You’ve never heard a story quite like this an NCAA All-American, SEC champion, and ultra marathoner who went from feeling inadequate to smashing the four-minute mile. Everett Smulders reveals the gritty journey of battling insecurities, risking everything, and tapping into an unshakable drive to succeed.

In this episode, Everett breaks down how you can harness your inner strength, push past setbacks, and create a discipline-backed path to greatness. You’ll discover: the profound power of context and environment in shaping champions, how to cultivate confidence, and why embracing vulnerability accelerates growth. He shares raw stories of falling just short of victory and bouncing back stronger a testament to resilience and unbreakable belief.

We dive into the mindset shifts that turn ordinary athletes into legends how to develop a swagger without losing authenticity, and the importance of faith, service, and purpose in fueling your journey. If you're an aspiring competitor, coach, or just someone hungry for real transformation, this episode is your call to action: your limits are made to be broken.

Everett Smulders, now dedicates his life to helping others realize their potential. His lessons transcend sport they’re a blueprint for life. Don't miss this insight-packed, emotion-driven conversation that will challenge how you see obstacles and empower you to conquer them.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Everett Smulders

04:26 The Journey of a Business Owner

07:09 Transitioning from Coaching to Entrepreneurship

12:41 Building a Community in Running

13:44 Overcoming Insecurities and Finding Confidence

18:42 Lessons from Failure and Resilience

23:51 From High School to Sub-Four Mile

27:03 Rediscovering Joy in Running

29:21 Breaking Barriers: The Journey to Sub-Four Mile

30:48 Creating the Right Environment for Athletes

32:05 Navigating Tough Situations: Making the Right Choices

35:15 The Alter Ego: Confidence and Performance in Competition

41:39 Building a Positive Team Culture

47:53 Self-Sufficiency: The Key to Athletic Success

53:00 Faith and Purpose: A Life of Service

58:20 NEWCHAPTER

Connect with Everett:

Instagram: @CoachSmulders

WesFly Training Systems: @wesfly.trained

This isn't just about sports it's about the heart, the responsibility, and the profound impact coaches have on lives. In this episode, we dive deep into what true coaching really means and how it can shape someone’s entire future for better or worse. Get ready to be inspired, challenged, and motivated to make every moment with those you're guiding count.

Main Topics Covered:

The true responsibility of a coach and the impact beyond skills

How certain coaching behaviors can unintentionally crush confidence

The importance of asking questions and nurturing curiosity

Strategies for protecting your belief system under negativity

Turning adversity into fuel for growth

What to do when authority figures hold you back

Timestamps:

00:26 - The core principle: leaving someone stronger than you found them

02:17 - Welcome and the episode's different, motivational tone

03:05 - The deep responsibility of coaching at any level

03:54 - The story of a young tennis coach’s mission to nurture

04:18 - Why coaching is about more than skills it’s about trust and belief

05:41 - The danger of tearing people down instead of uplifting them

06:04 - Recognizing when someone in leadership is making others feel smaller

07:03 - The power of curiosity and asking for feedback

08:29 - How a coach’s negative response can kill confidence

10:37 - The impact of comparing past success to current struggles

12:25 - The importance of belief in performance and overcoming doubt

14:14 - What to do when your coach or leader is holding you back

15:02 - Protecting your belief system and inner why

16:33 - Using adversity as fuel, not futility

17:15 - Every day as an opportunity for growth, even in tough circumstances

18:23 - Your story isn’t over resilience is key

19:08 - Call to action: support, reflect, and make a difference

Resources:

The Inner Game of Tennis by Timothy Gallwey

Book: The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle

Coaching with Impact

Remember: The greatest strength you have is your resilience. Tough coaches, tough bosses, tough circumstances they’re just part of your evolution. Keep showing up, believe in your potential, and push beyond what anyone says is possible. YOU are built for this.

Are you tired of feeling stuck, overwhelmed by your own thoughts?

In this fiery episode v of The BTB Project, I dive deep into the invisible war happening inside your mind where doubt clashes with belief, fear fights courage, and your future is on the line.

This is the fight that determines whether you stay trapped or break free and thrive.

In this episode:

• The daily mental battles we all face when waking up and how to win them
• Why your brain is wired for safety, not success
• The roots of mental struggles: childhood trauma, past failures, and limiting stories
• How your identity shapes your actions and your ability to succeed
• The truth about discipline: it begins in your mind, not motivation
• Why your mind is both your prison and your power—learn to choose the story you believe
• Practical steps to build confidence through small wins
• The importance of shifting your story from past pain to future power
• A call to action: fight for your mind because that’s where the real victory is

Timestamps:

00:00 - The mental negotiation every morning that decides your day
02:22 - Introducing the battlefield inside your mind
03:18 - The choice: build or break yourself daily
04:08 - The internal war: belief vs doubt, courage vs fear
05:42 - How past mistakes haunt your thoughts and sleepless nights
06:34 - The cost of staying safe — and the reward of courageous action
07:23 - Your brain’s wiring: survival vs growth
08:36 - Childhood scars, trauma, and the stories they create
09:36 - Your past isn’t your prison: rewriting the narrative
10:16 - How to turn dreams into reality by changing your story
11:33 - The critical mental battles that determine success or failure
12:27 - Identity is everything: what you believe about yourself
13:36 - Discipline starts in your mind, not motivation
14:45 - Your mind’s prison vs your mind’s power — which will you choose?
15:34 - The story you tell yourself shapes your destiny
16:02 - A final push: you’re built for resilience prove it

Resources & Links:

• Atomic Habits by James Clear⁠
• ⁠Brene Brown - Unlocking Vulnerability⁠
• ⁠The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle⁠

Remember: The biggest victory starts with mastering your mind. You are more powerful than your doubts — but only if you decide to fight for it.

Watch this episode, share it, and start rewriting your story today. The war is real, but so is your power to win.

This BTB Short explores the nuances of leadership, the importance of letting go of control, and strategies for breakthrough moments in business and athletics. Kollman shares insights on how embracing uncertainty can lead to success.

keywords

leadership, control, breakthrough, business, athletics, mindset, success, strategy

key topics

The importance of letting go of control in leadership

Strategies for achieving breakthroughs in business and athletics

The mindset shift required for success

takeaways

Sometimes breakthroughs come from letting go of control, not trying harder.

Embracing uncertainty can open new pathways to success.

Leadership involves knowing when to lead and when to step back.

sound bites

"Sometimes the breakthrough that we want does not come from trying harder."

"Sometimes it comes from letting go of the need to control the outcome."

Chapters

00:00 The Power of Allowing vs. Forcing Results

04:35 Understanding Flow and Effortless Action

10:56 The Paradox of Performance: Letting Go to Grow

15:23 Creating Conditions for Growth

19:52 Practical Steps to Embrace Flow

21:05 NEWCHAPTER

resources

Taoist principle of Wu Wei - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wu_Wei

Flow State in Performance Psychology - https://positivepsychology.com/flow-state/

Michael Jordan on Flow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example

Roger Federer’s Effortless Play - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example

Serena Williams’ Calm and Focus - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example

Welcome to the Built to Be Project Podcast.

Two years ago, Joshua King joined us to share one of the most inspiring stories we’ve ever recorded a Colorado native, elite junior tennis player, high-performance coach, and stage 4 lymphoma survivor before the age of 18.

He beat it.

Joshua’s journey is one of relentless pursuit ranked as high as 206th nationally in 2015 and 255th in 2018, achieving a career-high UTR of 11.19, earning the prestigious John Hough Colorado Sportsmanship Award, and consistently excelling as a scholar-athlete. His life embodied resilience, discipline, and purpose both on and off the court.

Today, we are re-releasing this episode for a deeper reason.

Joshua’s cancer has returned, and he is now preparing for a stem cell transplant a critical step in his fight. This episode is a reminder of who Josh is, what he’s already overcome, and why our community is rallying behind him.

If his story moves you, we are asking you to do more than listen.

We are asking you to stand with him.

💛 Donate directly to his Stem Cell Transplant Fund:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/stem-cell-transplant-recovery-for-joshua?attribution_id=sl:78567273-1fe7-4df2-95d3-bc385cb65316&lang=en_US&ts=1771947245&utm_campaign=man_sharesheet_dash&utm_content=amp17_control&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link

Every contribution matters.
If you’re unable to donate, sharing the link helps tremendously.

Joshua has spent his life paying it forward mentoring athletes, coaching at a high-performance level, and inspiring others to discover what they are built to be.

Now it’s our turn to support him.

Impossible is nothing and no one fights alone.

In this episode, the hosts of the BTB Project welcome Majo Orellana and David Roditi from the D1 Coaches Pod. They discuss the mission of their podcast, which aims to educate and inspire athletes and parents navigating the complexities of college athletics. The conversation covers the increasing competitiveness of college sports, the importance of mental health, and the role of club sports in athlete development. Majo and David share their personal journeys, coaching philosophies, and the impact they hope to have on their athletes' lives beyond sports.

Takeaways

The mission of the D1 Coaches Pod is to educate and inspire.

Expectations can lead to discouragement if not managed properly.

Club sports provide valuable opportunities for continued athletic involvement.

Mental health is a crucial aspect of athlete development.

Coaches should focus on intentionality and growth in their approach.

Building relationships with athletes is key to effective coaching.

Winning is important, but personal development is paramount.

Parents play a significant role in shaping their child's athletic journey.

The journey of sports teaches valuable life lessons.

Athletes must learn to enjoy the process of improvement.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to D1 Coaches Pod

02:37 Mission and Purpose of the Podcast

05:20 Navigating College Athletics: Expectations vs. Reality

07:57 The Role of Club Sports in Development

10:34 The Importance of Mental Health in Sports

13:07 Personal Journeys: Majo and David's Backgrounds

15:44 Coaching Philosophy: Intentionality and Growth

18:36 Legacy and Impact of Coaching

21:31 The Balance of Winning and Personal Development

23:58 The Role of Parents in Athlete Development

26:43 The Future of College Athletics

29:33 Closing Thoughts and Resources

D1 Coaches Pod: https://www.youtube.com/@D1CoachesPod/videos

This is the final episode of The BTB Blueprint series Step #12 Integrate. The conversation emphasizes the importance of continuous personal growth through the BTB Blueprint, highlighting that it's a lifelong journey rather than a one-time achievement. It encourages listeners to embrace challenges and focus on incremental improvements.

Takeaways

Don't graduate from the BTB Blueprint.

You're not gonna walk across the stage and get a diploma from me.

Your live blueprint stays with you.

You cycle through these steps, you revisit it.

You refine it, you sharpen the ax.

Get 1% better each and every day.

It's not if, but when life tests you again.

Embrace the journey of self-improvement.

Life is a continuous cycle of learning.

Focus on the process, not just the outcome.

Chapters

00:00 The Journey of Integration

12:37 Reflecting on Personal Growth

17:50 Living the Blueprint Forward

20:26 NEWCHAPTER

In Step 11 of the BTB Blueprint Kollman Gearhart explores the concept of growth, emphasizing its highest purpose when it is shared with others.

It highlights the significance of selflessness in personal development and the critical role of Step 11 in this process.

Takeaways

Growth finds the highest purpose when it's given away.

Helping others is a key aspect of growth.

Step 11 is critical in the growth process.

Selflessness is essential for true growth.

Personal development should focus on community impact.

The act of giving enhances personal growth.

Growth is not just a personal journey.

Helping others can lead to personal fulfillment.

Step 11 emphasizes the importance of service.

True growth is about collective well-being.

Sound bites

"It's given to help others."

"Step 11 is so critical because it's not about you."

"It's not about you."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Step 11: Serve

02:49 The Importance of Service in Personal Growth

04:59 Service After Alignment: The Role of Leadership

07:53 Understanding Service: Empathy Over Fixing

10:29 Service in Professional Life: Building Trust

12:04 Actionable Ways to Serve: The Grounded Challenge

18:27 The Impact of Serving on Personal Growth

19:59 NEWCHAPTER

Summary

In this episode, The BTB Project delves into the importance of self-awareness and personal growth.

The conversation emphasizes that many individuals overlook their current state of being, both mentally and physically. By fostering a deeper understanding of who we are, we can better navigate our journeys toward becoming our best selves.

The discussion encourages listeners to reflect on their identities and the transformations they are undergoing, highlighting that self-recognition is a crucial step in personal development.

Takeaways

Most people miss understanding who they're becoming.

It's essential to notice who you already are.

Self-recognition is a crucial step in personal development.

Sound bites

"Most people miss understanding who they're becoming."

"Mentally, physically, who we're becoming."

"It's essential to notice who you already are."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Step 10: Becoming

03:20 The Shift from Goals to Identity

05:14 Living in Alignment with Your Becoming

06:14 Desire and Removing Barriers

07:48 Introduction to the Journey of Becoming

08:32 The Importance of Self-Reflection

11:17 Facing Challenges Head-On

13:57 The Reality of Becoming

16:31 Actionable Steps for Personal Growth

19:55 Aligning Actions with Identity

21:27 Conclusion and Encouragement

22:13 NEWCHAPTER

The episode of The BTB Project delves into the importance of persistence and finding a strong motivation or 'why' to overcome challenges in life.

It highlights the struggles individuals face during the 'messy middle' of their journeys, where motivation wanes and results may not reflect the effort put in.

Kollman emphasizes the need to remain committed to oneself during these challenging times.

Takeaways

When life gives you a reason to stop, find your strong why.

Persistence is where everything gets tested in your life.

Most people quit in the messy middle of their journey.

The messy middle is when progress slows down.

Persistence means not abandoning yourself in tough times.

Understanding persistence is crucial for personal growth.

Your strong why can help you overcome any how.

The excitement of a journey can fade in the middle.

Results may not match effort during challenging phases.

Choosing to persist is a powerful decision.

Sound bites

"This is the strong why that can overcome any how"

"It's when their progress slows down"

"Persistence is choosing not to abandon yourself"

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the BTB Project

04:59 The Importance of Persistence

12:33 Navigating the Messy Middle

18:34 Framework for Persistence

20:32 Persistence in Life and Leadership

22:53 NEWCHAPTER