Push Go

For the past twenty-two episodes, we have had front-row seats into the lives and careers of incredible leaders as they shared what made them decide to push go. Whether it was pursuing a new business venture, choosing family over career, or learning to be a leader, each of these amazing individuals shared significant wisdom and insight for us to learn from. Don't miss out on this inspiring finale of the Push Go podcast!Rick West Leslie Godwin Leslie Godwin | Episode 7Ben Kirksey Ben Kirksey | Episode 6Brian Stormes Brian Stormes | Episode 1Erin Campbell Erin Campbell | Episode 14

Hannah Hickman's plan to become one of the few female athletic directors in the area was cut short when she became pregnant. This prompted Hannah to pivot her life's trajectory, but little did she know, she would have to change it yet again when she and her son received some unexpected news. Throughout this episode, Rick and Hannah discuss how her experience being a lifelong teacher, athlete, and coach helped her become her son's primary educator as they navigated his medical diagnosis.

From a young age, Andrew Denysov had every intention of being a soccer player when he grew up. However, after a trip to the United States and seeing a commercial with Steve Jobs, Andrew became one of the first individuals to sell iPhones in Ukraine. This venture was only the beginning of Andrew's exploration into the tech world, but years later the future of his entrepreneurial journey was put into question when Russia invaded Ukraine. Throughout this episode, Andrew and Rick discuss how he made the decision to use his company to help the economy and other families in need during his country's conflict with Russia. Tune in to hear about Andrew's defining moments!

After coming to the realization that she couldn't be the only adoptive mother feeling alone in her journey, Alex Fittin sought to connect with other moms who had adopted by way of a podcast. Alex launched the Adoptive Mom Podcast (AMP) and grew her following to surpass over one hundred thousand downloads from all over the world. However, Alex realized that it was the engagement with podcast guests, not the process of running a successful podcast that was fulfilling. So, after much reflection on what she wanted to focus on, she hung up her podcasting microphone and became a certified Enneagram coach to work with individuals in a counseling setting and help businesses build stronger teams. Throughout this episode, Alex and Rick discuss how Alex made the decision to sunset a successful podcast in order to launch her coaching practice.Rick West Alex FittinGap Relief

Ian's career played out almost exactly like his multi-step college-to-Fortune-500 vision, however, there was one unexpected component: Ian realized that he wanted to spend more time with his family (wife and children) and he realized that he struggled with an addiction to video games. Throughout this episode, Ian and Rick discuss how Ian made the decision to decline his dream job, which led him down an entrepreneurial path to consulting and eventually to launching SelfCtrl.Rick West Ian McCreadyMcCready Consultingselfctrl

Carter and Rick discuss how a conversation about cryptocurrency with his dad led to combining Carter's passions of agriculture and investing to build AcreTrader. “Here was this interesting investment product in a world with information asymmetry that's favorable to the educated investor. And here's this real market need. People want alternatives in their portfolio. They want to invest in things other than cryptocurrencies and stocks and bonds.” - Carter Malloy, (11:19)LinksRick West Carter MalloyAcreTrader

Following in the footsteps of an aunt who loved her job, Lori Brooks began her career as an accountant. Everything changed when a medical diagnosis forced her to take a step back from work and find alternative ways to support herself and her child.  In this episode, Lori talks with Rick about how being a single mom with Crohn's disease challenged her to find financial stability and use her experience to help others do the same.LinksRick West Lori BrooksLoriBrooks.net

Garrett Peters started his career with a plan to climb the corporate ladder but was drawn to entrepreneurship. Eventually, he teamed up with his wife and a friend to grow an Etsy store into a successful stationery business that uses handwritten storytelling to capture meaningful moments. In this episode, Garrett and Rick talk about how Garrett made the leap from corporate life to entrepreneurship and how he's navigating the journey.LinksRick West Garrett PetersDuncan & Stone Paper Co.

Omid Moghadam's career began in corporate America, but below the surface, he has always been an inventor and entrepreneur. With almost thirty years of experience and eleven companies founded, Omid's inventions have helped solve considerable problems in the medical field. Throughout this episode, Omid and Rick discuss how he's working to make cancer screening more accessible to the masses.LinksRick West Omid MoghadamNamida Lab, Inc.Auria Breast Cancer ScreeningConnect with Namida Lab on Social MediaTwitterFacebookInstagramLinkedIn

Brands are Erin's business, and people are her fascination. She's spent the better part of the past two decades uncovering the human side of commerce in an agency setting, but when presented with the opportunity to leave her position and launch a new brand from scratch, she eagerly stepped into the unknown. Months later, COVID-19 swept the globe. Throughout this episode, Erin and Rick discuss the unique opportunities Erin took advantage of in order to build a brand during the pandemic. Tune in to hear about Erin's defining moments!

Throughout this episode, Blake and Rick discuss how Blake's passion for people and itch for leadership followed him through his life and led him to launch Good Advice, a business helping companies scale in simple steps (and helping people stop dreading Mondays). Blake's journey of entrepreneurship showcases how persistence often yields great results and how sometimes the only person you need to believe in is yourself. LinksRick West Blake BinnsGood Advice, LLC

After college, Kristi accepted a position working for Procter & Gamble and quickly moved her way up the corporate ladder. After reaching a five-year milestone, she began to feel envious of others who had started their own companies. Kristi sought out advice from her friends and family about how to navigate her restlessness and determined her next move was dependent on the amount of risk she was willing to take. LinksRick West Kristi ZuhlkeKristi Zuhlke LLC

Early in Steve's career, he worked for Procter & Gamble, where he was given chances to work on what he deemed work hobbies—campus recruiting and sales training—that led him to discover his passion for people. Through a series of conversations and opportunities Steve considered “drips in his cup,” he began to realize the importance of being uniquely needed in a workplace. For Steve, that looked like finding the intersection between commercial perspective and a passion for people, which led to the recent launch of his company Culture Collaborative. Tune in to hear about Steve's defining moments!LinksRick West Steve BlairCulture Collaborative

From a young age, Marisa Hoover knew she wanted to be a businesswoman in a position of influence. However, a wrench was thrown into her plans when she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of skin cancer leaving her to navigate the uncertainty of what was to come. Throughout this episode, Marisa and Rick discuss how her unexpected diagnosis redefined the framework Marisa had in place for her future. Tune in to hear about Marisa's defining moments!LinksRick West Marisa HooverField AgentPlum

After strategically selling her lucrative company, which grew more than 500% under her leadership, Elise Mitchell, was left with the opportunity to pivot her career into uncharted territory. Throughout this episode, Elise and Rick discuss how to exit amicably when you choose to leave your company, as well as her passion for being an advocate and mentor to the next generation of entrepreneurs. Tune in to hear about Elise's defining moments!LinksRick West Elise Mitchellelisemitchell.comOrder Elise's BookTiger 21 Peer Mentorship

Before Nashville was cool, Isaac Rogers toured Vanderbilt's campus on a whim and found himself leaving small-town Arkansas to attend undergrad there. After graduating, he had no intention of sticking around, but like a magnet, the city kept pulling him back. Now, many years later, he's been the CEO of two successful companies and is currently the chief strategy officer at Schlesinger Group's home office in, you guessed it, Nashville. Throughout this episode, Isaac and Rick discuss the importance of networking and mentorship and how saying yes to one lunch changed the trajectory of his career. Tune in to hear about Isaac's defining moments!Update: Since the recording of this episode, Isaac has been announced as President of the Schlesinger Group.LinksRick West Isaac RogersSchlesinger Group

Leslie entered the consumer packaged goods industry right out of college and worked for some of the most notable household brands. After having children, she began experiencing what so many women in business do: mom guilt.  Her solution? To launch her own company with the goal to give women a space to work with the freedom and flexibility to focus on family.  Throughout this episode, Leslie and Rick discuss how she navigated corporate America and the moments that led to Godwin Retail Group. Tune in to hear about Leslie's defining moments!LinksRick West Plum Leslie GodwinGodwin Retail Group

After graduating with a degree in economics and finance, Ben realized no matter where his career went, he wanted to play an active role in others' development. Ben's story is a reminder of an important lesson—you don't have to have everything figured out right away and it's okay to explore multiple options. Tune in to hear how Ben approached taking the next right step.LinksRick West Plum Ben KirkseyTeach for AmericaIdeosWorkmatters

From being born in Turkey, to moving to Iraq during the war at the age of three, and then moving to a tiny apartment in New York City a few years later, Canem Arkan experienced culture shock at a young age. During these formative years, Canem realized she was capable of adapting and built a deep connection with her family. Throughout this episode, Canem and Rick discuss stepping out of your comfort zone and the importance of your support system when it comes to your career. Rick WestPlum  Canem ArkanEndeavor

After spending two years in New Delhi, India, Joe Futterer found himself moving back to the United States in the middle of the 2008 recession. Armed with his confidence, community, and the least helpful degree for finding a job in America (Times said it, not us), he found himself at the doors of Field Agent, hoping to break into business. Throughout this episode, Joe and Rick discuss the significance of relationships, moving overseas and back, being a dreamer, and much more. Tune in to hear about Joe's defining moments!

Halfway through Gabe Wight's successful twenty-year career, a difficult development in his personal life forced him to choose between putting his family first and continuing with his career. Through support from his work community, Gabe realized the need for flexibility in his career, as he needed to prioritize family. Throughout this episode, Gabe and Rick discuss the benefits of maintaining favorable working relationships and how circumstances in Gabe's home life changed his career trajectory. Tune in to hear about Gabe's defining moments!

Growing up an animal lover, it's no surprise Kindra Maples' first experience in the work world was volunteering at a zoo. After learning more about the behavioral side of animals, she realized the training she was doing applied to people as well. Therefore, she transitioned into the operational side of things and devoted the rest of her career to working with individuals in leadership. Throughout this episode, Kindra and Rick discuss passion versus purpose and how she is helping teams work through their culture. Tune in to hear about Kindra's defining moments!

After graduating with a finance degree and working in the automotive world for two years, Brian Stormes found himself accepting an opportunity to work in consumer packaged goods. During his time there, he was presented with a career-defining question: did he want to lead a team or continue contributing to one? Brian chose leadership, and that decision led him on a journey of humility and self-reflection. Throughout this episode, Brian and Rick discuss the differences between being an individual contributor versus a leader and how professional coaching can lead to self-improvement. Tune in to hear about Brian's defining moments!

We believe everyone has a defining moment. Moments that redirect our path or change the way we engage with clients, peers, and coworkers.The mission of Push Go is to highlight the turning points of peoples' stories and empower listeners to take on their defining moments—finding advice and encouragement from those who have walked a similar path.Presented by Plum. Powered by Go Rogue X.