Just Keep Show’n Up Podcast

What does it mean to show up for yourself, protect your peace, and rebuild your life on your own terms?

On this episode of Just Keep Show’n Up Podcast, host Derrick Williams sits down with Dietra Bee, an athlete, esthetician, and self-described “Black whimsical” woman who is embracing life with authenticity, confidence, and purpose.

What begins as a conversation about their shared connection at the gym turns into an honest discussion about consistency, personal safety, the expectations placed on Black women, relationships, and the courage it takes to start over.

Dietra shares why the gym has become a place of consistency and accountability, why being strong doesn't mean carrying everything, and why protecting your peace sometimes requires setting boundaries without explanation.

They also explore the realities women navigate that men often overlook, the importance of men holding one another accountable, and why having standards should never require an apology.

From facing eviction to rebuilding her career, finances, and sense of home, Dietra's story is about more than resilience. It's about reclaiming the freedom to define strength, happiness, and success on your own terms.

Dietra's message: "Just keep going. Protect yourself: your physical, your mental, and your emotional."

Because sometimes showing up for yourself is the most important way to Just Keep Show’n Up.

JosAnne Sampson and Ladrea Bailey, co-founders of Two Strand Salon, share how they built a beloved Baltimore salon where clients feel at home, stylists feel supported, and every chair invites you to relax.

What started with two women meeting in a Baltimore salon grew into a friendship, a business, and a brand built on faith, communication, and years of figuring things out together. After working side by side for eight years, Jo and Drea launched Two Strand Salon in 2017. Since then, they have opened a second location and built a culture so strong that clients book months in advance and travel from miles away just to be in the space.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why they call one location “grandma’s house” and the other “rich auntie”
• How a Craigslist listing, prayer, and perfect timing led them to their first salon space
• Why client choice remains at the center of their business model
• What it took to lead a salon through COVID, expansion, and consistently full books
• How grief, family values, and communication shaped both their friendship and business
• The story behind the Two Strand name, logo, and the meaning of being “two strands of one entity”

Jo shares why service is part of her purpose, both inside and outside the salon. Drea talks about building a business with her best friend, working through conflict, and creating a workplace where nobody feels like they have to perform for the boss. Together, they explain why their team, clients, and community all matter.

This conversation is for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, Black-owned businesses, salon culture, friendship in business, or the real work behind building something people genuinely love. Sometimes success looks like a big moment. Other times, it is built one hard day, one prayer, one conversation, and one decision to just keep show’n up.

Website: Two Strand Salon

What if the thing holding you back is not your past, but the story you keep telling yourself about it? Derrick Williams sits down with Justin Blair, founder of Thor Fitness and a lifestyle coach who turns fitness, discipline, and hard lessons into a blueprint for real change.  Justin opens up about going from 300 pounds to building a life centered on growth, mentorship, and service. He breaks down why physical transformation only matters if it rewires your mind, how one failed first client nearly stopped him, and why people who make lasting progress stop making excuses and start taking ownership.

You'll discover:

• Why "one percent better every day" is more than a slogan
• How discipline becomes the bridge between goals and results
• the difference between being a victim of your circumstances and using them as fuel
• Why Imposter syndrome can be a sign you're leveling up
• How setbacks can become the reset that changes everything

Justin also shares the raw reality of rebuilding after rock bottom, taking work that wasn't glamorous, and refusing to let one chapter define the rest of his life. Derrick pushes the conversation deeper into resilience, identity, and the pressure Black men face to keep moving forward no matter what. If you've ever felt stuck, unworthy, or one mistake away from giving up, this conversation will hit home. It's an honest reminder that growth rarely looks impressive while it's happening, but every step forward counts. Perfect for anyone who needs the push to keep showing up and keep going.

In this episode of Just Keep Show'n Up, I sit down with Jamal Roberts to talk about what it really takes to keep moving forward when life gets hard. We discuss fatherhood, coparenting, personal setbacks, and the reality of hitting weight loss plateaus. Jamal shares how he stopped relying on motivation and instead built daily systems and routines that helped him stay consistent, even on the days he didn't feel like showing up.

We also explore the power of vulnerability, accountability, and accepting that growth is often uncomfortable. Jamal reminds us that resilience isn't about avoiding challenges. It's about creating habits that carry you through them. If you've ever struggled to stay consistent or wondered how to keep going when motivation disappears, this conversation is full of practical lessons you can apply to your own life.

043 Just Keep Show’n Up (ft. Jennifer Travers)

In this episode, Derrick Williams interviews Jennifer Travers, COO of CHEP, about her passion for veteran support, the organization's work at Perry Point, and the importance of community and personalized care in healing veterans. 

Visit CHEP's website to learn more and support: https://chepinc.org/

Visit CHEP OUTPOST website: https://chepoutpost.org/

CHEP’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chep.inc_1990/

CHEP OUTPOST Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chepoutpost/

#Veterans #CommunitySupport #CHEP #PerryPoint #MentalHealth #Resilience #Nonprofit #VeteranCare #Outpost #Homelessness

Discover the transformative power of persistence with Matt Healey, who shares his journey from addiction to a thriving fitness career. This episode explores how sobriety and resilience can shape your life, turning challenges into growth opportunities. Learn how embracing your past and setting authentic goals can lead to a purpose-driven future. Perfect for anyone facing setbacks, Matt’s story inspires you to keep going and highlights the impact of small, consistent wins.

Takeaways

• Authenticity and self-reflection are key to personal growth
• Motivation and goal setting play a crucial role in fitness journey

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Meeting
• 05:09 Fitness and Endurance
• 11:22 Impact of Childhood Experiences
• 17:52 Motivation and Goal Setting
• 23:37 Advice for Others

In this episode, Abdul Koromah shares a transformative story of resilience, sparked by a 20-mile walk home after a car breakdown in college. This pivotal moment shifted his mindset from defeat to opportunity, teaching him that perseverance doesn't mean pushing through everything. Abdul offers practical strategies for balancing ambition with self-awareness, emphasizing mental health and community support. His insights on perspective and authenticity provide a roadmap for anyone feeling stuck, inspiring listeners to embrace challenges as stepping stones to growth.

Summary

In this episode of the Just Showing Up podcast, host Derrick Williams is interviewed by guest host Nora Aucker. They explore Derrick's personal journey, reflecting on themes of love, understanding, and the impact of kindness. The conversation delves into Derrick's childhood, influential figures in his life, and the lessons learned from relationships.

The episode also features a lighthearted segment where they engage in a fun 'This or That' game, discussing preferences and insights on life choices. In this engaging conversation, Derrick and Nora explore the themes of risk, love, failure, and personal growth. They discuss the importance of taking risks in life, the value of understanding versus respect, and the impact of emotional intelligence.

The dialogue also touches on personal anecdotes, including Derrick's military background and Nora's journey towards medical school, culminating in a reflection on the excitement of aging and the desire to be a positive influence in the world.

In this episode, Derrick sits down with Erin Michael, a seasoned physical therapist and powerlifter, who shares her transformative journey from being a self-proclaimed perfectionist to a resilient breast cancer survivor. Erin opens up about how her experiences with cancer and powerlifting taught her the importance of setting boundaries, embracing imperfection, and redefining perseverance. Her story is a testament to the power of self-awareness and the strength found in vulnerability, offering listeners practical insights into balancing ambition with self-care.

Neuroscience and Leadership: Understanding the Brain's Impact on Performance and Well-being. Derrick explores the intersection of neuroscience and leadership, highlighting how leadership behaviors shape the brain's responses to stress, reward, and learning. He emphasizes the importance of integrating neuroscience responsibly to support growth, adaptability, and trust in leadership.

Takeaways

• Neuroscience provides valuable insight into leadership and motivation by explaining what happens beneath the surface of behavior.
• Effective leaders integrate neuroscience responsibly to support growth, adaptability, and trust rather than control.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Managerial Psychology and Neuroscience