Kevin Polky - The Journey

Lessons from the Wrestling Room: More than the Mat Dalton shares about his vision to resurrect his alumni wrestling program. In two years, the Belvidere Co-Op wrestling went from under .500 to undefeated in dual meets and second in both conference and regional tournaments. Dalton shares about the vision, the leadership team he created and modeled the desire to win. With timing, inspiration and har...

Stress is not bad. Actual stress and resistance are essential for growth. Distress can be toxic for the body and needs to be managed. Listen to for some basic steps to managing your distress.

Wife and Mom finds Her Passion in the Second Half with Yoga Nancy was a farm girl. Daddy’s favorite. She rebelled and went to the big city, Milwaukee to be a hairstylist. After getting married, she had four children in four years. Loving being a wife and mom she was set until they grew up. In the midst of being the care-giver for her aging parents, she needed to do something for stress release. Sh...

Over the past 30 years, the mental health industry has changed quite a bit. My perspective has changed just as much. The keys to transformational change is making sure the person is able physically to be the mental emotional work. Therapy is essential to transform from the wounds to victory. And a healthy lifestyle is the final key to transformation being lasting change.

Working to Help Individuals Come Out of Ashes I had the opportunity to present to a group of parents at the Rockford Rescue Mission on developing resiliency. Teresa Reeverts is the director of support services and she shares about the importance of resiliency in helping these individuals transform their lives from survival to thriving. She shares some great stories of how individuals went from hom...

The Pizza Guy becomes The Community Guy Brian loves pizza and everything about the industry. He also loves to connect with and help people. Listen to this fascinating conversation about how Brian bringing pizza to a small community lead him to his current passion to change a school district and community.

Transformation from the Mat Dalton and I have an in-depth conversation about how athletics specifically can be a platform for transformation. He shared how the exercise of setting audacious goals are essential to start the journey of transformation. We discuss the importance of what is learned on the journey is more beneficial then the outcome. If you are a coach or a leader this one is for you!

It’s natural to pick sides. Actual allows us to build loyalty and learn more about the tribe. But when does it become a detriment? When does our tribal loyalty become a blind spot? Check out my continued thoughts on dualistic vs. non-dualistic thinking.

He uses his Business to Make a Difference Chad grew up around his father’s auto service business. He saw his father treat the customers with integrity and fairness. Chad took these virtues into his business endeavors and continued to stay true since 1981. Listen to this conversation as Chad shares about the different lessons he learned over the years and the relationships he has created in the com...

His Love for Baseball Set a Platform for Changing Lives Randal has always loved sports and specifically baseball. Also, he loved the art of business. He combined the two and is impacting youth not only on the field but off. He started teaching business classes to the little league players he was coach and they became mesmerized. This birthed the nonprofit K-Cancer organization which provides suppo...

Everything is Connected I had the opportunity to know and spend time with a great man, Joe “White Feather” Massey. Joe was my spiritual mentor in the 90’s. He taught me Lakota traditions and ceremonies. It was an amazing opportunity. One of the many lessons he taught me was that everything is connected.

The Rise and Fall of a Professional Boxer and Rebounding as a Minister One of the more powerful conversations on The Journey. Patrick shares openly about his career, the highlights and the distractions. He candidly talks about the love for boxing which resulted in turning professional at 19 and rising to the top and then finding himself at the mercy of addiction and later in prison. Patrick shares...

Making a Real Change Why do diets fail? He is just “white knuckling” not drinking! Real change is more than behavioral it has to do with changing your thinking. Real change is more about going through the transformational process. It moving from dieting to healthy lifestyle. Sobriety verses recovery. Transformation is changing your actions as a result of changing your perspective.

I always enjoy when I have a guest on the show when I can learn more about my profession. Steve was born an identical twin and had mirroring traits with his twin. Steve was adventurous and out-going, his brother was more reserved and timid. They were inseparable growing up and during their first year at college there was undeniable change. Nick returned home and later was diagnosed with a mental i...

As you are starting the year with goals for change, there are some critical things to keep in mind. First, make a plan. Then, break your goals into smaller milestones. Picture what it will be like when you achieve the goal. And when setbacks happen know that these are learning opportunities for ensuring your success.

He Brought His Dreams on the Road Have you ever thought what it would be like to spend more than 9 months of the year traveling to the most exotic locations in the world and get paid while traveling? Ralph turned his hobby into his business. Listen to this one of a kind conversation, to see how Ralph (who was raised by entrepreneurs) opened up two different restaurants, worked in many different pr...

During this time, many of us set goals for the upcoming year. I share three secrets, I discovered while I was a state and national champion bodybuilder. I hope they will help you accomplish all the goals for this coming year.

A Wonder Woman Who You to Unlock Your Potential Kimberly came from humble beginnings. Loved by her family. She strove to excel in school and in the workplace. Today she works at the international level as a communication consultant. She is a best-selling author, speaker and life coach. She desires to specifically help woman unlock their potential and live their greatest lives.

During this busy time of year, I reflect on a time Jesus visited with Martha and Mary's at their home. Martha was focused on all the preparation and the busyness of the event. Mary desires to spend time with Jesus in His presence. I know we are all busy with all the activities but, will we choose to be like Mary and focus on the relationship instead of the task. "Mary" Christmas!

Dancer and Performer Becomes a Teacher for Special Needs Erica always loved performing. First it was dance and then she found the stage of musical theater. She found her home! A physical injury was her first setback which she had to overcome. Little did she know it was preparing her for the future. Erica talks in detail about her experience in college with anxiety, fear and self-doubt. Graduating...

Like many of us Ebenezer was not born bitter and angry. But after feeling like he was caught between two loves, he chose work. Desire and ambition turned to greed, bitterness and loneliness. Listen to this story of how Scrooge developed and how he was given a second chance.

A Wounded Marine who is Finding Purpose in Giving Back Ryan served as a marine for 12 years. He was in the special forces. Two of buddies while serving and two died after the returned to the states. Ryan did not escape without his own scars: physically, mentally and emotionally. Listen to this great conversation about how Ryan is sharing his story to help others in their pain and darkness.

There was a time in which we eagerly opened the door when someone knocked. Today many times we hide or just avoid opening the door. How many times is this like life? Due to distractions or preconceived thoughts, we are closed to new ideas or change in our lives. How many times do miss opportunity to growth or splendor due to be closed. Will you choose to be open?

She uses Play to Teach Mary Kay has been an educator for over 50 years. She has always desired to find a way to connect with her students regardless of their age. She has come to believe and found the research and others to support her, humor and play are one of the most effective to learn. Listen to this insightful conversation about the science of humor and play and learning.

In the midst of everything happening as we are getting ready for Christmas, have you been able to really listen to the lyrics of those songs you have heard throughout your life. Recently, I reflected as I listened to hours of Christmas songs as we drove home. Many memories came flooding back. But, one stood out, Amy Grants’s “My Grown-up Christmas List”. I wonder if this Christmas season we could...