Strength Through The Struggle

Filip Valica was born in communist Czechoslovakia. When he was 5, his mother decided it would be better to leave the country than stay in communist circumstances. Their family was granted a temporary, "health-related" leave on the condition that a family member was left behind. Filip's parents were on the brink of divorce as it was, so he and his mother left his father behind as they fled to Greece. They were in Greece for two years while awaiting paperwork to come to America.

While in Greece, he and his mother shared a one bedroom apartment with 2 other families. He had always been filled with a sense of wonder. Filip found an old toy missing an axle in the trash can. He fixed it with an oversized screw to create a new (to him) toy that came with him everywhere. This moment was formative in Filip's life.

Filip and his mother first landed in Goshen, Indiana, where they were sponsored by a farming family. His mother then found work in Houston, where they still live today. Filip went to college and studied mechanical engineering. He found a great job, but was recently laid off. When his daughter was born he was hit with the realization that he had been focusing on the wrong things. Filip's wife had some complications during post pregnancy, so while he was tending to his daughter at night he wrote content for his site and launched a podcast. He's been able to put all his creative focus on what's within him. Filip now works on building his own business.

Filip's take away is this: you create your own opportunity if you put in the work.

MeshBanga grew up in Richmond, California - a dangerous neighborhood plagued with drugs and violence. She had loving parents who kept her as safe as possible, often keeping her inside when they knew it would be unsafe outside. Her extended family was not as lucky. She had cousins turn to prostitution and drugs early in life.

Despite the struggles of the area, MeshBanga found music. Her purpose is trying to help the younger generation - especially young females - realize they aren't destined to the life they're born into. She boldly declares it's your choice to stay, so choose to be better.

Larry Hagner was adopted by his step-father when he was a young boy. Everyone who knew Larry's father knew he was a good man, but he had a drinking problem that turned him from Bruce Banner into the Hulk. Larry's mother, also a heavy drinker, divorced this man when Larry was 10. At age 12 he met his biological father, but that relationship didn't continue. Every father figure from that point was just as toxic. When Larry became a father at age 30, he didn't know what to do. He struggled with being a dad until his wife called him out on it about 5 years later.

From this "Jerry McGuire" moment, The Good Dad Project was born.

In this episode, Larry and Mark talk about why men have a hard time letting others in, the importance of communication, and how a strong woman can be a man's biggest support. Larry now runs a Facebook group, podcast, mastermind, and website supporting dads around the world.

Tim Matthews never believed he was good enough. After an incident with his father when he was 7 years old, Tim chose the belief that he wasn't worthy or good enough of anything. This belief led him down a path filled with stress, struggle, and sacrifice. Despite this belief, he still aimed for success as an entrepreneur. After University he found personal training, and through that process found a pregnant women weren't getting the same attention as his other patrons. This led him to build Fitness for Mom.

Despite a positive business, Tim knew in his gut he was in a bad way. The problem was, he didn't know how to get out. He was engaged to the wrong person, had bad business deals, and was not making much money. He attributes this to pushing his own inner voice down. In his words, he was adding flaws to buildings with crumbling foundations.

The pivot point was when he realized his parents were about to drop £15,000 as a deposit for his upcoming wedding. He knew he couldn't, in good faith, let them go through with it. In this moment, he cut everything out of his life. He called off the wedding, canceled upcoming business deals, and developed a new mantra: Follow your Feelings.

Tim Matthews now runs a program called The Powerful Man, focusing on building up men in all aspects of life, including business. His health, relationships, and wealth are all flowing positively and freely.

Thomas Clifford is a man on a mission. He is a father and a martial artist. Thomas grew up with a blessed life. As he puts it, it's not the kind of story that makes people want to stop and listen. When you peel back the layers, though, you'll find Thomas's story is one that keeps you completely enthralled.

Thomas's grandfather was deeply involved in organized crime. Thomas grew up believing his grandfather had been killed in a car accident, only to learn later he had been murdered. Thomas' father strived to be the exact opposite of his father - he was a Marine in WWII, storming the beaches at Okinawa, and later became a cop in New York City for 33 years. Following his retirement, Thomas' father was diagnosed with ALS. It was at the time of this diagnosis that his father opened up and shared many family secrets that had been hidden along the way.

Listen to this incredible episode as Mark and Thomas discuss forgiveness, meaning in life and death, fatherhood, and how love is the most powerful force in the universe.

Matt Trainer had everything. An "average" life to him included a home on the beach, partying in Dubai, and being hungover every day. However, everything came to a head after Wake Up Warrior, which has been mentioned on our show by several guests. As Matt puts it, Warrior inspired him to change his world, and the Universe decided to test him. He went from major success with a company to dealing with a major law suit. In the middle of the law suit, Matt went to the doctor and learned he had a major tumor in his stomach that had to be removed immediately. A few weeks after the surgery, El Niño hit and his home and underground garage - including a Lamborghini and Mercedes - flooded.

Despite the storm, both literal and metaphorical, that hit him, Matt found himself grateful for everything he did have. Without question, he'd do it all again. He's now writing a book about his journey in the hopes that it will help others through their struggles.

Brian Holmes grew up in a strong family and church environment. In spite of the strong culture of faith, at 11 years old he was sexually molested by a 19 year old woman in his home. He was also introduced to pornography at the same time by the same woman and her boyfriend. Brian grew up in a "never mess up" kind of culture which encouraged anything negative to be hidden. He didn't tell anyone - including his own parents - about being molested for 22 years. After his father's death, multiple considerations of suicide, and a catastrophic decade of marriage, Brian finally decided to get help.

Since that time, Brian's focus has been helping others find reconciliation from their own struggles. He's developed a framework to assist in the process. This framework has four cornerstones: personal healing, personal discovery, personal development, and personal deployment. Brian and Mark both offer the reminder that you are not your struggle.

Tina Thomson is first and foremost a mother, though she wears a remarkable collection of metaphorical hats. Her life was changed when her son was born with an extremely rare condition that he miraculously survived. In addition to the struggle of her son's medical condition, Tina herself has battled fibromyalgia while dealing with an ending marriage and extreme career changes.

In this episode Mark and Tina discuss gender inequality in the corporate world, having your moral compass tested, and the important role faith plays in Tina's life. Tina's mantra is 10 two-letter words: if it is to be - it is up to me.

Dr. Adam Splaver is a cardiologist who had it all. A beautiful wife, 4 wonderful children, a successful medical practice. Everything changed when his wife had hemorrhagic stroke, which they later discovered was caused by a brain tumor. There was too much swelling, too much blood, the tumor was too difficult to reach. The neurologists told Dr. Splaver to take her home and let her die. Dr. Splaver simply said hell no.

After the swelling subsided, they learned the tumor was not in the location they previously thought, which led to a glimmer of hope. A series of flights and medical procedures led to Mrs. Splaver recovering. However, four months ago the tumor appeared again. She is mid-treatment today.

In this episode, Mark talks with Dr. Splaver about discussions of mortality with patients, what Dr. Splaver wishes people knew about doctors, and negotiating with God. Mark even asks which Dr. Splaver would choose - science or faith.

Cameron Gallagher is a high performance coach with a unique background in hypnosis and neuroscience. He began work as a corporate coach but has naturally progressed into a transformational high performance mindset coach for entrepreneurs.

In this episode, Mark turns it over to Cameron, who guides him through an exercise to overcome inadequacy. The exercise is designed so viewers can also follow along (though it is recommended to do so when NOT driving!)