The Upgraded Man

Have you been doing everything right — putting in the work, staying consistent — but you still can't break through to the next level? This episode is for you. Chris Anderson shares the timeless "Three Feet from Gold" story from Napoleon Hill's Think and Grow Rich and unpacks what it means for every entrepreneur, business owner, and father who's on the verge of walking away. In this episode: 📖 The...

In this episode, Jim Ferry of Volition Capital pulls back the curtain on growth equity — the often-misunderstood middle ground between venture capital and private equity. If you're a founder wondering whether outside capital is right for your business, this is a must-listen. What you'll learn: The difference between venture capital, growth equity, and private equity (and where you fit) The 3 reaso...

Did you know 15 to 20% of the population has dyslexia, yet most schools are still failing these students? In this episode of the Elevate Media Podcast, host Chris Anderson sits down with Russell Van Brocklen, a dyslexia educator and researcher with over a decade of experience helping students overcome learning differences through a brain-based approach rooted in Yale research. Russell breaks down...

In this episode of the Elevate Media Podcast, Chris Anderson sits down with Chanda Coston, business strategist, CEO, and founder of the HEB Foundation, to explore how high-achieving entrepreneurs can regain control of their time and focus on what truly moves the needle. Chanda shares her proven methods for calendar audits, time blocking, task batching, and the “automate, delegate, eliminate” appro...

Are you building a business… or did you accidentally build a job?   In this episode of the Elevate Media Podcast, Chris Anderson sits down with entrepreneur and investor Chaz Wolfe to break down how to build a business that doesn’t own you. From mindset shifts to delegation, hiring, systems, and profit planning, this conversation is a blueprint for entrepreneurs who want freedom without sacrificin...

In this episode, Chris sits down with digital marketing expert Shane Barker to break down the real impact of reviews on Amazon and beyond. Shane shares practical insights on managing negative reviews, building brand trust, and why reputation management is no longer optional for modern businesses. Whether you sell on Amazon or rely on online reviews to drive growth, this conversation is packed with...

In this episode of the Elevate Media Podcast, we sit down with Jon from Fiscal Advocate to talk about why understanding your numbers is non-negotiable if you want to build a healthy, scalable service business. We break down how business owners can get clarity, create a strong financial foundation, and make smarter decisions that support long-term growth.   What we cover: Why most service business...

In this episode of the Elevate Media Podcast, Chris Anderson welcomes Jeremy Vest, a veteran YouTube strategist. With two decades of experience, Jeremy provides a no-nonsense guide to achieving sustainable growth, moving past the common pitfalls that keep over 90% of creators from even reaching 1,000 subscribers. This is a crucial conversation for anyone looking to build a media company, from aspi...

In this episode of the Elevate Media Podcast, Chris Anderson welcomes Jay Setchell, a remarkable guest whose life journey embodies extreme resilience. Raised on a farm, a Marine Corps veteran, an entrepreneur, and a corporate leader, Jay has faced and overcome unimaginable challenges, including dying three times, a debilitating accident that left him paralyzed, and 73 surgeries. He discusses how t...

We dive into an honest conversation with Roy Ward, CEO, President, and Founder of Pre-Game Athletics, on why he moved from a 20-year career in the reactive medical device industry to pioneer a proactive movement focused on preparing for peak performance. It’s not about just "warming up"—it’s about committing to a ritual that fuels you mentally and physically. In this episode, we challenge the idea...

Chris Anderson speaks with Dr. Brian McCarley about his journey from a head athletic trainer to a long-time successful chiropractor, guiding entrepreneurs, business leaders, and families. From Athletic Training to Chiropractic: Dr. Brian recounts his career shift, explaining that the late-night, intense lifestyle of an athletic trainer was incompatible with being a newlywed. This led him through a...

What if we told you that the whole concept of work-life balance sets us up for disappointment? Brace yourselves for an enlightening discussion where we challenge the narratives surrounding pursuing a harmonious life and the misconceptions about entrepreneurship. We dive into honest conversations about the grind in reaching our life goals and the sacrifices we need to make for long-term success. It...

In this episode of the Elevate Media Podcast, Chris Anderson sits down with viral marketing expert and AI creator Austin Armstrong to break down the real art of going viral without chasing shortcuts. From posting 20 to 25 times a day on Facebook to building micro SaaS with vibe coding, Austin shares exactly how he has generated billions of views, built multiple seven-figure businesses, and stacked...

A deep dive into data-driven marketing and entrepreneurship with Dr. Alexa D'Agostino, covering two decades of experience and insights. Persistence vs. Delegation: The biggest hurdles to scaling are a lack of persistence for those under $1 million and a CEO's inability to delegate and focus on strategy for those over $5 million. Data is More Than Numbers: Data is defined as buying behavior, what c...

In this episode, Chris breaks down Elon Musk’s Neuralink: the promises, the problems, and the real concerns no one’s talking about. From medical skepticism to ethical red flags, data transparency, past animal testing issues, hacking risks, and the spiritual implications of tampering with the brain, Chris unpacks whether Neuralink is a revolutionary idea or a dangerous overreach.   MAIN TALKING POI...

A deep dive into entrepreneurship with Wes Towers, covering his two decades of experience and insights. Early Beginnings: Wes's unconventional start in web design and his decision to launch his own business after a few years in marketing agencies. Taking the Leap: The apprehension and opportunities that led Wes to start his own agency, taking over a handful of clients. Sales Transformation: How We...

A punchy mindset reset for entrepreneurs and leaders. Chris unpacks the Alan Watts quote—“You are under no obligation to be the same person you were five minutes ago”—and shows how to flip the next five minutes to your advantage.   The Alan Watts quote that snaps you out of autopilot Why identity is a choice, not a sentence Moving vs. stagnating: “If you’re not moving, you’re dying” Reframing mist...

In this episode of the Elevate Media Podcast, Chris Anderson delivers a wake-up call about excuses, ownership, and action. He dives deep into why most people stay stuck—blaming others, their environment, or circumstances—and how to shift into full accountability to transform your business, health, and life.   Main Talking Points: Why excuses keep you from growth and success Taking 100% ownership o...

In this episode of the Elevate Media Podcast, host Chris Anderson sits down with Andrew Stallings, founder and president of Athelo Group. Andrew redefines athlete marketing in the modern era, having partnered with over 130 brands and properties. With over 15 years of experience shaping how athletes, brands, and media connect, Andrew shares his journey from producing NASCAR radio to building one of...

In this powerful episode, Chris Anderson sits down with marathon runner and coach Adam Bennett , who turned his multiple sclerosis diagnosis into a mission of endurance and purpose. Over nearly ten years, Adam ran the equivalent of the Earth’s circumference — 24,901 miles — proving that adversity doesn’t define us, it refines us. From the emotional day of his diagnosis to the support of his family...

In this episode of the Elevate Media Podcast, Chris Anderson sits down with Tim Swindle , a 10-year entrepreneur who turned a fun side project into a nationally distributed success. Tim shares how his first Kickstarter-backed game, Utter Nonsense , went from living room play to being sold in Target and Walmart nationwide. He opens up about overcoming self-doubt, leveraging online trends, and using...

From a handwritten card in an avocado-green Tupperware box to a top-selling, gluten-free coffee liqueur poured across Colorado and beyond—this founder story is packed with grit, family legacy, and smart growth. David and Monica Kowalski share how Lebowski's Taproom (a Lebowski-themed spot in Colorado Springs) turned a house-made coffee liqueur into a rapidly expanding brand—pre-selling 1,500 bottl...

In this episode of the Elevate Media Podcast, Chris Anderson sits down with Austin McMillan , founder of Flywheel Financial, to talk about building profitable businesses through financial clarity and smart systems. Austin shares his journey from acquisitions in the landscaping industry to launching his own fractional CFO firm. They dive into why chasing revenue can sink businesses, the importance...

In this episode of the Elevate Media Podcast, Chris Anderson sits down with Mike Pritchett to unpack the brutal but rewarding journey of entrepreneurship. Mike shares why grit—not talent or luck—is the ultimate factor that separates successful entrepreneurs from everyone else. From getting knocked down to rising again, his perspective will inspire anyone chasing their dream.   Main Talking Points:...

In this episode of the Elevate Media Podcast, Chris Anderson shares simple, beginner-friendly video editing tips that will help you create professional-quality content without being a professional editor. From cutting filler words to organizing your files, adding clean transitions, improving audio, and exporting the right way—Chris breaks it all down in layman’s terms so you can elevate your brand...