As a young boy, I was lazy.”

Who supports you? Were you told you could achieve anything as a kid? Were you asked what you wanted to be when you grew up or who you wanted to be? There’s a difference. Many of us tend to forget; what we do does not define who we are. It is in these stages, as a kid, where we begin to set the precedent for the following years of life. We build our foundations. We learn what we can do, what we believe, and how that will all show up in the world. Many of us learn things that tend to limit our greatness. Who do you have in your life that is willing to help shatter those limiting beliefs? Nick Maier and The Youth Academy are here to break those barriers.

Fear feels the same as excitement. The only difference is the story I tell in my head.”

As a young kid, Nick Maier was lazy. He held fear when he saw all his pro league baseball dreams shatter. Not for any reason other than not putting in the work. With a distorted mindset, Nick took this information to throw himself into the fitness world. After losing too much weight over the following summer, Nick found himself depressed and fighting a bigger mental battle. Where to go next?

Our growth in success is the connection we have with the kids on an individual level.”

It took years of painful growth. It’s had its ups and downs, but the more Nick has stayed true to his calling, he’s lived in purpose. The more Nick, and The Youth Academy, is able to take time to assess and improve, the better off they find themselves. The more time Nick and his coaches spend with each one of their kids, the better off the kids are. The Academy is, and always will be, youth focused on the relationships and growth each individual has potential for.

The WHY / / Give back to the people who have given so much to me.

Enjoy Nick’s journey as he dives into his lazy youth, taking space to listen to his purpose, and how he seeks to give back with The Academy.

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I followed the traditional path, but I began to lose my way.”

Go to school. Get a job. Get married. Have kids. Etc. Many of us have felt society’s cookie cutter direction in life. This one track mentality leading us to a life we’re “supposed to live”. However, when, in this process, do we take account of who we are, who is influencing us, and where we actually are? When do we assess us? Today’s guest, Bethan Laker, shares her experience in the struggle of breaking society’s chains.

Finding me was the initial driver.”

Bethan Laker grew up in a military family spending most of her childhood traveling. She never experienced much conversation or space around sharing emotions. However, life was seemingly great. She finished Uni, got a job, and even found herself in a relationship. But with all of the pieces appearing to fall right into place, why did she begin to feel as though she didn’t know who Bethan Laker truly was? It was in this first experience with depression that Bethan knew she had to change.

I inspire, I educate, I influence. That is leadership.”

After Bethan’s second bout of depression, she found a coach (Ryan Hartley) who allowed her the space and permission she never felt she had prior. She got selfish with self-care and took a deep personal discovery of who she truly was. In this journey she met new people and left behind toxic relationships. She dove into helping herself in hopes to soon help others in their own discovery process.

The WHY / / To lead with authenticity and passion. To inspire others to succeed in their own journey through life. To live a life of authenticity and true happiness.

Enjoy Bethan’s journey as she dives into facing depression, traveling across the world to find peace, and sharing her truth with the world.

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I used to sacrifice my deepest truth to fit in.”

Too often, we find ourselves sacrificing what we love, what brings us light, to be able to “connect” with others. We may drop what we believe in to conform to society. We find ourselves tricked into thinking that money, status, or any other tangible thing will create a better life for us. While tools like money can be in aid in our overall peace, it certainly isn’t an end-all-be-all. In fact, when we solely focus all of our energy on something like money and forget about the people and relationships that are always involved, we constantly live in a space of transaction. How can we move into transformation? Byron van Pelt takes us through his own journey from the material to the authentic.

When I am connecting with people I’m letting my faith control the connection, not my mind.”

Byron began his career post college in the world of sales. Living in a constant space of transaction. How can you close the next deal? How can you get this person to buy in the next 10 minutes? Always seeking the next big transaction. After receiving some coaching, Byron began to see the inauthenticity that occurred in this space. It sickened him, so much so that he left and drew closer to coaching. With loving guidance, Byron began to build his own coaching business. Learning that authentic relationships were more important that the transaction behind them.

You’re loved. You’re enough. Trust your intuition.”

With years of transformational relationships under his belt, Byron looked back to see what he had learned. It turned out that his skills in business and coaching had more in common than he originally thought. Today, Byron mixes his passions by helping other coaches build meaningful relationships with their clients and themselves. All seeded from a place of authenticity and vulnerability. He helps his clients connect with themselves and be able to deepen their authenticity with the world.

The WHY / / Developing meaningful relationships through vulnerability

Enjoy Byron’s journey as he dives into his past experience in sales, how faith drives him, and what awareness was necessary to transition to authenticity.

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However painful this is going to be, I want to experience all of this and find this path to healing and be able to share that with other people.”

Pain is something we all feel. Whether it’s physical, emotional, or spiritual, we’ve all had our own relative experience with pain. Maybe your relationship with pain is healthy. Maybe yours is frequent. Maybe yours feels a little too heavy. Wherever you’re at, this conversation will offer you a new perspective on pain. It will hopefully open up a space for you to feel what you need to feel while, at the same time, finding a safe space to share what you need to share. Ian Austin’s experiences offer the connection into your greatest possibilities.

We all have the same pain and it’s all relative.”

After his time as an active duty Army Ranger, Ian Austin found himself entering back into civilian life in pain. Not only was he experiencing PTSD from his time in the military, but he uncovered past childhood trauma as well. A collective pain that left him feeling shattered and searching for some relief. A pain that guided Ian to manifesting a trip that continues to teach him to this day. Ian took half a year to travel everywhere from Poland to India to China to Costa Rica. All connecting to deepening his growth and allowing him physical and spiritual healing.

The wound is where the light comes in.”

As his trip came to a close and he re-entered the “real” world again, Ian was left feeling almost as deflated as when he began. However, after a few more months of processing and some more retreats, Ian discovered that his pain was giving him a gift. His pain was showing him a light within himself that he never had seen before. His gift, his light, is now growing and illuminating in bigger ways than he could have ever imagined.

The WHY / / Share opportunities and possibilities through growth, understanding, & compassion.

Enjoy Ian’s journey as he shares about his PTSD trauma, his spiritual travels, and his growth in the healing process.

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I couldn’t fulfill my mission if I was holding onto my pain.”

Pain, fear, shame, doubt. All emotions that hold us in a place we don’t want to be. A place that seems eerily comfortable and yet completely unbreakable. Feelings that hold us back from our greatest potential. So, if it isn’t good to stay in this place, what makes it so important? What is it about suffering that takes us deeper when we fight it? What can we do to get out of a place of pain and suffering? How can we tap into our place of love and wholehearted living? Chris Saunders has lived both sides of this coin and has acquired a little bit of wisdom along the way.

The more we can have empathy in relationship, that’s the key.”

After 16 years as an Addictions Therapist, Chris found herself and her heart transitioning to that of self discovery. During her years as a therapist, Chris was sexually assaulted, leaving her with pain, suffering, and a crumbled heart. It wasn’t until one of her first divine appointments that Chris realized she had some pain to work on. After receiving tickets to a Tony Robbins retreat for her and her husband, Chris found her heart opening up into a new space of healing. By going into the deep pain that was on her heart. Chris discovered new gifts. She found that her heart was calling her to the broken hearts of others.

Believe that what’s in your heart is true and shareable.”

With this new self belief, this new power, Chris launched into her coaching career, began writing for One Tribe magazine, and now hosts a weekly show on ExPat radio. All mediums lead back to her building community and sharing hearts with the world. They allow her the space to grow her own heart, connect to others, and feed more empathy into the world.

The WHY / / Ease Suffering for People Wherever & Whenever Possible

Enjoy Chris’ journey as she dives into a tough life trauma, how she re-discovered her relationship with God, and how she brings Wholeheartedness into Coaching.

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Confidence comes with doing things over and over again.”

College; a great time for parties, new friends, and all around good times. For many of us young adults, we have way too much free time. Extra naps, late nights, and lots of delivery food. Life at that time is almost perfect. However, what is going to happen after college? Life isn’t always going to be as open and free as our twenties. This is actually a time where there is probably more opportunity and support than we’ll ever have again. So, what are you going to do with it? Party your nights away, or pursue the power that’s on your heart? Today’s guest, Bobby Hobert, was blessed enough to experience both sides.

If you really want something bad enough, you’re going to do what you need to do to get there.”

Soon after his senior year of college wrapped up, Bobby Hobert knew he was being called towards something bigger. After listening to Lewis Howes’ ‘School of Greatness’ Podcast, Bobby wondered where the content for the young adults was. In that moment, Bobby set up to grow a podcast that was geared towards sharing passionate people for the young adult. He also discovered that this platform was actually an amazing place for his own personal growth. A year into the show, Bobby took the leap from Boston suburbs to the city of stars; Los Angeles.

The real value is the relationships I’ve built.”

Just over two years into ‘Purpose in the Youth’ and Bobby has built a positive brand for himself and his growing audience. From conversations with friends and friends of friends to powerful sit-downs with guests like Chris “Drama” Pfaff, Bobby is living his dream. However, he is not stopping. None of this ever means he has “made it”. Humbly living out of his bedroom/studio space while driving Uber, Bobby is pursuing his passion the only way he could.

The WHY / / Create a Platform that Allows Growth to Become a Better Self

Enjoy Bobbbaaaay’s journey as he dives into his college life, how he started Purpose in the Youth, & how mindset has been a key factor to his growth!

We all have an intuition to say something or be someone, but we are often quick to be someone or something else.”

Do you tend to stuff your gut feeling? The first intuition you have about who you are becoming or where you’re going in life? As humans, we tend to lean towards thinking that speaking our truth is selfish. But what if the world needed to hear your truth? What if your goodness, your gift was meant to be heard by the world? Today’s guest, Beau Ash asked to hold space to not judge the first thoughts that came to our minds as this conversation developed. Our hope is that you feel the same energy while listening.

There’s a big difference between knowing and actually using the knowledge you have.”

Beau Ash is not your “typical” yoga, CrossFit, fitness, mindfulness, guru, coach, etc. With 10 years of Air Force active duty under his belt and muscles bigger than my face, Beau might appear to be a ‘rough & tough’ guy. He may even be your definition of what it means to be masculine. But, have you ever sat down and connected with the true, authentic Beau? On this episode, Beau dives into his journey from military life to failed relationships to a rebirth through sharing his story.

You do not have to be perfect to help others.”

Along his journey, he has discovered many things about himself and the world. Beau lives in a place of sharing his intuition, his goodness with the world. As we were blessed to share in and create space with Beau here, take a moment to breathe into what is heavy on your heart. Allow whatever emotion, feeling, or connection to arise. Better yet, share it. Beau encourages us all to live a life more connected by sharing every bit of who we are. Your past does not define you, but it did allow you to grow into the human you are today.

The WHY / / Sharing the Truth to Eliminate Loneliness and Build Community

Enjoy Beau’s journey as he dives into his life in the military, how he learned to become more masculine, and how he found the power of sharing one’s journey.

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My worth is not tied to what other people’s perspective of me is. It’s what I think of myself.”

Remember elementary school? When we were just super awkward. The days where being “cool” or “popular” was what we all envied. You may recall a specific time where you felt alone, scared, or even lost. The childhood years are some of our most important phases in life. We grow and take in more during those years than the many that follow. Many of us experience trauma that goes unnoticed, packed away and likely unresolved until we finally grasp awareness of it’s source. However, you may be in a position where your trauma was so prevalent that it was too hard to avoid the suffering. Today’s guest, Shae Mcmaster has a deep understanding and experience in this realm.

You don’t know how strong you are until you have to be.”

At 15 years old, Shae Mcmaster suddenly had to grow up much quicker than most his age. After feeling the pain from years of being bullied, he was hit with the death of his mother. Not only did he have to wade through the trauma, but on many levels he felt responsible for his younger siblings and father. He quickly found out that he wouldn’t be able to fight this fight alone. And yet, the suffering wouldn’t go away so easily either. As a means of balance, at the time, he discovered fitness. A new way to combat his anger and pain.

The alleviation of suffering is not getting rid of it, it’s being able to sit with it and accepting it.”

Today, Shae is turning his suffering and past into a gift for others. Teaching movement, mindfulness, and nutrition, Shae created the Enlightened Athlete Gym and training program. He seeks to combine his skill sets in fitness and mindfulness to create a space for others to grow. To share with the world that anyone can truly make it through whatever they’re going through.

The WHY / / Alleviating Suffering through Movement & Mindfulness

Enjoy Shae’s journey as he shares about the impact of his mother’s suicide, how he deals with trauma, and how he’s changing the conversation around masculinity.

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We’re all people in this struggle together.”

Many days we feel the need to have a perfect, successful life. One of no problems, frequent wealth, and lots of love. But, if we had everything we ever wanted right now, would we be happy? Would we be fulfilled? Or is the beauty in the process? In the struggle for fighting for what we believe in and creating spaces to give that to others. What if we found that the real place of fulfillment and success was to be able to live through our suffering together? Today’s guest, Jeff Thornton has been on the deep dive to connect this back through community.

You have to be willing to embrace the pain and suffering [of growth] and be truthful with yourself.”

Jeff Thornton is the CEO of Land of Lean and the co-host of the Feed Me Fuel Me Podcast. In his younger days, he experienced the origin of success that is defined by status, workload, and paycheck. As an IT specialist and then a consultant, Jeff started to feel a burn for something more fulfilling. Something that actually felt like success. With this itch, Jeff decided to leave his personal consulting behind and pursue the build of a new community: Land of Lean.

We’re here on this journey together. Community helps us grow.”

On all of our own personal journeys we are likely able to identify a few key humans who helped along the way. This could be mentors, friends, and even enemies, but they’re all people who allowed us to step into the best version of ourselves. Jeff’s journey has been no different. As the youngest of six kids with parents who always provided, he seeks to give back to the community that made him who he is today. The Land of Lean lives to create a fun, family focused community within the fitness world.

The WHY / / Giving back to family and others

Enjoy Jeff’s journey as he dives into the strangle of corporate business, the vulnerability in starting a business, and the suffering it takes to grow.

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We need to be reminded more than we need to be taught.”

If we asked you if you thought living a life of kindness was important, what would you say? Our guess is that most would answer, fairly similarly, that they would love to be living a life of kindness. However, if we take a look at the consistent news stories of violence, death, and hate, it can be hard to believe that we are consistently practicing kindness. “Wait! But I am living a life of kindness!” And, you are! There is always space to grow and learn how we can practice kindness in more areas of our lives. Today’s guest, Houston Kraft, is on a mission to educate the world through these practices of love and kindness.

Are you clear enough on what you’re fighting for, that you can recognize that your fight is bigger than your feelings?”

Houston’s journey, similar to many of our journeys, has been shaped by the amazing mentors in his life. Ever since his first feeling of being held accountable in high school, Houston discovered that there really wasn’t any other way to live than through love and kindness. As he grew, this desire manifested in being able to teach educational programs to students based around the practice of kindness. Today, Houston, and one of those mentors/friends, finds his home through his organization Character Strong.

It’s a lot of work to be kind. But it’s worth it.”

All of his hard work hasn’t been without struggle. There is an element of suffering necessary to pursue beautiful work such as education of love and kindness. Houston has continued his growth as he recently launched the Choose Love Movement, an organization on a mission to break down small, practical ways to practice love everyday. Through these organizations and work, Houston embodies the growth and learning needed to practice love on a daily basis.

The WHY / / To Fight for a World Where We Educate People on Love

Enjoy Houston’s journey as he shares experience with love & kindness, how he’s dealt with suffering, and what gets in the way of kindness!

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