After years of doing all the “right” things — building the brand, scaling the business, chasing the vision — Olga found herself feeling out of alignment, unfulfilled, and disconnected from her truth. In this powerful conversation, she opens up about the identity shift that changed everything: learning to release control, soften into her feminine, and rebuild from a place of deep embodiment and presence. We talk about navigating the in-between, releasing old versions of ourselves, and what it really means to redefine success on your own terms.
After suddenly losing the business he spent years building, Coach Jimmy Nelson found himself back at square one—navigating fear, uncertainty, and the pressure to rebuild in a completely new way. In this conversation, he opens up about the emotional and spiritual journey of starting over in his 40s, the shift from promoting other people’s work to owning his own voice, and how he’s now helping entrepreneurs craft high-stakes stories that land clients, raise capital, and build real connection. We talk faith, storytelling, reinvention, and what it takes to keep moving forward when your plan gets wiped clean.
Entrepreneurship isn’t for the faint of heart—and Larry Vivola proves it. On this episode, Alec dives into Larry’s story of building a successful pasta business, losing nearly everything, and rising up to coach hundreds of business owners across the country. They talk comeback stories, coaching philosophies, and the underrated power of gratitude, patience, and perspective. Larry also shares his personal transformation, including how he lost 150 pounds and kept it off. This is an episode about resilience in every sense of the word.
In this powerful and heartfelt episode, Alec sits down with faith-filled entrepreneur and coach Melani Sessa for an unforgettable conversation about resilience, purpose, and reinvention.Melani opens up about her spiritual journey, the deeply personal loss of her son, and how that tragedy put a magnifying glass on what really matters in life. She shares how faith, family, and selfless service have shaped her identity—and how midlife women can rediscover their voice, build a brand rooted in authenticity, and step into their spotlight season.
What happens when you land in a new country with $1,100, no connections, and barely any English? If you’re Monica Vallero—you build a legacy.In this episode, Alec sits down with transformational coach, clinical hypnotherapist, and former actress Monica Vallero for a deep conversation on identity, self-worth, business growth, and motherhood. Monica shares her bold journey from the stages of Italy to becoming a sought-after coach helping visionary entrepreneurs become the only choice for their clients.They talk about invisible barriers that sabotage success, regulating your nervous system as a business skill, and why “just posting more” isn’t a real strategy. If you’ve ever struggled with being seen, charging your worth, or trying to do it all—you need to hear this.
In this episode, Alec sits down with Coach Greg Hess—former executive, lifelong basketball coach, pancreatic cancer survivor, and business strategist on a mission. After a shocking diagnosis flipped his life upside down, Greg walked out of the hospital with a new purpose: to coach others into becoming their most impactful, fulfilled selves.This is a conversation about resilience, legacy, and discovering your true why—before it’s too late. Greg shares the surprising moment he realized his gift wasn’t just winning games or growing businesses, but giving assists in life. From walking into hospital rooms to lift others up, to helping entrepreneurs scale companies rooted in purpose, his story is packed with insight and warmth.
What do you do when the business you built nearly kills you? In this raw and empowering episode, Alec sits down with veteran coach and speaker Dena Patton to unpack her powerful comeback story—from experiencing a stroke after selling her first business, to rebuilding her life, voice, and brand from the ground up.Dena shares the mindset shifts that changed everything, how she tripled her business by focusing on her “brilliant lanes,” and why clarity—not hustle—is the true engine of success. They dive into the difference between a greatness mindset vs. a smallness mindset, how to attract aligned clients, and what most people get wrong when chasing revenue over purpose.If you’ve ever felt like you’re climbing the wrong mountain, or burning out trying to build your dream, this episode will realign your path and remind you what actually matters.
In this episode, Alec sits down with Kat Weaver — founder, pitch queen, and startup strategist — to unpack how she won 22 pitch competitions, raised six figures in non-dilutive funding, and built a company from her dorm room that she later exited. Kat shares how she turned chaos into clarity, and why most founders don’t struggle with their product—they struggle with their story. From navigating investor conversations to building community through storytelling, Kat breaks down the exact mindset and messaging frameworks she now teaches to help other founders raise millions. If you’re building something meaningful and want your message to land, this episode is a masterclass in communication, confidence, and founder grit.
In this episode, Irina Alexander shares how hitting rock bottom with burnout led her to transform her life from selling her HVAC business, diving into NLP, and building a neuroscience-based training company that now works with first responders, government leaders, and high-stress professionals. We explore the emotional patterns that keep people stuck, the power of self-awareness, why most people miss the signs of burnout, and what it really means to live fully—beyond survival mode.
In this powerful conversation, Alec sits down with Sandra Glandt — high-performance business coach, fitness competitor, mom of two, and founder of The High Performance Accelerator Academy. Sandra opens up about her journey from pageants and parenting to scaling impactful businesses while staying rooted in family values. She shares the habits, mindset shifts, and systems that allow busy women to thrive personally and professionally, even with just a few hours a day. If you’ve ever felt torn between building your dream life and being present for the people you love, this episode is packed with perspective, strategy, and inspiration you don’t want to miss.
In this episode, Alec sits down with Tracey Armstrong—pastor, high-performance coach, and visionary entrepreneur—for a wide-ranging conversation on legacy, leadership, and living a purpose-driven life. Tracey unpacks what it means to truly build a tribe, how faith intersects with entrepreneurship, and why clarity of mind and emotional resilience are essential for long-term success. Together, they explore the power of specificity in messaging, the importance of building your own platform, and the mindset shifts required to turn vision into momentum. If you’re someone who wants to create deep impact while staying rooted in your values, this one is for you.
n this episode, Alec sits down with Ana Melikian — psychologist, speaker, and host of The Mindset Zone to explore how we can rewire our thinking, redefine success, and ride the massive wave of AI disruption without losing ourselves in the process. Ana shares her journey from clinical psychology in Portugal to becoming a global thought leader in mindset, including how a cancer diagnosis reshaped her beliefs around hard work. They discuss the science behind mindset, the danger of aimless productivity, the difference between implementation and exploration, and how to cultivate deep self-awareness in a world that never slows down. This one’s for anyone who’s ready to lead with intention, upgrade their inner operating system, and build a better world without burnout.
What do you do when life hits hard, money’s low, and the tow truck is literally outside? If you’re Nicholas Marque, you build a six-figure business anyway and help others do the same.In this powerful episode, Alec sits down with Nicholas Marque, a business coach and launch strategist, to unpack the real, raw journey from catering baby showers for $100 to landing Fortune 500 clients and helping everyday professionals escape the 9-to-5 through premium offers and launch events.Nicholas shares how growing up in a house centered on service shaped his mission, why he walked away from culinary school (despite loving food), and how loss, faith, and a few hard-won lessons reshaped his business and message. From personal heartbreak to professional breakthroughs, this episode is packed with stories, strategy, and soulful reminders of what really matters.
In this raw, powerful, and wisdom-packed episode, Alec sits down with transformational coach, leadership expert, and personal branding powerhouse Shaan Rais — a man whose journey from the streets of old Harlem to multi-million dollar impact is as gripping as it is inspiring.Shaan opens up about the brands that were placed on him growing up — hoodlum, dropout, statistic — and how, after years of struggle, he finally decided to reject the false labels and rewrite his narrative. From outgrowing the bravado that once kept him safe to learning how to smile again, Shaan shares the deeply personal evolution that led him to three master’s degrees, bestselling books, and helping executives find confidence, clarity, and purpose through identity work.He unpacks the importance of DISC assessments, how self-awareness transformed his relationships, and why success doesn’t require perfection — just progress and truth. You’ll also hear about his favorite client story, retiring a military veteran and his wife through fractional CFO positioning, and how anyone at any stage can make a difference by showing up as their real self.If you’ve ever questioned your timeline, battled imposter syndrome, or wondered if it’s too late to reinvent yourself — this episode is your reminder that branding isn’t what you do, it’s who you become.
In this expansive and energizing episode, Alec sits down with entrepreneur, executive coach, and vitality expert Jennifer Masley, whose journey from triathlons and beach bootcamps to owning seven restaurants and running a transformative cleanse business is nothing short of wild — and deeply inspiring.Jennifer shares how losing everything in the 2008 financial crash, caring for her husband during a year-long leukemia battle, and raising two kids at the same time led her to one clear truth: fear is an illusion — and we are far more powerful than we realize.She dives into how cleansing the body creates unexpected spiritual breakthroughs, how our inner and outer environments are deeply connected, and why many business problems are actually personal blockages in disguise. Her concept of vitality as a birthright threads through everything — from coaching Fortune 500 executives to helping people reconnect to their fire.If you’ve ever felt called to create something bigger but found yourself stuck in fear, doubt, or burnout — Jennifer’s story might just be the nudge you didn’t know you needed.
In this deep and nourishing episode, Alec sits down with Raeanne Lacatena — therapist, Reiki master, author of The Integrated Entrepreneur, and a powerhouse spiritual teacher disguised as a business coach.Together, they unpack the real path to sustainable success — not through hacks or hustle, but by honoring who you already are. Raeanne shares her unique journey from clinical therapist to spiritually-aligned business owner, the trauma that once kept her off stage, and how she came to speak confidently in front of thousands (after once freezing under the spotlight).She reveals why business is the ultimate personal development tool, how gratitude (done right) can rewire your nervous system, and the transformational moment when she chose impact over fear — a decision rooted in self-transcendence.They dive into generational trauma, spiritual parenting, flow states, the energetic difference between masculine and feminine leadership, and how to build a business that feels just as good as it looks.If you’re a purpose-driven entrepreneur who’s done well but knows there’s a next level — this is the one.
In this deep and soul-stirring episode, Alec sits down with longtime friend and mentor Albert Pellissier — a serial entrepreneur, coach, and author of What’s On Your Back Burner?Albert opens up about the moment he realized that despite having everything society says should make you happy — the house, the businesses, the net worth — he was still grouchy, disconnected, and unfulfilled. What followed was a journey into meditation, inner awareness, and uncovering the hidden emotional conflicts that had silently shaped his life.He shares how sitting in silence each morning brought forward surprising insights (including meeting a local celebrity he had visualized days earlier), how the philosophy of “fill your present place” turned a struggling hair salon into a thriving mentorship hub, and how unresolved childhood disappointments were holding him back decades later — even from winning speech competitions.Albert also dives into shadow work, subconscious blocks, and how all transformation begins with a willingness to feel what you’ve been avoiding. If you’re hitting invisible walls in business or life, this episode might just reveal the hidden parts of yourself that are running the show.
In this episode, Alec sits down with Sari Kimble — reinvention coach, author, and entrepreneur helping people design lives they actually want to live. Sari shares her bold journey from walking away from a 10-year marriage, losing her job, and turning 40 in the same year… to rebuilding her identity, launching two businesses, and spending her 50th year traveling the world.Sari unpacks what it really means to reinvent yourself — not just externally through business or lifestyle, but internally through mindset, self-worth, and aligned decision-making. She reveals why most people are chasing desires that don’t even belong to them, and how to finally tune into what you authentically want.Sari also breaks down how she built a thriving coaching business without doing any of the “shoulds,” why generosity and relationships are her #1 growth strategy, and the most powerful question you can ask yourself before any big life decision. If you’ve ever felt stuck in a version of life that no longer fits, this is a can’t-miss episode.
In this episode of the Smashing Brands Podcast, Alec sits down with David Wetmore, a retired life coach and former business owner with over 15 years of coaching experience and a lifetime of wisdom. From building and selling his environmental consulting business to guiding others through powerful life transformations, David shares honest reflections on what it really means to live intentionally — and how we often get in our own way.They dive deep into the nature of authentic desire, the illusions of external success, the trap of chasing outcomes, and how to come back to presence, purpose, and peace. David also shares his personal turning points — including a transformational moment after a difficult divorce — and the books, beliefs, and perspectives that changed the trajectory of his life.If you’re someone who values meaningful conversation, personal growth, and grounded life wisdom, this episode is for you.
In this episode of The Smashing Brands Podcast, Alec sits down with Brad Blazar — former oil and gas entrepreneur turned globally recognized capital-raising coach. Brad shares his wild journey from launching an oil company at 23 to raising over $2 billion in capital across various industries. He breaks down how anyone can build wealth using other people’s money, the art of packaging opportunities, and why raising capital isn’t just for the elite.Brad also opens up about how publishing a forgotten book on a floppy disk led to a global speaking and coaching career, and the key philosophies that drive his success today. If you’re looking to master the mindset and skill set behind attracting investors, this is a can’t-miss episode.