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On this episode of "Into the Unknown" What happens when the life you built no longer feels aligned but you have no idea what comes next? Jeremy sits down with Elena Nicole for an honest conversation about confidence, reinvention, entrepreneurship, and the terrifying reality of walking away from comfort without a guaranteed plan.
After years of struggling with self-doubt and feeling disconnected from who she truly was, Elena shares the pivotal moment she realized she could no longer stay in a career and environment that no longer aligned with the life she wanted to build.
From leaving a stable job on instinct to rebuilding her path through coaching, content creation, and entrepreneurship, Elena opens up about the mindset shifts that changed everything. Together, they explore the pressure of trying to fit into expectations, the power of embracing your authentic self, and why growth often begins the moment you stop waiting to feel “ready.” This episode is a reminder that uncertainty isn’t always something to fear sometimes it’s the beginning of becoming who you were meant to be.
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Follow Elena Nicole: Instagram: @elenanicolehealth
TikTok: @thathealthymomlife
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@elenanicoleb
Are you looking to start a podcast? Check out my free "Jump Start to Podcasting Guide" or reach out! Here!
On this episode of "Into the Unknown" What does it take to go from sitting on the bench to earning MVP honors and committing to play rugby at Notre Dame? Sumo sits down with Giabella Romano for a powerful conversation about confidence, identity, resilience, and the sport that completely changed her life. Growing up surrounded by rugby, Giabella shares how the game became far more than competition — it became a place where she learned to trust herself, embrace challenges, and push past the limits she once placed on her own potential.
From battling self-doubt and injuries to finding her voice as a leader on the pitch, Giabella opens up about the moments that shaped her journey and the mindset that carried her forward. This conversation isn’t just about rugby — it’s about growth, belonging, taking risks before you feel ready, and discovering what can happen when you stop holding yourself back. Whether you’re an athlete, a student, or someone stepping into a new chapter of life, this episode will leave you inspired to bet on yourself a little more.
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Follow Giabella Romano:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giabellaplaysrugby
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@giabellaromano710
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567200390121
Are you looking to start a podcast? Check out my free "Jump Start to Podcasting Guide" or reach out! Here!
On this episode of "Into the Unknown" What happens when the career you built your identity around suddenly disappears? Jeremy sits down with executive coach and Balanced at Last founder Simanto “Sim” Khandaker to unpack the emotional reality behind burnout, layoffs, toxic work cultures, and the professional trauma so many people silently carry. From his journey as an immigrant navigating cultural identity to helping thousands of professionals rebuild their confidence after career setbacks, Sim shares why success without balance often comes at a cost far greater than most people realize.
This conversation dives deep into the hidden psychological impact of layoffs, why so many professionals lose themselves in their job titles, and how modern work culture has blurred the line between achievement and self-worth. If you've ever questioned your direction, felt trapped in burnout, or wondered who you are outside of your profession, this episode will leave you rethinking the way we define success, identity, and resilience in today’s world.
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Follow Simanto Khandaker:
Instagram: @balancedatlast
Facebook: @balancedatlast
LinkedIn: balancedatlast
LinkedIn: Simanto Khandaker
YouTube: @balancedatlast
Are you looking to start a podcast? Check out my free "Jump Start to Podcasting Guide" or reach out! Here!
On this episode of "Into the Unknown" What happens when the career you worked so hard to build no longer feels aligned with the life you actually want? In this deeply honest and thought-provoking conversation, Meghan DeFord shares her journey from higher education fundraising and leadership into entrepreneurship, executive coaching, and building a business rooted in authenticity, impact, and connection. From navigating divorce and unexpectedly losing her job during the pandemic to finally trusting herself enough to take the leap into something new, Meghan opens up about the emotional realities of reinvention, identity shifts, and learning to stop living for external expectations. If you’ve ever felt the quiet pull toward a different path — even when everything in your life looks “fine” on paper — this episode will leave you reflecting on what success truly means for you.
Jeremy and Meghan also dive into the unexpected life lessons that sports, storytelling, and human connection can teach us about leadership, trust, and resilience. From their shared backgrounds in rugby to conversations around curiosity, values, career pivots, and building a life that feels aligned instead of performative, this episode is filled with moments that are both deeply relatable and genuinely inspiring. You’ll walk away thinking differently about fear, fulfillment, and the courage it takes to trust yourself before you know exactly what comes next.
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Follow Meghan DeFord:
Website: https://megdeford.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megdeford/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@megdeford
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@megdeford
Are you looking to start a podcast? Check out my free "Jump Start to Podcasting Guide" or reach out! Here!
On this episode of "Into the Unknown" Jeremy sits down with entrepreneur and podcast host Andrew Cook for a conversation about burnout, reinvention, and the moment success no longer feels aligned. After building businesses from a young age and climbing a promising career path in accounting and wealth management, Andrew found himself facing a question many people avoid asking: what happens when the life you worked for no longer feels like the life you want? What followed was a decision that would completely reshape his future.
Together, they dive into entrepreneurship, identity, podcasting, personal growth, and the fear that comes with stepping into the unknown before you feel fully ready. Andrew opens up about building a business at 12 years old, navigating intense burnout, leaving behind stability, and why betting on yourself can feel both terrifying and necessary at the same time. This episode is a reminder that fulfillment rarely comes from following someone else’s blueprint — and that sometimes the biggest opportunities begin the moment you’re willing to let go of what no longer fits. You may walk away rethinking success, risk, and what it really means to build a life that feels true to you.
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Follow Andrew Cook:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-cook-cpa/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2Ef6vaqQSfpmrSQ4-8gzKw
Are you looking to start a podcast? Check out my free "Jump Start to Podcasting Guide" or reach out! Here!
On this episode of "Into the Unknown" Sergeant Stubby wasn’t supposed to become a war hero. He started as a stray dog wandering the streets of New Haven, Connecticut — until one unexpected encounter with American soldiers changed history forever. We dive into the unbelievable true story of the dog who went from camp mascot to one of the most decorated war dogs of World War I. But what made Stubby so extraordinary, and why does his legacy still resonate more than a century later?
From warning soldiers about deadly gas attacks to capturing a German spy on the Western Front, Sergeant Stubby became far more than a companion to the troops fighting overseas. His courage, loyalty, and instinct saved lives during some of the most dangerous moments of the war, earning him national recognition and a place in American history. This episode explores how one small stray dog became a symbol of bravery, resilience, and the unbreakable bond between soldiers and the companions who stood beside them in the darkest moments of war. You may never look at heroism the same way again.
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Are you looking to start a podcast? Check out my free "Jump Start to Podcasting Guide" or reach out! Here!
On this episode of "Into the Unknown" Jeremy Swick sits down with Fred Garlington for a conversation about leadership, grief, mental health, entrepreneurship, and what it really means to build a life aligned with who you are. From navigating career pivots and helping founders scale strategically to opening up about the sudden loss of his father, Fred shares the experiences that reshaped both his personal life and professional philosophy. Together, they unpack the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people, learning to ask for help, and understanding that true leadership often starts with vulnerability.
Fred also dives into the growing world of fractional leadership, the hidden cost of burnout, and why so many high performers struggle to separate their identity from their work. This episode is a powerful reminder that success is not just about building businesses — it’s about building a meaningful life outside of them too. Whether you're an entrepreneur, leader, creative, or someone navigating uncertainty, this conversation will leave you rethinking growth, resilience, and the courage it takes to step into the unknown.
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Follow Fred Garlington:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/fredgarlington
My FREE 15-point Ops Leader Readiness Checklist: https://zeropointcreations.com/survey/
Are you looking to start a podcast? Check out my free "Jump Start to Podcasting Guide" or reach out! Here!
On this episode of "Into the Unknown" What happens when a sports historian, podcast producer, and master connector sits down with one of his closest friends for an unfiltered conversation about storytelling, relationships, and building opportunities from the ground up? In this episode, Tamika Taylor sits down with Jeremy Swick — also known as “Sumo” — to talk about his journey from working at the Pro Football Hall of Fame and College Football Hall of Fame to launching Swick Media and helping creators bring their podcast dreams to life. Together, they dive into the power of authentic networking, trusting the process, creating meaningful connections, and why sharing your story matters more than ever.
Throughout the conversation, Jeremy shares behind-the-scenes stories from working with legendary athletes, lessons learned from building relationships that changed his career, and how podcasting can become a powerful tool for impact, community, and personal growth. This episode is filled with humor, heart, Wisconsin nostalgia, and real insight into what it takes to create opportunities by simply showing up authentically. You’ll walk away thinking differently about connection, creativity, and the courage it takes to step into the unknown.
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Follow Tamika Taylor:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetamikataylor2
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetamikataylor
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/@saymorewordspodcast
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the_tamikataylor
Website: https://evolutioncollective.co/
Are you looking to start a podcast? Check out my free "Jump Start to Podcasting Guide" or reach out! Here!
On this episode of "Into the Unknown" What if the place you least expected could become the foundation for your strongest relationships and biggest life decisions? Jeremy Swick sits down with Michael Egan to explore how rugby became more than just a sport it became a gateway to community, belonging, and personal growth. From being randomly recruited in college to building lifelong friendships across cities, Michael shares how the rugby world creates an instant connection no matter where life takes you.
But this conversation goes far beyond the pitch. Michael opens up about stepping away from college to support his family, navigating career uncertainty, and ultimately finding his path in education. Now preparing for a major life transition and move to a new city, he reflects on what it means to embrace the unknown, trust your decisions, and start fresh even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed. This episode is a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful growth comes from simply saying yes and figuring it out along the way.
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Follow Michael Egan:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mike.egan.9843
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eazy_eegz414/
Are you looking to start a podcast? Check out my free "Jump Start to Podcasting Guide" or reach out! Here!
On this episode of "Into the Unknown" What happens when you chase a dream that wasn’t built for you and refuse to let it go anyway? Jeremy Swick sits down with Jackson He, whose journey from China to college football is anything but ordinary.
From stepping onto the field with no experience to navigating cultural expectations, isolation, and moments where quitting felt inevitable, Jackson opens up about the reality behind the grind. But it’s the moment he almost walked away and what happened next that defines his story. This conversation goes far beyond football, revealing what it really takes to keep going when no one sees the work, the belief required to stay in the game, and the perspective that can change everything when your moment finally arrives.
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Follow Jackson He 何佩璋:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actionjacksonhe/
Are you looking to start a podcast? Check out my free "Jump Start to Podcasting Guide" or reach out! Here!
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