Embrace Your Awesome

Every great relationship begins with a meaningful conversation. In this solo episode of Embrace Your Awesome , John Geyston shares why the questions we ask our children can have a lasting impact on their confidence, resilience, emotional intelligence, and overall well-being. Drawing on more than 44 years of experience as a performance coach working with thousands of children and families, John rev...

What does it take to turn childhood adversity into a life of purpose, leadership, and impact? In this episode of Embrace Your Awesome, host John Geyston sits down with Salih Jahić, whose journey began in war-torn Bosnia before immigrating to the United States in search of a better future. Growing up through the Bosnian War taught Salih lessons about resilience, perseverance, and gratitude long bef...

Many leaders spend years chasing success—building businesses, advancing careers, and achieving goals—only to discover they're exhausted, overwhelmed, and disconnected from who they truly are. In this powerful episode of the Embrace Your Awesome Podcast , host John Geyston sits down with Iraq War veteran, entrepreneur, bestselling author, speaker, and leadership coach Stacy Raske to discuss wha...

Most business owners think they have a marketing problem. They don't. They have a leadership problem. In this episode of Embrace Your Awesome , John Geyston reveals why growth doesn't expose your strengths—it exposes your weaknesses. Discover the hidden bottlenecks that keep entrepreneurs trapped in the daily grind, why more customers won't solve broken systems, and how to build a busi...

What if the person you love is silently battling depression... and you don't know how to help? In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode of the Embrace Your Awesome Podcast , John Geyston sits down with author Pamela J. Wells, who courageously shares her journey through years of severe clinical depression, multiple hospitalizations, and surviving a suicide attempt. Rather than allowing her pai...

The Hidden Cost of Hate: Why Letting Go Sets You Free Every one of us has been hurt. We've been betrayed, rejected, lied to, misunderstood, or disappointed by someone we trusted. But while pain is unavoidable, allowing that pain to become resentment or hate is a choice that ultimately costs us far more than the person who hurt us. In this powerful solo episode of the Embrace Your Awesome Podca...

Today’s guest is someone whose journey is both powerful and deeply relatable. Hugo Maynard is a father, traveler, entrepreneur, storyteller, former Olympian, educator, and speaker whose life experiences have taken him across industries, continents, and personal transformations. From growing up in poverty… to building businesses… to discovering that life’s greatest wealth isn’t material… Hugo now h...

Do you ever find yourself feeling tired, discouraged, or emotionally drained—even when you've had enough rest? Sometimes the exhaustion we experience isn't physical at all. It's the result of carrying disappointment, focusing on what we lack, or losing sight of the blessings already present in our lives. When gratitude fades, optimism often follows. In this encouraging episode of the E...

What happens when a martial arts school owner stops thinking like an instructor… and starts thinking like an operator? Today’s guest went from running a martial arts academy in Tampa… to becoming one of the most recognized marketing and business consultants in the martial arts industry. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt. Educator. Entrepreneur. Founder of an 7-figure marketing company. She’s helped m...

Summer should be a time for kids to rest, recharge, and make memories—but it shouldn't become three months of drifting without purpose. In this episode of the Embrace Your Awesome Podcast, John Geyston explores the important balance between relaxation and growth during summer break. While children absolutely need time away from the pressures of school, they also need structure, positive habits...

What happens when the life you've built no longer feels aligned with who you're becoming? In this inspiring episode of the Embrace Your Awesome Podcast , host John Geyston sits down with entrepreneur, athlete, and Woman in Bloom founder Mandy DeCino for a powerful conversation about transformation, self-discovery, and learning to embrace the next chapter of your life. Mandy shares her pers...

When your child says: “I’m stupid.” “I can’t do anything right.” “I’m the worst.” Most parents immediately rush to fix it.   But what if reassurance alone isn’t enough? In this powerful episode of the Embrace Your Awesome Podcast, John Geyston breaks down why children often reject encouragement when emotions are running high — and what parents should do instead. You’ll learn a simple but life-chan...

What happens when a man who helped protect over ONE MILLION children steps into the spotlight with a guitar and a dream? In this powerful episode, Mark “Big Guy” Bott shares his incredible journey from nationally recognized child safety advocate working alongside John Walsh… to launching a rising country-rock music career with Big Guy and the Mob. This conversation is about purpose, resilience, re...

What if one of the greatest gifts we could give our children… was the ability to understand what’s happening inside of them before reacting to the world around them? In this episode of the Embrace Your Awesome Podcast , John Geyston breaks down mindfulness for kids in a simple, practical, and empowering way for parents, coaches, and educators. This isn’t about perfection or sitting silently for ho...

What separates people who stay stuck… from those who build something extraordinary? In this powerful episode of the Embrace Your Awesome Podcast , host John Geyston sits down with entrepreneur, operator, and leadership strategist Aaron Hensley for a deep conversation on discipline, systems, leadership, and what it truly takes to scale impact. Aaron’s journey is anything but ordinary. He began mart...

What happens when everything you built… your business, your reputation, your leadership, and even your family… comes under attack? In this powerful and deeply personal episode of the  Embrace Your Awesome Podcast , John Geyston sits down with Adam Kifer to discuss overcoming one of the darkest and most painful seasons of his life. After building a highly successful martial arts empire that transfo...

On this episode of the Embrace Your Awesome Podcast , John Geyston dives into one of the most misunderstood topics in personal growth: self-care. But this isn’t about temporary comfort, escape, or doing what feels good in the moment. This conversation explores what real self-care actually looks like — the daily habits, disciplines, and decisions that strengthen your body, sharpen your mind, protec...

How do you recognize greatness before anyone else sees it? In this powerful episode of the Embrace Your Awesome Podcast , host John Geyston sits down with Damon Oppenheimer — Vice President and Director of Scouting for the New York Yankees — to explore what truly separates elite performers from everyone else. For more than two decades, Damon has helped evaluate and develop some of baseball’s bigge...

Sometimes the biggest thing holding you back… isn’t fear, failure, or lack of opportunity. It’s the people you keep trying to carry. In this powerful episode of the Embrace Your Awesome Podcast, John Geyston dives into one of the hardest — yet most life-changing — lessons we all face: learning when to let go. If you’ve ever felt emotionally drained, undervalued, constantly explaining yourself, or...

Today’s guest is one of the most respected coaches in wrestling and MMA — Marc Fiore. From the Olympic Training Center to the U.S. Olympic coaching staff… to co-founding the legendary H.I.T. Squad with Matt Hughes… Marc has spent decades building champions. He’s cornered over 100 fights in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and coached elite athletes like Robbie Lawler and Raquel Pennington. In th...

What if your child’s confidence could be built every single day… with just a few words? In this episode of the Embrace Your Awesome Podcast , we break down a simple but powerful tool—creating a positive word board—to help shape your child’s mindset, self-talk, and identity. Learn how to turn everyday moments into confidence-building opportunities and give your child a voice that empowers them for...

What does it really take to rise from overlooked to elite—and stay there? In this powerful episode of the Embrace Your Awesome Podcast , I sit down with Corey Anderson—a man who has built his career on grit, resilience, and relentless work ethic. From NCAA Division II National Champion… to winner of The Ultimate Fighter … to Bellator MMA Light Heavyweight World Champion… and now competing in the P...

What if one of the greatest gifts you could give your child is the belief that their voice matters? In this episode of Embrace Your Awesome , John Geyston shares how simple conversations at home can shape your child’s confidence, identity, and self-worth. Learn how helping your child feel heard, seen, and valued can change the way they think, walk, and live—now and for years to come.

What does it take to go undefeated—not for a season… but for an entire career? In this powerful episode of Embrace Your Awesome , host John Geyston sits down with legendary champion Mike Stone—a man who stepped into over 90 black belt matches and never lost. Known as “The Animal,” Mike didn’t just compete—he dominated an era with unmatched intensity, pressure, and mental focus. But this conversati...

The way your child talks to themselves…will shape who they become. And here’s the part most parents don’t realize…That voice is being built right now. And whether we know it or not…we’re influencing it every single day.