LifeExcellence with Brian Bartes

Laird Hamilton is a big wave surfer and a pioneer in the world of action water sports. Over the last decade, Laird has transcended from surfing to become an international fitness icon and nutrition expert. He is Co-Founder and Chief Innovator of Laird Superfood, and the author of several books. Laird has also appeared in a number of feature films and surfing documentaries, and on numerous television shows.

Hilde Dosogne is a Belgian ultrarunner who started running at 41 and quickly evolved into a world-class endurance athlete. In 2024, she set an extraordinary Guinness World Record by running 366 consecutive marathons in support of breast cancer research. A dedicated athlete, mother of four, and an inspiration to many, Hilde continues to push the limits of human endurance.

Mark Skousen, Ph. D. is a nationally known investment expert, economist, university professor and author of more than 25 books. Since 1980, he has been editor in chief of Forecasts & Strategies, a popular award-winning investment newsletter. Dr. Skousen is known as “America's Economist,” and he has been identified as one of the 20 most influential living economists. 

Amy Mae Dolan is a World Champion Irish dancer. At just 19 years old, she became the youngest-ever Principal Dancer in the world-renowned, Grammy Award winning production, Riverdance. Amy Mae's incredible artistry, unwavering determination, and tireless work ethic set her apart as a world-class performer, and also make her an inspiring leader both on and off the stage.

 Kevin Allen is a sports journalist and author who has written professionally for almost 50 years. He was USA Today's lead hockey writer from 1986 to 2019, and he has written more than 25 sports books. Kevin has covered everything from Super Bowls to the Olympic games, to the World Series, and NCAA basketball. Today, he covers the Detroit Red Wings for Detroit Hockey Now. 

Charlie Wetzel is the long-time writing partner of leadership expert John C. Maxwell. Charlie has been John's writing partner for more than 30 years, and they have worked together on 120 books. Their incredibly successful collaboration has reached 36 million people, and produced six New York Times bestsellers. 

Michael and Matthew Gardiner, known around the world as “The Gardiner Brothers,” are the dynamic duo revolutionizing Irish dance! These 5x World Champions have captivated global audiences, amassing over 8 million followers and 1 billion+ views on social media. Former Riverdance principal dancers, they were the first brothers to achieve this honor. 

Kim Scott is one of the most sought-after flutists in both the classical and jazz fields. A #1 Billboard-charting artist with five acclaimed albums, Kim is renowned for her captivating tone, flawless technique, and magnetic performances. She is host of the nationally syndicated "Kim Scott's Block Party Radio," and a soloist and member of the all-female jazz supergroup, Jazz in Pink.

Mally Roncal is a celebrity makeup artist, entrepreneur, and TV personality. Inspired by her mother's impeccable style, Mally's fearless approach and undeniable talent quickly earned her spot as a trusted artist for A-list celebrities including Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Taylor Swift, and Celine Dion. In 2005, she launched Mally Beauty on QVC, selling out her entire line in just 36 minutes. Mally's brand now spans beauty, fashion, and home collections.

Mat Fraser is widely considered to be the most dominant and successful athlete in the history of CrossFit, earning five consecutive CrossFit Games titles as the Fittest Man on Earth from 2016 to 2020. Mat is also the Founder and Chief Product Officer of HWPO Training. His mantra, “Hard Work Pays Off” guided him as a CrossFit athlete, and continues to drive him today in his business endeavors. 

Miki Sudo is a competitive eating champion, and the top-ranked female according to Major League Eating. Known for her dominance in the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, she is a ten-time, undefeated champion of that event, setting a record in 2024 by consuming 51 hot dogs in 10 minutes. Miki is currently ranked World #5 among men and women combined.

Leigh Steinberg, legendary sports agent and founder of Steinberg Sports and Entertainment, has represented over 300 elite athletes, including the number one overall pick in the NFL draft an unprecedented eight times. Known as the real-life inspiration for the Oscar-winning film, “Jerry Maguire,” Leigh is a bestselling author, philanthropist, and a pioneer in athlete branding and high-stakes contract negotiation.

Tiffani Bova is one of the world's leading experts in business growth and transformation. Her distinguished career includes executive roles in sales, marketing, and customer service for both startups and Fortune 500 companies. Tiffani is the acclaimed author of two Wall Street Journal bestsellers, GrowthIQ and The Experience Mindset, and is also a highly respected keynote speaker. She is ranked in the Top 50 Business Thinkers in the world by Thinkers50. 

 Franz Harary continually redefines the art of magic through his work as a performer and visionary illusion designer. He's known for raising magic to the level of spectacle with his arena shows and he has the distinction of being the first world-class magician to perform illusions entirely of his own design, winning international acclaim and the highest awards for his astounding achievements. 

Amy Somerville is the Chief Executive Officer of SUCCESS Enterprises, a multi-platform media company which includes the iconic SUCCESS Magazine, SUCCESS Coaching, and SUCCESS.com. She is a mission-driven leader with demonstrated success in developing highly effective teams, delivering dynamic learning strategies, and building engaged communities. Amy lives her life intentionally and is driven daily by the acronym L.I.V.E., which stands for LEAD, INSPIRE, VALUE, and EMPATHIZE.

Jason Belmonte is an Australian professional bowler. Known for his unique, two-handed delivery style, Jason has won 31 PBA titles (which is the seventh most all-time), including a record 15 major championships. He is also a seven-time PBA Player of the Year. Belmonte's influence extends beyond the lanes as a trailblazer and ambassador for the sport, earning him recognition as one of bowling's all-time greats.

Madison Marsh is Miss America 2024. She is also a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. After graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2023 with a degree in physics, Madison made history in January 2024 when she became the first active-duty Air Force officer to be named Miss America.

Jean Oelwang is a Collaborations Architect and the founding CEO of Virgin Unite, an entrepreneurial foundation that builds collectives, incubates ideas and re-invents systems for a better world. Prior to starting Virgin Unite, Jean worked with over 25 Virgin businesses across 15 industries. She is the Co-Founder of Plus Wonder, and author of the book, Partnering: Forge the Deep Connections That Make Great Things Happen.

Dawn Riley is a legend in the world of sailing! She has raced in four America's Cups and two Whitbread Round the World races, and was the first woman ever to manage an America's Cup sailing team. Dawn was also named one of Sports Illustrated's Top 100 Greatest Female Athletes of the 20th Century. She has been inducted into the National Sailing Hall of Fame, the International America's Cup Hall of Fame and the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.

Nouran Gohar is the reigning world female squash champion, and was recently named PSA Female Player of the Year for the third season in a row! Nouran has consistently proven herself as a dominant force both on and off the court – including being honored as one of Forbes Middle East's 30 Under 30 in 2022.

Dr. Chris Lambert is the founder and CEO of Life Remodeled, a nonprofit organization in Detroit that repurposes vacant school buildings into one-stop hubs of opportunity, and helps create neighborhood revitalization that lasts. Chris is also the author of the book, Next Level Nonprofit: Build a Dream Team + Increase Lasting Impact. Next Level Nonprofit is a structured operating system that helps nonprofits optimize their impact, and build great teams.

Michael Levine is an icon in the public relations business with a client list that includes 58 Academy Award winners, 34 Grammy recipients, and 43 New York Times bestselling authors. He is the author of 19 books, including "Guerrilla PR," the most widely used introduction to public relations. Michael has shaped PR strategies for Hollywood's elite for four decades.

Scott "Intake" Kartvedt is a true aviation legend! A retired Navy fighter pilot, his military career included three tours in Iraq and two in Afghanistan. He received a Bronze Star, and flew with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. “Intake” was also a stunt pilot in the 2022 action movie, “Top Gun: Maverick,” and supervised aviation safety for the spy action film, “Mission Impossible 8.” 

Brittany Hodak is an award-winning entrepreneur, author, and customer experience speaker. She has worked with some of the world's biggest brands and entertainers, including Walmart, Disney, Katy Perry, and Dolly Parton. Brittany is widely regarded as the “go-to source” on creating loyal fans for your brand, and she is the author of the bestselling book, “Creating Superfans: How to Turn Your Customers Into Lifelong Advocates.”

Jerry Meek is the Founder and CEO of Desert Star Construction, a company dedicated to building an impressive variety of architectural styles, net-zero energy and LEED Certified homes and residential projects in the most luxurious communities across Phoenix and throughout Arizona. Desert Star has been recognized in dozens of magazines and earned numerous honors. 

Julie McQueen is a leader and innovator in the digital media industry, and is currently the President and CEO of CarbonTV, the #1 streaming video platform for the outdoor enthusiast. Julie also hosts Outdoor Weekly, a popular show on CarbonTV, that covers the latest news and trends in the outdoor community.

Peter Thomas is an internationally renowned mega-entrepreneur and motivational speaker. He is Chairman Emeritus of the Entrepreneurs Organization (EO), and the author of five groundbreaking books. Peter discusses why it's so important to orient our life around our values, and the seeds of genius that exist in all of us. 

Jesse Cole is the founder of Fans First Entertainment and owner of the Savannah Bananas. He's fanatic about fandom and launched the Savannah Bananas with one mission: to spark a fan-focused movement. Jesse is also a keynote speaker and the author of three bestselling books, and he owns seven yellow tuxedos! He discusses what inspired him to buy a baseball team, and how we can all put fans first and inject more fun into our businesses.

Dr. Gladys McGarey is known internationally as the “Mother of Holistic Medicine.” Her newest book, published in 2023, is “The Well-Lived Life: A 102-Year-Old Doctor's Six Secrets to Health and Happiness at Every Age.” Dr. Gladys shares her philosophy for living life to the fullest, her approach to overcoming obstacles, and why it's important to have a 10-year plan - even at the age of 103!

Simon Reinhard is a two-time World Champion memory athlete. He holds multiple world records and Guinness World Records, and has won over 30 tournaments around the world – more than anybody else in his sport. Simon has created several memory courses, and he is also one of the founders of the International Association of Memory (IAM).

In her 13 years as CEO of KW MAPS Coaching and Training at Keller Williams Realty International, entrepreneur and author Dianna Kokoszka played a pivotal role in propelling the company to become the largest and most profitable coaching enterprise in the real estate industry. Dianna's genuine concern for the welfare of others serves as the driving forces behind all her endeavors, fueling her unwavering commitment to add value to others.

Mike Barwis is the founder and CEO of the BARWIS Methods family of companies. Mike has trained over 5,000 Olympic and professional athletes in all sports leagues, and has extensive experience in strength and conditioning at both the pro and college levels. Olympic swimmer Peter Vanderkaay calls Mike “a strength and conditioning genius who strives for perfection in all aspects of coaching and life.” 

Dr. Nido Qubein is the president of High Point University and a nationally recognized author, speaker, and leader. He is the author of a dozen books, was inducted into the International Speakers Hall of Fame, and has been the recipient of some of the highest national awards, including induction into the esteemed Horatio Alger Association for Distinguished Americans. The Biography Channel televised his Emmy-nominated life story titled “A Life of Success and Significance.”

Dr. Barry Franklin is Director of Preventive Cardiology and Cardiac Rehabilitation at Corewell Health. He is a prolific author and speaker, and has written 547 papers, 100 book chapters, and 27 books. He has also given over 1,000 presentations, both within and outside the medical profession. Barry's latest book is “GPS for Success: Skills, Strategies, and Secrets of Superachievers.”

Brian Cain is a mental performance coach, speaker, and bestselling author. His client list includes four Major League Baseball Cy Young Award winners, a Heisman Trophy Winner, eight UFC World Champions, and both World Series and Super Bowl Champions. Brian is an avid Ironman triathlete, ultramarathoner, and golfer, and has integrated into his own life the same mental performance strategies as the world class athletes he coaches.

Named by TIME magazine as one of the “100 Most Influential People in the World,” endurance athlete Dean Karnazes has pushed his body and mind to inconceivable limits. His feats include winning the World's Toughest Footrace - the Badwater Ultramarathon - and running 50 marathons in all 50 US states in 50 consecutive days. Dean is also the New York Times bestselling author of “Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner.” 

Brian Tracy is a world-renowned best-selling author and speaker specializing in personal and professional development. His fast-moving talks and seminars on leadership, sales, personal growth, success, and business strategy are loaded with powerful, proven ideas and strategies that empower people to achieve their biggest goals. Brian brings immediate changes and long-term results, inspiring everyone to reach their full potential.

Tony Horton has been at the forefront of the fitness industry for decades. He is the wildly popular creator of the most successful fitness program in America, P90X. As a personal trainer, Tony has worked with A-list celebrities, including Tom Petty, Billy Idol, Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Nicks. He is also a motivational speaker, and the author of three bestselling books.

Ari Weinzweig and his partner, Paul Saginaw, founded Zingerman's Delicatessen with two employees and a small selection of specialty foods and exceptional sandwiches. Today, the Zingerman's Community of Businesses has grown to 11 businesses and over $75 million in annual revenue. The company's unique business model caused Inc Magazine to call Zingerman's “The Coolest Small Company in America.”

Once called “The Godfather of Hispanic Marketing,” Richard Montañez started his career at Frito-Lay in 1976 as a janitor, and is recognized as the creator of the Flamin' Hot line of products. He held various senior roles at PepsiCo and its Frito Lay divisions, before retiring in 2020. Richard shares the inside story of the world's hottest snack brand.

Julia Whelan is a screenwriter, lifelong actor, author, and the audiobook narrator of over 500 titles. She has won numerous awards, including being named Audible's Narrator of the Year, and is considered one of the top narrators recording today. Her performance of her own debut novel - “My Oxford Year” – earned Julia a Society of Voice Arts award. Her latest novel, “Thank You For Listening,” was a Best of 2022 pick at Amazon, Audible, and NPR.

Hou Yifan is a chess grandmaster, four-time Women's World Chess Champion, and the second highest-rated female player of all time. She was the youngest female player ever to qualify for the title of grandmaster, and the youngest ever to win the Women's World Chess Championship. Yifan shares the story behind her impressive accomplishments, and the most important lessons about life that we can glean from the game of chess.

Craig Domann is a sports agent, keynote speaker, and podcast host. As an experienced sports attorney, Craig represents successful NFL athletes, as well as a number of pro and college football coaches. Since becoming a registered NFLPA Member Contract Advisor in 1990, he has negotiated more than a billion dollars in contracts for more than 200 NFL athletes.

Annika Sörenstam is often regarded as the greatest female golfer of all time. During her 15-year career, Annika amassed over 90 worldwide victories, including 72 on the LPGA tour, and 11 Major Championships. She is also the only player in LPGA Tour history to finish 18 holes with a score of 59.

As a legend and leader in the hotel world, Horst Schulze created operating and service standards that have become world famous throughout the hospitality industry and beyond. Horst is a founding member of both the Ritz Carlton Hotel Company and The Capella Hotel Group, and is the author of "Excellence Wins:  A No Nonsense Guide to Becoming the Best in a World of Compromise."

Chris Voss is a former Lead FBI Negotiator, and author of the book, “Never Split the Difference.” He has lectured on negotiation at business schools across the country, and has been featured in both television and print media. In 2007, Chris founded The Black Swan Group, a negotiation training and consulting organization.

Kathrine Switzer made history in 1967 by becoming the first woman to officially register and run the Boston Marathon. She would later go on to win the New York City Marathon, and to become a crusader for women's sports. Kathrine discusses how that snowy day in 1967 both radicalized and inspired her to create opportunities for other women in running.

Lia Valencia Key went from homeless to 100 million homes when her jewelry line, Valencia Key Jewelry, was launched on QVC, one of the largest television shopping networks in the world. Lia's jewelry was also featured in Oprah Magazine's 2020 Favorite Things issue. Lia shares how your predicament does not determine your destiny, and the power of choosing joy.(Visit https://www.valenciakey.com/ and receive 15% OFF with code: LifeExcellence)

David Palmer is a retired professional squash player, and is currently the Head Squash Coach at Cornell University. He is a two-time World Champion, a four-time British Open Champion, and a World Doubles Champion. David discusses what it takes to be a top 10 squash player, and what he enjoys about transitioning from a player to a coach.

Annie Duke is an author, speaker, and decision-making consultant. As a former professional poker player, she won more than $4 million in tournament poker, and a World Series of Poker bracelet. Annie discusses decision-making under uncertainty, and her newest book, “Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away.”

Veronika Scott is the founder and CEO of The Empowerment Plan. What started as a college project – designing a coat that transforms into a sleeping bag for the homeless – has evolved into a movement that empowers homeless individuals to gain back their independence, and have their dignity restored. Veronika shares her amazing story, and the impact on those she serves.