In this episode, I share one of my favorite personal stories of adversity, mindset, and triumph. I rewind back to my freshman year at the University of Illinois when my mind and body were totally out of sync. I felt like my D1 athlete dreams were slipping away and I didn’t know how to get back on track.

I’m joined by Dr. Margaret Rutherford, a psychologist with over 25 years of experience, author of Perfectly Hidden Depression, and host of The SelfWork Podcast. Listen to today’s episode to hear how Dr. Margaret is breaking down barriers and normalizing conversations about mental health.

I’m joined by Steven Benedict, a professional track and field athlete and Olympic Trials Qualifier, to discuss his incredible story and how he’s working to create sustainable change in the foster care system.

I’m joined by chef, food blogger, photographer, recipe developer, and creator of Ask Chef Dennis®, Dennis Littley. We discuss his varied career as a chef, and what inspired him to get out of his comfort zone and develop the Ask Chef Dennis® brand. We also touch on his passion for the work that the folks over at Feeding America do to ensure equitable access to nutritious food for all Americans.

I’m joined by Dr. Mandeep Rai, an international best-selling author, speaker, and broadcast journalist. She is the author of The Values Compass: What 101 Countries Teach Us About Purpose, Life and Leadership, which details how to incorporate values from other nations into your own life. We discuss her research and writing process, as well as her mission and vision for educating world leaders about national values.

I’m joined by executive coach, speaker, author Michael O’Brian. We discuss what inspired him to launch his Peloton Executive Coaching business and Pause Breathe Reflect™ movement, his upcoming 45-Day TransAmerica Bicycle Trail charity ride, and the amazing mission behind the World Bicycle Relief charity. We also touch on the power of meditation, mindfulness, and community.

Scott MacGregor is the founder & CEO of SomethingNew LLC, one of the fastest-growing talent strategy companies in the country, and the founder of Talent Champions Council, a membership community for innovative Talent Strategy. “People Over Everything” is more than a business motto一it’s a lifestyle. Scott is dedicated to investing in people and giving back. On today’s episode, Scott and I discuss his interpretation of what it means to be bigger than yourself and highlight some of his favorite charities.

Christine Handy is a mother of two, a breast cancer survivor, international speaker, accomplished model, best-selling author, and a nationally-recognized humanitarian. Her lifestyle came to a halt at 35 when two major health issues affected her career. At 42, Christine was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer and struggled with her will to live. During chemotherapy treatment, she decided that if she was going to get a second chance at life, she was going to do it differently. It’s her mission to uplift other people battling life-threatening illnesses.

If you haven’t already listened to episode 9 where I speak with John and Mark X. Cronin of John’s Crazy Socks, check that out to hear our conversation about their amazing mission and connection with the Special Olympics. Following that episode, I wanted to share how I first learned about the Special Olympics and discovered what it meant to be a part of something bigger than myself.

John and Mark X. Cronin are the father-son team behind John’s Crazy Socks, a social enterprise with a mission to spread happiness. John is a 26-year-old entrepreneur who happens to have Down syndrome. When John isn’t at the warehouse making design decisions, writing handwritten notes for each order, or wrangling socks, he and Mark are talking at conferences and doing advocacy work. The Giving Back program is at the center of their mission and they have raised nearly $500,000 for their charity partners.