Carlos Vasquez sits down with Travon Harris – once facing a life sentence, now building a thriving business and rewriting his future.

Travon Harris candidly opens up about his childhood growing up in South Los Angeles, the pressure and survival instincts that led him into the criminal lifestyle, and the pivotal moments that sparked his transformation behind bars.

They explore what it means to find true confidence, rewrite your own story, and battle the internal narratives shaped by trauma and hardship. They also delve into the realities of reentry – the struggles and wins, the lessons learned from rejection in business, and what it truly takes to lead yourself to success after prison.

Tune in as we dive into:

(00:00) Confidence and identity

(06:15) Facing fear and failure

(07:46) Learning confidence and leadership

(10:12) Taking responsibility for unmet needs

(15:18) Growing through education

(17:50) Building resilience through life’s fights

(22:39) Survival mindset in prison

(23:23) How depression shapes your thinking

(28:32) Work, dreams, and keeping balance

(31:20) Navigating the parole board

(34:48) Personal growth in adversity

(37:35) From warehouse job to trucking success

(42:16) Addiction and the power of choice

(44:31) Becoming aware of a criminal mindset

(51:34) Struggling to stay connected

(54:58) Free resource and closing notes

Links mentioned in this episode:

Travon Harris on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travon_harris123

Warrior in the Garden: 7 Rules for Men – Book PDF: https://carlosvasquez.systeme.io/warriorinthegarden

Download my Confidence Masterclass:

https://carlosvasquezofficial.thinkific.com/products/courses/building-confidence-masterclass

The PRICE Method: How I Turn Pain into Purpose: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BXMRB613

Thank you to Legendary Foods and Youth Champions for their support of this podcast. For more information about them, visit:

Legendary Foods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legendaryfoods

Youth Champions Website: https://youth-champions.org

In this Carlos Unfiltered episode, I get real about what leadership actually takes today. Not hype. Not theory. Real-world pressure, real decisions, real consequences.

I break down the mindset that’s shaped me as a leader – why empathy isn’t weakness, why compassion is a weapon, and why confidence only matters when it’s tied to purpose. I share lessons earned the hard way running a business and leading in high-stress environments, and I give you the tools that have helped me build tougher, more resilient teams.

Tune in as we dive into:

(00:00) Leadership that adapts to change

(05:34) How great leaders handle pressure

(07:58) What real leadership growth looks like

(11:59) The truth about purpose-driven confidence

(16:17) Adapt, learn, and build your circle

(17:48) Leading through change

(21:08) Why putting people first always pays off

(24:54) Closing thoughts and free resources

Links mentioned in this episode:

Shirin Hejazi’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shirinhejaziofficial

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlosvasquezofficial

Warrior in the Garden: 7 Rules for Men – Book PDF: https://carlosvasquez.systeme.io/warriorinthegarden

Thank you to Legendary Foods and Youth Champions for their support of this podcast. For more information, visit:

Legendary Foods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legendaryfoods

Youth Champions Website: https://youth-champions.org

Celebrity Trainer Austin Curry has trained some of the biggest names in the game – including YouTube giant MrBeast – but his real story isn’t about fame or followers. It’s about fighting through pain, doubt, and failure to rebuild himself from the inside out.

Carlos Vasquez dives deep into Austin’s journey, from a rough childhood and low self-worth to mastering the mindset that turned his life around. Austin breaks down how fitness became more than a grind – it became therapy. A way to rebuild confidence, sharpen discipline, and live with purpose.

He reveals what it really takes to lead with authenticity, stay consistent when no one’s watching, and turn your hardest battles into fuel for growth.

Tune in as we dive into:

(00:00) Success is a personal journey

(03:43) Embracing growth and learning

(09:27) Childhood struggles and transition

(11:19) Culture shock and contrast

(14:58) Seek help, don’t internalize

(18:37) Video games as an escape

(22:25) Turning pain into purpose

(28:11) From small town to fitness trainer

(32:49) Social media: purpose vs presence

(37:10) Be mindful, disconnect to connect

(40:14) Jimmy’s incredible work ethic

(44:21) Empowerment through choice and faith

(47:43) Present, authentic, intentional fatherhood

(51:01) Power of being present

(53:52) Perfect fit for growth

(56:18) Embrace vulnerability and self-love

Links mentioned in this episode:

Austin Curry on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austincolecurry/

Warrior in the Garden: 7 Rules for Men – Book PDF: https://carlosvasquez.systeme.io/warriorinthegarden

Download my Confidence Masterclass:

https://carlosvasquezofficial.thinkific.com/products/courses/building-confidence-masterclass

Thank you to Legendary Foods and Youth Champions for their support of this podcast. For more information about them, visit:

Legendary Foods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legendaryfoods

Youth Champions Website: https://youth-champions.org

Today I’m sharing my story, from the day I got sentenced and walked straight from a courtroom into a prison cell, to the long road of trying to figure out who I really was.

Back then, I believed confidence meant dominance: standing tall, showing no weakness, keeping people at a distance. But that was just fear in disguise. Violence became my armor because I didn’t know who I was without it.

It took years to unlearn that version of confidence. To face the pain, to take responsibility, and to start rebuilding something real from the inside out.

Together with my co-host, Shirin Hejazi, we break down what true confidence actually looks like: not loud, not performative, but steady, honest, and earned. It’s built through self-awareness, discipline, and the courage to keep showing up, even when you’re still figuring yourself out.

Tune in as we dive into:

(00:00) Core vs surface confidence

(05:44) Admitting mistakes and learning to grow

(07:26) Building real confidence step by step

(12:14) Taking the leap when fear hits

(15:39) Following your passion and embracing change

(19:04) Lessons from the confidence masterclass

(22:56) Finding resilience beneath the surface

(24:06) How values and connection shape confidence

(27:12) Wrap up and free resources

Links mentioned in this episode:

Shirin Hejazi’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shirinhejaziofficial

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlosvasquezofficial

Warrior in the Garden: 7 Rules for Men – Book PDF: https://carlosvasquez.systeme.io/warriorinthegarden

Thank you to Legendary Foods and Youth Champions for their support of this podcast. For more information, visit:

Legendary Foods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legendaryfoods

Youth Champions Website: https://youth-champions.org

April Rehrig is an educator, advocate, and champion for children and families who often feel overlooked in the realms of special education and neurodiversity.

She candidly discusses the challenges parents encounter within the school system—from navigating IEPs and addressing hidden disabilities to embracing the power of self-advocacy and owning their narratives. April confronts stigma, redefines resilience, and exemplifies what it truly means to rise up when life brings you down.

Tune in as we dive into:

(06:20) Turning struggle into a superpower

(08:11) How your brain really works

(12:09) Finding real connection again

(15:46) One boy’s silent fight

(17:25) The truth about special ed reform

(21:21) Know your rights

(24:51) When school becomes survival

(29:10) School to prison – the hidden link

(30:50) Why mentorship matters

(34:50) Rethinking how schools work

(36:59) Breaking the parent-school wall

(40:55) Build your vision plan

(44:21) Finding purpose in education

(47:41) Blending families your way

(52:04) Love starts with self-respect

(53:28) Growing together through it all

(57:29) Final thoughts and free tools

Links mentioned in this episode:

Rise Educational Advocacy: https://www.riseeducationaladvocacy.com/

Rise Educational Advocacy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riseedadvocacy/

Rise Educational Advocacy on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@riseedadvocacy

Rise Educational Advocacy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rise-educational-advocacy-and-consulting/

Get my latest book for FREE: Warrior in the Garden: 7 Rules for Men – PDF: https://carlosvasquez.systeme.io/warriorinthegarden

Thank you to Legendary Foods and Youth Champions for their support of this podcast. For more information, visit:

Legendary Foods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legendaryfoods

Youth Champions Website: https://youth-champions.org

In this raw, eye-opening conversation with guest host Shirin Hejazi, I share hard-earned insights from my own journey – what it felt like to live behind emotional armor, the myths of masculinity I had to unlearn and the power I discovered in authentic connection.

I also talk about the work I do mentoring others, what it truly takes to grow as a man, and why real strength is found in vulnerability. This isn’t just for men, it’s for anyone who wants to build deeper, braver relationships.

If you’re ready for an unfiltered look at the emotional battles men face, and how to overcome them, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Tune in as we dive into:

(00:00) Balanced growth in relationships

(05:01) Toxic masculinity in communities

(10:13) The power of apologizing

(13:09) Valuing strong women elevates everyone

(16:07) Finding safe spaces for vulnerability

(19:10) Emotional openness defines true masculinity

(24:26) Daily improvement for relationship growth

Links mentioned in this episode:

Shirin Hejazi’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shirinhejaziofficial

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlosvasquezofficial

Warrior in the Garden: 7 Rules for Men – Book PDF: https://carlosvasquez.systeme.io/warriorinthegarden

Thank you to Legendary Foods and Youth Champions for their support of this podcast. For more information, visit:

Legendary Foods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legendaryfoods

Youth Champions Website: https://youth-champions.org

Dan Olschwang grew up in the chaos of Jerusalem, carrying the weight of trauma from a young age. From the age of 6, he saw death every year – murders, bombings, accidents.

At just 14, he barely survived a bombing, an experience that left him battling PTSD and learning to hide his fears behind toughness and success.

But running from pain only goes so far. Dan spent years chasing achievements and traveling the world looking for answers, only to realize the real fight wasn’t out there – it was inside.

In this conversation with Carlos, Dan breaks down what it takes to face the darkness head-on, unpack years of emotional shutdown, and rebuild yourself into something stronger. They dig into consciousness, connection, and why true transformation starts when you stop pretending you’re fine and actually deal with the pain beneath the surface.

Tune in as we dive into:

(00:00) Reflecting on impactful life moments

(06:22) From Russia to Israel, a childhood shaped by fear

(07:51) The impact witnessing death every year from the age of 6

(12:27) Bus bombing horror, survivor's account

(22:32) Fungi communication and awareness

(26:39) Unified reality and consciousness

(34:29) Why humans have unique consciousness

(37:03) Kabbalah's insight into consciousness

(41:17) Dreaming without feeling

(48:10) Questioning success and seeking purpose

(53:00) Finding your soulmate

(01:01:54) Courage in public vulnerability

Links mentioned in this episode:

Dan Olschwang’s Website: https://www.danolschwang.com/

Warrior in the Garden: 7 Rules for Men – Book PDF: https://carlosvasquez.systeme.io/warriorinthegarden

Thank you to Legendary Foods and Youth Champions for their support of this podcast. For more information, visit:

Legendary Foods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legendaryfoods

Youth Champions Website: https://youth-champions.org

I’ve been through the kind of isolation most people can’t imagine – locked away in solitary confinement, stripped of connection, fighting to keep my mind and spirit alive. But here’s the truth: loneliness doesn’t just live in a prison cell. It’s everywhere. People are feeling it at work, at home, even while scrolling through endless feeds that never fill the void.

In this conversation with Shirin on How To Battle, I get real about what that isolation does to you – physically, mentally, spiritually – and how I found strength through faith, reflection and rebuilding myself from the inside out.

We’ll talk about the loneliness epidemic, how tech and AI are changing the way we connect, and why being alone doesn’t have to break you – it can shape you.

Tune in as we dive into:

(00:00) Isolation as a natural human struggle

(03:40) The dangers of mental isolation

(06:55) Finding faith through isolation

(12:01) The social media comparison trap

(14:36) Embracing self-improvement for resilience

(17:52) AI companions as a double-edged sword

(22:28) Building confidence for connection

(26:33) Universal love and connection

Links mentioned in this episode:

Shirin Hejazi’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shirinhejaziofficial

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlosvasquezofficial

Warrior in the Garden: 7 Rules for Men – Book PDF: https://carlosvasquez.systeme.io/warriorinthegarden

Legendary Foods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legendaryfoods

Shout out to Youth Champions for their amazing work in changing the lives of our youth! Want to get involved? Learn how to volunteer or donate here: https://youth-champions.org

Professional fighter Ian Butler opens up about a journey defined by resilience, from experiencing homelessness and family struggles to competing on MMA’s biggest stages.

With raw honesty, Ian shares the inner battles that shaped his path and the faith, relentless work and unexpected mentors who helped him rise above.

This conversation explores transformation, purpose, and giving back.

Discover how Ian’s fight outside the cage became just as important as the one inside, and why he’s now dedicated to mentoring the next generation through his Silverback Wrestling Club.

Tune in as we dive into:

(00:00) Perseverance and self-belief

(06:56) Be careful what you ask for

(11:53) Faith, homelessness and a guardian angel

(19:53) Overcoming challenges through support

(20:47) Finding manhood through wrestling

(26:07) Overcoming doubts in the ring

(33:10) Confronting an absent father

(38:55) A fighter’s emotional struggle

(45:27) Exhausted victory and respect

(50:13) Wrestling as life-changing and educational

(52:09) Youth club expansion for college success

(01:01:45) Entrepreneurial lessons from unexpected sources

Links mentioned in this episode:

Ian Butler’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ianbutlermma

Warrior in the Garden: 7 Rules for Men – Book PDF: https://carlosvasquez.systeme.io/warriorinthegarden

Legendary Foods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legendaryfoods

Former NFL player and Super Bowl champion Paul Kruger shares the battles that shaped his life beyond the game. From near-death experiences and the pressures of professional football to the quieter struggles with doubt and identity, Paul speaks with raw honesty.

This conversation explores transformation. Discover how fatherhood, love, and entrepreneurship gave him a renewed sense of purpose, and why surrender can sometimes be the most powerful choice. Together, Carlos and Paul delve into resilience, mentorship, and what it truly takes to grow through adversity.

If you’re facing your own challenges or searching for meaning, this episode is filled with genuine insight on finding strength and building a life worth fighting for.

Tune in as we dive into:

(00:06) The power of great mentors

(03:35) Life after the NFL

(10:34) Sports as a pathway out

(12:21) Exercise's impact on relationships

(17:05) True value beyond coolness

(26:53) Influences from family, books, and coaches

(30:05) Defining a great father

(38:06) Finding purpose through service

(43:59) From warrior to empath

(48:52) Life changes after parenthood

(50:33) Carefree moments before responsibilities

(58:19) Northern Italy fashion expansion

(01:04:06) Designer brands: love or overattention

(01:06:37) Talent-driven sports strategy

(01:12:59) Release ego for clarity

(01:16:59) Finding joy in life's moments

Links mentioned in this episode:

Paul Kruger’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulkruger_99/

Get my latest book: Warrior in the Garden: 7 Rules for Menhttps://a.co/d/fGwcbBT