The Level Up Lifestyle

Today, Rebekah sits down with Agency Owner Brian Ross. Brian shares his journey from humble beginnings in Bangor, Maine, shaped by a father who refused to let a wheelchair define him, to building nearly two decades of sustained growth as one of Family Heritage's most enduring agency owners. He unpacks what it looks like to walk away from sixteen years of career equity, bet on yourself in the middl...

Today, Rebekah sits down with Agency Owner Tanner Frick. Tanner shares his journey from small-town South Dakota roots, five generations deep, to building real momentum as one of Family Heritage's rising agency owners. He unpacks what it looks like to step into ownership early, navigate the growing pains that come with it, and carry forward an entrepreneurial legacy passed down through generations....

Today, Rebekah sits down with Agency Owner Travis Wilson. Travis recounts his  journey from working cornfields in Iowa to building one of the most enduring agencies in Family Heritage history. He unpacks what it truly takes to go from a scrappy midwestern kid with no clear plan to a Hall of Leaders inductee. Through embracing entrepreneurship early, showing up when others didn't, and leading from...

Today, Rebekah sits down with Regional Director Terrelle Walker. Terrelle brings a remarkable journey from humble beginnings in a small South Dakota town to becoming the first agent in company history to earn both market and regional director awards. He breaks down what it really takes to climb from the bottom to the top. Through channeling raw discipline, betting on himself at every turn, and pou...

Today, Rebekah sits down with Sales Professionals Robin Monsky and David Villasenor. Robin brings a dynamic career reinvention from forty years in sports media, while David represents the gold standard of long-term consistency. They break down what it really takes to perform at the highest level. Through embracing discomfort, holding themselves to unshakeable standards, and finding motivation in t...

Today, Rebekah sits down with Sales Professional David Villasenor. David's journey began in a military family, moving from Air Force base to Air Force base, where strict rules and frequent relocations taught him to channel anger into action on the football field. Through hitting rock bottom at 25, a divine parking lot encounter in Caldwell, Texas, and becoming a father to his son Luke, David built...

Today, Rebekah sits down with Sales Professional Robin Monsky. Robin's journey began in Omaha, Nebraska, where her father built one of the country's largest car auctions and her sister trained for Olympic figure skating. After a determined pursuit of a baseball career led her to break barriers as one of baseball's first female executives, she faced the choice between staying in sports or beginning...

Today, Rebekah sits down with Agency Owners Barry Bandera and Dillon Buck. Barry brings over thirty years of consistent leadership, while Dillon represents a new generation of leaders. They break down what it really takes to develop into a true leader. Through leading from the front, treating people how they want to be treated, and finding more joy in others' success than their own, Barry and Dill...

Today, Rebekah sits down with Agency Owner Dillon Buck. Dillon's journey began in Basalt, Colorado, where skiing was a rite of passage and snowboarding became his competitive outlet from age thirteen. After traveling the world on Semester at Sea, he faced the choice between a comfortable graphic design internship in Austria and eighty hours a week of rejection. Through creating ten non-negotiables...

Today, Rebekah sits down with Agency Owner Barry Bandera. Barry's journey began in Arlington, Texas, where his parents' divorce at age 10 shifted his family from a colonial home to a three-bedroom apartment across the tracks. Through outworking everyone around him, embracing the fear of being poor, and learning that longevity means committing to something and sticking with it, Barry built an extra...

Today, Mike sits down with Agency Owner John David Mitchell. JD’s journey began in a small Alabama town where he grew up inspired by his father’s career. After finding early success in elevator sales, he walked away from a six-figure salary job to return home and take a chance following his dad’s footsteps. Through humility, hard lessons, and a relentless commitment to growth, John David carved hi...

Today, Mike sits down with Agency Owner Matt Carder. Matt's journey into leadership began with his humble upbringing in a small Arkansas town where he developed his work ethic mowing lawns at age 13. He later faced obstacles when building his agency in Phoenix after leaving everything familiar behind. But through his positive mindset and willingness to let go to lead his team, Matt broke through t...

Today, Mike sits down with Agency Owner Brian Cannington. After struggling in college and bouncing between hourly jobs, Brian found his calling as an agent. When his performance slumped, a pivotal decision to "hire himself" and commit to a serious work ethic transformed his career. Through his “5 to 9” philosophy, Brian built a thriving agency spanning six locations across Georgia and Florida. His...

Today, Mike sits down with Agency Owner Amanda Violand. Amanda’s journey into leadership began as she cultivated a work ethic of steel as a farmhand in rural Ohio. She later faced obstacles when exploring opportunities in New York City. But by her driven nature and sticking to the decisions she made, Amanda broke through all the blocks that life put in her way to achieve the success and lifestyle...

Today, Mike sits down with Regional Director, Alfredo Gonzalez. We get to hear the story of Alfredo’s family’s harrowing journey out of war-torn El Salvador. The hardships his family endured to bring him to a better life paved the way for a lifestyle of immense gratitude and rock solid work ethic. Because of the sacrifice of his family, Alfredo has been able to face every setback and victory with...

Today, Mike sits down with Jayson Stirrup, Executive Director of Casa Hogar in Cabo San Lucas. Jayson takes us through his unexpected journey from Toronto, Canada, to leading a children's home in Mexico, where he dedicates his life to helping kids overcome the trauma of their pasts. He shares powerful stories of resilience, the challenges of running a nonprofit in a foreign country, and the unique...

Today, Mike sits down with Luke Gilliam, Senior Vice President at Liberty National. Luke shares his journey from a small-town upbringing in Texas to overcoming the challenges of a declining journalism industry. He dives into his transition from traditional journalism to leading a digital media startup, reflecting on the hard lessons learned along the way. Luke’s insights on innovation, leadership,...

Today, Mike sits down with agency owner Brandon Jones. Brandon takes us through his journey from a small town in Lower Alabama to becoming a successful agency owner. He shares his early love for sports,  the derailment of a surgery in college, and the struggles of moving far away from home to take on his toughest challenge. Brandon’s story is a testament to perseverance, making tough decisions, an...

Today, Mike sits down with Clint McLain, agency owner in Birmingham, Alabama. Clint shares his journey from living on his own out of high school on a movie theater salary to his rewarding but challenging climb to a steady career. Following his family legacy, he had to make a painful decision with one of his most prized possessions to escape rock bottom. Clint’s story highlights perseverance, adapt...

Today, Mike sits down with Drew Aderholt, agency owner in Alpharetta, Georgia. Drew takes us through his journey from growing up in the insurance industry to carving out his own path within the company. He shares his experience as the son of a successful agency owner, the challenges of transitioning from the worksite to the individual market, and the unexpected hurdles he faced in his first years...

Today, Mike sits down with Chicago-based agent, Monica Klempel. Monica shares her journey, detailing her early passion for figure skating and the rigorous training that led her to the brink of the Olympics. Despite a career-ending injury, her resilience and extra effort guided her to success in academia and a thriving career in insurance. Monica’s story exemplifies the power of hard work, sacrific...

Today, Mike sits down with a very special guest, Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence! DeMarcus shares his journey from a small town in South Carolina to the NFL, revealing how his family's work ethic and his own determination propelled him forward. He discusses the challenges he faced, from missed opportunities in his early football career to the pivotal decisions that shaped his path....

Today, Mike sits down with the President of FC Dallas, Dan Hunt. Dan tells the story of how his family's legacy transformed American sports, starting with humble beginnings on a farm in Arkansas. He shares the bold risks his father took to pursue his passion for sports. His reflections on perseverance, integrity, and community involvement offer powerful insights into building a lasting legacy. Thi...

Today, Mike sits down with Danielle Alexander, Supervising Agent from the Kevin Petersen agency and bronze medalist in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics for taekwondo. Danielle shares her journey from humble beginnings to overcoming challenges on her way to the Olympics. From facing initial resistance to winning a dramatic rematch, Danielle’s story is one of resilience and mental toughness. Her insights...

Today, Mike sits down with a very special guest, Olympic Gold Medalist Carly Patterson. Carly walks us down the road to the 2004 Summer Olympics, detailing her somewhat accidental entry into gymnastics and how she fell in love with the hard work the sport demanded of her. Even when faced with uncertainty, the mental toughness she forged allowed her to surpass all the grueling days and set the stag...