Break Free™

Welcome to another powerful episode of the Break Free Podcast! In this episode, host David Mansilla is joined by Jason Umidi—an author, recovery coach, former international construction project manager, and the current owner of Metemporium, a thriving durable medical equipment store in Chesapeake, Virginia. Jason opens up about his dramatic transition at age 57 from corporate security to small bus...

Welcome to another powerful episode of the Break Free Podcast with your host, David Mansilla! Today, we are shining a light on a visionary leader who is radically disrupting the mental health system. Dr. Tamir Aldad is a trained addiction psychiatrist who chose to step away from a comfortable one-on-one private practice, head to business school at the University of Chicago, and build a massive, da...

What is the true cost of success? In this deeply moving and transparent episode of the Break Free Podcast, host David Mansilla sits down with Robert Greene, a holistic trauma counselor based in Bali, Indonesia. Together, they pull back the curtain on a silent crisis affecting countless entrepreneurs, veterans, and high-stress professionals: unhealed psychological trauma. Robert shares his intense...

Welcome to another high-impact episode of the Break Free Podcast! In this episode, host David Mansilla is joined by Natalia Zacharin, the founder and CEO of Zacharin Consulting, a nationwide firm specializing in bookkeeping, payroll, and elite fractional CFO services. Building a business is arguably the hardest thing you will ever do in your life. It exposes every single one of your strengths and...

Welcome to the Break Free Podcast! In this deep dive, host David Mansilla interviews Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak , the President and CEO of the International Food Information Council (IFIC) . Wendy’s journey is a masterclass in long-term career architecture—starting as an intern, leaving to gain "street cred" in the corporate world, and returning to lead the organization at the highest level. This conv...

In this powerful episode of the Break Free Podcast, host David Mansilla welcomes Udo Erasmus, a world-renowned authority on healthy fats and the creator of Udo’s Choice. After suffering from pesticide poisoning, Udo dedicated his life to uncovering the truth about nutritional health and the spiritual nature of human existence. Udo’s journey is a masterclass in purpose-driven leadership. He shares...

Building a business is a grind, but are you building a foundation or just chasing a paycheck? In this episode, Perry Braun (President & CEO of Benefit Advisors Network) joins David Mansilla to discuss the raw reality of leadership and why "patience" is the most underrated skill in entrepreneurship. With nearly 40 years of experience, Perry explains how he transitioned from an executive role to...

What happens when a high-level corporate executive chooses the "trenches" over the corner office? In this golden nugget from the Break Free Podcast, Esmerelde Lee shares her incredible journey. Esmerelde Lee moved from South Africa to the U.S. and completely redefined what it means to lead. After facing immense personal loss, she found a way to bridge the gap between seniors, caregivers, and famil...

Success without fulfillment is the ultimate entrepreneurial struggle. In this episode, David Mansilla welcomes Paddi Rice, the Founder and CEO of Executive Search Dating, to discuss the intersection of high-level business strategy and the fundamental human need for relationship. Paddi shares how his background in Fortune 500 companies and manufacturing led him to innovate the matchmaking industry...

"What is this challenge preparing me for?" In this focused "Golden Nuggets" highlight, we dive into the most powerful moments from our conversation with David Cooks, CEO of David Cooks Enterprises. David has spent over 40 years in a wheelchair, but his greatest test came this past year: a broken femur, a battle with E. coli, and a life-saving surgery performed by—miraculously—a former student. We’...

Does AI already know your password? 🤖🔒 Your identity is your most valuable asset, yet it's being sold for pennies on the dark web. In this critical episode, CEO Eva Velasquez reveals why even savvy entrepreneurs are vulnerable to id theft and the one frozen secret that could safeguard your life's work. She discusses the dangers of AI tools in perpetrating identity fraud and the crucial role of r...

Join host David Mansilla and Freestar CEO Kurt Donnell for an unscripted, powerful conversation about the true cost of success and the non-linear path to the top. Kurt Donnell breaks down the complex world of digital ad monetization, revealing how his company runs over a billion ad auctions daily—operating like a high-frequency trading firm in the ad space. What You Will Learn: The Ad Tech Black B...

In this episode of the Break Free Podcast, David Mansilla interviews Matt Clark, President and CEO of Core Centric, a global leader in Procurement, Accounts Payable, and Accounts Receivable solutions. Matt shares his incredible 20+ year journey rising from an early role to the top leadership position at the financial technology company. Key Takeaways You'll Learn: (1) Removing Friction in B2B: How...

Join David Mansilla as he interviews Ron Felix, the CEO and President of Moeller Aerospace, a company that manufactures high-precision components for gas turbine engines in commercial, military, and space applications. Ron shares his incredible 40-year journey in aerospace and the unique challenges of leading a company built on 100% reliability . Discover the leadership mindset required to thrive...

Are you ready to take your podcasting game to the next level? 🎙️ In this episode, we sit down with Paul Colligan—a true pioneer in the podcasting space, author, and entrepreneur—who has been shaping the industry since 2004. Paul shares powerful lessons on how to thrive in today’s fast-changing digital world: ✅ Lesson #1: The Right Kind of Pressure Will Move You into Action Discover how setting at...

In this inspiring episode of the Break Free Podcast , host David Mansilla sits down with Moshe Popack , a third-generation real estate investor who turned one of the worst economic downturns into the foundation of a thriving real estate empire. From buying foreclosures at rock-bottom prices to building a portfolio of over 5,000 multi-family units and 1.3 million square feet of commercial space , M...

In this episode of the Break Free Podcast , host David Mansilla sits down with Lavelle E. Bridges , Founder and CEO of London Bridge Group , to unpack five decades of wisdom from a career built on excellence, resilience, and strategic leadership. With over 50 years of experience in tax, business consulting, and entrepreneurship, Lavelle shares how he built and sustained a thriving financial firm,...

In this impactful episode, David Mansilla sits down with Brent Brodeski , the visionary founder and CEO of Savant Wealth Management —a nationally recognized, fee-only advisory firm that’s reshaping the financial industry with values-driven leadership and smart business strategy. Brent shares how he scaled Savant from a local practice to a powerhouse in wealth management by putting people before pr...

In this episode of the Break Free Podcast, host David Mansilla welcomes Luis Scott — attorney, author, entrepreneur, and founder of 8 Figure Firm Consulting. Luis shares his remarkable journey from aspiring professional athlete to leading a multi 8-figure law firm and ultimately launching a business that helps other law firms scale sustainably. Learn how Luis transitioned from law to leadership, w...

What happens when business meets purpose? In this powerful episode, Rick Russell—President & CEO of Hospice of Northwest Ohio—shares his transformational journey from oncology nurse to the helm of one of the nation’s most respected nonprofit hospice organizations. With over 35 years in healthcare and leadership, Rick opens up about what it means to lead with heart, build trust through servant...

In this episode of the Break Free Podcast, host David Mansilla sits down with Brian D’Andrea, President and CEO of TechSource Inc., a visionary leader whose career spans the U.S. Navy, SAIC, and some of the most critical programs in government and defense. Brian shares his inspiring journey from Naval Flight Officer to CEO of a multi-million dollar consulting firm, revealing the leadership princip...

Success doesn’t always come from a straight path—it often finds us when we least expect it. In this inspiring episode, we dive into the journey of Michele Veillon, a social worker turned CEO, who proves that resilience, faith, and purpose-driven work can lead to incredible achievements. 📌 In This Video, You’ll Learn: ✔ How unexpected opportunities can shape your entrepreneurial journey ✔ Why lead...

In a world constantly buzzing with information and distractions, breaking away from the hustle to achieve meaningful success can often feel like an unattainable goal. In a captivating episode of the Break Free Podcast, host David Mansilla sits down with Ryan Crownholm, an inspirational entrepreneur whose journey from the military to becoming a business visionary is nothing short of remarkable. The...

In the latest episode of the Break Free Podcast, David Mansilla hosts Todd Vande Hei, the visionary leader behind Stark, a successful healthcare business focusing on preventive medicine. They delve into how Todd's unique background in carpet manufacturing and his unwavering dedication to optimal health have shaped Stark's innovative approach. Get ready to explore a profound conversation about how...

In this episode of the BreakFree Podcast, we dive into the world of medical laboratories with Sam Terese, President and CEO of Alverno Laboratories. Sam shares insights into the critical role laboratories play in healthcare, the innovations transforming the field, and the importance of passion in driving success. Whether you're in healthcare or simply curious about what goes on behind the scenes o...