What does leadership look like when it’s built from lived experience?
In this episode of Heavy Lifts, Nat Borchers sits down with Virginia Stapleton, Salem native, former City Councilor, and candidate for Oregon State Senate District 11, for a deeply personal conversation about education, trauma, public service, and the long work of building systems that actually work for people.
Virginia shares her story growing up in a large family rooted in service, navigating poverty, dropping out of high school, surviving trauma, and eventually finding her way back to education through her GED and college. That journey didn’t just shape her; it reshaped her perspective on success, advocacy, and leadership.
The conversation moves from Virginia’s early life to her work on the Salem City Council, her role in launching Salem Bike Vision, and why she believes local politics is where real change happens. She also reflects on polarization, power, and what it takes to lead without losing your humanity.
This episode is about more than politics.
It’s about resilience, accountability, and choosing to stay in the work, even when it’s heavy.
🎧 Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify
📅 New episodes every Friday at 9AM
Connect with us!
Nat: @natborchers on Instagram
▸ @backlinerealestate on Instagram
▸ www.backlinerealestate.com
#SalemOregon #CommunityBuilders #HeavyLiftsPodcast #OregonPolitics #StateLeadership #VirginiaStapleton

Leadership isn’t always loud. Most of the time, it’s quiet, consistent, and heavy.

In this episode of the Heavy Lifts Podcast, Tiffany Bulgin (Isaac's Room and Ikebox) shares what leadership really looks like behind the scenes,when decisions are hard, expectations are high, and recognition isn’t guaranteed.

This conversation explores responsibility, trust, and the pressure that comes with being the person others rely on. Tiffany reflects on showing up even when it’s uncomfortable, learning through experience, and why leadership is less about authority and more about accountability.

If you’ve ever carried responsibility without a title, navigated expectations from every direction, or wondered if the work you’re doing actually matters, this episode is for you.

🎧 Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify

📅 New episodes every Friday at 9AM

Connect with us!

Nat: @natborchers on Instagram

▸ @backlinerealestate on Instagram

▸ www.backlinerealestate.com

Tiffany Bulgin

▸ https://www.isaacsroom.org/ || https://www.facebook.com/isaacsroom

▸ https://www.ikebox.com/ || https://www.instagram.com/ikeboxsalem/

▸ https://www.isaacsdowntown.com/ || https://www.instagram.com/isaacsdowntown

#HeavyLiftsPodcast #IsaacsRoom #Ikebox #Leadership #SalemBusiness #LifeAfterLoss

In Part 2 of our deep-dive conversation, MLS Cup champion, Dr. Robbie Russell, opens up about the real work behind reinvention.

From the pressures of playing abroad as an international to joining Real Salt Lake at a pivotal moment to stepping into the biggest PK of his life, Robbie walks us through the defining experiences that shaped his story, including the legendary 2009 MLS Cup-winning penalty. (This will be a fun section for both soccer and Russell/Borchers fans alike)

But this episode goes far beyond soccer.

Robbie reveals the emotional and psychological toll of transitioning out of professional sports, the decision to retire on his terms, and the grueling journey to becoming an Emergency Medicine physician. He breaks down medical culture, burnout, mental health, and why so many in the profession struggle silently.

This is a powerful story about identity, purpose, adversity, and the heavy lifts we don’t see.

New episodes every Friday at 9:00am on YouTube & Spotify.

Connect with us!

Nat: @natborchers on Instagram

▸ @backlinerealestate on Instagram

▸ www.backlinerealestate.com

In Part 1 of this two-part episode, Nat Borchers sits down with his former teammate and close friend Robbie Russell, a man whose story spans continents, conflict zones, and championship locker rooms.Born in Ghana. Raised across Africa, the U.S., and Sri Lanka during civil unrest. A global childhood shaped his identity long before he ever touched a professional soccer pitch.Robbie opens up about: ▸ Fleeing political coups▸ Growing up between cultures▸ Being the “new kid” in every country▸ How the immigrant mindset shaped his pro career▸ The pressure of being a foreign player▸ How he integrated international teammates▸ Why the RSL move “felt like destiny.”Next week in Part 2: MLS Cup 2009, the PK heard around the league, retirement, burnout, and becoming Dr. Robbie Russell.New episodes every Friday at 9:00am on YouTube & Spotify.Connect with us!Nat: @natborchers on Instagram▸ @backlinerealestate on Instagram▸ www.backlinerealestate.com

On this week’s Heavy Lifts Podcast, Nat Borchers sits down with former NFL fullback turned financial educator, author, and founder of Money Vehicle Academy.From NFL locker rooms to classrooms across the country, Jed breaks down why financial literacy isn’t just “good advice”… it’s a skill set every person needs to build a future. He opens up about life after sports, the identity crisis most athletes face, and how discipline, mentorship, and risk translate into real-world opportunity.You’ll hear: ▸ Why Jed created Money Vehicle Academy▸ How to “tackle” financial decisions like a professional athlete▸ Budgeting vs. cashflow▸ The difference between potential and identity▸ Why community-rooted values create more resilient citiesWhether you’re a builder, investor, teacher, athlete, or someone trying to take control of your life, this episode offers a roadmap to thinking bigger.New episodes every Friday at 9:00am on YouTube & Spotify.Pardon us for a technical issue with Nat's camera, so the latter half of the episode will just be Jed sharing his experience.Connect with us!Nat: @natborchers on Instagram▸ @backlinerealestate on Instagram▸ www.backlinerealestate.comJedidiah: @FullbackofFinance, @FullbackFinance, @JedidiahCollins#HeavyLiftsPodcast #JedCollins #LifeAfterSports #FinancialLiteracy

What actually helps someone get off the street?

In this episode of Heavy Lifts, Nat sits down with Melissa Ludington, a former heroin addict who spent six hard years unhoused across California and Oregon and is now the Volunteer Coordinator at Union Gospel Mission in Salem.

Melissa walks us through her story:

▸ Growing up in Bend after a tragic car accident left her mom disabled

▸ Being overmedicated as a teen, then sliding into street drugs, alcohol, and heroin

▸ Losing her daughter, her apartment, and everything she owned in 15 minutes

▸ Hitchhiking, nearly being trafficked, SWAT at her door (twice), and Grand Theft Auto

▸ How a pair of socks, a hot meal, and someone remembering her name began to change her life

Together, Nat and Melissa dig into the messy realities of homelessness, addiction, and mental illness.

If you’ve ever driven past a camp, seen someone flying a sign, or wondered what actually works… this conversation will challenge your assumptions and deepen your empathy.

Connect with us!

Nat: @natborchers on Instagram

▸ @backlinerealestate on Instagram

▸ www.backlinerealestate.com

#HeavyLiftsPodcast #SalemOregon #Homelessness #AddictionRecovery #OregonStories

Former Oregon Ducks QB and NFL vet Joey Harrington joins Nat Borchers to talk about life after the spotlight—what it takes to keep perspective, why Portland still feels like home, and how the Harrington Family Foundation is investing in the next generation of local leaders.

What you’ll hear:

• The real day-to-day of pro sports (and why perspective matters)

• Growing up in Portland and watching the city change

• Compassion vs. “clean it up”—a nuanced take on downtown post-COVID

• The Community Quarterback Scholarship: 5× $25k awards for Oregon students

• Why you don’t need a big title to make a big impact

🎧 Watch on YouTube & listen on Spotify.

In this episode of Heavy Lifts, Nat Borchers and AJ Nash sit down with Tom Hoffert, long-time Salem leader and CEO of the Salem Chamber of Commerce, to talk about what’s shaping the city’s future.From championing small businesses to building community through collaboration, Tom shares insights on leadership, connection, and what it really takes to move a city forward.This episode is a mix of real talk, hope, and hometown pride — proof that big things are happening right here in Salem.What you’ll hear:▸ Why collaboration is Salem’s biggest strength▸ The role of the Chamber in connecting business and community▸ How Salem’s downtown energy is shifting▸ Why leadership means showing up and listening▸ What’s next for growth and revitalization🎧 Full episode streaming now on YouTube & Spotify.Connect with us!Nat: @natborchers on Instagram▸ @backlinerealestate on Instagram▸ www.backlinerealestate.com#HeavyLiftsPodcast #BuildWhereYouLive #SalemOregon #CommunityBuilders #Leadership #SalemChamber

In this special episode of Heavy Lifts, Nat Borchers and AJ Nash open up about one of their biggest projects yet, and why they’re no longer buying the JCPenney building in downtown Salem.This conversation is about transparency, lessons learned, and staying true to the mission: reimagining Salem’s spaces together.Nat and AJ share what went into the decision, what they discovered about the project along the way, and what comes next for Back Line Real Estate and the future of downtown development.Even when plans change, the vision stays the same — building spaces that connect people, create opportunity, and move Salem forward.What you’ll hear: ▸ Nat and AJ's hot yoga experience▸ Nat's background (for those who haven't seen his Wiki page)▸ Why the JC Penney deal didn’t move forward▸ What’s next for Back Line Real Estate▸ Why belief in Salem remains stronger than ever🎧 Full episode streaming now on YouTube & Spotify#HeavyLiftsPodcast #BuildWhereYouLive #SalemOregon #CommunityBuilders #RealEstateDevelopment #BackLineRealEstate

In this episode of Heavy Lifts, Nat Borchers and AJ Nash sit down with Derek Gilbert, financial advisor, volunteer, and longtime Salem community advocate.

As the owner of Anthem Wealth Strategies, Derek shares how his work goes far beyond numbers — it’s about helping people and small businesses find clarity, confidence, and purpose in what they’re building. From mentoring others to leading downtown community events, Derek opens up about the lessons learned through setbacks, resilience, and saying yes to showing up for Salem.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

▸ How Derek turned adversity into purpose and growth

▸ Lessons from nearly 20 years of service as a firefighter and community volunteer

▸ The importance of helping families and small businesses protect what matters most

▸ Why getting involved — even in small ways — makes the biggest difference

🎧 New Heavy Lifts episodes drop every Friday at 9 AM on YouTube & Spotify.

🏗️ Heavy Lifts: For those who take risks.

Connect with us!

Nat: @natborchers on Instagram

▸ @backlinerealestate on Instagram

▸ www.backlinerealestate.com

Derek: ⁨@derek.gilbert.7 ,@anthem.wealth.dg on Instagram

#HeavyLiftsPodcast #communitybuilders #salemoregon #urbanrevival