What if the problem isn't your goals, but the way you've been taught to chase them?

In this episode, I share how 2025 quietly, yet radically, changed the way I think about goal-setting. I'm still a goal person, but I've learned that goals without hope turn into pressure, and pressure eventually leads to burnout.

We discuss why identity matters more than outcomes, how hope fuels consistency, and why micro-wins might be the most underrated strategy for achieving sustainable growth. This isn't about quitting goals, it's about setting them from a place of wholeness instead of hustle.

If you've ever felt stuck, discouraged, or tired of starting over, this conversation will help you reframe what success actually looks like and how to move forward with hope instead of exhaustion.

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Season 1 is officially wrapped… but I couldn't end without leaving you one more gift.

This bonus episode comes straight from my heart, inspired by a moment that caught me off guard in the best way.

A few weeks ago, I led a 10-minute gratitude reset for my company. Nothing elaborate. Nothing scripted. Just a simple pause to breathe, refocus, and shift our internal state. And the response? Overwhelming. People didn't realize how much their minds and bodies needed a reset until they felt the difference in real time.

It was a powerful reminder of something I often teach in trauma-informed leadership:

Your brain can't operate in survival mode and gratitude at the same time.

Here's why this practice works:

🔹 Gratitude calms the nervous system. It sends the message, "You're safe," helping lower stress so your mind can settle.

🔹 It re-engages the prefrontal cortex — the center of clarity, creativity, and connection. When we're overwhelmed, this part of the brain goes offline. Gratitude helps bring it back online.

🔹 It expands perspective. Instead of scanning for what's wrong, your brain starts noticing what's working, what's possible, and where hope still lives.

After watching how deeply this reset impacted my team, I knew I needed to bring it here to you. Because if 10 intentional minutes can give us room to breathe again, lift some pressure, and help us move through the day with more capacity… then we all deserve that gift.

I hope it offers you the same breath of fresh air it offered us.

Don't forget to like and subscribe to our show! See you next Season!

As I wrap up the final episode of Season 1, I wanted to pause and reflect. This season has been such a labor of love , a journey that began with a simple belief: you are qualified for more.

When I first started this podcast, my vision was to create a space where genuine conversations could take place, conversations about business, leadership, and the human side of both. Because behind every title, every achievement, and every sales goal, there's a story. And for many of us, those stories include grief, disappointment, and moments when we questioned our own worth.

In this closing episode, I share more of my personal story, how grief, leadership, and empathy have shaped not only my life but also the way I lead and connect with others. I've learned that leadership isn't about being the most confident or the loudest in the room; it's about being the most present. It's about leading with heart, especially when life has broken yours.

This podcast was born out of my own experiences of feeling overlooked, dismissed, or "not enough." But here's the truth: you are more than qualified. Not because of your résumé, your success, or the letters after your name, but because of who you are and what you've walked through.

To each of my incredible guests who joined me this season, thank you. Your courage, wisdom, and authenticity have inspired so many, including me.

And to every listener, thank you for tuning in, sharing, and allowing me to speak into your journey. Season 1 may be ending, but the mission continues. My heart for Qualified for More is to remind you that your story has purpose, your voice has power, and your presence has impact in business and beyond.

You are qualified for more… and I can't wait to see what's ahead in Season 2.

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Today, I get to sit down with someone who has made us laugh until we cry and also taught us a thing or two about grit, faith, and chasing dreams that feel impossible. 🎤 You probably know her from her viral Nail Salon bit or her unforgettable Bon Qui Qui character, but what I admire most about Anjelah Johnson-Reyes is the story behind the laughter.

From NFL cheerleader to comedian, actress, and author, Anjelah has walked through seasons of rejection, waiting, and uncertainty and still leaned into the belief that she was qualified for more. And here's a fun connection: we both grew up in San Jose, California, and now call Tennessee home.

I can't wait for you to hear her wisdom, her humor, and her heart in today's episode.

✨ Connect with Anjelah: 🌐 Website: anjelah.com 📸 Instagram: @anjelahjohnson | @anjelahjohnsonreyes

🎧 Stay connected with me + the show: 📸 Podcast Instagram: @qualifiedformorepodcast 📸 My Instagram: @realityoflife02

Three-Time Cancer Survivor. Storyteller. Hope Dealer.

What happens when life knocks you down not once, not twice, but three times? For today's guest, the answer is resilience, courage, and the power of storytelling.

After surviving cancer three times, they found strength in the stories of unlikely heroes, people who faced impossible odds and still chose to rise. That spark became a mission.

Now, as a filmmaker and storyteller, they share narratives that remind us what's possible, even in the darkest chapters. Stories that equip others with strength, courage, and a defiant kind of hope.

As a leader, this conversation will encourage you to face your challenges with grit, vision, and renewed perspective—because sometimes the most powerful reminder we need is this: your story isn't over yet.

If you want to follow our host and hear more stories like this, connect with

Rhonda Velez

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Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by this guest are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, the podcast, or any organizations or companies with which they may be affiliated

In this powerful episode of Qualified For More, I sit down with Sabrina Gerzel to talk about the year that changed everything. For Sabrina, 2020 wasn't just a global shakeup; it was a personal awakening. After climbing the corporate ladder and being named Leader of the Year at SmileDirectClub, she found herself asking, Is this it?

What came next was a breaking open a moment that led her out of the corporate grind and into the nonprofit space, where she now pours her passion into purpose as a Campaign Development Manager at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

We dive into what it means to walk away from "safe and successful," how to lead from a place of purpose, and why sometimes our biggest pivots are born from our deepest disruptions.

This episode is for anyone who's ever felt the tug of something more, something deeper. Don't miss it.

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What happens when the dream changes, but your purpose doesn't?

In this episode, I sit down with Chantz Staden,tech recruiter, husband, father, and former college athlete whose football career ended with injury but launched something deeper. From California to Tennessee, Chantz has learned how to lead with integrity in both boardrooms and living rooms.

We talk about rebuilding after setbacks, navigating career transitions, and staying grounded in your identity when life doesn't go as planned. Chantz opens up about balancing ambition with presence and how he chooses intentionality over hustle culture.

This conversation is honest, relatable, and full of wisdom. If you've ever felt stuck between where you are and who you're becoming, this one's for you.

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Hey hey! On this episode of Qualified for More, I sat down with Austin Baker, founder of Sholder an organization that's flipping the script on how we support mental health in the workplace.

We discuss how Sholder is helping companies and brokers provide real, tangible mental health support, not just another EAP that goes unused. This isn't fluff or checkbox wellness. It's real people having real conversations. It's proactive support that changes lives—and cultures.

If you've ever wondered how to bring real mental health care to the table for your clients or your team, this one's for you. And let's be honest—after the last few years, we could all use a little more Sholder-ing. 👏

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Hey hey! On this episode of Qualified for More, we're talking about something most leaders weren't trained for—but need to understand: trauma responses in the workplace.

Before you roll your eyes and say, "I came for quota tips, not therapy," just listen.

Because when your brain thinks it's under attack, it doesn't care if it's a bear or your pipeline review, it reacts the same. That's not weakness, that's wiring.

I share real-life stories, practical mindset shifts for leaders, and how we can build sales cultures where humans feel safe and sell strong.

Let's stop asking "what's wrong with them?" and start getting curious.

When people feel seen, they show up differently.

🎧 Press play and let's grow together.

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You're in for a good one today, friends.

I got to sit down with Johnny Crowder, founder and CEO of Cope Notes, musician, and one of the most refreshingly real voices in the mental health space. And let me tell you, this isn't your average conversation about self-care.

Johnny's story is raw, layered, and incredibly inspiring. From battling OCD, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia as a teenager to stepping on stages and starting a company that sends mental health support straight to your phone, he's lived it, and he's using it to help others heal.

We talk about the power of small daily habits, why humor matters when life gets heavy, and how honesty with ourselves (even the messy parts) can be one of the most freeing things we do.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by your thoughts or like you're the only one going through something, this one's for you. Johnny brings the kind of honesty that makes you feel seen and the kind of hope that sticks.

🎧 Grab your coffee (or your tissues), you're going to want to hear this.

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