Better Faster Further

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 ⁠bff@betterfasterfurther.com⁠ 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 ⁠bff@betterfasterfurther.com⁠ 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 ⁠bff@betterfasterfurther.com⁠ 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 ⁠bff@betterfasterfurther.com⁠ 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 ⁠bff@betterfasterfurther.com⁠ 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 ⁠bff@betterfasterfurther.com⁠ 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 bff@betterfasterfurther.com 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 bff@betterfasterfurther.com 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 bff@betterfasterfurther.com 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 bff@betterfasterfurther.com 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: bff@betterfasterfurther.com

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 bff@betterfasterfurther.com. 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 bff@betterfasterfurther.com.

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 bff@betterfasterfurther.com.