The Powerhouse Mentality

40 Episodes
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By: Kaitlyn Kenna Smith

We all have a story. My mission in life and with this podcast is to help you stop tolerating your own bullshit to finally win in life. This podcast will teach you how to become the best version of yourself; mind, body and soul. When you never stop learning, keep the commitments you make to yourself and intentionally seek discomfort; you are truly limitless. I'm here to show you through my story and the story of others that anything is possible when you are willing to suffer a little bit more. 

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Persistence Over Perfection: Building VMI Sports with Tom Reilly
#331
Yesterday at 6:00 PM

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What does it actually take to build something that lasts?

I sat down with Tom Reilly, one of the founders of VMI Sports, for a conversation about supplements, entrepreneurship, and the one thing he believes matters more than getting everything right: persistence.

We get into the story behind VMI, the intention behind their formulas, the explosion of creatine, and why Tom describes VMI as a “supplement company that markets, not a marketing company that supplements.” For him, innovation isn’t thro...


5 Questions to Ask Before Buying Any Supplement
#330
08/27/2026

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Before you spend money on another supplement, take a step back and evaluate what you’re actually buying.

In this episode, I break down five essential questions that can help you look beyond bold claims, trendy ingredients, flashy packaging, and influencer marketing. You’ll learn how to evaluate a supplement based on its purpose, formula, ingredient doses, and overall value - not simply what appears on the front of the label.

We cover:

What is your goal?
Why every supplement decision should begin with a clea...


The State of the Supplement Industry: Transparency, Collabs & Bullshit With Shaun Hawley
#329
08/20/2026

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The Bearded Gorilla is BACK.

Shaun Hawley returns to the podcast for another completely unfiltered conversation about the supplement industry - where it’s been, where it’s going, and what’s actually winning right now.

We get into the rise of transparency and why proprietary blends have become nearly impossible to defend, what separates a great product from a great BRAND, why flavor matters even though taste is completely subjective, and how collaborations and nostalgia have become some of the biggest forces shaping supplements and energy drinks.

We a...


From Entry-Level to Executive: The Reality of Success with Aaron Summers
#328
08/13/2026

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What does it actually take to build one of the most respected brands in sports nutrition?

In this episode, I sit down with Aaron Summers, Executive at 1st Phorm, to talk about the 13-year journey of helping build the company from the ground up. We go far beyond supplements and into the principles that create lasting success—discipline, culture, leadership, delayed gratification, and holding yourself to a higher standard.

We discuss why so many people chase titles instead of earning them, how 1st Phorm's Legionnaire pr...


The Truth About the Supplement Industry With Robik From Apollon Nutrition
#327
08/06/2026

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Most supplement companies sell hype.

Very few build trust.

In this episode, I sit down with Robik, owner of Apollon Nutrition, for one of the most honest conversations I've had about the supplement industry.

We break down why transparency matters, how brands manipulate consumers through marketing, why many influencers have lost credibility, and what actually separates great supplement companies from mediocre ones.

We also dive into how Apollon was built from a small gym into one of the industry's most respected...


Overrated Brands, Proprietary Blends & Supplement Industry Bullshit With Justin Hall
#326
07/30/2026

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Justin Hall; aka Supplement Snoop, is back for round two, and this conversation went exactly where you’d expect: all over the supplement industry with absolutely zero filter.

We break down why a great formula alone isn’t enough to build a successful brand, why “clinically dosed” doesn’t automatically mean better, and why proprietary blends still piss us off. Justin also pulls back the curtain on the realities of building myQ Brain Food; from manufacturing and inventory to razor-thin margins and the hidden costs most aspiring brand owners never consider.

We al...


The Truth About Pain, Mobility & Staying Injury-Free With Primal Mobility's Matt Phili
#325
07/23/2026

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Most people think mobility means stretching.

Matt Phili is here to tell you that's only a small piece of the puzzle.

In this episode, Kaitlyn sits down with the founder of Primal Mobility to discuss why so many people continue to struggle with chronic pain despite stretching, foam rolling, and trying every "fix" under the sun.

Matt breaks down the real difference between flexibility and mobility, why strength in end ranges matters, and how limitations in areas like the ankles, hips, and thoracic spine can create pain...


3 Traits That Could Change Your Life
#324
07/16/2026

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We are back on the mic for a solo episode...

Most people don't need another motivational quote. They need a framework.

In this episode, I break down the 3 traits that I genuinely believe can completely change the trajectory of your life:

Learn Fast – Stop making the same mistakes over and over. Every setback should teach you something.

Stay in the Fight – Success isn't reserved for the most talented people. It's often reserved for the people who refuse to quit.

Go...


The Mindset Behind Building Great Supplements With Dave Rynecki
#323
07/01/2026

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If you've ever wondered what actually goes into creating a great supplement, this episode is for you.

I sat down with Dave Rynecki, Director of Research & Development for Crush It Brands (Core Nutritionals, Unmatched, and 'Merica Labz), to pull back the curtain on what happens long before a product ever hits store shelves.

We talked about everything from ingredient selection and flavor development to branding, innovation, and why the best products are built with intention—not just hype. Dave also shares his journey from being a burned-out pe...


What Happens When You Refuse To Quit With Dillian Falbe
#322
06/16/2026

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Most people only see the success. They don't see the eviction notices. They don't see the storage unit. They don't see the nights spent wondering how they're going to pay rent the next month.

In this episode of The Powerhouse Journal Podcast, I sit down with Dillian Falbe, the head of sales for Alchemy Labs and Nutra Authority, to discuss his incredible journey through the supplement industry.

We talk about:

• How a single interaction with a MusclePharm rep sparked his desire to work in supplements
• Moving from...


From GNC Employee to One of the Biggest Voices in Supplements With Ben Kane
#321
05/19/2026

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In this episode of The Powerhouse Mentality Podcast, I sit down with Ben from PricePlow to talk about the evolution of the supplement industry, the future of functional products, and the reality behind sports nutrition content online.

We dive into Ghost Energy, creatine gummies, GLP-1s, hydration products, supplement myths, fear-mongering on social media, ingredient transparency, proprietary blends, and how the industry has changed over the last decade.

Ben also shares his journey from working retail at GNC and Vitamin Shoppe to becoming one of the most recognizable voices...


Addiction to Purpose: Finding Freedom Through Faith With Megan Woz
#320
05/13/2026

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What does it actually take to go from addiction… to freedom?

In this episode, I sit down with Meg, who just celebrated 8 years of sobriety after over a decade of struggling with alcohol addiction.

We dive into:

What her life looked like before sobrietyThe moment everything changedWhy people stay stuck in addiction (or any destructive pattern)The role of faith, surrender, and purpose in her journeyThe truth about recovery that no one talks about

This isn’t just about alcohol.

It’s abou...


From Professional Football to Ghost Energy: A Story of Setbacks, Sales & Comebacks With Deveric Gallington
#319
05/04/2026

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What happens when everything gets taken from you in a single moment?

In this episode, I sit down with Dev — Regional Sales Manager at Ghost Energy — to break down his journey from Division 1 football to professional leagues to a life-changing accident that left him in a wheelchair. 

We talk about what it really takes to rebuild — physically and mentally — and how he turned one of the lowest points of his life into fuel for transformation.

This isn’t just a comeback story.

It’s a conversation...


Powerhouse Reality Check: Showing Up When It’s Hard
#318
04/28/2026

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Life doesn’t slow down when you’re struggling, and that’s the part nobody prepares you for.

In this episode, I’m getting real about what it looks like to keep showing up when things feel heavy - physically, mentally, and emotionally. Because the truth is, most people don’t fail, they just stop when it gets hard.

We talk about why consistency matters more than motivation, how to break the cycle of starting over, and what it actually looks like to move forward even when you’re not at your...


Coach's Corner: How to Stay Consistent When Life Isn’t Perfect
#317
04/14/2026

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In this episode of Coaches Corner, Marco break and myself down one of the biggest things holding people back in fitness: the all-or-nothing mindset.

From CrossFit Open experiences to real-life training struggles, we dive into how people let perfection, time constraints, injuries, and lack of equipment become excuses to do nothing — when the real answer is learning how to adapt and keep moving forward.

We unpack the difference between pain vs. discomfort, why modifying workouts is a skill (not a weakness), and how consistency — even imperfect — is what actually drives...


The Powerhouse Journal: Ghost 7UP, Arnold Recap, and the Real Work Nobody Sees
#316
03/31/2026

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In this episode of The Powerhouse Journal, I'm joined by Sean, The Bearded Gorilla, for a conversation that covers way more than just energy drinks. We break down Ghost 7UP, talk about why soda and nostalgia-based collabs keep winning, and dive into some of the biggest trends happening right now in supplements, protein, and the functional beverage space. 

From Bum energy pouches and C4 Cereal Killer to new Arnold Expo launches, flavored cream of rice, creatine formats, and the rise of v...


Why Chasing Skinny Is Holding You Back with Victoria Johnson
#315
03/24/2026

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Victoria is a registered nurse, content creator, and supplement educator who has seen health from both sides — inside the ICU and outside through lifestyle, fitness, and prevention.

In this episode, we dive into:

What it’s really like working in healthcare (and why prevention matters more than ever)How social media misinformation led to an eating disorder — and how she recoveredWhy most women are under-eating, under-training, and overthinking everythingThe truth about building muscle, metabolism, and body compositionSimple nutrition and meal prep strategies that actually work in real lifeThe mindset shift from c...


Behind-the-Scenes of the Supplement Industry and Living An Uncommon Life with Spencer Lynn
#314
03/02/2026

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In this episode, I sit down with Spencer Lynn from PricePlow to talk all things supplements, industry realities, and the mindset behind building an uncommon life.

Spencer shares his path from football to the Army to the sports nutrition world — including how one Instagram DM helped launch his career. We break down Arnold Expo culture, the early influence of bodybuilding.com forums, why some supplement brands fail (and what the best brands do differently), and the importance of transparency in products like protein. 

We also get real about discipline bey...


Coaches Corner: The Real Way to Measure Progress
#313
02/24/2026

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Most people don’t fail their goals because they lack discipline — they fail because they’re measuring progress the wrong way.

In this episode of Coaches Corner, Kaitlyn and Marco break down why relying on a single metric (like the number on the scale) leads to frustration, burnout, and quitting too soon.

We dive into:

Why outcome goals alone don’t workInput vs. outcome measurementsPerformance-based progress markersWhy strength, sleep, and habits matter more than the scaleThe psychology behind consistencyHow to escape the all-or-nothing mindsetWhy becoming a more capable human be...


This 17 Year Old Is More Mentally Tough Than Most Adults with Justin Kolaras
#312
02/17/2026

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At 17 years old, Justin has already done what most people spend their entire lives avoiding — choosing discomfort on purpose.

After years of isolation, video games, fast food, and zero direction, he decided to change his life one inconvenient decision at a time: walking miles to the gym, fixing his sleep schedule, removing fast food, training jiu-jitsu, and eventually running ultramarathons — including a brutal 50-mile race that took nearly 17 hours to complete.

In this episode we talk about:
• How discipline is trained, not inherited
• Why small changes beat extreme...


The Powerhouse Journal | Favorite Products, 2026 Releases & Fitness Industry Drama
#311
02/09/2026

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In the first episode of The Powerhouse Journal, Kaitlyn and Shaun Hawley (The Bearded Gorilla) break down the current state of the supplement and fitness industry.

The mission of this series is simple: help you navigate the noise and the marketing so you can make smarter decisions in an industry full of hype.

We cover:
• Our favorite products from 2025 and early 2026
• New releases we’re excited about — and some we think are overrated
• Early talk around the Arnold Expo 2026
• Trends in supplements, energy drinks, and functional f...


From Addiction to 1,400+ Days of Running: The Power of Action with Chris Avery
#310
02/02/2026

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In this episode, I sit down with Chris Avery, coach and founder of Chris Runs America, to talk about faith, execution, identity, and what it actually takes to live up to your potential.

Chris shares his journey through addiction, trauma, and years of living below his capabilities — and how he rebuilt his life through faith, discipline, and taking relentless action. We dive deep into why most people aren’t lazy or broken, how the central nervous system controls decision-making, and why clarity often comes after action, not before it.


Stop Trying to Be Normal. It's Ruining Your Life.
#309
01/26/2026

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“Normal” is comfortable, socially approved, and wildly overrated. In this episode, we break down why trying to fit into a version of life that was never built for you slowly kills ambition, momentum, and self-trust. We talk about the hidden cost of chasing average, why high-drive people feel broken in a world designed for comfort, and how embracing discomfort is often the price of doing meaningful work. If you’ve ever felt like you don’t fit — this episode is your permission slip to stop apologizing for it.

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Misfit Energy: The “Underrated” Energy Drink Doing It Right
#308
01/19/2026

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I sat down with Tom, one of the founders of Misfit Energy—a brand I keep calling underrated because they actually do energy drinks the right way.

We get into the real story behind Misfit: it started as an idea for flavored water, ran into major production issues, and turned into a full-on energy drink project that’s now years in the making. Tom breaks down why they chose to keep everything in-house (formula + flavor creation + production), how they think about using patented, well-studied ingr...


From 300 to 185: The Habit System That Changed Everything with Joseph Padin
#307
01/12/2026

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In this episode, I sit down with Joseph (The Daily Brew Review) — one of my TikTok followers and fellow creators — to talk about his real, unfiltered journey from 300+ pounds to 185.

We get into:

What life actually looked like at 300 pounds — and why feeling “normal” doesn’t mean healthyThe wake-up call that forced change (high blood pressure + doing it for his daughter)Why Weight Watchers worked… until it didn’tThe $3,000 coaching program that barely moved the needleHow learning calories, macros, and tracking finally changed everything

We also talk honest...


Coaches Corner: The Real Way to Make 2026 Your Year
#306
01/05/2026

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Welcome to Coaches Corner, a new monthly series on The Powerhouse Mentality Podcast where myself and Marcus from the Silverback Media Podcast break down real coaching lessons you can apply immediately—no extremes, no gimmicks, no BS.

In this episode, we dive into the real way to make 2026 your year. Not “New Year, new me,” not burnout plans, not social-media-driven confusion—but sustainable habits that actually stick. We talk about finding a deeper purpose behind your goals, setting realistic expectations, building consistency over motivation, handling failure without spiralin...


7 Marathons. 7 Days. 7 Continents. The Mindset Behind It All with Sully Luepke
#305
12/28/2025

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In this episode, I sit down with Sully Luepke — veteran, endurance athlete, and someone who’s worked at 1st Phorm — to break down one of the most savage feats out there: 7 marathons in 7 days on 7 continents.

We talk about the real journey behind the headline, from growing up as an athlete to joining the Air Force, transitioning out during the pandemic, and rebuilding purpose through standards, community, and discipline. Sully shares the mindset that kept him moving when his body didn’t cooperate (bulging discs, hip/SI pain), h...


The Truth About Supplements, Content, and Consistency with Supplement Snoop Justin Hall
#304
12/22/2025

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In this episode, I sit down with Justin Hall — creator of Supplement Snob and founder of MyQ Brain Food — for an honest, no-BS conversation about the supplement industry, content creation, and why most people are chasing the wrong things.

We break down why supplement brands don’t fail because of formulas, why Ghost dominates the energy drink space (and what people actually care about when buying products), and how experience, taste, and consistency matter more than perfect dosing. Justin shares his journey from building a supplement ingredient app to launching a one-ca...


Hot Takes: Fitness, Supplements, and Nutrition Truths Nobody Wants to Hear
#303
12/15/2025

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In this episode of The Powerhouse Mentality, I’m dropping some hot takes on the fitness, nutrition, and supplement space — no brand bias, no influencer crap, just real talk.

I break down what’s actually worth the hype, what’s misleading consumers, and where people are flat-out wrong. From protein quality and “health” marketing to zero-sugar products, trendy ingredients, and the constant confusion between calories, macros, and metabolic health — nothing is off limits.

Some of these takes you’ll agree with. Some might piss you off. That’s the...


Beyond PRs: How CrossFit Rebuilds Your Identity, Your Mindset, and Your Life with Marco Mejia
#302
12/07/2025

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In this episode, I sits down with Marco Mejia from Silverback Media for a powerful conversation about CrossFit, community, fear, success, and the everyday stories that make this sport life-changing.

We dive into:
• Why people fear success more than failure
• Unlocking “the next standard” in your training and your life
• What CrossFit teaches you about adversity, grit, and mental toughness
• Why scaling isn’t weakness — it’s longevity
• How small wins build confidence that changes everything
• Stories from Everest summits to first bar muscle-ups
• Why C...


From Animal to Paw Power: Supplements, Dogs & Betting on Yourself with Eric Schwartz
#301
11/30/2025

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In this episode, Eric Schwartz shares his journey from spending over a decade with Animal — one of the most iconic names in the supplement world — to building Paw Power Nutrition, a mission-driven dog supplement and peanut butter brand created to help pets live longer, healthier lives.

We talk about what truly separates quality supplements from good marketing, how to actually read a dog food label without getting misled, and why so many owners are confused about kibble, raw, fresh, and everything in between. Eric breaks down dog-nutrition basics, the power of hybr...


Hard Training, Heavy Faith: Becoming Who You’re Called to Be with Cody Fernley
#300
11/23/2025

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Content creator, athlete, and PricePlow/Bev Lab director of content Cody Fernley joins me on the podcast to talk about choosing hard things on purpose and how training becomes “mental calluses” for real life. We dive into his journey from small-town high school athlete and bodybuilding, to repairing his relationship with food, to stepping into Ironman 70.3 prep and endurance training as a healthier outlet.

Cody shares how he fuels for long sessions, why tracking macros for years gave him true freedom with food, and what it’s like to build a...


Men’s Mental Health, Military Spouse Life & Being Strong Enough to Ask for Help with Shaun Hawley
#299
11/16/2025

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In this episode, I bring Shawn Hawley back on the podcast —  veteran, competitive bodybuilder, and big-time advocate for men’s mental health — for another raw conversation that needed to happen.

We talk about the old-school mentality a lot of men were raised with — don’t cry, don’t feel, don’t talk, just grind — and how that version of “toughness” has turned into silent suffering, isolation, and in the worst cases, suicide. Shawn opens up about PTSD, deployment, and the things you can’t unsee, plus how therapy, structure, lif...


Why You’re Not Losing Weight - Even Though You’re Eating Less and Doing More
#298
11/09/2025

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If you’ve been dieting harder, training more, and still not seeing results — this episode will change how you think about fat loss forever. In this episode, I break down the mindset traps, limiting beliefs, and physical strategies that keep people stuck in the “eat less, do more” cycle. 

Learn how to rewire your approach to food, training, and progress so you can finally earn results that last.

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From Over 570lbs to Strict Pull-Ups: David Fennell on Addiction, Bariatric Surgery, and the Power of Community
#297
11/02/2025

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At his heaviest, David Fennell saw 573 on the scale. Today, he’s knocking out strict pull-ups and training with a CrossFit crew that helped pull him out of the darkest stretch of his life. In this episode we cover David’s full arc: growing up in poverty, learning grit early, using food to self-medicate, the wild swings of 75 Hard, regaining the weight during lockdown, and the decision to fly to Mexico for bariatric surgery just days after burying his mother. He opens up about the mental health fallout that followed, kidney stones, a torn...


Special Ops to Energy Drinks: How Brandon Grazier Built A-Bomb Energy
#296
10/25/2025

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Former Special Operations medic Brandon Grazier didn’t like the way troops were slamming sugar-free caffeine with separate nootropic pills—so he built the drink he wanted to see. In this episode, the A-Bomb Energy founder breaks down how he took an idea from 2019 to a breakout launch in 2025, including why A-Bomb runs 150mg caffeine with efficacious nootropics (Alpha-GPC 98%, L-Tyrosine, etc.), and how real flavor development (not “lab stock”) made Orange Cream the runaway hit.

We go deep on the business: funding the first ru...


Stop Making Fitness a Punishment: Build Habits For Real Consistency with Shaun Hawley
#295
10/18/2025

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Classic Physique athlete and prep coach Shaun Hawley joins me to break down how to make bodybuilding and “clean living” actually enjoyable, not miserable. We talk prep hacks, lifestyle hacks, how to stop overcomplicating the basics, why most people fail before they even get started, and how to build a life where eating strict and training hard still feels fun and sustainable. If you want to get shredded, stay healthy, and not hate your life in the process — this episode is for you.

Follow Shaun on IG: @the_beardedgorilla -https://www.instag...


Facing Fear, Being Alone & Overcoming Dark Times
#294
10/07/2025

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Life updates featuring my first individual Crossfit competition, my husband leaving on his longest deployment, building my relationship with God and overcoming fear to truly feel at peace. 

Life experiences turn into lessons; not only for me, but for you to learn from. My mission is to help you become the best version of yourself and overcome the roadblocks that separate you from that. Together we can! 

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Building Resilience Through CrossFit with Chandler Garlow
#293
09/20/2025

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In this episode, I sit down with CrossFit competitor Chandler Garlow to talk about what it really takes to build resilience inside and outside the gym. From her early days cheering at ECU to finding CrossFit and stepping onto the competition floor, Chandler shares how athletics shaped her mindset and drive.

We dig deep into the struggles most people never see — her battle with an eating disorder, shifting her mindset to performance, and the back injury that nearly ended her career. Chandler opens up about the mental and physical pr...


When to Let Go vs. When to Push Through With Jason Pyne
#292
09/14/2025

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On this episode of The Powerhouse Mentality Podcast, I sit down once again with returning guest Jason Pyne for a raw conversation about one of the toughest questions we all face: When is it time to let go, and when is it time to push through?

Jason first joined us to talk about avoiding distractions and overcoming unsupportive voices. Today, he’s back to go deeper—sharing stories from his own journey in fitness, business, and life where he had to decide whether to pivot, persevere, or walk away completely.

We...