EPIC Begins With 1 Step Forward

In this powerful episode of Epic Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander sits down with acute care surgeon and author Dr. Daniel Eiferman to explore the emotional toll of medical mistakes and the extraordinary power of resilience. Daniel shares the devastating surgical complication that changed his career and inspired his mission to help healthcare professionals recover from failure. Together, they dis...

In this powerful episode of Epic Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander sits down with musician, author, and entrepreneur Ben Barbic to talk about resilience, identity, and the choice to keep moving forward. Ben shares how losing his home to a wildfire, then again to an earthquake, shaped his belief that pain can become fuel. Music became a steadying force, while work, family, and creativity taught hi...

Imagine being afraid to speak your entire childhood, and then making public speaking your career. On this episode of EPIC Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander talks with public speaking coach, speaker, and author Peter George, who grew up with a lisp and stutter and rarely spoke in school, only to build a career helping others become calm, confident, and credible communicators. Peter shares the less...

On this episode of EPIC Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander talks with Rosie Aiello, co-founder of the Love Is Kind Network, about her extraordinary journey from decades in an abusive marriage to freedom, healing, and helping other women reclaim their lives. Rosie shares how she slowly recognized the abuse, secretly planned an international escape with her daughter, and found the courage to move fo...

What are you waiting for before you finally take that first step? On this episode of EPIC Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander talks with New Zealand entrepreneur and property expert Hadley Nightingale about mistakes, uncertainty, analysis paralysis, and why waiting for the perfect moment can keep you stuck. Hadley shares how an early real estate decision sent him on an unexpected journey from farmi...

What happens when you achieve the success you spent years chasing—and discover it still isn’t enough? On this episode of EPIC Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander talks with executive coach and Life in Transition host Art Blanchford about achievement, burnout, purpose, and finding meaning beyond the next accomplishment. Art shares his remarkable journey from running multibillion-dollar businesses an...

What if the biggest obstacle standing between you and your next big opportunity is you? On this episode of Epic Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander Sprague talks with Dr. Albert Bramante, talent agent, psychology professor, and performance mindset coach, about fear, self-sabotage, perfectionism, and the stories that keep us stuck. Albert shares his unexpected journey from psychology to the entertai...

In this inspiring episode of Epic Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander Sprague sits down with entrepreneur, author, and business strategist Adam Strong , whose journey began with an unlikely business—collecting and selling lost golf balls at just 11 years old. Despite growing up with financial hardship, bullying, alopecia, and asthma, Adam developed the resilience that later helped him compete along...

In this heartfelt episode of Epic Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander Sprague sits down with entrepreneur, author, and speaker Kim Sorrelle to discuss resilience, love, and finding purpose after unimaginable loss. After building multiple successful businesses, Kim faced an unexpected battle with breast cancer. Just four months later, her husband was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and passed away...

In this fascinating episode of Epic Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander sits down with entrepreneur, author, and EndoDNA co-founder Len May to explore a remarkable journey of resilience, innovation, and purpose. After immigrating to the United States as a child, being diagnosed with ADD, and finding himself homeless at 18, Len refused to let adversity define his future. His unconventional path led...

In this thought-provoking episode of Epic Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander Sprague sits down with clinical psychologist Dr. Greg Obert for an engaging conversation about mental health, leadership stress, trauma, and the evolving role of therapy in today’s world. Drawing from more than 15 years of experience, Dr. Greg shares insights into anxiety, emotional regulation, executive stress, and the i...

It’s possible to reconstruct your entire life even when you’ve reached absolute rock bottom, and Overcoming Deep Addiction is the first decisive step. Host Zander Sprague sits down with social media creator and recovery advocate Bryan Blackmon to unpack his journey from homelessness to long-term sobriety. He describes how a single, powerful moment in front of a bathroom mirror shifted his mindset...

In this powerful episode of Epic Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander sits down with chronic illness coach Jeffrey Bone to explore resilience, identity, and what happens when life takes an unexpected turn. After exposure to black mold triggered a cascade of debilitating symptoms, Jeffrey spent years searching for answers before being diagnosed with Common Variable Immune Deficiency (CVID), a rare im...

In this creative and insightful episode of Epic Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander Sprague sits down with T. Christian Helms , founder of Austin-based creative agency Helms Workshop , to explore the intersection of branding, curiosity, and innovation. Christian shares his winding path from journalism student to award-winning creative director, revealing how some of the best ideas emerge when you s...

In this fascinating episode of Epic Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander sits down with voice and communication coach Wolfe Lanier , whose journey from child actor to public speaking expert led him to explore one powerful question: Why are people so afraid to use their voice? Wolfe shares his experiences navigating stage fright, rejection, identity, and vulnerability while pursuing a career in actin...

In this deeply inspiring episode of Epic Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander Sprague sits down with performance expert, author, and leadership pioneer Dr. Jack Groppel , who talks about the beauty of conquering yourself through resilience, reinvention, and purpose. From a painful childhood and relentless drive for achievement to becoming a nationally recognized tennis coach, sports scientist, entre...

In this powerful episode of Epic Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander Sprague sits down with entrepreneur and humanitarian Kurt Avery, founder of Sawyer Products , whose innovations are transforming access to clean water around the globe. What began with outdoor products and water filtration evolved into a mission that has already impacted more than 40 million people in 80 countries. Kurt shares how...

In this insightful episode of Epic Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander sits down with men’s coach Stefanos Koutsoubis , who helps men break free from burnout, depression, and the illusion of success. Stefanos shares his personal journey—from achieving academic and professional milestones, including a PhD and corporate career, to realizing that external success didn’t create internal happiness. Toge...

In this energizing episode of Epic Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander sits down with keynote speaker, author, and performer Greg Bennick , whose career began with a simple mistake that turned into a life-changing path. What started as a missed coin-collecting class led Greg to discover juggling—and ultimately a lifelong passion for engaging audiences around the world. Greg shares insights from his...

In this raw and powerful episode of Epic Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander sits down with creative strategist and podcast expert  Nick McGowan  for a deeply honest conversation about identity, purpose, and transformation. Nick shares his journey from childhood struggles and emotional disconnect to building a successful career that ultimately left him feeling empty and lost. After hittin...

In this inspiring episode of Epic Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander Sprague sits down with endurance athlete and author  Jeffrey Weiss , whose journey proves it’s never too late to rewrite your story. Starting with his first 10K at age 48, Jeffrey went on to complete marathons, ultra races—including a brutal 72-mile run—and multiple Ironman competitions in his late 50s and early 60s. He shar...

In this high-impact episode of Epic Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander Sprague sits down with former fighter pilot  Christian “Boo” Boucousis , who now helps leaders navigate overwhelm and thrive in the AI-driven world. Boo shares how the fighter pilot mindset—built on clarity, discipline, and constant reflection—translates directly into business and life. From operating at high speed in the...

In this powerful episode of Epic Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander Sprague sits down with author and speaker  Debbie Weiss , whose life was shaped by over four decades of caregiving. From supporting her father after a devastating stroke at age 17, to raising a son with special needs, to caring for her terminally ill husband, Debbie shares the emotional toll—and resilience—behind her journey....

In this fascinating episode of Epic Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander Sprague sits down with  Eric Robinson , a recently retired FBI agent whose career path is anything but ordinary. Eric shares how he went from serving as a Baptist pastor to spending 24 years in federal law enforcement. He discusses the surprising reasons behind his career shift, the reality of life inside the FBI, and the...

In this insightful episode of Epic Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander Sprague sits down with career strategist Sam Alvita, founder of  Work Rewritten , to unpack the rapidly evolving world of modern employment. From shrinking skill lifespans to AI-driven disruption, Sam explains why traditional career advice no longer works—and what to do instead. They discuss layoffs, the emotional toll of j...