The Optimal Life

LVfromCLE (Lamar McKnight) is a Cleveland-based recording artist, songwriter and studio engineer. I was joined by LV and his manager, Billy Gura, for a conversation about music, culture, and influences throughout the entire Cleveland hip-hop scene. Connect with LV on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Connect with Billy on Instagram  

Sally McRae is a Nike sponsored ultrarunner who provides coaching and training services in addition to motivational speaking and consulting.  She first began her ultrarunning journey in 2010 and hasn't looked back since.  You can find her on YouTube in an array of ultrarunning videos, always portraying a positive 'can do' demeanor regardless of the adversity she faces on the trails.  Connect with...

Are you sick and tired of getting dozens of phone calls from ghost solicitors trying to sell or "help" you with something every single day?  Yeah, me too.  This company kept calling tonight, so I decided to record them as well and see what it is they were offering.  Needless to say, it seemed like a scam, although I will let you - the listener - decide. The point of this whole thing is that we nee...

Devin McCourty is a 3X Super Bowl champion of the New England Patriots.  He joined me for a conversation about football, family and what it takes to be a success both on and off the field. Connect with Devin on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter  

Aaron Wilson is an NFL reporter for the Houston Chronicle who covers the Houston Texans. Formerly a reporter in Baltimore covering the Ravens, Aaron opens up about the loss of his wife several years ago, how that loss fueled him to improve his lifestyle, and provides details into the delicate relationship between reporter and player.  We also talk Cleveland Browns football and outlook for the 2019...

Larry Zukerman is the managing partner at Zukerman, Lear & Murray Co. , one of the top defense law firms in Northeast Ohio.  For over 30 years, Larry has fought for the rights of individuals facing allegations of white collar crimes, computer/Internet crimes, murder, sexual assault, Federal narcotics crimes and many others. He often handles the cases of high profile or well known citizens and also...

Rabbi Zushe Greenberg returned to the podcast to share insight into life, after-life, and the duty we all have to live for today.  It was another inspirational and thought-provoking episode that I can't wait for you to hear!  

Amani Roberts is a professional DJ, music producer and podcaster who left the corporate world to pursue his passion in music after the tragic loss of his father.  Ever since, he has created a premier DJ agency known as The Amani Experience and has produced remixes for artists such as Kehlani, Little Big Town, Niia and Camila Cabello.  In addition to DJ'ing, he also hosts The Amani Experience Podca...

Ricky Mendez is an implementational speaker and business coach who helps people better their lives through association changes and the daily practice of gratitude.  Brian Thompson is a recovered drugs and alcohol addict - turned hip-hop artist - who uses his past as the fuel behind his music as lead singer of the band, Stealing Oceans .  Ricky and Brian joined me for an insightful conversation abo...

Tommy Sinito is a restaurateur whose family owns Marble Room Steaks and Raw Bar and Il Venetian .  In addition to hospitality, he now manages local R&B artist and rapper, Peso.  Both Tommy and Peso joined me for an insightful conversation about the power of their relationship, why relationships and teams matter, and how they work together to create winning synergies. Connect with Tommy on Instagra...

Dr. Roy Buchinsky is a family doctor specializing in internal medicine at University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center.  He joined me for what became a conversation in which he drops a plethora of knowledge related to health, wellness and optimal living.    

Leah Hester returns to the podcast for her second appearance to update us on her freshman year experiences at SDSU and to provide outlook for the upcoming semester. Connect with Leah on Instagram  

Afif Ghannoum is the CEO of BIOHM Health , a revolutionizing microbiome company specializing in probiotics that not only break down and neutralize bad bacteria - but also bad fungi - within the gut.  In this episode, hear about Afif's growing company and how re-balancing our digestive systems are critical to achieving an overall healthy lifestyle.  Afif also shares insight into his evolving relati...

Charlie Eisenstat is the founder and owner of Pour Cleveland , a multi-roaster and espresso bar located in the heart of downtown Cleveland, Ohio.  Hear about Charlie's professional path, leaving behind a career in law to pursue his passion in coffee. Connect with Pour Cleveland on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter  

Rabbi Zushe Greenberg is an Orthodox rabbi who has amassed a significant following within the community.  He joined me for an intimate and spiritual conversation about fate and destiny to make sense of life in our forever changing world.    

Brogan Azriel is a Cleveland-based artist who specializes in figurative paintings and murals that communicate emotional content woven through narratives.  In this wide-ranging episode, hear about Brogan's journey of finding this intense passion and how her work is a product of her identity. Connect with Brogan on Instagram  

Youssef Zalal is a professional MMA fighter with a current unbeaten record of 5-0.  Hear about his path from Morocco to the United States, how MMA became a part of his life, the pain he experienced in losing his brother in an automobile accident three years ago, and how he uses that pain to fuel his fire to assure he achieves his goal of making it to the UFC. Connect with Youssef on Instagram  

Anthony Smith is currently the #3 ranked light heavyweight in the UFC.  In this episode, hear about his adversity-filled journey to get to where he is today, the people he holds responsible for helping him achieve success, and his outlook on his UFC future as he eyes a title shot in 2019. Connect with Anthony on Instagram  

Join me in the fight against cancer and put down your razors for the month of November!  Each person who donates at least $25.00 to the cause through The Optimal Life podcast No-Shave November page will have a chance to win a $100.00 Giant Eagle gift card.  Winner will be announced the first week of December! Donate via our NO SHAVE NOVEMBER PAGE HERE . Each day, 22,000 people die from cancer worl...

Eliot Sloan is the lead singer from the band Blessid Union of Souls, whose hit single "I Believe" topped the charts at #1 in 1995.  In this episode, hear from Eliot on how his band exploded onto the scene in the 1990's and get a peak into some of the intimate stories behind their music. Connect with Blessid Union on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram  

Ryan Florio is the founder of Inca Tea , a brand formulated through purple corn blends containing powerful antioxidants that Ryan initially discovered in Peru.  Formed in 2014, Inca Tea has grown to over 800 locations worldwide. Connect with Inca Tea on Instagram | Facebook   Contact Ryan via email at ryan@incatea.com  

Carl Sullivan is the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) director of state prosecutions and assistant prosecuting attorney with the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office.  Connect with Ohio ICAC on Facebook  

Nathan Orchard is a 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu black belt under Master Eddie Bravo.  Having recently married, he moved from Portland to Seattle with his wife and is set to open 10th Planet Seattle on October 1st.  In this episode, he talks about his Jiu Jitsu journey and sheds light into the martial arts way of life. Connect with Nathan on Instagram  

Michelle Diaz is a fashion, beauty and travel blogger who has amassed hundreds of thousands of followers across her social media platforms.  We cover a wide range of topics in this episode, including love interests, social media pros and cons, the importance of authenticity, how to handle judgment, and following your passions toward living out your goals and dreams. Connect with Michelle on Instag...

Kerri Kasem is a radio and TV host whose mission has become to seek elder abuse legal reform after having experienced difficulties being allowed to see her father at the end of his life.  Her father, Casey Kasem, was a famous disc jockey and radio broadcaster who became best known for his 'American Top 40' countdown that aired between 1970 and 2009.  During the later stages/years of Casey's life,...