Above & Beyond: Where Excellence Meets Elevation

Send us Fan Mail Join us for a special episode where the tables are turned, and podcast mastermind Jan Simon takes the hot seat. In a dynamic and heartfelt interview, Jan shares his intriguing journey from a firefighter repelling from helicopters to an insurance expert and community leader. With moments that span from tear-jerking to laugh-out-loud funny, Jan recounts his challenging yet inspiring...

Send us Fan Mail In this engaging episode, we sit down with Ryelee Ponce, an Arizona native, animal lover, and twin mom who transitioned from a corporate life to becoming the founder of LZR Marketing and Early Bird Strategies. Ryelee shares her journey from the struggles of strict parenting and a traumatic divorce to building a successful digital marketing agency with her wife, Liz. She delves int...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we welcome Kate Mayeski, a community builder and personal brand strategist, who shares her compelling journey from corporate America to founding Maverick May Solutions. Kate discusses the importance of storytelling and authenticity in building a brand, her diverse career background, and her personal challenges, including health struggles and mental health. She hig...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Eric Reber shares his compelling journey from a Six Sigma green belt and lean manufacturing expert with 26 years in transportation and logistics to the president of IS Enterprises and owner of Speed Pro Mesa Gilbert. Discover how Eric's determination and curiosity led him to pivot from a traditional corporate career to owning a business specializing in large...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Above Beyond, we are joined by Nathan Thue, founder of Arizona Total Home Restoration and IICRC certified firm. Starting from scratch in 2014, Nathan has built his business based on honesty, integrity, and exceptional craftsmanship. Beyond the job site, Nathan is committed to building trust and community, serving on the board for Rebuilding Together Valley of th...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Above and Beyond Podcast, join us for an inspiring conversation with Kevin Kosisky, more commonly known as KK. With over three decades in the mortgage industry, Kevin's story is one of perseverance, adaptability, and relentless passion for helping others. Starting at the age of 23, Kevin made his mark at Academy Mortgage leading a top-performing team an...

Send us Fan Mail In this compelling episode, Chad Dunn shares his transformative journey from being an athlete, felon, and drug user to becoming a certified behavioral change specialist and author. Following a two-year term in federal prison, Chad founded Move Human Performance Center in Chandler, where he helps athletes and everyday individuals rebuild their lives through fitness and mental resil...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Above and Beyond: Where Excellence Meets Elevation, we sit down with Josh Carstens, a man whose journey embodies bold pivots and purpose. Born and raised in McHenry, Illinois, Josh began his career as a documentary filmmaker with National Geographic before transitioning to the restaurant industry. Discover how Josh and his family started over in Arizona, helping...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for an inspiring conversation with Ann Schude, a seasoned real estate professional with over 23 years of experience. Ann shares her journey from aspiring ballerina to co-owning the successful real estate firm InstaSold. In this episode, discover how Ann blends her deep understanding of community, honed during her time at Arizona State University, with her passion for real...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of 'Above and Beyond where Excellence meets Elevation,' we welcome Rob Elder, a man whose life and career have been marked by integrity, service, and dedication.  Born and raised in Wyoming, Rob excelled as a four-sport athlete and college wrestler before serving four years in the U.S. Navy, including deployment in the Persian Gulf during Desert Storm.  T...

Send us Fan Mail Join us on this episode of Above and Beyond where host Jan Simon sits down with Peppur Chambers, an acclaimed international writer, producer, and educator. Dive into Peppur's inspiring journey from her Wisconsin roots to becoming a significant voice in addressing women's issues, social justice, and love. Explore her challenges, triumphs, and defining moments, including g...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with one of America's leading real estate agents, Doug Hopkins. From his humble beginnings in Bedford Hills, New York, to his rapid rise in the Arizona real estate market, Doug shares his remarkable journey.  With over 20,000 home purchases and sales under his belt, Doug reflects on the highs and lows of his career, including personal challenges l...

Send us Fan Mail From the Football Gridiron to Business Leadership: Fred Wakefield's Journey Join us for an inspiring conversation with Fred Wakefield, co-founder and CEO of Thrive CXO. Fred's incredible journey spans from playing professional football with the Arizona Cardinals and Oakland Raiders to earning an MBA from the University of Illinois and transitioning into a successful care...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for an inspiring conversation with Terrance Johnson—devoted husband, father of seven, elite athlete, coach, and entrepreneur. In this episode, Terrance shares his journey from growing up in Las Vegas to becoming a two-time US Olympic trials qualifier, successful business owner, and community leader. Discover how Terrance overcame setbacks, built a thriving fitness business...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Above and Beyond Podcast, we talk with Leanna DeBellevue—international speaker, social media strategist, and owner of DeBellevue Global Marketing Agency. Leanna shares her journey from single mom to global business leader, offering insights on resilience, leadership, and building a successful team. Tune in for real-world advice and inspiration for entreprene...

Send us Fan Mail Join us on this inspiring episode of 'Above and Beyond' as we sit down with Roxy Szigat, a lifelong artist, entrepreneur, and the creative force behind Rox Ink Calligraphy. Discover how her love for calligraphy started at age 14 and evolved into a thriving business. Roxy shares her journey from California to Germany and back, and how her experiences shaped her unique art...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Above and Beyond, host Jan Simon sits down with Mike Euper, a man whose life has been a whirlwind of unique experiences. Growing up in Bell Chase, Louisiana, Euper shares how his upbringing by strong women shaped his values and life choices. From his time in the Air National Guard as a jet engine mechanic, to his days spinning records and opening nightclubs acro...

Send us Fan Mail Join us  as we sit down with Korey Bahme, the founder of Bahme Law in Arizona. Korey shares her incredible journey from growing up in Florence, Arizona, to becoming a trailblazing entrepreneur and lawyer. Learn about her no-nonsense approach to business law, her dedication to community service, and the challenges she faced along the way, including her work as a public defender and...

Send us Fan Mail  In this episode, radio personality Brady Bogen takes us on a wild ride through his colorful career—from selling flooring to co-hosting Holmberg’s Morning Sickness on 98 KUPD for over 20 years. Brady shares hilarious behind-the-scenes stories, reflects on life in radio, and dives into his passion for barbecue, including his ventures with BTP sauce and the restaurant Porkopolis . F...

Send us Fan Mail 🚀 Ready to be inspired? Join us as we explore the incredible journey of Karin Gadberry, a marketing powerhouse and Hall of Fame athlete, on our latest podcast episode. From breaking records on the softball field to leading with passion in the business world, Karin shares her experiences, challenges, and insights on leadership, resilience, and empowerment. Don’t miss out on her st...

Send us Fan Mail  In this episode of Above and Beyond , host Jan Simon interviews Arizona real estate leader Melanie Nemetz. From her start in the White Mountains to founding a top-producing team at Keller Williams Gilbert, Melanie shares her unique journey—from flight attendant to industry powerhouse. She dives into the importance of relationships, community impact through foster care, and key in...

Send us Fan Mail Join host Jan Simon in this episode of 'Above and Beyond the Podcast' as he delves into the remarkable life story of Todd Mather. Growing up in a small desert town in California, Todd balanced a rigorous schedule of school, sports, and helping with his family's milk and ice cream business. After an impressive football career that saw him earn a scholarship at the Un...

Send us Fan Mail 🚨 New Episode Alert! 🚨 This week on the Above & Beyond Podcast , we’re joined by Tracy Autber — founder of Let’s Go Recovery , author, speaker, and a true force for transformation. Tracy opens up about his journey through addiction, the power of faith in recovery, and how he turned personal pain into a purpose-driven movement. From launching a nonprofit to hosting a podcast...

Send us Fan Mail  On this episode of Above & Beyond , we bring you “Driven to Lead: Jeff Breid’s Journey from Technician to COO.” Jeff’s story embodies what this podcast is all about — the relentless pursuit of growth, excellence, and leadership. From turning wrenches as a young technician to leading a thriving automotive business, Jeff shares how passion, perseverance, and a commitment to dev...

Send us Fan Mail Meet Rob “Big Rob” Rodriguez —a Puerto Rican powerhouse from New York who’s spent 19 years lighting up comedy stages across every major U.S. market and making history as the only Hispanic comedian to dominate urban comedy circuits nationwide . In this episode, Rob shares his journey from growing up in New York to building a life rooted in laughter, entrepreneurship, and family. A...