The Optimal Life

Daniel "DC" Cormier is the current UFC light heavyweight champion.  A lifelong ambassador of the sport of MMA, he also is a TV analyst on Fox Sports and color commentator on Pay-Per-View.   DC's journey in combat sports began at the ripe age of 10 when he first started wrestling.  From there, he would go on to become a state champ in high school and would continue through college to the Olympics;...

Jim Walter is an MMA manager who represents current UFC heavyweight champion, Stipe Miocic. A finance and accounting major, Jim began his career in management consulting in 2010, gaining invaluable experiences working with high level corporate clients nationwide.  Since 2015, he has been leveraging those experiences to create a premier sports management firm by offering his clients unparalleled le...

Melissa Eckman is a social media entrepreneur and influencer whose prime focus is on yoga, health, wellness and beauty.  After having founded the online community  Yogspiration  in 2013, she left her accounting career in 2015 to pursue her dreams of becoming a lifestyle entrepreneur through various Internet and web-based platforms.   A story of grit, hustle and determination, Melissa's journey rem...

Joe Triscaro is the principal of the law firm Triscaro & Associates , a firm specializing in personal injury, medical malpractice and business litigation. Highlights from this episode include: *Joe's experiences arguing in front of The Supreme Court of Ohio *the highs and lows of litigation *the lengthy trial process and array of claims and filings issued until a case actually closes *the joys of...

Eric Synenberg is a criminal defense and estate planning attorney, city councilman, and half marathon runner. Highlights from this episode include: *Eric's path from college to law school to legal counsel at State of Ohio Treasurer's office and ultimately to now criminal lawyer and city councilman *Becoming a parent and the nerve-wrecking realities of leaving hospital with a newborn child *Eric's...

Jim Krivanek is a commercial real estate agent at one of the largest brokerages in the nation, Cushman & Wakefield . Highlights from this episode include: *Jim's experiences as a former nightclub promoter and manager, including the grueling lifestyle and tolls the industry can take *how parenthood changes you in all aspects of life, with a focus on some of our biggest fears as parents *social medi...

Tony Grossi is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee and has been covering the Cleveland Browns for almost 35 years.  He currently is a Browns analyst for ESPN Cleveland , 850 AM WKNR radio, and Fox Sports Ohio.  He also hosts the 100 Years Podcast available at www.thelandondemand.com . Highlights from this episode include: *Tony's early beginnings in journalism and his pat...

Scott Weingold is an entrepreneur and partner at the firm, College Planning Network , a company that helps families successfully navigate the college admissions and financial aid planning process so their children can attend the college of their choice − regardless of the cost. Highlights from this episode include: *college admissions and financial aid planning process and how families can save th...

Nate sits down with his brother, Ryan, to discuss a variety of everyday life topics and issues.  Highlights include: *high school basketball versus LeBron *Ryan Haber Collection women's footwear *how society has changed in terms of college and the unrealistic expectations we put on today's youth *our personal experiences and challenges *social media and the negative ramifications that come with *m...

Paul Franklin is the founder of Franklin Capital Strategies , a financial services company that specializes in insurance, investments and estate planning for small businesses owners, entrepreneurs and professional athletes and entertainers. In this episode, we hear about the evolution of Paul's firm and the types of services he provides to his clients.  Paul discusses the importance of personal se...

Tim DePasquale is a music producer who has worked and toured with Machine Gun Kelly .  He currently manages Mike Busey and is a member of Busey's world famous Sausage Castle . In this episode, Tim shares stories from the road as a member of MGK's crew.  He talks about his continued path within the music industry and how he linked up with Mike Busey in 2017.  Tim sheds light onto the crazy life tha...

Dr. Mahmud Kara is the medical director at Affinity Whole Health , a hormone replacement therapy and anti-aging clinic with locations in Cleveland and Columbus.  He is recognized as one of America's top experts in anti-aging medicine. In this episode, we hear about the types of services and treatments that Affinity Whole Health provides its patients.  We talk about the stigmas associated with horm...

In this episode, Nate sits down to reflect and recap highlights from episodes 15 through 18, which included pain management specialist Adam Hedaya , triathlete Mike Hudock , professional undefeated boxer Montana 'Too Pretty' Love , and fitness trainer Will Hardy .  

Will Hardy is a certified personal trainer and the owner of Will Power Elite, LLC. In this episode, we hear about Will's fitness journey, including the types of workouts he employs, the type of nutrition and diet he follows, and the ways in which he motivates his clientele.  Will also talks about his current professional endeavors and provides insight into what he sees for his future.  If you are...

Montana 'Too Pretty' Love is a boxer from Cleveland, Ohio, holding a 10-0 undefeated professional record. In this episode, we hear about Montana's boxing journey from childhood to where he is now climbing the professional ranks.  We hear about him serving prison time and how that experience allowed him to refocus his life.  We talk about the type of training that's involved to remain at the top, t...

Mike Hudock is a triathlete who is currently attending medical school at Ohio University. In this episode, we talk about the triathlete lifestyle and the intense training regimen required to be successful.  We talk about mental health and how exercise and activity are keys to mitigating bouts of anxiety and depression.  We hear about Mike's path from high school cross country runner to elite triat...

Dr. Adam Hedaya is a medical doctor who specializes in pain management.  He is the founder of Cleveland Pain Care , a practice that provides treatment and services to people who experience chronic pain. In this episode, we talk about the various pain treatment services that Adam's practice provides.  We dive into a discussion on opioid addiction and the alternative solutions that Adam offers his p...

Nate sits down to recap and reflect on the last two episodes with Justin Nyce (Ep. 12) and Andy Simms (Ep. 13).  

Andy Simms is an NFL sports agent who heads up the football division at Lil Wayne's Young Money APAA Sports .  After founding PlayersRep Sports Management in 1997 - and growing his firm into one of the premier NFL agencies in the industry - he sold PlayersRep to Young Money APAA in 2017. In this episode, Andy and I discuss the cutthroat, competitive nature of the sports agent industry.  We talk ab...

Justin Nyce is one of the resident DJ's at FWD Day + Nightclub and Magnolia Cleveland.  His energy, creativity and strong background in percussion are the recipe behind his diverse multi-genre sets. In this episode, we hear about Justin's path from disengaged college student to committed nightclub DJ.  We hear about how Justin pursued his dreams in the electronic dance music/DJ world, working smal...

Kelli Carson is the founder of All Hearts Home Health Care , a home health care service provider to people with mental and physical disabilities. In this episode, we hear about how Kelli's entrepreneurial journey began at the ripe age of ten.  We hear about her path from sales to real estate, and how she knew she needed more emotional fulfillment from her career.  We hear about how she ultimately...

Greg McNeil founded the 501(c)(3), Cover2 Resources, after losing his son to the heroin/opioid epidemic in 2015.  His organization's mission is to help opioid users and their loved ones find help, and to mitigate one's chances for becoming addicted to opioids through access to premier resources, service providers and preventative educational programs. In this episode, we hear about the path from o...

Casey Wandell is an owner/franchisee of Title Boxing Club, a franchise that not only changed his life, but saved his life.  He currently owns and operates six locations from Cleveland to Columbus. In this powerful, riveting and emotional episode, we hear about Casey's path from a college graduate with a bright future to a broken man on the verge of self-destruction.  We hear about the brutal reali...

Bobby Rutter is a nightlife entrepreneur who owns FWD Day + Nightclub and Magnolia Cleveland.  He also practices as a full-time insurance attorney at the law firm, Rutter & Russin. In this episode, we hear about Bobby's path from practicing lawyer to nightlife entrepreneur.  We hear about how hospitality has always been a major part of his life and how he was able to employ his unique management s...

Ryan Young is the principal of Young Team Realtors, a residential real estate agency/team within the Keller Williams family.  In the past five years, the Young Team has grown from just four employees to over 20 due to their 'positive and persistent' approach in handling both large and small transactions for their clients. In this episode, we talk about Ryan's path from culinary school to residenti...