Better Faster Further

The workplace isn't just stressful, it's literally rewiring your brain. Most leaders think they need to squeeze harder to get better performance. But when your team is already running on empty, the answer isn't more pressure, it's understanding how to neurochemically refuel the system.In this episode, Rajkumari Neogy is the CEO of ibelong, and expert in relational neuroscience, reveals how leaders can transform conflict and discomfort into fuel for high performance. Drawing from two decades of work with companies like Google, Facebook, Adobe, and Salesforce, she breaks down the science behind why teams struggle, and the specific language patterns that can neurochemically rewire organizations for peak performance.This isn't about making people feel good. It's about understanding that every interaction either builds trust or creates betrayal. The difference determines whether your team recovers or burns out.You'll Discover:● Why 94% of workforces want belonging as the key driver of engagement, and how to deliver it neurochemically ● The four stress responses (fight, flight, freeze, fawn) that kill performance and how to redirect them toward curiosity● How specific language patterns can refuel your team's nervous system instead of draining it ● Why "nice" cultures often perform worse than openly conflicted ones, and what to do instead● The difference between discomfort without regulation (defensiveness) and discomfort with regulation (learning)● How epigenetics and family patterns show up in leadership blind spots and sabotage accountability● Practical frameworks for metabolizing conflict into breakthrough insights and stronger team bondsReady to stop squeezing more from exhausted teams and start building the neurochemical reserves that drive real performance? Hit subscribe and discover how the best leaders think about their teams as walking nervous systems.

What happens when external achievementleaves you feeling empty at the top of the mountain?Eric Kobe, CEO of Route, opens up abouthis journey from achievement-obsessed consultant to servant leader building oneof the fastest-growing companies in modern commerce. Through personalchallenges including divorce and career pivots, Eric discovered that trueleadership isn't about being the smartest person in the room, it's aboutbringing people along on the journey and building something enduring.This raw conversation explores the costof winning, the power of asking for help, and how slowing down can actuallyhelp you speed up as a leader.You'll Discover:• Why focusing on inputs rather thanoutcomes creates better execution and results • How a failed promotion became thecatalyst for transforming his leadership style • The three-step framework forsuccessfully taking over as CEO of an existing company • Why "achievement addiction"can leave high performers feeling unfulfilled despite external success • How eight years of consistent coachingwork fundamentally changed his approach to leadership • The importance of sharing your thoughtprocess, not just your decisions, with your team • Why building great leaders who go onto do great things is the ultimate measure of successThis episode is for any high-achieverready to move beyond the hamster wheel of external validation and buildsomething that truly matters.Hit subscribe and share this with aleader who's ready to redefine what success really means.

What happens when you discover your "why" at 25 and let it guide every career decision for the next three decades? British Robinson, Chair of Africa at the Milken Institute and former leader of presidential initiatives, reveals how finding her purpose transformed her from a banker into a mission- driven executive who's helped save 26 million lives and unlock billions in African investment.From her life-changing experience as a social worker in Mobile, Alabama to leading PEPFAR and Prosper Africa, British shares the profound moments that shaped her leadership philosophy. You'll Discover:• How finding your "why" in your twenties can guide decades of meaningful work• Why being "comfortable with gray" is essential for navigating non-linear career paths• The three pivotal moments that defined her leadership journey: JVC, PEPFAR, and Prosper Africa• How Africa became the world's fastest-growing economy (4.6% vs Asia's 4.1%) and why investors are missing out • The infrastructure investment secret: 11-12% returns with less than 1% default rates in Africa • Why "leadership is as much about inspiration as it is about management" during turnarounds • Her annual silent retreat practice that's sustained her for 35+ years of high-impact workThis conversation will challenge how you think about career planning, purpose, and what it means to build something that matters. Perfect for anyone seeking to align their professional path with deeper meaning. Hit subscribe and share this with someone ready to discover their own "why."

Your brain isn't just a muscle to train harder, it's part of an entire ecosystem you can optimize.Dr. Bethany Ranes, applied neuroscientist who's worked with everyone from military pilots to Fortune 500 executives, reveals why traditional cognitive advice falls short and what actually works when you can't just "sleep more and take supplements."This conversation dives deep into the science of thinking with your whole system, brain, body, environment, and social connections, to unlock performance that feels sustainablerather than exhausting. From helicopter pilots making split-second decisions to executives navigating AI transformation, Dr. Ranes shares the cognitive strategies that work whenstakes are high and time is short.You'll Discover:• Why treating cognition like a budget (not a skill) changes everything about how youapproach mental performance• The three domains of your "cognitive ecosystem" and how to optimize each one for yourspecific situation• How to use cognitive offloading to free up mental energy for what matters most, withoutlosing critical thinking skills• The surprising role of interoception (your internal body signals) in making better, fasterdecisions• Why surprise is your most valuable mental state and how to invite more of it into your work• The metacognition framework that helps high performers think about their thinking moreeffectively• How to achieve cognitive flow states consistently, even in high-pressure environmentsWhether you're leading through uncertainty, scaling a business, or simply want to think more clearly under pressure, this episode offers science-backed strategies that work in the real world.Hit subscribe and share this with someone who needs to optimize their cognitive performance without overhauling their entire life.#cognitiveperformance #neuroscience #executive performance #highperformance #brainscience

What if the secret to sustainable health isn't perfection, but progress?High-performing leaders often fall into the trap of all-or-nothing thinking when it comes to nutrition and fitness, but registered dietitian Erica Giovinazzo has spent 14 years proving there's a better way.In this conversation, Erica breaks down her seven tenets for creating lasting lifestyle changes that actually stick under the pressure of real life. From managing decision fatigue toprotecting your non-negotiables, she reveals how to optimize both your exterior goals and interior health without sacrificing your demanding schedule.You'll Discover:• Why "progress over perfection" is the foundation of sustainable change for high performers• How all-or-nothing thinking sabotages long-term success and what to do instead• The science behind "work hard, recover harder" and why alcohol disrupts cognitive performance• Why consistency beats intensity every time, and how to build atomic habits that compound• The difference between quantity vs. quality nutrition and how both impact performance• How to balance macronutrients for optimal energy, focus, and body composition• Practical strategies for protecting your health commitments like you would a client meetingThis isn't about going on a diet, it's about eating and moving on purpose to fuel peak performance in every area of your life.Hit subscribe and share this with a leader who's ready to optimize their health without the perfectionist trap.

What happens when a leader stops trying to be the smartest person in the room? In this episode, Mark Stockford, VP of Service Operations at ServiceNow, shares how embracinghumility, servant leadership, and even “ridiculous ideas” helped him scale a 700-person organization and navigate hypergrowth as ServiceNow expanded from 4,000 to 30,000employees. Drawing on his unconventional career across eBay, Zynga, and Ask.com, Mark breaks down his Guide, Lead, Shape framework, why titles matter less than impact, howauthentic connection creates loyalty, and how leaders can guide teams through massive change, including AI, without fear. This is a candid conversation about showing up asyourself, empowering others, and building teams that choose to follow you through transformation.

At age 12, Tai Nguyen arrived in America with $1 in his pocket after surviving 7 days on a fishing boat in the Indian Ocean with 69 other Vietnamese refugees.Now, 40+ years later, he's a Chief of Staff at ServiceNow, a certified executive coach, and living proof that resilience, curiosity, and relationship-building can take you from cleaning houses in Houston to leadership roles at Dell, HP, and one of the fastest-growing tech companies in the world.In this conversation with hosts Regan Bach and Adam Odosky, Tai shares his journey from child refugee to tech executive, and the career philosophy that carried him through: never say no, always ask, and build relationships everywhere you go.Key Insights:●The career philosophy that changed everything: Never say no, always ask (if you don't ask, nothing happens), don't let your title define your role, relationship-building is everything●"I negotiated my career with an iPhone charger": Director needed a charger in the hallway, Tai negotiated his move to project management before handing it over, became a legend in the organization●How he moved to San Diego with no job: Borrowed a friend's address and phone number to get interviews, moved with 2 suitcases, stayed with friends for 2 years●Becoming Chief of Staff by running town halls: Started doing work "not his role," friend asked "you mean you're his chief of staff?", pitched Mark Stockford in an elevator, sealed the deal●7 years at Dell, 13 years at HP, 9+ years at ServiceNow: Long stints in big enterprise companies, learning how to advocate for yourself and build relationships that matter●Paid out of pocket for PMP certification: HP said no budget, Tai studied nights/weekends for a year, passed 4-hour exam first try, opened doors to project management●Launched executive coaching practice: CTI certified (2+ years, 300+ hours), founded Your Limitless Potential Coach (ylpc.co), coaching senior leaders in UK and Australia●Life lessons from a refugee: Curiosity as survival skill, asking police to drive him home when lost on Houston buses at age 13, learning English in 6 months, cleaning houses every summer instead of vacationsThis episode is for anyone navigating career transitions, building a life from nothing, or anyone who needs proof that asking for what you want can take you further than any title or pedigree.✨ Watch the full episode, and if it resonates, share it with someone who needs to hear this story. Your potential is limitless.Hit subscribe! Connect with Better Faster Further:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterfasterfurther/ Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-faster-further/id1658641713 Connect with Tai Nguyen:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tai-nguyen-2303977/

From aspiring Broadway ballerina to Emmy-winning journalist to AI FinTech founder, Tamara Laine’s story proves that the best careers aren’t linear. In this episode, Tamara shares howshe’s tackling financial inclusion for gig workers through her company Empower, building AI tools that help millions access credit. We dive into the future of work, emotional intelligencein the AI era, and why building a startup is a lot like training for a marathon — grit, growth, and purpose.

Reach out to us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ or visit our website ⁠⁠⁠www.betterfasterfurther.com⁠⁠⁠ for more information.In this energizing episode of Better Faster Further, Regan and Adam sit down with Brian Lomeli, SVP of Customer Service & Support at ServiceNow, to explore what it really takes to build a world-class support organization—one rooted in vision, leadership, and hospitality.With over 14 years at ServiceNow and a background that blends computer science with sociology (and a serious passion for golf), Brian offers a refreshingly human perspective on support at scale. From navigating crisis and reorgs to reimagining support in the age of AI, Brian opens up about the internal transformation he's led across a 2,200-person global team.AI emerges as a central theme throughout the conversation, as Brian shares how adopting an “AI-first” mindset is reshaping enterprise support and driving innovation at ServiceNow.Together, they unpack how investing in employee experience leads to stronger customer outcomes, why “hospitality” became the core of Brian’s leadership vision, and how empathy, clarity, and structure help build durable teams and lasting impact.This isn’t just a podcast about operations—it’s a deep look into how leadership evolves under pressure, and how emerging technologies like AI are influencing culture, strategy, and scale.If you're thinking about the future of support, scaling leadership, or navigating change in high-growth environments—this one’s for you.Connect with Brian Lomeli:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-lomeli-b7017/

Reach out to us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ or visit our website ⁠⁠www.betterfasterfurther.com⁠⁠ for more information.In this insightful and energizing episode of Better Faster Further, Regan sits down with Leah Sutton, Chief Portfolio Talent Officer at Balderton Capital, to unpack what it really means to scale leadership at the pace of hypergrowth.With a career that spans continents—from the Peace Corps in Mali to scaling Elastic from 250 to over 3,000 employees—Leah brings a rare blend of global insight, deep empathy, and strategic rigor to the table. Now at Balderton, one of Europe’s leading VC firms, she’s focused on one mission: helping founders thrive, not just survive.Leah shares her journey from operator to advisor, and the lessons learned along the way—from managing HR during IPOs and layoffs, to launching one of the most holistic founder development platforms in venture capital. Alongside BFF coach Nathalie Assen, they explore what it takes to support CEOs in high-velocity environments—and how investing in people, not just products, creates lasting impact.This episode is more than a conversation about startups. It’s a look into the mindset, resilience, and systems that drive high-performing leaders—and the relationships that make it all possible.Connect with Leah Sutton https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahsutton/Connect with Nathalie Assenhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/nathalie-assen/

Reach out to us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ or visit our website ⁠⁠www.betterfasterfurther.com⁠⁠ for more information.In this deeply moving and inspiring episode of Better Faster Further, Adam reconnects with longtime friend and Cisco executive Aaron Prevo, a leader who faced the unimaginable—and emerged stronger, wiser, and more human than ever.While caring for his wife during her final months battling terminal cancer, Aaron was also tasked with leading one of Cisco’s most high-stakes projects. What followed was a masterclass in ruthless prioritization, radical simplification, and people-first leadership.Aaron shares how he navigated personal tragedy and professional pressure simultaneously—empowering his team, aligning values with mission, and creating a culture rooted in trust, service, and belief. Through raw honesty and hard-won insight, he shows us how clarity, courage, and compassion can drive results and fulfillment.This episode is not just about leadership—it's about life, legacy, and leading with heart when it matters most.Where to find Aaron Prevo:https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-prevo-83ab701/

Reach out to us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ or visit our website ⁠⁠www.betterfasterfurther.com⁠⁠ for more information.In this episode of Better Faster Further, Adam is joined by Dr. Nicky Keay, a renowned medical doctor and hormone specialist, and Jacy Rock, the powerhouse behind Athlete Blood Test operations and corporate performance optimization.Together, they explore the vital connection between hormones, health, and high achievement—especially in high performers, aging athletes, and busy executives. From the science of hormones and how they impact everything from sleep to stress, to the dangers of staying stuck on the “achievement treadmill,” this episode is a wake-up call for anyone feeling out of balance.Learn why treating your hormones “nicely” isn’t just good advice—it’s the secret to unlocking your next level. Discover how small, consistent lifestyle changes around movement, nutrition, and sleep can radically enhance energy, creativity, and long-term performance.Whether you're looking to sustain excellence in your career or optimize your health as you age, this conversation is full of wisdom, science, and inspiration.Tune in to take the first step toward living and performing better—without burning out.

In this episode of Better Faster Further, Regan and Adam engage in a deep conversation with Jessica Nake, the inspiring Chief of Staff for Customer Service and Support and Senior Director of Strategic Operations. Jessica recounts her remarkable journey of overcoming personal challenges, redefining her values, and reinventing herself through career transitions from politics and education into the fast-paced world of tech. Discover how embracing discomfort and recalibrating personal priorities has fueled her evolution as a leader—one who empowers teams with trust, resilience, and purpose. Tune in for actionable insights that help transform adversity into a launchpad for professional growth.Reach out to us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ or visit our website ⁠www.betterfasterfurther.com⁠ for more information.

In this episode of Better Faster Further, Regan and Adam are joined by Mark Mears, an accomplished author, speaker, and thought leader in purposeful growth and leadership. With decades of experience as a senior executive in renowned companies like NBC Universal, Cheesecake Factory, and Pizza Hut, Mark shares his insights on transforming leaders into legacy builders. From the concept of “paying it backward” to the revolutionary power of purpose-driven leadership, Mark dives deep into creating lasting impact. Learn how to bring love into the workplace (Listen, Observe, Value, Empower), foster team empowerment, and shift from a "me-go" to a "we-grow" mindset. This episode is packed with inspiration and actionable strategies for anyone looking to elevate their leadership and make a meaningful difference. Tune in and start leading with purpose today! 0:00 Welcome and Introductions 1:06 Thanksgiving Reflections and Adventures 2:30 A Pool Repair Story 4:32 Meet the Guest: Mark Mears 11:00 The Purposeful Growth Revolution 12:52 The Power of Paying It Backward 36:12 Love as a Leadership Model 53:10 Leadership Lessons and Mentorship 1:13:00 Facing Challenges and Finding Purpose 1:18:54 Closing Thoughts and What's Next Reach out to us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ or visit our website ⁠⁠www.betterfasterfurther.com⁠⁠ for more information.

In this episode of Better Faster Further, Regan and Adam are joined by Brian Petit, a former Green Beret and retired Colonel with over two decades of experience in the U.S. Special Forces. Brian brings a wealth of knowledge on leadership, team dynamics, and resilience under extreme conditions. He shares stories from his military career, highlighting how he and his teams faced high-stakes missions with autonomy and adaptability. Brian dives into the complexities of leading diverse teams within the Special Operations community, where members from various military branches come together to solve challenging problems. He emphasizes the power of empowerment, allowing teams the freedom to innovate and make decisions on the ground. Brian also sheds light on the importance of trust-building, sharing his methods for creating a culture of open communication and mutual respect within high-performance teams. This conversation offers executives and leaders valuable lessons on leading through uncertainty, building trust, and creating teams capable of independent, high-stakes decision-making. Brian's insights on foundational skills and resilience provide a unique perspective that can be applied to both military and corporate environments. If you enjoyed this conversation, please rate, review, and share the podcast. Your support helps us grow and continue delivering valuable content. Reach out to us at [email protected] or visit our website ⁠www.betterfasterfurther.com⁠ for more information. Brian S. Petit is the CEO of Garfield Syndicate, LLC. He teaches and consults on leadership, strategy, planning, resistance, and special operations. He retired in 2017 as a US Army Special Forces Colonel, serving 25 years in infantry, airborne, and special operations units. From 1997 to 2017, he commanded special operations units in the Balkans, Iraq, Afghanistan, Southeast Asia, The Philippines, Europe, and Africa. In sum, he served over five years in combat or conflict zones. His current work involves teaching and consulting on resistance operations as part of a nation’s total defense scheme. This work has taken him to twelve countries in East Europe, the Black Sea region, and Asia. Stateside, he teaches the National Resistance Course for the Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) and lectures at various military and higher education institutions. He has published in War on the Rocks, Special Warfare, Military Review, Irregular Warfare Initiative (IWI), Small Wars Journal, and Journal on Baltic Security. The Petits live in Colorado.

In this episode of Better Faster Further, Regan and Adam are joined by Dr. Carla Fowler, an elite executive coach with a background in medicine and performance science. Carla shares her unique approach to leadership, using science-backed strategies to help executives thrive under pressure. She explores how embracing discomfort and stress can actually fuel personal growth and drive success in leadership. Carla dives into the importance of intentional focus, breaking down big challenges, and creating space for deep thinking amidst the demands of running a business. She also explains why leaders don't need to avoid stress but rather harness it to improve their performance and decision-making. This conversation provides CEOs and senior leaders with actionable insights on managing stress, playing the long game in leadership, and making better decisions by slowing down and focusing on what truly matters. If you enjoyed this conversation, please rate, review, and share the podcast. Your support helps us grow and continue delivering valuable content. Reach out to us at [email protected] or visit our website ⁠www.betterfasterfurther.com⁠ for more information.

In this episode of Better Faster Further, Regan and Adam welcome Joel Neeb, who explores what it takes to lead with purpose and transform through challenges. Joel dives into the mindset shifts that helped him turn adversity into opportunity, and how his approach to leadership transformed as a result. This conversation provides CEOs and senior leaders with actionable strategies to drive innovation, foster a growth-oriented culture, and align their organizations for sustained success. If you enjoyed this conversation, please rate, review, and share the podcast. Your support helps us grow and continue delivering valuable content.  Reach out to us at [email protected] or visit our website www.betterfasterfurther.com for more information.

We decided to have an impromptu conversation because of life events that we've been working through in real time. Regan debriefs a serious mountain bike accident and unpacks what he learned about himself as he literally puts himself back together. Adam is preparing for his hip replacement surgery and talks about how he's preparing mentally and physically. Neither Regan or Adam sits still very often so how are they dealing with stillness when movement is so important to both of them. To listen to Graham Weaver give a talk about "How to Live an Asymmetric Life" please click here. Please let us know how you like the conversation. Reach out directly to either one of us by emailing [email protected] or visiting our Better Faster Further website.

Welcome to the latest episode of the Better Faster Further podcast! In this episode, we have an inspiring conversation with Nate Williams, a venture capitalist, endurance athlete, and founder who believes in the power of physical challenges to build resilience and perspective in entrepreneurship. Nate shares his journey from growing up in a working-class family to becoming the first in his family to attend college, and his experiences in startups and investment banking that led him to his current role as a VC. Join us as we dive into Nate’s philosophies on vulnerability, interdependence, and the importance of being process-oriented over just chasing results. We explore topics such as excellence across various domains, knowing when to persist or pivot, and the contrasting mindsets around failure for entrepreneurs and VCs. Nate also shares insights on leveraging difficult experiences for growth and how his passion for endurance athletics, including cycling up to 10,000 miles a year, has shaped his approach to life and business. Don’t miss this engaging episode filled with valuable lessons on resilience, excellence, and the pursuit of growth both personally and professionally. Key Topics Discussed: Nate’s background and journey from a working-class family to a successful VC The impact of physical challenges on building resilience and perspective Philosophies on vulnerability, interdependence, and process-orientation Excellence across work, parenting, athletics, and more Knowing when to persist vs. pivot and the entrepreneur vs. VC mindset on failure Stories from Nate’s endurance athletic endeavors and their lessons Tune in to gain insights from Nate Williams’ remarkable journey and thought-provoking perspectives. Like, subscribe, rate, and review our podcast to stay updated on more inspiring episodes! For more information, follow us on LinkedIn and visit our website. If you want to get in touch with Nate or explore his latest ventures with his firm Union Labs, don’t miss the contact info at the end of the episode.

We're back after a long hiatus from recording and couldn't be more excited about this conversation. Welcome Jon Zimmerman! Jon Zimmerman, humorously dubbed "Jay-Z One", shares his multifaceted journey as an entrepreneur, actor, producer, and family man. The conversation delves into his creation of ReadySpaces, a successful venture providing shared warehouse spaces, and reflects on his storied career, highlighting the influence of mentorship and his insights on storytelling and leadership. This episode promises a rich exploration of Jon's experiences, underscored by his dynamic personality and extensive background. Thanks for listening and always feel free to reach out to Better Faster Further by emailing: [email protected]

Join Regan and Adam as the recap 2023. They unpack lessons learned, reflect on what's important, and look forward to 2024. This is the last Better Faster Further episode of 2023 and the team is excited about what's to come in 2024. Please reach out to Better Faster Further by emailing [email protected]. We want to hear from you. Share with us what you think about the pod and what you'd like to hear in 2024. As always, please rate, review, share and subscribe. Happy new year!

This conversation dives into a program we developed with a triad of world class partners. Better Faster Further teamed up with Dan Turner, PhD and AthleteBloodTest.com to create a life changing program designed to revolutionize the support and impact for the high performing leader. As a team of high-level athletes and now performance and executive coaches & consultants, we have built a team that leverages best practices in science, data, biomarkers, and proven leadership methodologies to optimize leaders, founders, and CEO's to perform at the highest levels. Specifically, this first-of-its-kind program supports business leaders in the same way professional athletes are supported so that you, as a high performer, can sustainably thrive in business and life while optimizing for health, family, and professional and personal excellence. Join us as we talk details about the program and go deep on the partners involved. You will be blown away at the architecture of the program and the vast collective expertise that has been united to support people in a way that is unrivaled by any other program available today. This is a very special and high touch, high impact program. We have limited availability and ask that, if you're interested in learning more, please reach out directly to Better Faster Further by emailing [email protected].

This conversation is with Dan Turner, PhD who is nothing short of a legend in his field.Dr Dan Turner is a Founder and Human Performance Specialist with a PhD in Human Physiology.  For over a decade Dan has coached thousands of high performing humans helping prepare their body and mind to thrive in extremely demanding environments.  This includes working with 320 world champion and Olympic athletes, along with business professionals, neurosurgeons, startup founders, CEOs, Hollywood actors, artists, cybersecurity hackers and gamers, navy seals, esports/gamers, fellow coaches and scientists and a world class chess player.Dan was the Lead Performance Coach, Scientist & Program Manager for Red Bull for over 5 years - The human performance program involved working closely with the best sports talent in the world in the areas of psychology, creativity, spirituality, high risk decision making, team cohesion and leadership, human stress response regulation, physical & mental performance under pressure, health, nutrition, wellbeing and lifestyle factors.To let you in behind the curtain, Dan Turner, PhD, Scott Evans with AthleteBloodTest.com, and Better Faster Further have collaborated on the first of it's kind full human optimization program. This conversation is the first of two podcasts that begin to unpack what that program is all about! I'd say we're excited but that doesn't do justice to how I'm truly feeling about what's to come. Let's go!

Join us for this enlightening conversation with Marssie Versola and Jeromy Zajonc as they talk about Vision, why it matters, and the power of commitment. Marssie is the founder of the Impact Table, a powerful network of mission-driving women powering social good, leading for the future, and changing the world. She's also a seasoned business leader with experience building multiple multi-million dollar organizations and working with individuals at every stage in their personal and professional journeys - from the senior most leaders of billion dollar companies to volunteer workers at brand new nonprofits. Jeromy, for his third appearance on the podcast, is the founder of Running Water Coaching and a certified professional coach specializing in helping busy adults create momentum, discipline, and results in work and life. To learn more about Jeromy please listen to podcast #9. Jeromy and Marssie have teamed up to host the "Your Best Year Yet" Baja Retreat January 2-4, 2024. Participants will be part of a small group of incredible minds: experienced entrepreneurs, business leaders, and creative professionals. Together they will thoughtfully wrap up 2023, and create their vision, goals, and plans for 2024. Undoubtably, they will return home refreshed and with a clear purpose for themselves and their business. To learn more about the retreat and/or sign up for the retreat please visit Your Best Year Yet to reserve your spot. As always, we'd love to hear from you. Please rate, review, share, and subscribe to help spread the word. To contact Better Faster Further directly please email [email protected].

This is a very special conversation with our friend, Jeff Jones. Some of you may remember Jeff from episode 11. Jeff is a Chicago native, VP of Sales at Orange Business, father, husband, and ultra endurance athlete. We recorded this conversation shortly after Jeff finished his first 200 + mile ultra endurance run, Moab 240. Jeff and Adam recount their experience running together in Moab and Jeff dives deep on truly facing adversity, sleep deprivation, running with pain; Jeff shares his real and raw experiences mentally and physically to finish Moab. What make this conversation truly special is Jeff talking about the team, how they came together, everyone's role on the team and how those roles shifted as the race demanded more from everyone. This conversation is very much a recap of Moab, section by section, but, it's also so much more. We talk about leadership in environments, with real consequence, the power of purpose, high performing teams, decision making when decisions really count, and community. This conversation is for everyone who, at some point in their life, has felt like "they can't" or "they shouldn't," this conversation is about the power possibility. Special thanks to Regan for facilitating an honest and vulnerable discussion, UltrAspire for their support throughout the season of 200's, Aaron Prevo for being an incredible crew chief, friend, pacer, & leader (you are a true inspiration!), and for the team at BFF for their unwavering support and belief in possibility. As always, please share, subscribe, rate and review the podcast. To reach us directly please email [email protected] or visit our website. We believe in you!

Lu-Fong is currently the chief marketing officer at a clean energy company, TAE Power Solutions -- promoting electrification in vehicles and energy storage, using technology derived from nuclear fusion R&D. Leading up to his current role, Lu-Fong has spent half his professional life in Singapore, half in the US on both coasts, and also in both the public and private sectors. Lu-Fong has had varied professional experiences. Formerly, he spent time at Applied Materials as a Managing Director, at Corning as a product manager for Gorilla Glass, at Uber at cybersecurity chief of staff, at McKinsey for his first ever summer working in the US, and in the Singapore Navy driving its warships as a second-in-command (or XO / executive-officer). Join us for the fascinating conversation as Lu-Fong drops leadership wisdom, how to be an effective manager, and the impact his commitment to the martial arts has had on his life. As always, please rate, review, share and subscribe to the pod. That's the best way to support us. If you'd like to talk to Better Faster Further directly, please email [email protected]. To contact Lu-Fong directly, please click here, to message him on LinkedIn.

Please join us for the next edition of the Better Faster Further podcast with Lindywell Founder and CEO, Robin Long. Robin took time out of her annual team meeting in Santa Barbara to spend time with us on the pod.Robin went to school for communications and started in commercial real estate after school. This was her first exposure to entrepreneurship and what it’s like to build something from scratch. She started experiencing challenges keeping up with her health due to the demands of the job which lead to her finding and starting to experiment with Pilates. Her interest grew and she started teaching pilates in person before realizing that online pilates instruction was scalable. This was 15 years ago and very much the beginning of Lindywell and she calls herself an “accidental entrepreneur.”Robin’s story isn’t without its challenges. She had 4 kids that were 5 and under and often felt like she wasn’t fully in either world; as a mother and as an entrepreneur. She opens up about her challenges with being a CEO, the face of the brand, and a content creator. We are timing the publication of this conversation with the release of Robin’s new book “Well to the Core” which can be found on her website and anywhere books are sold. After you buy her book, try Lindywell for free for 14 days by clicking here. To talk to us at Better Faster Further please feel free to email [email protected]. If you like what you hear and you want to support the work we do with the podcast please, rate, review, subscribe and share. Thanks as always!

This conversation is with Meghan Phillips, serial entrepreneur based in Sacramento, CA. Meghan started her female-led creative studio, Honey, in 2008 while she was 5 months pregnant with her daughter and her husband was in law school. Fast forward 15 years and Meghan is now thinking about the next evolution for Honey, she’s actively growing her other venture, Simple Summers, and heavily involved in the fight for food transparency. Meghan is wise, kind, driven, and passionate about making a positive impact. Both Regan Bach and I left this conversation blown away by who she is and what she does. Please always feel free to reach out to Regan or I directly by emailing [email protected]. The best way to support the podcast is to rate, review, and share the show. We appreciate your time and we appreciate your support.

Chris is a former Chief People Officer helping early to late stage startups create human-centered organizations that scale and drive business outcomes. Chris has led the People, Talent and Workplace functions at amazing companies like Intercom, Affirm, Flipboard and Say Media. He was the first global head of people at all 4 startups, so in addition to helping scale the company, he helped build the People Function and set the initial People strategy. When it comes to scale and growth in startups, aggressive headcount and revenue growth were front and center. He's built people teams from 5 team members to 1000 global employees.After 22 years of experience in HR and Org Development roles, 12 of which in the top People/HR job, he's now focused on advising entrepreneurs and People/HR leaders on how to grow and scale, as well as entrepreneurs in the HR/People space on product and go-to-market strategy. You can check out Chris and his current work by visiting: www.christobinadvisory.com If you want to support the Better Faster Further podcast the best thing you can do is like, rate, review, and share the podcast. As always, if you'd like to contact us please never hesitate to email [email protected] The Jeff Jones podcast Regan and Adam talked about at the beginning of the conversation is podcast #11.

Hey Everyone, Adam here. Grateful to have the opportunity to talk all things Bigfoot 200 with my colleague and friend, Regan Bach. Debriefing the 200 mile endurance runs I've been fortunate to participate in over the last year has become a ritual. They each have taken on a different meaning and yielded different lessons. This one was fueled by gratitude which I found to be much more sustainable and joyful. Not only do we talk Bigfoot but we also talk about Regan's upcoming race, Double Dipsea. Regan's no stranger to outdoor adventure and drops a little background on his preparation and mindset. We'd love to hear from you. Please feel free to reach out to us anytime by emailing [email protected]. If you like what you hear, please rate, review and share the podcast. Thanks for tuning in and check out the links below to learn more. Conversation with Joe McConaughy Conversation with Jeromy Zajonc Conversation with Louis Selincourt Team Better Faster Further UltrAspire - special shout out to UltrAspire for their support at Cocodona and Bigfoot as well as not just caring for but really loving all their athletes and customers like family

Nick Waters is the writer, director & producer, of WORST ENEMY and founder of “The Movie House” which is his production company. Originally from South Florida, Nick was a nationally ranked swimmer growing up, breaking over a dozen state and national records, and was a member of the USA NCSA Junior National Team. Nick went on to earn his B.S. and M.A. degrees from Stanford University where he studied computer science and film history, screenwriting, and film production, and was a member of the varsity swim team, competing at the USA Olympic Trials. Currently based in LA, Nick works as a director, writer, actor, and producer. His recent work includes writing and producing the 2022 horror feature film MARGAUX for Paramount Pictures and directing and producing a documentary on the war in Ukraine, WHEN WE DANCE.  Nick was originally introduced to us via our good friend and colleague Jeromy Zajonc, who appeared on our BFF podcast previously and is episode 9.   To learn more about Nick please follow any of the links below. And to connect with Better Faster Further please email [email protected]. Films: When We Dance Margaux Socials: Instagram LinkedIn Web: https://www.whenwedancefilm.com/ LA Times Interview with Nick Waters for When We Dance worstenemyfilm.com When We Dance Margaux

Today, we did something a little different. Instead of hosting a guest, we used an article that Regan Bach wrote titled "Line of Sight" - Why Thinking About Your Organization as Panes of Glass is Critical to Success" to have a thought provoking conversation focused on some of the simple but not easy critical success factors for every organization. Regan has been a coach and a consultant to organizations of all sizes for close to 20 years. He opens doors for people, teams, and companies they never knew existed. His background is rooted in Sociology, Organization Development, Psychology, and Human Dynamics. He's been a pro athlete, traveled the world, and worked with some of the world's most famous companies. Facebook, PayPal, eBay, Google, LinkedIn to name a few. If you're interested in what it takes to create and operate a world class organization than spending time with Regan is a great step in that direction. Tuning into this conversation will introduce you to his thinking, experience, and impact. As always, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We'd love to hear form you. Tell us what you think of these conversations. You can reach us by emailing [email protected]. To learn more about Better Faster Further please visit us online. And last but not least, please rate, review, subscribe, and share the podcast. It's helps these conversations find more listeners.

Joe McConaughy is a very accomplished ultra-endurance athlete having completed FKT's (Fastest Known Time) on the John Muir Trail, Arizona Trail, Appalachian Trail, and the Pacific Crest Trail. Joe is also an Ultra-Endurance Coach and has been Adam's coach for a couple seasons guiding Adam to a finish at the Moab 240 in 2022 and the Cocodona 250 in 2023.  Regan Bach, Joe McConaughy, and Adam Odoski talk about Joe's background in becoming the athlete he is today, we talk about what makes a good coach/athlete relationship, the range of mindsets during multi-day events, and we recap Joe's win at Cocodona in 2022 and Adam's finish at the 2023 Cocodona 250. In addition to being a professional athlete, coach, and wilderness guide, Joe is also a film maker. Told through film are Joe's stories of the Arizona Trail FKT, the Appalachian Trail FKT, the Long Trail FKT among others. Links to all of Joe's films can be found here. Additionally, if you're a runner and curious whatsoever about what having a coach can do for you please consider Joe. Reach out to him directly here. As always, thanks for listening. If you like what you here, please rate, review, subscribe, and share the podcast. And never hesitate to visit Better Faster Further or email us directly at [email protected]

We had the unique opportunity of speaking with one of Patagonia's District Managers Christa Nenaber. Christa has worked at Patagonia for almost 12 years and has had a myriad of leadership positions during that time. She currently oversees the Central Region which includes 9 stores throughout Colorado and surrounding states.Her connection with people and leaning into vulnerability is what drives her leadership style. Christa also opens up about making the brave (and arduous) decision to proactively get ahead of a potential major health issue, and how that decision has informed her life, leadership, and overall outlook. It's people like her opening up about the trials and tribulations of life that make doing the Better Faster Further podcast so special and rewarding. Her story is very inspiring, but also very accessible. Christa and her husband live in Salida, Colorado and embrace getting outdoors as much as possible. She loves rafting, biking, camping and skiing.

Please join Regan and Adam for a conversation as Adam prepares to run the Cocodona 250 Ultra Race beginning at 5am May 1st. This race starts in Black Canyon, Arizona and finishes in Flagstaff Arizona. The race is 250 miles across the varied and beautiful landscapes of Arizona. It has almost 40,000 feet of elevation gain and will use a combination of single track trail, fire roads, and just a little bit of pavement to make it's way through some of the iconic towns of the west. Runners will pass through Prescott, Jerome, Sedona, and Flagstaff on this epic adventure. Adam shares insight into his training and the emotional roller coaster that he experiences as he prepares for this race. Regan and Adam have known each other for more than 25 years so the conversation is rich, has history, and provides an honest dialogue of what it's like for Adam days before he embarks on this adventure. If you'd like to watch the live stream of the race you can click here. Live runner tracking is found here and Adam is bib # 114. As always, please feel free to reach out to Better Faster Further or contact Regan or Adam directly. [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

This time we had the pleasure of speaking with Michael Perman. Regan coached Michael almost a decade ago while he was the Sr. Director "Dean" of Innovation at GAP Inc. Since then, he's become the CEO and Chief Futurist of his own company C'EST WHAT? LLC, where he's helped develop global innovation strategies for Levi’s, Adidas, Banana Republic, Hyatt, Hershey’s, Nike, and Pottery Barn. He's also the author of "Craving the Future", and is a guest speaker and podcaster. Michael speaks about his upbringing in the midwest during the "Silent Spring" (i.e. Rachel Carson + DDT), his interest in food and the environment, the critically important role innovation plays in shaping the future, as well as his leadership journey through corporate America and becoming the founder of his own company. We also ask him what he sees on the horizon for major trends coming our way and his answers are thought provoking. If you're interested in learning more about Michael or C'EST WHAT, please reach out to him directly via email: [email protected] If you'd like to talk to Regan, Adam or Better Faster Further please use any of the following email addresses to reach us directly: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Annie is a Bay Area Native and a product of divorced immigrant parents from Vietnam. She's a mom to a 1 year old whom she loves dearly and a wife to a San Francisco FireFighter. She loves to run but these days most of her running is chasing after her 1 year old. She's a classically trained pastry chef that will one day make her debut in the culinary arts. Annie is an ops person through and through. She started her career in accounting at Deloitte and then fell in love with the startup world. She's worked for some of the biggest names in Silicon Valley (Jeff Skoll, Peter Thiel, and Gil Penchina) and now she's the Director of Operations at a pre-seed/seed stage venture firm called Union Labs where her skills in Finance, HR, Marketing, and Bizops are extremely helpful to fund management, investor relations, and portfolio support.  As mentioned, Annie loves to run but finds it hard to find the time. During this conversation, Annie commits to racing again and Regan and Adam may even join her! To reach out to Annie please check her out on LinkedIn or email her directly at [email protected] and to learn more about all things Union Labs email [email protected]. As always, please like, subscribe, share, rate, review the podcast. All of these help the podcast be found by more listeners. If you'd like to reach out to Regan, Adam, or Better Faster Further please use any of the email addresses below: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

I (Adam) met Jeff for the first time during the Moab 240 Endurance Event in October of 2022. Jeff led myself and the athlete and friend he was there to pace, Aaron Prevo, on an 80 mile journey up and over the La Sal Mountains. As one can imagine, we got to know each other really well over the couple days we spent together. Since that event in October, Jeff has transitioned from VP Strategic Sales at DXC Technologies to VP Sales - Americas at Orange. It was an honor to introduce Jeff to Regan Bach and Louis Selincourt, Managing Partners of Better Faster Further, so that the four of us could talk through the transition and ensure Jeff had an objective space to work and work out his plans.  This is a fascinating conversation that follows the arc of Jeff's career and the importance of planning to achieve big things in life and business. During the conversation, Jeff talks about the important role his father, Bud Jones, has played in his life. His father is a retired Marine Helicopter Pilot, even wrote a historical novel, Snake Rolling in Hot, about Marine pilots, their crews, and fighting in Vietnam.  To reach Jeff directly, you can find him on LinkedIn. Thanks as always for listening to the conversation. Please like, subscribe, rate and review the podcast. To reach us at Better Faster Further please email [email protected].

As a former CTO/CPO turned Certified Coach and Digital Nomad for 8+ years, Lisa combines decases of experience to partner in the creation of more meaningful impact in her client's personal and professional lives. Lisa has been quoted & featured in Fast Company, FOX News, ZDNet & VentureBeat, and most recently Marty Cagan's book Empowered. She has spoken at conferences, podcasts and events including SxSWi, Web2.0 Expo, MLB.com Speaker Series and Pandora's Women in Business Series. She was also named in FOX Business' Little Pink Book's Top 10 Women in Technology in 2012. She received her B.S. in Computer Science from UC Santa Barbara, and her ICF Coaching Certification from The Coaches Training Institute. Lisa guides on her journey of growing up in Italy and Alaska, climbing the ladder at Ask.com to become CTO/CPO, and then redesigning her life to now being the Chief Rebel at Rebel X Labs and leading Women's Surf Your Soul retreats in Mexico.  To contact Lisa please reach out to her via LinkedIn or through her company, Rebel X Labs. Or, better yet, join her in May at the next Surf Your Soul Retreat in Mexico. Please subscribe, rate, review and share the podcast. If you'd like to talk to Regan or Adam don't hesitate to email them directly or visit Better Faster Further.

Jeromy Zajonc was raised in Marin County by a single dad with an older brother. He grew up in demanding household starting with 5am bike rides at age 5 while his dad trained for the Kona Ironman. He completed his first triathlon in Clovis CA at age 5 learning about grit, stamina, and mental toughness from his dad and swim coach Warren Lager. Jeromy is now a professional coach living in the Gold Country of Northern California with his wife and their son. He studied communications at UCLA with dreams of helping people maximize their potential (and having no idea what that really meant or how to go about it: ) He quickly found himself immersed in a film + TV career that spanned 20+ years. After producing an award-winning independent feature film starring Ed Harris, Jeromy joined the California Film Institute where he produced the Mill Valley Film Festival and then the Napa Film Festival. During the conversation Jeromy talks about his experience producing the film Touching Home and the book written about that experience called Either You're In or You're In The Way. Please like, subscribe, review and share the podcast. Reach out to Better Faster Further by emailing [email protected].  To connect with Jeromy please reach out to him on Linkedin.

Join us for a conversation with Ben Edwards.  Ben is a storyteller by training, he gave up his career as a reporter, editor and foreign correspondent to pursue an executive life – as publisher of The Economist online, as head of corporate and digital marketing at IBM, as IBM's chief communications officer, and as a vice president of product management at PayPal. Along the way, Ben discovered how to build organizations that can sustain learning, adapt to change and create for the future. Today, Ben consults with businesses to help them adopt the very best practices in marketing, design, product management and software development; coach executives, teams and private clients on everything from leadership to grief and loss; and speak and write about what he's learning along the way. Today's conversation spans the arch of Ben's career and his personal journey through change. He takes on a discovery through individual and organizational change. Why we get stuck and ways to become unstuck. This is a conversation not to be missed. As always, please like, subscribe, review and share the podcast. Reach out to Better Faster Further by emailing [email protected]. To speak with Ben please reach out to him on Linkedin and subscribe to his beautiful Sunday readings by clicking on the aforementioned link.

Lance is an experienced Founder with a demonstrated history of successfully scaling ideas into reality for start-ups in the synthetic biology, industrial biochemical and food & beverages industries. Tune in to hear Lance talk about his career path in learning how to build successful, diverse teams that can take on big challenges in hard tech.

For those of you who enjoyed podcast episode #2 when Adam debriefed his life changing experience finishing Moab 240 you're sure to love this episode with our guest, Aaron Prevo. Aaron is married and a father of 4 girls, accomplished business leader with a career that's spanned some of the greats like BearingPoint, British Telecom, and Cisco. Aaron has also been running for 40+ years including finishing Moab 240 this year. Aaron and Adam met for the first time somewhere around mile 80 of their 240 mile journey through the desert and continued to build a friendship over the next 160 miles. Aaron highlights the importance of curiosity in helping both achieve and work through hard things in life in business and how important it is to put the work in. This is a conversation that explores the human side of leadership, joy, and the inspiration Aaron gets from and provides to his family. Please help us get the podcast into new ears by subscribing, rating, reviewing and sharing the podcast. As always, don't hesitate to reach out to us directly by emailing [email protected] or visiting us online at Better Faster Further.

Welcome back or welcome to the Better Faster Further Podcast. Today, we are joined by our first ever podcast guest: Chad Crabtree.  Chad is a Colorado native living in Crested Butte, CO, and leading the renewable markets for Ulteig, an employee owned engineering company that focuses on power, renewables, transportation, and water. Chad walks us through his background growing up in Durango, Colorado as a nordic ski racer, whitewater kayaker, and and outdoor enthusiast. He let's us in behind the scenes and shares his path to becoming the Market Director of the renewables sector for Ulteig. His career, like most of our careers, had it's share of setbacks and hurdles but one of Chad's greatest gifts is turning challenge into opportunity.  We really enjoyed this conversation with Chad and know you will also. Please like, review, comment, subscribe and share the pod if you enjoy what you hear. If you want to connect with us directly please reach out to [email protected]

In this episode BFF Managing Partner, Regan Bach, and Senior Leadership Advisor, Adam Odoski, discuss the Performance Mindset, WHY it's important, and HOW to use the Performance Mindset to lead through challenge and adversity. Leadership is so much more than a title. Everyone has the opportunity to be a leader in their personal and professional life. Leadership can be leading a team or leading yourself. This conversation unpacks the critical tools on how to add meaning and be effective as a leader. Clarity of mission , building a foundation of trust, being explicit with communication, and the dichotomy between thinking Globally vs Locally are just some of the topics covered today. At the end of the conversation, Regan and Adam preview what to expect with future podcasts and invite listeners to reach out. Do you have a theme you'd like to hear discussed in real time on the pod? Do you want to be on the BFF pod and talk through real life examples? Included below are live links to downloadable tools you can use to become a more effective leader, articles Regan has published that will uncover additional leadership insight, and contact information so you know how to get in touch. Thanks for listening. If you like what you hear, pleas subscribe, rate and review, and share with your network. When Confronted with a Logjam, Gain Some Perspective Zoom In vs Zoom Out - 3 Steps to Maximizing Your Leadership Impact Downloadable Tools from Today's Conversation The Trust Equation, The Ladder of Inference, Thinking in Trajectories, and Putting it all Together Contact Information Regan Bach Adam Odoski Better Faster Further To learn more about what we do, why we do it, and some of the amazing partners we work with visit Better Faster Further

Welcome back or welcome to the Better Faster Further Podcast. Today, we're joined by Louis Selincourt, BFF Co-Founder and Managing Partner. Louis has quite the background growing up in London facing challenge and adversity dating back to his primary school days. Louis shares some of his most important lessons in life and business and how he turned challenge into opportunity. Louis is also an accomplished runner and health and wellness maverick. Listen to the end of the podcast to hear more about one of Louis's most important business philosophies that he's used to lead and transform businesses for decades. Thanks for joining, if you like what you hear please let us know by sharing, rating, and reviewing the podcast. As always, don't hesitate to reach out to us anytime by emailing [email protected]. Enjoy!

During this episode Regan and Adam debrief Adam's experience during the Moab 240 Endurance Run. Let's just say things didn't go as planned for Adam. They talk about facing adversity, understanding limitations in order to break limitations, and the value of having multiple mental and behavioral tools in the toolbox so options exist when needed. This is an honest conversation about what happens when things don't go as planned. Please like, subscribe, review and share the podcast. 

Welcome to the first Better Faster Further Podcast. In this initial episode Managing Partner and cofounder Regan Bach and Senior Leadership Advisor Adam Odoski discuss the company origin story, talk about adversity, embracing challenge, and facing the unknown in business and life. They also talk about the upcoming Moab 240 Ultra Endurance event that Adam is participating in October 7th-11th. Yes...that is a 240 mile race!  We did this episode the week before the race.  We'll track Adam's progress all next week and then will do a post-race episode and debrief the week after.  We wish Adam the best!