Schooling Struggle

schoolingstrugglepodcast@gmail .com

Pete shares his personal list of 10 daily goals that help him stay focused, productive, and aligned with his purpose. He walks through each goal, explaining the reasoning behind it and how it fits into a balanced, intentional lifestyle. Listeners are encouraged to use these examples as motivation to create their own personalized set of daily goals. Pete's hope is that by the end of this episode, listeners will have a framework to design a daily routine that supports their growth and well-being.

In this relatable episode, Pete & Brian host Brian's son Andy to tackle society’s obsession with comfort and how it blinds us from the growth that comes through discomfort and struggle. They dive into the reality behind social media facades, exposing the pressure to appear perfect while silently battling financial and emotional challenges. Andy Fortier shares his honest journey through barber school, broke meals, and finding community support while grinding through real-world adversity. We included the story about a 10-year-old's crushed birthday dreams becomes a powerful metaphor for life’s hard but necessary lessons in resilience. This episode is a reminder that fulfillment doesn’t come from ease—it comes from the hustle, the hard days, and the courage to ask for help (even when it’s the hardest thing to do).

Please reach out to Pete to be put on the Schooling Struggle Podcast Newsletter or with any other feedback: [email protected]

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🛑 Worst advice? “You have to do it alone.” Dr. Bill calls out the toxic individualism that says asking for help is weakness. Spoiler: collaboration is where the magic happens!

🙈 “Never admit you don’t know something.” Todd shares how this workplace gem led to more stress than success. Embracing “I don’t know” opens doors to learning.

🚫 “Don’t act unless you’re 100% sure.” Pete reflects on how waiting for certainty stalled big life decisions like proposing or buying a home. Sometimes, you just gotta leap.

🌟 Best advice? “Don’t get attached to the outcome.” Dr. Bill’s game-changer from his early days in psychology reminds us to focus on the process, not just the endgame.

💬 “The truth will set you free.” Todd’s all about owning your truth, even when it’s messy—it’s the key to real freedom.

❤️ Prioritize relationships above all. Pete drops wisdom from a Harvard study: your closest connections in middle age predict lifelong health and happiness.

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In this episode Todd returns to the mic! He and Pete cover a range of topics such as strategic weekly food prep techniques, the benefits of consuming less (or no) alcohol, and the reward ing feeling that results from "starting at the bottom and working up." Another fun and thoughtful conversation coming your way right here!

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Rory Salzano joins the show to give the listeners a real time update on the doings of her life. In this episode she and Pete crack into a series of listener questions covering topics from recent lessons learned the hard way to finding one's authentic self. Then of course Pete can't refrain from finishing up with a quick convo about spending less money on fast food! It is very cool to see Rory grow and learn how to better navigate life's struggles as we continue to follow her personal journey. Enjoy!

Pete & Doug bring another episode featuring Micro-Habits: Small steps we can make consistently over time to yield a massive positive impact on ourselves.

This time they discuss the detriments of processed sugar consumption and small changes one can make to eat a bit cleaner.

The latest research on the negative impacts of processed sugar is staggering.

🕰️ Time is tricky. Pete opens up about craving unscheduled time but filling it with “should-dos” like recording this podcast—anyone else guilty of overpacking their schedule?

🤝 Connection is everything. From chats with students to helping others grow, Pete’s learning that purpose comes from helping others become their best selves.

🛠️ Small steps, big wins. Whether it’s life coaching or personal goals, breaking things down into tiny, doable steps is the secret sauce to progress.

💡 Chase what you love. Pete’s journey from snowboarder to teacher to life coach shows how following your passion can open unexpected doors.

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🕰️ Time is tricky. Pete opens up about craving unscheduled time but filling it with “should-dos” like recording this podcast—anyone else guilty of overpacking their schedule?

- Connection is everything. From chats with students to helping others grow, Pete’s learning that purpose comes from helping others become their best selves.

- Small steps, big wins. Whether it’s life coaching or personal goals, breaking things down into tiny, doable steps is the secret sauce to progress.

- Chase what you love. Pete’s journey from snowboarder to teacher to life coach shows how following your passion can open unexpected doors.

[email protected]

🌧️ Pete’s wild Ecuador story: 7 hours stuck on a mountain with 20 students, hail, and pickup truck rescues!
🧠 Mental strength = focusing on what you can control and letting go of what you can’t.
💪 Treat your mind like a muscle—train it daily with challenges, mindfulness, and positive habits.
🌞 Brian’s tip: Start with sleep, exercise, and healthy eating to boost your mindset.

schoolingstrugglepodcast @gmail.com

In this episode Pete chats with Gene Soboleski, aka Big Zig, a hospice nurse, photographer, and passionate member of his community. They dive into the powerful lessons Zig has learned from working with people at the end of their life, exploring themes of self-awareness, living in the moment, and the importance of cherishing relationships. Zig opens up about how he balances his demanding nursing career with his love for photography, sharing the challenges and rewards of pursuing passions while juggling family and responsibilities. The conversation dives into how BigZig’s photography has become more than just a hobby, but a fulfilling way to connect with the community, especially the kids, during their most pivotal moments. The episode also reflects on the importance of prioritizing passions and balancing the “must-dos” with the “can-dos” in life, encouraging listeners to chase what truly brings them joy. Tune in for a deep conversation on embracing life's struggles and finding meaning in the moments we have.

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In this solo episode, Pete reflects on how, like a ship adjusting its sails, we can't control everything in life but can focus on what we can impact. Pete emphasizes the importance of steering away from negative influences, such as social drama, and avoiding failures by making mindful choices. He also discusses how consistency, rather than perfection, is key to progress in all aspects of life, including fitness, mindset, and nutrition. By focusing on small, consistent actions, we can create momentum and see progress, even if it's slow. The episode concludes with a reminder to keep moving forward with micro-habits and small steps to consistently move closer to the person each of us desires to be.