Surviving the Side Hustle

Joe Rendina was making good money as a physical therapist and still felt what he calls a heaviness on his chest — the sense that no matter how hard he worked, he was building someone else's business. Joe, who now owns Iron Health Physical Therapy across multiple locations and consults for service-based business owners, walks Rob through the move from operator to CEO and why so many owners never ma...

Picture the end of 2022: multiple major losses in a short stretch, waking up sad every day, hesitant to even step outside. That's where Christy Meaux was when she decided something had to change, and then walked into 2023 and decided she was going to brand herself, with no idea what that meant. In this Friday recap I pull out what stayed with me from the conversation: the networking-room question...

In 2023, Christy Meaux came out of a long stretch of grief and had to decide whether she was going to keep living inside that identity or build a new one. Christy, a confidence coach and personal branding strategist, walks Rob through how she rebuilt from that point — and why confidence turned out to be something you hand yourself rather than something you're born with. The conversation covers why...

"Every human conflict in history, whether it's a war or a fight with your little brother, is the product of a dysregulated nervous system." That's the claim Christopher Gabriel made on this week's episode, and it's been rattling around my head ever since. In this Friday recap I pull out what stuck with me most: how many high performers are walking around chronically sympathetically activated and h...

Christopher Gabriel has a theory: every human conflict in history — from wars to arguments with your spouse — is the product of a dysregulated nervous system. Christopher, an integrative health practitioner and performance specialist, walks Rob through how the same system that kept our ancestors alive is quietly driving your decisions, your relationships, and your business. The conversation covers...

Four years of logging every minute of his life taught Joe Wyrwas one uncomfortable truth: the gap between the life you say you want and the life you are actually living is visible in the data, if you are willing to look. Rob recaps his conversation with leadership development coach Joe Wyrwas, tracing Joe's path from a quiet kid cracked open by a 10-day summer program to 15 years of unpaid volunte...

Joe Wyrwas spent four years building a custom app to log his life down to the minute, and what he learned had almost nothing to do with the data. Joe Wyrwas, leadership development coach and 600-plus-jump skydiver, walks Rob through the framework he uses to help individuals and organizations build stronger cultures, starting with self-awareness and ending with purposeful action. The conversation c...

You don't have to almost die to truly live. Holly Porter said it in her guest interview, and Rob hasn't stopped thinking about it since. Rob breaks down the biggest lessons from his conversation with Holly Porter, a 15-time international best-selling author who spent 70 days on a ventilator in 2021 and came out the other side with two new companies, a finished book, and a clarity she says most peo...

In this episode, Holly Porter returns for part two of her conversation with Rob. A 15-time best-selling author and founder of more than a dozen businesses, Holly shares what has happened since her near death experience and how that experience continues to shape every decision she makes. Holly walks through the writing of her book Near Death Shift, from a working title she sat on for two years to t...

In this Friday recap episode, Rob revisits his conversation with Adam Torres, founder of Mission Matters and host of nearly 7,000 interviews, to pull out the lessons that matter most. Adam went from managing over 200 million dollars in finance to building one of the most prolific media companies in podcasting, and he did almost none of it on purpose. Rob breaks down how Adam Torres built Mission M...

In this episode, Adam Torres shares how a career in finance, a reluctant first book, and a co-founder who wouldn't take no for an answer led him to accidentally build one of the largest podcasting operations in the world. He has conducted nearly 7,000 interviews, launched over 250 shows, and written a book on why podcasting is still in its early stages. Adam walks through the unlikely path from fi...

In this solo recap, Rob revisits his conversation with Ohan Kayikchyan, Ph. D., founder of Alohana Financial and returning guest on the show. Rob unpacks the lessons that hit hardest, including a personal story about his father that shapes everything he believes about time, money, and what it means to actually live. The episode centers on a deceptively simple idea: money is a tool, not a destinati...

In this episode, Ohan Kayikchyan returns to share how nearly two decades in finance taught him that the numbers are only 20 percent of the work. The other 80 percent is behavior, belief, and knowing what you actually want from life. Ohan walks through the shift in his practice from pure financial optimization to life planning, explaining why listening to clients matters more than presenting soluti...

In this Friday recap episode, Rob revisits his conversation with Anthony Cutno, a marine veteran, speaker, publisher, and branding coach who built a business while navigating homelessness, health crises, and circumstances that would stop most people cold. Rob breaks down what made Anthony's story land so hard, tracing the through-line from a late-night conversation with God and an unexpected phone...

In this episode, Anthony Cutnow shares his powerful story of overcoming homelessness, embracing faith, and building a multifaceted business rooted in authenticity, purpose, and community. His journey illustrates how resilience, faith, and staying true to oneself can lead to impactful success, especially for veterans and purpose-driven entrepreneurs. Key topics Anthony's transition from homelessnes...

Discover actionable strategies to create a self-sustaining business, even when you're completely off the grid. In this episode, we explore leadership, systems, and how to scale without burning out, all grounded in real-world examples from entrepreneur Eric Dingler's journey. Key Topics Covered: Why most entrepreneurs are trapped in their own jobs and how to break free The importance of developing...

In this episode, Eric Dingler shares his inspiring journey from running a summer camp and local church ministry to building a successful online marketing agency while traveling the world. He emphasizes the importance of leadership, systems, and intentional hiring for scaling a business without burnout. Main Topics - Key Insights: How Eric turned his web design skills into a fundraiser for internat...

In this episode, Rob Tracz chats with Cindy Van Eckhout about redefining success beyond financial metrics. They explore how high achievers can feel empty despite outward success, and how to build a life aligned with inner joy and purpose. Key Topics The distinction between being rich (money) and wealthy (fulfillment) and why it matters Recognizing the signals of misalignment before burnout using b...

Discover how Cindy Van Eeckout transitioned from corporate leadership in Belgium to building multiple thriving businesses in the South of France. In this episode, she shares lessons on overcoming burnout, the importance of mindset during pivots, and redefining success to prioritize joy and well-being. Perfect for entrepreneurs balancing side hustles with life’s demands, this conversation offers ac...

In this episode, host Rob Tracz explores how entrepreneurs can build sustainable businesses without quitting their day jobs. Featuring insights from Michael LeBeau, a high school teacher and electronics recycling entrepreneur, the discussion challenges common myths about entrepreneurship and offers practical strategies for side hustlers. Key Topics: How a full-time job can be an asset, not an obst...

In this episode, Rob Tracz chats with Michael LeBeau, a high school computer science teacher and founder of Tech Cycle Solutions, who is making waves in the electronics recycling industry. They explore balancing a full-time teaching job with launching a side hustle focused on sustainability and data security, offering insights into starting, growing, and maintaining a purpose-driven business. Main...

In this episode of Surviving the Side Hustle, Rob Tracz dives into a transformative perspective on entrepreneurship with Glenn Bostock, founder and CEO of Snapcab. Glenn challenges traditional business models, emphasizing kindness, authenticity, usefulness, and seeing the business as a living organism. Discover how to shift from hustle culture to a more sustainable, value-focused approach. Main To...

In this episode, Glenn Bostock, founder and CEO of SnapCap, shares his journey from a cabinet maker to leading a multi-million dollar company. He discusses the importance of cultivating a human-centric culture, embracing failure, and building trust within organizations to achieve sustainable growth. Key Topics: Glenn’s transition from woodworking to elevator interiors and eventually to building Sn...

This episode explores how external validation, high achievement, and evolving success definitions shape our mental and emotional well-being. Meggie Rombach from Switzerland shares her journey through burnout, high performance, and her revolutionary approach to living authentically—guided by mindfulness, courage, and rewriting personal rules. In this episode: Secrets behind burnout rooted in extern...

Breaking the Rules for Sustainable Success with Meggi Rombach Discover how high achievers can redefine success, break free from burnout, and embrace a mindful rebellion to thrive personally and professionally. Join us as Meggi Rombach shares insights on leadership, resilience, and transforming old narratives into innovative pathways. In this episode: Meggi's journey from corporate burnout to coach...