EPIC Begins With 1 Step Forward

In this fascinating episode of Epic Begins With One Step Forward, Zander reconnects with fellow LPCC  Lisa Manca , a board-certified Dance/Movement Therapist helping clients heal through the wisdom of the body. Lisa breaks down what dance therapy really is—no, it’s not interpretive dance with your therapist—and explains how movement, mirroring, and somatic awareness unlock emotions that words...

In this powerful and insightful episode of Epic Begins With One Step Forward, Zander sits down with  Michael Ostrolenk , a psychotherapist-turned-human optimization coach whose 30-year career spans transpersonal psychology, somatic therapy, and elite Navy SEAL training programs. Michael shares lessons from decades of studying self-mastery, martial arts, and mental toughness—revealing how true...

In this inspiring episode of Epic Begins With One Step Forward, Zander chats with  Anya Cheng , founder and CEO of  Taelor —a groundbreaking fashion-tech company using artificial intelligence to style busy professionals. From her beginnings as a reporter in Taiwan to her work at McDonald’s, Target, and Meta, Anya’s journey is one of relentless persistence, bold pivots, and saying yes to...

In this powerful and deeply moving episode of Epic Begins With One Step Forward, Zander speaks with  Naomi Reynolds —Army veteran, author, and advocate—for an unfiltered conversation about courage, trauma, and triumph. Naomi shares her extraordinary life story, from serving proudly in the military to facing the devastating realities of sexual assault and homelessness, and ultimately finding p...

In this profoundly moving episode of Epic Begins With One Step Forward, Zander Sprague welcomes poet and survivor  Cyndee Dhalai , whose life story redefines resilience. From growing up in Trinidad and Tobago, challenging cultural expectations, and facing ostracism for speaking her truth, to flatlining five times and living allergic to all medication, Cyndee’s journey is nothing short of mira...

In this inspiring episode of Epic Begins With One Step Forward, Zander Sprague sits down with  Troy Horne —musician, Broadway actor, author, and dedicated dad—to explore a life built on bold decisions. From driving to Los Angeles with $1,500 and no plan, to signing a record deal, touring with legends, and starring in Rent on Broadway, Troy’s story proves the power of simply saying “yes” to yo...

In this inspiring episode of Epic Begins With One Step Forward, Zander Sprague is joined by former CFL athlete, teacher, and executive coach  Quinn Magnuson  to explore a game-changing philosophy: Effort Over Results. Drawing from his professional sports background, coaching experience, and leadership training, Quinn reveals why focusing solely on wins and losses sets us up for burnout,...

For the 100th episode of Epic Begins With One Step Forward, Zander Sprague celebrates this epic milestone with  Danny Lehr —author, coach, and master of making extraordinary achievement accessible to everyone. Danny shares how he went from a PE teacher to building businesses, training alongside Olympians, and even transforming a used beach cruiser into a bike capable of conquering 72 miles ar...

In this motivating episode of EPIC Begins With One Step Forward, Zander Sprague talks with  Coach Sandy Cohan , a former hockey player turned mindset development coach and author. After years of coaching elite athletes – from Olympians to college players – Sandy discovered that skill alone does not separate the good from the great. The real difference? Mindset. Together, they explore the powe...

In this enlightening episode of EPIC Begins With One Step Forward, Zander Sprague speaks with somatic movement therapist and author  Angel Howard  about the powerful connection between body and mind. With decades of experience, Angel explains how somatic therapy addresses unresolved trauma and stress stored in our tissues, shaping emotions, thoughts, and even life patterns. From breathwo...

In this inspiring episode of EPIC Begins With One Step Forward, Zander Sprague welcomes  Dr. Matt Kutz , professor, author, global leader, and prostate cancer survivor. Matt shares his extraordinary journey from athletic training and academic research to writing leadership books that reached Fortune 500 companies worldwide. But his most powerful lessons came after a life-altering diagnosis. D...

In this thought-provoking episode of EPIC Begins With One Step Forward, Zander Sprague sits down with  Fredrik Haren , self-described “Creativity Explorer,” who has spent 25 years interviewing creative minds across 75 countries. From jazz guitarists who play “imaginary instruments” to watchmakers who solve design problems in their dreams, Fredrik reveals the surprising and powerful ways creat...

In this powerful episode of EPIC Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander Sprague speaks with  Trent Carter , board-certified nurse practitioner, addiction medicine specialist, and founder of  Renew Health  in New Mexico. Trent shares how his passion for helping others led him to build a network of clinics dedicated to treating substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders in som...

In this unforgettable episode of Epic Begins With One Step Forward, Zander Sprague sits down with retired attorney, Marine Corps veteran, and author  Rand Timmerman  to explore his extraordinary hiking adventure on the Appalachian Trail. At 72, Rand and his brother set out to conquer over 2,000 miles of rugged wilderness, facing snowstorms, relentless climbs, falls that nearly ended the...

In this powerful episode of Epic Begins With One Step Forward, Zander Sprague sits down with serial entrepreneur  Trevor Schade , whose life was transformed by what he calls a “total life implosion.” Within 18 months, Trevor underwent an epic reset: he endured divorce, career loss, real estate setbacks, and two strokes – events that shattered his belief in control and reshaped his outlook on...

In this candid and laughter-filled episode of Epic Begins With One Step Forward, Zander Sprague sits down with speaking coach and facilitator  Marianne Hickman  to unpack the real challenges of professional speaking—both on stage and in the virtual world. They tackle the sting (and value) of feedback, the art of reading a room you can’t see, and the mental gymnastics of staying engaged w...

In this episode of Epic Begins With One Step Forward, host Zander Sprague sits down with philanthropist and global changemaker  Morgan DeNicola . From running her family’s foundation to serving as Vice Chair of an NGO that partners with the United Nations, Morgan’s work spans humanitarian awards, global health, cultural diplomacy, and conservation. She shares transformative stories from her t...

In this powerhouse episode of EPIC Begins With 1 Step Forward, Zander Sprague sits down with TEDx Brisbane curator and public speaking coach  Juanita Wheeler  to unpack the art—and science—of persuasive communication. Juanita shares her personal journey from self-described “screaming introvert” to global speaking strategist, revealing the deep research and psychology behind becoming a co...

In this thrilling episode of EPIC Begins With One Step Forward, Zander Sprague welcomes  Jennie “AdrenaJen” Milton —a world-traveling adventurer whose life reads like an action movie. From heli-skiing down remote Alaskan peaks to surviving a near-fatal crevasse fall, Jennie shares what it takes to face fear head-on. But her most epic challenge didn’t come on the mountain—it came in the form o...

In this inspiring episode of EPIC Begins with One Step Forward, host Zander Sprague welcomes solo travel coach and global citizen and storyteller  Tsvety Roo . From leaving behind a corporate life to living in 22 countries and counting, Tsvety shares the empowering truth about traveling alone – and thriving while doing it. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or just dreaming of your first so...

What does it take to survive the unthinkable? In this episode of Epic Begins With One Step Forward, host Zander Sprague sits down with author and professor  AJ Otjen  to share the raw, harrowing, and ultimately inspiring story behind his book,  Burned Over! The Survival of Montana Firefighter Dan Steffensen . When a wall of fire swallowed Dan during what should have been a rout...

Are you burned out… or just chasing someone else’s dream? This week on Epic Begins With One Step Forward, Zander Sprague sits down with success catalyst  Zoia Ye (ZY)  for a brutally honest, no-fluff conversation about authenticity, boundaries, and why so many of us feel stuck in lives that don’t fit. Zoia shares her personal journey of surviving domestic abuse, finding her true voice, a...

Do you ever feel like you know something deep down… but you ignore it anyway? You’re not alone. In this episode of Epic Begins With One Step Forward, host Zander Sprague is joined by  Sarah Gregg  and  Jill Ritchie , co-founders of  The Intuitive Psychology Association , to explore why we’ve become so disconnected from our intuition—and how to reclaim it. You’ll learn why moder...

In this moving episode of EPIC Begins with 1 Step Forward, host Zander Sprague is joined by special guest  Mark Collins  for a heartfelt conversation about grief, healing, and the journey to reclaim purpose after profound loss. Mark shares his personal story of navigating sibling loss and how it reshaped his outlook on life, purpose, and resilience. Together, Zander and Mark explore what...

What if your purpose isn’t something to search for—but something you already are? In this transformative episode of Epic Begins With One Step Forward, host Zander Sprague welcomes engineer-turned-spiritual guide Manal El-Ramly for a soul-expanding conversation about self-worth, manifestation, and embracing the power of “not yet.”   Manal blends a sharp analytical mind with deep spiritual insi...