The Intentional Athlete Podcast

In the milestone 100th episode of the Project Unchained podcast, host Ross Leppala reflects on the journey and the powerful impact of community and vulnerable conversations. He shares his personal experiences, including discussing his own mental health struggles and how connecting with others has been both rewarding and healing. Ross emphasizes the importance of deep, meaningful conversations with...

In this episode of the Project Unchained podcast, host Ross Leppala discusses the impact of personal and perinatal development on his life and parenting style. He shares insights on conscious and positive parenting, emphasizing the significance of creating a strong connection with one's child through intentional, undistracted quality time. Ross underscores the importance of applying these conc...

This episode emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and experiencing all emotions, both positive and negative. It highlights that suppressing emotions can lead to depression and underscores the necessity of feeling emotions as a form of life energy. Through intentional acts, we can contribute to life in more meaningful ways. Cultivate your sense of belonging with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠7-Days of Belon...

In this solo episode of the Project Unchained podcast, host Ross Leppala discusses the challenges of dealing with overwhelming mental chatter. He explains the impact of this inner dialogue on energy levels and emotional well-being. Ross shares three strategies to manage these thoughts: distinguishing between thoughts and thinking, practicing meditation, and journaling. He emphasizes that these too...

In this episode of the Project Unchained podcast, Rob (Robert Bill Jr.) discusses his transformation from the fitness industry to becoming a coach for fathers since 2020. He introduces the concept of a 'transitional character' who breaks negative generational cycles and shares his upbringing with distant, overworked male figures. Through breathwork, yoga, and meditation, Rob overcame anxie...

In this episode of the Project Unchained podcast, Jack, a retired military man now living in Mexico, shares his compelling journey from Cleveland to various parts of the world, ultimately settling in Mexico. He discusses his experiences surviving a hurricane, transitioning from traditional education methods to unschooling, and his struggles with substance abuse after his mother's death. Jack f...

In life, we are all going to experience various difficult situations. When we're able to look at those situations and learning opportunities, we can gain so much in those moments. That's what the magic in the muck is all about. Just as the lotus flower needs mud to grow into a beautiful budding flower, so to do us humans. Join us today as Doctor of Psychology, Jason Frishman, shares with u...

I've had some recent struggles with the direction and growth of Project UnchainED recently. I decieded it was time I get vulnerable with you all on something that is current in my life. Being vulnerable about the past is one thing. Doing it about what you are going through right now is another. Let's explore that a bit here today. Cultivate your sense of belonging with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 7-Days...

In order to find your path forward in your most authentic expression, we must consider it as self-discovery. Asking questions about how and why we operated in certain ways, to better understand ourselves. For it is in that authenticity, that we are most free! Cultivate your sense of belonging with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠7-Days of Belonging⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with your guest James Fowler Instagram gainz4...

As we grow and heal from wounds of separation, we will find the restorative powers in the union of our masculine and feminine parts. We all have them both and both are important to be connected with. That's what special guest Kaia Tingely is here to share with us in this episode Cultivate your sense of belonging with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠7-Days of Belonging⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with your guest Kaia...

It's not uncommon to men putting the majority of the parenting load on the mothers. IMO, this is one of the biggest contributors to the state of a poor mental well-being. Now, more than ever before, children need the dads everywhere to step up. That's what Nate Feathers is doing and showing other dads how to show up. Showing men around the world that dads don't babysit. Cultivate your...

Whether done intentionally or not, our environment often influences our limitations in life. In particular, cultural conditioning. This occurs in many cultures across the world. When we walk the path of personal development and mental well-being, we begin to see those limitations. In this episode, John Wang (Big Asian Energy), talks about some of those cultural barriers he has worked past. While J...

You don't have to look far to find a man who has an unhealthy expression of their emotions. We express anger to appear aggressive, when it's really sadness that we're experiencing. This primarily because we have been taught to suppress ourselves. We must learn to break that pattern. We must learn how to cry, in a healthy way. That's what we're here to talk about with Dxtr Spits...

I'm joined by fellow strength coach Paul Oneid as he shares his journey with strength and personal development. Paul brings some really powerful perspectives to the table that I think will be very beneficial for most of you listening. Whether you are an avid lifter or not. Cultivate your sense of belonging with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠7-Days of Belonging⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with your guest Paul Oneid Inst...

Introspection is a powerful tool in the world of personal development. Learning how to do that without harmful self-judgement is massively important. Let's explore how we can do that for ourselves! Cultivate your sense of belonging with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠7-Days of Belonging⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with your host Ross Leppala! Instagram: ross.leppala Facebook: Ross Leppala Email: theakleprechaun@gmail.com...

A common phrase that gets thrown out there to help people feel better is, "Sticks and stones my break my bones, but words may never hurt me." Having been on the receiving end of it, I can assure you that it is not effective. While well-intentioned, it falls short of being supportive. In this episode, I share a speech I gave on that very phrase. Cultivate your sense of belonging with ⁠⁠⁠⁠...

From a life of limitations, to one of conscious masculinity. You can either let circumstances define you or you can choose to define you. That is a massive part of conscious masculinity, self defining how you choose to show up and participate in life. Stepping into a power that not only elevates your life, but all of those around you. Jim Vance shares his life details on how he created that shift...

We're all going to face chaotic situations in our life. It will almost certainly be a surprise when that moment happens as well. Learning how to respond and not react can make a considerable impact on the kinds of experiences we have. We all contribute to them. How do you want to contribute? Cultivate your sense of belonging with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠7-Days of Belonging⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with your host Ros...

No matter where you are in your life's journey, it is always worth finding your way forward. In this episode, we sit down with Ashlei Hand who shares her story. She shares with us some of the hardships she has face and how she has worked through them. She also gets vulnerable about some current things that she is working through. Which can be some of the toughest ways to be vulnerable. Cultiva...

Learning to shine the light on our darkest parts can be difficult work. It is, however, highly rewarding work as well. Special guest Evangelia Koilakoudi joins us to share her story of transformation. Learning to use those traumatic life events to guide her forward with purpose. Cultivate your sense of belonging with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠7-Days of Belonging⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with your guest Evangelia Koilakoud...

So many of us hold back in life. An avoidance of giving our best effort. Even in the simplest of tasks, we play small. There is this unconscious fear that keeps us from playing at our edges. Fear of failure. Fear of judgment. Most of which are false. We've got to learn to play past those fears. Playing at the edge of our ability. For it is there that provides us with more learning, growth, and...

Musician Maggie Baugh has been advocating for suicide awareness for several years now. She's found healing through her journey with music. Having overcome suicide at a young age, Maggie now seeks to share her story and create awareness. Supporting people's healing with her inspirational music and story. Join us as we learn more about Maggie and how she has transformed her life with music....

It's not uncommon for a person to experience a bout of loneliness when walking the path of growth & change. Most people will experience that at some point in that journey. It's simple....others are often threatened by your change. When that happens, you have two choices. Remain the same for their safety. Or, walk away from that friendship that is like your other limitations. No longer...

One of the most important things we can do is focus on connection with people. What can we do to cultivate connection? That is far more important than gaining the approval of others. Approval-seeking will lead you to people-pleasing tendencies, which do not help create any sustainable connection with another person. Whether it be in a romantic setting, platonic or professional. Connecting with the...

Learning to live a life of self-care is an important step to one's own wellness. Having those rituals in place is what cultivates your mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. What is really amazing is when a person embodies such a practice, they are then able to pass it along. Creating generational self-care. That IS the path toward generational healing. Cultivate your sense of belonging w...