings without the old weight. Third, quick, tangible state shifts are possible: a guided exercise using imagery, distance, breath, and posture can cool a hot emotion in minutes and get you back to action.

Freeman’s journey—from stress management coach to subconscious reprogramming for business-owning dads—mirrors a truth many of us feel: life stages change the game, and our tools have to change with it. We talk about eustress vs distress, gratitude and movement for brain rewiring, and why conscious systems like time blocking and reframing still matter—just not on their own. The real unlock comes from marrying structure with deeper meaning work, so your nervous system supports your goals instead of hijacking them.

If you’ve been stuck in that loop where you know better but can’t seem to do better, this conversation offers a practical path forward. I share the live drill that shifted my own anxiety on air, plus simple steps you can use today to reframe, reset, and reengage. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a quick review—what belief are you ready to rewrite?

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The moment Freeman Beals became a father, everything he thought he knew about stress management was put to the ultimate test. Despite years of coaching others through emotional regulation, he found himself experiencing unprecedented anger and frustration with his toddler – reactions he never anticipated and couldn't seem to control.

This humbling revelation led Freeman down a fascinating path of discovery into the subconscious mind. What he learned transformed not only his relationship with his son but his entire approach to coaching and personal growth. The key insight? We can't think our way out of subconscious problems. No matter how much we consciously understand what we should do, our deepest programming will override our best intentions every time.

During this riveting conversation, Freeman demonstrates his technique live, guiding us through a visualization exercise that produces immediate shifts in anxiety. The process is surprisingly simple yet profoundly effective – pushing troubling images through a window, into the sky, and watching them shrink until they disappear. The physiological changes are instant and remarkable.

Freeman now works exclusively with business-owning fathers who find themselves caught in reactive patterns they can't seem to break. His approach doesn't aim to eliminate emotions (which serve important purposes) but rather to balance their intensity. The metaphor he uses is perfect: emotions are like waves, and we don't want extreme highs or destructive lows, but manageable fluctuations that inform without overwhelming.

This episode offers more than just fascinating insights – it provides a window into cutting-edge techniques that create rapid, lasting change. Whether you're a parent struggling with unexpected reactions, someone battling anxiety, or simply curious about the incredible power of the subconscious mind, you'll walk away with both practical tools and a new understanding of why knowing better doesn't always translate to doing better.

Ready to experience this work for yourself? Visit freemanbeals.com to book a breakthrough session and download free resources to begin your own journey of subconscious transformation.

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What if the biggest obstacle to love, success, or fulfillment isn’t the market, your manager, or your past—but the patterns you haven’t named yet? Today we unpack our conversation with transformational coach and TEDx speaker Christian De la Huerta and trace three clear pathways to change: sharpen self-awareness, relate to emotions as energy, and stop outsourcing power to anyone or anything outside you.

We start with the deceptively simple premise that you can’t change what you can’t see. By mapping recurring conflicts and triggers across relationships and work, you turn vague frustration into useful data. Christian’s approach in Conscious Love gives us practical tools to zoom out, notice loops that follow us from team meetings to dinner tables, and replace knee-jerk reactions with choices aligned to our values. From journaling prompts to quick pre-meeting check-ins, we show how small habits create enough space to pick a better next move.

Then we reframe emotions from weakness to signal. Suppressed sadness can flatten into depression, and bottled anger often ferments into rage. We walk through a simple sequence—feel fully, process safely, express responsibly—so feelings fuel growth instead of sabotaging it. Think grounding breaths, specific language that names needs without blame, and boundaries that protect connection rather than punish it. The result is emotional clarity you can use in high-stakes conversations at work and in delicate moments at home.

Finally, we reclaim personal power. Blame can feel comforting, but it keeps you stuck. By owning our responses—no matter what happens—we stay in the driver’s seat of our lives. That shift dissolves the false divide between personal and professional growth: the same skills that heal a tense partnership can stabilize a pressured project. We close with resources to go deeper, including Christian’s book, Conscious Love, and soulfulpower.com, plus a simple reflection you can try today to spot your most persistent pattern.

If this conversation resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs it, and leave a quick review. Tell us your biggest takeaway in a DM—we’d love to hear what hit home for you.

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What if finding love isn't about the search, but about removing what blocks us from experiencing it? Christian de la Huerta, transformational coach and award-winning author with 30 years of experience, reveals the internal barriers that prevent us from creating authentic connections.

"It's not our job to look for love, but to look within ourselves for the obstacles to love," Christian explains as we explore why so many of us repeat the same relationship patterns with different partners. We dive deep into how our subconscious protective mechanisms lead us to attract unavailable people or sabotage promising connections before they have a chance to flourish.

Christian shares powerful insights about emotional triggers and how they reveal our deepest wounds. That person who consistently shows up late and drives you crazy? Your reaction has nothing to do with them and everything to do with unresolved feelings of being disrespected or undervalued from your past. Understanding these triggers creates pathways to freedom instead of remaining enslaved to our automatic emotional responses.

Drawing from his personal journey through depression and conflict between his sexuality and spiritual calling, Christian brings authenticity and depth to his teachings. His latest book "Conscious Love" outlines ten problem areas where relationships typically get derailed, starting with the fundamental mistake of expecting relationships to make us complete or happy.

This conversation challenges conventional thinking about emotions, love, and power. Christian reframes emotions not as weaknesses but as energies moving through our bodies that only become problematic when suppressed. He distinguishes between the feeling of love and the act of loving, which sometimes requires difficult choices that don't feel immediately pleasurable.

For anyone struggling with relationship patterns, emotional reactivity, or the courage to look within, this episode offers practical wisdom and a compassionate perspective. Connect with Christian at soulfulpower.com to learn about his books, retreats, and transformational programs designed to help you break free from limiting patterns and create relationships that actually have a chance of thriving.

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What if growth wasn’t about grinding harder but about choosing the right moments to sprint, the right people to trust, and the right systems to make quality automatic? We unpack Chef Ben LaRose’s journey from dishwasher to architect of Fork and Delicious, tracing how his brand evolved from meal prep and small events to chef’s tables, influencer dinners, restaurant takeovers, and a fine‑dining food truck concept in the making. Along the way, we dig into the mindset shift that made it possible: hustle with purpose, don’t push from fear.

We break down a simple filter to spot the difference between momentum and force, then map out how to structure sprint seasons with clear dates, recovery, and communication that keeps relationships intact. We explore why leadership in the kitchen is as essential as technique, and how Ben’s language—people working with him, not for him—translates into operations that scale. Using our team triangle—coaches, captains, and crowd—we share how trust compounds capacity across service, social, and collaborations while protecting standards when demand spikes.

Accept and adapt becomes a core theme: when costs swing or plans shift, standards hold while methods flex. We show how systems—checklists, briefs, content calendars, inventory cycles, and cash‑flow dashboards—reduce reliance on motivation and turn discipline into default. The result is a brand that’s ready when opportunity knocks, not scrambling to catch up. If you’re building a side hustle or scaling a creative service, you’ll walk away with playbook-ready ideas: resilience rhythms, trust-led leadership, and the mindset to build experiences instead of forcing outcomes.

If this resonated, tap follow, share it with a builder who needs it, and leave a quick review to help more creators find the show. Got questions or wins to share? Drop us a message—we’d love to hear your story.

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Ready to rethink what “hustle” really means? We sit down with Chef Ben LaRose—founder of Fork and Delicious and the force behind a growing chef’s table and consulting brand—to explore how a side hustle can scale without sacrificing standards. Ben breaks down the difference between momentum and forcing outcomes, and why his mantra is simple: accept, adapt, and keep hustling.

We dig into how he split his work into two clear lanes—Chef Benjamin LaRose for fine dining, takeovers, and consulting; Fork and Delicious for larger catering—so clients instantly understand the value they’re buying. Ben shares how he built a trustworthy crew, from servers to a social media lead, and why he avoids micromanagement by hiring people he can truly rely on. He’s transparent about pricing and sourcing, detailing the real costs behind a seven-course dinner with pairings and the commitment to farm-quality ingredients from the tri-state area. When prices spike after a signed quote, he stands by the number—because a promise matters.

You’ll also hear his playbook for growth: collaborations with restaurants, pop-ups that showcase his cuisine, and an ambitious plan for food trucks that deliver seasonal, fine dining experiences with white linens and table-side polish. We get into the human side of business development too—coffee chats over crowded mixers, honest conversations over surface talk, and personal touches that turn a meal into a story people share. Ben’s community mindset shines in his donation events and a forthcoming buffet-style charity concept aimed at turning meals into momentum for good.

If you’re building a brand, leading a team, or navigating volatile costs, this conversation offers a grounded framework for staying true to your standards while scaling smart. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves food and entrepreneurship, and drop a review telling us which idea you’re trying next.

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What if the outcome of your next big move has less to do with timing and more to do with how you show up? We revisit our conversation with Ellen Silverman—who left three decades in banking to thrive as a New York City real estate agent—and unpack the habits that make reinvention stick in one of the toughest markets on earth. The story isn’t about listings; it’s about discipline that builds resilience, communication that creates trust, and the decision to stop outsourcing your confidence to headlines and doubters.

We break down a practical playbook you can use this week. You’ll hear how Ellen treats real estate like a true nine-to-five, even in slow seasons, and how that structure turns uncertainty into forward motion. We explore why texts and DMs may be the norm, but real connection still comes from better questions, cleaner follow-ups, and active listening. If you’re spinning your wheels with busywork, you’ll learn how to build simple systems—client FAQs, pipeline hygiene, recurring check-ins—that compound results without burning you out.

The conversation also tackles comparison and the quiet ways we give away our power. Ellen once assumed others knew more; now she trusts her judgment and filters the noise. We offer a weekly challenge to cut one source of distraction and replace it with one step toward your vision. Whether you’re buying or selling in NYC, growing a side hustle, or navigating a career pivot, these tools translate. If you want Ellen’s buyer’s guide or have questions about the market, she’s open to chat—and so are we.

If the episode hits home, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a nudge, and leave a quick review telling us the one habit you’ll try this week. Your feedback helps more builders, buyers, and career shifters find the tools they need to move forward.

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What does it take to completely reinvent your career after 30 years in one industry? In this captivating conversation, we meet Ellen Silverman, who made the bold transition from decades in banking and finance to building a successful real estate career in New York City.

Ellen's story is particularly fascinating because she describes herself as "an introvert in a sales job." As a self-proclaimed math nerd who spent years behind a desk crunching numbers, her journey into the people-oriented world of real estate required developing new skills while leveraging her existing strengths. Her disciplined approach, financial acumen, and passion for property helped her overcome the initial challenges of this major career pivot.

Growing up in New York during the 1960s and 70s gave Ellen unique insights into the city's transformation from a predominantly rental market to today's complex landscape of co-ops and condominiums. She shares how her experience as a native New Yorker helps her guide clients through not just purchasing properties, but understanding neighborhoods, safety, accessibility, and the emotional aspects of finding a home.

The conversation takes fascinating turns into how communication has evolved in business - from the decline of phone calls to the rise of text messaging and social media - and the post-pandemic crisis of isolation affecting personal connections. Ellen provides valuable perspective on the current NYC real estate market, including how political uncertainty is creating both challenges and opportunities for buyers.

For anyone considering a career change, entering real estate, or navigating the daunting NYC property market, Ellen offers practical advice backed by years of experience. Her parting wisdom? "Don't give up, believe in yourself, and don't listen to the naysayers." Follow Ellen on Instagram @EllenJSilverman or email her at ellen.silverman@compass.com to learn more about the NYC home buying process.

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Ever feel like you're drowning in tasks while your leadership potential remains untapped? That's exactly what Walter Dusseldorp, the Dutch Mentor, addresses in this powerful conversation about the crucial shift from doing to leading.

Walter's story is nothing short of remarkable. Arriving in America with just $500 in his pocket, he transformed from a waiter with one shirt and tie into a successful entrepreneur, helicopter medic, and eventually a respected corporate leader. Now, as a mentor to emerging leaders and entrepreneurs, he shares the wisdom gained from his diverse career journey.

The conversation centers on three game-changing insights. First, Walter reveals the most common mistake that derails promising leaders: the inability to transition from execution to empowerment. When high performers get promoted, they often continue pushing rather than learning to pull others along with them. This distinction between doing and leading becomes the differentiator between those who plateau and those who create lasting impact. Second, Walter challenges conventional definitions of success, arguing that it must be personally defined and allowed to evolve throughout your life. His own measure—waking up inspired and making an impact—offers a refreshing alternative to rigid external metrics. Finally, he distinguishes between coaching and mentorship, emphasizing that while coaches provide accountability, true mentors share wisdom from lived experience.

What makes this episode particularly valuable is the practical application. You'll walk away with specific questions to audit your leadership approach, reassess your definition of success, and identify potential mentors in your circle. Walter's parting advice—"Less is more. Focus, measure, and hold yourself accountable"—provides a simple but powerful formula for generating unstoppable momentum in your leadership journey. Ready to stop doing it all and start truly leading? Listen now and take your first step toward transformation.

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What separates successful leaders from those who struggle? According to Walter Dusseldorp, known professionally as "The Dutch Mentor," the answer lies in a fundamental shift from doing to leading—a transition many technically skilled professionals find challenging.

Walter's remarkable journey began when he arrived in America at 18 with just $500 in his pocket. Through determination and an entrepreneurial spirit, he built himself up from restaurant work to business ownership, eventually becoming a paramedic, helicopter pilot, and now a sought-after leadership mentor. His diverse background gives him unique insight into the pitfalls that derail promising leaders.

Throughout this conversation, Walter shares powerful frameworks that transform leadership effectiveness. His performance equation (Performance = Technical Skill × Behavioral Capacity) explains why many training programs fail—they focus exclusively on technical skills while neglecting the behavioral components necessary for consistent application. Similarly, his leadership equation (High Performance = Trust × Engagement) emphasizes that trust must be established before meaningful engagement can occur.

Walter makes a crucial distinction between coaching and mentorship. While coaches provide motivation and accountability, mentors offer something more valuable: deep personal experience. This experience-based guidance helps mentees navigate complex situations with confidence, drawing on the mentor's past successes and failures. For organizations looking to retain talent and accelerate leadership development, Walter estimates proper mentorship can save $75,000 to $150,000 per employee in turnover costs.

For those seeking to grow as leaders, Walter recommends creating a clear development map with specific milestones and incorporating the 70-20-10 approach: 70% learning through current role experiences, 20% through coaching and mentorship, and 10% through formal education. His parting advice encapsulates his philosophy perfectly: "Less is more. Be focused, know your value, take action, measure everything, and hold yourself accountable."

Ready to transform your leadership approach? Connect with Walter on LinkedIn or visit his website to book a free consultation call. His YouTube channel "The Dutch Mentor" offers daily one-minute leadership nuggets to keep you inspired and accountable.

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What if the real success in life isn't climbing ladders but creating something so authentic it feels like art? This question frames my profound conversation with Aisha, a remarkable artist and global nomad who has lived in over 60 countries and even had her artwork sent to space.

I first met Aisha years ago at a wellness retreat where I was speaking, and since then, I've watched in awe as she's lived one of the boldest, most authentic missions I've ever witnessed. From Lisbon to Miami and countless places between, she's transformed her life into a canvas filled with color, curiosity, and courage. Our conversation explores three transformative ideas that could reshape how you view success and authenticity.

First, we dive into how curiosity serves as the true gateway to growth. Aisha doesn't just travel to collect experiences – she immerses herself in different cultures to gain perspectives that deepen her self-understanding. This made me reflect: where have we stopped being curious in our own lives? The second revelation centers on bravery as a prerequisite for authenticity. As Aisha so eloquently puts it, anyone can decide to be an artist, but the real challenge lies in daring to live authentically when others question your choices. I share my own struggle with this when transitioning from strength conditioning to performance coaching, highlighting how difficult it can be to shed identities that no longer serve us. Finally, we explore the delicate balance between embracing struggle as a grounding force while never abandoning ambitious dreams – from pursuing art exhibitions to literally sending work into space.

This conversation perfectly aligns with what we teach in Prime Performance Coaching: just as resilience develops through challenge, authenticity emerges when we embrace risk. If you've been waiting for permission to live more boldly, consider this your sign. DM me your biggest takeaway or go back to the full episode and share your favorite part – I'd love to hear how you're choosing to create a life that feels like art.

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What does it mean to truly live authentically in a world that constantly pushes us toward conformity? Aisha, an artist and world traveler who has visited over 60 countries, joins us to share her extraordinary perspective on embracing life's full spectrum of experiences.

Having grown up in an orphanage before becoming a global adventurer and successful artist, Aisha brings a refreshingly direct approach to life's biggest questions. She challenges our assumptions about success, happiness, and fulfillment, suggesting that our societal programming keeps us trapped in careers we dislike and relationships that don't serve us. "About 90% of people live lives dictated by external expectations," she observes, "but your heart wants you to do things that make you truly happy."

The conversation weaves through profound insights about how travel expands our understanding of ourselves and others. Aisha explains how experiencing different cultures taught her that despite surface differences, humans share the same fundamental struggles worldwide. This realization has fueled both her artistic expression and her mission to inspire authenticity in others.

Perhaps most compelling is Aisha's practical advice for transformation: change just one habit consistently, give yourself permission to struggle with it, and recognize that persistence eventually leads to breakthrough. This philosophy guided her own remarkable journey from entrepreneur to recognized artist whose work has literally reached space after a bold outreach to Elon Musk.

Whether you're contemplating a major life change or simply feeling disconnected from your authentic self, this episode offers both inspiration and practical wisdom. As Aisha reminds us in her parting words: "Always believe in yourself. Never give up. We're all winners, no matter what experiences we've gone through."

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Ever wondered why some ideas capture attention while others fall flat? The secret might not be what you're saying, but how you're telling your story.

Meet Melinda Jackson, a PR powerhouse whose journey from small-town North Carolina to Emmy and Grammy award-winning campaigns exemplifies what's possible when grit meets strategy. With just $500 in her pocket, Melinda drove to Los Angeles, built her career through unpaid internships and relentless networking, and eventually founded her own successful PR firm after experiencing burnout.

Her approach strips PR down to its essence: it's about people, not press releases. The way you relate to your audience—whether through media interviews, podcast appearances, or collaborations—builds the trust and credibility that no flashy campaign can manufacture. As Melinda wisely points out, journalists don't want your product; they want your story. Why did you start? What problem were you solving? The founder's journey often provides the hook that secures coverage and connects with audiences.

For entrepreneurs struggling with clarity, connection, and consistency, Melinda offers practical wisdom: start local before scaling. Pitch to community outlets hungry for stories, collaborate with neighboring businesses, and build momentum that snowballs into bigger opportunities. Her DIY-first approach empowers creators to take control of their narrative without breaking the bank.

Ready to transform how you position yourself? Try Melinda's challenge: post once on LinkedIn (instantly putting you in the top 1% of users) and reach out to one podcast (giving you 30 minutes in someone's ear instead of 30 seconds). Remember, standing out isn't about being the loudest—it's about being the most authentic in how you show up.

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From walking away from the family business with just $500 in her pocket to building a thriving PR firm, Melinda Jackson's journey is a masterclass in charting your own path through the entrepreneurial wilderness.

Melinda takes us through her remarkable story of leaving small-town North Carolina for Los Angeles against her parents' wishes, working three unpaid internships simultaneously while juggling multiple part-time jobs, and sleeping just 3-4 hours a night to make her dreams happen. After experiencing severe burnout in the entertainment PR world – complete with panic attacks, depression, and even kidney stones at age 30 – she eventually found freedom in launching her own business.

What makes this conversation particularly valuable is Melinda's candid breakdown of what public relations actually means in today's media landscape. She explains why journalists now care more about founder stories than brand stories, and offers practical advice for anyone looking to get media attention without hiring a publicist. Her scrappy, non-traditional approach to PR focuses on creating meaningful moments rather than just sending press releases.

The episode is packed with actionable insights, from how to approach local media outlets as a beginning entrepreneur to knowing when it's time to bring in professional PR help. Melinda's top recommendations? Start posting weekly on LinkedIn (which puts you in the top 1% of users) and get yourself on podcasts – "the fastest growing piece of media right now."

Whether you're running a side hustle, building a business, or simply curious about the behind-the-scenes world of public relations, Melinda's story proves that sometimes the most successful path is the one you carve for yourself.

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Ever wondered why your relationships hit the same frustrating roadblocks despite your best efforts? The answer might lie in what relationship coach Andre Paradise calls the "dance of energy" – the powerful interplay of masculine and feminine energies that shapes every human connection.

From his extraordinary journey as a dancer who performed alongside Michael Jackson and Prince to becoming founder of Project Equinox, Andre brings unique insights into why we struggle to truly connect. The revelation that shocked me most? Words account for only 7% of our communication. The remaining 93% – tone, body language, and energy – is where true understanding happens or breaks down. No wonder miscommunication feels like our default state!

Andre dismantles the common misconception that masculine and feminine are tied to gender, revealing them instead as complementary energies we all possess. He explains why high-achieving women operating primarily in masculine energy often attract the wrong partners, while high-value masculine men seek the warm, radiant presence of feminine energy. His four-stage framework for personal development – from boy to gentleman for men, and parallel stages for women – provides a roadmap for authentic growth that resonated deeply with me and connects perfectly with what I teach in Prime Performance Coaching.

Whether you're struggling in love, leadership, or personal growth, this conversation offers a powerful reframe: your relationship challenges aren't because you're broken – they stem from misunderstanding these fundamental energies. Discover how bringing the right energy to the right situations can transform every aspect of your life. Connect with Andre at projectequinox.net or email andrecoaching1@gmail.com to access his free workbook or schedule a clarity call.

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Have you ever felt like you're speaking a completely different language from your partner, despite using the same words? There's a reason for that. According to relationship expert Andre, only 7% of our communication comes through words, while the rest is filtered through drastically different masculine and feminine perception systems.

In this eye-opening conversation, Andre shares his unconventional journey from professional dancer working with Michael Jackson to auto shop owner and finally to his calling as a relationship coach. His wake-up moment came during a workshop called "Understanding Women," where he realized that despite having a seemingly successful marriage, he understood almost nothing about how women process information and emotions. This revelation led him to dedicate his life to decoding the complex dynamics between men and women.

Andre breaks down what he calls "the dance of relationship" – how masculine and feminine energies naturally complement each other when properly understood. He explains why modern cultural shifts have complicated relationships, with women being encouraged to embrace masculine traits while men are often shamed for their natural masculine qualities. The result? A dating landscape where strong, independent women wonder where all the "good men" have gone, while not realizing their own energy might be making them invisible to the very men they desire.

Perhaps most fascinating is Andre's framework of the four types of men (boys, guys, men, and gentlemen) and how women can learn to distinguish between them. For entrepreneurial women, he offers valuable insights about balancing professional success with relationship goals, suggesting that the key isn't abandoning ambition but learning to "leave your balls at work" and recultivate feminine energy in your personal life.

Whether you're single and frustrated with dating, in a relationship but experiencing communication breakdowns, or simply curious about the science behind human connection, this conversation offers profound insights about recalibrating your energy to create more fulfilling relationships. Visit ProjectEquinox.net to learn more about Andre's work and access his free resources for improving your relationship dynamics.

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What if leadership isn't about perfection but vulnerability? In this revealing conversation with Emily Erstad—speech pathologist, hospice leader, and author of "It's Not That Deep"—we explore how the messy, uncomfortable parts of our journeys actually become our greatest strengths.

Emily's powerful story traces her path from the Midwest to Montana to Tucson, where each bold move forced deeper self-awareness and leadership growth. Her writing journey—from personal expression to published author—demonstrates how vulnerability creates authentic connections. Throughout our discussion, three game-changing insights emerge that could transform your approach to leadership and fulfillment.

First, timing truly is everything. Emily shares how even the most promising projects falter when forced at the wrong time. I reflect on my own supplement line launch, where poor timing meant extraordinary effort just to stay afloat. The key question becomes: where might you be pushing against closed doors when redirecting that energy could create better outcomes?

Second, vulnerability creates influence. Though Emily admits she doesn't naturally trust easily, her willingness to open up has deepened her connections with staff and readers alike. This mirrors my mentor Brett's experience during his divorce—when he stopped hiding behind professionalism and shared authentically, his impact actually expanded. Where might you be holding back out of fear when showing your true self could create deeper connections?

Finally, intentional discomfort accelerates growth. From relocations to publishing her unfiltered thoughts, Emily consistently chooses challenge over comfort. This principle works in small ways too—like my recent experiment with cold-start morning showers to build resilience during an otherwise smooth period in business. The growth comes not from celebration but from challenge.

Grab your copy of "It's Not That Deep" on Amazon for both inspiration and practical emotional intelligence strategies. And remember—your breakthrough likely lives on the other side of the discomfort you've been avoiding. What intentional discomfort will you embrace this week?

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What happens when you leave everything familiar behind to discover who you truly are? Emily Erstad, speech language pathologist turned hospice executive director and author, reveals the transformative power of intentionally embracing discomfort.

Emily's remarkable journey began with a spontaneous move from the Midwest to Montana during the pandemic, followed by randomly selecting Tucson, Arizona on a map and simply showing up. These bold decisions became the foundation for her leadership philosophy and her book "It's Not That Deep," which explores emotional intelligence as a practical leadership tool rather than just a theoretical concept.

"We spend a lot of time talking about what emotional intelligence is, but we never talk about what to do with it," Emily explains, highlighting the gap her work fills. Through personal stories and practical strategies, she guides readers through professional chaos while maintaining authenticity and purpose.

The conversation delves into the critical relationship between vulnerability and leadership, with Emily distinguishing between transparency and true vulnerability. She argues that once you know your core self, showing people who you are becomes natural and opens doors to connection and opportunity. Most importantly, this journey begins with trusting yourself—perhaps the hardest part but essential for effective leadership.

For anyone feeling stuck in a cycle of people-pleasing or running a race with no end, Emily offers this powerful advice: "If it makes you happy and you're inspired, it's worth your time. Do it for you. Don't do it for everyone else, because if you're empty and uninspired, nobody else around you is going to be inspired either."

Ready to step outside your comfort zone and discover the leader within? Listen now and find Emily's book "It's Not That Deep" on Amazon or connect with her on Instagram @its_not_that_deep_author to continue your journey of self-discovery and growth.

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Ever found yourself wearing burnout as a badge of honor? That was me until a conversation with Garrett Wood changed everything. 

Garrett is the founder of Gnosis Therapy, a clinical hypnotherapist and executive coach who helps high achievers transform burnout into sustainable performance. His journey resonates deeply—he wasn't a theorist but someone who lived through managing multiple departments, overseeing 100 staff across seven locations, and working 70+ hours weekly until his body started breaking down with knee pain, back pain, and sleepless nights.

What he discovered revolutionized my thinking: success isn't fueled by grinding harder but by recovery and nervous system regulation. This insight led him to explore non-sleep deep rest states and clinical hypnotherapy—which, contrary to popular belief, isn't some magic trick but focused awareness we all experience naturally when driving, visualizing, or getting absorbed in work.

The conversation revealed three crucial insights that could transform your approach to work and life. First, sustainable success comes through well-being, not at its expense. Second, hypnosis is everyday focus that you're already experiencing—the question is whether you're using it intentionally. Third, burnout has early warning signs, particularly the inability to quiet your mind at night.

Garrett compared stress to weight training—you can handle tension in short sets, but holding the heaviest weight at the hardest point indefinitely will break you. The key is creating sustainable rhythms so you can perform over time without collapsing.

Ready to protect yourself from burnout? Take Garrett's free five-minute burnout assessment on his LinkedIn page. Use it as a mirror now and check in again later this year. Remember, you don't earn more shots at success by emptying the tank—you earn them by taking care of it.