Built Not Born

Melissa Sprau is a thought leader in the world of interior design, wife, mother of two, artist and mental health advocate.  

On this podcast, Melissa and I discuss:

·     Her journey of battling depression since the age of 11 years old that ultimately led her to psychedelics.

·     How being diagnosed as “gifted” as a child helped fuel her depression.

·     Though Melissa excelled academically, she was a lonely child who struggled to fit in socially. 

·     How Melissa found herself not wanting to succeed because when she did, she felt more isolated from her peers. 

·     During a family vacation, her father literally broke up with her at 11 years old, by telling Melissa he was choosing his new family over her.

·     Postpartum depression after the birth of her second child led her to the breaking point and how it made her rethink the rest of her life.

·     How Psychedelics, specifically ketamine, helped her get past her depression and back to living her best life. 

To learn more about Melissa Sprau:

LinkedIn: Melissa Sprau

Phil Migliarese is the co-owner of Balance Studios MMA & RiZen Metrics both located Philadelphia. Phil is a 6th Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under the legendary Relson Gracie.

Phil was born into an entrepreneurial family and has been fascinated with Gracie Jiu Jitsu, Ashtanga yoga & digital marketing since childhood. 

On this podcast, Phil Migliarese and I discuss:

·     How a car accident two days after Phil turned 17 changed the course of his life.

·     How Phil discovered Gracie Jiu Jitsu and what it was like training and living with the Gracie family in Los Angeles and Hawaii.

·     How he lived in India and trained with the founder of Ashtanga yoga Pattabhi Jois.

·     Why Phil believes time is the most sacred resource on the planet and why we must use time wisely. 

·     What it was like to open his first BJJ academy Balance Studios at 26 years old and dead broke. 

·     Why the biggest hurdle Phil ever faced was to get past is himself.

·     That Gracie Jiu Jitsu is more than a set of techniques, it is a mindset and a lifestyle that will lead you to your own personal definition of successes.

To learn more about Phil Migliarese, Balance Studios & RiZen Metics:   

Website: www.PhilMigliarese.com

LinkedIn: Phil Migliarese

Admiral Michael Mittelman is the President of Salus University in Pennsylvania.  Admiral Mittelman served in the US Navy for 30+ years and retired as a Rear Admiral. His Navy career featured a series of firsts.

On this podcast, Admiral Mittelman and I discuss:

·     How he became the US Navy’s first aerospace optometrist.

·     What it was like working for Marine Corp. General Jim Mattis while serving as the first non-medical doctor as the command surgeon for the U.S. Joint Forces Command and Allied Command Transformation (NATO).

·     Why all leaders need great mentors.

·     The lessons he learned directing the comprehensive U.S. military medical response as part of Operation Tomodachi (Operation Friends) following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that damaged the Fukushima nuclear power plant.

·     Leadership lessons learned while serving as Deputy Surgeon General of the Navy. 

To learn more about Admiral Mittelman & Salus University:

Website: www.Salus.edu

LinkedIn: Admiral Michael Mittelman

Episode 29 - "Attitude of Gratitude".

As we head into the holiday season and Thanksgiving week, I just wanted to say thank you to the 28 amazing guests that took time out of their busy schedules to share their remarkable stories on the podcast. And, I like to thank you the listeners.

Each guest has inspired and helped me look at the world in a better way and helped me see it more clearly than ever before.

Each each of you have influenced me more than you realize. I'm so grateful that our paths have crossed and really hope we stay in.

I also wanted to say a HUGE thank you to you listeners. Everybody is busy. There are so many demands for our time and attention. I really appreciate you trusting me with a few minutes of yours each week.

I will do my best to keep earning your trust and attention each week by sharing the amazing stories of everyday people rocking it out and living remarkable lives.

Currently I am recording the next round of interviews per season two. I'm going to drop those interviews right after the holidays. stay tuned.

Next season we have some world champions in jujitsu. We have leaders in the field of medicine. We have some entrepreneurs just crushing it and doing really creative, unique things in their industry. I'm really looking forward to sharing their stories.

But before we did, I just wanted to share some gratitude with you.

Gratitude is something I've struggled with throughout the course of my whole life. I take way too much for granted. I take my health for granted, my family, my friends. It's a long list and it's a constant struggle to be grounded and to be grateful for what you have.

As we head into Thanksgiving, I just wanted to say, thank you. Thank you for your trust. I will do my best to keep earning it week after week.

So thank you for listening. If you like what you heard in season one, the first 28 episodes.

Please hit the subscribe button.

We have a bunch of cool interviews that are going to drop in the next few weeks.

I wish you much success, health and prosperity during the holiday season and in the new year, I really appreciate you tuning in each week.

So Merry Christmas. Happy Hanukkah, Happy New Year.

And remember, "Life is built, not born. .."

Today’s guest is Alberto Robayo.       

Alberto Robayo is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under the legendary Rorion Gracie, the eldest son of Helio Gracie, the founder of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Alberto is the owner and head instructor at Miloki Flow BJJ academy with locations in Philadelphia, Miami, Florida and soon Charleston, SC. 

Alberto, born in Bogota, Colombia has a fascinating story that he shares that takes us from his hometown of Bogota, Colombia, to Australia, Mexico, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and now Charlestown, SC. 

Alberto graduated college with a business degree in Colombia, then soon ventured off to Australia where he earned a degree in Film and TV production. While in Australia, Alberto worked on feature films and documentaries, while also working as a divemaster and scuba diving instructor. Then one day he discovered BJJ. 

Alberto tells the story of how a brief stopover in Los Angeles resulted in him meeting the Gracie family, his future wife and changed the course of his life. 

Alberto found himself living in Los Angles and training full time at the Gracie Academy in Torrance. Not having any money to pay the tuition at the Gracie Academy, Alberto worked as a janitor cleaning the school to pay for his tuition. 

In our conversation today, Alberto shares with us the life lessons he learned from training with the Gracie family, why when he is making a difficult decision, he first decides what he does not want to do to help him decide the best course of action. 

Alberto and I also discuss why training BJJ can be such a powerful, positive force in people’s lives.

Alberto also shares with us the story of a motorcycle accident he was in back in 2016 that required multiple surgeries and years to recover from and why he thinks that accident was “great thing” that happened to him and how that accident brought about positive and needed changes into his life.

We also discuss what lessons he learned from being a small business owner during a global pandemic and what life lesson he took from the COVID shutdown that he is carrying forward with him into the future.

I was so excited when Alberto agreed to come on the show and share his remarkable story. Alberto is just an awesome guy. He is candid, speaks with emotion and passion. He is one of the most interesting people you will meet: beside being a black belt in BJJ, he is an entrepreneur, family man, he speaks 3 languages, has produced movies and documentaries, been a dive master, scuba instructor and even jumps out of airplanes. 

So…

Thank you for listening. 

If you like what you hear, please HIT the SUBSCRIBE BUTTON. 

We have a bunch of cool interviews, like this one, to come.

Enjoy my conversation on with Alberto Robayo, Rorion Gracie Black Belt, divemaster, documentary maker, and head instructor and owner of Miloki Flow Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy. 

And remember… “Life is built, not born…”

Today’s guest is Jessica Berman, MD.     

Jessica Berman, MD is a board-certified oncologist and hematologist practicing in the Philadelphia area at Abington Hematology Oncology Associates.

Dr Berman, a native of Manalapan, NJ, is a graduate of Franklin & Marshall with a degree in English & Biology. Dr Berman attended medical school at UMDNJ in New Jersey. She did both her residency and her Fellowship training in Hematology/Medical Oncology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA.

Dr Berman treats patients at Jefferson’s Abington Memorial Hospital, Holy Redeemer Hospital and Chestnut Hill Hospital. 

Her areas of interest & Expertise: Breast cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer and other gastro-intestinal cancers, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, benign conditions such as anemia and iron deficiency such as from bariatric surgery.

In our conversation today, Dr Berman and I discus why it is so important to stay a step ahead of cancer by taking the simple steps of prevention, early screening and if needed, early treatments

We discuss the importance of diet and exercise. We get into when we need to get screened for common cancers and what to do if you have a family history. 

Dr Berman was kind enough to let me conduct a Q&A with questions sent in from listeners and past podcast guests. 

I was so excited when Dr Berman agreed to come on the show. It’s hard to find anyone on the planet that cancer has not touched in some way. 

Everyone has a parent, grand parent, brother, sister, uncle, friend or co-worker that has battled some type of cancer.

So…

Thank you for listening. 

If you like what you hear, please HIT the SUBSCRIBE BUTTON. 

We have a bunch of cool interviews, like this one, to come.

Enjoy my conversation on with Dr Jessica Berman, board certified hematologist and Oncologist, multiple Best of Philly winner for Oncology, as she helps us stay a step ahead of cancer.

And remember… “Life is built, not born…”

Today’s guest is Maliq Harris.   

Maliq Harris is the owner of King’s Corner Boxing Gym located in Lansdale, PA.   

Maliq shares his remarkable story of how he is transforming young kid’s lives through the art of Boxing. 

Maliq works with kids struggling with disabilities such as ADD, ADHD, Parkinson's & bullying. He shows them how to take the negative energy they may be experiencing and channel it in a better direction. 

Maliq Harris was raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia by his mother and grandfather. His father was not a part of his early life due to drug and alcohol abuse.

Maliq found himself in trouble when he was a kid and even spent some time in the juvenile detention centers at Glenn Mills.

He then discovered boxing as a way to channel his energy in a positive direction. 

Then one day at the boxing gym, Maliq was asked to help coach some fighters and soon realized he had a gift for teaching. 

Since then Maliq has been using boxing as a way to mentor kids who have any type of challenge they need to overcome.  He converted his two-car garage at his home in Lansdale, PA into King's Corner Boxing Studio to provide one-on-one instruction for youth and adults.

When Maliq Harris is not only helping kids in the boxing ring, he and his wife are raising their 12 children, 7 of which they adopted out of foster care, along with their five biological kids, for a total of 12 kids that they raised.

Maliq and I discuss his remarkable journey from juvenile detention center to boxer to trainer, to foster parent to 7 adopted children. 

Maliq shares why he believes idle time is the worst possible thing to give a child, why a combat sport like boxing is so beneficial for kids and why every needs to find something they love to do and put their whole heart into it.

Maliq also tells us what it is like to be at the dinner table with 12 kids, the amazing community service project called Momentum he and his business partners are working on and who he thinks would win if Mike Tyson fought Muhammad Ali in their prime.

So…

Thank you for listening. 

If you like what you hear, please HIT the SUBSCRIBE BUTTON. 

We have a bunch of cool interviews, like this one, to come.

Enjoy my conversation on with Maliq Harris, owner of King’s Corner Boxing, mentor to young adults, community leader and one of the most energetic, positive people you will ever meet.

And remember… “Life is built, not born…”

Today’s guest is Dave Duda. 

Dave Duda is the Athletic Director of Delaware Valley University in Pennsylvania. 

Dave, a native of Norristown, PA, shares his remarkable story of resilience and leadership, both on and off the basketball court. 

In high school, Dave was stand out basketball player at Bishop Kenrick under legendary coach Phill Martelli.  At the age of 15, during his sophomore season, Dave tragically lost his Dad, to a sudden heart attack. Overnight, Dave went from idolizing his father to becoming the man of the house.

After HS, Dave continued his basketball career at Spring Garden College where he was a two-time honorable mention All-American. Upon graduating from Spring Garden College, Dave Duda began his coaching career as the top assistant to Naismith Hall of Fame coach Herb Magee, the all time winningest coach in NCAA Division 2 history at Philadelphia University. During Dave’s seven seasons at Philadelphia University, the Rams had their most successful period in school history, and were the winningest Division II school in the country during with a 171-35 record, including a ridiculous 80 straight wins at home. 

Dave then took his first head coaching job at Delaware Valley University.  Where he took over a team which had been 0-23, leading it to a 12-12 mark for the first non-losing season in 11 years. He earned the Freedom Conference Coach of the Year award in 1998. His career coaching record in 10 seasons is 159-99.

Dave then was hired by hired as the head coach of Widener University. Under Head Coach Duda Widener enjoyed its greatest, when the team finished 23-6, won the Commonwealth Conference regular-season title and made the school’s first NCAA Sweet 16 appearance since the mid 80’s. Duda earned Coach of the Year honors for both the Commonwealth Conference and the NABC Mid-Atlantic Region.

David Duda then reunited with Coach Phil Martelli and spent 13 seasons as head assistant coach for the Saint Joseph University Hawks.

During his time at St. Joe's, the Hawks made three trips to the NCAA tournament, including 2 Atlantic Ten Championships. Dave also served as the program's lead recruiting coordinator and developed 12 all-conference players, including NBA players Langston Galloway and Deandre Bembry.

Dave and I discuss what he learned from spending over 20 years with 2 legendary coaches, why leaders have to learn to put their ego’s aside and learn the art of delegation and why the best leaders lead by inclusion.

We discuss the importance of learning and understanding the basics in both sports and life.

So…

Thank you for listening. 

If you like what you hear, please HIT the SUBSCRIBE BUTTON. 

We have a bunch of cool interviews, like this one, to come.

Enjoy my conversation on with Dave Duda, 2x All- American, Athletic Director of Delaware Valley University, former head basketball coach of Widener University, & former Head assistant for the Saint Joseph’s University Hawks.   

And remember… “Life is built, not born…”

Today’s guest is Clayton Prince. 

Clayton, a native of the Germantown section of Philadelphia was acting in off Broadway shows with the likes of Robert Downey Jr at the age of 17.

Graduating HS, Clayton received a scholarship to study math at Temple University but dropped out when a professor would not let him reschedule a final exam when the time conflicted with an audition he needed to attend. 

At that moment, Clayton decided to go all in and purse his dream of becoming an actor. 

Clayton gave up his scholarship, dropped out of college and moved to NYC vowing never to return to Philly until he succeeded. 

At one point, Clayton was sleeping on the couch in a crack house in Brooklyn and living on $7 a day when his big break came.

Clayton auditioned for and won the role of Lisa Bonnet’s (Denise Huxtable) boyfriend on the second season of The Cosby Show. 

Clayton not only got the part but he literally stole the show. He ad libbed the scene and became known as the Reggae singing boyfriend in an episode that not only broke a Neilson ratings record but became the #1 rated Cosby show all time. 

Overnight, Clayton went from struggling actor to needing police to help him get out of the NYC subway the day after the episode aired. 

Clayton and I discuss the tough road he traveled to make it as an actor. how he and fellow actor Blair Underwood had to sell children’s to support them themselves between acting gigs, and what it was like to star in cult classic movies like The Last Dragon and Hair Spray.

Clayton tells us what it was like growing up with a father coming in out of his life and why he believes parents should let their children find their own way and not have expectations on path their kids need to take. 

We also talk how Clayton got into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, the lessons he learned in BJJ that helped him succeed in acting and what it was like to get his blue belt from UFC legend Royce Gracie. 

Clayton shares an amazing story of his Dad’s secret business and the time when his Dad was confronted by the Philadelphia mob.

Clayton also talks about his new tour company came and what it is like to be an entrepreneur.   

So…

Thank you for listening. 

If you like what you hear, please HIT the SUBSCRIBE BUTTON. 

We have a bunch of cool interviews, like this one, to come.

Enjoy my conversation on with Clayton Prince, star of The Cosby Show, The Last Dragon and Hair Spray, student of Brazilian jiu jitsu and entrepreneur. 

And remember… “Life is built, not born”.

Today’s guest is Lieutenant Dan Asper, USMC.

Lt Dan Asper, a native of Upper Dublin, PA, is a first Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps, stationed at Camp Lejeune North Carolina. Lt Asper is a motor transport platoon commander and leads a platoon of 35 Marine tactical vehicle operators.

Lt. Asper is a graduate of Texas A&M University where he earned a degree in Political Science. Lt Asper also attended Montgomery College Community College for 2 years prior to transferring to Texas A&M. 

In our conversation, Lt Asper describes how spending 2 years at home working, coaching for a competitive swim team and focusing on his grades at MCCC was one of the most transformative periods of his life.  I ask Lt Asper how he would compare his local community college to a famous school like Texas A&M. I think his answer may surprise you. 

We also discuss what it is like to lead 35 Marines and what the day in the life of a US Marine platoon commander requires.

Lt Asper tells us how his childhood conversations with his grandfather, who was a surface warfare officer in the US Navy in the 1950’s led to him to serving in the Marine Corp.

We also get into the value of surrounding yourself with like-minded people, like Lt Asper did when he entered the ROTC program at Texas A&M and the value of leaving the little bubble of your hometown to get a new and fresh perspective on the world. 

We also get into his personal definition of leadership, what historical leader he looks up to and how a leader must synthesize information into timely and actionable items so their team can move forward and accomplish their mission.

We also touch on why no matter if you are in the Marine Corp or work a corporate job there is nothing more powerful establishing great relationships and why being a good person, with high character will take you further than any complex strategy or competitive mindset will in the military and in life.  

So…

Thank you for listening. 

If you like what you hear, please HIT the SUBSCRIBE BUTTON. 

We have a bunch of cool interviews, like this one, to come.

Enjoy my conversation on with Marine first Lieutenant Dan Asper, motor transport platoon commander stationed in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. 

And remember… “Life is built, not born…”