The Balanced CEO Hosted by Chris Williams

If you want real change in your health, your mindset, and your life, it starts with discipline. Not motivation. Not a 30-day challenge. Not a new program. Discipline. In this episode of The Balanced CEO Podcast, I break down why most people struggle after January momentum fades and what it actually takes to turn short-term effort into a sustainable lifestyle. I talk about: • Why discipline matters...

In this solo episode of The Balanced CEO Podcast, I get real about losing my rhythm and rebuilding it the right way. Between stress, moving, travel, business pressure, and pushing my body too far, my triangle of health, family, and business broke. Instead of chasing motivation or New Year’s resolutions, I went back to what actually works: small habits compounded over time. We talk about waking up...

In this episode, I sit down with Mark Johnson, a tattoo artist who built a powerful personal brand, grew over 100,000 followers, and went from a private studio to tattooing NBA players. We talk about what it really takes to build a high-end service business without waiting for perfect conditions. Mark shares how consistency on social media created trust long before clients ever booked, how one dir...

Some episodes are conversations. Others are reminders. This one is a reminder of what happens when you choose growth over comfort. Michele Zaragoza brings the kind of honesty and leadership that can shift the way you see your own path. Michelle has built a powerful career in real estate, but what stands out most is how she pours into people, breaks ceilings, and helps others step into the version...

Endings are part of life and leadership. In this solo episode, I talk openly about closing a 15 year chapter, moving my family, and stepping into a new season with clarity. If you are navigating a career change, shifting relationships, or a move that forces you to grow, this episode will help you understand why necessary endings matter and how to handle them without losing yourself. I also break d...

What if success didn’t have to come with burnout? In this episode, I sit down with Danny Lehr, founder of Caffeine and Kilos and Excel Health and Fitness, to unpack how he built a thriving brand while keeping family, fitness, and balance at the center of his life. Listen now and learn how to build freedom without losing balance. Follow The Balanced CEO Podcast for new episodes every week. Keep dig...

Bryce shares how he built a gym from scratch, led a team to the CrossFit Games, and found balance between business, fitness, and faith. It is a story about discipline, purpose, and betting on yourself when the odds say don’t. Leadership starts here. Keep digging in 😤 #thebalancedceo #crossfitgames #gymownerlife #leadershipjourney #entrepreneurmindset #fromburnouttobalance #disciplineovermotivatio...

Season 4 kicks off with a fighter’s story turned mission. Damon V shares how the Adaptive Fitness Coalition helps gyms serve adaptive and special-needs athletes with structure, compassion, and discipline. Leadership starts here. Keep digging in 😤 #thebalancedceo #adaptivefitness #trainunique #leadershipjourney #coachinglife #familyfitnessfinances #mindsetmatters #fromburnouttobalance #gymowners #...

Talent might open the door, but strength, mindset, and consistency keep you in the room. In this episode I sit down with Vinnie Palo , strength and conditioning coach and co-founder of Altamont Performance Lab, to talk about training that works, coaching that matters, and what it means to stay consistent when life pushes back. This one is for parents, coaches, and entrepreneurs who want real progr...

Life doesn’t always go the way you plan, but sometimes that’s the point. Shannen’s story took her from the ER to running a CPR training business across the country all while raising kids and learning how to turn ADHD into her “special sauce” for business and life. We talk about what it takes to build with energy that never quits, why every person crosses your path for a reason, and how creating va...

Khristian Avalar went from failing his real estate test three times and grinding in restaurants to losing 110 pounds and building a brand. This is a raw look at resilience, discipline, and putting yourself first. #thebalancedceo #diginthemediamovement #chriswilliams #khristianavalar #keepdiggingin #resiliencestory #realestategrind

Alyx’s path in the fitness industry has not been about shortcuts. It has been about showing up, putting in the work, and staying authentic. We talk daily discipline, overcoming challenges, and why the long way is the only way. Keep digging in 😤 #thebalancedceo #keepdiggingin #diginthemediamovement #fitnessindustry #authenticself #growthmindset #resilience #leadershipjourney #careerlessons

This is not a recap.  This is a moment of clarity. In this special edition of The Balanced CEO, I talk through my 29029 experience and what it revealed about how we lead, how we prepare and how we respond. This is for anyone chasing a meaningful life under pressure.  And this is only the beginning. Keep digging in 😤 #thebalancedceo #my29029experience #chriswilliams #diginthemediamovement #leaders...

What does it take to pivot at 50 and build something that actually matters to you? Alice Heck opens up about her journey, from layoffs to leadership, and how she built a brand that speaks directly to Pacific Islander women and their stories. Hit play if you’ve ever felt the pull to build something that reflects who you really are. Keep digging in 😤 #diginthemediamovement #thebalancedceo #chriswil...

21 years of growing together, and now we’re releasing something special. Alexis finally joins the podcast. We talk marriage, parenting, business, grief, and what it really takes to grow without losing each other. Real talk, no fluff. If you're building something with your partner, this one's for you. If you're in a relationship and trying to build something bigger together, this one...

If you’re the engine and the engine breaks, everything breaks. In Episode 2 of The Balanced CEO, Gary Walsh lays it out. Burnout. Fatherhood. Boutique gyms that actually work. Saying no. Buying back your time. This is what it means to build without losing yourself. Listen if you’re serious about growth and done pretending you're fine. Keep digging in 😤

Jay Rhodes joins me on this first episode to talk about what most people don’t—financial struggle, seven miscarriages, burnout, and still choosing to build. We talk about what happens when your vision is bigger than your circumstances, what it takes to actually run a gym, and how personal pain can shape you into the kind of leader people need. This one is honest, heavy, and hopeful. If you’re buil...

In our Season 2 finale, I sit down with Marine veteran, CrossFit Games athlete, and gym owner Candice Wagner to talk about rebuilding when everything feels like it’s falling apart. From competing at the highest level to navigating gym ownership, divorce, and burnout—Candice shares how she found her way back through community, systems, and grit.

In this episode, I talk with Matt Albrizio of Forever Fierce about how gym owners can scale apparel sales without the stress. We discuss how apparel builds brand, boosts community, and drives serious ROI—with most gyms seeing $500–$850 per order in net profit. We also cover the “ownership mindset,” building harmony between work and family, and why now is the time to make your merch matter. Keep di...

In this episode of The Balanced CEO Podcast , we sit down with Alex Witt, founder of Battle Bars and owner of 10.40.10  Gym, to unpack his wild journey from military service to building a multi-million dollar brand. Raw, real, and packed with perspective—this one’s for the leaders doing hard things with heart.

In this episode, he shares how fitness fuels his service, why empathy and standards go hand-in-hand, and how leading with a “help first” mindset changed everything. If you’re balancing big roles in life, this one’s for you. Keep digging in 😤

In this episode, Chris sits down with Tony Ciccolella, MLB agent, Ironman competitor, and founder of Sensports Group, to break down what separates those who show up from those who go all in. They talk about the mental side of success, navigating burnout, building discipline while traveling the world, and why your fitness can't be the first thing to drop when life gets busy. From scouting futu...

What if freedom wasn’t a finish line but a decision? In this episode, I sit down with my mentor and friend Shawn Rider, who helped me rethink how I work, lead, and build. We dive into the systems, mindset, and money principles that helped him walk away from a teaching job and build a portfolio of businesses while staying fiercely committed to his family. This is one of those episodes you’ll want t...

What happens when you realize hustle isn’t the answer? Corey Lewis shares how he rebuilt after COVID, balanced mentorship and nonprofits, and learned to invest in himself. This is a raw, practical look at growth, leadership, and building a life that works. Plus, Chris breaks down why harmony and not balance is the real goal.

Chris sits down with Jeff Smith to talk about building wealth, freedom, and a life you don’t need a vacation from. They dive into mindset shifts around money, the power of cash flow over net worth, and why the most important investment you’ll ever make is in yourself . Whether you're a business owner, W-2 employee, or trying to reset your lifestyle, this episode will push you to think bigger...