Elevate Yourself

Melanie Solomon is originally from Maryland, she moved to Denver, CO 6 years ago after graduating from Penn State. As a kid she was heavily involved in sports which was a huge influence in her life and career. She's been working in the fitness industry for 10 years now and recently transitioned to a role with Elevation's technology department. While she loves what she does for work, she works to live and enjoy spending time outdoors surrounded by good friends/family, good music and good (I mean- boxed) wine. Family, long distance trail running, camping/backpacking, skiing and laughing keep her sane, especially these days!

Mel & I Discuss:

-Impact of family, friends and coaches on her childhood.

-How small daily activities lead to big life changes.

-How she stays organized.

-How Elevation is utilizing technology to engage our members.

-The power in saying “no”

-Low hanging fruit anyone can grab to elevate themselves.

-The power of laughter

This episode is sponsored by...Elevation Corporate Health. That’s right, we sponsored the episode because we want to give all of our listeners 21% OFF online coaching(Personal Training or Nutrition Coaching) all you have to do is use code ELEVATEYOURSELF at checkout

Episode 13 Show Notes with Mike Sanderoff of WellBeing Holistic Pharmacy!

Mike Sanderoff is the Managing Partner of WellBeing Holistic Pharmacy.

Well Being Holistic Pharmacy, LLC is located in Owings Mills, MD (a suburb of Baltimore). The business was founded in 2009 and they are dedicated to offering the highest quality medical-grade supplements, vitamins, herbs and various other products to assist you in creating the better health, peace of mind and personal well being you desire and deserve. The products they recommend and sell, both on-site and online, are discounted to assure that you get not only the best products but also the best prices.

Mike & I Discuss:

-How he got his start in the pharmacy industry.

-Why his Dad is his mentor.

-How his Dad was a pioneer in the holistic realm.

-The power of a structured daily routine.

-WellBeings mission and belief in customer service

-What supplements he recommends for relaxation, immune function and performance.

-Why hugging his kids is an important daily activity.

-Pillars of ultimate health & wellness

You can visit WellBeing at Well Being Holistic Pharmacy | Save on Vitamins, Supplements, and More https://wellbeinggps.com/

Facebook Well Being Holistic Pharmacy - Home https://www.facebook.com/Well-Being-Holistic-Pharmacy-259746714035657/

Or Call Mike at (888) 782-0418

Episode 12 Show Notes with Cheryl Hazle:

This episode is sponsored by...Elevation Corporate Health. That’s right, we sponsored the episode because we want to give all of our listeners 21% OFF online coaching(Personal Training or Nutrition Coaching) all you have to do is use code ELEVATEYOURSELF at checkout

Cheryl Hazle is the SVP of Finance and Strategy for Elevation Corporate Health and has worked for the company since 2006. She is a self-starter with a desire to find areas of improvement and efficiency with current processes. Additionally, she enjoy learning new technologies related to her job function.

She grew up in an Air Force family and moved every couple of years until her Dad retired when she was 12. She has lived in Japan, Brazil, and most of the East Coast. She moved to Florida when her Dad retired, and will always consider Florida her home since it was the longest place she lived when she was growing up.

She’s been married for 27 years and has two twenty-something daughters along with a thirty-something step-daughter and 4 grandchildren. The family also has two fur babies, a Basset Hound (Waldo) and a German Shepherd (Sammie).

In her free time, she loves to be outside doing just about anything, but really likes digging in the dirt and working in her gardens. Other passions include hiking with the doggies and chilling at home with the family.

Cheryl & I Discuss:

-Life as an Air Force Kid.

-How she learned to be adaptable to situations and people.

-How she navigated school, kids, work and built her “chops” in the process.

-The power of putting yourself in someone else's shoes.

-Her journey of 15 years in banking and how that led to working for Elevation.

-The brilliance of our CEO, Sandy Meagher.

-How her first days in her new position at Elevation were a challenge and struggle that was filled with stress. But notes that this ultimately led to growth.

-Lessons learned from her Father about work ethic.

-Advice for workers when it comes to retirement and savings.

-Why you should reward yourself.

-What she does every single day to Elevate Herself!

Episode 11 Show Notes with Chris Kramer:

Chris Kramer is a pediatric nurse and clinical quality specialist for Cincinnati Children's Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he lives in a suburban community with his wife, a nurse practitioner, and their three children. Kramer has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Western Kentucky University and a Master of Science in Nursing Administration from California University of Pennsylvania. He has published peer-reviewed articles that focus on clinical intervention and improvement, in the American Association of Critical Care Nursing journal and the Association of Vascular Access journal. But Kramer’s passion for nursing stems from the heart which is emphasized in his new book The Good Things in Life: A Nurse's Story of Connection.

Chris & I Discuss:

-The importance of the investment his parents placed on education

-The 4 year journey of writing his book, The Good Things in Life: A Nurse's Story of Connection.

-How his friend Katie helped hold him accountable for content

-How his friend Danny lent a hand as a graphic artist

-Rules of connection

-Why the formula Effort + Communication works

-How when we put forth “effort” we get it back and more

-The power of looking someone in the eyes

-How a smile gives both parties a rush of endorphins

-Why self awareness is hard, but important

-Why he and I turned out to love endurance activities

-Importance of being uncomfortable

-Friday “Pizza Picnics” & “Joey Specials”

-Follow him on Instagram @ckramer_thegoodthings

-Need a fun holiday gift for a reader? You can purchase the book on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/1734996773/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_x_OYmZFbM19C50N

Bre Crockett graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Health and Exercise Science. She holds certifications in Group Fitness, Personal Training, Health Behavior Change, Nutrition Coaching, Cycling, TRX, and Bosu training. Bre is dedicated to the inspiration and passion this field brings and loves being able to share that with others. Her favorite hobbies include trail running and being on a golf course.

Bre and I Discuss:

-Impact of her High School cross country coach

-History with Elevation and how she started out as intern

-Growth at Terumo in Lakewood Colorado and how it's become an international program of wellness.

-Biggest challenges personally and professionally amid COVID-19.

-How her Mom is an inspiration and keeps her thirsty for knowledge.

-Our love of PRE and his quote

-The value in reading and a good pair of golf shoes

Show Notes Episode 9 with Adam Butman of Athletic Brewing:

Aimed at inspiring others to live without compromise, Adam stepped off the corporate ladder to pair his professional drive with his personal values.

Driven by a passion for health & wellness, fueled by an active lifestyle, and centered on overall well-being, his core mission is to defeat backwards social norms and increase positive awareness around the global impact of non-alcoholic alternatives.

A true sober beer enthusiast and a proven sales leader for over a decade, Adam currently leads Athletic Brewing Company's sales efforts on the West Coast where he spends as much time as possible outdoors. When he is not slinging Athletic's best, you'll often find him attempting to outrun or outswim his two Labrador rescues.

Adam & I Discuss:

-Why we should all “Go where no one else will go…”

-Importance of “clear eyes and full heart”

-How he had the confidence to make a “huge career pivot”

-How he “just reached out” as a fan of Athletic Brewing wanting to learn and that eventually turned into a position with the company.

-Athletic Brewing’s Mission

-How we can all use COVID-19 as an opportunity to reset priorities

-Importance of having his Dad as his mentor

-Why we should all do those “Bucket list” items before it’s too late

-How to he devines “Elite” in business and life

-Importance of being patient and proactive when pursuing a goal

-His love of Chicago sports and community

-Our mutual love of Tim Tebow’s “Win Out” Press Conference

-Follow Adam on Instagram @nabenthusiast

-Follow Athletic Brewing @athleticbrewing

Episode 8 with Andrew Abrahamson of Pouring with Heart!

Andrew is the Chief Operating Officer of the acclaimed hospitality group, helmed by celebrated innovator Cedd Moses, they have elevated hospitality through its diverse collection of over twenty venues, connecting their communities through, very simply, the utmost respect for its staff and customers.

Andrew & I Discuss:

-How growing up in the Pacific Northwest was an idyllic childhood.

-How playing outside and overcoming obstacles as a kid provided a richness of preparedness for life as an adult.

-Why we both agree that we love the quote, “When I die I hope it’s late in the afternoon after I’ve worked a full hard day.”

-How children remind us that “The grass is always greener...when you water it.”

-How a mistake in judgment at 14 years old changed the trajectory of his life.

-How he found his “entrepreneurial spirit” when he went to Europe in high school.

-Why the Bar world spoke to him and why the “Cocktail” is America’s original art form.

-How watching an episode of “Inside the Actors Studio” with Russell Crowe ultimately led him to Los Angeles.

-How he took the Wednesday LA Times “Food & Beverage” Section and 4 hours later was in downtown Los Angeles at 7 Grand Whiskey bar.

-How the “Cocktail Revolution” that was happening in Los Angeles satisfied what he was looking for in the world.

-Why he believes “A great bar is living history”

-Why he trusted his gut with his first GM Bonus from 7 Grand.

-Why being obsessive is a good thing if you are aware

-Power of Freedom in moving on gives you.

-Acceptance-the quicker you can register in your mind.

-Why doing hard things ultimately brings us happiness.

-Why as a leader it’s important to have “genuine heart”

-How “Pouring with heart” is building careers in an industry that didn’t do that.

-Goal to build 2,030 careers in the hospitality industry by 2030.

-The difficulties of running a business amid COVID-19

-Why a boss or owner needs to “appreciate what the team is going through”

-How to create “weight and urgency” for your team

-The importance of doing work for someone else and how “you can go a little further outside of yourself.”

-The 2 things he asks of a new employee: 1.) Decency & Hustle 2.)Never ask you to do something I haven’t done myself

-If something goes wrong it’s either the people or the system

-How he implements “Huddles” with his team to maximize productivity.

-Why the “rocks in your bag are always the heaviest as the leader”

-His 80/20 rule

-Why “The Score Takes Care of Itself”

-And much much more...

-Follow Pouring with Heart @pouringwithheart www.pouringwithheart.com and Andrew @andrewabrahamson

Show Notes Episode 7 with Emily Bowen of LEVEL FOODS

After moving to LA, Emily began providing marketing consulting to CPG startups in the healthy food space for the past 3 years. Within that time, she has helped launch 3 different companies, including her current client: LEVEL FOODS.

LEVEL was founded by NBA Player, Meyers Leonard and his wife, Elle. Level is a functional protein snack bar powered by adaptogens. The bars are gluten free, dairy free, soy free, non-gmo.

Emily & Discuss:

-Growing up in the cold winters of Buffalo, NY

-How her first job as the marketing director at a Hospital in New York taught her “To step into a room of men as a 22 year old girl”

-Why “failure wasn’t an option for her”

-Power of proving her family wrong

-Why she moved to LA and why she needs to be “greatly fulfilled” in her work

-The gap she sees in nutrition between Tradition/Education/Accessibility and why she wants to close it for all people.

-Why she believes we should experiment with diets and how you can listen to your body with food.

-History of Level Foods

-How NBA star Myer Leonard’s wife Elle saved his career

-Level Foods Mission: “Healthy Shouldn’t Be Hard”

-Why the Leonard’s believe that if they are at the top of their game in food/nutrition that they have a responsibility to help others that do not have the accessibility.

-Power of a true “community” on instagram and how this led to them selling out all bars of first launch in 3 days.

-Why it’s important to share your journey to create community on social media

-Why Level Foods puts a “Made on date” on all bars.

-How each bar from Level foods allows you to choose the bar for your unique daily needs

-Why Rob loves Level bars

-Emily’s favorite quote: “Don’t be afraid to be different”

-You can learn more about Emily on instagram @emilyybowen

-Follow Level Foods on instagram @levelfoods

-Shop Level Foods and learn full story at levelfoods.com

Show Notes: Episode 6 with American Ninja Warrior, Pamela Price!

This episode is sponsored by Iconic Protein! Your go to when you are on the go. Iconic Protein is grass fed protein. Iconic fuels the day with convenient nutritious snacks that never compromise taste. I love this brand. They've been a huge champion for us at The Resort from our Fit Expo, to pop ups and again they are here for us during this time of “Stay at Home”. They are giving all of our listeners 15% off any order with code ELEVATION15. Again, ELEVATION15.

My guest Pamela Price is a true Renaissance woman. She’s not only an American Ninja Warrior and Competitive Trail Runner, having finished 1st place in Spartan SoCal in her Age Group at Lebec, CA in 2019. But she is also an activist for Brecht’s(Bay-Shet’s) disease a cause close to her heart, she’s a dance teacher and she is the Vice President of LATF USA, a daily lifestyle/entertainment news site, as well as the Executive Producer of the acclaimed annual award show, the Hollywood Beauty Awards, known as the ‘Oscars of Beauty’ you can follow her on social media @pamadrenaline

Pamela & Discuss:

-How her relationship with her parents helped give her confidence and independence.

-Our mutual love of donuts

-What she learned from living in New York City(Manhattan) during college and the opportunity to travel abroad and live in Paris.

-How the opportunity to work with esteemed publicist, Michelle Elizabeth turned out to be a turning point in her journey and why she considers Michelle her mentor.

-How they found a niche by being the “No Gossip” publication in Hollywood.

-Why she considers herself an extrovert yet a “Solo Human”(a classification I love and agree with!)

-How Chelsea Tyler(Steven’s daughter) told her she was going to be on American Ninja Warrior and she was a week later!

-How she trained to be on the show in San Bernardino in Diego’s backyard.

-Why she believes our mental state is 90% of the challenge in competing and in life.

-What it was like being on American Ninja Warrior and what she did to “stay ready” from 7pm until she competed at 4am...in the rain!

-How Brecht’s disease is the “Obstacle In Her Life” and once she started to realize that the “Obstacle Is The Way”(My words, not hers) she was able to overcome and bring people together.

-How she came up with the idea to create “We Care When...You Flare”

-All the details on her recent 30 mile race on the streets of Hollywood to create awareness for We Care When. A race she partnered with MudrunGuide on!

-Sponsors that she works with and loves-Hoka One, It’s Boba Time

-Why she loved getting to do 190 Burpees at Castaic Lake and why this was actually her best Spartan racing experience.

-Why she goes to nature for workouts

-Our mutual love of Joe DeSena quotes

-Follow her on instagram @pamadrenaline and @wecarewhen

Episode 5 Show Notes

This episode is sponsored by Iconic Protein! Your go to when you are on the go. Iconic Protein is grass fed protein. Iconic fuels the day with convenient nutritious snacks that never compromise taste. I love this brand. They've been a huge champion for us at The Resort from our Fit Expo, to pop ups and again they are here for us during this time of “Stay at Home”. They are giving all of our listeners 15% off any order with code ELEVATION15. Again, ELEVATION15.

My guest John Merrifield is a resident of Playa Vista and a regular at The Resort Fitness Center. John has been in the tech space helping build, position, and launch products since 2013. He started at Google and then has advised/work with startups like EarBuds Music and most recently help Zefr (a Youtube partner company).

His passion is building people and products and is currently the Co-Founder of a creative/strategy agency called crowned.co doing just that.

John & Discuss:

-How a missionary trip to England at age 19 “To help others” came full circle this past year for Crowned.co

-How dialing a wrong number led him to Idaho at 21 years old and how this decision led him to meeting his wife

-What he learned as a news reporter

-Why he isn’t afraid to pivot

-Why he “believes in momentum” and what do when you have a “Spark” and how to find out if it is actually a “Flame”

-How his Mom’s storytelling impacts his work today

-How he uses his brother’s memory to fuel his decision making in life

- How the belief “Got a door? Open it and run” has allowed him to be constantly moving forward in business

-Why he trusts his gut

-Why at the end of the day it always comes back to “people”

-How his belief system of “Service” is ultimately his brand.

-Why he is always striving to figure out “How do I create that connection?” in his work

-How his daily routine allows him to be most productive and how he “guards his time”

-Connect with him on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnemerrifield