In Episode 3 of Season 2 of Hold The Standard, Logan Gelbrich sits down with celebrity chef, restaurateur, and TV personality Antonia Lofaso for a raw and inspiring conversation about the relentless pursuit of greatness. From her early days in culinary school to navigating the highs and lows of building a restaurant empire, Antonia shares her journey with unflinching honesty. This episode explores the power of embracing failure, the value of humility, and the importance of leadership in fostering growth—not just for yourself, but for your team. Antonia opens up about her commitment to mentorship, the sacrifices behind success, and the mindset that has helped her transcend the kitchen to become a force in the culinary and business world. Whether you're an aspiring chef, entrepreneur, or leader in any field, this episode will inspire you to push past mediocrity, embrace the grind, and choose greatness every day. Tune in for a masterclass in resilience, passion, and purpose.
In Episode 2 of Season 2 of Hold The Standard, host Logan Gelbrich welcomes filmmaker Tyler Nilson to discuss the profound journey of pursuing creative excellence and personal growth. Tyler recounts his transformation from living in a tent to co-creating the award-winning film Peanut Butter Falcon, sharing insights into the role of curiosity, resilience, and unwavering commitment in achieving success. This candid conversation explores the challenges of cutting out distractions, the importance of community, and the vulnerability required to create meaningful work. Tyler's story is a testament to the power of embracing fear, leaning into discomfort, and staying true to your vision, even when the odds seem insurmountable. Whether you're navigating creative pursuits, building a business, or redefining your purpose, this episode offers practical inspiration to help you align with your passion and push beyond your limits.
The Hold The Standard Podcast is back with Season 2, and this time, host Logan Gelbrich dives deep into the heart of leadership and creativity. In this episode, Logan welcomes his longtime friend Zack Parker—a former 10-year professional baseball player turned filmmaker and past-life regression guide. Zack’s unconventional journey reveals how embracing creativity can help you meet the next version of yourself, even when you don’t know what’s next. From navigating professional sports to producing the acclaimed film Thunder Road and exploring spiritual growth, Zack shares how curiosity, failure, and relentless exploration shaped his life. This episode is packed with insights on overcoming self-doubt, understanding the power of taste in creativity, and learning to "work it out" instead of waiting for things to work out. Whether you’re striving for personal growth, building a business, or simply facing life’s uncertainties, this conversation will challenge you to choose leadership and embrace the unknown. Tune in, and get ready to reframe how you think about failure, creativity, and what’s possible. Learn more about Zach’s work at Narrativerecalibration.com. Welcome to Season 2. Choose leadership. Choose creativity. Want to get in the game? Head to HoldTheStandardard.com to learn more about how to grow your leadership capacity.
Episode 7 wraps the ’Season 1’ conversation on the pursuit of our peak expression by applying it to the collective. Logan asks listeners to express leadership inside of group dynamics. Listeners will understand the opportunities and the common faults that arise when humans work together. On one hand it’s our most powerful evolutionary tool and, on the other hand, teams, organization, and community are ripe with struggle as complexity increases exponentially when two or more are gathered. This episode has appearances from ‘Season 1’ regulars like director, Tyler Nilson and former UFC fighter, Tait Fletcher. Dr. Cara Miller advances the conversation about group dynamics and we hear from boots on the ground business leadership from thought-leader in the coffee world, Nicely Abel, and celebrity chef, Antonia Lofaso. As if the cast needs more support, there are insightful bonus clips from 50 Cent, Oprah Winfrey, and more! Thank you for choosing leadership and enjoy the show. Text HTSPOD to 855-909-1350 for supporting materials.
Episode 6 buttons up the ultimate justification for pursuing our peak expression with the claim that the skills one develops in pursuit are highly transferable. Logan confronts a common reason folks shy away from pursuing out peak expression, which is the fear of failure. Logan claims that vulnerably attempting greatness offers the utility of skill transferability whether you’re “successful” or not. The episode opens with wise words from Admiral William H. McRaven and a key point from business mogul, Gary V. The conversation progresses with impactful insights from interviews with Top Chef All-star, Antonia Lofaso, former gymnast, Carl Paoli, and developmental psychologist, Dr. Cara Miller. This episode marks the first time listeners hear from an interview with former UFC fighter, actor, entrepreneur, Tait Fletcher, and has a return appearance from world-renown photographer, Vava Ribiero. There are also surprise clips from Brené Brown and Jordan Peterson. Thank you for choosing leadership and enjoy the show. Text HTSPOD to 855-909-1350 for supporting materials.
Episode 5 examines the pinnacle human experience: flow. Logan offers that not only is flow a worthy pursuit for a number of reason, the pursuit of it could very well be the meaning of life. Season 1 of the podcast has moved sequentially through the linear developmental truths for those who pursue their best selves and it’s no coincidence that the necessary ingredients for the deepest flow states are literally the concepts of proceeding episodes. Listeners will hear the voice of the man whose research brought the name “flow” and the science that backs it, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, as well as the voices of best-selling authors Steven Kotler & Sky Nelson-Issacs. Season 1 guests Carl Paoli, Chef Antonia Lofaso, Bboy Kid David, and NCAA Baseball Coach Rich Hill also make key real world contributions. Thank you for choosing leadership and enjoy the show. Text HTSPOD to 855-909-1350 for supporting materials.
Episode 4 addresses that which binds us: adversity. Logan offers that we all experience adversity, but some people are better at it that others. Could pursuing your peak expression make you more fit for unknowable life struggles?Listeners will hear from Hollywood’s hottest new director, Tyler Nilson, as well as Chef Antonia Lofaso and photographer Vava Ribiero. This episode not only features the unexpected troubles sustainable toothbrush company founder, Christina Ramirez, had to overcome when her first batch of product had to be trashed, you’ll also hear never before heard audio recordings from Logan Gelbrich as he and his DEUCE Gym team navigated the most challenging moment in the history of the fitness business. Thank you for choosing leadership and enjoy the show. Text HTSPOD to 855-909-1350 for supporting materials.
Episode 3 unveils the mechanics of mastery while pursuit of one’s peak expression: a large body of deep work. Logan asks listeners to transcend the 10,000 hour rule with quality. Listeners will understand the mechanics of deliberate practice with the help of real interviews with BBoy Kid David, Chef Antonia Lofaso, USD Baseball coach Rich Hill, and 3-Time World Latte Art Champion, Nicely Abel. As always, Dr. Cara Miller, will help listeners integrate the notion of practice in arenas of life where “practice” doesn’t seem obvious. Thank you for choosing leadership and enjoy the show. Text HTSPOD to 855-909-1350 for supporting materials.
Episode 2 is the foundation for the pursuit of one’s peak expression: commitment. Logan investigates unique levels of commitment in rich interviews with one of the winningest NCAA Division I baseball coaches alive, Rich Hill, and Top Chef All-Star, Antonia Lofaso. Episode 2 also features BBoy Kid David, Brazilian photographer Vava Ribiero, and award-winning writer/director, Tyler Nilson (The Peanut Butter Falcon). Supporting ideas from developmental psychologist, Dr. Cara Miller, push the listeners’ thinking throughout the episode. Thank you for choosing leadership and enjoy the show.
Motivated people only. 'Season 1' of the Hold the Standard™ Podcast addresses one of life’s most important questions: “How shall we spend out time here?” Logan Gelbrich offers a hypothesis that the pursuit of our peak expression affords those willing to take the plunge a set of progressive, invaluable attributes outlined in his book, ‘Going Right’. Before you embark on your journey, however, you’ll need to know where you want to go. Yet, most don’t have a clue where to start. Episode 1 offers that the road map to the attributes of ‘Going Right’ is paved first with curiosity. Logan uses supporting interviews from the late Dr. Richard Feynman, Dwolla CEO, Ben Milne, Neil Degrasse Tyson, and Chris Wire of TEDxDayton to get to the bottom of curiosity. This episode also features exclusive interviews with famed Brazilian photographer, Vava Ribiero, developmental coach, Dr. Cara Miller, world renown coach, Carl Paoli, and PlusUltra founder, Christina Ramirez. Thank you for choosing leadership and enjoy the show.
In this episode of Hold The Standard, host Logan Gelbrich sits down with Pat Dossett, former Navy SEAL and co-founder of Madefor, for a powerful conversation about identity, leadership, and the hidden cost of chasing external validation.Pat unpacks his journey from high-stakes military service to the world of behavior change and human development, reflecting on how his years in Naval Special Warfare shaped his mindset and how he had to unlearn parts of it to fully grow. What emerges is a deeply thoughtful take on high performance, vulnerability, and the courage to evolve beyond the roles we’ve been assigned.Together, they explore:• What it takes to transition from elite military service to civilian impact• The role of daily practices in shaping identity• How trauma, ego, and purpose intersect in leadership• Why discipline is most powerful when it's rooted in compassion• The internal war between “doing more” and actually being betterThis episode invites listeners into a nuanced and honest reflection on what it means to pursue growth not as a performance, but as a way of living with integrity.
In this special roundtable episode of Hold The Standard, host Logan Gelbrich is joined by three dynamic thinkers Carl Paoli (movement pioneer), Tait Fletcher (actor, entrepreneur, and former fighter), and Dr. Cara Miller (organizational psychologist and leadership coach) for a raw and revealing conversation about growth, resistance, and who we become in the process.What happens when high performers from radically different worlds come together to talk truth? You get a conversation that spans ego, vulnerability, mastery, and the ever-present tension between who you are and who you’re becoming.Together, they explore:• The invisible walls we build to protect ourselves from discomfort• How leadership is less about power and more about responsibility• What happens when you stop outsourcing your identity to external metrics• The psychology of becoming versus achieving• The real work of showing up in integrity in business, relationships, and lifeThis is not a highlight reel. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at the inner lives of people who push themselves to the edge—and choose to keep going anyway.
In this episode of Hold The Standard, host Logan Gelbrich is joined by chef and restaurateur Brian Bornemann, the force behind Los Angeles dining spots like Crudo e Nudo, Isla, and Isla Pasta to unpack what it really means to create something that lasts in a transient, image-obsessed world.From walking away from fine dining to rewriting the rules with purpose-driven restaurants, Brian shares how he’s using food as a tool to build systems that are sustainable, equitable, and rooted in real integrity.They get into:• Why Brian abandoned the traditional fine dining path for something more meaningful• What it means to build a restaurant that reflects your personal evolution• How his team is redefining success in the hospitality industry• The tension between scaling and maintaining soul• Vulnerability, reinvention, and leadership through values rather than egoThis is a raw, thoughtful conversation about purpose, identity, and doing the hard thing for the right reasons even when no one’s watching.
In this episode of Hold The Standard, host Logan Gelbrich sits down with legendary barista and café owner Nicely Abel Alameda better known simply as Nicely to talk about craft, culture, and building something that actually matters.From his early days behind the espresso machine to becoming a U.S. Barista Champion. Nicely shares how he built more than just a coffee shop. He built a community.This conversation dives into:• The discipline and repetition behind world-class barista work• What it means to be a craftsman in a hype-driven world• Balancing art and business in creative entrepreneurship• Why Menotti’s is as much about people as it is about coffee• Navigating authenticity, identity, and success in a growing industryNicely’s approach to coffee is a metaphor for life: consistent, intentional, and built on real connection. If you're a creative, entrepreneur, or just someone trying to do meaningful work in a loud world, this one’s for you.
In this episode of Hold The Standard, Logan Gelbrich sits down with restaurateur and entrepreneur Nick Monica to explore how the kitchen became his dojo for growth, grit, and leadership.From opening local hotspots in New Orleans to learning how to be the person his team can rely on, Nick shares how high-pressure environments like restaurants demand more than skill they require self-awareness, decisiveness, and the ability to lead without losing your soul.This conversation explores• How growing up in the service industry shaped his worldview and work ethic• The thin line between chaos and excellence in a kitchen• What it means to hold space as a leader while being in the fire• Why building community is a byproduct of personal presence and commitment• Lessons from success, failure, and trying again with more clarityNick’s story isn’t just about food. It is about becoming someone you would follow when things get real.
In this episode of Hold The Standard, host Logan Gelbrich sits down with world-renowned dancer and movement artist Kid David to explore what it means to pursue excellence in craft and in life.From underground battle circles to global stages, Kid David’s story is a testament to longevity, reinvention, and staying rooted in self-respect while the world demands conformity. He unpacks the evolution of breaking, the emotional cost of creative success, and what it takes to sustain your edge without selling out.Together, they dive into• The mindset behind becoming a top tier B-Boy and artist• How to navigate fame, criticism, and ego while staying true to your values• The unspoken connection between physical expression and emotional maturity• What it means to practice like you perform across all domains of life• The personal toll of always trying to prove yourself and how to reclaim joy in the workThis isn’t just about dance. It is about integrity, identity, and the pressure to perform in a culture that rewards the loudest voice over the deepest truth.
In this gripping episode of Hold The Standard, host Logan Gelbrich sits down with José Arellano, Vice President of Homeboy Industries, the world’s largest gang rehabilitation and reentry program.From solitary confinement to civic leadership, José’s journey is one of radical transformation, healing, and purpose-driven service. He shares how he overcame a life shaped by incarceration, violence, and systemic injustice to become a community leader, mentor, and advocate for second chances.Together, they explore:• The power of rehabilitation and reentry programs• What it takes to break generational cycles of trauma and violence• The real meaning of accountability, leadership, and redemption• How Homeboy Industries creates pathways for personal and social transformation• Why integrity and stillness are essential in the pursuit of purposeThis is not just a story of recovery—it’s a masterclass in personal growth, social justice, and redefining success on your own terms.
In this episode of Hold The Standard, Logan Gelbrich welcomes renowned photographer and creative explorer Vava Ribeiro for a conversation that blurs the lines between art, discipline, and identity. Vava opens up about his path from São Paulo to the global creative stage, and the internal transformation that shaped him more than any external success ever could.This dialogue dives intoHow curiosity and risk led Vava from athlete to artistThe lessons learned from stepping off the path of certaintyWhy creativity demands surrender and spaceThe practice of becoming more human through artistic expressionWhat it means to see clearly—through a camera and through lifeMore than a story about photography, this is an episode about listening to the voice that calls you to evolve. It’s about giving up control, trusting discomfort, and creating a life rooted in truth.For anyone navigating change, seeking deeper connection, or questioning who they are beyond their roles, this conversation is a mirror and a map.
In this episode of Hold The Standard, host Logan Gelbrich sits down with performance coach and educator Tex McQuilkin for a sharp and deeply personal conversation on what it means to truly earn the title of leader.From his early days coaching collegiate athletes to co-founding Power Athlete alongside John Welbourn, Tex breaks down the often overlooked elements of high-performance training ritual, rhythm, storytelling, and accountability. But this isn’t just a conversation about sets and reps. It’s about becoming someone people want to follow.Together, they unpack:Why leadership must be earned, not assumedThe hidden role of storytelling and identity in movement and coachingHow to create transferable physical training for life’s unpredictable demandsWhy discipline and structure are the foundation for creativity and freedomThe importance of coaching the whole person, not just the athleteWhether you’re a coach, athlete, or anyone seeking to build systems of integrity, this episode challenges you to reflect on the standards you uphold and who you’re becoming in the process.This episode is about more than performance. It’s about becoming the kind of person others trust with their growth.