Failing Forward

Jason Leal

Emily Travis

All intimate relationships experience their own forms of stress and unforeseen circumstances. However when that relationship is rooted in an entrepreneurial foundation, the hurdles have the potential to take many different and unexpected forms. Our newly-engaged guests, Justin and Amy, individually detail how life brought them to entrepreneurship and not only the challenges of business ownership, but what they've learned as partners in business and in life.

Regardless of nationality or religious beliefs, it is relatively understood that we are all receptive to the laws of the universe. One of the most prominent being the Law of Attraction. The law of Attraction essesntially dictates that whatever we mentally focus on the most can be brought to fruition into the physical world. If we typically think very negatively then it is likely that we will have more negative experiences, and vice versa. In today's segment, we sit down with John Mawson, who details his experience with the law of attraction and how it has affected and sometime realigned his path in life.

Going against the grain may at times be one of the most uncomfortable things we can experience. Coincidentally, it may also offer the greatest opportunities for personal growth and development and the ability to align us with our true selves. In the Season 2 opener, our guest Indie Vasquez introduces our audience to the world of holistic nutrition and alternative medicine. She details some of the hurdles and challenges one can face from the world of modern medicine. We also discuss her newest area of study, pulmonary physiology and how breathwork practices can calm and even heal the body. Explore a new world of medicine this week on Failing Forward.

We all grow up believing that things need to be done a certain way. Whether taught or learned indirectly through society, most of us follow the steps taken by those before us and those around us. Entrepreneur, Forbes 30 under 30 member and podcast host, Partha Unnava, shares how following his own path led him to providing the first form of 'dope' innovation to the preventative medicince field. In this week's episode, we discuss the discomfort present due to social conditioning, innovating in business, philosophy, sprituallity and meditation.

We spend a significant amount of time and energy measuring and tracking the health and performance of our physical body. We frequently monitor everything from our weight and heart rate, to our blood pressure and cholesterol. Yet we pay a surprisingly minimal amount of attention to the one organ that controls every function of the body...the brain! Paul Sorbo joins us in the studio to share how a new innovative technology can create actionable and objective brain data accessible to the world. Listeners will learn how this technology compares to traditional brain scans and the the specific markers that can help healthcare professionals recognize early signs of brain related illnesses. Paul and Gerad also discuss their unique opinions on mental health, flow state and the role thresholds play in progression.

The most successful individuals understand the importance of stress. They understand that consistently visiting areas of discomfort leads to growth, development and learning opportunities. Alberto Nunez is no stranger to this space. As a 100% drug-free bodybuilder, and a twelve year professional in the WNBF, Alberto has created a career built on facing physical and mental stress. Diving into the life and mindset of a professional bodybuilder, Alberto shares his views on body dysmorphia, building discipline, and social media in the fitness & health industry.

Whether we make the conscious decision or not, many of our actions are in effort of personal benefit. This can at times be received as "selfish", but the reality is many of us involuntarily choose to take care of ourselves first. This makes sense, we are individual beings after all. Occasionally however, a variation in priorities is apparent. Our guest, Zack Whitmer, is one of those rare individuals. The California-born rocker turned entrepreneur has repeatedly placed others ahead of himself, and continues to make it his priority in both business and personal life. From protecting his younger brother from an abusive childhood to acquiring new businesses, Zack truly lives in the service of others. In this week's episode we discuss perspective, reflection and trust, and the significance these topics played on Zack's story.

Although "Entrepreneur" may sometimes be recognized as just a fancy title or term to flaunt on social media, it has deep and impactful meaning to our guest, Zonya Dawson. In this interview Zonya helps us understand that why we do something is not always the same as how we arrived at doing something. Her path to business ownership is both unique and personal, which allows her service and business model to perfectly reflect who she is as an individual. Gerad and Zonya also explore their unique perspectives of mental health as well as their own experiences with depression and how these experiences have formed their identities.

Everyone experiences rejection. Whether it be within our careers, relationships, business opportunities or personal life, we will hear "no" periodically throughout our lifetime. David Dipetro, one of Colorado's premiere real estate brokers, utilizes the Failing Forward mindset to alter his perception of the response. To David, "no" is simply one step closer to "yes". In this episode our guest shares how his experience in real estate sales has lead to countless lessons easily translatable to life. From learning how to respond to rejection to learning to excel in comprehension and understanding. David details his past failures and the lessons learned from a life in sales.

Many of us have struggled or may even actively struggle to identify our purpose in life, but it's important to understand that purpose is a moving target. We, as individuals, are constantly becoming someone new because of the experiences we have and the information we absorb. Our perspective of the world is not the same at 25 as it was at 5, and understandably, it will not be the same at 50. Knowing this, why then do we assume purpose to be a stagnant target? Samson Jagoras, a serial entrepreneur, real estate investor, marketing executive and motivational speaker, shares his understanding of purpose and the internal conversations that led him to identifying his own. He illustrates the benefits of regularly and willingly exposing ourselves to stress and pressure, and the personal epiphanies that stemmed from those experiences.

Many of us have likely used the phrase "everything happens for a reason." However this is only true if we take the time to reflect and attach meaning to our individual circumstances. Challenges will always influence our path, but the decision to find another route or turn back is what ultimately determines our progress forward. For our guest, Brandon Chubb, his experience with attaching purpose to his personal hurdles began early. And in each phase of life, as the hurdles grew increasingly more significant, his discipline and confidence grew with them. In athletics, in business, and in his philanthropic efforts, a consistent narrative is apparent: Activate Human Potential. The mission of the Chubb Foundation exemplifies not only the mindset, work ethic and generosity, but the life of Brandon Chubb.

Most of us on the outside looking in may assume that addiction is primarily influenced by the substance. For our guest Rachel Pastor however, she created an alternative mindset. After years of facing a heroin addiction and homelessness, she determined that she was choosing her addiction and not her addiction choosing her. Literally choosing the comfort of addiction, she recognized that discomfort was the answer to a new life. This shift in perspective allowed her to make more choices, each one inching her closer to a much greater purpose. In this week's episode, Rachel details how the darkness of her adversity eventually shined a bright light on her mission in life.

Very few athletes are capable of reaching the professional level of their sport. Even fewer go on to change an entire industry after. In episode 3 we sit down with Joe Hansley, who has done exactly that. It may be hard to believe that someone could be awarded the 2011 Colorado High School Gatorade Player of the Year, and not consider that one of their top accomplishments, but for Joe, it's nothing compared to what he's achieved in business. A former NFL player turned entrepreneur and packaging engineer, details what he learned from his challenges as an athlete, and how he leveraged that experience into his next phase of growth and success.

As children, as teenagers and even into adulthood, we are constantly drawn to being part of a group. We desire the comfort, the sense of belonging and the security of being around people who think like we do. At times however, life will lead us down a path less traveled. Tony Polidoro, a serial entrepreneur, nationally ranked bodybuilder, coach, mentor and friend takes you on a journey through his mindset during some of the most difficult decisions and situations life has presented him. In this interview, Tony shares some of his most impactful lessons learned as a young entrepreneur and the practices and habits necessary for his continued success. You will witness firsthand Tony's dedication, his discipline, and most importantly, his will to continue learning and helping others along the way.

In Episode 1, Gerad introduces himself and the intent of the Failing Forward Podcast. You'll hear about his experience with depression and anxiety and how it has formed his new identity.