Best Michael Kurkowski Podcasts (2026)

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Cynicism vs. Optimism in the Fitness Industry w/ The Iron Council 50:33

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2d ago50:33

50:33

Welcome to the Strength Connection! The Iron Council is back! I am joined by Brett Jones, DJ Wittekind, and Mark Subias. In this conversation, we discuss the language of coaching, the impact of cynicism and optimism in the fitness industry, and the importance of accountability and leadership among coaches. We critique an article comparing kettlebel…

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8 Lessons of 2025 18:25

9d ago18:25

18:25

Welcome to the Strength Connection! In this reflection, I share the most significant lessons he learned throughout 2025, emphasizing the importance of loving the process, building self-trust, and practicing optimism. I discuss the value of patience in finding purpose and how faith acts as a guiding force in life's journey. Each lesson is rooted in …

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Creating Lasting Connection in Fitness w/ Kyle Flynn 47:25

16d ago47:25

47:25

Welcome to the Strength Connection! Kyle Flynn is the owner and founder of The blueprint LA in Los Angeles. He’s been operating this gym for 10 years now. My friend Chris Holder introduced me to Kyle, he said you need to check him out and talk, I think you guys would have a lot to chat about. And this was definitely the case. In this engaging conve…

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Spirituality for Skeptics w/ Nicole Spencer 42:54

23d ago42:54

42:54

Welcome to the Strength Connection! Nicole Spencer is a former strength coach, founder of Authentic Conversion, and host of the podcast Spirituality for Skeptics. In this conversation, Nicole Spencer discusses her transformative journey from a successful business in coaching to exploring spirituality. She reflects on her early experiences, includin…

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Strength, Mobility, and Firefighting w/ Zar Horton 51:10

1M ago51:10

51:10

Welcome to the Strength Connection! Today I am joined by Zar Horton, Master SFG within the community of Strongfirst. Zar has been teaching workshops in hardstyle strength nationally and internationally for over 12 years, and…was a battalion chief and firefighter in Albuquerque fire and rescue for 32 years. In this conversation, Zar shares his journ…

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Building a Champion Mindset in any Arena W/ Megan Henry 49:35

1M ago49:35

49:35

Welcome to the Strength Connection! Megan Henry is a mindset performance coach, SupraHuman performance coach, Former Team USA skeleton athlete, World Record holder and recent IFBB pro athlete. Meg is really interesting, we connected a couple years ago, she came on the show, it was one of the most memorable conversations I had early on about practic…

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Empowering the Modern Strength Coach w/ Hewitt Tomlin 47:26

1M ago47:26

47:26

Welcome to the Strength Connection! In this episode I am joined by Hewitt Tomlin, founder and CEO of TeamBuildr. Hewitt Tomlin shares his journey from being a college athlete to becoming an entrepreneur with Team Builder, a software platform designed to empower strength coaches. He discusses the challenges faced during the transition, the pivotal m…

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The Iron Council w/ Brett Jones, DJ Wittekind & Mark Subias 48:50

2M ago48:50

48:50

Welcome to the Strength Connection! I am joined in this episode by Brett Jones, DJ Wittekind and Mark Subias, AKA The Iron Council. We first came together in a roundtable discussion in April 2024 at Queen City Kettlebell, and have reconnected to talk strength, health and all things in the culture of performance and coaching. In this episode, Brett,…

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Strength, QiGong, and Spirituality for the Optimal Life w/ Dr. Chris Holder 54:57

2M ago54:57

54:57

Welcome to the Strength Connection! Dr. Chris Holder is a renowned Strength and Conditioning coach, former Master RKC instructor, Doctor of Medical QiGong, and currently a teacher and leader in Christian Mysticism. In this episode, Dr. Holder shares his journey from a successful career in strength coaching to embracing Chinese medicine and spiritua…

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The Key to UNLOCKING the Addictive Brain: w/ Dr. Robb Kelly 54:29

2M ago54:29

54:29

Welcome to the Strength Connection! Dr. Robb Kelly is a renowned Addiction expert, creating the Robb Kelly group, a Telehealth Neuroscience Coaching company with a 98% success rate,working with patients to improve their optimal performance by using Brain Spotting and other neuroscience coaching evidence based approaches. In this episode, Dr. Robb s…

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Redefining "STRENGTH" after 40 w/ Sylvia Takada 1:02:14

2M ago1:02:14

1:02:14

Welcome to the Strength Connection! Sylvia Takada is a SFG II, SFL Instructor in Richmond Hill, Ontario. Originally from Cairo, Egypt, Sylvia helps empower women 40+ to embrace strength and health in the next stages of life. In this 304th episode, Sylvia discusses the societal perceptions surrounding women and aging, particularly the negative stere…

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Revolutioning Health Data w/ Marco Benitez 38:53

3M ago38:53

38:53

Welcome to the Strength Connection! In episode 303, Marco Benitez shares his journey from a Taekwondo champion to a biomedical engineer and entrepreneur. The evolution of wearable technology, the mission of his company Rook, and the importance of transforming health data into actionable insights. Marco emphasizes the challenges of data integration,…

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Empowering the NEXT Generation w/ Thomas LaGrave Jr. 48:40

3M ago48:40

48:40

Welcome to the Strength Connection. In the 302nd episode, Tom LaGrave shares his transformative journey from a troubled adolescence marked by addiction to a fulfilling career dedicated to helping young people navigate their own challenges. He discusses the impact of technology on today's youth, the common struggles across generations, and the essen…

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The Hidden Importance of EYE Health w/ Dr. Pam Theriot 47:41

3M ago47:41

47:41

Welcome to the Strength Connection Podcast. In this conversation, Dr. Pam Theriot discusses the importance of proactive eye health, the impact of digital devices on vision, and the role of nutrition in maintaining eye health. She emphasizes the need for regular eye exams, preventative measures, and daily habits that can enhance eye comfort and clar…

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Ep 300: A milestone episode, 10 Lessons that Reshaped my Foundation of Strength 31:33

4M ago31:33

31:33

Welcome to the Strength Connection! A milestone episode of the Strength Connection Podcast. Number 300! I reflect on the journey of 300 episodes, sharing ten key lessons learned from guests and experiences. Thank you all for being a part of this awesome journey. Chapters 00:00 Celebrating 300 Episodes 01:21 The Journey of Curiosity and Connection 0…

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Where to start in BIOHACKING w/ Troy Laing 51:59

4M ago51:59

51:59

Welcome to the Strength Connection! Troy Laing is the founder of Culture OC, a “biohacking social wellness club” helping those find their optimal health in mind, body, spirit and community. Troy shares his journey from a troubled past to becoming a leader in the biohacking and wellness community. He discusses the profound impact of physical movemen…

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How to FLIP your mental script w/ Mitchell Osmond 55:11

4M ago55:11

55:11

Welcome to The Strength Connection! Mitchell Osmond is founder of Dad Nation and a performance coach for men looking to maximize their relationships, health and vitality along with their high performing careers. Mitchell shares his personal journey of transformation from a place of burnout and disconnection to a life of purpose and fulfillment, the…

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The Art of Coaching w/ Dan John 53:27

4M ago53:27

53:27

Welcome to the Strength Connection! Dan John, Legendary Coach and Author, joins me again on the podcast to go into his latest book, The Art of Coaching. In this engaging conversation, Coach Dan John shares insights from his extensive coaching career and how he began and ultimately completed The Art of Coaching. Emphasizing the importance of values,…

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The Path to Optimal Health and Vitality w/ Mike Salemi 48:30

6M ago48:30

48:30

Welcome to the Strength Connection! Mike Salemi is a men’s performance coach, creator of the Vital Man Collective, and host of The Path podcast. In this conversation, Mike Salemi shares his journey from a competitive athlete to a holistic coach focusing on men's vitality and strength. He discusses the importance of personal experiences in shaping h…

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Primal Foundations w/ Tony Pascolla 55:26

6M ago55:26

55:26

Welcome to the Strength Connection. Tony Pascolla is a Physical Education teacher (Chicago,IL), strength coach, StrongFirst Kettlebell & Barbell Instructor, personal trainer, and carnivore/fasting coach. He is also the host of the Primal Foundations Podcast, where he explores topics related to strength training, nutrition, and lifestyle optimizatio…

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The Science of Strength after 40 w/ Geoff Neupert 54:58

6M ago54:58

54:58

Welcome to the Strength Connection! One of the most popular guests ever to come on the show, Geoff Neupert of Chasing Strength is back for the 3rd time on the podcast. Geoff’s ability to refine, and articulate the principles of strengths is top shelf, and has been a huge help to me and many others in strength, health and fitness. In this episode, I…

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The 5 Fundamentals of Optimal Health w/ Jim Laird 50:17

6M ago50:17

50:17

Welcome to the Strength Connection! Jim Laird is a dedicated strength and conditioning coach with a career spanning back to 1997. He has helped everyone from casual fitness enthusiasts to professional athletes in the NFL, CFL, LPGA, and MLB achieve their goals. Jim's unique approach focuses on getting results efficiently. His motto, "Training Smart…

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Strength, Body Image, and Empathy w/ James Cappola 46:24

7M ago46:24

46:24

Welcome to the Strength Connection! I’ve been a fan of the message and insights that James Cappola has created for a while, so it was truly special to have him come on the podcast. James is the owner of Zero Shortcuts Training, and a coach dedicated to the truth and principles of the client/coach relationship and the power of kindness and empathy. …

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Win Your Next Hour w/ Danny Lehr 59:58

7M ago59:58

59:58

Welcome to the Strength Connection! Danny Lehr is a speaker, entrepreneur, author, and former competitive athlete who’s obsessed with helping people accomplish their biggest dreams… one hour at a time. He’s the author of Win Your Next Hour, a high-impact guide for getting unstuck and taking bold action when life feels overwhelming. As the co-founde…

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How to Live in Total Abundance w/ Frank Parisi 49:21

7M ago49:21

49:21

Welcome to the Strength Connection! One of the most anticipated episodes of the show, Frank Parisi joins me to talk faith, abundance, and coming back from the dead to live on purpose. A motivational keynote speaker and networking mogul, Frank brings his expertise to life by giving the blueprint from recovery to fulfillment. Alongside his storytelli…

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Ep 288: Built to Last w/ David Amerland 53:30

8M ago53:30

53:30

Welcome to the Strength Connection! David Amerland is a writer focused on how human behavior is shaped by modern forces, especially technology, and how that shift impacts our health, culture, and stories. After building a career in marketing and publishing several successful business books, he expanded into the wellness space with Built to Last, a …

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Ep 287: Hula Hoops, Boating and Mindset w/ Amy Guerrier 52:35

8M ago52:35

52:35

Welcome to the Strength Connection! I true renaissance woman is the best way to describe Amy Guerrier. Professional Hula-Hooper, clown, top tier high performance coach, and lives full-time on a boat documenting her experiences on her Youtube Channel AbsoBOATely fabulous, Amy is a wealth of knowledge and insight into the power of play, breath, and m…

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Ep 286: Dear Coach w/ Dr. Sara Erdner 55:18

8M ago55:18

55:18

Welcome to the Strength Connection! This was one of the most insightful and interesting conversations about communication I’ve had on the show. Dr. Sara Erdner is Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CPMC), and PhD in Sports Psychology and Motor behavior, and the Author of Dear Coach: What I wish I could have told you. Dr. Erdner asked athlet…

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Ep 285: An Invincible Mindset w/ Howard Falco 48:11

9M ago48:11

48:11

Welcome to the Strength Connection! Howard Falco is a spiritual teacher, mental strength coach, and the author of I AM: The Power of Discovering Who You Really Are and Time in a Bottle: Mastering the Experience of Life. Howard teaches next-level mindfulness to individuals, and college, Olympic, and professional athletes and coaches in almost every …

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Ep 284: Breaking through Addiction w/ Zara Gemilyan 46:23

9M ago46:23

46:23

Welcome to the Strength Connection! Zara Gemilyan, co-founder of West Valley Detox and Celebrated Consulting, and Mrs. California Globe and Mrs. Armenia Globe joins me on the show. Coming from an addiction driving relationship, her time in pageantry where she began telling her story, and creating a customized facility to help those recovering from …

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Ep 283: Creating Massive Clarity in Your Vision w/ Carrie Campbell 49:06

10M ago49:06

49:06

Welcome to the Strength Connection! Truly one of the most insightful, passionate and powerful people I’ve ever met, Carrie Campbell is back on the podcast. A 25+ year coach and clinical counselor, Carrie is one of the premier minds in the mindset performance space, and she has been on a mission in her program Her-dentity over the past year to “leav…

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Ep 282 Aleks Salkin: The Insider's Guide to Kettlebell Complexes 1:02:30

10M ago1:02:30

1:02:30

Welcome to the Strength Connection! One of my favorite people comes back on the show to talk strength and Kettlebell complexes. Aleks Salkin has been one of the premier coaches in hardstyle strength for years, and has been a guest on the Strength Connection numerous times. In this new episode, we dive into Aleks’ most recent book, The Kick-Ass Insi…

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Ep 281 Brian Hite: Flow under Fire 48:44

10M ago48:44

48:44

Welcome to the Strength Connection! Brian Hite, Ph.D., is "The High-Stakes Performance Whisperer," blending over 30 years as a professional stuntman with advanced expertise in performance psychology. With a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology and a Master’s in Sport Psychology, Brian helps leaders, athletes, first responders, and creatives see throu…

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Ep 280 Jeremy Strawn: Confident vs. Comfortable 56:40

11M ago56:40

56:40

Welcome to the Strength Connection! This was truly one of the most enjoyable conversations. Jeremy Strawn is a fantastic coach from Ralston Creek Crossfit, and tremendously insightful in connecting physical and mental performance. His breakdown of confident vs. comfortable was one I hadn’t heard before, and left me thinking quite a bit. So many gre…

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Ep 279 Kimberly Kesting: Change Your Story, Change Your Life 1:05:40

11M ago1:05:40

1:05:40

Welcome to the Strength Connection Podcast! Kimberly Kesting is a Mindset Performance Coach, and co-host of Get Enlifted. Her experience in personal transformation, eliminating self-doubt and storywork is truly inspiring, and she shares all the details of her experience in changing her body and mind, the early days of coaching, to specifically help…

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Ep 278 Eric Fasciani: Build Unstoppable Resilience 51:34

11M ago51:34

51:34

Welcome to the Strength Connection! How things evolve throughout life when aiming up in your physical and mental strength was the major focus in this great conversation with Eric Fasciani. Eric is the owner/founder of Crossfit Souhegan, and Level 3 Enlifted Mindset coach, recently celebrating 10 years of operation at CFS. From early struggles and l…

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Ep 277 Laken Summerville: Creating your Strongest Story 52:24

11M ago52:24

52:24

Welcome to the Strength Connection! Laken Summerville is a mindset performance specialist at Greenlight Personal Training and Rejuvenating Health in Ashburn. From her experience as a top tier Crossfit Athlete and coaching high performers, her insights on changing your internal story, and specific practices to enhance your mental performance is trul…

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Ep 276 Jason Turner: The Truth about Addiction Recovery 50:08

12M ago50:08

50:08

Welcome to the Strength Connection! The work Jason Turner is doing is not just insightful, but incredibly important. Jason is the founder of E-Motion Wellness, a business that is revolutionizing the approach to mental health and addiction recovery. Listening to his story, and his dedication to challenging traditional norms, pioneering new approache…

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Ep 275 Brad Kearns: Peak Performance with Passion 51:11

12M ago51:11

51:11

Welcome to the Strength Connection! Brad Kearns, 58, is a New York Times bestselling author, Guinness World Record holder, #1 USA-ranked Masters age 55-59 track&field high jumper in 2020, and former national champion and #3 world-ranked professional triathlete. He has written twenty books on diet, health, peak performance, and ancestral living, and…

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Ep 274 Zack Henderson: Lift-A-Palooza 2025 59:20

12M ago59:20

59:20

Welcome to The Strength Connection! In the 274th episode, I’m joined by Zack Henderson, Coach and Owner of East Nashville Kettlebell. Zack is a StrongFirst Elite Instructor who is hosting the 6th Annual Lift-A-Palooza with Dan John, Ed Coen and Tracey Cooks. A deep dive into strength, connecting physical and mental resilience, the evolution of coac…

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Ep 273 Mark England: Every Word Matters 59:38

1y ago59:38

59:38

Welcome to the Strength Connection Podcast. One of my favorite people to talk mindset and story with kicks off the New Year with me. Mark England, founder of Enlifted Mindset Coaching joins me on the show again, talking about personal growth, soft-language, tools to create a powerful story, and the healing spiral. One of the most fun, and interesti…

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Ep 272 Top Lessons of 2024 36:15

1y ago36:15

36:15

Welcome to the Strength Connection! Another incredible year comes to a close, and in this episode, I dove into some of the biggest lessons, insights, and stories from the incredible guests in 2024. To Join "The Strength Connection" mailing list, and get 5 Minute Mindset, click the link below: https://www.mystrengthconnection.com/signup…

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Ep 271 Dr. Richard Ulm: Achieving Super Sinister 51:49

1y ago51:49

51:49

Welcome to the Strength Connection Podcast! What an absolute blast and wealth of knowledge this man is. Dr. Richard Ulm is the founder of Athlete Enhancement and treating physician at the Columbus Chiropractic and Rehabilitation Center, as well as a Strength and Conditioning coach and SFG level II instructor. His work with DNS training, and combini…

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Ep 270 Devan Gonzalez: Master the Art of Connection 52:58

1y ago52:58

52:58

Welcome to the Strength Connection Podcast! In the 270th episode, I’m joined by Devan Gonzalez, owner and founder of Strive 11 Fitness, and host of the Mindset Cafe podcast. His journey took off as he transitioned to personal training, eventually launching his own 6-Figure personal training business serving a wide variety of clients from athletes t…

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Ep 269 Todd Durkin: True Strength 55:57

1y ago55:57

55:57

Welcome to the Strength Connection Podcast! Anytime I get to chat with this man, I feel like I could run through a wall! Todd Durkin comes back on the show to talk about True Strength, a memoir released this year about the past few years, and how some of the most painful, and challenging times taught him the greatest lessons. One of the world’s mos…

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Ep 268 Kate Allgood: Keys to Building Unstoppable Confidence 44:25

1y ago44:25

44:25

Welcome to the Strength Connection Podcast! Founder of Quantum Performance, mental performance coach Kate Allgood joins the show to talk confidence, resilience, and self talk for elite athletic performance. A recognized leader in the field of mental performance, she holds two master’s degrees in psychology and is a highly sought after coach. Her fi…

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Ep 267 Missy Bunch: The Movement Mentality 1:07:52

1y ago1:07:52

1:07:52

Welcome to the Strength Connection Podcast! Missy Bunch has been a sparkplug in the game of movement and neuro-training for over 14 years. The Founder of The Movement Mentality, and co-founder of Movement IQ, she is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to pain management, rehabilitation, and neuro training for health and wellness. I was so pumped to…

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Ep 266 Annie Vo: Strength can Literally Save your Life 57:39

1y ago57:39

57:39

Welcome to the Strength Connection Podcast! Strength truly has a greater purpose, and Annie Vo’s story and experience is living proof of that. A veteran strength coach, RKC senior instructor, and Level III Gym Jones instructor, I was so pumped to have Annie join me on the show to talk strength. In this episode, Annie tells her incredibly powerful s…

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Ep 265 Chase Tolleson: The Future of Coaching 55:48

1y ago55:48

55:48

Welcome to the Strength Connection Podcast! In this episode, Chase Tolleson joins me again to dive into health, wealth, entrepreneurship, and the future of coaching. Chase is one of my absolute favorite people to follow, from his content and his newsletter, with a sincere authentic message about creating Impact as a coach. In this conversation, I c…

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Ep 264 Kathy Mauck: The Evolution of Neuro Training 56:08

1y ago56:08

56:08

Welcome to the Strength Connection Podcast! In this episode, Kathy Mauck joins me to dive deep into the evolution of Applied Neurology in the fitness, health, and business industries, and her mission to “normalize neuro.” Kathy has spent the last 15 years as a successful entrepreneur in the health, wellness, and fitness industry. After years of sha…