Elevation Nation

Elevator No. 204: Richie Frieman is a best-selling author, illustrator, entrepreneur, and former professional wrestler dubbed a "Modern-Day Renaissance Man." His latest memoir, The Optimistics , highlights powerful love stories within the dementia community and showcases his lifelong commitment to resilience and creativity. In this conversation, Richie shares how trying, failing, and leading with...

Sam and Parker unpack a feeling many of us struggle to name. When everything is technically fine but something still feels off. From job dissatisfaction to global chaos bleeding into our daily routines, they explore how comfort can quietly convince us to play small. 00:00 Introduction and Celebration Plans 01:20 Feeling Stuck at 30 05:08 Exploring Community and Fulfillment 10:46 The Search for New...

Elevator no. 114: Orly Israel returns to Elevation Nation three years after his first appearance with a powerful story of loss, resilience, and renewal. After losing his home in the California Palisades fires earlier this year, Orly reflects on the importance of human connection, vulnerability, and his commitment to social fitness through his Listening Table Project. 03:12 The Listening Table Proj...

Parker and Sam dive into Simon Sinek’s concept of the infinite game and why success isn’t about winning—it’s about staying in the game. They reflect on how this mindset shift has impacted their journey with Elevation Nation and why chasing short-term wins can distract you from long-term purpose.

Elevator no. 202: Trevon Gross Jr. is a leadership coach, entrepreneur, and founder of Craft Your Dream , an organization helping ambitious dreamers turn their goals into reality.  He shares his journey from college athlete to coach, opening up about early challenges, the emotional toll of entrepreneurship, and the mindset it takes to lead with clarity and resilience. 00:00 Introduction to Trev Gr...

After welcoming a ton new people to Elevation Nation the past month, Parker and Sam reintroduce themselves and share the origin story of Elevation Nation. From post-grad confusion to building a community centered on mental fortitude, they reflect on how it all began and why they’re still just getting started.

Elevator no. 201: Bradford Jacobs is the founder of The Modern Gentleman , a men’s mental health and lifestyle magazine reshaping how we talk about vulnerability, style, and personal growth. Bradford's own personal experience and challenges with mental health shaped the vision behind the magazine.  In this episode, Parker, Sam and Bradford  explore the intersection of fashion and emotional well-be...

Parker and Sam explore how fear can be a powerful trigger for growth and personal development. From public speaking nerves to stepping into the boxing ring, they share their experience with facing fear head-on.

Elevator No. 200: Jimmy Gavin is a former professional basketball player who earned an NCAA scholarship at 23 after never playing a minute of high school ball. His story is shaped by living with Crohn’s disease, the loss of his younger brother, and years of mental health struggles. Through therapy, self-reflection, and an unshakable mindset, Jimmy found healing, reclaimed his passion for basketbal...

Parker and Sam break down the hard truth—no one is coming to hand you success. They discuss the difference between structured career paths and the chaos of entrepreneurship, emphasizing the power of taking action. If you’ve been waiting for permission, this is your sign to stop and start creating your own opportunities.

Elevator No. 202: Keegan O'Connor is the co-founder and CEO of Chill Shark, an innovative company transforming bathtubs into cold plunges to make cold water therapy more accessible. With a passion for mental health and a mission to help those struggling with PTSD, Keegan’s journey is fueled by personal experiences, resilience, and a drive to build something meaningful. In this episode, Keegan shar...

Parker and Sam dive into the reality of uncertainty in entrepreneurship, personal growth, and success. No one really knows what they’re doing, but that’s where the magic happens. They explore how learning by doing, taking small bets, and seeking mentorship can turn uncertainty into an advantage. 

Elevator No. 199: Michael Bluestone is the Founder & CEO of Bluestone Travel, an Independent Travel Advisor at FROSCH (a CHASE Company), and a member of the Chase Travel Group Advisory Board, representing 600+ travel advisors nationwide. Before launching Bluestone Travel, he spent his 20s leading luxury adventure trips across 70+ countries, curating unforgettable experiences in destinations li...

Society loves success but shames effort—why? Parker and Sam break down the weird stigma around trying hard, why it’s actually a superpower, and how putting in the work leads to authenticity, growth, and real success. They also highlight Brett Dashevsky, an elevator, who’s proving that effort is cool again. 00:00 Feedback on New Podcast Structure 01:48 The Hot Take: Trying Too Hard is Cool 06:00 Th...

Elevator No. 198: Shirah Benarde is the co-founder and CEO of NightCap, a Forbes 30 Under 30 entrepreneur, and a Shark Tank-backed founder. She created NightCap—a drink spiking prevention company—at just 16, after learning how easily unattended drinks could be spiked. Her first prototype, made from a scrunchie and her mom’s stockings, turned into a globally recognized product that has sold over 70...

Some days are smooth—until they’re not. Parker and Sam break down how they handle challenges that come out of nowhere. Elevator shoutouts: Founder of LTM Laura Ter Meer and NHL creator and journalist Jonny Lazarus 

Elevator No. 196: Lucy Nelles is a community-building expert, co-founder of Coffee & Chill Miami and the Community Building Collective . She’s hosted over 15,000 guests, generated over $500K in revenue, and built spaces where real connections thrive.  In this episode, Lucy shares her journey from a 9-to-5 to entrepreneurship, the mindset shifts needed to take the leap, the power of intentional...

Parker and Sam are throwing down in a LinkedIn showdown—who can grow faster? They celebrate podcast milestones, share storytelling secrets, and break down why content creation takes mental fortitude. 00:00 Celebrating Milestones and Future Goals 02:59 LinkedIn Competition: A New Challenge 06:10 The Art of Storytelling and Content Creation 09:07 Engaging with the Community and Sharing Wisdom 11:47...

Elevator No. 196 – Jarrett Birnbaum is a photographer and videographer who recently took the leap into full-time freelance work, turning his childhood passion into a thriving career. With a talent for capturing raw, emotional moments, Jarrett uses his craft to tell meaningful stories that often go unnoticed. In this episode, Sam and Parker talk with Jarrett about the challenges of entrepreneurship...

Change is inevitable, but how we navigate it defines us. In this episode, Sam and Parker explore the emotional complexities of change, the balance between control and surrender, and why embracing uncertainty is key to growth.

Elevator No. 195: Christian Mortensen is a transformational life coach and Wim Hof breath-work instructor, guiding people through identity shifts and personal growth.  Parker and Sam dive into the power of reframing negative experiences, self-talk, and mindfulness to unlock potential. They explore the science behind positive energy, sleep optimization, and how belief systems shape reality. 

Parker and Sam dive into the difference between being busy and feeling overwhelmed, exploring how genuine conversations, mindfulness, and teamwork play a role in finding balance. 

Elevator no. 194: Travis Stoliker is the VP of Marketing for Scribe Media and an entrepreneur with experience across multiple industries. His journey has taken him from driving for Uber to running a restaurant and a publishing company, all while exploring the impact of mindset and mental fortitude.  He shares how financial success didn’t guarantee fulfillment, how personal loss forced him to rethi...

Parker and Sam explore the book  Good Energy by Dr. Casey Means, breaking down how metabolism, nutrition, and inflammation shape overall health. They discuss the impact of processed foods and seed oils while highlighting simple changes that can make a big difference. With personal insights and practical takeaways, this episode offers a fresh perspective on better eating and long-term well-being.

Elevator no. 193: Emilie Sobel is the founder of Emilie Sobel Media, a marketing agency specializing in influencers, events, and creative consulting for PR agencies and consumer-focused brands. Alongside running her agency, she works as a content creator and influencer, focusing on beauty, lifestyle, and travel.  Emilie graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2014 and brings her c...