The Sync Leadership Lab

In this powerful two part episode I sit down with Brett Kessler, D.D.S. for an honest and deeply reflective conversation about recovery, leadership, and living with intention. Dr. Brett shares two key lessons that continue to shape both his personal and professional life: the importance of moving through challenges “one mile at a time”, and the power of intentionally designing a life aligned with your personal values, mission statement, and long-term vision. While a vulnerable topic, Brett reflects openly on how overcoming substance abuse nearly three decades ago became the foundation for mindfulness, humility, discipline, and purposeful leadership.In Part 1, Dr. Brett shares his story of being a young dentist struggling with substance abuse, recognizing he needed help to make a change. While in recovery he was taught the practice of meditation and mindfulness. Not only does this practice help maintain his recovery but he has also seen exponential leadership growth opportunities by setting an intention for his life through mindfulness and a personal mission statement. Brett also shares his journey from private practice dentist to president of the American Dental Association, including leading through the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19 and advocating for wellness initiatives within the dental profession. In addition, he highlights lessons learned while competing in multiple Ironman races, including the importance of resilience, adaptability, and focusing only on “the mile you’re in” during difficult moments.In this Part 2 of 2, the conversation ultimately serves as a reminder that meaningful transformation happens through intentional daily choices rather than overnight change. Brett encourages listeners to know that you deserve to live your best life and can reach that with intention and dedication. This episode offers valuable insight for anyone seeking to lead with authenticity, embrace growth through adversity, and create lasting impact both personally and professionally.Links & Resources:The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen CoveyGood to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap… and Others Don’t by Jim CollinsStart With Why by Simon SinekStrong Ground: The Lessons of Daring Leadership, the Tenacity of Paradox, and the Wisdom of the Human Spirit by Brené BrownEmail Brett Kessler, D.D.S. at: [email protected] Suken on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sukenjain/Email Suken at: [email protected] Sync Solutions Website: https://www.synergysyncsolutions.com/This episode was brought to you by Pivot Ball Change.

In this powerful two part episode I sit down with Brett Kessler, D.D.S. for an honest and deeply reflective conversation about recovery, leadership, and living with intention. Dr. Brett shares two key lessons that continue to shape both his personal and professional life: the importance of moving through challenges “one mile at a time”, and the power of intentionally designing a life aligned with your personal values, mission statement, and long-term vision. While a vulnerable topic, Brett reflects openly on how overcoming substance abuse nearly three decades ago became the foundation for mindfulness, humility, discipline, and purposeful leadership.As a young dentist struggling with substance abuse, Brett recognized he needed help to make a change. While in recovery he was taught the practice of meditation and mindfulness. Not only does this practice help maintain his recovery but he has also seen exponential leadership growth opportunities by setting an intention for his life through mindfulness and a personal mission statement. Brett also shares his journey from private practice dentist to president of the American Dental Association, including leading through the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19 and advocating for wellness initiatives within the dental profession. In addition, he highlights lessons learned while competing in multiple Ironman races, including the importance of resilience, adaptability, and focusing only on “the mile you’re in” during difficult moments.This conversation is filled with a myriad of valuable takeaways, so we split it up into two easily digestible episodes. Thanks for listening to Part 1 with Dr. Brett - Part 2 is also live, where we dive into his plans post ADA presidency and his last messages for our listeners. Links & Resources:The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen CoveyGood to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap… and Others Don’t by Jim CollinsStart With Why by Simon SinekStrong Ground: The Lessons of Daring Leadership, the Tenacity of Paradox, and the Wisdom of the Human Spirit by Brené BrownEmail Brett Kessler, D.D.S. at: [email protected] Suken on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sukenjain/Email Suken at: [email protected] Sync Solutions Website: https://www.synergysyncsolutions.com/This episode was brought to you by Pivot Ball Change.

What happens when years of discipline, performance, and expectation lead to an outcome you never planned for? In this episode, former USC quarterback Max Browne shares two powerful leadership takeaways: why acknowledging failure is a critical step toward growth, and how maintaining focus amid uncertainty can shape long-term success. His journey offers a candid look at what it means to persevere when the path forward no longer looks the way you expected.Max reflects on his experience as the nation’s top high school quarterback and his decision to attend USC, where early expectations quickly shifted. After losing the starting quarterback position, he was forced to confront adversity in a way he never had before. He credits his upbringing for instilling accountability and resilience, explaining how those values helped him navigate disappointment, stay grounded, and continue showing up as a leader despite changing circumstances.Throughout his college career, Max experienced significant instability, including multiple coaching changes and evolving team dynamics. Rather than viewing this as a setback, he chose to see it as an opportunity to learn from a variety of leadership styles. He shares how these experiences strengthened his perspective and ultimately prepared him for his career as a broadcaster. He also opens up about one of the lowest points in his life, when he lost his starting role after finally earning it, and how seeking support outside of football played a pivotal role in his ability to move forward.Following a career-ending injury and the realization that his future would extend beyond football, Max began intentionally preparing for what came next. By investing time in content creation and relationship building before his career officially ended, he created new opportunities that aligned with his evolving identity. One of his most impactful lessons is the importance of setting aside pride in order to grow, a mindset that ultimately opened unexpected doors. His story reinforces a final key takeaway: long-term success is built not just on talent, but on the willingness to adapt, take ownership, and consistently invest in what comes next.Links & Resources:Follow Suken on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sukenjain/Email Suken at: [email protected] Sync Solutions Website: https://www.synergysyncsolutions.com/This episode was brought to you by Pivot Ball Change.