Start With A Win

In this mastermind episode of Start With a Win, bestselling author and trailblazing entrepreneur Candy Valentino joins Adam Contos in sharing a raw and riveting journey - from humble beginnings in a trailer to building and selling multiple thriving businesses. With hard-earned wisdom and unapologetic honesty, Candy breaks down the myths of modern entrepreneurship, challenges the glamorized “four-hour workweek” mindset, and reveals the truth about discipline, sacrifice, and resilience. If you’re ready to confront the real road to success - and unlock practical insights to elevate your financial future - this episode will shake your perspective and spark your ambition.

Candy Valentino is a highly sought-after expert in business leadership, finance and investing. Candy was born in a trailer on government assistance, but went on to build, scale and exit companies in service, retail, manufacturing and real estate investing. Her 26 years of business and finance experience, coupled with the way she breaks down and teaches complex business and finance topics, has earned her notable speaking engagements, viral video content, national media placement, and international recognition. She is the author of Wealth Habits, an instant Wall Street Journal Bestseller, and The 9% Edge.

00:00 Intro
02:30 This is here for you too… 
04:20 We have the ability to be hungry because we are this…
08:50 What should you look for as an entrepreneur? 
12:06 Key factor that will make a business fail!
16:35 This habit you weren’t taught is keeping you stuck! 
21:02 Make friends with this.
23:40 Shocking statement, need to relisten a few times to this! 
26:15 If I can control this…it will set up my day, week and even month.

https://www.candyvalentino.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCigB0JiMAnkyrN5auGcsVVA
https://www.facebook.com/candyvalentinoofficial/
https://www.instagram.com/candyvalentino/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/candyvalentino/
Book: https://9percentedge.com/

===========================
Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:📱 
===========================
YT ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@AdamContosCEO
Apple ➡︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-with-a-win/id1438598347
Spotify ➡︎ https://open.spotify.com/show/4w1qmb90KZOKoisbwj6cqT

===========================
Connect with Adam:
===========================
Website ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/
Facebook  ➡︎ https://facebook.com/AdamContosCEO
Twitter  ➡︎ https://twitter.com/AdamContosCEO
Instagram  ➡︎ https://instagram.com/adamcontosceo/

#adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

Your team isn’t overworked — they’re overwhelmed.
44% of employees say they feel stressed. But here’s the fix: stress drops fast when expectations are clear and communication is strong.

Ask your team one simple question this week: “What’s your number one priority?”
Then support them in it. Clarity creates capacity.

How are you making sure every person on your team knows what matters most this week?

⚡️FREE RESOURCE: 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘞𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱?  ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/myleadership
Want weekly leadership content? Go here ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com

===========================
Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:📱 
===========================
YT ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@AdamContosCEO
Apple ➡︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-with-a-win/id1438598347
Spotify ➡︎ https://open.spotify.com/show/4w1qmb90KZOKoisbwj6cqT

===========================
Connect with Adam:
===========================
Website ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/
Facebook  ➡︎ https://facebook.com/AdamContosCEO
Twitter  ➡︎ https://twitter.com/AdamContosCEO
Instagram  ➡︎ https://instagram.com/adamcontosceo/

#adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

In this powerful episode of Start With a Win, Adam Contos sits down with organizational psychologist Dr. Laura Gallaher to uncover the surprising root of leadership stress and how radical self-acceptance plays a transformative role in professional growth. With decades of experience helping elite organizations—from NASA to Fortune 500 companies—Dr. Laura challenges conventional thinking around chaos, culture, and control. This conversation is an eye-opening exploration of how leaders unintentionally undermine psychological safety, and how understanding the science behind self-awareness can revolutionize the way we lead and live. Tune in to discover how to detox leadership overwhelm and elevate your impact—this one will stick with you long after the credits roll.

Dr. Laura Gallaher is a professional speaker and organizational psychologist who inspires driven self-starters to transform their relationship with themselves and accomplish more than ever. She combines insights on radical self-acceptance with humor to create a unique connection with her audience. Despite being a national best-selling author, Dr. Laura stands out from the typical "academic" personality of her PhD peers. Her notable achievements include being hired by NASA to reshape organizational culture after the Columbia accident, leading significant changes in performance management at Disney, and inspiring Yahoo’s global teams to pursue transformation from within.

00:00 Intro
02:35 Can culture blow up a company? 
03:50 Can leaders bully employees intellectually?
06:15 Do defense mechanisms have an impact on the team?
08:01 Is stress a choice? First choice is what story…
10:35 Ability to set boundaries, is a way to reinforce this! 
14:45 Instead of judging yourself, how can you do this… 
17:30 How can leaders get better at growing together?
20:47 How to break free of this judgement pattern? 
25:55 Moving my body with this is how I start my day with a win!    

Dr. Laura's Links:
linkedin.com/in/laura-gallaher-phd
drlauragallaher.com
selfacceptancequiz.com
         
===========================
Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:📱 
===========================
YT ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@AdamContosCEO
Apple ➡︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-with-a-win/id1438598347
Spotify ➡︎ https://open.spotify.com/show/4w1qmb90KZOKoisbwj6cqT

===========================
Connect with Adam:
===========================
Website ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/
Facebook  ➡︎ https://facebook.com/AdamContosCEO
Twitter  ➡︎ https://twitter.com/AdamContosCEO
Instagram  ➡︎ https://instagram.com/adamcontosceo/

#adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

In this insightful episode of Start With a Win, host Adam Contos welcomes leadership advisor and author Tony Martignetti for a deeply human conversation on unlocking true leadership potential. With a compelling mix of personal storytelling, artistic reflection, and seasoned business insight, Tony peels back the layers of what makes a leader truly impactful. From his unexpected path to leadership to the emotional undercurrents of the three C’s in his book, this episode dives beneath surface-level strategy into the heart of authentic influence. If you're ready to rethink what it means to lead—and to lead well—this conversation will challenge and inspire you in unexpected ways.

Tony Martignetti is a trusted advisor, coach, experience creator, author, podcast host, and speaker. He brings together over 25 years of business and management experience, formal training, and extreme curiosity to elevate leaders and equip them with the tools to navigate through change and unlock their true potential. He loves guiding people to find clarity in their lives, so they are energized, fully present, and unstoppable. When leaders unlock their potential and lead from a place of inspired purpose, they impact and inspire everyone around them. He has dedicated himself to helping people live inspired lives.

00:00 Intro
01:40 Forcing yourself into a role that doesn't fit you?
04:55 My guests shared with me a gift, so I needed to pass them on!
06:06 Why does the brain remember things in threes or fives, the three C’s?
12:40 The biggest failure in leadership today!  
15:34 Ability to expand our attention span is not possible.  
17:52 Why are leaders hiding? 
23:19 Leadership wisdom….
25:05 Sharpen your saw…  

https://www.ipurposepartners.com/
https://linktr.ee/inspiredcoach
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonymartignett1/

===========================
Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:📱 
===========================
YT ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@AdamContosCEO
Apple ➡︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-with-a-win/id1438598347
Spotify ➡︎ https://open.spotify.com/show/4w1qmb90KZOKoisbwj6cqT

===========================
Connect with Adam:
===========================
Website ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/
Facebook  ➡︎ https://facebook.com/AdamContosCEO
Twitter  ➡︎ https://twitter.com/AdamContosCEO
Instagram  ➡︎ https://instagram.com/adamcontosceo/

#adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

Your most important customer isn’t external — it’s your team.
If your employees don’t feel valued, supported, or seen, it’s only a matter of time before that shows up in your customer experience.

Engaged employees are 21% more productive and 22% more profitable.
Map their journey just like you would for your clients — from onboarding to ongoing development.

How are you designing your employee experience with the same care as your customer experience?

⚡️FREE RESOURCE: 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘞𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱?  ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/myleadership
Want weekly leadership content? Go here ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com

===========================
Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:📱 
===========================
YT ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@AdamContosCEO
Apple ➡︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-with-a-win/id1438598347
Spotify ➡︎ https://open.spotify.com/show/4w1qmb90KZOKoisbwj6cqT

===========================
Connect with Adam:
===========================
Website ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/
Facebook  ➡︎ https://facebook.com/AdamContosCEO
Twitter  ➡︎ https://twitter.com/AdamContosCEO
Instagram  ➡︎ https://instagram.com/adamcontosceo/

#adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

Middle managers are often the most underdeveloped layer in your business — and it’s costing you.
42% of employee exits could’ve been prevented with better management.

We train the front line. We invest in executives. But we leave managers to figure it out alone.
Spend 30 minutes this week mentoring a manager — not to fix them, but to equip them.

How are you intentionally developing your managers right now?

===========================
Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:📱 
===========================
YT ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@AdamContosCEO
Apple ➡︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-with-a-win/id1438598347
Spotify ➡︎ https://open.spotify.com/show/4w1qmb90KZOKoisbwj6cqT

===========================
Connect with Adam:
===========================
Website ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/
Facebook  ➡︎ https://facebook.com/AdamContosCEO
Twitter  ➡︎ https://twitter.com/AdamContosCEO
Instagram  ➡︎ https://instagram.com/adamcontosceo/

#adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

In this episode of Start With a Win, host Adam Contos welcomes leadership expert and combat veteran Mike Erwin for a compelling conversation on what truly separates great leaders from failing ones—often without them even realizing it. With a rich background spanning military service, Fortune 500 consulting, and in-depth research on leadership psychology, Mike dives into the game-changing power of relationships in leadership. He challenges the transactional mindset, emphasizing the need for connection, the a word no one wants to talk about, and setting the bar high to unlock untapped potential. Packed with real-world stories and powerful insights, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to elevate their leadership game and build stronger, more resilient teams.

Mike Erwin is a dedicated leader and founder of The Character & Leadership Center, working with organizations like Amazon, the Boston Celtics, and the U.S. military. He co-authored Lead Yourself First and Leadership is a Relationship, emphasizing solitude and relational leadership. A West Point graduate and former Army Intelligence Officer, Mike served in three combat tours, earning two Bronze Star Medals. He also founded Team Red, White & Blue, supporting veterans’ health, and co-founded the Positivity Project, which reaches over 500,000 children daily. Mike continues to serve as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserves.

00:00 Intro
02:15 Four intense years of leadership!
03:59 Leadership, is it a relationship?
06:35 Leadership is not this, management can be.
08:15 The big A word!
11:19 Can you get over the high bar? 
13:40 The T word and being consistent with it!
18:25 Dueling Pianos?
22:32 Massive leadership impact…
27:01 I thank this person and straight into this… 

https://characterleadership.center/

===========================
Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:📱 
===========================
YT ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@AdamContosCEO
Apple ➡︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-with-a-win/id1438598347
Spotify ➡︎ https://open.spotify.com/show/4w1qmb90KZOKoisbwj6cqT

===========================
Connect with Adam:
===========================
Website ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/
Facebook  ➡︎ https://facebook.com/AdamContosCEO
Twitter  ➡︎ https://twitter.com/AdamContosCEO
Instagram  ➡︎ https://instagram.com/adamcontosceo/

#adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

Remote work didn’t break your culture — silence did.
Only 28% of fully remote employees feel connected to their company’s mission. That’s not just a gap. That’s a fracture.

Start every virtual meeting by connecting the agenda to a greater purpose.
Remind your team who they’re serving — not just what they’re doing.
People don’t need more tasks. They need more meaning.

⚡️FREE RESOURCE: 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘞𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱?  ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/myleadership
Want weekly leadership content? Go here ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com

===========================
Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:📱 
===========================
YT ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@AdamContosCEO
Apple ➡︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-with-a-win/id1438598347
Spotify ➡︎ https://open.spotify.com/show/4w1qmb90KZOKoisbwj6cqT

===========================
Connect with Adam:
===========================
Website ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/
Facebook  ➡︎ https://facebook.com/AdamContosCEO
Twitter  ➡︎ https://twitter.com/AdamContosCEO
Instagram  ➡︎ https://instagram.com/adamcontosceo/

#adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

Recognition isn’t optional — it’s essential.
The most powerful leadership tool you have costs nothing, but most leaders were never taught how to use it.

Organizations that prioritize recognition save millions in turnover. And it starts with one sentence.
Tell someone what they did that made a difference — and why it mattered.

⚡️FREE RESOURCE: 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘞𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱?  ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/myleadership
Want weekly leadership content? Go here ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com

===========================
Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:📱 
===========================
YT ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@AdamContosCEO
Apple ➡︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-with-a-win/id1438598347
Spotify ➡︎ https://open.spotify.com/show/4w1qmb90KZOKoisbwj6cqT

===========================
Connect with Adam:
===========================
Website ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/
Facebook  ➡︎ https://facebook.com/AdamContosCEO
Twitter  ➡︎ https://twitter.com/AdamContosCEO
Instagram  ➡︎ https://instagram.com/adamcontosceo/

#adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

In this electrifying episode of Start With a Win, Adam Contos sits down with three-time Emmy Award-winning sports broadcaster, keynote speaker, and author Anne Marie Anderson. With decades of experience covering the world’s biggest sporting events, Anne Marie shares hard-earned wisdom on high performance, resilience, and the bold risks that separate top achievers from the rest. From her nerve-wracking first time on live television to redefining failure as nothing more than data, she unveils the secrets behind audacity—the key to unlocking true success. If you’ve ever wrestled with fear, self-doubt, or the weight of public opinion, this conversation is your roadmap to stepping into your most courageous self. Don’t miss this inspiring deep dive into what it takes to win—on and off the field.

Anne Marie Anderson is a three-time Emmy Award-winning broadcaster, keynote speaker, and author. Starting her career at ESPN, she gained unparalleled access to the boardrooms and locker rooms of elite sports franchises, observing the bold decision-making of top coaches, athletes, and executives. Applying these lessons to her own life, she became one of the most experienced female play-by-play announcers in the country. In Cultivating Audacity, she shares her system for overcoming hesitation and breaking barriers to create the life you want. A sought-after keynote speaker and emcee, Anne Marie captivates audiences with her powerful storytelling, blending humor and heart.

00:00 Intro
02:40 Why write a book on this topic?
03:45 Difference between that and confidence!
06:40 What can we learn from athletes!
10:20 Four barriers…
14:45 Another barrier…
18:30 Last two barriers…
20:45 Everything can wait this amount of time to do what you want to do!
21:40 Most important part of this book is this! 
25:09 Don’t hear no hear this… 
28:10 Don’t let the smallest saying change your world!
31:58 The simplest thing…

https://annemarieanderson.com/ 
https://annemarieanderson.com/book/ 
https://www.instagram.com/annemarieandersontv/

===========================
Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:📱 
===========================
YT ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@AdamContosCEO
Apple ➡︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-with-a-win/id1438598347
Spotify ➡︎ https://open.spotify.com/show/4w1qmb90KZOKoisbwj6cqT

===========================
Connect with Adam:
===========================
Website ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/
Facebook  ➡︎ https://facebook.com/AdamContosCEO
Twitter  ➡︎ https://twitter.com/AdamContosCEO
Instagram  ➡︎ https://instagram.com/adamcontosceo/

#adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory