Unmasking Greatness

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We dig into why most goals fail: not from lack of effort, but from blurry targets and a missing why. We lay out three pillars—physical, lifestyle, and mindset—and show how systems, non‑negotiables, and the 90–10 rule turn intent into momentum.

• defining clear, specific goals across physical, lifestyle, mindset
• using metrics to track progress and stay accountable
• asking “why” five times to anchor behavior change
• client story: proposal as a catalyst for health
• building systems that outlast motivation
• setting three weekly non‑negotiables with guarantees
• creating boundaries...

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The Kak Performance app launches today, offering a comprehensive solution to the five biggest fitness struggles people face: time, information overload, accountability, nutrition, and mindset/habits tracking. After years of development, this platform provides pre-built workouts, nutrition guidance, community support, and educational resources all designed to make health and fitness accessible and sustainable.

• Over 40 individual workouts and 20+ complete programs with video demonstrations
• Custom nutrition planning with interactive cookbooks and AI food recognition
• Community accountability with real human coaches (no AI bots)
• 16 different ebooks covering everything from time management to minds...

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Lazaro Montoto, owner of Tropical Grill with 15 locations across South Carolina, shares his remarkable journey from washing dishes at age 14 to building a restaurant empire while prioritizing faith, family, and health.

• Starting as a dishwasher in Miami at 14 years old to help his single mother
• Learning culinary skills from mentors who taught him discipline and integrity
• Pushing himself out of his comfort zone to learn front-of-house operations
• Growing from one restaurant to fifteen locations through systems and teamwork
• Maintaining unwavering commitment to food quality despite higher costs
• Prio...

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Justin Shoemaker shares his journey from military service and executive protection to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the water treatment industry, highlighting how he scaled a solar company from $600,000 to $25 million in revenue within 11 months.

• Justin discovered his natural talent for sales after leaving the military, making $12,000 in one week selling water treatment systems
• Fear often prevents people from taking entrepreneurial leaps, but staying in comfortable positions can be more detrimental than risking failure
• When choosing between startups and established companies, startups offer greater growth potential and control despite higher...

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Chris Kakouras explores the powerful intersection of business and fitness mindsets, revealing how the same traits that drive professional success can transform your physical health when properly applied.

• Five key pillars connect business and fitness success: goal setting, structure/systems, patience, handling stress, and meaningful wins
• SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) create clarity and urgency in both fitness and business pursuits
• Structured systems eliminate decision fatigue and create consistency—the foundation of results in any domain
• Patience and resilience come through embracing challenges rather than avoiding them
•...

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Chris explores the critical balance of maintaining personal health while raising children by implementing effective systems and morning routines that benefit both parents and kids.

• Parents often prepare everything for their children while neglecting the same care for themselves
• Kids learn by watching and imitating their parents' behaviors and habits
• Your morning actually starts the night before with proper preparation
• Create a nighttime routine that includes preparing clothes, meals, and water bottles for yourself, not just your kids
• Microdosing exercise (10-15 minutes daily) can be more effective than tryin...

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Throwback episode
We need to reframe the concept of "off-season" into "progression season" because personal development and growth should never stop. 

• Progression season means continually improving in all areas: health, relationships, finances, spirituality
• The "inner bitch voice" negotiates with you to avoid doing what moves you toward your goals
• Make your why so big that your how becomes easy—connect emotionally to your reasons
• Fall in love with the process rather than just focusing on results
• Two approaches to life: drifting through with minimal focus vs. con...

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In this compelling conversation, we explore TJ Mersman's journey from troubled youth to first-place bodybuilding competitor at age 40, guided by Kak Performance success coach Ranzino Valentine.

• TJ shares his background, including being born on an Air Force base in England and how legal troubles as a teenager became a turning point in his life
• Tired of being called "skinny" and "toothpick," TJ began his fitness journey through self-education and building a makeshift gym on his back porch
• Zeno explains the comprehensive approach to competition prep, including blood work, food sensit...

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Time management is the gateway to health success, and mastering it helps you navigate life's storms without sacrificing your wellbeing.

• Eliminate and delegate tasks to free up time instead of adding more to your plate
• Create a baseline structure using a digital calendar to visualize your week
• Schedule workouts at optimal times (morning often works best for busy people)
• Include buffer time for transitions to prevent stress when plans shift
• Review your week every Sunday to refine your system continuously
• Practice deep work by eliminating distractions during focus...

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Have you ever wondered why some people seem stuck in the same patterns while others continuously evolve? The answer often lies not in what you're doing, but who you're doing it with.

In this candid conversation, I share recent encounters with both seasoned business owners and young adults seeking direction that revealed a common thread: your environment shapes your potential. I break down the critical distinction between "assigned" and "aligned" friendships, challenging you to honestly assess whether your current social circle is propelling you forward or holding you back. That friend...

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Ever felt like you were drowning in stress, unable to see a way forward? You're not alone.

In this deeply personal episode, I pull back the curtain on one of the most challenging seasons of my life. From losing my father to cancer and handling the aftermath, to dealing with significant financial disappointments and unexpected family challenges – I've recently found myself at a breaking point where giving up seemed like the only option.

What I've learned through this struggle is something I want to share with you: never make pe...

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Strength isn't just measured in pounds on a barbell—it's forged through dedication, self-discovery, and the willingness to evolve. In this riveting conversation, host Chris Kakouras welcomes powerlifting phenom Brandon Jones, whose journey from high school football player to elite strength athlete reveals what it truly takes to become exceptional.

At just 23 years old, Brandon has already established himself as one of America's premier powerlifters, competing in the 205-pound weight class with jaw-dropping numbers: a 716.5-pound squat, 485-pound bench press, and 733-pound deadlift. What makes these achievements even more remarkable? He co...

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At just 22 years old, AJ Brault created Carolina Iron Gym, a bodybuilding paradise in Greenville, South Carolina, with equipment worth more than all other local gyms combined. This passionate young entrepreneur shares his journey from flipping rare gym equipment to building a thriving fitness community.

• Started as a baseball player who got interested in bodybuilding after heartbreak
• Became obsessed with finding and acquiring the best biomechanically-designed gym equipment
• Drove across the country in Penske trucks, sometimes sleeping in them to acquire rare pieces
• Owns an AFS horizontal leg press wo...

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Jeremy Holbrooks shares his journey from mowing lawns as a teenager to building Holbrook Outdoor Solutions, a successful grading and land clearing company, while balancing family life and personal growth. His evolution as an entrepreneur demonstrates how proper mindset, mentorship, and faith have helped him create sustainable success and change his family's trajectory.

• Started entrepreneurship in seventh grade cutting grass with just a push mower
• Transitioned from landscaping to bigger equipment after identifying his passion for "dirt and big toys"
• Early game-changing project was spreading 300 yards of mulch, providing financ...

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Transformation isn't just about shedding pounds – it's about completely reimagining your life. Karley Jones, once a self-described "trash bag" who smoked a pack of cigarettes daily and drank excessively, now owns the #1 Clean Eats location among over 100 nationwide franchises. Her journey from unhealthy party girl to health entrepreneur offers powerful insights for anyone facing their own struggles.

"I didn't come from a healthy family, so I need to make sure that a healthy family comes from me," Karley shares in this vulnerable conversation about hitting rock bottom at 215 pounds before finding a...

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Ever wondered why some people transform their physiques while others stay stuck despite their best efforts? This episode with professional bodybuilder and coach Austin Hodges unlocks the secrets that separate successful fitness journeys from frustrating cycles of failure.

Austin's story begins with adversity—three consecutive knee surgeries that ended his athletic career. Rather than accepting defeat, he channeled his competitive drive into bodybuilding, eventually becoming a pro despite physical limitations many would consider career-ending. His resilience offers a powerful reminder that our greatest challenges often reveal unexpected paths to excellence.

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Ever wonder why some people seem stuck in a cycle of mediocrity while others continuously level up? The answer might surprise you.

In this illuminating episode, I share a fascinating experiment where I asked ChatGPT to act as someone with zero motivation, discipline, or goals - then coach others to be the same. The six strategies it generated created a perfect blueprint for failure that many of us unconsciously follow.

From the comfort traps engineered into modern society to our tendency to surround ourselves with "assigned" rather than "aligned"...

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Raw, vulnerable, and ultimately uplifting, this episode emerges from the deepest kind of personal transformation. After losing my father to stage four lung cancer, I share how this profound experience has reshaped my understanding of family legacy, personal growth, and breaking generational cycles.

I explore the fascinating perspective that our souls actively choose our parents because between them lies something essential for us to learn. By viewing our challenging upbringings as opportunities to heal what our parents couldn't, we gain the power to break trauma cycles and create healthier patterns for...

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Bailey Cisson's transformation story will stop you in your tracks. At 220 pounds and just 5'3", she'd reached a point where walking through Target left her winded and parking spot hunting became an Olympic sport. Fast forward to today, and she's 100+ pounds lighter, a bodybuilding champion, and completely reinvented her relationship with food, fitness, and herself.

What makes Bailey's journey uniquely powerful is how she navigated both the physical and mental obstacles of extreme weight loss. After years of failed HIIT workouts while dining out 5-6 times weekly, a doctor's blunt assessment—"yo...

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Coach Chris Kakouras breaks down the critical yet often misunderstood concepts of calories and macronutrients, explaining why they matter for successful weight loss and how to track them effectively.

• Understanding calories as a financial budget for your body
• The importance of tracking accurately when maintaining a calorie deficit
• Common tracking mistakes including underestimating intake by up to 40%
• Why weighing food with a scale is superior to using measuring cups
• Pre-tracking meals versus post-tracking for better compliance
• How to develop caloric awareness through consistent practice
• The importance of...

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Chris shares deeply personal stories about his parents' cancer diagnoses and brings important perspective on health priorities even in the face of serious illness. His honest conversation about his mother prioritizing work over health despite her cancer diagnosis highlights a common struggle many face.

• Different phases of health journey from ground zero to optimizing metabolism to fat loss to getting lean
• Need to change your identity before tactical changes can stick
• Distinction between surface metrics (weight, inches, photos) and deep metrics (bloodwork, hormones, sleep)
• Why tracking is essential - what g...

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Chris Kakouras challenges you to examine the real reasons behind your inability to achieve your goals. Forget the typical excuses of time and motivation; it's time to get serious about personal growth.

• Addressing the importance of health and fitness in achieving success 
• Understanding the impact of your excuses on personal progress 
• Unpacking the top five excuses that hinder action 
• Insight into how to overcome the "no time" mentality 
• Strategies for combating fears of failure and seeking validation 
• Utilizing available resources to take action towards your goals 

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Ever wondered why chasing instant results might be the biggest obstacle to your long-term success? Discover the evolution of "Unmasking Greatness" as Chris Kakouras share his journey from a spontaneous idea to a full-fledged production studio at Carolina Iron Gym. We're committed to excellence, not just by upgrading our equipment for a professional podcast experience but by nurturing an environment that encourages achieving one's dreams with relentless dedication. We'll take you behind the scenes of our podcast, sharing our plans for expanding guest interviews and joining YouTube, all the while inspiring you to...

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The episode emphasizes the importance of five key habits for achieving personal and professional success: controlling emotions, developing patience, getting comfortable with discomfort, being okay with being the exception, and doing what you say you will do. Through sharing personal experiences and insights gathered from working with many clients, the host illustrates how mindset plays a crucial role in reaching one’s goals.

• Mastering emotional control as a foundation for success 
• Understanding that patience is vital in any meaningful journey 
• Embracing discomfort for significant growth 
• Accepting being the exception in...

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This episode delves into the essential principle that success relies more on the inputs we control rather than solely on the outcomes we desire. Chris Kakouras shares personal stories from his journey in fitness and skateboarding to emphasize the importance of resilience, patience, and actionable steps toward achieving goals.

• Exploring the balance between motivation and foundational habits 
• The significance of focusing on inputs as opposed to outcomes 
• Personal anecdotes illustrating lessons from skateboarding and fitness 
• Encouraging listeners to detach from immediate results 
• Providing actionable steps for sustainable growth and lea...

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Unlock the true power of cortisol and boost your health and performance with our latest episode of Unmasking Greatness. Have you ever wondered how the stress hormone—often painted as the villain—could actually be your ally in achieving your fitness goals? Join me, Chris Kakouras, as we explore cortisol's essential role in your daily rhythm and how understanding its cycle can transform stress from a stumbling block into a stepping stone. From balancing work demands to prioritizing your well-being, we dive into how managing this hormone is crucial for busy professionals striving for...

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What if your mind could either imprison you or set you free? Join me, Chris Kakouras, as we explore the transformative power of mindset and how the stories from our recent giveaway shed light on the silent struggles many face. Many find themselves caught in a cycle of negative thoughts, but through resilience and a positive outlook, we can break free and unlock our true potential. By sharing personal experiences, I highlight the importance of reaching out for help and the role of mindset in overcoming life's hurdles.

Embark on a...

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This episode focuses on essential insights for achieving health and fitness goals, emphasizing the importance of understanding your “why,” prioritizing progress over perfection, and creating a supportive environment. Chris shares practical advice that covers everything from nutrition and alcohol consumption to positive self-talk and workout tracking. 

• Understanding your “why” to anchor your fitness journey 
• The importance of progress over perfection 
• Mindful consumption of alcohol and its impact on health 
• Focusing on adding quality foods rather than restrictions 
• Tracking workouts for sustained progress and motivation 
• Clarifying that supplements cannot replace...

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Imagine kicking off the new year not with a list of resolutions doomed to fade but with a powerful vision board that transforms dreams into reality. This episode of Unmasking Greatness promises to reshape how you approach your goals in 2025. Through the lens of personal experiences and a touch of inspiration from a lively vision board party led by my sister-in-law, we explore why immediate, messy action is more effective than waiting for the stars to align. Discover how understanding the 'why' behind your ambitions is the key to breaking old habits and...

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Ever felt like you're building a parachute while free-falling? That's the essence of entrepreneurship we unpack in this episode of "Unmasking Greatness." Promising more than just survival tips, we explore the emotional rollercoaster of running a business and how to embrace its highs and lows. Join me, Chris Kakouras, as I share a coaching session with a client struggling with consistency and the entrepreneurial whirlwind. We touch on the fundamentals of planning, preparation, and understanding your 'why,' offering strategies to bolster resilience and personal growth. This conversation is a must for any...

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Chris Kakouras shares a deeply personal story of resilience, one that starts with the harrowing night his family was told they might lose his father to stage four lung cancer. This episode invites listeners into Chris's world as he navigates the emotional upheaval of a loved one's illness, highlighting the strength drawn from family ties and the role of health and fitness in building a foundation for enduring life's unexpected challenges. Chris's journey is a testament to finding gratitude amidst turmoil and the transformative power it holds in shifting perspectives when the road...

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Ever found yourself hitting snooze a few too many times, even though you know better? Join me, Chris Kakouras, as I confess my own struggles with mornings and time management, especially when life gets hectic around the holidays. Together, we'll navigate the chaos of festive gatherings and business commitments, and discover how to reclaim control of our schedules with intention and purpose. You'll even hear my thoughts on ramping up our podcast frequency to keep you motivated with more frequent tidbits of wisdom and tactical strategies to overcome procrastination. It's time to take...

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Thanksgiving is around the corner, and with it comes a whirlwind of emotions. From joy to the inevitable anxiety of holiday gatherings, these mixed feelings can sometimes overshadow the true essence of the season. But what if there was a way to transform this period into one of genuine gratitude and presence? Join me as I unfold how my six-year-old son with his innocent humor and fresh perspective, reminds me to savor life's little joys. Together, we'll explore how shifting focus from holiday stressors to simple gratitude can alter the way we experience...

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Have you ever wondered how the leadership styles you encounter or adopt can shape your journey to success? Picture this: one leader dictates through fear while another inspires through integrity and collaboration. In this episode of Unmasking Greatness, I share how my experiences in the restaurant business, contrasting my father's fear-based approach with my own relationship-driven strategy, taught me the true essence of earning respect. By leading with consistency and positivity, you can empower not only yourself but those around you, creating a thriving environment of mutual respect and growth.

This...

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What if life were a game of chess, where mastering the rules and thinking several moves ahead could unlock your true potential? I'm Chris Kakouras, and I recently had the chance to speak at the Upstate Health and Fitness Seminar in Greenville, South Carolina, where I shared insights from teaching my son chess on a giant board. Instead of sticking to the usual fitness narratives, I ventured into the realm of strategic thinking and mindset, showing how these lessons can transcend the gym and optimize success in all walks of life.

...

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Discover how I transformed my life from a timid young man into a confident, committed individual ready to tackle any challenge. Join me, Chris Kakouras, on a journey through Unmasking Greatness as I reveal the secrets behind my confidence journey and how you can unlock similar potential in your life. By focusing on relentless practice and perseverance in skateboarding and fitness, I've built a foundation that has propelled my personal growth. Together, we'll explore how these experiences taught me the importance of following through on promises, laying the groundwork for lasting self-improvement.
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Balancing a busy fitness coaching schedule with the growth of my business once seemed impossible until I learned the art of setting boundaries. Imagine being so committed that you brush off walking pneumonia as just another bump in the road. This episode of Unmasking Greatness dives into the unexpected challenges I faced and what it took to transform my gym office from a social hub into an epicenter of productivity. Discover why boundaries are not just a personal necessity but a cornerstone of business success, especially in a world that demands so much...

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Unlock your greatest potential by mastering the art of balancing health and wealth. I, Chris Kakouras, share my transformative journey of addressing a group of realtors about overcoming self-limiting beliefs, particularly those surrounding time management, and the crucial role of prioritizing health. Discover how our 30-day challenges and coaching programs demonstrate that education, communication, and networking are key to achieving your fitness goals. You'll hear firsthand how optimizing your health can empower both your personal and professional life, with practical insights into managing nutrition and exercise amidst the hustle of a busy lifestyle. 

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What happens when the car of your dreams turns into a bit of a nightmare? Picture this: the thrill of a brand-new car purchase quickly deflates as the digital dashboard blacks out, leaving you in the dark—literally. Join me, Chris Koukouris, on Unmasking Greatness as I recount the unexpected rollercoaster of emotion that began with my excitement over a new vehicle, only to be followed by the frustration of a malfunctioning cockpit. Through this adventure, I explore how new purchases can often come with unforeseen challenges and why it's crucial to tackle th...

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Imagine redefining your relationship with food and unlocking the secrets to a metabolism that works for you, not against you. Join me, Chris Kakouras, founder of Kak Performance, as I guide you through the transformative principles of the Food Freedom Masterclass. This episode is packed with strategies to abandon fad diets and create sustainable nutrition plans that incorporate enjoyable food choices, all while keeping guilt at bay. I'll share my journey in the fitness world and the lessons I've learned along the way, providing you with the tools to take control of your...