Alignment First Podcast

Zack Stewart (@recoveryroomarizona), serves every client with a healthy dose of "ALOHA" at the Recovery Room in Oldtown Scottsdale, AZ. Zack brings the discipline and focus groomed through a life of sports, servant leadership and self-care. As a retired firefighter and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner, he saw an opportunity to build something special and further serve his community. Thro...

Karen Nowicki (@karen_nowicki) is the founder of iNudge and Phoenix Radio Business X. She is a connector through and through has a talent for intentionally putting great people in a room that raises the collective value of their connections. She is a lifelong student and utilizes a number of powerful modalities to bring the best out of her clients as an executive coach. In this conversation we dis...

Dr Sean Drake (@drseandrake) , founder of Athlete Empowered, has lived many lives in his 39 years on the planet. What he's observed is how infinitely small we are compared to the universe and more so, how his biggest accomplishments were but mere moments. He is committed to curiosity and refuses to limit himself to the labels that come with his achievements. He's a healer above all else an...

Mike Arce (@mikearcelive) is the founder of Loud Rumor, his agency that helps business owners in the fitness industry attract more members, more money & more minutes. Together with an amazing team, he's helped over 2,600 studios and gyms worldwide in the top 50 franchises & independent locations. He's achieved not only success in business, but also in making his wife, children and...

Eryk Anders (@erykanders) is an MMA fighter in the UFC. He's the third of the "4 Horsemen", him and his three brothers. His journey has been one of hard work and serendipity. The harder he worked the luckier he got. He has lived life of his own design, taking opportunities and overcoming adversity in stride. In this conversation we discuss: - The genuine joy of fighting - The moment...

Joe Barnett (@barnetttrainingsystems) is a performance consultant at Next Level. He’s currently going after his Bachelor’s at Arizona State in Exercise and Wellness. Some would say he’s taken the long road. I would argue that he’s prioritized education through experience instead of a traditional academic route. In this conversation we discuss: - His journey in to strength and conditioning - The va...

Joanna Riggs (@coach.joanna) is a performance consultant and fascial stretch therapist at Next Level. She's been a coach for nearly a decade and brings a highly empathic and intuitive approach to her practice! Joanna's wealth of knowledge and deep understanding allows her to show clients how everything is connected in the body. In this conversation we discuss: - The Importance of Listening...

Matt Smithwick (@coachmatt_az) is a performance consultant at Next Level after a successful NCAA baseball career. Sidelined by injury and surgeries, the game was over too soon and Matt had to step away from athletics to gain some valuable perspective. Now, in this season of his life, the athlete has become a coach. The hero, a guide. Changing lives and leveraging the lessons learned from his caree...

Alyssa Murray (@jinxxcityyy) is a Performance Consultant at Next Level. She is currently going after her DPT at AT Still in Phoenix, AZ since hanging up her cleats after an incredibly successful collegiate and professional soccer career. In this conversation we discuss: - Life Hacks to Overcome Anxiety - Why Doing Hard Things is a Good Thing - How Getting Benched Was One of the Best Things that Ev...