Defining Success with Marion Roaman

On Episode #54 of Defining Success with Marion Roaman, Jamie Ruiz helps us to see that sometimes, success means turning your deepest pain into a purpose that helps others. While her brother, Matthew, actively struggled with opioid addiction. Jamie Ruiz, founder of Matthew James Heart and Home, found comfort in creating handcrafted skincare. Following Matthew’s passing on Christmas Eve 2014, she tr...

What if leaving your dream job was the very thing that led you to discover your true potential? At just 23, Vasia Makris had her dream job as a teacher. But when what she called a “crazy opportunity” came along, she took a leap of faith that would change the course of her life. On this episode of Defining Success with Marion Roaman, Vasia shares her journey from teacher to pioneer in the NFT indus...

On this episode of Defining Success with Marion Roaman, Marion sits down again with friend of the show, Betsy Rice for a candid conversation about medical freedom, childhood vaccination, vaccine injury concerns, parental choice, and the importance of asking questions in healthcare. They explore the challenges families can face when navigating medical decisions, the social pressures surrounding vac...

October 2026 Success Forecast for Every Zodiac Sign This isn’t simply an October horoscope. The question guiding this conversation is: How can we consciously use October astrological energy to create success—personally, professionally, and collectively? In this episode of Defining Success with Marion Roaman, astrologer Darryl Gaines explores the major planetary shifts shaping October 2026 and expl...

Our special guest this week is the co founder of Culinary Wine Camp, Michelle Imbrogno. Michelle shares how she and her sister, Rachel, have turned their love of food, wine, travel, and connection into a business centered around unforgettable experiences. In addition to stories of luxury wine tours in Piedmont, we also hear of the realities of entrepreneurship ; what it takes to build a business w...

Our special guest this week is Jazz Briggs, Founder of Jazz Up Your Life and Weight Release Coach. This is Jazz's second visit to the show. We have asked her back to speak specifically about the GLP movement. Jazz supports holistic weight loss. While Jazz has not used GLPs on her own journey, we were curious to hear her thoughts on GLPs, can one be truly successful with GLPs and if so, how? Chapte...

Our special guest this week is Sonya Denyse, Dream Strategist, founder of Dream Development and After the Applause. Sonya has spent the last 25 years devoted to supporting founders, creatives, executives, speakers, and change makers to take the ideas that are living in their heads and turn them into something with real direction and impact. She’s worked across industries and continents, spent six...

Episode #48 of Defining Success with Marion Roaman features Nadia Zaki, Founder of Constantly Evolving and Inner Series. In this episode, Nadia and I get into it!!! We chat about the importance of movement, the inherent need to always be learning and evolving as well as how people need to toughen up a bit!! Some topics we touch upon: • Family, parenting & youth sports • Dance, auditions &...

This isn’t simply a September horoscope. The question guiding the entire conversation is: How can we consciously use September’s astrological energy to create success—personally, professionally and collectively? We’ll look first at the major planetary energies affecting everyone, then move through all 12 signs with a specific success strategy for each Sun and Rising sign. Success Through Reinventi...

Swerve to Ripe: Eric Posner on Failure, Leadership and Reinvention. Eric Posner studied psychology at Harvard and went on to found a venture-backed fitness technology company built at the intersection of motivation, performance, and human psychology. He lived the full reality of leadership along the way - fundraising, burning out, rebuilding, and learning what it actually takes to sustain performa...

Rebecca Alexander is an award-winning author, psychodynamic psychotherapist, disability advocate, mental health educator, endurance athlete, and living with Usher syndrome, a rare genetic condition that has progressively impacted both her vision and hearing. Rebecca and I explore the complicated relationship between adversity, mental health, resilience, survival and success, including why Rebecca...

I’m so excited to introduce this new monthly series with esteemed astrologer Darryl Gaines. Each month, Darryl will share insights into the astrological energies shaping the weeks ahead and how you can work with them to create greater clarity, purpose, and.....success! For August 2026, Darryl invites us to consider this powerful question: "What if success isn't about becoming more visible, but bec...

In episode #43 of Defining Success with Marion, I sit down with boxing coach, entrepreneur, and founder of SBox Training, Sydney Rose Miller. We dig into the lessons she’s learned through fighting, fitness and now, as a soon to be single Mom! Syd shares her journey from New Orleans schoolteacher to decorated amateur boxer revealing how boxing transformed her confidence, resilience, and understandi...

Laison Dunnavant shares his inspiring story from growing up in Brooklyn to becoming a young father determined to provide for his family. His path led him to serve in the U.S. Army, where he dedicated himself to serving his country. After his military career, he found a new mission, helping civilians improve their health and well being through fitness and wellness. Throughout every chapter of his l...

Jenna Arndt is kind of a wolf in sheep's clothing. Upon meeting her she appears to be a bit quiet, shy and reserved. Within five minutes of knowing her, one comes to realize she is fiercely competitive, the loudest supporter on the field and extremely passionate about helping people discover their fittest selves. Oh and she loves to be in front of a camera ;) Jenna's story is one of curiosity, bra...

In some circles, he is known as The King of Indoor Cycling. His class has been referred to as "the Candy Shop". In East Hampton, at ZoneHampton, we called him the "Spin Preacher". For thirty years Roland Walker has been devoted to teaching fitness classes throughout the East End of Long Island, New York. We learn in this episode how Roland found his way to teaching fitness, that it all started wit...

In this episode of Defining Success, Marion Roaman sits down with Nick Lagonia, former Peloton producer and co-founder of Dawn Breaker Oats, to discuss the realities of entrepreneurship from the ups, downs, wins and losses and how to stay centered through it all. Nick shares his journey from Peloton to launching a protein-forward food brand, the lessons he learned about funding, branding, sourcing...

Amber Rees story is a woman who is not afraid to go for it. In this awesome episode of Defining Success with Marion Roaman, Amber shares her story from growing up in a musical, loving and supportive family in Indiana to pursuing her dream of performing on stage in New York City. Along the way, she navigated the highs and lows of the theater world, including the breakthrough moment of landing her f...

In episode #37 of Defining Success with Marion, Marion Roaman sits down with Lavinia Errico, co-founder of Equinox and one of (perhaps THE) the original pioneers of the wellness industry. Lavinia shares her remarkable journey from helping shape fitness trends to becoming a leading voice in holistic wellness, purpose-driven leadership, and women's empowerment. Together, they explore the evolution o...

Historian, author, and podcast host Natalia Mehlman Petrzela joins Marion Roaman for a thought-provoking conversation on fitness culture, education, wellness, and the evolving relationship between health and American society. Natalia shares her journey into academia, her passion for understanding contemporary American culture, and why she believes physical education should inspire a lifelong love...

On episode #35 of Defining Success with Marion Roaman, Scott Goldsmith shares his story from growing up in New York City to becoming a leader in urban development and innovation. From his early days as a spin instructor to serving as CEO of Titan, Scott reflects on the experiences, relationships, and challenges that shaped his path. He opens up about the influence of his family, especially his fat...

Philip Gomez shares his extensive experience in event production, logistics, and entrepreneurship. He discusses the challenges of large-scale events, industry insights, building relationships, and his vision for future business ventures. Chapters 00:00 Cultural Insights on Citizenship and Family Dynamics 03:00 The Journey to Event Planning 05:54 Career Evolution and Industry Insights 09:14 Navigat...

In this episode, Jonathan Chia, Founder and CEO of the Reality Center, shares his powerful story from a difficult childhood in Cincinnati to serving in the military, and ultimately discovering purpose through storytelling, creativity, and community. He opens up about the impact of personal loss, the challenges veterans face within the VA system, and how spirituality and alternative therapies becam...

What happens when resilience, reinvention, and purpose, cougars and endurance races all collide in one life story? In this powerful episode, Arwen Becker opens up about her path from competitive athletics and toxic coaching environments to endurance sports, wildlife rehabilitation, financial planning, motherhood, advocacy, and finally, faith. Arwen shares what it truly means to find strength, redi...

Marion and Coach Viliami Tafokitau Tapealava Tuivai, known as Coach V, keep it real in this truth telling interview. Coach V shares his journey from childhood in Tonga to becoming a successful speaker, coach, and entrepreneur in the United States of America, Listen to hear how resilience, accountability, and a growth mindset shaped his path to success and how you can apply these principles to your...