Episode 99 is a quick, behind-the-scenes Grizzy's update from Colton as the first weeks of new ownership get rolling. He shares how the bar/restaurant has taken over his headspace, why he “failed” 75 Hard after celebrating, and what he’s learning about balancing big goals with real life. Colton walks through major early priorities: deep-cleaning and reorganizing the kitchen, upgrading tools and equipment, and making the back-of-house run smoother. He tells the story of a griddle accident that snapped a gas line—and the creative fix that got service back on track fast. You’ll also hear what’s being improved right now: refreshed bar stools, brighter lighting, new TVs for the big game, and ongoing staff meetings focused on speed, teamwork, and customer service. Colton previews incoming changes like a trial menu, new specials, salad bar plans, and a revamped fish fry. He closes by asking the community to come in, test the experience, and give honest feedback so Grizzy's can level up quickly.

Episode 98 is a short solo reflection from Colton focused on two core ideas: identity and wisdom. He breaks down how the labels you give yourself shape your behavior, habits, and follow-through—and why saying “I can’t” becomes a self-fulfilling limit. Colton explains how committing mentally (and verbally) to your actions builds discipline and credibility, both with yourself and others. He then shifts to the importance of chasing wisdom early through reading, learning, and seeking perspective instead of quick dopamine hits. The episode is a reminder to redefine who you are, commit to what you say you’ll do, and intentionally build knowledge that compounds over time.

Episode 97 is a behind-the-scenes update from Colton recorded inside the newly rebranded Grizzy's Diner & Tavern (formerly Izzy’s). He breaks down how the deal came together, what closing day looked like, and why this project fits the bigger Grizzly vision even though it’s outside the gym world.

Colton shares his “customer-first” mindset and explains why stepping into a new industry helps him see business through a fresh lens again. He recaps meeting the staff for the first time, setting expectations, and building a stronger culture through clear communication and teamwork. You’ll hear what’s staying the same immediately (menu, hours, staff) and what will change over time (service standards, branding, paint, decor, and upgrades). Colton also lays out the early priorities: faster service, better feedback loops, and tightening up back-of-house operations. Finally, he teases longer-term ideas like improving food quality and potentially using the commercial kitchen to support meal prep options connected to the gyms.

Episode 96 is a solo update from Colton covering major behind-the-scenes moves at Grizzly. He shares progress on the new headquarters and podcast studio, announces the acquisition and rebrand of Izzy’s Dockside to Grizzy's in Berlin, and explains how this new venture is sharpening his customer-first mindset. Colton also breaks down improvements across gym locations, the rollout of an AI-powered phone system to improve customer service, and closes with lessons on goal-setting, discipline, and stacking small wins.

In Episode 95 of The Grizzly Life Podcast, Colton sits down with special guest Sandra Frye, an Appleton-area paramedic and Army National Guard combat medic. Sandra shares her journey from growing up rural to navigating college, joining the military, and finding her calling in EMS. They talk about discipline, response time, community first responders, and what it’s really like working 12-hour shifts on an ambulance. Sandra also opens up about volunteer work, balancing motherhood, and her long-term goal of moving into critical care and PA school. It’s a grounded, real conversation about service, resilience, and taking initiative instead of waiting for life to hand you a plan.

In Episode 94 of The Grizzly Life Podcast, Colton sits down with Jacob Colburn — founder of O Town Iron and Colton’s business partner — to unpack the real story behind building a gym from scratch. Jacob walks through growing up in Oshkosh, going to UW–Madison, falling in love with the culture at MadTown Fitness, and how a “what if we opened a gym?” idea during Country USA turned into a full-blown obsession. They dig into the messy middle: getting denied by every bank, finding alternative funding, signing leases before the money was guaranteed, learning hard lessons about landlords and communication, and then getting hit with COVID just months after moving into a bigger facility. Along the way, Jacob shares how loss, stress, and sleepless nights shaped his mindset, why perseverance matters more than the perfect plan, and what he’d tell his younger self about playing the long game. It’s an honest, behind-the-scenes conversation about risk, leadership, growth, and what it really takes to build something that lasts in a small-town market.

Episode 93 features special guest Kaylie Wilcox — Colton’s high school classmate turned chiropractor (and managing partner) at Strive to Move in New Jersey — for a real conversation on why “traditional” chiropractic often gets a bad rap, what actually causes chronic back pain, and how to fix the root issue instead of living in the endless cycle of weekly adjustments. Kaylie breaks down her movement-based approach (think chiropractic + physical therapy), why she focuses on how you move instead of just where it hurts, and how strength training, tendon loading, and better core pressure management can keep you out of pain long-term. If you’ve ever been told to “just rest,” to stop squatting, or you feel stuck relying on appointments to feel normal, this episode will shift how you think about pain, movement, and longevity — and give you a smarter, more sustainable path forward.

Episode 92 brings on special guest Taylor Hutchinson, a small-town gym owner from Michigan, to talk straight about what it actually takes to get started in the gym—especially if you’re nervous, out of shape, or haven’t trained in years. Colton and Taylor break down what most people are afraid of (time, soreness, intimidation), why small-town gyms are built for real people (busy moms, dads, and “gen pop” clients), and how a good coach “prescribes” the right starting point—whether that’s personal training first, small group, or a simple beginner plan. They also hit the big rocks outside the gym that drive results—nutrition basics, hydration, daily movement, and sleep—and explain why paying a little more for coaching isn’t an “expense,” it’s an investment that makes you show up and actually change your life.

Episode 91 kicks off with an update on the new "Grizzly HQ" office space—electric is in, next up is paint and floors, and we’re building it out in phases (because progress beats perfection and we’re always reinvesting). Then I get into a mindset shift: sometimes you find what you need by doing the opposite, and even “falling off” your routine can remind you how good you had it and fuel a stronger comeback. We talk goals as tools (not pass/fail), why your strategy is just as much about what you stop doing as what you start, and how thinking about the future reshapes who you are today. I also touch on that weird-but-real feeling of looking back at old conversations and cringing (that’s growth), why progress photos and tracking matter, and what I’m doing to calm my brain down at night—including reading Forrest Gump as a bedtime shutdown book.

In Episode 90 of The Grizzly Life Podcast, Colton continues the New Year momentum by digging into what it actually takes to follow through — not just set goals and forget them.

He shares personal updates from his own 2026 plans, including long-distance running progress, boxing lessons with family, public speaking training, and why learning new skills on purpose matters more than comfort. Colton breaks down how he’s organizing his goals across fitness, business, learning, travel, and personal growth — not perfectly, but intentionally.

The episode closes with practical lessons on discipline vs. habit, doing hard things without immediate rewards, communicating better with people, and why logic has to come before emotion if you want real progress. It’s a grounded reminder that growth doesn’t come from motivation alone — it comes from intention, consistency, and self-awareness over time.

If you’re serious about making 2026 different, this episode gives you the mindset to actually back it up.