Wake Up The Sun

I’ve had the privilege of knowing Justin Weidenfeld for nearly fifteen years. I first met him as his baseball coach and trainer when he was in middle and high school, and through that time I also grew close with his family. His father, Don, was someone who showed me incredible kindness during one of the hardest seasons of my life. He treated me like family, and that generosity left an impression not only on me but on so many people in the South Florida community.

Seven years ago, Don passed away suddenly from a heart attack. In that moment, Justin’s life took a new direction. As a young man, he was faced with the weight of grief and the responsibility of being strong for his family as a son and a big brother. Loss has a way of reshaping us, and for Justin, it led him to seek support at Experience Camps. What began as a place of healing soon became a passion. Over the years, he became deeply involved and now serves as the Director of the Georgia Boys program for Experience Camps.

Experience Camps, founded in 2009, is a national no-cost program for children who have lost a parent, sibling, or primary caregiver. Through one-week overnight summer camps and year-round programming, they provide grieving kids with community, tools, and hope. With compassion, connection, and play at the heart of their mission, Experience Camps helps kids reframe grief and move forward with resilience.

This past summer I had the honor of volunteering as a counselor. What started with some uncertainty turned into a week filled with meaningful connection, healing, and memories I’ll carry forever. In this episode, Justin and I reflect on our shared history, the impact of loss, and the life-changing work happening at camp.

It’s a conversation about grief, growth, and the power of showing up for others. I invite you to listen in, and if it inspires you, please visit experiencecamps.org (https://experiencecamps.org/about-us) to learn more about how you can support this incredible organization.

I had the pleasure of sitting down with someone who truly embodies heart, hustle, and community spirit, Michelle Hagerty. We’d crossed paths at local events and through mutual friends, but it wasn’t until a run with the Deerfield Beach Run Club that I really got to connect with her and I’m glad I did. Michelle's story is one of evolution. 

Raised up north, she stepped straight into the family business after school, built a vibrant life with her husband and kids, and now finds herself in a powerful new chapter: giving back in big ways. From her deep involvement in local charities to launching http://ThePowerOfSports.com, which is a mission-driven platform helping kids gain access to sports, equipment, and wellness. Michelle is proof that impact starts at home and grows outward.

In this episode, we talk about how she balances her daily routine, her mindset, the importance of staying grounded, and her upcoming dancing role in Boca Ballroom Battle, where she’ll be dancing for the George Snow Scholarship Foundation this September. This conversation is a reminder that purpose can evolve, and service is a lifelong goal. Give it a listen and be sure to follow Michelle on IG @michellehagerty_ to support her journey. Available now wherever you get your podcasts. Enjoy the show!

I first met Josey years ago, in one of the most emotionally charged environments you can imagine, a recovery group setting where we were supporting a close family friend in early sobriety. I had been invited to show up as part of their support system, and I ended up sitting in on a group session that Josey was leading. What I witnessed left a lasting impression. Her presence, professionalism, and ability to hold space for people in deep struggle, it was powerful.

Fast forward to a few years later, we reconnected in a completely different context: the fitness world. We got to talking about her business, her mission, and the community she was building. That’s when I realized she wasn’t just running a company she was creating a movement for people who are working to rebuild their lives. And as 2025 began, I was lucky enough to join her team, offering support as a performance coach to clients who could benefit from that extra layer of care.

Josey is the founder of Parallels Consulting, a standout therapy and psychiatric service that’s redefining what healing can look like. Their philosophy is rooted in drawing powerful connections between past behavior and future outcomes, between what’s lived and what’s possible. It’s about helping people move from surviving to thriving.

Josey brings over 13 years of deep, hands-on experience across both the clinical and corporate sides of the healthcare world. Before stepping into leadership, she worked as a primary therapist at six top behavioral health facilities, where she not only treated clients but innovated. She created and authored a gender-specific program that brought holistic services into the therapeutic space something that changed lives and redefined what was possible for treatment centers.

In this episode, we talk about why she does this work, what fuels her passion, how her own recovery shaped her path, and what it means to show up as a mother, wife, student, and healer all at once. Josey’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and deep service to others. If you're someone who's ever struggled or love someone who has this conversation is going to resonate.

So, lean in. You might just walk away with a new perspective, some hope, and a deeper understanding of what’s possible.

And if you or someone you care about needs support, don’t wait. Visit www.parallelsconsulting.com (http://www.parallelsconsulting.com/) to learn more.

Let’s dive in.

I met Keesha years ago. Surrounded by people, full of energy, and deeply rooted in the recovery community. Over the years, we’d cross paths at local gyms, events, and business functions. Each time, her presence stood out.

Recently, I had the honor of speaking at her adolescent treatment center. Sharing my story with her clients and reconnecting with her reminded me just how far we've both come on our personal and professional journeys.

After the event, I knew I had to get her on the podcast.

Between running a treatment center, writing a book, and being a full-time mom, her schedule is no joke but we made it happen.

This conversation dives deep. We talk about: The raw reality of business ownership, mental health and parenting, sobriety, loss, connection, and resilience and the lessons that keep showing up, even years into recovery.

Keesha’s story is full of power, perspective, and purpose. If you're on your own recovery path, supporting a loved one, or just love real conversations—you’ll want to hear this one.

Questions about adolescent recovery? Visit www.guardianrecovery.com (http://www.guardianrecovery.com/) (Adolescent page) or connect on IG: @keeshawscott @guardianrecovery

I met Megan years ago in a group fitness class in Delray Beach Florida. After not seeing her for years, while walking through my neighborhood as she had recently moved in. We got to chatting and catching up and would pass each other randomly over the next several months. I started noticing her posting about a new local business and she happened to be the  founder/owner and operator. As someone that loves stories and the journey we reconnected and I got to visit the business, participate in the services provided and then we did a podcast about what led to it all.

Having faced her own personal health struggles and the emotional, mental and physical challenges of a difficult divorce, Megan embarked on a transformative journey of self-healing. Along with Megan’s personal story and being a single mom, her two children are what drives and inspires her. This journey not only reshaped her life but also redefined her understanding of beauty—one that goes beyond the surface to embrace the power of inner strength and self-love.

At Lumina Rejuvenation, they offer a comprehensive range of advanced services, cutting-edge skincare and anti-aging therapies to wellness treatments designed to help you look and feel your best. If you are seeking to connect with Megan please dm her at @Meg_mcginley or reach out to her @luminarejuvenation or Call: (561) 961-0026 or Email: [email protected]. We hope you enjoy the show!

I met Brandon several years ago when he attended a mutual friends charity workout for people in sobriety. I watched him speak to anyone that came up to him and even took photos with a smile and a thank you. Not a common thing for anyone who that had been in the public eye for as many years as he has. He was warm, engaging and interested. Over the years we trained several times, participated in workouts hosted by our mutual friend Jeremy (former wake up the sun show guest in 2020) and broke bread various times he came down to South Florida for some rest and relaxation.

After joining in a morning Friday workout, Brandon joined me over at FROPRO HQ to talk about his journey from a professional skateboarder to rising TV personality to losing it all after many years battling alcohol and drugs. After getting sober in May 2015 he began building a huge community of sober networks that facilitate and helping those sick and suffering. He, himself experienced multiple visits to treatment centers, overdoses, jails and institutions and refuses to turn his back on anyone willing to get sober.

At the young age of 46, Brandon shares his story in a raw, authentic and powerful way. He spends his time running groups at his facilities, taking phone calls from anyone that needs help, speaking at events across the country and documenting the journey. If you are in need of help or seeking to connect for someone that is please visit www.brandonnovak.com for any and all info or call him directly at 610-314-6747. We hope you enjoy the show!

Eric has been a longstanding community advocate in the mental health and substance abuse space for quite some time here in South Florida. While I've only gotten to know him over the last 2 years from working in the industry, he has a sterling reputation and shining references from his work. Eric is an accomplished South Florida psychotherapist and behavioral health consultant, currently in private practice since 2007 and specializing in the treatment of anxiety, depression, relationship issues, substance misuse, grief and loss, anger management and related traumas. 

He began working as a therapist in 1995 and has worked in a diverse range of clinical capacities including community mental health, residential addictions treatment, Native American behavioral healthcare administration and private practice. Eric also provides behavioral health program consultation and counselor training. He has instructed at the graduate school level and provides specialty clinical training to psychotherapists. 

We dove into his journey of starting out many years ago and what led him to today. He shared overcoming some personal struggles and that vulnerability is the antidote for shame. He has an amazing way of sharing his life and putting into relatable and easy going way. Eric is also the host of The Good Counsel Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts. You can contact him at www.ericbrickerlmhc.com or on social media- linked in and instagram @ericbricker.lmhc. We hope you enjoy the show and thank you for tuning in. 

It has been years since I have sat down with Pedro Luna and chatted about life and the pursuit of greatness. It's always good to regroup with a former guest on the show and review former goals that have turned into reality. What once started as a fun thing on the side has turned into a full time passion project and business not only for him but for his wife and family. Yoga retreats in some of the most beautiful locations in the world, connection in and with new communities, impacting young yogis and changing lives all from the simple action of saying yes, taking massive action and getting it done.

Sitting down we dove right into the most important topics such as returning shopping carts to their proper places, doing the best you can for today, making yourself a fucking priority and saying NO to dumb shit. I know that's a lot to handle in one sentence but that's what a repeat guest is all about. Catching up on the epic life events and changes to what's most important during the day to day. When you go from a numbers, playing it safe guy to following a passion and then creating four different businesses as a result, all while raising a family you kind of know a thing about a thing or two. Pedro is just that. A man who's figured out what's most important to him, what makes him tick and fill up with joy and how to share that with the world.

I hope you enjoy the show and if you have any questions for Pedro or what he's doing you can reach him on instagram @yogawithpedro or @yogimemes. Have a most triumphant day!

I met Michael years ago as I was starting my sober journey. As a legend in the community with years of service counseling and as a therapist, Michael has helped out the average person off the street to many high level and noteworthy people of the world. While he would have you believe that it's just what he does, he truly has a gift and a way with words that cut out any bullshit or nonsense. His life has created a ripple effect that has helped more people I know and affected me immensely. 

We sat down and dove into his history/journey of how he got to be at the top of the game in his career. From humble beginnings to now in his 4th quarter, he is more interested in accomplishing goals in climbing the highest mountains, training to be and stay in shape to hit those goals as long as his body allows, bee keeping, agriculture and living a life where he can be self sustainable. A unique conversation covering life, love, training for hard things, revealing your true self and realizing that no one is against you. If you would like to learn more please contact Michael on his website www.coachmichaelherbert.com. Have a most triumphant day and enjoy the show!

I met Shirah at a pickleball event at a local indoor pickleball club after she had emailed my wife regarding FROPRO and her newly started Palm Beach Founders Club. After Chelsea and I attended her amazing event where we got to meet other founders, business owners, VCs and new startups it was clear that Shirah knew what she was doing and an unstoppable force. 

Her story began as a teen whose friend had her drink spiked at an outing which led to Shirah thinking that there has to be a way to stop that from happening. Her thought turned to immediate action where she took a scrunchie and other materials and created a rough prototype that essentially covered any drink to prevent from drink spiking. With the help of her family she took her idea and started to work with manufacturers and production facilities until the exact idea became a reality which is now called NIGHTCAPit. As a result, she was invited on Shark Tank and pitched her idea where Shark Lori Greiner invested in helping her grow the product. Shirah has sold over 500k products in over 40 countries and now focusing on legislation where bars, clubs and other places will have to provide a covering on drinks if asked for.

Now, Shirah focuses her time on running her business from anywhere she pleases and looks to connect and grow with other founders and business owners. If you are thinking about an idea, starting a business or seeking an entrepreneurial journey she says "throw yourself into it' and make it become a reality. You can reach Shirah @shirahbenarde or @palmbeachfounders or learn more about her product @nightcapit or www.nightcapit.com. We hope you enjoy the show!