Alignment First Podcast

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Chase Tolleson to "Rewrite Reality" from the inside out. We dive into his Navy to entrepreneur transition, the hidden stories that cap your income, and why awareness beats opportunity and break down real, actionable ways to become the fittest leader possible through peace, power, and presence. Key Takeaways Opportunity is everywhere. Aw...

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Bianca Fabbo, founder of Prata Health, to talk about raising the standard of care in a system that forgot the patient. We dive into patient advocacy, concierge nursing, burnout, and the identity shift from technician to leader, and break down real, actionable ways to become the fittest leader possible through peace, power, and presence. Key Takea...

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Dr. Eric Udell to unpack why symptoms are intelligent adaptations, not malfunctions. We dive into systems thinking, the "N of One" mindset, and the buried anger he connected to his own asthma, and break down real, actionable ways to become the fittest leader possible through peace, power, and presence. Key Takeaways Symptoms are adaptat...

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Dr. Lance Cutsforth, Army veteran and founder of Mons Sana, to break down why a breakthrough is not a transformation. We dive into identity after service, moral injury, and the difference between healing you own and healing you rent, and break down real, actionable ways to become the fittest leader possible through peace, power, and presence. Key...

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Kylie Barber to unpack why capable, accomplished people stay stuck in relationships long beyond their ability to serve one another. We dive into assumptions, courageous conversations, intentional adversity, and standards that do not bend, and break down real, actionable ways to become the fittest leader possible through peace, power, and presence...

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Amy Young, CEO of Redefine Possibility to unpack what happens when you get everything you chased and realize you no longer want it. We dive into identity evolution, the space between trigger and response, resentment inside a marriage, and defining success on your own terms, and we break down real, actionable ways to become the fittest leader poss...

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Kayleen Duffy, host of That One Thing, to unpack what happens when the resilience that built you starts running you. We dive into stillness, core values, identity after sport, and what one hundred percent of your capacity actually looks like, and break down real, actionable ways to become the fittest leader possible through peace, power, and pres...

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Dr. Michael Sumko to unpack why connection comes before correction, in the operating room and at home. We dive into rebuilding trust, managing expectations, and leading through the death of an old identity, and break down real, actionable ways to become the fittest leader possible through peace, power, and presence. Key Takeaways Connect before y...

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Chris Hynes, co-founder and CTO of OwnerRez, to unpack why the smallest honest truths build the deepest trust. We dive into the quiet lies that erode connection, the reps behind real communication, and why a little friction keeps you and your systems robust. Then we break down real, actionable ways to become the fittest leader possible through pe...

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Paul Alkoby, Air Force veteran and founder of the You Are Good Project, to talk about turning your lowest point into a mission that serves others. We dive into ownership, self-forgiveness, identity, and the daily practices that keep a leader regulated, and break down real, actionable ways to become the fittest leader possible through peace, power...

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Noelia Worth to unpack how she went from 29 years behind the chair to betting on herself and opening her own salon. We dive into choosing courage over comfort, dropping the masks we wear in every room, and leading from faith, presence, and full self-expression, and we break down real, actionable ways to become the fittest leader possible through...

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Gord Nicodemus to talk about building real freedom on top of the foundation you already have. We dive into chasing a dream job that paid less than boxing groceries, walking on at Oregon State two days after tearing his MCL, teaching entrepreneurship through lemonade stands and engineering investments in his rental car business that return 50 perc...

In this episode of Alignment First , I sit down with my Marine brother Aaron Williamson: founder of Mission Ready, celebrity trainer, and Marine Corps Body Bearer who carried fallen brothers to their final rest at Arlington National Cemetery. We go deep on the most humble duty in the Corps, the chaos he ran through in Hollywood, the homelessness that forced him back into fitness, and the Ibogaine...

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Zach Ratashak, founder of Tactical Mind Business Coaching and Navy veteran, to talk about what it actually means to lead people before you lead a business. We dive into building people-first systems, the mindset shift from military service to entrepreneurship, and the courage it takes to walk away from security to bet on yourself. We break down r...

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Jayce Boyd — Under Armour All-American, 19th round MLB draft pick, Florida State alum, and College World Series champion — to go deep on what happens when elite performance meets unaddressed shadows. We dive into financial stewardship for young athletes, the ego traps that block growth, the two lies that nearly cost him everything, and how radica...

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Bailey Crawford, founder of The Crawford Collective, to talk about what it really takes to build something from nothing; without a roadmap, permission or apology. We dive into the power of authentic connection, rewiring automatic negative thoughts, and why your next easiest step is always enough to keep moving. We break down real, actionable ways...

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Anna Redmond, founder of BRAAV and AllCoin, to explore what it actually means to earn your place — and why recognition only lands when it's real. We dive into how she's taking the military challenge coin tradition digital, why belonging requires a bar, and how preserving the stories of those who served might be one of the most important l...

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with DJ Barton , co-founder and CEO of ELYT Travel, to talk about what it actually takes to build a life, not just a lifestyle. We dive into losing his father early in life, finding purpose through fatherhood, the power of proximity, and why divorcing your past is the only way to marry your future. Real, actionable ways to become the fittest leader po...

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Keira Brinton — the People's Publisher and founder of JOA Publishing — to explore what it really means to stop refusing your muse. We dive into channeling your gifts, the power of surrender, and what it takes to go from $5K to millions as a single mother of five and break down real, actionable ways to become the fittest leader possible throug...

In this episode of Alignment First , I sit down with Eryk Anders — UFC veteran, fighter, and founder of Ya Boi Fitness Academy in Vestavia, Alabama — to talk about what it really means to walk away on your own terms and build something that outlasts the fight. We dive into identity, legacy, coaching the next generation, and why the most dangerous thing you can do is let your environment do your gr...

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Steph Strine — Naval Academy grad, Marine veteran, yoga instructor, and fitness coach at Equinox and Soto Method — to talk about what happens when the uniforms come off and you're forced to rediscover who you are. We dive into identity loss, sobriety, service, and the real work of turning your hardest chapters into your greatest superpowers....

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Mollie Gray — Olympic-level rugby athlete, army veteran, wedding photographer, world traveler, and finder of self — to unpack what ten days of radical silence revealed about identity, presence, and what it means to stop running and finally come home to yourself. We dive into her Vipassana meditation retreat experience and break down real, actiona...

In this episode of Alignment First , I sit down with Eric Coonrod , founder of E. Coonrod & Co. and author of The Preparation Principle , to break down the real truth behind selling a business. We dive into the hidden friction of M&A, the psychology of founders during exit, and what it actually takes to prepare for a successful transition—before, during, and after the deal. Key Takeaways M...

What if your leadership ceiling isn’t a strategy problem…but a health and self-awareness problem? In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Dr. Pat Boulogne — chiropractor, acupuncturist, entrepreneur, and executive mentor — for one of the most wide-ranging and thought-provoking conversations I’ve had on the show. From selling lemonade at four years old to building and exiting a high-vol...

Dr. Ruth N. Faucette, PhD is a relationship-driven psychotherapist and executive leadership consultant who built her foundation in medical academia at Virginia Tech and went on to train physicians in holistic care and leadership development. In this episode of Alignment First, we unpack the Four Ps quietly sabotaging high performers: perfection, proving, pleasing, and performing. If you’re a drive...