Stay Hungry

Most people think weight loss is about the diet. Shelley Gabriel lost 68 pounds by changing something deeper — her mind. In this episode, Matt sits down with 4x Distinguished Toastmaster Shelley Gabriel to unpack how a single voice in her head (her late father's) snapped her out of years of self-doubt, bad habits, and silence. They cover her 15-year Toastmasters journey, how one person's opinion kept her off the competition stage for 13 years, and why mindset is the only thing standing between you and the life you want.Key Takeaways The medication wasn't enough — real change didn't happen until her mindset shifted. Gaining 2 pounds used to send her spiraling. Now she bounces back immediately. That's the difference. Being coachable is a skill. If you can't take feedback, there is no cure. Every story you have, somebody needs to hear. Stop keeping it to yourself. You are never too old, too heavy, or too far gone to start over.About the GuestShelley Gabriel is a 4x Distinguished Toastmaster with 15 years in Toastmasters International. She is currently competing in the International Speech Contest with a speech about weight loss, mindset, and transformation. She is a speaker, mentor, and daily LinkedIn content creator passionate about helping others find their voice.Connect LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelley-gabriel-dtm-55047758/ Stage Time University: stagetime.com

Most leaders know what good leadership looks like — they just forget to do it. In this episode, Matthew sits down with Kathy Eastwood, CEO and creator of the E3 Leadership Code, to unpack why less than 30% of teams are hitting their goals and what the best leaders do differently. Kathy shares her unconventional career journey from CPA to Chief People Officer, how a toxic work environment pushed her to walk away without a plan, and the three-legged stool framework that bridges people-first culture with high performance results. If you lead a team, manage managers, or are building a company culture that actually delivers, this one is worth your full attention.Key Takeaways Less than 30% of teams and organizations are accomplishing their goals — and it usually comes down to one of four root causes. The E3 Leadership Code balances three legs: Envision, Engage, and Execute — held together by emotional qualities. A strategy that changes every week is an engagement killer. Clarity of direction is non-negotiable. You can be operationally strong or people-focused, but if you're only one, you're out of balance. The most important skill for any leader is awareness — of yourself, your team, and how your behavior lands.About the GuestKathy Eastwood is a CEO, executive coach, and creator of the E3 Leadership Code. With over 30 years of experience spanning public accounting, enterprise software, private equity, and people operations, she has held roles as Chief of Staff, COO, and Chief People Officer. She now helps leaders and organizations close the gap between vision and results through her human-centered high performance framework.Connect www.kathyeastwood.com

Most people are trapped in a box they can't see. In this episode, Matt sits down with Alan Lazaros, founder and CEO of Next Level University, who has logged over 12,000 hours of coaching. Alan shares the story behind his 7-figure company — from losing three families by age 14, to climbing the corporate ladder to $180K by his mid-twenties, to the head-on car crash at 26 that mirrored the accident that killed his father at 28. That moment forced him off autopilot and into 11 years of relentless personal development. He breaks down his Success Set Point framework (personal, social, and professional development), the "floor, ceiling, and walls" box of fear, and the 3 core wounds — defective, unlovable, and unwanted — that quietly run most people's lives. If you've ever wondered why you keep your goals vague, why achievers get hated, or how to actually build self-belief from zero, this episode is a masterclass.Key takeawaysAim high and you'll have choices — you can always scale down, but rarely up.The social world is your Instagram; the real world is your bank account. Get the order right.We're all in a box: fear of failure is the floor, fear of success is the ceiling, fear of judgment is the walls.Only 4% of people have clear written goals — vague goals protect your ego from seeing how off track you are.Self-belief is built in private: set a small goal, keep the promise to yourself, then level up.The more successful you become, the fewer friends you'll have — but the more fulfilled you'll be.About the guestAlan Lazaros is the founder and CEO of Next Level University, a global podcast and coaching company with a 24-person team. A computer engineering graduate of WPI with an MBA, Alan left a successful corporate career after a life-changing car accident at 26 to pursue personal development full-time. He has since logged over 12,000 hours of coaching, helping clients around the world master personal, social, and professional development.ConnectInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/alazaros88/Website: https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/

Most leadership advice focuses on surviving the crisis. Savio P. Clemente says the real win or loss happens after. In this episode, Matt sits down with Savio — a two-time cancer survivor, TEDx speaker, and board-certified wellness coach — to unpack what stage 3 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a relapse a decade later, and 29 days in a quarantine room taught him about clarity, pressure, and leading under fire. They cover his Adaptive Resilience Framework, the ALOHA Reboot, why "performance doesn't fail first, clarity does," and the one pattern he found after interviewing 200 cancer survivors. If you lead a team, face high-pressure decisions, or you're rebuilding after your own crisis, this conversation will change how you think about what comes next.Key Takeaways Performance doesn't fail first — clarity does. Resource yourself before you try to fix anything. The crisis isn't where you win or lose. It's what you do after: recalibrate, reorient, reframe. The ALOHA Reboot: Acknowledge, Listen, Open, Harness, Act (with courage). You can't control your blood counts, your boss, or the outcome — only your emotional state and response. In the heat of a crisis: ground your feet, name the trigger, and don't underestimate stillness and silence. After 200 survivor interviews, one thread shows up every time: self-forgiveness. Focus on vision over goals — how you want to feel and be, not just the milestone.About the GuestSavio P. Clemente is a two-time cancer survivor, TEDx speaker, board-certified health and wellness coach, and author of I Survived Cancer: Here Is How I Did It, featuring the stories of 35 survivors drawn from his interview series with 200. After beating stage 3 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2014 and a relapse in 2024 that required a stem cell transplant, Savio now works with healthcare leaders and executives on burnout, crisis, and what he calls adaptive resilience — staying flexible, strategic, and clear when the pressure is highest.Connect https://saviopclemente.com (keynotes, coaching, and his TEDx talk) @TheHumanResolve on all social platforms Book: I Survived Cancer and Here Is How I Did It: 35 Cancer Survivors Share Their Journey - https://amzn.to/4vBIvZgAs an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Most founders obsess over sales and product while the thing that determines their exit price sits ignored: their financial infrastructure. In this episode, Matthew sits down with Jeff Glick — seasoned CPA, fractional CFO, and Head of US Operations at OCFO — to unpack why 6 million businesses worth $10 trillion will change hands in the next decade, and why most owners aren't ready. Jeff shares his journey from Salomon Brothers to losing everything in 2008 to building his own outsourced CFO practice, then breaks down franchise value, sell-side due diligence, valuation benchmarks, recurring revenue, merger pitfalls, and how AI is already valuing companies. If you own a business or sit anywhere near the C-suite, this is your 12-18 month head start.Key Takeaways $10 trillion in businesses will be sold over the next 10 years as boomers age out — buyers will have options, so you need to be bankable. Franchise value matters: if your business can't run without you, you could lose 2-3x on your valuation. Do sell-side due diligence on yourself 12-18 months before a deal. Finding your own gaps first shows buyers you're proactive, not reactive. Know your margins per engagement, not just overall. "About 50%" isn't an answer an investor will accept. Recurring revenue is what's worth money. Buyers care about the lifespan of your revenue, not just new sales. A board of the owner's friends is worthless. Real governance asks the hard questions at the right time. You're not an accountant, you're a CFO — there's a difference. Be a strategic partner to sales, marketing, and operations, not a number cruncher.About the GuestJeff Glick is a seasoned CPA and fractional CFO with over 20 years of experience helping founders scale and raise capital. His career spans Merrill Lynch, Salomon Brothers, and 16 years at Phibro Energy before founding Start You Up, an outsourced CFO and compliance firm serving hedge funds, private equity, VCs, family offices, and SPACs. He is currently Head of US Operations at OCFO, where he helps small and mid-sized businesses grow from the inside out.Connect LinkedIn: Jeffrey Glick Email: [email protected]

Most people think starting a business means building from scratch — and taking on all the risk that comes with it. In this episode, Matthew sits down with Adam Goldman, founder of Franchisecoach.net and one of the nation's leading franchise consultants, to break down how buying the right franchise can be a faster, safer path to business ownership.They cover what franchises actually cost ($125K to seven figures), how Adam matches candidates with brands across 75 industries, the trends he's betting on for the next decade, and a little-known E2 visa strategy that can move a family to America in 30–60 days. If you're corporate-curious, entrepreneurial, or just exploring your options, this one will change how you think about owning a business.Key Takeaways Franchises hand you a proven brand and system, so success rates run far higher than starting solo. Go deep on three well-matched brands instead of shallow on hundreds — that's how good decisions get made. Validation is everything: talk to underperforming, average, and overperforming franchisees before you commit. The most predictive skill for success is sales and business development — the ability to open doors. A ~$125K franchise investment can unlock an E2 visa in 30–60 days, a fraction of the cost and wait of the alternatives.About the GuestAdam Goldman is the founder of Franchisecoach.net and one of the nation's leading franchise consultants. After skipping corporate America to build his career in 1990s Europe — where he founded and sold an IT business in Poland — he went on to own an office-cleaning master franchise in Houston before dedicating himself to helping others navigate franchise ownership.He matches candidates with pre-screened brands across 75 industries, runs a separate practice helping families immigrate to the U.S. via the E2 visa, and has been a member of Entrepreneurs' Organization for over a decade.Connect Website: https://franchisecoach.net/

(This video was originally uploaded on the Speak Arizona YouTube channel. Go check them out at speakarizona.com)What makes a speech connect, land, and win? In this special Speak Arizona episode, Matt Malan steps into the host seat for a live workshop with Darren LaCroix, the 2001 World Champion of Public Speaking. Darren gives real-time feedback on Matt's Division contest speech and breaks down practical ways to make a message more memorable. They explore how to use dialogue instead of narration, create vivid scenes, build emotional moments, speak directly to the audience, and stay coachable on the path to stronger communication. Perfect for Toastmasters, speakers, leaders, and presenters who want to turn a good speech into one that truly connects.Key takeawaysUse dialogue to create a scene instead of simply narrating what happened.Make the audience feel like you are speaking to them one by one.Build speeches around emotional moments, not just events.Add sensory detail to help listeners see, hear, feel, and remember the story.Stay coachable because the right feedback can completely change a speech.Chapters00:00 - Intro and why this episode matters for speakers01:52 - Matt welcomes Darren LaCroix to Speak Arizona02:25 - The International Speech Contest journey04:25 - Darren's first speech and learning to be coachable08:04 - Why clarity matters more than cleverness13:43 - What Darren notices first in Matt's speech18:55 - How to step in and out of a scene19:30 - Use "you" language to connect with one listener at a time21:45 - Turn narration into dialogue and emotional moments26:55 - Introduce characters with vivid detail30:00 - Use sensory details to build a memorable scene34:04 - Stage Time University and the value of stronger feedback39:05 - Darren's final advice: decide to be world classWatch Matt's full 2nd Place Contest Winning Speech:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWtvZWwhblIAbout the guestDarren LaCroix is the 2001 World Champion of Public Speaking. After a rough first comedy club set, he committed to mastering the craft of speaking and eventually became a world champion. Today, Darren helps presenters, executives, professional speakers, and trainers become more unforgettable on stage through his coaching, keynote work, books, and Stage Time University.Contact• Websites: https://darrenlacroix.com/https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/• Book: 17 Minutes To Your Dream: How To Get The Breakthroughs You Need - https://amzn.to/4egHy2qAs an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Building a company is hard. Watching a billion-dollar corporation copy it overnight is harder.In this episode, Matthew sits down with Amanda Sima — a serial entrepreneur who scaled a collegiate apparel brand to tens of thousands of SKUs, exited after 12 years, then invented a spill-proof kids' cup lid she believed was a billion-dollar idea. Then it got into the wrong hands.Within months, a major corporation had a near-identical product and marketing in market, locked it down with a utility patent, and Amanda lost her investor overnight. Three years into the legal fight, she's turned the experience into a mission: defending small creators against corporate theft.Along the way, she breaks down the real difference between design and utility patents, why brand equity is your best protection, how to scale on a shoestring, and why she's grateful for every painful setback.If you're building something worth protecting, this one's a must-watch.Key Takeaways A design patent protects how a product looks; a utility patent protects how it works. The second is the one that actually shields you. Your strongest protection isn't a patent — it's brand equity built through quality, customer service, and a real following. Embrace the shoestring budget. Being under-capitalized early forces discipline, endurance, and creative thinking. Know your phases. The founder who starts a company isn't always the right person to scale it — hiring a CEO earlier can be the smartest move. Don't fear failure. Setbacks are where you grow, and there's almost always something better on the other side.About the GuestAmanda Sima is a serial entrepreneur and creator. After graduating from The Ohio State University, she built and scaled a licensed collegiate apparel company over 12 years before exiting, then invented and patented a spill-proof disposable kids' cup lid.She's now an outspoken advocate for small creators and patent reform, the host of her own platform Brain on Loan, and the founder of a film and television production company drawing on her experiences as a female entrepreneur.Connect Website: brainonloan.com

(This video was originally posted on the "Speak Arizona" YouTube channel. Go check them out at speakarizona.com)What changes when public speaking stops being about applause, trophies, or proving yourself? In this episode of Speak Arizona, host Rupesh Parbhoo talks with Don Ratliff and Matthew Malan about mentorship, belief, and learning to speak from the heart. Matthew shares how bullying, stuttering, and years of speech therapy shaped his relationship with his voice, while Don reflects on what it means to see potential in someone before they can see it in themselves. Together, they explore how coaching, encouragement, and service can transform a speaker from performer to messenger. Perfect for speakers, mentors, coaches, and leaders who want to communicate with more courage, connection, and purpose.Key Takeaways Mentorship can help someone rebuild belief when their own confidence feels fragile. A speaker grows faster when coaching includes both honest feedback and heart-centered encouragement. Public speaking becomes more powerful when the goal shifts from performing to serving. Speaking from the heart helps create real connection with an audience. The best mentors do more than improve speeches. They help people see what is already inside them.Chapters 00:00 - Cold open: The neck brace story and the power of eye contact 00:19 - Speak Arizona intro 00:56 - Host intro and episode setup 01:14 - Matthew's voice, bullying, stuttering, and rebuilding trust 02:02 - Why this story is also about mentorship 02:49 - Don and Matthew join the conversation 05:47 - Why mentorship and service matter in this story 09:01 - What Don saw in Matthew 10:14 - Don shares why he wanted to pass mentorship forward 11:21 - Generational service and mentorship 23:08 - Moving from performance to service 23:15 - Speaking from the heart, not just the head 43:53 - Advice for new public speakersConnectLinkedIn: Don RatliffAbout the GuestMatthew Malan is a data-driven marketer and Marketing Manager at Vemo Smart Energy. He focuses on growth, experimentation, and performance, with experience leading digital acquisition across paid social, email, and content. His work combines analytics, campaign execution, and marketing systems to generate measurable business results.ConnectWebsite: https://matthewmalan.com

Most entrepreneurs think growth means more ads, more debt, and more hustle. Abi Asija proved the opposite. After nearly a decade of corporate burnout in NYC, he and his wife built a 7-figure land flipping business — closing over 700 deals without taking on a single dollar of debt.In this episode, Matthew sits down with Abi to break down exactly how he did it: the Friday night lead he lost that changed everything, the speed-to-lead principle that beats raw sales skill, the BANT framework he uses to disqualify bad prospects fast, and the formula behind every profitable business (Goodwill × Offers).Abi also walks through the 4 types of offers every company needs, how to construct stacked offers around your customer's biggest problems, and why focusing on LTV over CAC will quietly outperform any ad budget.If you sell anything — land, services, products — this conversation will change how you think about every customer interaction.Key Takeaways Speed beats skill in sales. Responding in 60 seconds vs. 48 hours decides who closes. Treat your business like a business, not a side hustle. Off-hours coverage is non-negotiable. Use BANT (Budget, Authority, Need, Timing) to qualify and disqualify leads fast. Your job as a salesperson is to help the prospect decide — yes or no. Both are wins. Revenue = Goodwill × Number of Offers. Most businesses leave money on the table by making just one. Talk to your customers. Their problems and complaints are the blueprint for your next offer. Focus on LTV, not just CAC. The same customer buying repeatedly will outperform endless cold acquisition.About the GuestAbi Asija is the founder of a 7-figure land investment company that has closed over 700 land deals without taking on debt. After spending nearly a decade in corporate tech in New York City, he and his wife pivoted into real estate, scaling their business through speed-driven sales, customer-led offer creation, and long-term relationship building.He is the author of The Land Business, a principles-based guide to building a profitable land company from zero to seven figures.Connect LinkedIn: Abi Asija Book: The Land Business — https://amzn.to/4nPz85fAs an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Most companies are racing to adopt AI without fixing the basics first. In this episode, Matthew sits down with Ryan Drumheller, founder of Stellar Horn Group and Fractional CIO, to break down why less than 20% of AI projects are actually succeeding and what businesses are getting catastrophically wrong.Ryan shares 20+ years of IT experience including a $764 million acquisition where he uncovered hundreds of thousands of security vulnerabilities, a real horror story of an AI bot retraining itself and deleting an entire company's data, and the leadership philosophy that made his teams stick with him through the hardest projects.They cover AI governance, why "set it and forget it" automation backfires, the rise of fractional executive leadership, and the real reason corporate giants are falling from #1 to #6 after cutting their teams for AI.If you're a founder, business leader, or anyone trying to make sense of the AI hype, this conversation will reset how you think about it.Key Takeaways Less than 20% of AI projects succeed because companies skip the human planning phase and treat AI like set-and-forget automation. Bad data in means bad results out. Ryan calls it the "mud water" problem and it's why most AI rollouts fail. Every business adopting AI needs a governance committee, a clear human owner per initiative, and contracts that protect trade secrets from being used to train competitors' models. The fractional executive model gives small and mid-size companies access to C-level expertise without the C-level price tag. Real IT leadership means putting people first, quietly building a Plan B when you know the official plan will fail, and remembering that "a little good every day adds up to a lot of good in time."About the GuestRyan Drumheller is the founder of Stellar Horn Group and a Fractional CIO with over 20 years of IT leadership experience. He has led mergers and acquisitions, technology transformations, and team-building initiatives at companies across industries, with a focus on helping businesses adopt AI the right way.He hosts the Decline Invite Podcast and is finishing his first book on leadership and the IT industry, set to release later this year.Connect LinkedIn: Ryan Drumheller Website: https://stellarhorn.com Podcast: The Decline Invite Podcast

Most people think freedom from a 20-year addiction comes from sheer willpower. Wesley Farnsworth says it comes from the moment you stop trying to do it alone.In this episode, Matthew sits down with author, speaker, and Unmasked podcast host Wesley Farnsworth to talk about growing up a pastor's kid, the secret he carried for two decades, and the single meeting that broke the chains overnight.They get into community and accountability as the missing piece most people skip, why "I'm done" is the most dangerous thought in recovery, how to hold onto hope when you find yourself back at ground zero, and three practical habits that grew his faith.Wesley also breaks down the North Star framework from his book The Blueprint of Becoming and shares what Christ-like leadership actually looks like in the workplace — open doors, real trust, and treating people like humans, not headcount.Key takeaways Community and accountability aren't optional — they're scriptural, and they're how chains actually break. You're never "done" in recovery. The moment you think you've got it is the moment you're closest to a relapse. When you fall back to ground zero, don't quit — examine what went wrong and reroute the path next time. Three habits that build faith: change the music you listen to, get into the Word, and treat prayer like a real two-way conversation. God has to be your North Star. When jobs, relationships, or interests take that spot, your life veers off course. Lead with an open door. Trust your team, ask for their input before making changes, and you'll get 110% back. You are not defined by what you've done, what's been done to you, or what others say about you — only by who God says you are.Connect wesleyfarnsworth.com/start Unmasked Podcast Book: The Blueprint of Becoming — https://amzn.to/4nBJMwkAs an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Most trades and construction brands are leaving money on the table with a sloppy online presence. In this episode, Matthew sits down with Wes Towers, founder of Uplift360 and a 20+ year marketing veteran who specializes in helping trades, builders, and construction brands grow through smarter digital strategy. They break down why the old sales funnel is dead and what to build instead, when to use SEO vs paid ads vs referrals, how to qualify leads before they hit your inbox, and why the safest "shortcut" in SEO is the one that gets you blacklisted by Google. Wes also shares why he runs all the sales himself, how to position against bigger competitors through niching, and what marketing looks like in the AI era when trust and human connection matter more than ever. If you run a trades business, lead a marketing team, or are trying to build something from your garage, this one is packed with practical moves you can use today. Key Takeaways Income follows value — find where the need is greatest and bring more value than anyone else can. The sales funnel is dead. Think in cycles: clients become referral partners, not endpoints. Want more leads? Remove form fields. Want better leads? Add them. Move the dials based on what you need. Overpromising in SEO leads to black hat shortcuts, which leads to Google penalties that can take a year to recover from. Get yourself in rooms where you don't qualify. That's where the growth happens. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 00:54 - Starting out in graphic design before websites were a thing 02:36 - Why niching into construction was accidental but powerful 03:49 - The risk-reward of starting your own company 05:29 - Building the business around the lifestyle you want 07:33 - Why construction brands mess up their online presence 10:47 - SEO vs paid ads vs tenders: choosing the right channel 13:33 - Why the sales funnel is dead and the cycle model wins 17:11 - The form field trick to control lead quality and volume 20:47 - Why Wes runs all the sales himself (and the black hat SEO trap) 23:59 - Stacking your value offer for quick wins 25:29 - How often Google crawls your site (and why size matters) 26:04 - Niching to beat bigger competitors 28:38 - Top SEO tips: content, information gain, and avoiding AI slop 32:34 - How Uplift360 works with founders vs marketing teams 35:04 - Patterns Wes sees across construction and industrial brands 38:13 - The future of marketing: tech is devaluing, human insight is rising 40:29 - If he started over today, would he go to university? 41:45 - The power of getting into rooms where you don't qualify 45:41 - Final takeaway: now is the time for the creative entrepreneur 47:29 - Where to connect with Wes About the Guest Wes Towers is the founder of Uplift360, a marketing agency specializing in trades, builders, and construction brands. With over 20 years of experience starting back in the early days of websites in the year 2000, Wes has built his agency around helping practical, hands-on founders translate their craft into compelling online presence. Uplift360 works with clients around the world, from founder-led businesses to in-house marketing teams at larger firms. Connect https://uplift360.com.au

Most leaders confuse a title with influence. In this episode, Matthew sits down with Jay Jacobson, a funeral director with over 45 years of experience, to explore what real leadership looks like when the stakes are at their highest. Jay shares hard-won lessons from caring for grieving families, working the United Flight 232 air disaster, and testifying before the U.S. Senate at age 31 after 36 hours without sleep. He unpacks the difference between being a boss and being a leader, why integrity has to be practiced long before a crisis hits, and how reading a room has become the new essential skill in a screen-saturated world. If you lead people, serve clients, or want to build a life that's remembered for the right reasons, this conversation will reframe how you show up.Key Takeaways• Leaders are followed because of vision and care, not because of a title or job description.• Integrity is built in small daily decisions, not summoned in a crisis.• Write down your mission, values, and non-negotiables so you know exactly where the line is.• Be fully present. "Be where your feet are" is the greatest gift you can give the people around you.• People skills, especially reading a room, are the new competitive advantage in a world of unlimited information.• Don't wait for retirement to live. Make memories now, because tomorrow isn't promised.• Play the long game. Serve people so well today that they remember you 20 years from now.About the GuestJay Jacobson is a veteran funeral director with over 45 years of experience guiding families through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. He has worked major crisis events including the United Flight 232 air disaster, testified before the U.S. Senate on behalf of the funeral service industry, and spent decades mentoring younger funeral directors. He is the author of Lead by Legendary Example, a leadership book built around real stories from his career, paired with a 10-week course for developing leaders inside any organization.Connect with Jay• Website: Jacobsonprostaff.com• Cookies: Jayscookies.net• LinkedIn: Jay Jacobson• Book: Lead by Legendary ExampleAs an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Most people think great speakers are born, not built. In this episode, Matt sits down with Derek Lott — a Toastmasters World Championship top-8 finisher out of 30,000 speakers — to break down what it actually takes to reach elite levels on the stage. Derek shares how coaches, reps, and radical vulnerability transformed his speaking, why presence always beats polish, and how the same principles that made him a world-class speaker also shaped his leadership philosophy as a senior executive. Whether you're terrified to speak or already competing, this one will challenge how you think about mastery.Key Takeaways• Presence and authenticity will always outperform polish and precision with an audience.• Great speakers aren't born — they're built through reps, coaches, and a willingness to be vulnerable.• Your public speaking needs a platform to stand on. Find the message only you can deliver.• The thing you're avoiding most could be the very thing that unlocks your breakthrough.• As a leader, grade effort — not just results. The rest is your job to fix.Chapters00:00 - Introduction00:42 - What it felt like to compete at the World Championship stage01:49 - Why every great performer needs a coach (Jordan, Brady, and beyond)03:34 - How to practice a speech until it becomes part of you05:43 - Why the story matters more than the jokes or the structure08:04 - Advice for brand new speakers just starting out09:36 - Why Derek still shows up to practice even after winning11:22 - The moment Derek learned vulnerability was the missing ingredient14:11 - From senior VP to the stage: balancing corporate leadership with authenticity17:43 - How to tell if someone is in the wrong role (and what to do about it)22:21 - How to have difficult conversations without burning bridges23:48 - Why most people aren't living inspired lives — and what to do instead27:47 - Where Derek's mindset and positivity actually come from31:22 - How Derek wrote his latest book in 30 days using inspiration, not perspiration35:07 - How writing and speaking connect when you think in ideas, not sentences37:47 - Derek's vision for his legacy and the future of his platform41:19 - Why your season is your season — it's never too late43:00 - The one message Derek most wants the audience to hear44:07 - Where to find Derek onlineAbout the GuestDerek Lott is a two-time author, keynote speaker, and Toastmasters World Championship finalist who placed in the top 8 out of over 30,000 competitors. With a career built on corporate turnarounds and organizational transformation at the senior executive level, Derek now helps speakers, leaders, and professionals find the platform their voice was built to stand on. He is the author of Say It Well and A Speaker's Journey to the World Stage.Connect• Instagram: @dereklott• LinkedIn: Derek Lott• Book: Say It Well: Creating and Tailoring Value-Driven CommunicationAs an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Most people let their past define their limits. In this episode, Matthew sits down with Taylor Bowden — author, online fitness coach, and public speaker — to unpack how childhood trauma, financial failure, and relentless reinvention shaped a philosophy built around peace, purpose, and self-mastery. Taylor shares the raw story behind his book, his journey from physical abuse and depression to building a fitness business from scratch, and why he believes cortisol is quietly killing the ambitions of driven people everywhere. If you've ever wondered whether the pain is worth it, this episode will reframe everything.Key Takeaways• Vulnerability is not weakness — it's what makes a story land with an audience.• Cortisol, triggered by chronic stress, actively suppresses testosterone and mental performance.• A dopamine reset system can interrupt the stress cycle and restore a productive mindset.• Failure isn't the opposite of success — it's the path to it.• Taylor's life priority tiers: God → People → Purpose → Health → Wealth.• A clear mind doesn't just feel better — it opens doors that stress keeps shut.Chapters00:00 - Introduction and Taylor's new book00:52 - Surviving childhood abuse and the scars it left behind02:08 - Why vulnerability makes a story more impactful, not less03:18 - Growing up without feeling loved and the weight of depression07:01 - How family pressure pushes people toward the wrong crowd08:16 - Finding identity and respect in El Paso, Texas09:22 - You become who you surround yourself with10:13 - Taylor's online training business and what he actually focuses on10:39 - Ashwagandha, cortisol, and natural testosterone explained13:02 - Stress as a performance killer (and how to fight it)15:01 - The dopamine reset system Taylor uses to manage mental load18:10 - Viktor Frankl, logotherapy, and finding purpose through pain20:30 - Why "bad" is the wrong word for hard times24:02 - Patience vs. consistency — which one matters more25:44 - Losing thousands of dollars and investing anyway30:22 - Ad metrics, cost per call, and building a sales system33:13 - Why online training beats in-person for accountability and scale37:37 - Why looking good is a business investment, not vanity39:30 - Purpose through pain — the only way forward43:55 - The tiers of life: God, people, purpose, health, wealth53:21 - Walking the neighborhood, meeting a neuroscientist, and the power of a clear mind56:23 - Taylor's closing message: cognitive diffusion and self-mastery58:21 - Where to find Taylor onlineAbout the GuestTaylor Bowden is an online fitness coach, public speaker, and author of Words May Not Explain: The Spiritual Art of Understanding, available on Amazon. After overcoming childhood abuse, depression, and years of financial setbacks, Taylor built a coaching business centered on hormonal health, mindset, and self-mastery. He also consults in marketing for dental implant companies and is building toward a full sales team to scale his impact.Connect with Taylor• LinkedIn: Taylor Bowden• Instagram: @yourlifesvalue• Instagram: @evolution_city_fitness• Book: Words May Not Explain: The Spiritual Art of UnderstandingAs an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Most people hit rock bottom and stay there. In this episode, Matthew sits down with Art Stewart — combat veteran, former convict, competitive ballroom dancer, and soon-to-be counselor — to trace the full arc of a man who lost everything in a prison cell and used it to find his purpose. Art opens up about a volatile childhood, two and a half years of combat in Iraq (blown up 17 times), PTSD, a 1% motorcycle club, and the moment in isolation that changed everything. This is a story about what radical accountability actually looks like when your back is against the wall and no one is coming to save you.Key Takeaways• Radical accountability isn't just a buzzword — it's the moment you stop blaming circumstances and start reverse-engineering your way out.• The highest form of self-love is having integrity for your future self while living in the present.• Prison stripped Art of 4,500 contacts and showed him he had no one — and that became the foundation he built everything on.• Your worst experiences are your greatest qualifications. Art's trauma is exactly why veterans and convicts will trust him as a counselor.• Make adjustments, not excuses. Purpose doesn't require a perfect path — just a refusal to quit.Chapters00:00 - Introduction: Who is Art Stewart?01:30 - Competitive ballroom dancing and the rule Art made when he got out of prison07:50 - A volatile childhood, a stepfather, and a nine-year-old with a baseball bat11:10 - Moving in with grandparents: from C student to honor roll14:15 - A 335-pound dumbbell, a brain injury, and losing impulse control18:00 - Joining the Army to find himself — and asking for combat19:50 - Route clearance in Iraq: blown up 17 times and earning a Purple Heart26:35 - What civilians don't understand about war29:00 - The psychology of empathy, boundaries, and the nervous system32:00 - PTSD, a motorcycle club, and how Art ended up in prison42:30 - Alone in a cell with 4,500 contacts and no one43:10 - Learning to meditate as a survival skill44:40 - Radical accountability in isolation: reverse-engineering his life46:25 - Betting against himself — and winning47:35 - Out August 7th, in school August 19th49:30 - Make adjustments, not excuses51:20 - Reforged Phoenix: Art's nonprofit for veterans and convictsAbout the GuestArt Stewart is a combat veteran, Purple Heart recipient, and formerly incarcerated man now pursuing a master's degree in counseling with a focus on convicts and combat veterans. He is the founder of Reforged Phoenix, a nonprofit built on the belief that every scar is part of what makes you stronger. He also competes in ballroom dance, trains clients in personal fitness, and volunteers at Toastmasters.Connect with Art• Facebook: Arthur Stewart• Nonprofit (coming soon): Reforged Phoenix

This episode was just for fun. It doesn't reflect the brand of Stay Hungry.

In this episode, Matthew sits down with his longtime friend London Lines, a culinary arts student, former childcare professional, aspiring perfumer, and all-around curious human. They cover everything from smartphone addiction and flip phones to marriage red flags, parenting hot takes, and what it actually means to believe in God.Key Takeaways• Scrolling on your phone creates the feeling of being busy and productive without actually being either — and it's engineered that way.• The best way to really know someone before marriage is to do boring, mundane things together — not just fun dates.• Parents should apologize and own their mistakes. Kids who never see accountability modeled will struggle to extend grace to themselves.• Being a parent isn't a peer relationship — authority and friendship aren't the same thing.• You don't have to know exactly where you're going. Doing the right thing now is enough.• If you have a genuinely good idea, don't let anyone talk you out of it. (Stan Lee said it best.)Chapters00:00​ — Intro & how Matthew and London met00:51​ — London's current life: culinary school, private chef, and ADHD energy01:33​ — From chemistry to fragrance science — and why she's not done with it02:16​ — Growing up creative: 30 songs at age 11, artistic family DNA04:05​ — London's "side quest" energy and Matthew's current one: the flip phone experiment05:52​ — Why Matthew ditched his smartphone and what the mission taught him about overstimulation09:07​ — Five years in childcare and what London learned watching kids and parents10:00​ — Screen addiction as the new drug — and every generation is hooked12:33​ — London's dreams: France, food, fragrance, and figuring it out16:51​ — The topics London could talk about forever: human behavior, relationships, and parenting18:19​ — Hot take on modern marriage: ghosting culture, male loneliness, and moving too fast19:53​ — What actually makes a good date (hint: it's not bowling or Netflix)22:53​ — Knowing what you want before you commit to someone else24:15​ — Parenting hot take: parents should apologize. Here's why it matters.26:24​ — Should parents and kids be best friends? London says no — and explains why31:14​ — Faith, God, and what it means to be LDS33:29​ — The "just do you" philosophy and why it's actually dangerous35:03​ — Why Matthew believes in God — and what he'd say to someone who's given up on it39:24​ — London's personal moments of feeling God's presence in everyday life42:15​ — Closing thoughts: know what you want, write your ideas down, and go do itAbout the GuestLondon Lines is a culinary arts student at Scottsdale Community College and a working private chef. She has a background in childcare and early childhood education, a passion for fragrance science and perfumery, and dreams of one day making it to France. She's the kind of person who has 20 passions and somehow makes all of them make sense together.Connect with LondonFacebook: London Lines

What does it actually look like to grow up without knowing who you are — and be okay with that? In this episode, Matthew sits down with his brother Joseph for a raw, unfiltered conversation about childhood, identity, dating, heartbreak, and the strange comfort of not having all the answers. From vegan pizza with no cheese to organizing a DIY prom, to working EDM events with a Polaroid camera, Joseph's story is equal parts hilarious and surprisingly profound. This one's for anyone who's ever felt pressure to have life figured out before they're ready.Key Takeaways• Filling in your "dream slot" for other people's benefit is not the same as knowing what you actually want.• Allowing yourself to say "I don't know" is one of the scariest — and most freeing — things you can do.• The path to homeownership, career, and relationship isn't one-size-fits-all. Rushing it often costs you the chance to find what you're actually passionate about.• In dating, flow matters more than strategy. If you're bending over backwards to make it work from the start, pay attention to that.• Once you stop being afraid to lose, you start actually living.Chapters- 00:00 - Welcome & introducing Joseph (Matthew's brother)- 00:48 - Kid Joseph: Legos, being called "Pumpkin," and the vegan phase- 03:53 - Selling Halloween candy back to mom and dad — and the DIY mini prom- 08:37 - What young Joseph was really like: Legos, creativity, and filling in dream slots- 11:29 - The pressure to have a plan and saying "stem cell researcher" for dad's sake- 12:55 - The shift: leaving home, embracing "I don't know," and finding yourself- 17:00 - If passion led the way: EDM events, ranger work, and Polaroid photography- 22:28 - The paradox of meeting hundreds of people and still feeling disconnected- 25:49 - The Nebraska sales trip: impulsive travel, door-to-door selling, and free jacket- 30:19 - Why being charismatic doesn't automatically make you good at sales- 34:09 - Wrapping up the "figuring yourself out" chapter — we're all consciously young- 35:30 - First crushes, first kisses, and double dates gone sideways- 47:51 - Real talk on dating: flow over strategy, self-standards, and post-cheating healing- 52:10 - Attachment styles, trust, and why letting go takes courage- 58:05 - The fear of loving someone for decades — and then losing them- 01:00:50 - Nothing is truly ours to keep: on impermanence, the body, and the universe- 01:02:21 - What happens when we die? Heaven, rocks, carbon, and the comfort of uncertainty- 01:07:47 - Living in the present when the future feels blank- 01:13:42 - Why not being afraid to die might be what frees you to actually live- 01:16:13 - Closing thoughts: "At the end of all of this, I got nothing to lose."About the GuestJoseph Malan is Matthew's brother — a 24-year-old Phoenix-area native currently in the thick of figuring life out. He's worked EDM events, sold Polaroids in festival crowds, taken impulsive trips to Nebraska, and thought deeply about love, loss, identity, and what comes after death. He's the kind of person who's living the questions instead of pretending to have the answers.Connect• Instagram: @nature_astronaut