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What does it take to go from growing up in the projects of San Bernardino, California, to playing in the NFL—and what happens when the game ends?
In this episode of The Unstoppable CEO Podcast, Dr. Paul Reed sits down with longtime friend, former Washington State University football standout, NFL player, author, and mentor Chris Hayes for a powerful conversation about discipline, faith, identity, fatherhood, and the mindset required to navigate life's biggest transitions.
Paul has known Chris since he was 18 years old, when their paths crossed at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington.
What began as a shared experience on the football field has developed into a lifelong friendship grounded in faith, family, and the lessons learned through competition.
But Chris's journey began long before college football.
Growing up in the projects of San Bernardino, California, Chris faced an environment that could have taken his life in a very different direction.
An opportunity to attend Washington State changed that trajectory.
Chris recalls the culture shock of leaving Southern California for Pullman, the coaches who challenged him, and the experiences that helped transform him from a young athlete into a man with a deeper understanding of discipline, responsibility, and purpose.
As an undersized linebacker competing alongside exceptional athletes, Chris understood that talent alone wouldn't get him onto the field.
He needed a different mindset.
"I don't care what position I had to play. Just put me on the field."
That determination helped carry him beyond Washington State and into professional football.
But decades later, Chris's definition of success has changed.
Greatness evolves as you evolve.One of the most powerful moments in the conversation comes when Chris explains why he no longer believes greatness has one fixed definition.
"I believe that greatness evolves as you evolve."
As a young athlete, greatness meant competing, earning opportunities, and reaching the NFL.
Today, it means something much deeper.
Being a husband.
Raising children who understand commitment.
Watching those children grow into adults and build families of their own.
Living with faith, intention, and purpose.
And using the lessons of his own journey to help others navigate theirs.
Chris and Paul explore why the same principles that helped them succeed as collegiate athletes remain relevant in business, leadership, parenting, and everyday life.
It's all mental.Throughout the episode, Chris returns to one central belief:
The most important battles are often the ones happening inside your own mind.
You can train your body.
You can develop technical skills.
You can prepare for competition.
But when you're exhausted, discouraged, distracted, or facing uncertainty, your ability to manage your thoughts becomes critical.
Chris shares why he prioritizes daily walks, prayer, reflection, self-coaching, and intentional thinking.
He also discusses his interest in Stoic philosophy and the importance of maintaining inner calm when the world around you feels chaotic.
His perspective is simple:
You cannot control everything happening around you.
But you can work on how you respond to it.
And that ability becomes especially important when life demands more from you than you thought you could give.
Raising children who understand commitmentAs a former NFL player, Chris understood both the opportunities and the sacrifices associated with professional football.
When his sons expressed interest in playing, he didn't simply encourage them to follow in his footsteps.
He challenged them to explain why they wanted to play.
In fact, he required each of them to write about their commitment before moving forward.
He wanted them to understand that pursuing something difficult requires more than excitement about the potential reward.
It requires knowing who you are, understanding the sacrifices involved, and being willing to do the work.
That lesson applies just as powerfully to entrepreneurship, leadership, and building a meaningful life.
In this episode, you'll discover:How Chris went from growing up in San Bernardino to playing football at Washington State and reaching the NFL
Why his experience in Pullman became a defining chapter in his life
The coaches and mentors who helped shape his character and mindset
Why discipline connects success in athletics, business, family, and faith
How Chris's definition of greatness has evolved over time
Why he refused to let his children feel obligated to follow his football career
The importance of understanding your identity before committing to a difficult goal
How daily walks, reflection, prayer, and self-coaching help Chris manage his mindset
Why controlling your internal response matters more than trying to control everything around you
How Stoic philosophy and Christian faith influence his approach to life
Why maintaining inner peace requires intentional effort
How the lessons of football continue to shape his approach to fatherhood and leadership
The role of faith and spiritual foundations in navigating life's transitions
Chris's plans for his forthcoming book, Your Next Position
Chris also shares the evolution of his writing.
His first book, published in 2007, explored his journey through football and the transition beyond the game.
Now, he's developing a new book, Your Next Position, which revisits the principles that shaped his athletic career and examines how those same foundations continue to guide him decades later.
The message is relevant to anyone navigating a new season of life.
Your career may change.
Your responsibilities may change.
Your definition of success may change.
But the principles that ground you—faith, discipline, family, and purpose—can continue to guide you through every transition.
Chris's personal mantra captures that philosophy:
"Have fun being great."
This conversation is about far more than football.
It's about understanding who you are, embracing the lessons of your journey, and recognizing that greatness isn't a destination you reach once.
It's something you continue to redefine and pursue throughout your life.
Join Dr. Paul Reed and Chris Hayes for a conversation about faith, resilience, mental discipline, family, and the power of building a foundation that lasts beyond the game.
Engage. Equip. Empower.
Make today better than yesterday.
What if the biggest thing holding you back isn't your ability, ambition, or work ethic—but the people you're surrounding yourself with?
In this solo episode of The Unstoppable CEO Podcast, Dr. Paul Reed shares a powerful reminder about one of the most overlooked drivers of personal and professional growth:
There is power in proximity.
Coming off two very different experiences—a large event bringing together more than 700 people, followed by an intimate gathering of 20 high-achieving individuals and their spouses—Paul reflects on why intentionally placing yourself around people who challenge, inspire, and stretch you can change the trajectory of your life.
And this isn't a principle Paul discovered recently.
He traces it back to his childhood as a competitive athlete, when he deliberately sought opportunities to train with older, stronger, and more experienced wrestlers. He wasn't looking for the easiest room.
He was looking for the room that would make him better.
That same philosophy has shaped nearly three decades of leadership, business, personal development, and relationships.
Your environment is shaping your future.Paul explores how the people around us influence our habits, expectations, attitudes, and ultimately our results.
Drawing on research into social connections and peer influence, he explains why surrounding yourself with people who demonstrate the behaviors and achievements you aspire to can create powerful opportunities for growth.
He also shares how communities such as CrossFit demonstrate this principle in action: people enter an environment with shared standards, accountability, and a culture of improvement—and begin adopting new habits themselves.
The lesson applies far beyond fitness.
It applies to business, leadership, marriage, relationships, health, faith, and personal development.
In this episode, you'll discover:Why proximity to high achievers can accelerate personal and professional growth
How Paul's wrestling experience shaped his approach to success
Why you should intentionally seek out people who are further ahead than you
The influence of social environments on habits, attitudes, and behavior
Why the right mastermind, coaching group, or community can change your trajectory
How to distinguish genuine mentors from people who only appear successful
Why getting into the right room can challenge your current standards
The importance of surrounding yourself with people who encourage growth
Why serving something bigger than yourself creates lasting motivation
How accountability, consistency, and persistence contribute to meaningful progress
Why personal growth often requires discomfort and tension
How to begin building a network that supports the person you want to become
One of the central ideas Paul returns to throughout the episode is that meaningful growth rarely happens in isolation.
The right people challenge your thinking.
They expose you to possibilities you haven't considered.
They encourage you to raise your standards.
And sometimes, they make you uncomfortable enough to take action.
As Paul reminds us:
"All things grow under tension."
Growth doesn't happen overnight. Like building muscle, it requires consistent effort, persistence, and an environment that encourages you to keep showing up.
Paul challenges listeners to become intentional about the rooms they enter and the relationships they cultivate.
Whether it's a business mastermind, professional conference, coaching group, church community, men's group, or another environment filled with people pursuing meaningful goals, the principle remains the same:
Get around people who inspire you to become better.
The ChallengeTake a look at the people you're spending the most time with.
Are they challenging you?
Are they encouraging you?
Are they pursuing the kind of growth you want for yourself?
Or are you staying in environments that make it easy to remain exactly where you are?
You don't necessarily need another strategy, book, or motivational speech.
You may simply need to get into a different room.
Join Dr. Paul Reed for this powerful Unstoppable CEO Moment and discover why the people you surround yourself with may be one of the most important decisions you make.
Engage. Equip. Empower.
Make today better than yesterday.
What does more than half a century in chiropractic teach you about faith, focus, discipline and serving at an extraordinary level?
In this episode of The Unstoppable CEO Podcast, Dr. Paul Reed sits down with legendary chiropractor, author and mentor Dr. Tom Morgan for a conversation spanning decades of chiropractic history.
Dr. Morgan began his chiropractic journey in the 1960s. Early in practice, he attended one of the first DE meetings and developed a close relationship with Dr. Sid Williams, whom Morgan says he spoke with almost daily for approximately 20 years. That mentorship helped shape his philosophy, his practice and eventually his approach to coaching other chiropractors. DrTom Morgan
At his peak, Morgan built an extraordinary high-volume practice. He recalls progressing from 150 patients per day to 200 and ultimately reaching a day when he cared for roughly 400 patients. But behind those numbers was something deeper: an intense commitment to purpose, focus and service. DrTom Morgan
One of Sid Williams' most consequential lessons was eliminating distractions. When Sid challenged Morgan to sell his show horse and develop a "one-track mind," Morgan initially resisted. After selling it, however, he says his practice volume doubled and he felt an opening in his ability to focus on the mission in front of him. DrTom Morgan
Paul and Dr. Morgan also explore the role faith and family played throughout his career. Morgan credits his wife, Mary Ann, as essential to everything he accomplished—from managing clinics and raising their children to editing his writing. Their three children ultimately became chiropractors themselves. DrTom Morgan
This episode isn't simply about building a massive practice.
It's about the thinking behind it.
Paul and Dr. Morgan unpack the importance of disciplining your thoughts, surrounding yourself with the right mentors, refusing complacency, setting goals, staying physically and spiritually active, and continuing to grow regardless of age.
Dr. Morgan also shares a powerful distinction about communicating with patients: don't simply talk to them—teach them. With only a few minutes available during an adjustment, he believed every interaction was an opportunity to help patients better understand the chiropractic perspective. DrTom Morgan
In this episode, you'll discover:Perhaps the best summary comes near the end of the conversation.
At 84 years old, Dr. Morgan's message is still about moving forward:
"Your life's still ahead of you, so keep a positive spirit." DrTom Morgan
This is a conversation about far more than practice volume.
It's about building a life around faith, family, discipline, service and purpose—and staying committed to that mission for a lifetime.
Engage. Equip. Empower.
What does it take to pursue a dream that other people think is unrealistic — and stay grounded when you actually achieve it?
In this episode of The Unstoppable CEO Podcast, Dr. Paul Reed sits down with former NBA first-round draft pick and Gonzaga All-American Dan Dickau for a conversation about faith, family, discipline, resilience, leadership, and doing the work when nobody is watching.
Dan's basketball journey took him from Vancouver, Washington, to the University of Washington, Gonzaga University, and ultimately the NBA. But the conversation goes well beyond basketball. Dan and Paul explore the principles behind that journey — and how those same principles have shaped Dan as a husband, father of seven, broadcaster, entrepreneur, coach, and business owner.
Dan shares how faith became part of his routine during the demanding NBA schedule, including making pregame chapel services a priority even while constantly traveling. Today, he and his wife Heather continue making faith and family priorities as they raise their seven children.
They also unpack one of the most powerful lessons from Dan's career:
Sometimes you need to be a little "delusional" about what you believe is possible.
As a kid, Dan told people he wanted to play in the NBA — and people laughed. Instead of allowing someone else's expectations to define his future, he continued pursuing the goal. His perspective today: what's in your heart is yours, so dream as big as you want.
But dreaming wasn't enough.
Dan talks candidly about broken bones, transferring schools, sitting out an entire season, grinding through practices when there was no spotlight, and learning that some of the greatest growth comes through failure and challenge.
In this episode, Paul and Dan discuss:Today, Dan owns Shoot 360 Spokane, where he's helping develop basketball players ranging from young children learning the game to high-level athletes. For Dan, business isn't simply about owning a company — it's another opportunity to influence people and create an impact in his community.
This is a conversation about much more than making it to the NBA.
It's about having the courage to dream big, developing the discipline to keep working when nobody sees the work, staying grounded in faith and family, and using whatever platform you've been given to make an impact.
Listen now and ask yourself: Are you dreaming big enough — and are you willing to keep doing the work required to get there?
ABOUT DAN DICKAUDan Dickau is a former Gonzaga All-American and NBA first-round draft pick whose career took him to professional basketball's highest level. Today, he works in broadcasting, business, coaching, and basketball development while raising seven children with his wife and high-school sweetheart, Heather.
Dan is also the owner of Shoot 360 Spokane, a basketball training facility serving athletes across multiple ages and skill levels — from young children beginning the game to professional and former Gonzaga players.
What if earning more money isn't the answer to financial freedom?
In this episode of The Unstoppable CEO Podcast, Dr. Paul Reed sits down with Chris Miles, Cash Flow Expert, Anti-Financial Advisor, founder of Money Ripples, and author of The Work Optional Blueprint. Chris retired for the first time before age 30—then later found himself more than $1 million in debt before rebuilding his financial freedom a second time.
Chris challenges much of the conventional financial advice business owners have been taught. Instead of simply saving more, eliminating every debt, and locking money away for retirement, he argues that CEOs need to understand one of the most important numbers in their lives: cash flow.
Chris breaks his approach down into three principles:
Get Lean. Get Liquid. Get Out.
Paul and Chris unpack what those principles actually mean—and why becoming a better steward of the money you already earn may create more freedom than simply chasing more revenue.
They discuss the difference between spenders, savers, and stewards, how scarcity around money can quietly affect business decisions, and why your personal "money story" can influence everything from pricing to investing to the way you lead your practice.
Chris also introduces his Cash Flow Index, a different way of evaluating debt based on how much monthly cash flow can be freed up—not simply which debt carries the highest interest rate. He shares real examples of chiropractors who found substantial cash flow inside their existing finances without necessarily needing to grow their practices first.
In this episode, you'll discover:Chris's message is simple: the goal isn't merely to become debt-free or build a large retirement account. The goal is to create enough sustainable cash flow that work becomes optional.
If you're generating good revenue but still feel like your lifestyle depends on you continually producing, this conversation will challenge the way you think about money, wealth, and freedom.
Engage. Equip. Empower.
What if the freedom you want isn't being held back by your circumstances—but by the discipline you're unwilling to maintain?
In his first solo episode of The Unstoppable CEO, Dr. Paul Reed tackles a subject that has shaped his life as an athlete, chiropractor, entrepreneur, husband, father, and leader:
Discipline.
We all want freedom.
Financial freedom.
Freedom in our health.
Freedom in our relationships.
Freedom in our faith.
Freedom in our businesses.
But freedom isn't the absence of discipline.
Freedom is the result of discipline.
Paul challenges you to stop complaining about the outcomes you're not getting from the work you're not doing—and start taking ownership of the areas of your life where you've stopped holding the line.
Drawing from his experience playing college football at Washington State, his faith, leadership, business, and the lessons he's learned through doing hard things, Paul breaks down why discipline isn't punishment.
It's the price we pay for becoming the person capable of creating the life we say we want.
In This Episode:• Why freedom is on the other side of discipline
• The difference between saying "I have to" and "I get to"
• Why the pain of discipline is better than the pain of regret
• Paul's lesson in discipline from his college football days at Washington State
• Why you can't complain about outcomes you're not willing to work for
• What Hebrews 12:11 teaches about discipline, pain, and the harvest that follows
• The five foundations: Faith, Fitness, Family, Finances & Fun
• Why different seasons of life require different forms of discipline
• How discipline directly impacts your leadership, team, and business
• Why you need to stop negotiating with the lesser version of yourself
• How deliberately doing hard things can build mental fortitude
• Why discomfort isn't something to avoid—but something to lean into and learn from
• How to identify the areas where a lack of discipline may be costing you freedom
Paul leaves you with a challenge:
Look honestly at your life.
Where don't you have freedom right now?
Where do you feel stuck, bound, frustrated, or unable to create the outcome you want?
Then ask yourself a harder question:
What discipline have I been unwilling to maintain in that area?
Build the discipline.
Build the tenacity.
Hold the line.
Because the freedom you're looking for may be waiting on the other side of the work you've been avoiding.
If this episode challenges you, share it with someone who needs to hear the message.
The Unstoppable CEO with Dr. Paul Reed
Engage. Equip. Empower.
Create your next best.
From a Condemned House to the NFL — and a Life He Actually Wants to Live
What happens when the very thing that was supposed to hold you back becomes the fuel that pushes you further than anyone expected?
In this episode of The Unstoppable CEO, Dr. Paul Reed sits down with Mkristo Bruce — former All-American and Pac-10 standout at Washington State, NFL veteran, and now a multi-business entrepreneur running a mortgage company, a gym, and flying planes on the side. Mkristo grew up in a condemned house with no heat and no running water — and turned that into a relentless, chip-on-the-shoulder drive that carried him from the projects to the Combine, and from the locker room to building thriving businesses.
This conversation goes far beyond football. Mkristo and Paul dig into the daily disciplines behind sustained success, what it really takes to raise emotionally strong kids, and why slowing down to enjoy what you've built might be the hardest — and most important — skill of all.
In this episode you'll discover:
Memorable Quotes
Books Mentioned
Connect with Mkristo Bruce
If this episode encouraged you, share it with a business owner, a parent, or a former athlete who needs the reminder that the chip on your shoulder can become the very thing that builds your life.
Subscribe to The Unstoppable CEO on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, so you never miss an episode.
What Happens When You Let God See Around Your Corners?
What if the vehicle you're driving — your business, your calling, your life — was built to go faster than you're comfortable with?
In this episode of The Unstoppable CEO, Dr. Paul Reed sits down with his longtime friend Billy Sticker — entrepreneur, AI strategist, and author of The Blessed Entrepreneur. Since 2015, the companies Billy has founded, including ChiroCandy and HireZim, have helped more than 2,000 businesses generate over $450 million in revenue. But for Billy, business has always been about more than numbers. He builds companies as a way to live out his faith, steward his gifts, and help other leaders grow with clarity, purpose, and lasting Kingdom impact.
Billy and Paul get into family, faith, mindset, and the future of AI in business — including a car-rally story that turns into one of the most powerful lessons on trust and communication with God you'll hear this year.
In this episode you'll discover:
Memorable Quotes
Books Mentioned
Scripture Referenced
Connect with Billy Sticker
If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend, a fellow leader, or anyone who needs to hear that God can see around the corners they can't.
Subscribe to The Unstoppable CEO on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, so you never miss an episode.
What if growing an extraordinary practice wasn't about adding more—but eliminating almost everything that doesn't matter?
In this episode of The Unstoppable CEO, Dr. Paul Reed sits down with legendary chiropractor, mentor, speaker, and author Dr. Tim Young for a conversation about simplicity, mastery, leadership, and what it really takes to build a practice and life that lasts.
Dr. Young practiced for 30 years and built Young Chiropractic into an extraordinary adjustment-focused practice. Over a 27-year period, the practice averaged more than $1 million in annual collections—with the chiropractic adjustment at the center of everything.
His philosophy?
Stop overcomplicating it.
Know who you are. Know what you do. Become exceptional at your craft. Communicate your message with conviction. And then show up consistently enough for the results to compound.
Paul and Tim dig into the principles behind that philosophy—and why those same principles extend far beyond the four walls of a practice.
In This Episode:• Why simplicity may be one of the greatest competitive advantages in business
• The danger of constantly adding new services and revenue streams instead of making "the main thing the main thing"
• Why Tim believes mastering the chiropractic adjustment can immediately separate a doctor from the profession
• The difference between knowing chiropractic philosophy and actually living it
• Why who you are in the practice is more important than what you do
• How to communicate your message with simplicity, authority, and conviction
• Why leadership starts by taking responsibility and leading by example
• The disciplines Tim has practiced consistently for decades
• Why there are no shortcuts to mastery
• The danger of comparing yourself to other successful people instead of who you were yesterday
• Why you should run your practice for where you want it to go—not where it is today
• How Tim grew from opening his own practice in 1999 to a record week of 937 patient visits
• Why being fully present with every patient matters
• The power of building a practice through extraordinary results and word-of-mouth referrals
• Why experienced chiropractors have a responsibility to mentor, teach, show up, and give back to the profession
Books & Resources Mentioned:Think and Grow Rich — Napoleon Hill
Start With Why — Simon Sinek
Are You the Doctor, Doctor? — Fred Barge
The Glory of Going On
The Millionaire Chiropractor — Dr. Tim Young
The Expectation Effect
Connect With Dr. Tim Young:FOCUS OKC: https://focusokc.com
FOCUS Foundation: https://focusfoundation.com
Facebook: Search Dr. Tim Young
The Millionaire Chiropractor: Available through FOCUS OKC and Amazon
Dr. Young closes the conversation with a challenge to the profession: get involved.
Mentor a young chiropractor. Host a garage night. Attend seminars. Support your association. Surround yourself with people who are committed to the craft.
Because becoming exceptional doesn't happen overnight.
It's the result of simplicity, discipline, intention, and the consistent pursuit of becoming better than you were yesterday.
The Unstoppable CEO — engaging, equipping, and empowering you to create your next best life and business.
What separates leaders who build successful businesses from those who build extraordinary lives?
In this powerful episode of The Unstoppable CEO, Dr. Paul Reed sits down with chiropractor, entrepreneur, speaker, author, and founder of multiple successful businesses, Dr. Steve Judson, for a conversation about leadership, purpose, faith, and living with unwavering integrity.
From building seven businesses and multiple chiropractic practices to raising five children while protecting his family from becoming an afterthought, Dr. Judson shares the principles that have shaped his life and leadership.
Together, Paul and Steve discuss why success begins with personal transformation, how to develop leaders instead of followers, the importance of daily disciplines, and why integrity is the ultimate competitive advantage.
If you're building a business, leading a team, raising a family, or striving to become the next best version of yourself, this conversation will challenge and inspire you.
In this episode you'll discover:• Why intentional leadership always starts at home
• How to build multiple businesses without sacrificing your family
• The importance of quiet time, prayer, and listening for direction
• Why your greatest breakthroughs begin with personal healing
• The leadership mindset required to build high-performing teams
• Why weaknesses become strengths when embraced with humility
• The daily habits and routines that create consistency
• How to surround yourself with people who elevate your thinking
• Why integrity is one of the most valuable leadership traits
• The future of chiropractic and developing the next generation of principled leaders
Books Mentioned🌐 Website: https://drstevejudson.com
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drstevejudson
🎙 Wake Up Humans Podcast
📖 Book: Wake Up Human
If this episode encouraged you, challenged your thinking, or inspired you to lead at a higher level, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another leader.
Because unstoppable leaders don't simply build successful businesses.
They build lives that inspire generations.
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