THE FORTITUDE FORUM

Bill interviews author, speaker, and mindset coach Amberly Lago, returning after a failed first recording, as she shares her story of surviving a Harley accident 16 years ago that left her with a shattered leg, severed femoral artery, a coma, and a 1% chance to save her leg. After 34 surgeries and a later diagnosis of incurable complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), she faced permanent-disability...

Bill welcomes Matt vandenBerg, president of Ohio Wesleyan University, who recounts how failing at a pre-med path in college led him to discover his calling through mentorship and student government leadership. vandenBerg discusses early-career imposter syndrome, viewing failure as an “honest mirror,” and treating fear as fuel while “playing to win.” He shares a defining moment from his third day a...

Bill welcomes faith-based entrepreneur, speaker, and author Stephen Scoggins, who shares his journey from a period of homelessness to building and exiting a company he started from “trash piles,” scaling it to just under nine figures in top-line revenue with a 400-person team across three states. Despite outward success after selling the company in 2023, Stephen describes feeling empty in 2024 and...

In this episode of The Fortitude Forum, Bill welcomes Michael McFall, co-founder and co-CEO of Biggby Coffee, which boasts 454 locations and over $350 million in annual revenue. Mike dives deep into his personal journey, discussing formative experiences like sailing around the world at 15, studying in West Africa, and leadership positions in high school sports. He emphasizes the power of love and...

In this episode of The Fortitude Forum, Bill interviews Coach Michael Burt, a former basketball coach who has transitioned to the business world. Michael discusses his unique career path, spanning sports and business, and shares insights from founding The Greatness Factory and authoring multiple books. He delves into his concept of 'Prey Drive,' the importance of mental toughness, and his philosop...

In this episode of The Fortitude Forum, Bill welcomes Bryce Henson, CEO of FitBody Bootcamp. Bryce shares his inspiring journey from a challenging childhood to leading a fitness empire. They discuss the principles of resilience, mental toughness, and leadership that have shaped Bryce's approach to life and business. Bryce also talks about his upcoming book, 'Turn Adversity to Advantage,' and provi...

In this unique episode of The Fortitude Forum, Bill diverges from the usual guest format to discuss a crucial insight observed in high performers: how one emotion can ruin success. Through a personal story and lessons from Coach Nick Saban and a sports psychologist, the episode reveals how feeling this emotion can lead to complacency, ultimately undermining sustained success. The host urges listen...

Bill welcomes Matt Morizio, a former professional baseball player, founder of Reconstructing Wealth, and father of seven. Morizio shares insights on life with a large family, the importance of homeschooling for his children, and intentional parenting. The discussion delves into his journey from a scarcity mindset to financial literacy, and how education and emotional detachment from money reshaped...

Bill welcomes James Moore, a Vietnam War veteran turned estate planning attorney and business succession expert. James shares his journey from a troubled youth to a determined Marine Corps officer, detailing how sports and military discipline shaped his mental toughness. He discusses his decision to pursue law, the challenges he faced, and the importance of integrating wisdom with wealth in estate...

In this episode of the Fortitude Forum, Bill welcomes Albert Thigpen, former athlete and operating advisor at Nautic Partners, to discuss his multifaceted career and the invaluable lessons learned from playing under Coach Nick Saban. Thigpen shares captivating anecdotes from his time at Toledo, emphasizing the rigorous conditioning practices under Saban's leadership, which instilled discipline and...

In this compelling episode of The Fortitude Forum, Bill welcomes Trent Clark, a three-time World Series coach, author of 'Leading Winning Teams', and a notable keynote speaker. The discussion delves into Trent's early experience with goal setting at age 13, pivotal moments of belief and encouragement, and the significance of self-discipline, confidence, and effort in achieving success. Trent empha...

In this episode of The Fortitude Forum, Bill welcomes Dr. Bobby Low, a human performance psychologist and the director of mental performance at Brigham Young University. Dr. Low discusses his athletic background and how his struggles in pole vaulting led him to explore the mental side of sports performance. He shares transformative experiences from his career, including overcoming anxiety and dist...

Brock Huard, a former NFL quarterback, left-handed thrower, and Fox Sports broadcaster, discusses his career journey from playing at the University of Washington and the Seattle Seahawks to entering the world of high school football coaching. Reflecting on memorable moments like the 1997 Aloha Bowl, he shares insights into his quarterback experiences, struggles with injuries, and life transitions...

Dr. JudI Brown Clarke, Vice President and Chief Health Equity Officer at Stony Brook University, shares her inspiring journey from an Olympic silver medalist to a leadership role in higher education. Dr. Clarke discusses her early experiences in track, the mental challenges of competing at an elite level, and the lessons of resilience, discipline, and mental toughness she's carried into her profes...

Unveiling the Match Point Mindset with Tennis Legend Todd Martin. In this episode of The Fortitude Forum, host Bill interviews Todd Martin, a former professional tennis player, philanthropist, coach, speaker, and former CEO of the Tennis Hall of Fame. Todd discusses his journey from childhood sports in Ohio to the professional tennis circuit, highlighting his experiences, challenges, and triumphs....

In this special edition of The Fortitude Forum, host Bill reunites with his former Michigan State University teammate, Lorenzo Guest. Lorenzo is currently the Director of Athlete Performance and the strength and conditioning coach for the prestigious MSU basketball team. The discussion covers Lorenzo's long-standing affiliation with Michigan State, reflecting on his experiences as a dual-sport ath...

Bill welcomes Ed Latimore, a former professional boxer, aspiring chess master, and author of 'Hard Lessons from the Hurt Business.' Ed delves into his journey back into boxing after a nine-year hiatus, driven by newfound health and biomechanical insights. He shares his philosophy of using watershed moments to transform life trajectories and emphasizes the importance of learning, self-sufficiency,...

Register Today: relentless-summit.com July 29-Aug 1 2025 In this episode of the Fortitude Forum, Bill introduces the Relentless Summit, a virtual event designed to help attendees unlock their full potential and become unbreakable. Highlighting the core meaning of 'relentless' as a state of constant pursuit of excellence rather than mere hustle, Bill outlines the star-studded lineup of speakers inc...

Constructing The Process With DENNIS CARIGNAN, President of Granger Construction In this episode of The Fortitude Forum, host Bill Burke sits down with Dennis Carignan, President of Granger Construction, to discuss the critical aspects of mental toughness and leadership in the construction industry. Dennis shares personal anecdotes from his career, highlighting high-pressure situations where strat...

Speaker and mental performance coach Ben Newman discusses the powerful concept of 'the burn'—the underlying driving force that fuels one's purpose and actions towards achieving greatness. Newman shares a personal story of his mother's battle with a chronic illness, which instilled in him the importance of resilience and not wasting a single day. The discussion also explores how this concept helps...

Embracing Obsession and Legacy with Manny Amezcua. In this episode, Bill welcomes Manny Amezcua, CEO of MassMutual Great Lakes and founder of Podium Group. Manny shares how his obsession with adding value and solving problems has been shaped by personal experiences and family values. Manny delves into building inclusive company cultures, championing philanthropy, and balancing professional dreams...

In this episode of The Fortitude Forum, host Bill discusses the power of urgency and peak performance with guest Charlie Ruiz, a former professional baseball player turned keynote speaker and performance coach. Charlie shares his nostalgic love for baseball, emphasizing the importance of history and connection in the sport. He recounts a poignant visit to Rockwood Field and the emotional moment of...

In this episode, Bill engages in an inspiring conversation with Don Polite, Chief Marketing Officer at SkyGen and former high-level college basketball player. Don shares his diverse background, from his upbringing in the Northeast and Southern roots to his high school and college athletic experiences. He elucidates the valuable lessons learned from sports, including preparation, mental toughness,...

In this episode of The Fortitude Forum, host Bill is joined by Jamie Elizondo, a seasoned football coach with experience in the NFL, CFL, and XFL. Jamie shares his background, starting from his early years in Texas through his career progression in football and transition into performance coaching. They explore Jamie's life-changing decision to forego a lucrative law career for coaching, his insig...

In this episode of The Fortitude Forum, host Bill interviews Desmond Clark, CEO of a logistics firm, 12-year NFL veteran, and former Chicago Bears tight end. Clark shares insights from his childhood, highlighting how his struggles and his mother's resilience shaped his character. He discusses the importance of self-belief, the process of greatness, and how success is a series of disciplined choice...