Anything But Typical

Anything But Typical

By Gary Frey & Ben McDonaldBusinessEntrepreneurshipManagement
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Anything But Typical episodes

  • 139: From Soviet Russia to Transforming Lives with Natalia Worthington

    “I believe that the more my clients know I care about them, the more I can nudge them toward success.” – Natalia Worthington


    Natalia wasn’t supposed to be here—literally.

    As her parents rode a bus to make a life-altering decision, her father had a change of heart. That choice sparked a life defined by curiosity, compassion, & quiet rebellion.

    Born in Soviet Russia, she came of age in a system that crushed curiosity & rewarded obedience. But at home, things were different. Her father, an English professor, championed critical thinking & lifelong learning—lessons that would one day save her.

    Years later, as a young mom in a new country, Natalia battled isolation, depression, & weight gain.

    But instead of giving in, she channeled her hunger to learn & took control of her story. She healed—& then made it her mission to help others do the same.

    Today, Natalia helps clients thrive in six areas of deep health—from fitness to purpose. Her goal isn’t just a workout. It’s total transformation.

    To learn more, find her at customfitcoaching.com.
    Arthur Ashe once said, “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.”

    Natalia did just that.

    1 hr 3 min
  • 138: Addiction, Feeling Stuck, And Transforming Your Life with Robbie Shaw

    “One sip of alcohol literally leads to prison...there’s nothing in between anymore.” – Robbie Shaw

    For years, Robbie tried to outmaneuver the consequences of addiction—until the day the truth hit him like a bus. No more negotiating, no more "just one more time." His choices were death, jail, or life.

    We’re so grateful he chose life.

    That choice set him on an unexpected path. From addiction to recovery coach, mental health advocate, & entrepreneur, he didn’t just rebuild his life—he built a business to help others share their stories.

    Now, as the founder of EVRYBDY Studios, he’s proving that the best way to transform pain is to turn it into purpose. Whether it’s podcasting, coaching, or even ice baths in his driveway, Robbie is all in on the power of storytelling, vulnerability, & doing hard things.

    If you’ve ever felt stuck in a cycle you couldn’t break or just love stories of redemption, resilience, & redefining success on your own terms: follow him @evrybdystudios & check out his podcast Champagne Problems.

    It’s been said that "Your greatest test is your greatest testimony."

    We don’t know who said it, but Robbie proves it.

    1 hr 13 min
  • 137: Breaking The Scarcity Mindset with Dan Flaherty

    “If you’re not uncomfortable, you’re not doing the job correct.” – Dan Flaherty

    With a career that has ventured from the disciplined halls of corporate American to unconventional sales & management consulting, Dan’s story comes with a powerful lesson: Growth comes from embracing calculated risk, stepping out of our comfort zones, & learning not to do more but to do it differently.

    But it’s not all work & no play. This passionate family man & Hellcat racer understands that success is not just about business milestones. It’s about work-life harmony —enjoying breakfast & dinner with his kids while fueling his passion for race car driving.

    In a world where many cling to a scarcity mindset, Dan embraces abundance—championing collaboration, knowledge sharing, & servant leadership. Whether on the racetrack, in the boardroom, or in the living room, Dan welcomes trial & error as part of his journey.

    Uncomfortable? Sometimes, but this approach turns every setback into a steppingstone for growth, & that has made all the difference.

    Are you ready for the blueprint on building a life that’s balanced, impactful, & rewarding? Connect with him on LinkedIn.

    Both Dan and Dolly Parton remind us: “Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life."

    1 hr 8 min
  • 136: Helping Chick-Fil-A, Lowe's, and More Create Brand and Purpose with Jamey Boiter

    “People don’t manage people. People lead people.” – Jamey Boiter


    Growing up, Jamey was blessed by a father that didn’t just raise him. He led him. In doing so, he gave Jamey a blueprint for servant leadership that would shape his entire career.

    From an early passion for architecture to pivoting into graphic design, Jamey learned that the true essence of creativity isn’t just making things, it’s solving problems. That mindset led him to Bolt Group, where he’s spent decades helping companies like Chick-fil-A, Lowe’s, & IZOD bridge the gap between brand, product, & purpose.

    But he’s not just a designer. He’s a builder of businesses, leaders, & legacies. His unique approach integrates brand strategy with product innovation, turning companies into category leaders. Now, he’s doing the same for his own team, ensuring the future of Bolt Group is as bold as its past.

    If bold leadership, design thinking, & culture building drive you, find him at Boltgroup.com

    Great design isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about solving problems that matter.

    It’s like Steve Jobs said, “Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works."

    1 hr 5 min
  • 135: Empowering Employees and ESOPs with Don Baker

    "I’m not a greedy guy. I don’t chase money—it follows me." – Donald Baker


    What does success look like to the average entrepreneur? For most, it’s all about wealth. For Don, it’s about impact.

    From the beginning, he’s sought to empower his employees & do the right thing, no matter the cost. Whether transforming air quality standards in pools to protect swimmers or creating ESOPs to give his employees a financial stake in their futures, Don shows us that perseverance, purpose, & innovation can exist in any business.

    Shaped by his father’s lessons, he shares why he believes “most people don’t know what they’re capable of,” and that hands-on, creative leadership leads to breakthroughs that redefine industry.

    Don builds pools. More importantly, builds opportunities, legacies, & futures where hard work & innovation are rewarded.

    If you’re seeking inspiration & looking to make a difference in your industry, this episode will challenge you to rethink what it means to succeed.

    Learn more about his work Paddock Pool Equipment Company, Pure Aqua Products, and Paddock Construction Company.

    Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “You don’t chase success—you create it with the right mindset.”

    Don’s a living example.

    1 hr 6 min
  • 134: Master Class In Leadership with Jay Woelkers

    "Everyone you meet is somebody's hero—even though you don't think they are." – Gerard "Jay" Woelkers


    Born into a family of 15 children, Jay learned at a young age what it means to serve. At 18, he joined the Navy, starting as an E1—the lowest rank—and rose to O6 over 39 years, commanding thousands of sailors.

    But his decades-long journey wasn't about climbing the ranks or pinning awards on his own lapel; it was about lifting others up along the way.

    His secret?

    A people-first philosophy. Whether building trust on the battlefield, mentoring young sailors, or transforming the culture at Walter Reed, Jay's focus is simple: value people, build trust, & pursue excellence. Amazing results will follow.

    This episode isn't just about leadership—it's a playbook for how to show up for your team, your family, & your community.

    To learn more about Jay's ongoing mission as a leadership speaker & how you can take a page from his playbook, connect with him on LinkedIn to learn more about his leadership talks.

    Zig Ziglar said, "You don't build a business. You build people, and people build the business."

    Jay Woelkers is living proof. It’s also a great way to live.

    1 hr 18 min
  • 133: No Clients, No Calls, No Problem with Billy Austin

    “So, this is a story I like to tell. We're in the office. The phone's not ringing. It's just a regular workday. We're just sitting there, & I said, ‘Well, I'm going to go out and find some work.’” – Billy Austin


    What happens when an engineer from Charlotte, NC buys an engineering firm in 2007, only to face the Great Recession a year later?

    For Billy Austin, it wasn’t spreadsheets or strategy that saved him — it was his willingness to try anything, including a blind car ride into the unknown.

    With no clients calling, Billy got in his car, drove to an industrial park, & started knocking on doors. That bold move sparked a partnership with Duke Energy, giving his fledgling engineering firm the lifeline it needed to thrive.

    His self-made journey serves as encouragement to all entrepreneurs who need to remember that trust doesn’t come automatically, growth starts with humility, & when in doubt, just take the first step – even if you don’t know where it’s going.

    To learn more, visit ShultzEngineering.com.

    You can’t help of think of Helen Keller when you hear Billy’s story. “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.”

    1 hr
  • 132: Designing The Second Half of Your Life with Lloyd & Linda Reeb

    "The essence of an entrepreneur is you can build whatever you want — come up with an idea for goodness' sake & get started!” – Lloyd Reeb


    At 16, Lloyd did just that – he got started. When he overheard his dad say, "Our kids will never be able to afford a house at the beach," he didn’t accept it. Instead, he asked his dad to co-sign a loan so he could buy land near Atlantic City. That moment sparked a passion for business & freedom that fuels him today.

    He’s not alone. His wife, Linda, is equally driven, empowering everyday moms to lead their families & communities with purpose.

    Lloyd & Linda aren’t ordinary entrepreneurs. Yes, Lloyd built retirement communities for 37+ years & Linda transforms women into leaders. But it’s not businesses they build — it’s legacies.

    As for measuring success? Freedom, impact, & legacy are the only metrics that matter for them. And in this episode, they’re sharing their blueprint for how YOU can do it too.

    Find them at Halftime.org & MomsMentoring.com.


    David Frost said, "Don't aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally."

    The Reebs were listening.

    1 hr 4 min
  • 131: Two Cultures Creating Greater Success Together with Klar Ventures

    "We just try to do good work & have that lead to the next introduction." – Justin Cunningham


    What happens when a former investment banker & food allergy app creator joins forces with a corporate operations expert who left Berlin, Germany, for Disney (yes, Disney!) to bring big ideas & investment strategies to business owners? Magic…eventually!

    Like all good entrepreneurial journeys, the story of Justin’s & Daniel’s success comes with unexpected twists – including COVID hitting just as they launched their business. For two young guys starting out, they faced a tough choice: slow down & potentially close shop, or double down & work even harder to help clients in an unprecedented time.

    They chose the latter.

    In doing so, they not only created a successful advisory business that clients deeply trust & endorse, but they set the stage for an unbreakable partnership built on trust, resilience, & complementary strengths.

    To learn more, Find them at KlarVentures.com.

    Transparency, teamwork, & unwavering commitment to clients & team.

    It's like Henry David Thoreau said, "Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it."

    59 min
  • 130: From $13 to $400 Million in 4 Years with Charlie Workmon

    "I want to build a platform, and my team wants to build a platform that blesses people—not a business empire, but a platform to bless people." – Charlie Workmon


    When you picture logistics companies, what do you see? Gruff individuals scrambling around hectic warehouses, driven only by tight deadlines? That's definitely the norm.

    But not in Charlie's logistics company, Riverstone Logistics. White glove service, purpose-driven culture, bold community service initiatives, & faith-driven leadership mark his.

    "Neat," you might say, "but I'm sure he's lagging behind his competitors."

    Hardly. In fact, he's blown them out of the water, scaling from $13M in annual revenue to over $400M in just four years!

    From humble beginnings in Atlanta's moving industry to now leading an industry powerhouse, Charlie shows that faith & purpose can guide decisions and be the catalyst for success.

    So much for conventional wisdom.

    To learn more, find him at RLX.us or on LinkedIn.

    The echoes of Henry Ford are so evident in Charlie's perspective on business.

    "The purpose of business is to produce happiness, not to pile up millions."

    1 hr 3 min

About Anything But Typical

From the publisher's feed

Gary Frey & Ben McDonald host round table conversations discussing entrepreneurship, leadership, and success on your own terms.