The Lighthouse with Ryan Obernesser

In this episode of The Lighthouse Podcast, I’m joined by Jason Meland—former gym owner turned mentor to fitness professionals and creator of the School of Impact. Jason’s story is one of grit, reinvention, and alignment. He built success the hard way—then chose to rebuild it the right way. Together we dive into:- Why burning out isn’t required to break through- The self-leadership it takes to evol...

In this episode of The Lighthouse Podcast, I sit down with combat veteran turned business strategist JR Spear—founder of CREED Consulting and Business Leaders Network. From leading on the battlefield to mentoring high-level entrepreneurs, JR has lived the full spectrum of what leadership requires: clarity, courage, and consistency. We dive into: ✅ The shift from survival to significance ✅ What s...

In this episode of The Lighthouse Podcast, I sit down with Coach Nick Ward—an elite performance coach whose career spans professional sports, Olympic hopefuls, and the mental game behind physical excellence. This conversation goes way beyond sets and reps... We unpack: 👉 The psychological side of peak performance and self-leadership 👉 Lessons from mountaineering and extreme challenges that trans...

In this episode of The Lighthouse Podcast , I sit down with the OG of online fitness coaching— Vince Del Monte . From building one of the most recognized fitness brands online to mentoring hundreds of fit pros to seven-figure success, Vince has mastered business growth. But what’s even more powerful is the inner transformation that came after the titles, money, and fame. We talk about: * The shift...

This episode isn’t just about business it’s about breaking the cycle of burnout. On The Lighthouse Podcast , I sit down with Vince Gabriele — husband, father, gym owner, speaker, author, and founder of Fitness Business University—to unpack the mindset and systems behind real, replicable, regret-free growth. Vince has helped thousands of gym owners shift from noisy marketing chaos into dialed-in, h...

In this episode of The Lighthouse Podcast , I’m joined by Luka Hocevar—entrepreneur, coach, and the mind behind Vigor Ground. But this isn’t just a conversation about business. It’s a deep dive into the inner game of leadership—the mindset, identity, and emotional patterns that determine how far and how free you can really grow. Luka shares the lessons that helped him shift from high-output to hig...

 In this episode of The Lighthouse Podcast , I sit down with my friend and visionary entrepreneur Joseph Hawthorne, founder of Block Fitness. We explore how he’s redefining the fitness business from the ground up—building not just a gym, but a brand, culture, and community that’s unlike anything else. If you’re an entrepreneur looking to evolve your identity and leadership style while creating som...

In this episode of The Lighthouse Podcast, I’m joined by self-defense and psychological fear expert Coach Tony Blauer. Together, we explore how fear isn’t just a reaction—it’s a leadership disruptor. Whether you’re feeling stuck, second-guessing your team, or silently burning out, this conversation will help you recognize how fear is running the show—and how to reclaim clarity, confidence, and cal...

In this episode of The Lighthouse Podcast, I sit down with Jay Soileau—a multi-brand entrepreneur, coach, and the force behind StrongBody Fitness, StrongBody Nutrition, Conquer Me Coaching, and Legacy Lead Pros. Jay's journey is a powerful example of what happens when discipline, clarity, and integrity collide. He shares how he transitioned from the hustle of early entrepreneurship into a purpose-...

Evolving with Intention: Building a Business That Reflects Who You Are With Marcus McDuffie In this episode of The Lighthouse Podcast , I’m joined by Marcus McDuffie , founder of AION Training and AION Nutrition, to talk about the powerful mindset shifts and leadership growth that happen when you stop grinding aimlessly and start building a business that reflects your values. Marcus shares his jou...

In this episode of The Lighthouse , I sit down with Andy McCloy , an elite performance coach, business owner, and entrepreneur whose story is rooted in transformation, resilience, and intentional leadership. Andy built a successful fitness business and coaching brand—but more importantly, he built a life by design. From battling addiction and limiting beliefs to becoming a sought-after mentor for...

In this episode of The Lighthouse, I sit down with Chris Tutela, a highly respected strength coach, entrepreneur, and business mentor, to discuss what it truly takes to succeed—not just in business, but in life. Chris shares powerful lessons on resilience, mental toughness, and how to develop the kind of leadership skills that allow you to grow your business while staying aligned with your values....

In this episode of The Lighthouse Podcast, I sit down with David Dear, a former firefighter turned successful entrepreneur, to discuss the leadership and communication skills that helped him make the transition from public service to business ownership. David shares his journey from working in a structured, high-stakes environment to navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship, where leadership...

In this episode of The Lighthouse Podcast, I sit down with Michael Watkins to explore the deep connection between mindset, self-regulation, and leadership. Michael shares powerful insights on how subconscious beliefs shape behavior, why self-regulation is the foundation for peak performance, and how mastering your internal world leads to external success. We break down the science behind subconsci...

In the inaugural episode of The Lighthouse, I’m joined by my good friend Aaron LeBauer, a pioneer in the physical therapy industry and expert coach helping healthcare professionals break free from the limitations of insurance-based care. Aaron’s entrepreneurial career began decades ago in massage therapy.  His path evolved over time into building a thriving cash-based physical therapy practice—a b...