Level Up! with Shay

Welcome! In this episode of the Level Up! Podcast With Shay, Blake shares how he went from failing all of his classes at Santa Barbara College in 6 months due to partying, moving back home to Omaha, Nebraska, saving up cash as a delivery driver, and then is now a residential, luxury, and investment realtor at Compass in West Hollywood, California. His time working at Whole Foods for the first year back in CA, he figured out what he really DIDN’T want and that pushed him into opportunities to figure out what he really DID want. He attributes his success to putting himself out there, learning A LOT, having a plan, and overcoming his anxiety in small increments everyday. I’m so grateful to have Blake on because he has been through the ups and downs and knows a lot of the ins and outs on how to become, not only successful, but better! And that’s all we can do!

You can find and support Blake on Instagram at @blakestargel and his TikTok @stargelrealestate (he posts AMAZING houses!!!).

Blake’s meditation: https://youtu.be/6p_yaNFSYao

Follow me on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook and SUBSCRIBE to my blog at www.levelupwithshay.com/blog

Show page: www.levelupwithshay.com

Welcome! In this episode of the Level Up! Podcast With Shay, Edgar shares a lot of stories from growing up as the awkward kid, to creating a persona named Edgar Van Aces to feel powerful, coming up in the comedy scene in LA and how he continues to be a successful writer through his focus and nihilism. From an outsider's perspective, when Edgar first came to LA it seemed as if he just showed up and *poof*, magically gets on a house team for one of the three biggest improv schools in the city. But like many stories of the successful, he had been doing some sort of comedy and putting himself on stages since 2009. One of the coolest qualities about Edgar, to me, is that even though he believes that he’s bad at everything, he still TRIES. And turns out, at least with enough practice, he’s really good! His life and this episode is just another great example of if you put in the work, you will reap the benefits. At the top of the episode, Edgar also shares some great ways to help with the #blacklivesmatter movement if you aren't protesting. Visit some of the resources he mentions on my website at www.levelupwithshay.com/blm.

You can find Edgar and support him on Instagram @awfulgram and Twitter @edgarmomplaisir. Find his podcasts Culture Kings and The Wokest on Earwolf and Stitcher Premium.

Follow me on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook and SUBSCRIBE to my blog at www.levelupwithshay.com/blog

Show page: www.levelupwithshay.com

Welcome! In this episode of the Level Up! Podcast with Shay, Ann Marie shares her experience of motherloss at the age of 10 and how that has brought her to being so passionate about sharing her story. She talks about all the hard work that is being done at EmpowerHER - a nonprofit organization to empower, support and connect girls and young women who have experienced the loss of their mothers - especially in the time of COVID-19 and how leadership and vision has kept them not only surviving, but THRIVING. I was so inspired by Ann Marie’s openness to opportunities and growth, her selflessness, and her discipline and persistence. I can’t wait to see what other amazing and powerful things that have yet to come for her. Ann Marie believes that if you have enough passion and drive that YOU CAN DO ANYTHING! And I agree.

You can find and support Ann Marie by following EmpowerHER on Instagram and Facebook as well as www.empoweringher.org

Follow me on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook and SUBSCRIBE to my blog at www.levelupwithshay.com/blog

Show page: www.levelupwithshay.com

Welcome! In this episode of the Level Up! Podcast With Shay, Winter proves to everyone that in order to get to the top, you gotta start at the bottom - that’s just how it works! And real important thing...that’s ok! Start as a PA, ask lots of questions, and be bold enough to tell people what you actually want. That opens a lot more doors than you think. I am so inspired by Winter, for how authentic she is. Like I mention in the episode, when I first started spending time with her, she never complained, never talked bad about anyone, and was an all around genuine person. And the fact that she is doing so much great work in Los Angeles, I think that’s really telling about her true character. Even with her drive and success, she admits to dealing with depression and anxiety sometimes so much, she can’t move, and I know a lot of people can relate. But yet, she gives herself the space she needs and then reflects on how she can be better in the future. That’s a powerful place to be and a balance that takes time to find! I’m very excited for you to hear Winter’s story because, truly, she is us. She is a person with dreams and goals, no matter how big, she cares about what people think, but doesn’t let that stop her from expressing her art, and she can get down on herself sometimes. Who doesn’t relate to that?!

You can find Winter and support her on Instagram, Twitter, and her website www.winterdunn.com. Also, stay updated on her upcoming film’s release at @junebugfilm.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @levelupwithshay

Subscribe to my blog at www.levelupwithshay.com/blog

Show page: www.levelupwithshay.com

Welcome! In this episode of the Level Up! Podcast With Shay, Alexa speaks on her experience as a dancer from a very young age, going to college for dance, and then moving out to LA and taking a two year break from it to really explore herself.  I really commend her for having the humility to listen to what she needs and wants, no matter what others are doing or what people think she should be doing. We also talk about saying YES and how one book changed the trajectory of her life. She went from saying no to practically everything to saying “Why not?” and how that gave her the momentum to find herself in yoga, entertainment she enjoys, and back into dance! I’m excited for you to listen to this episode because Alexa is so vulnerable and opens about her dark times and I think a lot of people, especially women, can relate.

You can find Alexa and support her on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok at @alexagiacinto as well as her website www.alexagiacinto.com.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter at @levelupwithshay for more motivational and inspirational content. Tag me or tweet me to let me know you're following along! Let's Level Up!

Show page & show notes: www.levelupwithshay.com

Let’s Level Up!

Welcome! In this episode of the Level Up! Podcast With Shay, Jason shares some amazing stories about his journey to success, including quitting his day job and getting a life changing call the next day, finding himself in the right place at the right time - multiple times!, all by staying true to himself in faith and belief. I was truly blown away by his certainty in himself, even though, as he admits, self-doubt and questioning still creeps up, and how his preparation in his craft has helped him become that way. I’m very excited for you to listen to the many truths Jason speaks on because he doesn’t have it all figured out, but he holds the powerful belief that with passionate work and making connections with other human beings, everything always works out for us.

You can find Jason and support him on Instagram at @jasoncatron. Find out more about his business, Vocal Lab Collective, on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and www.vocallabcollective.com.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter at @levelupwithshay for more motivational and inspirational content. Tag me or tweet me to let me know you're following along! Let's Level Up!

Show page & show notes: www.levelupwithshay.com

Let’s Level Up!

Welcome! In this episode of the Level Up! Podcast With Shay, DJ Kara and I talk about her journey going to Purdue for business and almost not making it, her perseverance moving to LA, waking up any time between 4AM-6AM almost everyday and then DJing for weddings from the afternoon until the night, and how she developed her very successful brand "DJ Kara". At first she seems like a superhuman who's got it all figured out, but after I dug deeper I find out that she has had some struggles of her own where she has been put to the test and had the choice to rise or fall. I'm so excited to share this with you because it really shows that everyone is on their own journey, they don't have all the answers all the time, and sometimes you just gotta try, try, and try again to get what you want! 

You can find DJ Kara at her website www.djkarala.com, on Instagram (@dj.kara), Facebook, LinkedIn, and check out her mixes on Soundcloud! 

Follow me on instagram.com/levelupwithshay and twitter.com/levelupwithshay for more motivational and inspirational content. Tag me or tweet me to let me know you're following along! Let's Level Up!

Show page & show notes: www.levelupwithshay.com

2:36 Kara’s upbringing

6:43 Figuring out LA

16:12 Doubting yourself

25:07 DJing out in LA

34:47 Why journaling with pencil and paper is so important

38:10 How “DJ Kara” started

48:45 Working with Disney, Tesla, Microsoft, and more

56:33 Mentorship and helping others

59:12 Stop worrying about what other people think

Welcome! In this episode of the Level Up! Podcast With Shay, I had such a great time picking the mind of a former executive of Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, John Dawson. John started out in the slow bureaucratic system of politics, but when an opportunity to do real estate came up, nothing was ever the same! We talk about  his former positions in business with McDonald's, Dunkin' Donuts, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, and El Pollo Loco, and dig deep into the lessons he learned, all the fun he had, while being so disciplined, and what the next chapter of his life looks like - what he calls Chapter 2. He's not really on social media, but you might find him walking around the Hollywood Hills for exercise or at our local book club in Los Angeles. I hope you enjoy the many gems he shares from his experience and the knowledge he has gained from working over 30 years in the top levels of the fast-food industry. 

You can follow me on Instagram (instagram.com/levelupwithshay) and Twitter (twitter.com/levelupwithshay) at @levelupwithshay to stay in touch for more motivational and inspirational content. Tag me or tweet me to let me know you're following along! Let's Level Up!

Show page & show notes: www.levelupwithshay.com

Let’s Level Up!

3:26 Who were your mentors and how did they play a part in your life? 

7:15 How the recession in the 1980s was probably the biggest turning point in John's career

14:37 How having fun and having a vision can make seemingly annoying things throughout the day, not a big deal at all. 

18:05 John was a big fish in a little pond; what lessons did he learn and how did he respond to that? 

24:09 Communication is EVERYTHING, but there are a few things you need to know to do it effectively

26:00 When to use tough love and when to just, love

30:44 How to get people on your side and how do you share your story

36:50 John's daily routine

39:33 A great way to look as struggles 

42:13 A new perspective on religion

44:42 You can't have a gut feeling without experience and knowledge

47:53 How to keep growing

49:28 Why you should be thinking long-term

Welcome! In this episode of the Level Up! With Shay podcast, Evan shares where her passion for health, wellness, and fitness come from,  why she is so committed to helping her clients (or anyone) be mobile for the long run and not just for a six pack, and the number one thing she believes is so important for anyone to level up. She has big plans for her business coming up, so keep an eye out! 

You can find her on Instagram at @evanruiz where she does LIVE workouts Monday - Friday at 9:30AM PST. Drop in, say hi, and break a sweat! 

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter at @levelupwithshay for updates on future guests and more motivational content to help you Level Up! Hope to see you there! 

Show page & show notes: www.levelupwithshay.com

Let’s Level Up!

Welcome! In this episode of the Level Up! With Shay podcast, I talk with Yancy about how he went from struggling with drugs and alcohol from 19-26 years old to becoming a Lifetime Achievement Award winning Personal Trainer at Equinox in 2019 and currently life coaching some of the most successful people in the world. We talk about the importance of reading self-development books, surrounding yourself with successful people, how making REAL decisions can completely change your life, and much more. He has an extraordinary life thus far and I can guarantee he is just getting started.

Follow and connect with Yancy below!

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/ybwellness/

Follow Level Up! With Shay on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/levelupwithshay/⁠

Thanks for being here! It’s time to Level Up!