OFF THE COURSE - AN AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR PODCAST

Business doesn't grow in isolation — it grows in community. In this episode, we sit down with Andrew, co-founder of Brick & Mortar, to talk about building inspiring workspaces, creating business hubs in local communities, and why environment plays a huge role in productivity and growth.We discuss how Brick & Mortar started, why coworking in the suburbs matters, and how intentional spaces can help entrepreneurs, side hustlers, and leaders do their best work. This conversation ties directly into the heart of Level Up Labs — bringing people, ideas, and resources together to help the community grow.Topics CoveredWhy environment matters for productivity and creativityHow Brick & Mortar started and evolvedThe shift from city commuting to neighborhood workspacesBuilding coworking spaces that feel inspiring, not corporateCreating business hubs within local communitiesThe power of collaboration and shared resourcesWhy community is essential for business growthHow physical space impacts mindset and performanceAbout Our GuestAndrew is a co-founder of Brick & Mortar, a coworking and collaboration company with locations throughout Chicagoland. Brick & Mortar creates thoughtfully designed spaces that help individuals and teams focus, collaborate, and grow.Level Up Labs Event InfoThis conversation is part of Level Up Labs, a four-hour, in-person Community Business Summit designed to help professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders move forward.

What if success didn't have to come at the expense of your family, health, or peace of mind? In this episode, we sit down with John Farlow, leadership and performance expert, business builder, and YouTube creator with over 9 million followers, to challenge hustle culture and redefine what success actually looks like.John breaks down the “grind movement,” explains why ambition and inner peace can coexist, and shares practical ways high achievers can protect their energy, strengthen relationships, and still perform at a high level.Topics Covered* Why hustle culture and the “grind movement” are broken* The difference between working hard and living exhausted* Redefining personal success on your own terms* Why winners sometimes need to quit — and how to do it well* The importance of boundaries, energy management, and focus* How self-talk impacts leadership, family, and fulfillment* Protecting your best energy for the people who matter most* Building a life where ambition and peace coexistAbout Our Guest
John Farlow is a leadership and performance expert, business builder, author, and YouTube creator with over 9 million followers. His work focuses on helping high achievers win the inner war, lead healthier lives, and create sustainable success without burnout.Level Up Labs Event Info
This conversation is part of Level Up Labs, a four-hour, in-person expo designed to help leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals grow without sacrificing what matters most.

What happens when the “safe” path stops feeling right? In this episode, we sit down with Eric Weber, a real estate entrepreneur who left corporate America, built and sold a successful real estate services company, and now focuses on real estate development and giving back.Eric shares what it really took to walk away from stability, how a side hustle quietly turned into a scalable business, and why fulfillment, culture, and purpose ultimately mattered more than the paycheck. We also talk about leadership, risk, and using success as a platform to make a difference.Topics CoveredMaking the leap from corporate America to entrepreneurshipTurning a side hustle into a scalable real estate businessBuilding recurring, service-based revenueWhat it takes to grow and eventually sell a companyThe importance of culture, vision, and leadershipKnowing when it's time to make a changeUsing business success to give backLessons that apply to entrepreneurs, professionals, and leadersAbout Our GuestEric Weber is a real estate entrepreneur, developer, and former founder of 33 Realty, a real estate services company he built and successfully sold. He is also the Chairman of the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago, where he applies his business and leadership experience to making a meaningful impact.Level Up Labs Event InfoThis conversation is part of Level Up Labs, a four-hour in-person experience designed to help professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders level up how they work.

Venture capital sounds flashy — but what is it really, and who is it actually for? In this episode, we sit down with Mark Phillips, Founder and Managing Partner at 11 Tribes Ventures, to break down venture capital in plain language.Mark explains what venture capital is (and what it isn't), when raising money makes sense, when it doesn't, and why giving up ownership too early can be a costly mistake. This is a must-listen for founders, entrepreneurs, and business owners curious about scaling the right way.Topics CoveredWhat venture capital actually is (without the jargon)The difference between investors, angel investors, and venture capitalWhen raising capital makes sense — and when it doesn'tWhy raising money isn't the same as business successHow venture capital firms evaluate founders and businessesWhat “scalability” really meansThe importance of timing when raising capitalWhy equity is more valuable than most founders realizeAbout Our GuestMark Phillips is the Founder and Managing Partner of 11 Tribes Ventures, a venture capital firm that invests in founders and businesses poised for exponential growth. Mark works closely with entrepreneurs to help them scale responsibly and intentionally.Level Up Labs Event InfoThis conversation is part of Level Up Labs, a four-hour, in-person workshop built to help entrepreneurs, professionals, and leaders level up how they grow and lead.

Growth doesn't come from “new year, new you” motivation alone — it comes from solving real problems and building smart systems. In this episode, we sit down with Brian Zisook, co-founder of Audiomack, to talk about identifying gaps in the market, building a business with purpose, and scaling through strategic partnerships.Brian shares how Audiomack grew from a simple idea into a global platform with over 50 million monthly active users, and how those same principles apply to entrepreneurs, small business owners, and leaders at any stage of growth.Topics CoveredWhy growth starts with identifying a real problemHow Audiomack was built to serve independent creatorsSpotting gaps in the market before others see themBuilding a business with purpose, not just profitScaling through partnerships instead of competitionAdapting as technology and industries changeGiving creators and entrepreneurs more control over their workBusiness fundamentals that apply to any industryAbout Our GuestBrian Zisook is a co-founder of Audiomack, a global music streaming and discovery platform with over 50 million monthly active users and the #1 streaming service in 22 countries. With decades of experience in music, media, and business, Brian brings real-world insight into building and scaling modern companies.Level Up Labs Event InfoThis conversation is part of Level Up Labs, a four-hour, in-person business growth workshop designed to help you take actionable steps forward.

Social media is essential for small businesses — but it doesn't have to feel like a second full-time job. In this episode, we sit down with Shalane and Nicole from Be Social, a social media agency built specifically to support small business owners, entrepreneurs, and leaders who are overwhelmed by content creation.We talk about the biggest mistakes businesses make on social media, why chasing trends can actually hurt your brand, and how storytelling and personality matter more than perfectly edited posts. If you've ever spent hours on a single post and still felt unsure about it, this conversation is for you.Topics CoveredWhy social media feels so overwhelming for small business ownersThe biggest mistake businesses make: chasing trends instead of their brandWhy personality and storytelling matter more than what you sellHow social media should support your business — not run itWhen to DIY social media vs. when to hand it offHow Be Social helps businesses take social media off their plateTraining options for business owners who want to do it themselvesWhy social media is “air coverage” for your business, not the entire strategyAbout Our GuestsShalane and Nicole are the founders of Be Social, a social media agency created to help small businesses grow without wasting time, energy, or money. Their focus is helping brands show up authentically, connect with their audience, and stop treating social media like a third job.Level Up Labs Event InfoThis conversation is part of Level Up Labs, a four-hour, in-person experience for business owners, entrepreneurs, and leaders.

On this #veteransday I'd like to introduce you to military veteran Dewayne! We talk about Dwayne's incredible military journey, serving in both the Marine Corps and Army National Guard, and how Verizon helped relieve his medical debt. We discuss his experiences as a tank crewman, the physical challenges of military service, and his upcoming Bears game experience Forgiveco

Jaclyn is a STEM teacher and so much more! I wanted to show my appreciation with a little gift! Thank you St. Isaak Jogues in Hinsdale for all you do and letting me interrupt the morning for a little fun! Thank you Jewel-Osco for helping us show our appreciation for teachers this fall!