Kelly Minds Her Manors

Send us Fan Mail

Our guest today has turned his passion into his career. As Princeton's head football coach, Bob Surace is a pivotal figure in the transformation of Princeton football and he joins us today to share his remarkable journey, coaching philosophy, and the profound impact he's had on players' lives. Growing up immersed in sports due to his father's coaching roles, Bob found his true passion in coaching, leading him to forge a unique path in college football. In this episode, we discover how Bob fosters camaraderie and personal growth within the football program; creating a family-like environment. Bob reflects on his admiration for Muhammad Ali and the advice he offers to college athletes seeking success both on and off the field. Tune in to gain insights into Bob's belief in the power of authenticity, his appreciation for the lessons learned from his players, and his dedication to developing athletes who will use their platform to make a lasting impact on their communities.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Introducing Princeton's head football coach, Bob Surace.
• Bob recounts his sports-centric childhood.
• What fostered his interest in coaching.
• His kids’ involvement in sports.
• He shares his academic journey at Princeton and his path to becoming a coach.
• Bob’s aim to nurture personal growth and character development through his football program.
• The potential players have to use their platform for positive change and community impact.
• Bob’s deep connection to his alma mater.
• The lessons he’s learned from his players.
• He speculates on alternate career choices and shares his admiration for Muhammad Ali.
• Who he considers to be significant role models and mentors in his life.
• The highlight of his career: Coaching the undefeated Princeton football team!
• Bob’s advice to college athletes drafted into a professional team.
• Why he encourages the philosophy of living in the moment.
• Bob answers our fearless five questions, sharing advice for his 18-year-old self, and his takes on hard work vs. talent and overcoming obstacles. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Bob Surace

Bob Surace on X

Kelly Minds Her Manors 

Kelly Minds Her Manors on Instagram

Kelly Minds Her Manors on Tiktok

The Kelly Robinson Team / Compass    

Kelly Robinson / Compass

Send us Fan Mail

Not only is Nasir Cook a star athlete and a top-achieving student, but he is also the founder of Nashville Youth Initiative (NYI), an organization that is helping to bridge the gap and foster more positive relationships between law enforcement and urban youth. Nasir has big dreams for NYI and for himself and in this episode, he talks about the influential role his parents have played in shaping him into the world-changer he is today. Despite his initial dislike of the game, Nasir is now passionate about football and he believes that it has taught him skills that have benefited him far beyond the field. Tune in today to hear Nasir share stories about his upbringing and exciting future plans! 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Wisdom that Nasir’s parents imparted to him from a young age.
• What his upbringing was like. 
• How he became comfortable in the presence of law enforcement.
• Nasir’s first impression of football and what he now loves about the game.
• How football has benefited him in other areas of his life. 
• The process Nasir went through to found Nashville Youth Initiative (NYI).
• Inspiration behind the founding of NYI. 
• Future plans that Nasir has for NYI.
• Nasir’s career aspirations. 
• A Fearless Five round with Nasir. 
• Advice for anyone interested in taking the entrepreneurial path. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Nasir Cook on LinkedIn

Nasir Cook on Instagram

Nashville Youth Initiative

Nashville Youth Initiative on Instagram

Kelly Minds Her Manors 

Kelly Minds Her Manors on Instagram

Kelly Minds Her Manors on TikTok

The Kelly Robinson Team / Compass    

Kelly Robinson / Compass

Send us Fan Mail

Today we are joined by the inspiring Aneta Kuzma - coach, consultant, author, podcaster, and CEO and Founder of Ardelian Kuzma Group. With over 25 years of executive banking experience, Aneta made a successful career pivot to become a coach and consultant. Her focus is on mindful leadership, increasing focus, creativity, and productivity for highly achieving professionals and entrepreneurs. Aneta also delivers wellness programs to large organizations, promoting optimal health and success. In this episode, we discover how she helps her clients transform their definitions of success and find balance in various aspects of their lives. Aneta shares insights into her book, Live the Width of Your Life: 365 Daily Meditations of Living with Purpose, Passion, and Peace, and invites listeners to connect with her! Tune in to hear Aneta’s views on relinquishing control, active listening, and living with intention and gratitude.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Introducing Aneta Kuzma: coach, consultant, author, podcaster, and CEO and Founder of the Ardelian Kuzma Group. 
• Aneta’s education and career background.
• How her yoga training impacted her work life.
• What it means to her to “live the width of your life”.
• How Aneta helps her clients transform their definitions of success and find balance.
• The free consultations she offers to potential clients!
• Insight into her book, Live the Width of Your Life: 365 Daily Meditations of Living with Purpose, Passion, and Peace.
• The most challenging and rewarding aspects of her work.
• What inspired her to launch her podcast.
• How active listening creates strong soul connections.
• Why she believes it’s important to relinquish control, allowing things to unfold naturally.
• Aneta shares her “no regrets” mindset.
• Three things she’d bring with her if stranded on an island.
• An invitation to reach out to Aneta for coaching, meditation, or breathwork resources.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Aneta Kuzma on LinkedIn

Aneta Kuzma on Instagram

Ardelian Kuzma Group

Live the Width of Your Life

Live the Width of Your Life Podcast

Kelly Minds Her Manors 

Kelly Minds Her Manors on Instagram

Kelly Minds Her Manors on TikTok

The Kelly Robinson Team / Compass    

Kelly Robinson / Compass

Send us Fan Mail

Today’s guest has had a long and multifaceted career in production, technology, marketing, media, and e-commerce. At the vanguard of emerging technology, Elaine Morris Palmer has counseled both interactive and traditional media companies since the early 1990s. Thanks to her varied experience as an industry analyst, strategist, developer, writer, and advertising communications specialist, she is now a sought-after career advisor and a published journalist, with her ExecutiveWomen2.0 blog being named one of the 100 Top Leadership Blogs on the web. In this episode, we take a deep dive into her fascinating career journey, from coming up in the Golden Age of Advertising to becoming a passionate agent of change on numerous boards and councils. We discuss the key to workplace recognition, the true value of self-worth, what it means to be a leader and a mentor, and the power of knowing what you want, as well as how you can benefit from saying yes more often, why building rapport should be seen as an art form, and so much more! Elaine brings such a unique perspective to this conversation, which is jam-packed with professional insights, words of wisdom, and practical advice for women in business. Be sure to tune in today.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Elaine’s conservative upbringing, practical education, and early introduction to marketing.
• What it took for Elaine to thrive in the male-dominated advertising industry.
• Why viewing our own contributions as valuable is key for workplace recognition.
• Advice for female professionals: evaluate how you convey your self-worth.
• The important role of apprenticeship and mentorship in Elaine’s career.
• Some boards she has served on including the Women In Film New Media Council.
• Insight into Elaine’s work as a mentor at The City Tutors of New York.
• Why fostering long-term connections and collaborations is so valuable.
• Words of wisdom for women re-entering the workforce: say yes to everything!
• The influential career counselor who taught Elaine how to talk about herself.
• How you can benefit from creating a “safe space” for those you work with.
• Ways that being a woman in business has (thankfully) evolved.
• What it means to Elaine to be trilingual; the power of being multidisciplinary.
• Reasons that she views building rapport as an art form.
• A look at the 34-episode comedy/drama that she wrote, based on a true-life story.
• Rejecting social status, internet heroes, talking dogs, and more in the Fearless Five!

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

ExecutiveWomen2.0

Elaine Morris Palmer on LinkedIn

Elaine Morris Palmer on Facebook

Elaine Morris Palmer on Twitter

Women in Film

The City Tutors

C-Sweet

‘The Man or The Career?’

Designing Business

Kelly Minds Her Manors 

Kelly Minds Her Manors on Instagram

Kelly Minds Her Manors on Tiktok

The Kelly Robinson Team / Compass    

Kelly Robinson / Compass

Send us Fan Mail

Both within and beyond sports, true leaders never settle for mediocrity. Of course, we all aspire to be successful, but obtaining and maintaining a high level of excellence is no easy feat, and finding the right mentor often plays a key role. Today on Kelly Minds Her Manors, we are joined by Marcus Abbott, a former Division 1 college football player, highly-decorated military veteran, accomplished sports performance coach, and the Founder and CEO of Strength Brigade, a cutting-edge facility dedicated to the continued training and mentorship of high-performance athletes. Thanks to his vast expertise and unwavering commitment to excellence, Marcus continues to inspire and empower athletes as they strive for peak performance. In this episode, he shares how he goes “beyond the frontline” to positively impact his community through his coaching, training, and mentorship services. We discuss some of the benefits (and challenges) of being an empath, what Marcus sees in others, and who his ultimate mentor and role model is, as well as the importance of delayed gratification, mental strength, and financial literacy. Be sure to tune in today to hear all this and more from a truly inspirational hero!

Key Points From This Episode:

• A look at Marcus’ childhood and the family legacy that led him to join the military.
• What it means to Marcus to be an empath and how it informs his goal to help others.
• A look at the decorations he earned while in the military, including a Purple Heart.
• How his military experience changed his approach to football in college.
• The story of what drove Marcus’ decision to become a coach and a mentor.
• Major challenges that young professional athletes need to overcome.
• Where Marcus got the idea for Strength Brigade.
• Lessons from behavioral health on the value of teaching people to help themselves.
• Reflecting on the most difficult things about being an empath.
• What the future holds for Marcus, including "finishing what he started.”
• Advice for budding entrepreneurs: whatever you want to do, do it now!
• The importance of continuous education and mentorship.
• Why Marcus refers to his father as his “biggest mentor.”
• Fearless Five: the pitfalls of instant gratification, the power of metal strength, and more!

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Marcus Abbott on LinkedIn

Marcus Abbott on Twitter

Marcus Abbott on Instagram

Marcus Abbott Email

EBS Performance + Fitness

Kelly Minds Her Manors 

Kelly Minds Her Manors on Instagram

Kelly Minds Her Manors on TikTok

The Kelly Robinson Team / Compass    

Kelly Robinson / Compass

Send us Fan Mail

From serving entertainment clients to leading a national digital sales team to a commercial real estate brokerage to high-end retail real estate and property management, the defining characteristics of Marc Hernandez’s diverse career have been the endless amounts of empathy he has had for his clients and the fun that he has had at every stage of the journey! In this episode, you’ll gain insights into what makes Marc a real estate broker who is consistently ranked in the top 1% of real estate professionals nationwide, the traits that he looks for in potential hires (and the success that this approach has afforded him), and the effort that he puts into making the world a better place. Marc’s huge heart really shines through in this episode, and hearing his story will give you hope in humanity!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Marc paints a picture of what his childhood in the San Gabriel Valley was like.
• Some of the characteristics that make Marc great at what he does.
• An overview of Marc’s fun-filled career to date. 
• How Marc’s experience in the entertainment industry has benefited his real estate career. 
• The value of cultivating empathy. 
• What he looks for in potential team members.  
• His approach to building thriving relationships with entertainment-industry clients. 
• Where Marc’s love of art originated. 
• Various organizations that Marc is involved with. 
• The exciting new website that Marc is in the process of developing. 
• Marc’s perspective on dealing with stress. 
• The art that Marc would love to have on his wall. 
• Some of his hidden talents.
• What Marc’s sleeping schedule is like. 
• Marc’s learning style. 
• Marc’s love/hate relationship with the Fourth of July weekend. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Marc Hernandez

Marc Hernandez Email Address

Marc Hernandez on Instagram

Marc Hernandez on LinkedIn

The Gentle Barn

WriteGirl

Sunset Strip Condos

Los Angeles Conservancy

Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art

Ed Roche

Kelly Minds Her Manors 

Kelly Minds Her Manors on Instagram

Kelly Minds Her Manors on TikTok

The Kelly Robinson Team / Compass    

Kelly Robinson / Compass

Send us Fan Mail

So many people spend their lives chasing insipid goals of being ‘happy’ and never actually blossom into who they truly are. Joining us today on Kelly Minds Her Manors is the incredible coach, author, and podcast host, Rechelle Conde-Nau to talk about her purpose in life; to inspire and encourage people to become more of who they already are. Tuning in, you’ll hear about our guest’s background, why she started her podcast, Unabashed You, what connects all of her roles in her career, and so much more. She delves into her mentorship style, her ‘and, so’ technique in coaching, why she wants to help women in particular, and why she wants to inspire her clients and followers. Rechelle lost a son at a very young age and in this episode, she shares how the challenges and failures she’s experienced in her life have shaped who she is and led her to success. Our guest then answers the fearless five questions and finally, gives some words of wisdom for women wanting to be successful in male-dominated fields. To hear all of this along with a beautiful reminder to be kind rather than nice, press play now!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Introducing today’s guest, Rechelle Conde-Nau. 
• What led Rechelle to start her podcast, Unabashed You. 
• What moved her about the quote: “And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”
• Rechelle tells us about her childhood and how it shaped her and her passions.
• Why connection and encouragement are highlights of her roles and what connects them all.
• Learn about Rechelle’s mentorship style and the most rewarding aspect of coaching. 
• Rechelle tells us about her ‘what if’ vs. ‘what is’ coaching exercise.
• Why she is so passionate about supporting and uplifting women in particular. 
• The challenges that led to success in her life and how her late son shaped who she is.
• How you can get hold of her book about her son, Standing Tall: A Collection of Mourning.
• Our guest tells us why she aspires to inspire her followers.
• What Rechelle is thinking about today: the two recent ocean disasters. 
• Why the notion of just wanting to be happy is not her goal in life or her goal for her children. 
• Her wish to go to Hawaii if she could go anywhere right now. 
• Oscillating between being a morning person and a night owl.
• How overcoming anxiety has allowed Rechelle to travel more. 
• Advice to women wanting to excel in male-dominated fields. 
• Why being ‘kind’ is much more intentional and authentic than being ‘nice’.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Rechelle Conde-Nau on LinkedIn

Rechelle Conde-Nau on Facebook

Rechelle Conde-Nau on Instagram

Unabashed You

Unabashed You on Apple Podcasts 

Contact Rechelle to get her book: Standing Tall: A Collection of Mourning

Kelly Minds Her Manors 

Kelly Minds Her Manors on Instagram

Kelly Minds Her Manors on Tiktok

The Kelly Robinson Team / Compass    

Kelly Robinson / Compass

Send us Fan Mail

Not only is Amir Korangy the founder of the biggest real estate magazine in the country, but he is also an unusually kind, calm, forgiving, resilient person. Amir and his family were amongst the six million people who fled Iran after the Islamic Revolution in 1979 and in today’s episode, he candidly shares some of his most vivid childhood memories. He then goes on to explain how his talent for creative writing led him to become a journalist and how his talent for finding a good deal led him into real estate. As the founder and publisher of The Real Deal, he now works at the intersection of these two spaces, and his passion for what he does is palpable! Tune into this episode to hear about the newspapers Amir started from scratch in the early days of his career, the motivation behind the founding of The Real Deal, why he has said no to every offer to purchase his company, his advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, and lots more! 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Introducing today’s guest, founder of the biggest real estate magazine in the country, Amir Korangy.
• Amir shares the story of how he and his family became refugees in the United States. 
• Memorable moments from his childhood. 
• His educational journey in the United States. 
• Why he pursued a career in journalism. 
• The early days of Amir’s life as a qualified journalist. 
• His experience of starting a newspaper in Mexico. 
• The gap in the market that he filled with his Washington Free Press newspaper.
• How he ended up working at Yahoo! and why he left after just three months. 
• The first apartment Amir bought for himself and how led to him working in the real estate industry. 
• Amir’s motivation for founding The Real Deal.
• The initial response that The Real Deal received and how he got it off the ground.
• What makes The Real Deal’s content stand out.
• The documentary and book that Amir was involved in creating. 
• What he loves most about his job. 
• His advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.
• The power that lies in forgiving and forgetting. 
• Untapped opportunities in the AI realm. 
• Why Amir isn’t interested in selling The Real Deal.
• Factors that Amir believes make a successful agent. 
• A Fearless Five round with Amir. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Amir Korangy on LinkedIn

The Real Deal 

Building Stories

The New Kings of New York

Kelly Minds Her Manors 

Kelly Minds Her Manors on Instagram

Kelly Minds Her Manors on TikTok

The Kelly Robinson Team / Compass    

Kelly Robinson / Compass

Send us Fan Mail

On today's show, we dig deep into the components of successfully launching a business and the dedication and mindset that can enable progress. Strength and conditioning coach and bestselling author Jason Curtis is here to share the story of how he transitioned from a career in the military to running his own gym and coaching business. We hear from Jason about his early days outside Manchester in the United Kingdom, his clear vision for his future, and what he loved about his time in the army. Our guest then takes us through the challenges he went through when he left the military and started his exercise boot camp. Jason's story is packed with relatable and unique elements, and listeners are bound to acquire some inspiration for approaching the variety of challenges that life will inevitably throw at us. We find some time to talk about the best way to frame exercise for different goals, ideas around motivation and commitment, and also the foundational value of a good diet. So to hear it all from the generous and informative Jason Curtis, press play!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Looking back on Jason's early years in a small town in the UK. 
• Time in the military and the different countries where Jason lived around the world.
• Tracing the roots of Jason's interest in the army, combat sports, and coaching.
• The decision that Jason made to leave the military and start his business. 
• Reflections on the naive optimism that enabled Jason's progress.  
• How Jason managed to build a customer base and find a physical location.  
• The inspiration and publishing process for Jason's first book.   
• Why Jason chose the self-publishing route for his later works. 
• Jason talks about his client base at this point.  
• Thoughts on the future of growing older and the impact of the right kind of exercise.  
• Jason's position on strength training for younger people. 
• Advice from Jason for young entrepreneurs about hard work and risk. 
• Words of encouragement for anyone struggling to stay in shape.  
• Jason talks about the future of his business and the projects he has lined up. 
• The pieces of advice that have had the most influence on Jason.   
• Jason answers the Fearless Five; values, moderation, hidden talents, books, and search history.
• Where to find Jason and his work online! 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Jason Curtis

The SCC Academy

Jason Curtis on Amazon

Tolkien

The Silmarillion

The Beginning of Infinity 

The Ape that Understood the Universe

Alchemy

Kelly Minds Her Manors 

Kelly Minds Her Manors on Instagram

Kelly Minds Her Manors on TikTok

The Kelly Robinson Team / Compass    

Kelly Robinson / Compass

Send us Fan Mail

Alicia Elatassi is a former teacher, currently working as a blogger, author, fashion stylist, and mentor to women over 40, helping them to reach their full potential. She also hosts a podcast called Vibes by Alicia! Along with this impressive list of endeavors, Alicia runs a real estate investment business with her husband. Join us to get the inside scoop on Alicia’s colorful career path, culminating in the projects she focuses on today. Hear what motivated Alicia to write her book, Querido Papa, which tells the story of her conservative father’s evolution from conservative patriarchal views to supporting her growing independence. We bust common misconceptions about the world of real estate based on the movies, and Alicia shares the details of her travel box subscriptions, drawing on discoveries from her travels. Listening in, you’ll hear about Alicia and her husband’s next steps, her work to empower women, and how Pilates has helped Alicia to manage hypertension. She also gets real about her battle with anxiety and offers some practical tools to help combat it. Thanks for listening! 

Key Points From This Episode:

• An introduction to today’s multifaceted guest, Alicia Elatassi.
• How Alicia’s childhood influences her life and work today. 
• Her life in education and administration. 
• What motivated Alicia to write her book, Querido Papa. 
• The remarkable story of her father’s evolution to support her as an independent woman.
• Her first ever job at a sandwich shop.
• Alicia’s interest in eco-fashion and how that developed.
• Her travel box subscriptions.
• Her work in real estate investment with her husband.
• 6 Steps that real estate investors need to take. 
• Alicia’s role in the real estate business she runs with her husband.
• Why the real estate business is nothing like what is portrayed on TV.
• How she uses real estate to fund her other endeavors.
• How Alicia and her husband approach diversifying their portfolio.
• Why she chooses to work with women over 40. 
• Using Pilates to manage hypertension.
• How her podcast helped her to talk about her struggles with anxiety.
• Why Alicia is grateful for opportunities to connect with others.
• How she would describe her own personal style: sexy and sophisticated.
• What she would regret more: actions or inactions.
• The book she would write next if given the opportunity.
• Where to find Alicia online. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Alicia Elatassi

Alicia Elatassi on Facebook

Alicia Elatassi on Instagram 

Vibes by Alicia

Vibes by Alicia on Instagram

"Empowering Women 40+: 8 Steps to Build a Support Network" by Alicia Elatassi

"Maximizing Profits: 6 Steps Real Estate Investors Need to Take" by Alicia and Rusk Elatassi

Kelly Minds her Manors
Kelly Minds her Manors on Instagram
The Kelly Robinson Team / Compass   
Kelly Robinson / Compass