Your desire to change must be greater than your desire to stay the same.”

Wouldn’t it be a lot easier if life was a lot easier? If we didn’t have to endure struggle, pain, heartbreak and beyond. In today’s society, we can often get caught up in the success and triumphs of others. We see that someone started a company, created the next big app, or got Instagram famous “overnight”. We may think, “I want to be there and experience that.” We may even have legitimate goals that will benefit ourselves and others. However, as Mycal Anders puts it, perspective is everything; people set the bar low for themselves against really high expectations.

American society has done an immense disservice in promoting a fantasy that doesn’t exist.”

Truthfully, on some level, we all know that life involves struggle and success. However, there is no success without struggle. Today’s guest, Mycal Anders (aka Coach Derz) has lived through a full spectrum of success and struggle. In the early stages of life, the struggle was directly connected to his effort and perspective on life. After getting booted from the Air Force Academy, Derz finished his college football career at Texas A&M Commerce. After graduating, and putting in the extra work to do so, Derz rediscovered his passion for military and found himself on a plane to boot camp for the Marine Corp.

I find it easier when I admit that I’m scared. Then we can make a plan.”

At first look, one might see Coach Derz in the box at CrossFit PHX and think, “That is a tough, hard-hearted dude.” You’d be half right! Derz is a tough dude, but not only through his perseverance and determination, but for his open heart and willingness to learn from those around him. In this episode, you’ll hear this full spectrum and the open heart of Mycal Anders as he sheds the mask of masculinity to help pull others up.

The WHY / / Reach Down and Pull Those up From Behind

Enjoy Coach Derz’ journey as he dives into what he learned from cheating in the military, finding his love for fitness, and taking down the mask of masculinity.

Follow Mycal Anders:

Instagram

CrossFit PHX

FeedMeFuelMe Podcast

The only way I really failed was if I allowed what happened yesterday to define today.”   Life happens. As in, we succeed, we fail, we move on. Sometimes we put obstacles in our own path to simulate what it might feel like to overcome adversity. Sometimes we train our asses off to accomplish a man-made challenge. While some might see these feats as ridiculous or crazy, many take these on to not only battle through a physical task, but to test the limits of their mental strength. A few weeks ago, d2e Ambassador Jonathan Darling set out to complete his first ever 50k race. In fact, it was his first ever race in general.   I wasn’t made to be mediocre. I wasn’t made to settle.”   Of the 32 miles to complete, Jonathan achieved 23. At this point in the race, Jonathan’s body wasn’t excited about continuing. He had to pull out. Just a few months ago, Jonathan was on this podcast sharing his WHY and the journey towards this endeavor. His words are powerful. His mindset was relentless and not willing to quit. However, at 23 miles on the brink of passing out, those words seemed to fall to the wayside.   We don’t do anybody any favors if we shrink away because we’re scared to let our light shine.”   One could easily look at this race as a defeat. The man who was so gung-ho about battling this race did not succeed. However, in this journey Jonathan has found his strengths in a gift such as this. He connects his experience to Biblical figure, Benaiah, who is found one snowy day chasing a lion into a pit and killed it. Hoka Hey (“it’s a great day to die”). The WHY / / Chase after your fears to find your light   Enjoy Jonathan’s journey as we dive into his post 50k feelings, experiences and the mindset needed to become the best you possible.   Follow Jonathan Darling: Jonathan's 1st Podcast on The WHY Blog Instagram Facebook The Healthy Salesman

It’s a process that I can see happening.”   This journey is complex. In today’s day and age, there are so many options. We are inundated with opportunities to do new things and with spaces to be new people. However, does it need to be so hectic? Is “hustling” doing a ton of amazing things or simply embracing the one thing that calls to your heart? This week’s guest, Rustin Klafka, is beginning to find this journey has to be bigger than himself.   If you invest and put yourself in that position, good things will come to you.”   Years ago, Rustin was drawn to ministry, art, and helping others on their spiritual journeys. As time evolved, so did Rustin. This evolution certainly did not create a straight line. In fact, Rustin found himself at a loss of what to believe in and which of this life’s amazing opportunities to pursue. However, from a young age, deep down Rustin Klafka knew he was being drawn to a space of challenging and helping others grow. But with the inundation of vehicles to do that, how would he accomplish this high standard?   I want to create a space where people walk into the door feeling loved and leave feeling better about themselves then when they did walking in.”   This has been a year of true growth for Rustin. Deep growth, in fact. He has gone places that many fear to go: inside his mind. Rustin is now constantly pursuing the spaces in life that allow him to honor this growth. He currently finds this purpose through coaching youth athletes, specifically in movement. For Rustin, the aspect of movement goes deeper than what we see on the outside, but the movement on the inside; the deepening and evolution of one’s mindset and perspective. The WHY / / Challenging Others to Grow   Enjoy Rustin’s journey as he takes a deep dive into his spiritual growth, holding the standard, and how he strives to coach through love.   Follow Rustin: Instagram Twitter Website Writing

Wandering gives you immense freedom to explore parts of your own life.”

 

Did you write your own story? Do you have a plan for life? How often does that plan go as planned? Sometimes unfortunately, life does not go as planned. As the Serenity Prayer states, “God, grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and Wisdom to know the difference.” How do we show up when things don’t go our way? Where does our strength reside?

 

I’m going to explore the corners of who I am to continue to better myself.”

 

During a successful athletic collegiate career, Zachariah Thompson was shocked by the news that his mom had to have heart surgery. Furthermore, the shock lingered as he himself found out that he had the same condition. After years of pursuing fitness, Zach needed to undergo heart surgery and receive a defibrillator. Not in the original plans Zach had looked forward too. However, in this space of adversity, Zach felt drawn to make the best of the cards he was dealt.

 

Our uniqueness helps connect to people in a different way.”

 

Taking his new ‘imperfection’, Zach began his journey towards purpose. Towards a life that he could utilize to give back to others. Zach now takes this heartbeat story into his coaching business, Heartbeat Strength. Not only does Zach coach physical strength, conditioning, and personal training, but through his journey is able to provide value through mindset and spirit.

[caption id="attachment_8496" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Zach and his pooch[/caption]

The WHY / / Strong Hearts Inspire Lives

 

Enjoy Zach’s journey as he dives into his heart surgery, balancing the world’s expectations, and following his imperfections!

 

Follow Zach:

Website

Ingstagram

Facebook

Coaching is just a conversation between two people, I don’t need to be anything else.”   What is the first thing you think about when you wake up everyday? Do you question yourself? Do you feel uninspired to get up and get going? Where would you place your mindset in this very moment? You may find these questions either plague you or light you up. Wherever you are among this spectrum, you are a human being on a journey just like the rest of us. You are growing, you are learning, and you have the opportunity to be Always Better Than Yesterday.   If we can look inside and find out who we are, that gives the real sense of confidence, the foundation platform on which you can build and achieve your goals from.”   This week’s guest, Ryan Hartley, embodies this phrase (Always Better Than Yesterday) in everything he does. It is, in fact, who Ryan is and who he is striving to be. Four years ago facing the defeat of not receiving his dream job, Ryan was forced to step back and evaluate where his life was heading and dive into what his WHY could possibly be. In looking for these answers, Ryan soon discovered the simple blessings that occur in life when we stop trying to be something we’re not. Ryan made his discovery.   We rise by lifting others.”   Today, Ryan helps and coaches other leaders to live their best lives. Not by hustling, working overtime, or bossing people around, but by diving into their own self discovery and holding clarity in their strengths. As a father, husband, and leader, Ryan seeks to continuing serving others while he continues to learn and grow.   [caption id="attachment_8458" align="alignright" width="300"] Ryan and his kids[/caption] The WHY / / Developing the Next Generation of Leaders   Enjoy Ryan’s journey as he dives into his coaching philosophy, his own self discovery, and how showing up authentically is always the best move!   Follow Ryan: Facebook Instagram

My development in coaching is challenging me to find a higher truth in what I’m teaching.”   As humans it’s so easy to get caught up in the norm and routine of life. It’s all too easy to become an “expert” or “master” at something and think we get it or know what we’re doing. Many of us say we’re committed to continued education and learning, but how far outside of your craft are you truly willing to go? How open to adapting and surrounding yourself with an environment that won’t simply affirm you, but push you to become a better version of yourself? This conversation with coach, entrepreneur, and all around growing human, Logan Gelbrich, might just take you to a new level.   We seek these environments because we seek meaning.”   To the outside eye, Logan Gelbrich is the owner of DEUCE Gym, a weightlifting coach, a crossfit coach, a former pro baseball player, an entrepreneur, and an all around great guy. However, if you take some time to dive deeper, you might find yourself talking about art, philosophy, evolution, and conscience evolution. Logan is not a man glued down to one way or box of living. He lives and coaches under the premises of Hold the Standard. What standard, you ask? Whatever relative, universal standard you’ve created.   I am committed to exploring my highest self.”   Logan’s evolution not only as a coach, but as a human has led him to a place where he now coaches other coaches to coach coaches. He is continually adapting, evolving, and staying curious about how the next evolutions of his life could take place. Logan is here to continue this evolution and pushing the limits of his environments to make the best of his time here on earth. The WHY / / Exploring a Higher Self   Enjoy Logan’s journey as he breaks down the Hold the Standard philosophy, conscience evolution, and what it takes to be your best self!   Follow Logan: Instagram Facebook Coaches Course

I just want to make music I love.”   The story behind a song typically holds a lifetime of meaning. Telling of someone’s life, their journey. The ups and the downs. A full album holds a collage of that journey that tells even more stories of the experience. Think of your favorite song and how it may resonate with specific times of your life. How might that connection have come about?   I feel like that’s my calling as a songwriter; to touch those tough places people are in.” Singer-songwriter, Joshua Howard, strives to put his heart into the music he creates and the connections he makes. Although music is his career now, it wasn’t always this way. Teenage Josh was an avid athlete and more interested in math and psychology. Enjoying the connection with others and learning how the human mind works. After a tough sophomore year of ups and downs, Josh made the decision to transfer schools and dive head first into a degree in music.   I always want to share my heart or hear someone’s heart.”   As Josh began to find himself in music and gain confidence while starring on NBC’s The Voice, his first album was taking shape. He grew, both in his ability to create music confidently and his personal life. With his album, Forgive My False, now out and a baby boy on the way, Joshua is in the midst of enjoying his journey to its fullest potential. [caption id="attachment_8322" align="aligncenter" width="300"] 'Lost Boy' is featured on Josh's album Forgive My False[/caption] The WHY / / Enjoy the Process   Enjoy Josh’s journey as he talks about his struggle with faith, his music journey, and his desire for deep connection!   Connect with Josh: Instagram Website Facebook

Writing for my life because I’m scared of a day job.”   Life can be beautiful, amazing, fulfilling, and exciting. But, has life ever felt big, scary, or impossible? As a kid you may have had big dreams about the things you’d achieve. Maybe you were going to be an artist, entrepreneur, or astronaut. You may have had these big aspirations only to be cut down as you moved through high school and college. Somewhere along the way learning that what you thought you could achieve was not truly possible. At the age of 28, David Nazario had enough with this “normal” approach to life.   You CAN do what you love to do.”   When he heard Common’s line, “Writing for my life because I’m scared of a day job.”, David Nazario knew he had to go for it. He had grown up writing and had always seen himself as a full-time writer. But what had stopped him all of these years? What wasn’t allowing him to pursue his dreams? David decided in that moment that, whatever it took, he would pursue writing full-time. Almost 6 years later, he hasn’t worked full-time job and is currently working on releasing his second and third books!   I had to keep going at times where I didn’t see an end in sight.”   David finds his passion in writing, but is also fueled by his business, Scared of a Day Job. With this platform he is able to continue to write, speak, and help others achieve their goals. His first book, Make Love Your Religion, dives into pieces of his life and pieces of self help so you can work to do what you love. Because, as David says, “Everyone deserves to live in abundance.”   The WHY / / Writing to Help Others   Enjoy David’s journey as he dives into his process as a writer, what it took to start a business, and how listening to your intuition is fundamental in life!

***If you'd like to order a signed copy of Make Love Your Religion and get free shipping, email David here or send him a DM on Instagram and mention you're coming from The WHY Blog!***

Connect with David: Website Instagram Twitter Facebook But the Book!

It’s an existence worth living.”   When you think about it, we truly only have one shot at this life, in this body. That’ it. It may seem, some days, like life is moving slowly or we have a second shot. However, we don’t. So why not live an exciting experience while here? This life is worth living! Logan Wood is on a mission to excite existence.   This is my existence and I want to excite it.”   Logan Wood has traveled all over the world. He’s taught ESL in Asia. He’s worked in schools in America. He’s even meditated in the jungle of Singapore! Growing up in Texas, playing football and hauling hay, Logan never pictured himself where he is today. Through chance encounters, willing mentors, and an open mind, Logan has been able to manifest the life he is living.   Gotta strike a 50/50 deal with the universe.”   Today, Logan manifests his energy as a Personal Development coach through his company, Excite Existence. He finds his own connection in bringing out the best of others. Using tools such as meditation and manifestation techniques, Logan helps bring balance and clarity to the lives of others. [caption id="attachment_8249" align="aligncenter" width="750"] Logan's Retreat Center[/caption] The WHY / / Help Others Experience Life to its Fullest Potential   Enjoy Logan’s journey as he shares his wild experience in Asia, beliefs on meditation, and practices as a coach!   Connect with Logan: Website Instagram Facebook

We Need Radical Change We need radical change because over 300 million people are suffering from depression & anxiety worldwide. d2e is preparing to take action to make that change with the launch of our new website and our Take Flight Campaign. You can create that change by giving or connecting today!   Join us to Take Flight TODAY!