Dedication is defined as being devoted to a task or purpose; having single-minded loyalty or integrity, but what I find so fascinating is when the word no longer describes an action, rather it personifies a person.

Meet Alex Shabo, coach, HYROX ambassador, DMV real estate agent and dedicated friend, athlete, and community leader. In the short while, we've known each other I've watched her make a massive impact on so many peoples' lives. It wasn't until we sat down for this chat did I fully understand, just how dedicated she was to her craft and how inspiring many to do arguably hard things has come so easy to her.

In this episode, Alex shares her journey from consulting to full time fitness - to later stepping into real estate and finding the HYROX community. She discusses the challenges she faced, the importance of being true to oneself, and the power of building community.

To learn more about Alex Shabo, give her a follow on IG @alshabes and be sure to subscribe her newsletter The Hybrd Letter, a newsletter for strength and endurance athletes - and anyone who wants to become one.

Alex Shabo can be found in the DC area coaching at Elevate, Cut 7 and co-leading PACED, DC's newest track club.

Growth is a choice. Many of us are too afraid of failure. Too worried about what other people might thing. Too comfortable doing things the way we've always done them, but not Marcus Lowe, founder of The Lab DC, a recently launched fitness community serving athletes of all types.

In this episode, I sit down with a man that I feel lucky to call a friend. Someone that has made me physically stronger - literally - and helped so many others tap in to their potential and find their stride. We explore the ups and downs of the DC fitness community and talk through the biggest challenge of starting your own business, 'becoming the brand.'

To learn more about Marcus Lowe, give him a follow on IG @marcusxlowe and to find out more information about The Lab DC and their newly minted track club, PacedDC, follow @the.lab.dc on IG.

This next guest has been doing this podcast thing WAY longer than me and has really honed in on his craft. We had the pleasure of sitting down over a year ago now, as perfect strangers to form a friendship over the love of boxing and shared loved of human connection.

Meet Rory Mitchell aka Officially Rory, Certified Life Coach, Podcaster and soon to be published author.

In this episode, Rory shares his journey from blogging about music to becoming a YouTube personality and podcaster taking on a wide variety of topics, unapologetically and always with a desire to help his listeners take something transferrable away from the conversation. He emphasizes the importance of showing up, knowing what you want, and taking the right community with you.

What I love about Rory is his mindset and drive. In this episode you get a peek into that, but I encourage you to learn more. Give him a follow on IG and TikTok - @officially.rory and be sure to like, subscribe and follow his incredible podcast on YouTube or wherever you choose to listen.

DC has no shortage of dogs, which means my next guests have no shortage of business. Meet Mckenzie + Giselle, partners and co-owners of Dog Citying.

These DC transplants have found a special way to blend their passion with their purpose, creating a blossoming dog sitting/ boarding business in our Nation's Capital. What is so incredible about their story is how naturally it has developed and continues to develop. Today, Giselle and Mckenzie are local celebrities, as they walk through the streets of Northwest DC. They pride themselves on creating a safe and comfortable environment for every dog and dog parent they work with and really bring their whole selves to the relationships they form with their two and four legged clients!

Now I can't lie to you, business is booming for Dog Citying, but to learn more about Giselle + Mckenzie, their services and inquire for yourself, give them a follow/ reach out on IG @dogcitying and mention this episode, it might get you a spot at the head of the line - no promises though!

Life has a funny way of bringing the right people into your life, in the strangest of circumstances. If I had not decided to fight in Haymakers for Hope in 202, I may never have met my next guest, but I can confidently say my life is better for knowing this person. Meet Duane Bell, entrepreneur, gym owner and my favorite boxing coach in Scottsdale, AZ.

In this episode, Duane shares how his love for combat sports and his desire to help people led him to becoming an entrepreneur. We unpack the good and no so good parts of the boxing industry and speak to the importance of impact. Recognizing that there is a lot of good that can come out of simple movement and staying true to what drives you.

To learn more about Duane and his boxing gym in Scottsdale, AZ give him a follow on IG @poundgyms or visit his website https://www.thepoundgymscottsdale.com/. And if you are ever in the area, I highly recommend you book a session - you will not be disappointed!

EKK! I could not have imagined a better way to launch season 3 of driven by ____. For years, I've watch my good friend and sister, Kate Houser Peters gracefully move through the ever changing "influencer"/ content creation space. She has branded and rebranded her voice and influence many times over, but always remained true to her passion for creativity and purpose.

In this episode, Kate shares how her early interest in videographer and creative spirit laid the foundation for her future as a content creator. We take a dive into grief, loss and ultimately the power of faith, that has helped Kate stay consistent in pursuit of her passion x purpose. This episode means a ton to me, as it showcases a friend that I've watch grow into her passion x purpose for over a decade.

To learn more about Kate give her a follow on TikTok or IG @katehouserpeters and if you like what you hear in today's episode, spread the good word, share it with your friends and/or leave it a review. Happy listening!

Welcome to the last episode of season 2 of driven by ___. Before I tell you about this week's guest, I want to say thank you for the support. Sitting down with each of my guests is a blessing and opportunity to encourage at least one person to follow their dreams, set intentions and turn their passions towards purpose. Without you all believing in my passions, I would not have found my purpose, so from the bottom of my heart, thank you!

Meet Joél Leon, author, artist, performer and father driven by community and grown in language. Joél has been blessed with a gift - the ability to use language to inspire and create movement for change and self-appreciation. He has ability to tell stories has landed him features in Forbes, BBC News, Huffington Post and to the stage to give an honest TedTalk on the challenges and successes of co-parenting. He is probably most well known for his ability to connect and build community through social platforms such as X (formerly known as Twitter) and Instagram through simple yet powerful posts.

In this episode, I have the opportunity to sit down with a voice that has helped me address my own grief and encouraged me to find comfort in concepts as simply as change and love. Without us ever speaking to one another directly until this episode, we have been able to find a friendship built off of supporting one others belief in the power of community and human connection. When I say that each of my guests have inspired me deeply, I mean that. This one in particular has pulled me up and out of darkness and helped me take steps forward, when the footing felt tough to find. I hope you enjoy this oppounity to meet a man that is creating created through the art of language.

o learn more about Joél give him a follow on all social platforms @iamjoelleon and look out for details on his upcoming book and if you are in NYC, please seek out his next speaking opportunity or performance. He is guaranteed to touch you through his authenticity, vulnerability and keen ability to connect on a human to human level.

Meet Christina Maria Ruiz, self-taught chef, driven by faith and grounded in her dope outlook on life. Chef Christina is the CEO & Founder of Meals of Dopeness a meal prep, delivery service that was born out of her desire to help her personal training clients meet their nutrition goals, while eating food that they actually liked. Traditionally, we think of meal prepping as boring and basic, but not Christina's meals - these meals are dope!

In this episode, Christina shares how she went from cooking a few meals here and there for clients to creating a full on meal prep and catering company that is dedicated to fueling folks without skipping out on the flavor.

To learn more about Christina, give her a follow on IG @findyourdopeness and to my local, DMV listeners, if you are interested in checking out Meals of Dopeness, you can visit the website to place your orders https://mealsofdopeness.com/ and show your support. Give them a follow on IG and share the good word with your friends @mealsofdopeness. Take it from me, these meals are delicious - Chef Christina does NOT miss.

Meet Alyssa Bonk, founder and principle of Luck and Hustle PR, driven by service and grounded in her personal mission to elevate the voices of emerging brands and the marginalize, working within an industry we all interact with regularly, but perhaps should hold to a higher regard.

In this episode, Alyssa shares how she pivoted from politics into PR, servicing an industry she fell in love with at a young age. From working the drive thru window at Dairy Queen, to working in the bar and restaurant scene in our Nation's Capital, Alyssa paired her passion with her realized purpose of elevating the voices of emerging brands and businesses that truly captured the essence of this city. Today, Alyssa represents many of DC's most well-known establishment and individuals within hospitality with her eyes set on expanding beyond the DMV.

To learn more about Alyssa and the incredible groups she supports, give her a follow on IG @alyssa_bonk or to inquire about her business and services check out her website at https://www.luckandhustlepr.com/. And if you live in the DC area or plan on visiting, make a point to stop by any or all of the establishments Alyssa represents - coming from someone that knows, they are all incredible and represent what I love about this city!

Meet Mikhail Alfon or Miqk to his friends, driven by creativity, both in a personal and professional manner, but not in the way you might think. Mikhail is driven by creating space for the people in his life to become the best version of themselves. Driven and grounded in his faith and personal experiences, Mikhail has overcome family betrayal and used his experiences to help find his purpose in his community.

In this episode, we explore it all and discuss the many jobs Mikhail held before finding his way to becoming the co-owner of Blue Light Media, a creative marketing agency that helps e-commerce brands create campaigns, assets, and results. But what I love so much about Mikhail, is that his work is only a piece of his purpose puzzle. Being a father, believer, boxer, partner, podcast host and friend, all help him serve his greater purpose of creating space for folks to be the best versions of themselves!

To learn more about Mikhail give him a follow on IG @miqk or check out the Blue Light Media website to learn more about ways you can get involved or work with their team. And if you haven't already listened to his exceptional podcast, Oversharing, may I recommend my episode that aired on July 25, 2023.