EPIC Begins With 1 Step Forward

It’s possible to reconstruct your entire life even when you’ve reached absolute rock bottom, and Overcoming Deep Addiction is the first decisive step. Host Zander Sprague sits down with social media creator and recovery advocate Bryan Blackmon to unpack his journey from homelessness to long-term sobriety. He describes how a single, powerful moment in front of a bathroom mirror shifted his mindset...

In this powerful episode of Epic Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander sits down with chronic illness coach Jeffrey Bone to explore resilience, identity, and what happens when life takes an unexpected turn. After exposure to black mold triggered a cascade of debilitating symptoms, Jeffrey spent years searching for answers before being diagnosed with Common Variable Immune Deficiency (CVID), a rare im...

In this creative and insightful episode of Epic Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander Sprague sits down with T. Christian Helms , founder of Austin-based creative agency Helms Workshop , to explore the intersection of branding, curiosity, and innovation. Christian shares his winding path from journalism student to award-winning creative director, revealing how some of the best ideas emerge when you s...

In this fascinating episode of Epic Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander sits down with voice and communication coach Wolfe Lanier , whose journey from child actor to public speaking expert led him to explore one powerful question: Why are people so afraid to use their voice? Wolfe shares his experiences navigating stage fright, rejection, identity, and vulnerability while pursuing a career in actin...

In this deeply inspiring episode of Epic Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander Sprague sits down with performance expert, author, and leadership pioneer Dr. Jack Groppel , who talks about the beauty of conquering yourself through resilience, reinvention, and purpose. From a painful childhood and relentless drive for achievement to becoming a nationally recognized tennis coach, sports scientist, entre...

In this powerful episode of Epic Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander Sprague sits down with entrepreneur and humanitarian Kurt Avery, founder of Sawyer Products , whose innovations are transforming access to clean water around the globe. What began with outdoor products and water filtration evolved into a mission that has already impacted more than 40 million people in 80 countries. Kurt shares how...

In this insightful episode of Epic Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander sits down with men’s coach Stefanos Koutsoubis , who helps men break free from burnout, depression, and the illusion of success. Stefanos shares his personal journey—from achieving academic and professional milestones, including a PhD and corporate career, to realizing that external success didn’t create internal happiness. Toge...

In this energizing episode of Epic Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander sits down with keynote speaker, author, and performer Greg Bennick , whose career began with a simple mistake that turned into a life-changing path. What started as a missed coin-collecting class led Greg to discover juggling—and ultimately a lifelong passion for engaging audiences around the world. Greg shares insights from his...

In this raw and powerful episode of Epic Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander sits down with creative strategist and podcast expert  Nick McGowan  for a deeply honest conversation about identity, purpose, and transformation. Nick shares his journey from childhood struggles and emotional disconnect to building a successful career that ultimately left him feeling empty and lost. After hittin...

In this inspiring episode of Epic Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander Sprague sits down with endurance athlete and author  Jeffrey Weiss , whose journey proves it’s never too late to rewrite your story. Starting with his first 10K at age 48, Jeffrey went on to complete marathons, ultra races—including a brutal 72-mile run—and multiple Ironman competitions in his late 50s and early 60s. He shar...

In this high-impact episode of Epic Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander Sprague sits down with former fighter pilot  Christian “Boo” Boucousis , who now helps leaders navigate overwhelm and thrive in the AI-driven world. Boo shares how the fighter pilot mindset—built on clarity, discipline, and constant reflection—translates directly into business and life. From operating at high speed in the...

In this powerful episode of Epic Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander Sprague sits down with author and speaker  Debbie Weiss , whose life was shaped by over four decades of caregiving. From supporting her father after a devastating stroke at age 17, to raising a son with special needs, to caring for her terminally ill husband, Debbie shares the emotional toll—and resilience—behind her journey....

In this fascinating episode of Epic Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander Sprague sits down with  Eric Robinson , a recently retired FBI agent whose career path is anything but ordinary. Eric shares how he went from serving as a Baptist pastor to spending 24 years in federal law enforcement. He discusses the surprising reasons behind his career shift, the reality of life inside the FBI, and the...

In this insightful episode of Epic Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander Sprague sits down with career strategist Sam Alvita, founder of  Work Rewritten , to unpack the rapidly evolving world of modern employment. From shrinking skill lifespans to AI-driven disruption, Sam explains why traditional career advice no longer works—and what to do instead. They discuss layoffs, the emotional toll of j...

In this breathtaking episode of Epic Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander Sprague sits down with former schoolteacher and author  Alison Gieschen , who sold everything with her husband and moved aboard a 43-foot sailboat to circumnavigate the globe. Eight years, 49 countries, four continents—and countless epic unexpecteds—later, Alison shares stories of 20-foot waves, ripped sails, Chinese fish...

In this extraordinary episode of Epic Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander Sprague sits down with retired emergency physician, author, and living kidney donor  Dr. Matt Harmody , whose story redefines what it means to live with purpose. Matt shares how he became part of a five-person team that set a Guinness World Record by summiting the highest point in all 50 U.S. states in record time – afte...

In this thought-provoking episode of Epic Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander is joined by  Dorota Kosiorek , a go-to-market leader in AI, certified neuroscience-based coach, and writer from Poland. Dorota shares her journey from high-pressure consulting to a more intentional life built around rest, boundaries, and sustainable performance. Together, they explore why hustle culture misunderstan...

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of Epic Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander Sprague sits down with author and podcaster  Teri M. Brown , whose life changed when she and her husband rode 3,102 miles across the United States on a tandem bicycle. What began as an adventure became a powerful journey of healing after Teri escaped an emotionally abusive marriage and doubted her own worth. Sh...

Emergency medicine veteran  Dr. Maureen Gibbons  joins Zander Sprague to talk about what happens when your calling becomes your whole identity, and what happens when you finally. After 15 years in the ER and 13 years at a Level 2 trauma center, Dr. Moe made the terrifying choice to execute her exit plan and step away, even though she still loved the chaos. She talks about her mission to...

In this inspiring episode of Epic Begins With One Step Forward, Zander sits down with  Kimberly Haley-Coleman , founder of  Globe Aware , an organization offering short-term adventure with purpose through “adventure in service” trips in 26 countries. Kimberly explains how their one-week, fully coordinated experiences combine meaningful hands-on service—like building homes, installing con...

In this moving episode of Epic Begins With One Step Forward, Zander Sprague is joined by  John DeDakis , former CNN editor for Wolf Blitzer, longtime journalist, novelist, writing coach, and motivational speaker. Together, they talk about grief, purpose, and healing. John shares the heartbreaking losses of his sister to suicide and his son to a heroin overdose, and reflects on how those exper...

In this powerful and deeply human episode, Zander Sprague sits down with  Dr. Jeff Reynolds , nonprofit CEO, endurance athlete, author, and two-time cancer survivor. Jeff shares how training for Ironman Florida unknowingly prepared him for the hardest races of his life: prostate cancer and stage 3B colorectal cancer. From finding out he had cancer via text message to enduring surgery, chemo,...

In this insightful episode of Epic Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander Sprague sits down with executive coach and former corporate leader  Corinne Gavlinski  for a candid conversation about leadership, identity, and reinvention. Corinne shares her journey through multiple career pivots, unexpected layoffs, and the identity jolts that come from tying self-worth too tightly to professional...

In this electrifying episode of Epic Begins With One Step Forward, Zander sits down with ultra-runner and adventure coach  Teresa Bowser , a woman who says “yes” to the kind of challenges most people sprint away from. Teresa shares how she transformed her life—from heavy partying to heavy mileage—by discovering Spartan Races, then trail running, and ultimately tackling her self-designed Proje...

In this high-energy episode of Epic Begins With One Step Forward, Zander Sprague sits down with video marketing expert  Cam Beaudoin , whose mission is simple: help speakers get booked by mastering the power of video. Cam shares how he discovered a massive gap in the speaking industry—experts want more stages, but few are willing to watch their own footage or create compelling reels. So he bu...