No polish. No pretending.
Just real stories and real people showing up.
This is Real with Rocky.
See you next week.

In this episode, Rocky sits down with entrepreneur and designer Matt Marciante for a raw conversation about ambition, pride, and the hidden costs of doing everything alone. They unpack the underdog identity, why survival mode eventually breaks down, and what it really takes to build something sustainable. This episode challenges the idea that struggle equals success and invites leaders to rethink how they win.

Episode Highlights:

. Why the underdog mindset can quietly give us an excuse to lose.

. The difference between surviving and actually competing to win.

. How pride can disguise itself as loyalty, grit, or self-reliance.

. Why building with “scrappy” teams eventually raises the personal cost.

. Letting go of doing everything yourself without losing your edge.

. Learning to ask for help and trusting both yes and no as valid answers.

. Shifting from proving you can to building something that lasts.

Get To Know Our Guest:

Matt Marciante is an entrepreneur, leather maker, and designer who builds products and brands with the same philosophy: quality first, no unnecessary noise. Through Marciante and Company and Mission Leather Co, he designs and produces handcrafted leather goods rooted in timeless design, ethical sourcing, and practical function. As the founder of Pretty Decent Marketing, he brings that same hands-on mindset to marketing...creating clear, honest systems that turn attention into sales without the fluff. His work helps brands, creators, and small businesses grow through thoughtful design, strong storytelling, and marketing that actually works.

Resources Mentioned. Pretty Decent Marketing - https://prettydecent.site/.

Marciante & Company - https://marcianteandco.com/.

Mission Leather Co - https://missionleatherco.com/.

Join Rocky’s Live Leadership Training - https://www.rockygarza.com/confidence

In this candid conversation, Rocky and Temi unpack the unseen emotional weight many fathers and creatives carry but rarely name out loud. From dad guilt to under-belief to the pressure to be everything for everyone, Temi opens up about the internal battles shaping his identity as a husband, father, and artist. This episode invites listeners to reflect on what they’re chasing, what they’re avoiding, and what it really means to be human. A powerful dialogue for anyone navigating responsibility, creativity, and self-worth.

Episode Highlights:

Why many fathers feel Dad guilt but struggle to talk about it openly. . How overthinking often masks deeper patterns of under-belief. . The tension between being needed and being wanted in marriage and parenting. . The danger of defining your worth by being “the problem-solver.” . How comparison steals joy from creative and family life. . Rewriting internal soundtracks and choosing human things over hard things. . The power of trusting the people who actually love you. . Seeing yourself as complete today, not someone who needs to be fixed tomorrow.

Get To Know Our Guest:

Temi Coker is a Designer and Art Director who layers his Nigerian heritage through bold colors, patterns, dimensions, and textures. He creates powerful visual experiences through wearable art, art prints, and creative campaigns that help people feel seen, connected, and represented. His work challenges beauty standards and reflects a growing cultural movement. His mission is to make space for every person to discover their creative voice.

Website: www.temicoker.co | shop.temicoker.co

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/temiloluwacoker/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/temi.coker/?hl=en

Resources Mentioned:

Soundtracks by Jon Acuff.

Temi Coker – www.temicoker.co.

Temi’s Shop – shop.temicoker.co

Join Rocky for a live leadership training at the end of the month by RSVPing at rockygarza.com/confident.

Short Summary:

In this conversation, Rocky and clothing designer Crespatrick de los Reyes explore the tension between creativity, obedience, and the pressure to “make it” on someone else’s timeline. This episode digs into the lies creatives believe about success and the fear of losing themselves in the pursuit of profit. If you've ever wondered whether you can honor your craft without sacrificing your humanity, this one will hit home.

Episode Highlights:

Why timelines aren’t the real enemy...our stories about them are.. The difference between protecting your creativity and propelling your creativity.. How comparison and rushing quietly sabotage the creative process.. The human thing vs. the hard thing: a new way to navigate responsibility.. Why obedience, peace, and purpose may be the gateway to true profitability.. The lie most creatives believe when facing financial pressure.. What changes when you stop selling yourself short and start telling the truth.

Get To Know Our Guest:

Crespatrick de los Reyes is a Filipino American clothing designer specializing in upcycling denim fabrics to create collections for his brand Crescente Patricio. Having graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, Crespatrick's journey has taken him through various parts of the fashion industry to eventually lead him to designing for a denim start up which paved the way for starting his brand in 2017. By way of Los Angeles, Crespatrick and his brand are now based out of Dallas, TX where the brand has really found its roots. Crespatrick draws inspiration from his Filipino American heritage to tell stories through his pieces that are designed to feel Different yet Familiar.

Websites: www.cpatricio.com | www.crespatrick.com

Social: @crespatrick_dlr @crescente.patricio

Resources Mentioned . Join Rocky for the Live Leadership Training – https://www.rockygarza.com/confident

Helen Morrison on Leading with Love and Legacy

When you step into a fifth-generation business, change takes courage—and heart. In this episode, newly appointed Frownies President and CEO Helen Morrison joins Rocky to talk about leadership, legacy, and what it means to rebuild culture from the inside out. This conversation explores how love, authenticity, and consistency can transform the way we lead.

Episode Highlights

. Why leadership starts with service, not status.

. How Helen is redefining success as Frownies’ new CEO.

. The power of believing in yourself when no one else does.

. Breaking old patterns and “questioning the unquestionable” in legacy businesses.

. How positive self-talk and gratitude fuel confidence.

. Why building people always builds the business.

Get To Know Our Guest

Helen Morrison is a devoted wife and mom of two, a longtime yoga instructor, and the proud torchbearer of a five-generation family legacy at Frownies. She has spent the past several years shaping the creative vision of the brand as its content creator, branding director, and face of the company. In September 2025, Helen was appointed President and CEO, carrying forward Frownies’ 130+ year history into a new era of growth and innovation.

Her 17 years of experience as a yoga instructor reflect her deep commitment to health and wellness, a passion that runs through every aspect of her life. That same dedication drives her leadership at Frownies, where she builds on the company’s legacy while steering it toward innovation and growth for the future.

At the heart of Helen’s work is her true calling: encouraging and uplifting others. With warmth and authenticity, she strives to instill love, confidence, and a sense of community. Her journey transcends building a successful brand; it’s about leaving a positive impact on the lives of those she touches.

. Frownies Website – http://frownies.com

. Frownies Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/frownies

. Helen's Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/helenkmorrison

. Frownies TikTok & Shop – https://www.tiktok.com/@frowniesfamily

Resources Mentioned

. Join Rocky’s Live Leadership Training – https://www.rockygarza.com/confident

What if being the hero is what’s burning you out—and being human is what sets you free? Rocky and event planner Hunter Orcutt unpack the tension of business, marriage, and motherhood, and why “best” is a trap while “truest” is a path. This conversation matters if you lead others, carry high expectations, or feel stuck in people-pleasing cycles. Listen in to reframe confidence, hard conversations, and the next 12 months of your life.

Episode Highlights

. Replace best with truest to escape perfectionism and show up as yourself.

. Confidence is the belief something is good; certainty is outcome-obsessed.

. Human beats hero: service without self-erasure.

. Time triage for leaders who are also partners and parents.

. Let them—and then learn to let you for the next 12 months.

. How to have hard conversations and resist performative follow-ups.

. Reframing guilt loops around texts, emails, and admin overwhelm.

. Parenting as proof: your kids often see “best” when you live “truest.”

Get To Know Our Guest

Hunter Orcutt is the founder of Hunter Orcutt Events, a leading event-planning company known for creating intentional, elegant, and deeply personal celebrations. As an entrepreneur, wife, and mother, Hunter’s life reflects resilience, faith, and grace. Her journey has shaped her heart for helping others hold on to hope. She believes that no matter how hard the season, everything is going to be okay.

Website: hunterorcutt.co

Business Instagram: @hunterorcuttevents

Personal Instagram: @theorcutts

Resources Mentioned

. Join Rocky’s Live Leadership Training – https://www.rockygarza.com/confidence

. Mel Robbins – https://melrobbins.com

Why This Conversation Matters

In this episode, Rocky and Najee Ward get honest about the ache between clarity and reality—the space where ambition meets responsibility. They explore how to pursue fulfillment, purpose, and impact without turning urgency into an emergency. You’ll hear practical reframes and mindset shifts for moving from “grieving the gap” to taking the next step with courage.

Episode Highlights

. Trade the gap for steps and measure progress by action, not arrival.

. Hold urgency without treating your dreams like an emergency.

. Ask for help boldly and stop carrying other people’s reactions.

. Differentiate destination from vehicle so you build the right path.

. Build your methodology now; iteration beats waiting for perfect timing.

. Reclaim metrics: impact over optics, practice over perfection.

. Count your steps forward to reduce anxiety and increase momentum.

Get To Know Our Guest

Najee Ward is a Senior Product Manager at a leading investment firm, where he’s led multimillion-dollar initiatives that shape how clients experience financial advice. Beyond corporate life, Najee is the founder of Divergent Dreams Co., an emerging creative platform and community purposed to help dreamers align their ideas, purpose, and impact. He’s the host and founder of the Divergent Dreamer podcast and publication, where he blends reflections, strategy, and storytelling. His work empowers people to live fulfilled lives marked by clarity, alignment, and impact. Najee lives in Dallas with his wife, two young children, and a growing jungle of plants.

Website: divergentdreams.co

Instagram: instagram.com/najrashad

Instagram (Divergent Dreams Co.): instagram.com/divergentdreamsco

Threads: threads.net/@najrashad

TikTok: tiktok.com/@najrashad

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/najee-ward-44946270

Resources Mentioned

. Divergent Dreams Co. – https://divergentdreams.co

. Rocky’s Live Leadership Training – https://www.rockygarza.com/confidence

Why This Conversation Matters

In Part 2 of Rocky’s conversation with Lydia Turner, they dive deeper into what it means to lead from a place of overflow rather than sacrifice. Lydia shares her journey of finding confidence in her body, her faith, and her purpose—and how that transformation has shaped the way she helps women today. This episode challenges you to think about where your strength truly comes from and what it looks like to live in alignment with your identity.

Episode Highlights

. Why sacrifice isn’t the same as service and how overflow transforms leadership.

. The role of faith in building lasting confidence and self-worth.

. How to recognize when you’re leading from emptiness versus abundance.

. Lydia’s personal story of overcoming insecurity through faith and health.

. Practical ways to align your body, mind, and spirit as a leader.

Get To Know Our Guest

Lydia is a 5x certified personal trainer based in Dallas, Texas, with a passion for empowering women to live confidently in their God-given bodies. With a background as a strength and conditioning coach and hundreds of women coached, she specializes in helping women build sustainable health habits rooted in faith. Originally on track to become a Doctor of Physical Therapy, the Lord called her to step into her true purpose as a Faith-based wellness coach.

Having grown up overweight and struggling with cycles of insecurity, fear, and a pursuit of approval, Lydia understands the challenges of feeling like food things aren’t meant for you. Her turning point came in 2023, when she gave her life to Christ and found her true identity and purpose. Now, as a faith-centered coach, her mission is to help women transform their lives by embracing their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit, finding strength in Christ, and living with confidence.

Instagram: @Lydiairenee

TikTok: @Lydiairenee

Community: @faithandfitness.co

Website: Lydiairenee.com

Resources Mentioned

. Join Rocky for a live leadership training at the end of the month by RSVPing at rockygarza.com/confident

Why This Conversation Matters

Rocky and Lydia Turner unpack the real tension leaders feel between resting in identity and striving for results. Lydia shares her shift from hustle-at-all-costs to faith-centered action, and Rocky reframes “balance” as a healthier daily tension we can live inside. If you’ve ever wrestled with pace, purpose, and pressure, this part-one conversation will meet you right where you are.

Episode Highlights

. Replace balance with tension so both faith and effort can fully matter.

. Rest isn’t inactivity; it’s identity—your value is not your performance.

. Striving, discipline, and consistency aren’t bad; they just shouldn’t live in isolation.

. Reframe outcomes: show up with everything you have today, whether it’s 315 or 135.

. Faith is for uncertainty—keep moving your feet while you pray.

. Chase your legacy first, then let your actions align with it daily.

. Learn to pause: results matter, but they don’t define your worth.

Get To Know Our Guest

Lydia is a 5x certified personal trainer based in Dallas, Texas, with a passion for empowering women to live confidently in their God-given bodies. With a background as a strength and conditioning coach and hundreds of women coached, she specializes in helping women build sustainable health habits rooted in faith. Originally on track to become a Doctor of Physical Therapy, the Lord called her to step into her true purpose as a Faith-based wellness coach.

Having grown up overweight and struggling with cycles of insecurity, fear, and a pursuit of approval, Lydia understands the challenges of feeling like food things aren’t meant for you. Her turning point came in 2023, when she gave her life to Christ and found her true identity and purpose. Now, as a faith-centered coach, her mission is to help women transform their lives by embracing their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit, finding strength in Christ, and living with confidence.

Lydia’s Instagram: @Lydiairenee

Lydia’s TikTok: @Lydiairenee

Lydia’s Community Organization: @faithandfitness.co

For 1-1 Online Coaching and Lydia’s information, visit her website Lydiairenee.com

Resources Mentioned

. Rocky’s Live Leadership Training – https://www.rockygarza.com/confidence

Stop Comparing, Start Becoming

In Part 2, we go deeper into identity, purpose, and the difference between arrival and becoming. Brandon and Rocky unpack strength, sensitivity, and the courage to choose yourself when the metrics disappear. This is a candid look at letting go of comparison and building a life you’re proud to lead—at home first.

Episode Highlights

. Define your dream after the dream ends, and why that matters now.

. Arrival is temporary, fulfillment lives in the journey you choose daily.

. Redefining strong: sensitivity, honesty, and letting the guard down at home.

. The trap of chasing pride from strangers instead of love from your people.

. A powerful reframe: future vision, present position, past posture.

. Why comparison to your former self will exhaust you and how to stop.

. The “choose you” challenge every parent and partner needs to hear.

. Becoming over arriving: the next 10 miles are yours to design.

Get To Know Our Guest

Brandon Finnegan is from Fort Worth, Texas, and played college baseball at TCU before being selected in the first round, 17th overall, of the 2014 MLB Draft by the Kansas City Royals. He is the first and only player to ever compete in both the College World Series and the Major League World Series in the same year. In 2015, Finnegan was traded to the Cincinnati Reds at the trade deadline, where he remained in the big leagues through mid-2018 before continuing his career in AAA with the Reds through 2021. He later spent 2022–2023 in AAA with the Chicago White Sox and concluded his professional career in independent baseball with the Kansas City Monarchs, winning a championship with the team.

Following his baseball career, Finnegan joined Go To Green, a gunshot detection company that provides innovative pathways to safety in unpredictable, disastrous situations and saves as many lives as possible. He lives in Keller, Texas, with his wife and their 4-year-old son.

Follow Brandon

Brandon’s Instagram: @finny29

Brandon’s X: bfinny29

Resources Mentioned

Join Rocky for a live leadership training at the end of this month - rockygarza.com/confidence