Wake Up The Sun

I first met Bri back in 2013 when she was working part-time at the front desk at Slash Fitness while finishing school. From day one, she had a rare ability to make everyone feel welcome, always greeting people with a genuine smile and an upbeat, positive attitude. It didn’t take long before she began taking classes herself, and soon after, she decided to pursue a path as a personal trainer and coach.

Over the years, Bri continued to learn and grow, gaining experience at multiple facilities and businesses while fine-tuning her craft and building strong connections within the community. Along the way, she began to envision what it might look like to open her own fitness space and to take on the commitment of becoming a true one-woman operation.

She invested in a business coach and dove headfirst into the process of writing, planning, searching, and eventually finding a space she could call her own, one where she could bring her personal touch to the fitness world. Like many entrepreneurs, she faced skepticism. Some said the market was too crowded, that there were already too many gyms and programs, and that the risk was too high.

Despite the noise, Bri stayed confident. She had a clear plan, believed deeply in her vision, and trusted that if she gave it her all, it would succeed.

Fast forward just one year, and Bri now leads a thriving business. She has trainers coaching her classes, a strong and supportive community that trusts her and her programming, and a space that truly promotes health, wellness, and connection.

If you’re in the East Delray area and looking for an incredible community of like-minded individuals, be sure to connect with Bri at @thrive.fs or @bootbybri.g.

We hope you enjoy the show!

I had the pleasure of connecting with Kevin on his podcast, RISE ABOVE WITH KEVIN LANNING earlier in the year. We discussed all things sobriety, recovery and my experience strength and hope over the years as a sober man. While I was on the side of getting interviewed, I asked him to be on my show so I could flip the script and find out more about his story and how he became one of the top sober podcasters in the nation.

Since our show, he has expanded and opened up a new studio in Palm Beach able to host and accommodate a chill experience. Sitting in the studio, his rise in the podcast scene didn't happen overnight and he was going all in after leaving sales and marketing for one of the most recognizable media companies. In taking the ultimate risk, he left his role there to be closer to his daughter and moved to south Florida. What started as a couple of views took off after a viral moment with a guest on his show and being familiar with how social media works and that algorithms he turned it into a huge hit and show.

He has had many artists, entertainers, entrepreneurs and impactful people on the show talking about their journeys and what they had to overcome. If you are struggling or in need of help do not hesitate to reach out to Kevin on instagram @riseabovewithkevin @Kevin_lanning or at www.riseabovepod.com. Enjoy the show!

I first met the Rev back in 2009 when I moved to South Florida and started teaching at St Andrews in Boca. We worked in different grade levels but clicked instantly. Even after I left the school he stayed in my life and supported me through one of the hardest seasons I have ever faced. Years passed and when his name came up again I knew I had to bring him on the show.

Rev has been teaching for more than 25 years and is a cornerstone of the St Andrews community. His former students now have children walking the same halls. He has touched generations and continues to show up with the same steady heart. Teaching is his passion but he also loves acting, singing and being a grandfather.

Our conversation started with simple questions about his day to day life and turned into something much deeper. We talked about potential, loss, resilience and heartache. We explored how the school has changed over the years and what he hopes to do in the future. He is one of the calmest and most peaceful people you will ever meet. I cannot wait for you to hear this episode.

I met Jillian years ago through the fitness scene after she won a FROPRO giveaway. We stayed in touch, and more recently my wife and I took her workout class. We had an incredible time sweating, laughing, and connecting with the community. I later joined her for a Wake Up the Sun workout at another gym where she trains, and after finally sitting down to talk, I was blown away by her story and the life she has lived.

Jillian spent years as a lifeguard and paramedic, working Ocean Rescue on the South Florida beaches while competing in lifeguard games that draw some of the fittest people in the world. Believe it or not, many of the strongest Ocean Rescue competitors live right in Deerfield Beach. What began as a job quickly became a passion and a lifelong mission to stay healthy and help others do the same.

When she eventually stepped away from the EMT and paramedic world, some people thought her career ended too soon. Jillian explained that she no longer felt she could give people the patience and presence they deserved. After years of seeing some incredibly tough situations, she wanted a new direction. That direction led her back to teaching, coaching, and helping people improve their health.

Today she runs and teaches at GROyoga and also trains at THRIVE Fitness, two growing communities filled with energy and purpose. She stays committed to her own fitness and makes self care a priority so she can show up fully for her family and everyone she serves. When you spend your days pouring into others, taking care of yourself becomes even more important.

If you would like to connect with her, you can find her on Instagram at @jk_flowfitness or @groyoga. Hope you enjoy the show.

Paula is a new connection I made through social media. She stopped by FROPRO HQ to pick up some bars, and I missed the chance to talk with her. When I later took a closer look at her coaching program and the work she is doing in the community, I asked her to join me on the mic and share the story behind her life changes and why she is now committed to helping others.

Paula was once a hairdresser and stay-at-home mom. From the outside, she had the picture-perfect life with a beautiful family, a great home, and a wide circle of friends. What began as fun, carefree nights out with her husband and loved ones shifted during COVID. With more free time and fewer responsibilities, her drinking became more frequent. After several difficult conversations and personal challenges, she realized she felt empty and needed help. Seeking support connected her with many other women facing similar struggles, and this eventually led to the creation of a support group.

Her life transformed, and she recognized that others might need the same kind of guidance she once sought. She returned to school, earned a degree, and opened an office close to where her own struggles had played out. Paula encourages people to get curious about why and how they do things, and to explore the motives behind both positive choices and challenging behaviors.

If you are seeking connection or have questions, you can reach her on Instagram at @happiest_houraf or through her website at www.happiesthouraf.com (http://www.happiesthouraf.com/).

I first met Doug in 2010, when I quietly slipped into his office fresh off a DUI in Palm Beach. It was my last drink, and I desperately needed help and guidance. He welcomed me with care, brutal honesty, and direction, three things I had been missing. Doug took the time to walk me through my best options, drawing from years of experience serving the community. It was a pivotal moment in my life, and I’ll never forget the words and actions that helped me navigate one of my darkest chapters.

In 2024, I stopped by his office simply to say thank you. I wasn’t sure he’d remember me, but once I explained my case, it all came back to him immediately. We shared a laugh, caught up on life, and reconnected in a way that left me feeling grateful. I wanted to know more about his journey and, after some time, invited him onto the show to share his 30-plus years of experience helping people through some of their toughest moments.

During our conversation, Doug said something that stuck with me: “The case doesn’t define the client.” He reminded me that most people he works with are good individuals who have made bad decisions and that his role is to help them find their way forward. He genuinely loves what he does. He and his brother have grown their firm into several offices, reaching thousands of people over the years. What drives him most is the connection with people in the courtroom, the challenges, the triumphs, and the work itself. He doesn’t plan on stopping unless the phone stops ringing.

If you or a loved one needs help or counsel, you can reach Doug at www.leifertlaw.com (http://www.leifertlaw.com/).

We hope you enjoy the show!

I was connected with Adam via a mutual friend in the entrepreneurial space. He was visiting Florida on podcast circuit and dropped by HQ to share his story and what changed for the better in his life. Adam, is a nationally recognized entrepreneur, recovery advocate, and the CEO and co-founder of GITT Apparel—short for “Get In The Truck”—which he launched alongside his sister, Jeannette. Born from his own transformation out of addiction and homelessness, GITT is now a global movement and lifestyle brand sold in 41 states and across 3 continents, including Europe and the Mombasa Coast of Africa. The brand has even been featured on Times Square billboards.

Adam serves as the Chief Marketing Officer for New Hope Counseling and Recovery in Southeastern Kentucky, where he gives back by helping others still struggling with addiction. He’s also excited about the recent grand opening of him and his fiancé Jen’s women’s treatment center, Fourth Dimension Treatment Center in Coalgood, Kentucky, which offers adventure therapy and a range of innovative, holistic recovery modalities.

He’s been featured in LA Wire, CEO Weekly, Recovery Today Magazine, US Insider, NY Weekly, NY Wire, and is a frequent guest on the Everyday Kentucky Show, along with dozens of TV, radio, and newspaper interviews nationwide. Adam has over 300,000 followers across platforms and is known for combining marketing, purpose, and raw storytelling to inspire change.

👉 “GITT motivated. GITT inspired. GITT with the program. Don’t GITT left behind.”

If you have ant questions or wish to connect with Adam please do so on Instagram or Tik Tok @gitt_apparel We hope you enjoy the show!

I met Dr Vermani minutes before our podcast as a referral from a dear friend and former guest on this show. She was in town on a PR tour and joined me on The Wake Up the Sun show. 

Dr. Vermani is a clinical psychologist, public speaker, teacher and author in the field of mental health and wellness, and a registered member of the College of Psychologists of Ontario. In her private practice, Dr. Vermani Balanced Wellbeing, she provides a multi-faceted treatment approach through a variety of techniques and treatments, including supportive Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Breath~Body~Mind practices, executive coaching, Mindfulness Meditation, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT).

 Dr. Vermani specializes in facilitating treatments for adults suffering from trauma/abuse, mood, anxiety, substance addictions and other related conditions and disorders. Furthermore, Dr. Vermani offers crisis management, chronic pain management, self-esteem/assertiveness enhancement, vocational counseling, skill development and professional coaching. She also conducts outpatient/inpatient psychological, vocational and forensic assessments.

We spoke about many topics and her approach to helping others and why her career chose her after her childhood and being thrust into a caregiver role at the young age of 6. Please listen as we uncover different energy levels, approaches to routine and taking care of what you focus on........expands. You can reach Dr Vermani on her website www.drmonicavermani.com or on instagram @drmonicavermani. We hope you enjoy the show and have a most triumphant day!

I met Craig seven years ago through mutual friends. As a new transplant down in the South Florida, he quickly became involved in the recovery community to better his own life. What started as a couple month journey has now reached multiple years of sobriety, a new life and family and the opening of a law office.

Craig opened up about his past and what led him down a dark path of abusing alcohol and drugs while trying to maintain his legal profession. Ultimately he hit rock bottom and ended up down in treatment in 2018. Upon completion of treatment, he was encourage to stay down here and start over with a humbling job and to focus on himself and his early recovery. He got his first job clerking for a law office and during the interview was completely honest about this situation which landed him the job. His boss at the time understood Craig was working but sobriety and recovery came first.

During the early years, Craig spent his life giving back, working with others and following the suggestions of those who came before him. He met his wife and got marriesd, had a child and opened his own law practice with another local lawyer and recovery advocate. 

To quote their website at www.robinsoncasey.com, "At Robinson and Casey, If you’re here, chances are you’ve tried everything—conversations, ultimatums, boundaries, second chances—and you’re running out of hope. We know that feeling. The sleepless nights. The constant phone calls. The fear that today could be the day things spiral too far. Families carry that weight until it feels unbearable.We guide you through the entire legal process—whether through the Marchman Act or Guardianship. Yes, we handle the legal filings, but that’s just the beginning. We stand beside you in court, communicate with treatment providers, and make sure your family has the support and clarity you need every step of the way."

We hope you enjoy the show and if you or a loved one needs help do not hesitate to reach out to Craig with any questions. Have a most triumphant day!

Social media has an interesting way of connecting people. I had never actually met Christina in person. I knew a little about her but was intrigued by her profession and what led to her changing her own life in order to assist others. 

We dove right into the coaching aspect and why she chose to work with others. She experience a tragic loss in her family and it changed the course of who she was and her role. Moving down here several years ago working in a job that wasn't super fulfilling she sought other ways of connecting and helping people.

We spoke about feelings, what's reality perceived or fake, a true connection to God, moving on in relationships and being ultimately called to finding your true purpose and calling. There will be loss, heartbreak, ups and downs but in the end pursuing your destiny requires much that most will not do or don't even know where to start.