The Next Chapter

An inspirational and heartbreaking story of David Gilkey, award-winning photojournalist, who sacrificed his life in the name of journalism. David was killed on June 5, 2016, while on assignment with NPR in Afghanistan.

One of his closest friends, Rick McCartney, is here today to share his story.

Rick describes David as "a truly authentic man. He was who he said he was. When he went into these war zones to take pictures, he did it with the idea that he needed to show the world what was happening".

Long before high school, David proved himself as having an eye for shooting a story. The friends then went on to Oregon State together, not knowing if they were even ready for college. After one year they parted ways but maintained their friendship. David went to Boulder and then to Detroit working for well-known publications, the Daily Camera and the Detroit Free Press. With that experience, he landed a job in Washington DC with National Public Radio.

David Gilkey was one of the first photojournalists after 9/11, on the ground, covering the war, telling the story.

Tragically, on June 5, 2016, assassins were allegedly tipped off. The Humvee he was riding in while embedded with the Afghan army was bombed. Rick first found out about his friend's death when he saw a strange photo of David on Facebook. Both David Gilkey and his translator were killed in the attack.

For Rick, this was the first sudden death of someone close to him. He remembers David's visit just a month before and how extremely happy he was at the time.

For the memorial service, Rick was asked to write a speech. While still upset and hurt with the loss of his friend. Rick said he found comfort through David's mother, who got up and spoke. She let everyone know that her son had died doing what he truly loved. He was always out for adventure. He was always going to go in harm's way.

David Gilkey, award-winning journalist, never wanted it to be about him.

After his death, Rick discovered more about his friend's incredible career and just how many awards he had won, but never spoke about. Not even his Edward R Murrell Award for Photojournalism, his Robert F Kennedy Award or his Emmy.

Rick says David's story is important and he deserves to be remembered. But other men and women continue doing incredible journalism all over the world and they are still under attack while trying to tell the story. They are still in harm's way.

David's legacy is about ensuring safety and security protocols for all journalists.

To honor his friend, Rick is now an advocate. He explains that since David's death, he has researched the safety and security of our journalists. According to Rick, even in war, journalists now must depend on other outside security personnel, no longer our armed forces, for their safety. Rick believes journalists should be sent on assignment only when they know the full truth about their safety, through intelligence reporting, and only with security measures in place. Recently, Rick was asked to go to Washington DC by the French Consulate, on behalf of Reporters Without Borders, to show David's work, and to speak about reporter's safety and security.

How would Rick like us to remember his childhood friend, David Gilkey?

"Personally", Rick says, "as an incredible friend, and for the public, as a very talented photojournalist who wants to tell the story – authentically".

The post For The Love of Journalism: The Story of Fallen NPR Photographer David Gilkey appeared first on Inspired Media 360 TV - Inform | Inspire | Engage.

Retired Phoenix Police Officer, Jason Schechterle, is here with one of the most inspiring personal stories you will ever hear.

It's a miracle he survived after his patrol car was rear ended by a taxi traveling 100mph. Jason's car burst into flames trapping him inside. The incredible teams at Maricopa Integrated Health System and Arizona Burn Center saved his life.

Today, Jason is a Keynote Speaker inspiring people across the country to 'keep going' and he is the author of BURNING SHIELD.

"LIFE IS 10% WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU AND 90% HOW YOU REACT TO IT".

A proud father, his youngest son just graduated 8th grade. Jason said by all accounts his son should not even be here but goes on to say, "We both have a deeper appreciation for his life. I am excited to see him go on to his next journey. He loves life, he's got a bright future."

Both Jason and his son were gifted life. They are both miracles.

Recently at the Night of Hero's Event, Maricopa Health Foundation honored Jason. The event opened with a dramatic video.

On March 26th, 2001, Jason's squad car was rear ended by a taxi and engulfed in flames. His life changed forever.

Dr. Daniel Caruso, MD Chairman MIHS, said Jason should have died at the scene. "People do not survive when their entire head and upper body is engulfed in flame and smoke. It is physiologically impossible".

Jason Schechterle not only survived, he is a hero and an inspiration.

When asked if watching this video was hard, Jason says, "It's not difficult… I am enthralled, and humbled and so appreciative of what the people on that scene did that night. They are the heroes".

When Jason listens to what the firefighters and police officers did that night, and the opportunities they gave him to live, he feels they are the true heroes. He understands that being a First Responder is a true calling.

For Jason to be here today, 16 years later, is a miracle. He came through something that no one else has survived.

But, on March 26th, 2001, the twist of fate was on his side.

A firetruck was sitting at that intersection. Great medical teams were put in place and they acted quickly.

Dr Daniel Caruso, a kind and caring burn doctor, raced to the hospital and was in shock when he saw Jason. The doctor once told Jason that he wondered if he was doing him a favor trying to save him.

Jason does not have memories of that night, but he loves the stories and the human side of it. He suffered 4th degree burns. Burns that go through the muscle, through the fat, all the way to the bone. Jason was not just surrounded by fire in the accident, he was on fire. He lost his entire physical identity.

"Dying would have been easy. This path (survival) was not easy".

Instead, he was left with a long and painful road. He has had more than 52 surgeries. He never once wished he was dead, but having no memory from that night he says," passing away would have been very simple". What he was facing was fear and pain for a lot of years.

Jason always chose life.

He fought hard, both physically and mentally, to have a great life for his family, and to continue to reach out and help others.

"Now that I understand the full power of the human spirit. There is nothing you can't overcome with a positive attitude. The sun rises. Life goes on, and you can either be part of it or not. It is that simple."

Jason explains that when he hears people saying life sucks, he thinks to himself there is nothing like life. "You can't give up on anything, and the sun is coming up tomorrow if you want it to or not. You have to be capable to see things that are bigger than yourself". He believes that you have to find what moves you, what inspires you.

Coming out of the hospital, Jason was prescribed a low dose antidepressant, but he realized with his huge support system, he couldn't fail. So, he only took the drugs for a very short time. He wanted to feel what he was going to feel and get through it. He did not want to take a chance of becoming dependent or addicted to something that would set him back. He embraced his feelings in order to get to the other side.

The future came about when he and his wife found out that they were pregnant with their third child. Jason wanted to be stronger for his children. He had a responsibility to be the best dad he could be to his three children.

Looking back, the toughest parts are really the best parts.

His daughter was just 7, and his son at age 3, had a hard time dealing with what happened to their dad. His son would cry and run out of room saying," you are not my dad". This lasted for months. But now, at 18, his oldest son has grown into a "most beautiful soul ever put on this earth".

To tell his story, Jason decided to write a book, BURNING SHIELD, a legacy for his children. He wanted his story told accurately.

Now a Keynote Speaker, Jason travels around the country as he continues to be inspired by telling his story to others. He continues to inspire and help others with whatever they are going through. He says that people always want to compare their adversities. Jason goes on to say you can't.

"Your adversity is your own, and it is a very big deal, no matter what it is. You cannot compare adversities".

Many people want to share their stories with him as well.

In 2010, following a speech to about 700 people, a NYC firefighter came up and told him that he had been through 9/11. And he was currently going through a divorce. He wanted to let Jason know that his story changed his life. His comment was powerful.

Jason was humbled. If he can just touch one person by telling his story, it is worth it. His story is not about being burned or being a cop, it is about adversity, it is about life. He speaks to all age groups, all genres.

Jason recognizes the courage it takes for people to walk up to him. He finds it heartwarming.

Sometimes the looks that people give him can bother him and then sometimes not. Of course, he is "human". He says he has good days and bad days like anyone.

About 18 months ago, he started traveling alone. His eyesight makes it difficult, but in true Jason style, he does not want to travel with friends as a crutch.

In a picture from his book, Jason is photographed alone on the golf course. This best represents his comeback. He had to overcome his adversity by himself. Even his wife acknowledges she couldn't do it for him, he had to do it by himself. This picture represents the serenity he feels.

The one thing Jason wants everyone to take away from his story is "don't let the pain of today blind you from the promise of tomorrow. Your human spirit can shine so bright. Your attitude is everything. Just don't give up."

Jason Schechterle, and everyone touched by his story, his inspiration, is forever in debt to those heroes that saved his life.

The post Burning Shield – The Jason Schechterle Story appeared first on Inspired Media 360 TV - Inform | Inspire | Engage.

Louis Dolgoff lost the first love of his life to brain cancer. Today he talks about this loss and how he found a way to make sense of it all. Louis put his love and knowledge of craft beer to work, building the Beer for Brains Foundation that has raised more than $200,000 for brain cancer research.

"It's all in your mind. You can make it a good day or bad day. I choose to make every day a good day."

Louis and Laurie met at the young age of 16 and 17 when they were camp counselors. They dated for eight years, went on to college together and then married. A marriage that lasted 30 wonderful years.

After moving to Phoenix, to their dream home, Louis and his wife enjoyed just being together. They always loved the same things. Both were pescatarians. Both loved craft beer, only the best. They loved tennis. Louis was a professional player. They knew each other so well.

Louis describes their relationship saying, "their antennas were lined up".

One day his wife came home after falling. Within months, she began having terrible headaches. When she couldn't take the headaches any longer, they found themselves at the emergency room. Laurie was diagnosed with a mass in the back of her brain. She had stage 4 glioblastoma multiforme, the worst form of brain cancer.

After her surgery, the surgeon said he got as much of the tumor as possible. But, according to Louis, with this type of cancer, if only one cell lives, the cancer comes back. The average life span is one year.

Laurie lived for two years always thinking she would beat her cancer. In her second year she eventually lost her ability to walk, talk, move.

Louis just couldn't understand why this was happening. The love of his life. It seemed cruel. His wife kept reassuring him she was going to be okay, but Louis felt differently. He kept waiting for the cancer to return. He kept thinking that the "odds were against us".

When the cancer did come back, she had eight tumors. Louis and his wife went to Wisconsin for a clinical trial, even though insurance refused payment. The trial did not work, and Laurie was given one year to live.

Through his wife's illness, Louis' perspective about life changed. He chooses to make every day a good day and he tries to see the positive. And he continues helping people.

His journey into craft beer making started back in Baltimore when he and his wife went to a small restaurant where they tasted their first Belgium beers. They loved it.

Then in Delaware, they walked into a local brew pub, and even though there were no customers, Louis says, "the beers were amazing". They started helping the owner at various festivals. After a year, Louis offered to "work for beer" and started helping Sam Calagione, now a world-famous rock star in the craft beer business. Louis specialized in doing big events all over the US. He also opened New York, New Jersey and Southern California, eventually bringing craft beer to Arizona.

When Laurie's final days were near, she could barely move. In 2009, on her 55 th birthday, Louis gave her a small party with friends. Louis was ready with Laurie's two favorite craft beers. After taking sips of both beers including a potent raspberry Dogfish Head Fort, her favorite, Laurie quietly closed her eyes and slipped into a coma. Louis knew she was done fighting. His wife passed nine days later. Louis was by her side.

Through the pain and sadness, Louis knew he couldn't help his wife anymore, but he could help others.

The Beer for Brains Foundation was a way to honor his wife. He wanted to bring people to fundraising events that would not otherwise come to support a brain cancer fundraiser.

His events gave him a reason to keep moving forward.

The craft beer world supports Beer for Brains Foundation by donating thousands of dollars annually just as the beer community continues to help and support each other. Brain Cancer is a horrible disease that takes everything, rather quickly.

The statistics are shocking. According to Louis, brain cancer is now the number one cancer in kids. It is also the second most common cancer in males age 21 – 39. Unfortunately, the progress for brain cancer patients has not improved since the 1960's and today the patients are living only 2 weeks longer than in the 60's.

Louis encourages others, "don't lose hope… you need that (hope). Don't just sit there and wait for the person to die". He says there are more clinical trials now than when he went through the disease with his wife so keep trying.

By moving forward, Louis Dolgoff has allowed himself to meet someone amazing and find love again.

"You have to enjoy every minute with your loved ones." And he reminds us, "to make each day important."

The post How a Craft Beer Maker is Joining the Fight Against Brain Cancer appeared first on Inspired Media 360 TV - Inform | Inspire | Engage.

Lea Haben Woodford, CEO of SmartFem Media Group, proves it's never too late to make your dreams come true. Woodford began her dream career at age 50. She has had an incredible journey that changed her life.

Diagnosed with cancer in 2011, Lea Woodford had surgery to remove cancer from half of her face. She endured 11 hours of surgery not knowing what was to come.

"I had some pretty dark thoughts, I had a Glock 23 in my closet and it was loaded," Woodford says. "Right after my third reconstruction I was served with divorce papers and it was just a really dark place."

Woodford's business partner, now husband, helped her to re-focus by directing her attention to her business SmartFem Media Group.

"The more I focused the more I realized, even now in 2017, women really have to be vigilant." Lea Woodford says. "I really found my purpose."

Woodford's daughter played a major role in her new found business success. Her daughter called her out, so to speak, and told her she was not being true to the way she raised her. Woodford's daughter said the columns Lea Woodford wrote were incongruent with her true views.

From then on, SmartFem was created. It started out as a magazine for women but as the world changed, Woodford says they added video and other tools. SmartFem has evolved into a multi-media marketing agency.

"I have an amazing team and I did not do this on my own," Lea Woodford says. "As you learn new skill sets and you build your team you find new revenue streams."

Lea Woodford says her main goal is to help women go further and to help women be more mindful.

Lea Woodford has changed her outlook and perspective on life while writing her book. SmartFem will soon be featured in major airports and luxury hotels.

"Don't put an expiration date on yourself, I got married at 52," Woodford says. "I also found the career of my dreams."

The post How the CEO of SmartFem Media Group Made Her Dreams Come True – At The Age of 50 appeared first on Inspired Media 360 TV - Inform | Inspire | Engage.

Rising country music star and fifth generation local Arizona boy, Austin Burke, has overcome some hard times. His dreams are finally coming true. An up and coming new artist in Nashville, he recently signed with the William Morris Agency.

Burke and his family struggled with financial issues when he was younger. His father, Shawn Burke, says they were just living day to day after his business got caught up in the real estate mortgage crisis. As the years continued, everything was taken away but their family.

"It was tough to see my dad so down and my family so down," Austin Burke says. "I really found music in that moment and in that time. I started writing songs that meant a lot to me and that was sort of a way for me to let out how I felt."

Music became Burke's outlet.

During that time, he spent time in his room just writing songs and learning to play the guitar. Burke says he didn't realize how bad things really were for his family, he just appreciated the little things. He says living in a small house with his family were some of his best memories.

At just 4 years old Burke sang the National Anthem at major sporting events and performed at Country Thunder. His father was always there by his side.

When he was ten, Burke decided to leave music for baseball, again with his father's blessing and support. "My generation, we're dreamers." Burke says. "My parents always allowed me to dream and whatever it was, they always supported me in that."

Austin Burke finally made his way back to music moving to Nashville when he was 19.

While working at a high end restaurant, he focused on writing music and making connections. Burke successfully created a community that would support him and says, "I've always been in it for the long run, I've never wanted this instantly because I know that's not realistic."

His patience paid off when the executives and music connections he had cultivated got his music on Sirius XM and Spotify.

Austin Burke's single "Sleepin' Around" has now received over one million streams. Still he remains humble, and is grateful for all that has happened.

His life journey has allowed Burke to cross paths with some famous country music stars. He first met Garth Brooks at a Padres game at age 4, and then the two met again at his restaurant in Nashville. Burke was amazed when Garth Brooks not only remembered meeting him but he remembered it was in Peoria, Arizona in 1998.

As Burke's music career rises, he keeps it real and says, "I love God, love my family and love music, in that order. I am just a normal guy with a dream and if I can do it others can too".

Austin Burke learned his life lessons of love and acceptance from his Dad.

"I feel so blessed to have these tools God has given to me. I'm waking up every day and loving what I do. To me, I am successful because of that."

Once again, Burke is back in Arizona to play at Country Thunder. His music career now coming full circle.

The post The Making of a Music Star with Austin Burke appeared first on Inspired Media 360 TV - Inform | Inspire | Engage.

"Never did I think I'd be showcasing health and hope in a bikini — as a grandma!" Angela Doonan beat cancer and lost 100 pounds. She talks to Carey about how she lost the weight and had a total life transformation.

Today we hear her incredible story about being a two-time cancer survivor and mother.

Angela's daughter was born with a rare brain disorder, Joubert's syndrome, which left her daughter, Samantha, needing total care, wheelchair bound, and non-verbal. Angela said when she had her daughter she fell in love and decided to give her the most amazing life possible. Samantha's laughter "would light up a room. She was full of life and personality."

During this time and at only 26 years old, Angela was diagnosed with inoperable non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Her only choice, she says, was to fight. She was a mom and that's what she had to do. Her son was just 7 and her daughter only 4. Fighting meant Angela would be left with significant kidney issues and heart failure from the treatment, but she had kids and had to keep going.

The hardest thing Angela had to face as a parent was not being able to help Samantha when she went into complete renal failure and was given three months to live. Angela couldn't "fix it". It was only much later when she would realize, "We all have purpose. Our lives continually touch each other."

Her darkest day was losing her thirteen-year-old daughter on April 2, 2006.

During this time, Angela was dealing with all the effects of chemo from her own cancer fight. She was struggling with obesity, high blood pressure, heart failure, a thyroid condition, fatty liver and other health conditions from her treatment. And she was diagnosed with cancer – for the second time.

After losing her daughter she didn't have the desire to fight.

But when Angela closed her eyes, she would see her daughter and think, "how dare I"? She thought of Samantha and the challenges she had bravely fought for thirteen years. Angela said she would visualize and remember how much her daughter loved her.

It was her daughter's love and encouragement that made her get up, not give up.

With failing health, Angela decided through her tears to keep going. She started by walking, then hiking, then lifting weights. She slowly became a showcase of health as a bodybuilder… as a grandma.

"Now I am healthy from the inside out."

Angela started grazing, eating smaller meals throughout the day. She made small changes, replacing fruits and nuts for sugary sweets. She learned as she went, researching on the internet, and lost over 100 pounds. In 2014, her angiogram showed her once failing heart had actually created new natural bypasses.

Angela had learned health redemption.

She had taught herself how to eat and to move every day.

"Exercise is a powerful medicine'" says Angela. She feels strong emotionally, great physically and is blessed to be able to share her story with others. She believes everyone can be stronger, together, by sharing their stories.

Now cancer free and healthy, Angela Doonan has a powerful story to share with others about a mother's love.

The post A Total Life Transformation Is Possible with Angela Doonan appeared first on Inspired Media 360 TV - Inform | Inspire | Engage.

Tyler Butler, founder and principal of 11Eleven Consulting, talks with Cary Pena about being fearless and authentic. She helps companies like Microsoft and GoDaddy create more community connection.

Butler is a trail blazer in corporate responsibility.

"It is a full circle view about being a playmaker in society and doing something for the betterment of the world".

Working in non-profit for years gave Butler the opportunity to see the challenges charities face in the community. It was during that time she saw corporations "making a strategic, conscientious effort towards how they give back". A go getter and fearless, Butler was offered a position with Microsoft, a company she believes to be one of the most philanthropic in the world. She became noticed when she he successfully helped Microsoft role out a new program, One Microsoft, designed to give the company a positive presence in the community.

Butler was then recruited by GoDaddy where she reinvented the companies' philanthropic efforts.

Butler focused on aligning their giving with their business. She launched programs to engage their employees with volunteerism. GoDaddy embraced the programs which offered paid time off for volunteerism, grants and donation matching, fundraising , in-kind support, as well as the support of global efforts. GoDaddy became recognized as the place to work.

Community programs that are launched need to align with your business explains Butler.

Successful companies find something in common between their company values and the mission of each non-profit they choose to align with. Tyler Butler studies company cultures. She knows each company is unique so each program launched should be unique to them.

"Positive sentiment is an authentic part of a good corporate program," says Butler.

Look at Zappos, who recently partnered over the holidays with Animal Welfare Leagues across the country , and Toms who created a powerful business model with their One for One campaign giving a pair of shoes to a child in need for each pair of shoes they sell.

Butler's mantra she says is to "live fearlessly".

Her childhood was nomadic moving every few years. She says her biggest inspiration in life is her mom.

As a working mom, she always found time to be involved with her children. Even though she had a rare heart disease, she has never let her health get her down. Butler says her mom continues to be a daily inspiration for her. Butler's mom instilled in her children, "You can do anything you believe you can do".

This mantra has helped Tyler Butler live fearlessly.

Butler says it is important to choose a cause that has personal meaning, where you have a personal connection. She most admires Bob and Renee Parsons.

Both live a life of philanthropy. Butler looks at Bob Parsons as a hard worker, successful, driven and someone who lives life on his own terms. She says he gets involved in causes that are close to him. So what's next?

Butler is now working with Frontdoors Media as a fashion and society contributor with a focus on where fashion meets philanthropy.

Recently she interviewed American Television Producer, Ally Hilfiger, and Designer Zang Toi who were in town to support the Focus on Lyme Event.

And… Tyler Butler will continue to be fearless saying, "I'm just very grateful. Every day is a blessing. Hard work really does pay off."

The post How To Be A Playmaker in Society and Build Community appeared first on Inspired Media 360 TV - Inform | Inspire | Engage.

Radio star, Johnjay Van Es, has been targeted by bullies throughout his life. Recently he became a target once again. "I had several bullies all throughout my life, all the way up until last week." Johnjay says. He is teaching his three children to have thick skin when it comes to bullies. He was bullied by kids growing up, and always tried to react with a joke to make the bullies laugh. "My self-defense mechanism is to try and make people laugh." Johnjay says.

Johnjay Van Es was recently targeted by a radio show trying to publicly humiliate him. They attacked a picture of Johnjay with botox and called him a monster for publicly sharing his botox experiences. "If you can do something that can make yourself feel better, I'm all for it." Johnjay says. Johnjay is very public about his image and what methods he uses to better himself.

The radio show bullied Johnjay, but he didn't let it get to him. He played the clip of that radio station attacking him on his show, and made it into a joke by relating the situation to Beauty and the Beast. He tried to turn a clear case of bullying into a joke, just like he used to with the bullies of his childhood.

Johnjay Van Es believes bullies stem from broken homes, and if you have a loving home you are more inclined to be positive. He says his parents had a large impact on his positive outlook today. "You got to realize, that kid's life at home probably isn't that great and try to look at it from their point of view." Johnjay says about bullies.

Johnjays's entire life is about making sure his children grow up with integrity, character, and that they are just good people. He says, "My family, we try to make sure we leave an impact, we try to do something positive every day, we try to love up."

The post Facing Bullying As An Adult with Johnjay Van Es appeared first on Inspired Media 360 TV - Inform | Inspire | Engage.

Teri Bode, former Cardinals Cheerleader turned second grade teacher, has overcome obstacles of cancer, and fights every day to defy the odds with positivity and living an intentional life. She says, "Being positive completely changes the way you feel internally and the way you look outside."

In 2000, Teri Bode was diagnosed with breast cancer, and after surgery she was told it was all clear, but two years later it came back. She had surgery once again and started treatments. "I was confident with the doctor telling me that was it, and that was it for 10 years, then it got a little crazy in my life," Bode says.

10 years after her second surgery, Teri had unbelievable aches in her back for weeks, and it wasn't until she collapsed and became incredibly ill that she went to her doctor. "I always thought breast cancer was limited to your breasts – a lot of women think breast cancer is limited to your breasts – when you go through this you realize that's not the case." Teri Bode says.

Her doctor told her the cancer had spread to her spine, ribs, collar bone, skull and she had nine compression fractures which was causing the pain in her back. Teri was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer that was incurable.

"When you get diagnosed with cancer it's a scary thing. When you are told years later that it is growing and spreading, you immediately think, death."

During her cancer treatments, Bode had double pneumonia and went into a coma for four days. The doctor told her family she might not wake up.

Bode did wake up and she had a new positive outlook – she was ready to fight her cancer head-on.

Teri Bode navigates her incurable cancer journey through positivity and selfies.

"It wasn't until I realized and told myself, okay this is my new life now. This is what I'm going to have to do. I'm going to have to take it almost like a job that I've got to go to and do what is necessary to work at life and keep going."

Teri Bode still loves life, she just had to learn to love life differently. "Life is precious," she says, "and we need to stop taking the little things for granted. Take each day as a blessing."

The post Living An Intentional Life With Stage 4 Cancer Fighter Teri Bode appeared first on Inspired Media 360 TV - Inform | Inspire | Engage.

Founder of Pro Athlete Advantage, Matt Phillips, says the world's greatest leaders have one thing in common: Mental Toughness. Phillips teaches athletes and business leaders around the country to have mental toughness.

As a former athlete turned entrepreneur, Matt teaches people mental toughness by beginning with their core foundation. His concept, called 'Build your Stand', is based off a book called Navy Seal Ethos. "I set that foundation with everybody." Phillips says. "The principals and values that are driving our life, what are the actions and behaviors that are driving our daily decisions. Let's make sure that core is there because then we can start building from there."

Matt Phillips says in the sports and business worlds, the mental side is a big factor. Everyone has the ability to be mentally tough, but most people don't know how to act upon it. Phillips talks with his clients about how to set up for success, and their goals. He says the power of thinking is very important.

Phillips believes getting up 15-30 minutes early every day will improve your life in a positive way. He says, "If you start looking at what you're doing with your morning and you fill it with things that energize you and get you excited and fired up and you accomplish something during the morning and you walk in the office confident, focused, emotionally in control, calm and your day starts out unbelievably well."

Matt breaks down mental toughness into four different areas: Confidence; Focus; Control; Perseverance.

"I have put a tremendous amount of effort into myself, developing my mental muscle, my mental toughness in the business world." Phillips says. "I get to see people reignite that flame inside them, I get to see it be lit."

The post The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong with Matt Phillips appeared first on Inspired Media 360 TV - Inform | Inspire | Engage.