Life-Changing Challengers

In this gripping episode of Life-Changing Challengers, host Brad Minus interviews Georgia-born entrepreneur and endurance athlete Jeff Luther, creator of the “All Can, No Can’t” podcast . Jeff recounts a carefree rural childhood, a teenage obsession with long-distance cycling, and a career that leapt from cutting lawns to running one of Atlanta’s largest home-inspection firms .

Everything changed on 12 June 2021: midway through a partner CrossFit workout with his 16-year-old son, Jeff collapsed in ventricular fibrillation, flat-lined, and was revived after multiple AED shocks . Doctors later diagnosed arrhythmogenic right-ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) and implanted a subcutaneous ICD . Struggling with fear and depression, Jeff rebuilt his life through gratitude journaling and a carefully engineered return to strength training—30-second heavy-load intervals under a watchful coach—which gave him “permission to live” again . Today he speaks, lifts competitively, and mentors others to turn limits into launchpads.

Timeline Highlights

• [00:45] Rural Fairplay, GA childhood, “purple-collar” family values 
• [04:20] Discovers endurance cycling at 13 and learns to “love the suffer” 
• [18:00] Leaves college, builds a thriving home-inspection company in Atlanta
• [29:10] Wins 2nd place in an overnight 50 K ultra one week before disaster 
• [31:30] Cardiac arrest during CrossFit; son watches AED resuscitation 
• [42:00] Hospital diagnosis: ARVC and sub-cutaneous ICD implantation 
• [54:15] Thirty-day comeback workout—heavy lifts, low adrenaline—restores hope 

Links & Resources

• Jeff Luther Speaking Site: JeffLuther.com
• All Can, No Can’t Podcast (Apple / Spotify)
• Jeff Luther on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram
• ARVC Information: American Heart Association

Key Takeaways

1. Rapid AED access saves lives—Jeff’s heart hit 386 bpm before flat-lining 
2. ARVC is exercise-induced: tearing heart muscle replaces tissue with fat & scar, disrupting electrical signals 
3. Small-dose gratitude rewires mindset 
4. Heavy-load, short-burst training let Jeff return to fitness without triggering dangerous catecholamines 
5. Quitting felt like rock bottom—30 seconds of effort sparked a full comeback, proving progress begins with micro-wins 

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In this illuminating conversation, Life-Changing Challengers host Brad Minus unpacks the rise-and-reset story of Sydney–based burnout coach Jo Stone. After fast-tracking from entry-level marketer to Asia-Pacific Chief Marketing Officer by age 32—while juggling two young kids and half-marathon training—Jo’s drive finally slammed her into the wall of chronic stress and scary neurological symptoms. A hospital scare, a spreadsheet-come-true “manifestation” moment, and the radical decision to sell her dream home launched a soul-searching pivot. Today, Jo runs The Balance Institute, hosts the popular Balanced & Beyond podcast, and helps high-achieving women reclaim health, sanity, and self-worth without losing their ambition. 

Listeners will hear candid truths about corporate hustle culture, the “good-girl” conditioning that fuels overwork, and how downsizing a mortgage can super-size freedom. Jo breaks down her evidence-based toolkit—nervous-system regulation, values-first goal setting, and realistic work-life design—for turning burnout into balanced success. 

Timeline Highlights

• [03:30] Only-child childhood: jet-setting with a Fortune-500 dad and learning to talk to CEOs.
• [10:40] Backpack years: cycling between six-month London jobs and six-month global adventures.
• [18:15] Corporate rocket-ship: climbing from marketing assistant to CMO with regional teams in five countries.
• [30:20] The breaking point—neurological “lesions,” pins-and-needles and a two-day hospital stay.
• [42:00] Selling the “forever home,” downsizing the mortgage, and quitting the C-suite.
• [54:10] Launching The Balance Institute & the Balanced & Beyond podcast to coach other high-flier women.

Links & Resources

• The Balance Institute: https://balanceinstitute.com – coaching programs & resources
• Podcast: Balanced & Beyond (Apple / Spotify)
• Book a Call: https://www.balanceinstitute.com/book
• Connect on LinkedIn: Jo Stone
• Instagram: @betterbalanceinstitute
• Facebook: @stonejoanne

Key Takeaways

1. Burnout is a nervous system issue, not a time management flaw.
2. Freedom often starts with smaller mortgages, not bigger salaries.
3. Manifestation works best when paired with bold, uncomfortable action.
4. High performance is sustainable only when recovery is non-negotiable.
5. Sharing your story unlocks a business others actually need.

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Instagram: @bradaminus
Facebook: @bradaminus
X(Twitter): @bradaminus
YouTube: @lifechangingchallengers
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Want to be a guest on Life-Changing Challengers? Send Brad Minus a message on PodMatch, here.

In this candid edition of Life-Changing Challengers, host Brad Minus sits down with endurance-sport author Margie Allman. From a chaotic adolescence of runaway nights, hard drugs and two abusive years at the infamous Straight Inc. “troubled-teen” program, Margie spiraled into seizures, toxic shock and a brief life on the streets. Her turning point? Channeling that same need for extremes into triathlon—ultimately completing brutal Wildflower courses, multiple Ironman attempts and a career-long devotion to Pilates and movement therapy. Now 60, she splits her time between Georgia and Belize, scuba dives for joy and is finishing her memoir Sufferfest: How Sex, Drugs & Triathlon Saved My Life. Listeners will hear an unflinching look at addiction, cult-like rehab, athletic grit and the slow craft of self-acceptance. 

Timeline Highlights

• [00:40] Brad introduces Margie and her forthcoming memoir Sufferfest. 
• [03:15] Carefree bayou childhood turns to anxiety, insecurity and drugs at 14.
• [10:45] Sent to Straight Inc.; two years of attack therapy, isolation and forced labor.
• [24:30] Seizures, homelessness and toxic shock nearly end her life—fitness becomes therapy.
• [38:50] First triathlon “suffer-fest,” Wildflower races and three grueling Ironman Louisville starts.
• [53:10] Losing her partner days before a race and redefining endurance on her own terms.
• [1:05:00] Pilates, scuba diving and writing the book that finally gives her story purpose.

Links & Resources

• Upcoming book: Sufferfest: How Sex, Drugs & Triathlon Saved My Life
• Instagram: @margieallman (personal updates & memoir release)
• Facebook:  @margie.allman 
• Straight Inc. Survivor Network – research on the troubled-teen industry
• Wildflower Triathlon – iconic California race Margie tackled multiple times
• Pilates Method Alliance – movement therapy Margie now teaches

Key Takeaways

1. Movement is medicine. Running, swimming and Pilates rewired Margie’s brain after trauma.
2. Endurance sports can transmute pain—the “suffer” becomes self-mastery on the race course.
3. Abusive programs leave deep scars; healing requires both therapy and self-forgiveness.
4. Addiction often swaps forms. Margie learned to balance athletic passion with true recovery.
5. It’s never too late to rewrite your story—her debut book arrives at age 60.

Closing Remark

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Contact Brad @ Life Changing Challengers
Instagram: @bradaminus
Facebook: @bradaminus
X(Twitter): @bradaminus
YouTube: @lifechangingchallengers
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Want to be a guest on Life-Changing Challengers? Send Brad Minus a message on PodMatch, here.

On this episode of Life-Changing Challengers, host Brad Minus sits down with former NFL wide-receiver–turned–mortgage-tech entrepreneur John Diggs to unpack the technique that rescued his life when everything collapsed: mind mapping. Diggs traces his journey from a Pacoima childhood and pro-football glory to building one of Southern California’s largest mortgage brokerages—then losing it all in the 2008 meltdown, along with his home, marriage and savings. 

At rock bottom and sleeping at his mother’s house, Diggs discovered a dusty copy of The Mind Map Book by the late Tony Buzan. Three months of feverish “map-engineering” helped him clarify who he was, what he wanted and how to rebuild. That clarity landed a six-figure software-implementation role, 10 published books, a TEDx talk and a new mission: teaching athletes, students and executives to “love life outside the box” through mind mapping. 

Timeline Highlights

• [00:40] Brad introduces John Diggs—speaker, author and former NFL Raider/Oiler. 
• [03:15] Growing up in Pacoima and falling in love with street football.
• [10:30] NFL career ends; Diggs pivots early into real-estate and mortgages.
• [17:45] Building (and enjoying) an eight-figure mortgage empire.
• [24:10] Mortgage crisis wipes out the business—and his family life.
• [32:05] “Big-ass box” moment on the apartment floor; decision to reinvent.
• [38:50] Mind mapping every classic self-help book sparks the I AM map.
• [46:20] Re-emergence as a top Encompass mortgage-tech consultant and map-engineering mentor.

Key Takeaways

1. Map-engineering turns chaos into clarity. Visual thinking surfaces options traditional lists miss. 
2. Identity first, strategy second. Diggs’ “I AM” map aligned decisions with authentic values.
3. Big wins start on paper. Athletes and CEOs alike benefit from pre-visualising “the perfect play.”
4. Crisis can be a reset. Losing everything forced Diggs to design the life he actually wanted.
5. Love life outside the box. Mind mapping trains the brain to see possibility, not limitation.

If John’s comeback story lit a spark, rate, follow and share Life-Changing Challengers so others can map their own breakthroughs.

Links & Resources

• JohnDiggs.com – courses, speaking, coaching
• TEDx Talk: “What’s in Your Big-Ass Box?”
• Books by John Diggs
  • I AM: The Power of Knowing Who You Are
  • Big-Play Power (for student-athletes)
  • Map-Engineering Your College Years
  • Love Life & Blessed and Grateful
• The Mind Map Book by T

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Contact Brad @ Life Changing Challengers
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Facebook: @bradaminus
X(Twitter): @bradaminus
YouTube: @lifechangingchallengers
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Want to be a guest on Life-Changing Challengers? Send Brad Minus a message on PodMatch, here.

In this riveting installment of Life-Changing Challengers, host Brad Minus interviews growth-minded leader, coach, and soon-to-be author Sig Muller. A lifelong swimmer and former business-builder at companies like Accenture, Mayo Clinic, and AED pioneer Survival Link, Sig recounts the August 2024 backyard barbecue where he flat-lined for eight minutes—surviving thanks to friends who delivered CPR and a fast-acting defibrillator.

Listeners learn how that near-death experience sparked Sig’s “1,000 weeks” outlook, his 5 Percent Rule for spending time on what matters, and his mission to help others become “the world’s best” versions of themselves through gratitude, mindset, and purposeful action.

Timeline Highlights

• [00:45] Brad introduces guest Sig Muller—speaker, coach and former Division I swimmer.
• [03:15] Growing up in Rochester, MN: early-morning bike rides to double swim practices.
• [10:50] Consulting with Arthur Andersen, living abroad and joining General Mills.
• [18:30] Helping launch Survival Link and the first public-access AEDs.
• [24:15] Sudden cardiac arrest at a friends’ barbecue—and the 1 % odds he beat.
• [32:00] The “You Are the World’s Best” mantra, post-ICU amnesia and rediscovering purpose.
• [40:40] The 1,000-week mindset, 5 Percent Rule and launch of BeTheWorldsBest.com.

Key Takeaways

1. CPR + AED access saves lives—Sig’s odds of survival were <1 %.
2. Mindset matters: adopting a “world’s best” attitude lifts both performance and morale.
3. The 1,000-Week Lens: treating every year as 5 % of life sharpens priorities.
4. Gratitude fuels growth—daily appreciation shifts brain chemistry toward resilience.
5. Inflammation control is critical: diet, sleep, and stress management reduce cardiac risk.

Links & Resources

• BeTheWorldsBest.com – coaching, worksheets, & speaking inquiries
• LinkedIn: Sig Muller
• Upcoming book: Dying to Be the World’s Best (working title)
• Book mentioned: Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman

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Contact Brad @ Life Changing Challengers
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X(Twitter): @bradaminus
YouTube: @lifechangingchallengers
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Want to be a guest on Life-Changing Challengers? Send Brad Minus a message on PodMatch, here.

In this inspiring conversation, Life-Changing Challengers host Brad Minus sits down with author, holistic nutritionist, and cancer coach Shruti Sethi. Together they trace Shruti’s journey from a vibrant childhood in India and a thriving fashion-design career in Mumbai to a devastating Stage III Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis at age 34—and the radical lifestyle, mindset, and nutrition shifts that helped her beat the odds and stay cancer-free for eight years. Listeners will hear actionable insights on whole-food, plant-based eating, breath-work, forgiveness, energy psychology, and the power of choosing happiness, plus how Shruti now guides others on their own healing paths. 

Timeline Highlights

• [00:45] Brad introduces Shruti Sethi’s multifaceted background—author, holistic nutritionist and cancer coach. 
• [03:10] Shruti recalls her bustling joint-family childhood, early leadership and love of sports. 
• [09:20] From textile mills to Mumbai runways: Shruti’s fashion-design years and her own label. 
• [14:05] Relationship breakdown, chronic fatigue and a shocking lymphoma diagnosis. 
• [22:30] Six-month holistic experiment: ozone therapy, diet cleanses—and the lesson she missed on forgiveness. 
• [30:15] Chemo pain, a pivotal emotional release session and a strict no-oil plant-based protocol that turned the tide. 
• [38:50] Clear PET scans, saying “no” to more radiation, and two intentional years of mind-body work in Goa. 
• [46:40] Moving to New York, expanding Awaana Health, and why Shruti believes happiness is a daily choice. 

Key Takeaways

1. Root-cause healing starts in the mind: emotional release and forgiveness accelerated Shruti’s remission.
2. Whole-food, plant-based nutrition plus breath-work can ease chemo side-effects and rebuild immunity.
3. Happiness is a practiced choice; mindset shifts matter as much as medicine.
4. Self-education and surrender can coexist—learn everything, then trust your intuition.
5. Lifestyle design is lifelong: Shruti still “takes a course a year” to deepen her wellness expertise. 

Links & Resources

• Awaana Health: https://awaanahealth.com – nutrition & cancer-recovery programs
• Book – The Healing Power Within: Transforming Cancer to Wellness (Amazon)
• Follow Shruti on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Closing Remark

Enjoyed this episode? Rate, follow, and share Life-Changing Challengers on your favorite podcast app so more listeners can turn adversity into advantage!

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Contact Brad @ Life Changing Challengers
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X(Twitter): @bradaminus
YouTube: @lifechangingchallengers
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Want to be a guest on Life-Changing Challengers? Send Brad Minus a message on PodMatch, here.

 In this powerful and deeply moving episode, host Brad Minus sits down with Charissa Halonen, co-founder of The Relentless Couple, for an inspiring conversation about resilience, identity, and transformation. Charissa shares her remarkable life journey—from a driven small-town Canadian girl and world-traveling massage therapist to a brain injury survivor redefining her life and purpose.

Listeners will be captivated as Charissa opens up about the car accident that changed everything, how she came to terms with a traumatic brain injury, and how she now leads a life of intentionality, discipline, and grace. This episode dives into navigating personal trauma, creating strong family bonds, and building a relationship-centered business rooted in empathy, healing, and relentless love.

⏱️ Timeline Summary

[2:42] – Charissa’s early life in a small Alberta town and her entrepreneurial childhood
 [7:19] – Her journey from psychology to massage therapy and global exploration
 [15:55] – Moving to Scotland and an unexpected opportunity in Australia
 [23:43] – Life-changing car accident and the long road to post-concussive diagnosis
 [33:28] – Discovering self-regulation and creating a routine to stay grounded
 [38:17] – Meeting her now-husband and forming The Relentless Couple
 [46:05] – Coaching philosophy, blending fitness, mindset, and emotional resilience

🔗 Links & Resources

• Website: www.therelentlesscouple.com
• Instagram: @therelentlesscouple
• TikTok & YouTube: @therelentlesscouple

🗝️ Key Takeaways

• The importance of listening to your inner voice—even when others don’t understand
• True transformation often follows adversity and requires intentional daily habits
• Relationships thrive on mutual respect, communication, and shared growth
• You don’t need to change others—lean into self-awareness and self-regulation
• Physical recovery is only one part of healing; mindset and connection matter too

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Contact Brad @ Life Changing Challengers
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Facebook: @bradaminus
X(Twitter): @bradaminus
YouTube: @lifechangingchallengers
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In this powerful and eye-opening episode of Life-Changing Challengers, host Brad Minus welcomes award-winning author Mia Hanks, who courageously shares her journey from an idyllic childhood in the Midwest to surviving a decades-long marriage with a covert narcissist. Mia opens up about the emotional toll, the red flags she missed, and the health consequences that ultimately forced her to leave for good.

Together, Brad and Mia explore the tactics narcissists use to control and isolate, the trauma bonding that can keep victims trapped, and how freedom and healing can begin once you break away. Mia’s story is a beacon of hope for anyone in a toxic relationship and a stark reminder that emotional abuse often hides in plain sight.

⏱️ Timeline Summary

[1:10] – Mia Hanks shares her tranquil childhood and naive early worldview
 [6:35] – College years, marriage, and early signs of narcissistic behavior
 [11:22] – The subtle red flags: lack of empathy and covert manipulation
 [17:45] – Parenting under pressure: raising kids with a narcissistic spouse
 [25:15] – The physical toll of emotional abuse and the breaking point
 [31:50] – Planning her escape and rebuilding life with support
 [39:00] – Lessons learned, red flags to watch for, and healing forward

🔗 Links & Resources

• Mia Hanks’ Website: miajhanks.com
• Book: Bride-Made: A Memoir by MJ Hanks – Available on Amazon

📌 Key Takeaways

• Narcissistic abuse often begins with subtle red flags like a lack of empathy or need for control.
• Trauma bonding can make it difficult for victims to see their reality clearly.
• Financial control and isolation are common tactics in emotionally abusive relationships.
• Physical health may suffer under long-term emotional stress.
• Healing begins with reclaiming freedom and recognizing personal strength.

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Contact Brad @ Life Changing Challengers
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Facebook: @bradaminus
X(Twitter): @bradaminus
YouTube: @lifechangingchallengers
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Want to be a guest on Life-Changing Challengers? Send Brad Minus a message on PodMatch, here.

In this transformative episode, host Brad Minus sits down with Dr. Mark Hicks—author, counselor, and relationship expert—to explore how personal pain and spiritual growth can intersect to redefine love. From the heart of small-town Tennessee to leading ministries and navigating painful personal transitions, Dr. Hicks shares how grief, emotional intelligence, and intentional living helped him cultivate deeper, healthier relationships.

Listeners will gain profound insights into Dr. Hicks’s five components of love, inspired by wisdom literature and his journey through divorce, healing, and remarriage. Whether you're in a thriving relationship, recovering from heartbreak, or searching for clarity, this episode will challenge your perspective and empower your heart.

⏱️ Episode Highlights:

[1:45] - Mark’s wholesome upbringing and family dynamics in small-town Tennessee
 [8:10] - Early career path: seminary life, counseling, and ministry
 [17:33] - The unraveling of his first marriage and the emotional toll
 [24:50] - The harsh realities of divorce as a public spiritual leader
 [31:22] - Meeting Heather and how healthy love reshaped his outlook
 [39:17] - The origin story of his new book Learning Love
[42:35] - A breakdown of the Five Components of Love: Grief, Emotion, Practicality, Acceptance, and Passion
[56:02] - Why everyone should consider therapy—even in healthy relationships
[1:01:20] - Where to find Dr. Hicks online and get his new book

🔗 Links & Resources:

• Book: Learning Love by Dr. Mark A. Hicks – Available on Amazon
• Website: www.markahicks.com
• Follow Dr. Hicks on YouTube & LinkedIn

🎯 Key Takeaways:

• Love is not just emotion—it’s a skill built from five core components.
• Healing from grief is foundational to building future healthy relationships.
• Seeking professional help early can prevent long-term emotional damage.
• Passion isn’t optional—it’s the fuel of lasting connection.
• Learning to love yourself is crucial for building stronger external relationships.

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Contact Brad @ Life Changing Challengers
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Facebook: @bradaminus
X(Twitter): @bradaminus
YouTube: @lifechangingchallengers
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Want to be a guest on Life-Changing Challengers? Send Brad Minus a message on PodMatch, here.

In this soul-stirring episode of Life-Changing Challengers, host Brad Minus welcomes Tim Thomas, former Australian Special Forces soldier, professional fighter, and founder of Breathwork in Bed. Tim takes listeners on a raw and riveting journey through his upbringing in remote Australia, military career, near-death experiences, and eventual transformation into a coach and breathwork guide.

Tim shares how growing up in an Aboriginal community and navigating dyslexia shaped his resilience, how his service in Afghanistan reshaped his relationship with fear and mortality, and how a shark attack nearly took his life but unlocked profound spiritual insight. Most importantly, Tim dives deep into the healing power of breathwork—how a single breath at rock bottom saved him from self-destruction and led to the birth of Breathwork in Bed, a global resource for reclaiming sleep, mental clarity, and spiritual sovereignty.

Episode Highlights

• [2:00] – Tim’s childhood in remote Australia and integration into Aboriginal culture
• [15:00] – Living with dyslexia and overcoming the “stupid” label
• [30:00] – Discovering his physical gifts and path into professional fighting
• [45:00] – Entering Australian Special Forces through a direct recruitment program
• [1:00:00] – The emotional decision to miss his child’s birth for military selection—and what happened next
• [1:10:00] – Deployment to Afghanistan and discovering the roots of fear and spiritual resilience
• [1:15:00] – Surviving a shark attack and experiencing a life-altering moment of clarity

Key Takeaways

1. Your Past Doesn't Define You – Tim overcame being labeled “stupid” to join elite forces and become a thought leader.
2. Fear Comes from Attachment – True courage is the ability to surrender what you cling to in the moment.
3. Your Body Is a Radio – Tim teaches that we are energetic beings who must tune into our own frequency to find clarity.
4. Breath Is a Superpower – A single breath at rock bottom can interrupt the spiral of despair and spark transformation.
5. Sovereignty Begins Within – Reclaiming internal resources like breath can break dependency on external solutions like medication.

Links & Resources

• 🌐 Website: Breathwork in Bed – Access guided breathwork audios and sleep support
• 📱 Follow Tim Thomas on Instagram: @breathworkinbed
• 🎙️ Listen to Tim’s Other Interviews: Breathwork Magic
• 📺 TikTok: @breathworkinbed
• 📱 Facebook: @breathworkinbed

If Tim’s journey lit a spark within you, pleas

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Contact Brad @ Life Changing Challengers
Instagram: @bradaminus
Facebook: @bradaminus
X(Twitter): @bradaminus
YouTube: @lifechangingchallengers
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Want to be a guest on Life-Changing Challengers? Send Brad Minus a message on PodMatch, here.