Pep Talks with Eric

In this engaging episode of PEP Talks with Coach Eric, Lorraine Armijos shares her remarkable journey from the U.S. Air Force to corporate leadership and ultimately to founding LAR INSIGHTS, where she specializes in leadership coaching and process improvement. Lorraine discusses her initial resistance to Lean methodology and how a shift in perspective revealed its true power—empowering teams, fostering collaboration, and driving meaningful change.

She and Eric explore the impact of continuous improvement, the importance of leadership in shaping organizational culture, and the transformative role of coaching. Lorraine also reflects on the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, the significance of self-reflection, and the power of taking small, intentional steps toward progress. Whether you’re a leader, entrepreneur, or someone looking to refine your approach to personal growth, this episode is filled with practical insights and inspiration to help you lead with impact.

About Lorraine Armijos:Lorraine Armijos is the founder of LAR INSIGHTS, a firm dedicated to leadership coaching, strategic consulting, and process improvement. Her leadership journey began in the United States Air Force, where she discovered a passion for empowering teams and driving meaningful growth.

With over 20 years of experience, including leadership roles at Fortune 500 companies, Lorraine has built a reputation for enhancing communication, optimizing processes, and developing high-performing teams. She holds certifications in Lean Six Sigma, an MBA, and credentials as an International Coaching Federation (ICF) coach.

Lorraine collaborates with CEOs, directors, and emerging leaders to tackle challenges and achieve long-term success. Her expertise includes strategy development, change management, and leadership growth, with tailored solutions designed to meet each client’s specific needs. Passionate about inspiring others, Lorraine is dedicated to fostering environments where individuals and organizations can excel and thrive together.

🔗 Learn more about Lorraine’s work: www.larinsights.com🔗 Book a session with Lorraine: zant.app/provider/profile/Lorraine_Armijos

In this insightful episode of PEP Talks with Coach Eric, Avril Hogan joins the conversation to explore the power of conflict resolution and personal transformation. Avril shares her journey from real estate and legal work to becoming a certified coach and mediator, specializing in guiding individuals and families through disputes with understanding and empathy. She discusses the importance of ontological coaching, the role of trauma in conflict, and how shifting our perception can lead to profound personal growth. Avril also provides practical strategies for navigating difficult conversations, embracing curiosity, and using conflict as a catalyst for transformation. If you’ve ever struggled with communication, unresolved disputes, or inner conflict, this episode is a must-listen.

About Avril Hogan:Avril grew up in Ireland, lived in London for many years, and moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 2003. With a background in English, Psychology, and Paralegal studies, she transitioned from a career in corporate legal work and real estate to becoming a certified coach and mediator. Avril specializes in conflict resolution, helping individuals, families, and communities navigate disputes with clarity and compassion. By integrating her coaching, negotiation, and legal expertise, she has created a unique niche in guiding clients toward resolution and transformation.

Outside of her work, Avril is an avid scuba diver, sailor, hiker, and global traveler who finds peace by the ocean.

🔗 Learn more about Avril’s work: www.avrilhogan.com

🔗 Book a coaching session with Avril: zant.app/provider/profile/Avril_Hogan

📅 Book a session or connect with Coach Eric directly:🔗 Zant Profile🔗 Life by Design

In this inspiring episode of PEP Talks with Coach Eric, Tyler Ashworth shares his incredible journey from a school principal to a passionate executive and leadership coach. Tyler and Eric dive into the pivotal moments that led him to question his career path, the challenges of leadership, and the courage it took to embrace change. They discuss the power of curiosity, overcoming fear, and how coaching can help individuals unlock their true potential. Tyler’s story is a testament to the importance of following your inner calling, even when it means stepping into the unknown. Tune in for a conversation filled with wisdom, insight, and actionable advice for anyone navigating their own career transitions.

About Tyler Ashworth:Tyler Ashworth is an experienced ICF-certified coach specializing in executive, leadership, life, and spiritual coaching. In addition to owning his coaching business, he serves as a leadership and development coach for Newport News Shipbuilding, a Fortune 500 company. With a master’s degree in leadership and a post-master’s certificate in leadership and supervision, Tyler brings a wealth of experience to his coaching practice. A former high school principal, his passion is developing others and helping them achieve their goals.

"I vow to be a coach that offers you a safe place to find and explore the best version of yourself. I vow to be deeply curious and maximize the time we have together by fostering a connection with you so that together we can creatively partner to accomplish your goals and form strategies that are aimed at what you value most, and what you desire to bring to the world."

🔗 Book a coaching session with Tyler: zant.app/provider/profile/Tyler_Ashworth🔗 Connect with Tyler on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tyler-j-ashworth

📅 Book a session or connect with Coach Eric directly:🔗 Zant Profile🔗 Life by Design

In this episode of Pep Talks with Coach Eric, Coach Eric continues his conversation with Dustin Dean and Mick Myers from Mind Health Concierge, diving deeper into their innovative coaching-first approach to mental wellness. They explore how leaders, high achievers, and individuals in the public eye often struggle with loneliness, fear, and imposter syndrome, despite outward success.

Dustin and Mick share how operating from fulfillment rather than fear can create a ripple effect, helping leaders fill their own cups so they can better support those around them. They emphasize the importance of safety, immediate access, and personalized coaching, ensuring that their clients are seen, heard, and valued. Through their unique concierge model, they provide direct and ongoing support without the barriers of traditional mental health systems.

💡 Key Takeaways:

* True leadership starts with self-care. Leaders who pour from a full cup create healthier, more connected teams.

* Success can feel isolating. High achievers often struggle with imposter syndrome and fear of failure, despite their accomplishments.

* Fear is not the enemy—it’s an opportunity. Courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s choosing to move forward despite it.

* Coaching empowers transformation. By reframing thoughts and shifting mindsets, individuals can realign with their purpose.

* Connection heals disconnection. The Ubuntu philosophy—"I am because we are"—reminds us that true success comes through community and support.

🔗 Want to connect with Dustin & Mick? Visit Mind Health Concierge or find them on LinkedIn.

✨ Be sure to listen to Part 1 if you haven’t already, and stay tuned for more transformative conversations on mental wellness and personal growth!

📅 Book a session or connect with Coach Eric directly:🔗 Zant Profile🔗 Life by Design

In this episode of Pep Talks with Coach Eric, Coach Eric sits down with Dustin Dean and Mick Myers, the founders of MindHealth Concierge, to discuss a revolutionary approach to mental wellness. Their unique model moves beyond traditional healthcare constraints, offering a personalized, subscription-based mental wellness service designed for high-achieving individuals.

Dustin, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, and Mick, a seasoned entrepreneur with experience in healthcare and wellness programs, share how their dual-provider model ensures that clients are truly seen, heard, and supported. Unlike the conventional system, where patients often feel unheard or constrained by insurance limitations, MindHealth Concierge prioritizes immediate access, personalized support, and a proactive coaching-first approach to mental well-being.

The conversation also explores the power of Ubuntu, the philosophy of collective humanity, and how it applies to their work, bringing connection, collaboration, and empowerment to those who often experience loneliness at the top. They discuss the challenges faced by high achievers, the pressures of leadership, and how shifting the focus from pain to power and potential can unlock a fulfilling life.

💡 Key Takeaways:

* Mental wellness should be proactive, not reactive. The traditional system often leaves people burned out and unheard.

* A dual-provider model enhances support. Every session includes two professionals, ensuring clients receive multiple perspectives and deeper engagement.

* High achievers face unique mental health challenges. Despite success, many leaders struggle with loneliness, stress, and disconnection.

* Ubuntu philosophy brings humanity back to mental wellness. True wellness is achieved through collaboration, connection, and shared growth.

* Technology as a tool, not a replacement. Virtual connections can foster real relationships when used mindfully and in balance.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where they dive deeper into their innovative coach-therapy hybrid model and how it’s transforming the mental wellness space.

Learn more about Mind Health Concierge at https://mindhealthconcierge.com.

📅 Book a session or connect with Coach Eric directly:🔗 Zant Profile🔗 Life by Design

In this captivating episode of PEP Talks with Coach Eric, intuitive emotional liberation Coach Michelle Barone shares her journey from navigating personal chaos to mastering emotional energy. Drawing on her powerful experiences, she discusses how embracing chaos as a natural part of life can lead to profound personal growth. Michelle and Eric explore the transformative power of radical responsibility, how emotional triggers like anger can be alchemized into motivation, and why forgiveness is about freeing yourself—not others.

Key insights include:

* Why chaos is an opportunity for growth and how to stay grounded amid life’s storms.

* How to transmute emotional energy, like anger, into powerful, forward-moving action.

* The importance of taking radical responsibility for your experiences to create lasting change.

Michelle’s wisdom offers practical tools for shifting perceptions, stepping into self-awareness, and embracing life with resilience and purpose.

About Our Guest: Michelle Barone

Michelle Barone is an intuitive emotional liberation coach dedicated to helping clients break free from limiting beliefs, master their emotions, and strengthen their emotional core. Through personalized, one-on-one coaching, workshops, and speaking engagements, Michelle creates life-changing experiences tailored to each individual’s unique needs.

With a deep commitment to customized coaching strategies, she intuitively designs approaches that empower her clients to overcome self-limiting habits and build the life they deserve. Michelle’s hands-on, transformative coaching style offers continuous access and personal attention, setting her apart from traditional programs.

Connect with Michelle and learn more about her work at Moksha Grace Coaching:🌐 Website📱 Instagram💼 LinkedIn🎥 YouTube

Interested in working with Coach Eric?Connect with him on zant: https://user.zant.app/provider/profile/Eric_Ayers

In this episode of Pep Talks with Coach Eric, we dive into the paralyzing nature of fear and how our fixation on the "how" of things can prevent us from ever taking action. Coach Eric explains how fear of the unknown keeps us stuck, often disguising itself as the need to have all the answers before beginning. He explores the science behind fear, particularly how the amygdala’s fight-or-flight response can interfere with our ability to move forward.

Through powerful storytelling and practical insights, Coach Eric challenges us to shift our mindset, seeing fear not as a stop sign but as a green light for growth. He introduces the concept of "dancing with fear," a mindset that allows us to transform uncertainty into momentum. By recognizing imposter syndrome as a natural part of growth and embracing the discomfort of the unknown, we can begin to take action, trust the process, and step into our greatness.

Key Takeaways:

* The "how" often becomes an excuse to stay still—true learning happens in the doing.

* Fear is not the enemy; it’s a signal that we are stepping into something meaningful.

* Imposter syndrome is simply proof that we’re expanding beyond our comfort zone.

* Success is built on small, imperfect steps that accumulate into lasting transformation.

* Start before you feel ready—perfection is the thief of progress.

If you're ready to overcome fear and take action toward your goals, Coach Eric is here to help.

📅 Book a session or connect with Coach Eric directly:🔗 Zant Profile🔗 Life by Design

In this insightful episode of PEP Talks with Coach Eric, special guest Lauri Smith, soulful speaking coach and creator of the Vocal Presence Path, shares her powerful journey to finding her authentic voice. Drawing from her background in acting and coaching, Lauri discusses how masks and characters shape our interactions, how permission opens the door to personal freedom, and how embodying presence connects us to our purpose.

Key takeaways include:

* The roles we play and masks we wear to feel accepted—and how to consciously use them without losing our authenticity.

* Why giving yourself permission is the most powerful choice you’ll ever make.

* How presence and primal energy align to unleash your true voice.

This conversation is a must-listen for anyone seeking to tap into their unique power, express their truth, and create deeper connections through authentic leadership and communication.

About Our Guest: Lauri Smith

Lauri Smith, the Soulful Speaking Coach, is a speaker, podcast host, and the creator of The Vocal Presence Path®, an approach that transforms speaking into a spiritual practice of authenticity and growth. She is also the author of Your Voice Matters: A Guide to Speaking Soulfully When It Counts.

With a mission to inspire open-hearted leadership, Lauri empowers individuals to harness their authentic voice, heal old wounds, and lead with courage and creativity to make a positive impact on the world.

Connect with Lauri:🌐 Website💼 LinkedIn🎙️ Soulful Speaking Podcast📧 Email: [email protected]

Interested in working with Coach Eric?Connect with him on zant: https://user.zant.app/provider/profile/Eric_Ayers

In Episode 8 of PEP Talks with Coach Eric, Mark Maynard joins the conversation to explore the profound connection between humanity and hospitality. Together, they discuss the role of authenticity in fostering meaningful change and how embracing fear can be a catalyst for conquering challenges.

Key takeaways include:✨ How leaders can bring humanity to their work and daily interactions.✨ The transformative power of simply being your true self.✨ Why fear signals growth and how to move beyond it to achieve greatness.

This thought-provoking discussion is filled with insights for leaders and anyone looking to create a more human-centered world. Tune in and be inspired to bring your authentic self to the table every day.

Be well, be love.

About Our Guest: Mark Maynard

Mark Maynard is a leadership coach, hospitality consultant, and keynote speaker dedicated to helping leaders set bold goals and create the systems to achieve them. As the founder of Maynard Consulting, he draws on his experience at Union Square Hospitality Group, where he built and led businesses across the service industry.

Certified by the International Coaching Federation, Mark partners with clients to unlock their potential through self-discovery and strategic growth. He is also an Entrepreneur in Residence at Cornell University and a guest lecturer at Columbia and NYU.

Connect with Mark:🌐 Website💼 LinkedIn📧 Email: [email protected]

Interested in working with Coach Eric?Connect with him on zant: https://user.zant.app/provider/profile/Eric_Ayers

In this powerful episode of PEP Talks with Coach Eric, Coach Eric explores the transformative concept of “Being Gratitude” - not just feeling grateful for something, but embodying gratitude as a life-giving energy. Coach Eric breaks down the cyclical journey of growth using gratitude as the force that nurtures intentions from seed to sprout, bloom, and harvest. He shares personal insights on how true gratitude transcends circumstances, shifts perspectives, and helps us embrace both challenges and triumphs as part of divine timing.

Key takeaways include:

* The difference between reactive gratitude and embodying gratitude as a mindset.

* How gratitude helps us grow through discomfort and darkness.

* Using gratitude to manifest abundance and share overflow with others.

Coach Eric’s wisdom and reflections will inspire you to embrace gratitude as a daily practice that fuels personal transformation, alignment, and abundance.

Interested in working with Coach Eric?Connect with him on zant: https://user.zant.app/provider/profile/Eric_Ayers