Eli Simon is an entrepreneur and co-owner of Manila Inasal, a modern Filipino restaurant bringing Filipino culture and cuisine to Los Angeles.

In this episode, we talk about breaking generational expectations, the courage to pursue a different path, leaving corporate life for entrepreneurship, building great leaders, having difficult conversations, and creating a meaningful life beyond money and status.

Eli also shares how food connects us to culture, family, and memories—and why building a successful business requires discipline, integrity, and the willingness to make difficult decisions.

Follow Eli Simon:

https://www.instagram.com/elishasimon/?hl=en

Manila Inasal:

https://www.instagram.com/manilainasal/?hl=en

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Timestamps

00:00 Growing Up Filipino Across Cultures

04:07 Food, Identity & the Immigrant Experience

07:12 Why Filipino Food Is Changing

11:43 Breaking Filipino Stereotypes

14:31 The Story Behind Manila Inasal

16:21 Why Food Connects Us to Home

22:16 Building an Intentional Restaurant Experience

26:15 Bravery vs. Rebellion

29:14 Choosing Entrepreneurship

30:30 Working 20-Hour Days

33:01 What Makes a Great Leader?

38:37 Optimism vs. Realism

42:25 Making the Most of Your 24 Hours

44:27 The Art of Difficult Conversations

51:10 Passion, Discipline & High Standards

53:09 Making Hard Decisions as a Leader

59:37 What Does a Successful Life Look Like?

Your body is one of the few things you can change that transforms every area of your life.

In this episode, I share the lessons that took me from being an overweight, insecure kid to becoming a natural bodybuilder. We dive into the habits, systems, nutrition, training, mindset, and discipline that helped me completely change my life—and how you can do the same.

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-

Timestamps:

00:00 Why changing your body changes everything

00:24 My transformation from unhappy to fulfilled

00:56 Why people really decide to get fit

02:05 The moment that changed my life forever

03:10 Grooming and clothing come first

04:25 How to actually build an attractive body

04:55 Nutrition made simple

06:36 How much protein you really need

06:53 The only exercises most people need

08:50 Action beats information

09:17 Mobility, flexibility, and longevity

09:56 Eliminate your biggest vices

10:18 Alcohol, addiction, and discipline

11:02 Ozempic, steroids, and quick fixes

12:26 The real formula to change your life

Michelle Allie Drever is an opera singer, actor, and performer whose recent role in Amadeus helped bring one of the most successful productions in Pasadena Playhouse history to life.

In this episode, expect to learn why opera is far from dead, the reality of life as a performer, and what it feels like to never know where your next opportunity is coming from. Michelle shares the sacrifices required to perform at the highest level, why opera singers are true athletes, how art can become a form of healing, and the hidden cost of perfectionism. We also discuss body image, self-worth, eating disorders, and why success doesn't always silence self-doubt.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who is committed to getting better today.

Follow Michelle Allie Drever

https://www.instagram.com/michellealliedrever/

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Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction
04:07 The reality of being a performer
10:06 Inside Amadeus
16:53 Art as an escape from pain
19:11 Depression, confidence & performing
21:08 Why opera singers are athletes
24:06 Is opera dying?
28:27 How to get into opera
34:06 Is performing school worth it?
35:39 What singing means to Michelle
40:17 The pursuit of perfection
42:49 Body image & eating disorders
49:30 Nutrition, fitness & transformation
55:20 The discipline required for results
57:00 The protein marketing myth
59:52 Lessons from performing at the highest level

After nearly 10 years in Los Angeles, I made a decision that surprised a lot of people—I left.

In this Get Better Today episode, I share why I moved to Las Vegas, how comfort can quietly hold you back, and what changing my environment taught me about focus, growth, and betting on yourself.

If you've ever felt stuck, distracted, or like you've outgrown your current situation, this episode is for you.

Get Better Today.

Timestamps
00:00 Introduction
00:05 Why I left Los Angeles after 10 years
01:33 Feeling trapped by comfort and social obligations
02:56 The road trip that changed my perspective
03:55 Why I moved to Las Vegas
05:08 Comfort isn't bad—but it can hold you back
06:14 Choosing an environment that supports your goals
06:53 You can't build a new life while protecting the old one
08:03 Making a bet on yourself
08:39 The habits that followed me after moving
09:59 When nobody knows who you are, you choose who you become
10:55 What moving taught me about friendship
11:23 Environment only matters if it matches your priorities
13:01 The risk of staying comfortable
14:26 What I've accomplished since moving
15:42 Why changing your environment creates focus
16:41 How to make life-changing decisions
17:47 What have you outgrown?
18:19 Final thoughts: Get Better Today

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instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natebiltz/

Marlon “Champ” Ross is the founder of Train Like A Champ, a sports performance coach, former speed coach, photographer, and former music industry professional. In this episode, Marlon shares the philosophy behind building one of Los Angeles’ most unique training facilities and why he believes old school discipline and mentality still create the best athletes.

The conversation dives into athletic development, speed training, recovery, mindset, and what truly separates elite performers from everyone else. Marlon also shares lessons from his journey through music, photography, coaching, and decades spent studying greatness.

Expect to learn:

• Why old school training still works
• What creates elite athletes and high performers
• The importance of joint mobility, speed, and explosiveness
• Why discipline and environment shape young athletes
• How visualization and mentality impact performance
• The biggest mistakes modern athletes make

Follow Marlon “Champ” Ross:

https://www.instagram.com/trainlikeachamp/

Train Like A Champ Gym:

https://www.instagram.com/thegym_trainlikeachamp/

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https://www.instagram.com/natebiltz/

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Timestamps

00:00 Intro at Train Like A Champ
 00:35 Old School Gym Inspiration
 01:10 Why Vintage Machines Are Different
 03:00 Building The Gym From Scratch
 04:15 Old School vs New School Training
 05:20 Training Hard Without Breaking Athletes
 06:30 Why Athletes Need Specialized Equipment
 07:20 Building Confidence As A Gym Owner
 08:05 Marlon’s “Healthy Delusion”
 09:10 Studying The Craft Every Day
 10:05 No Caffeine, Just Energy
 11:00 Motown, Sony Records, and Music
 12:30 Photography, Kendrick Lamar, and Lil Wayne
 13:05 Bodybuilding, Nutrition, and Recovery
 14:10 Developing Confidence Over Time
 15:15 Why Sports Should Lead To Education
 16:30 Measuring Athleticism
 17:15 Joint Mobility and Movement Angles
 18:15 Staying Pain-Free At 53
 19:30 Nutrition, Raw Milk, and Fitness Cultures
 20:00 Learning From Every Discipline
 21:00 Why Marlon Learns Visually
 22:00 Creativity in Coaching and Business
 23:20 The Reality of Running a Gym
 24:45 Why Train Like A Champ Feels Exclusive
 26:00 Parents, Boundaries, and Athlete Independence
 27:00 The Problem With Modern Discipline
 28:00 Marlon’s Athlete Assessment Process
 28:45 “Elite Kids Have Elite Parents”
 30:00 Kobe, Steph, and Obsession
 31:00 Why Marlon Quit Drinking
 32:00 Speed Coaching and Running Mechanics
 33:00 Strength, Mechanics, and Sprinting Faster
 34:00 Single-Leg Power and Explosiveness
 35:10 Skill Work Comes First
 37:00 Training Athletes While Fatigued
 38:15 Visualization and Mental Toughness
 40:00 Why Sports Teach Life Skills
 41:30 Pulling Greatness Out of Young Athletes
 42:45 Coaching Boundaries and Energy Management
 44:15 Developing D1 Athletes
 46:00 Why Marlon Builds Athletes Instead of Collecting Them
 47:00 Quick Fixes, Weight Loss Shots, and Doing The Work
 49:00 Social Media, Results, and Word of Mouth
 50:00 Selling Through Real Belief
 52:00 Why Long-Term Development Wins
 53:00 Why Marlon Needed His Own Gym
 54:00 The Hardest Part of Owning A Gym
 55:00 Finding The Right Partners
 56:45 Training Older Clients
 57:10 “Life Is Athletic”
 58:00 Longevity, Quality of Life, and Pacing Yourself
 01:01:00 Music Inside The Gym
 01:02:00 Raising His Son Around Great Music
 01:06:00 Distractions, Talent, and Wasted Opportunity
 01:08:00 Marlon’s Biggest Inspiration
 01:09:00 Lessons From His Mother
 01:12:00 Turning Upbringing Into An Advantage
 01:13:00 Trauma, Resilience, and Staying Calm Under Pressure
 01:14:00 Training The Brain Under High Heart Rate
 01:15:00 Why Competition Feels Different Than Practice
 01:16:00 Pushing Athletes To Their Limit
 01:17:30 How To Find Train Like A Champ
 01:18:00 Closing Thoughts

Christina Quarternik is a dancer, model, and businesswoman who has performed alongside artists like Gwen Stefani, Pit Bull, and has appeared on ‘The Morning Show’ and various national commercials.

In this episode, she pulls back the curtain on the reality of life as an entertainer - and the discipline, pressure, and precision it takes to make it in her industry.

We explore life philosophy such as why selfishness can actually be a good thing, what it means to truly face yourself, and how “sliding door’ moments quietly shape the direction of your life. 

In this episode expect to learn how residuals work in the entertainment industry, some history of Burlesque dancing , where the term “get back on the horse” comes from, why solo travel is important, the value of being a fitness coach, the truth of the Japanese ritual of ‘Mysogi’, how to make great friends, and much more.


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Paul Emerson is a Los Angeles-based director, producer, and editor who has worked across narrative shorts, commercial campaigns, and comedy series. Before establishing himself as a filmmaker, Paul spent years as the lead singer of a pop-punk band—a high-stakes creative background that continues to shape his approach to storytelling and collaboration. From directing high-budget commercials remotely during the pandemic to exploring the "janky" aesthetics of 90s public access TV, Paul has built a career on technical skill paired with deep empathy for the human subjects behind the screen.

In this episode, Paul breaks down strategies for overcoming creative resistance and pushing through the "big boss" hurdles of finishing long-term projects like scripts and short films, while offering a director’s perspective on generative AI and how it is compared to the irreplaceable value of human choice and taste. In addition, we explore the power of "no expectations" and how accepting your own humanity allows directors to bring out the best performances.

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Andreas Alfaro is a professional stunt performer, acrobat, martial artist, and community builder based in Los Angeles, CA. From training martial arts and acrobatics to choreographing stunts for the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show, Andreas represents what it looks like to bet on yourself, say no to distractions, and let the compound effect do its work. Alongside his stunt career, he is the co-founder of the Awaken Warrior community, creating spaces that prioritize movement, connection, and tribe in a disconnected modern world.

In this episode expect to learn why staying in one place and committing fully was the turning point in Andreas’ career, how building strict non-negotiables creates momentum without burning out, why networking matters more than talent in any industry, how simplicity and detachment from possessions frees mental energy, the idea of choosing your “avatar” every day through identity and self-expression, the difference between healthy masculinity and cultural extremes, why community is the antidote to modern male loneliness, and how facing your fears systematically can fast-track personal transformation.


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Harley DeMyers is a hospitality leader who has spent over two decades working inside some of the most demanding, high-profile restaurant and nightlife groups in the country. Naturally introverted, Harley learned early on how to create a professional “character” to survive and succeed in an industry built on energy, performance, and presence. From studying engineering to managing teams and guest experiences at scale, his career has been shaped by living between two worlds.

In this episode, expect to learn how Harley transitioned from engineering into hospitality, why playing a character at work can be both a strength and a cost, what truly separates great service from forgettable service, how culture and leadership are built, the role that sobriety has played in Harley’s life, and why humility, curiosity, and being comfortable with “not knowing” are essential traits for long-term success in the hospitality and service industry.

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Jorge is a graphic designer and sandal craftsman who has revived an ancient Mesoamerican footwear technology through his brand, Mazatli Footwear. After a "Eureka moment" on the 101 freeway, Jorge went on a mission to research, patent, and hand-make sandals based on a 2,000-year-old Aztec and Mayan design. Today, his patented double-toe-post sandals are used by elite ultra-marathon runners and outdoor enthusiasts to reclaim foot strength, stability, and a deeper connection to the earth.

In this episode expect to learn how Jorge used "reverse engineering" and went undercover to learn the secrets of the world’s top footwear brands, the significance of the double-toe-post design found in ancient Mesoamerican artifacts, the importance of sourcing elite materials like Vibram for high-performance hiking, and why hand-craftsmanship and cultural heritage create a product that people will wait months and pay premium prices for.

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