He’s a former Super Bowl champion, has been named NFL’s fittest man twice, and hosts The Steve Weatherford Podcast.  That’s right, we have Steve Weatherford in the studio today to tell his story.  Starting with a childhood that had him questioning whether he was good, Steve struggled to define himself.  At 11 he accepted Jesus into his life, and 6 months later, after being molested by a teacher, he questioned whether Jesus could love him.

Steve turned to sports for validation and found it was the one place he felt like he made people proud.  He learned to operate out of trauma and excel in football.  Life was good for Steve, but he still struggled to know who he was.  Just 5 years ago, he had a God moment.  From that day forward he began to figure out who he was and whose he was. Knowing these two things allowed him to begin to live on purpose.  Now he’s his best self and is ready to help others to achieve the same.

What You’ll Learn:

• The difference between theoretical teachers and transformational teachers.
• The two things you need to know in order to live a life of purpose.
• How father’s shape who we think that we are.
• What it means to operate out of trauma.

Favorite Quote:

“Mentorship is just seeing or pursuing someone that has something you want, and believing they can help you get it faster than they got it.” -Steve Weatherford

Owner and founder of Winrate Consulting, Mike Claudio, is here to talk about goals and the process of achieving them.  It all starts with being very intentional, and ends with giving yourself time to acclimate to your new level of success.  Coaching mostly companies in the home construction space, Mike takes it a step further by offering free advice via his podcast, the Big Stud Podcast

 

Placing everything into 3 main categories (things for me, things for the business, things for others), Mike reverse engineers everything into a daily plan.  He’s a firm believer in taking the time to look back and reflect on what you’ve accomplished.  He says it’s the fuel that keeps him going.

 

What You’ll Learn:

• What Mike’s goal process looks like.
• Why people are afraid to dream big.
• How to get the highest level employees.
• How to select the right coach for you.

 

Favorite Quote:

“People try to solve immediate problems without considering how the solution they put in place plays out in 2-3 years.” -Mike Claudio

Break Free Academy is an online education provider for entrepreneurs, salespeople, business owners, and executives. Drewbie Wilson started three and a half years ago as a support specialist before moving up to Vice President.  He was a good fit for the company, having gone through a wonderful transformation himself.  From not finishing school, doing and selling drugs, and being 100+ lbs overweight, Drewbie embarked on a journey of personal development, and came out on top.  He definitely has practiced what he preaches.

As someone who understands the value of time, Drewbie is very intentional with his.  He lives a life of habits that are designed to support the life he wants.  He’s big on business, but family and fun are also non-negotiables.  He knows how to get creative to fit in everything that is important to him. We all have the same number of hours in a day, and he’s intent on doing the most with his.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to be intentional with your time.
• What it means to be fulfilled.
• Why personal development is the foundation for success.  
• How clarity comes with discipline.

Favorite Quote:

“If I’m going to have any level of success, I have to utilize the time I have in the day.” - Drewbie Wilson

Brian sits down to have a conversation with his guest Dustin Johnson.  The two met through the Apex community and have become fast friends. After living out of hotels for a couple of years, and then touring the US living in a bus for a couple more, Dustin has recently settled in Frisco, TX with his wife.  Now he’s ready to put down some roots and start a family.    

As the best-selling author of Strength Through Struggle, Dustin discusses everything from faith and family to finances and fitness.  Having found a church that feels like home, Dustin’s faith has grown exponentially.  He credits that faith with how everything in his life has been falling into place.  He’s been exploring the world of fitness coaching and thoroughly enjoys helping people to become their best selves.  

 

What You’ll Learn:

• How to invite God into your life.
• Why who you surround yourself with matters.  
• How Dustin wrote a best selling book in 48 hours.
• What the experience of living on a bus was like.

 

Favorite Quote:

“I needed God and people in my life.” -Dustin Johnson

Inside the Apex community, Brian is part of a group called the Goon Squad.  It’s 6 members, all authors, that are in the business of speaking, coaching, and training.  At an event in February, Brian gave a speech about leadership and overcoming fear.  Today, he shares that speech with his listeners.  

What You’ll Learn:

• How fear and leadership go hand in hand.
• What it means to be a leader.  
• What the artistic and scientific sides of leadership entail.
• How to overcome challenges.

Favorite Quote:

“It takes courage to implement goals and stand up for what you know is right.” - Brian McKittrick

Today we’re talking about making good choices.  Brian has his fitness coach, Mark Zalmonoff, in the studio to talk about consciously creating a happy life.  In addition to being a fitness coach, Mark is the host of the Make Good Choices podcast and has written a book by the same name.  

Too often, people think they’ll be happy when they have X amount of money, achieve a certain job title, etc.  The truth is if you’re not happy now, you won’t be happy then.  Happiness is a daily choice that is available in the here and now.  Mark is excited to be launching a program that he says will teach people to be happy.  

What You’ll Learn:

• How to choose happiness daily.
• How technology negatively affects our lives.
• How stoicism inspired Mark’s book.
• What the G-code challenge is.

Favorite Quote:

“There’s validity in the simplicity of life.” - Mark Zalmonoff

It’s not a secret, people buy from people they like.  Today we’re going to talk about social media and the idea of putting yourself out there as a likable brand.  Whether we’re selling our services or a product, we’re all walking billboards.  Our interactions tell a story.

The most important thing when it comes to crafting a likable character is to be yourself.  The worst thing you can do is to fake it or try to be someone you’re not; people will see through it every time.  Evaluate yourself and what makes you interesting.  Find common ground that you can connect with people on.  

What You’ll Learn:

• How social media posts are like mini commercials.
• Which parts of you, you should be promoting.  
• What types of content will help you grow your followers.  
• How empathy can strengthen your impact with your clients.  

Favorite Quote:

“Many people don’t think they have much to share, when in reality they’re far more likable than they might give themselves credit for.” — Brian McKittrick

 

Business owner, podcast host, best-selling author, and founding coach of Referrals Without Asking, Jessica Stroud is Lady CEO.  She believes your struggle is your story because if you can learn from your mess-ups you’ll go far.  If you have the courage to share your story with others, you just might help them in their journey.

Though it’s good to be able to rely on yourself, asking for help can also be a superpower.  Jessica says anyone trying to be a one-man show, at some point, will look up and realize they’ve built their prison around themselves brick by brick.  Find where you can make the biggest impact, and then surround yourself with others highly qualified for their positions.  

What You’ll Learn:

• How the Referrals Without Asking Academy was created.
• Why it’s good for business to ask for help.
• How to find your superpower.
• How to balance new business and retention.

Favorite Quote: 

“One of the worst things you can do is to be one person online and be another person offline.” — Jessica Stroud

 

Brian has fellow mastermind coach, Brandon Brittingham, in the hot seat to talk about the sales mentality and great customer service.  Brandon is the founder and leader of the Maryland Delaware Group, a real estate company that ranks number one in both Maryland and Delaware, and number five in the US.  Brandon didn’t get to that place accidentally, it was his attention to detail and great customer service.  

Brandon never intended to be in real estate sales, he simply wanted to be an investor.  During his first few transactions, however, he experienced bad customer service from the agents he worked with.  Brandon got his real estate license simply as a way to represent himself, but he started to notice real estate trends before they happened and decided to get in the game.  Now he’s passionate about coaching others to help them dominate their industry. 

What You’ll Learn:

• The two big things that Brandon is releasing soon.
• How great customer service can make all the difference.
• Where most people screw up in sales.
• Where to start with investing in real estate.

Favorite Quote:

“Any good entrepreneur, when we find a problem, if we think we can solve it, a lot of times we create a business around it.” - Brandon Brittingham

Brian’s guest is the host of the Best Practices in Human Resources podcast, as well as a business professional and author. Brenda Neckvatal is currently growing three businesses simultaneously, including an online HR training app.  One course she offers is How To Source Talent, and it’s one she thinks every HR individual should experience.  

 

One talent that potential hires should have is customer service.  Brenda reminds us that the transaction doesn’t end when the credit card is swiped.  For anyone who has an issue with their purchase, customer service involves solving problems.  It’s important to make sure your employees know how to properly handle certain situations.  

 

What You’ll Learn:

• How Brenda gives back to the law enforcement community.
• About the three businesses that Brenda is currently growing.
• What you can learn from working retail.  
• What seminars and training groups Brenda utilizes.  

 

Favorite Quote:

“At some point you can’t work in your business, you have to work on it.” -Brenda Neckvatal 

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Brian McKittrick is a career sales professional that has been in the industry for over 20 years. Working to pay his own way since the young age of 14, Brian’s not afraid to admit that he’s wasted time, money, and effort on the wrong choices. However, through it all he’s learned a lot.  His goal now is to keep sales, small business, and entrepreneurship simple.  He discusses simple strategies that will truly make a difference, regardless of what industry you’re in.  Brian’s here to tell you that you don’t have to be broke, you don’t have to struggle to close deals, and you don’t have to go this alone.  He’ll talk about everything from sales mindset and environment to sales skills.  Approaching the content from a head, heart, and hands perspective means listeners will be able to develop the understanding, the desire, and the skills needed to succeed.