The Level Up Life: Muscle and Mindset Mastery
Level Up Life is a podcast that blends fitness, mindset, and personal growth. We share stories, strategies, and interviews focused on transforming both mind and body, empowering listeners to take control of their lives and achieve their goals.
The Impact of the Right Voices with Jolene & Angela (J and A Counseling)
In Episode 4 of Season 3 of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery, Adam Wittbrodt and Dave “Waz” Wazny sit down with Jolene and Angela from J and A Counseling for a conversation that comes full circle.
This episode hits different.
Jolene and Angela were there at the beginning—helping lay the foundation that Adam would build on for years to come in his recovery. They were among the first to introduce concepts like thinking errors, self-awareness, and the deeper work required to truly change.
Together, they dive into the realities of addiction and recovery—what it...
From Service to Self-Awareness: A Conversation with Amir Hassan
In Episode 3 of Season 3 of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery, Adam Wittbrodt sits down with Amir Hassan for a real and powerful conversation around upbringing, service, addiction, and identity.
Amir shares his experiences growing up, serving in the military, and working with the United States Department of Homeland Security - and how those moments shaped his perspective on life.
They dive into the reality of addiction, and how sometimes life doesn’t show us what we want to do - but clearly shows us...
Coaching in Real Time: A Conversation with Lisa Tarkington (Part Two)
In Episode 2 of Season 3 of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery, Adam Wittbrodt continues the conversation with Lisa Tarkington - but this time, it moves from discussion to action.
Lisa coaches Adam live on camera, giving a real look at what effective coaching actually feels like. Through intentional questions and honest reflection, she helps uncover blind spots, challenge assumptions, and create clarity in real time.
Adam leads by example, showing vulnerability and stepping fully into the process. No script. No filters. Just the work.<...
Coaching, Confidence, and Change: A Conversation with Lisa Tarkington (Part One)
In the Season 3 premiere of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery, host Adam Wittbrodt sits down with Lisa Tarkington for a powerful conversation centered around coaching, behavior change, and what it truly takes to build lasting habits.
Adam and Lisa dive into the reality of working with people who want change - but often struggle to follow through. They break down the gap between knowing what to do and actually doing it, and why behavior change is less about information and more about identity, consistency, and environment.
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Reflection, Growth, and the Mission: A Season 2 Finale with Adam Wittbrodt
In this season finale of Season 2 of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery, host Adam Wittbrodt reflects on the journey of the past year — the growth of the podcast, the moments of doubt, and the lessons learned along the way.
Adam talks about what it really means to build something from the ground up. The uncertainty, the quiet progress that comes from consistency, and the importance of showing up even when the path forward isn’t perfectly clear.
He also reflects on the mission behi...
Purpose, Perspective, and the People Around Us: A Conversation with Adam Wittbrodt & Dave “Waz” Wazny
In this reflective episode of Season 2 of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery, host Adam Wittbrodt and co-host Dave “Waz” Wazny sit down for an open conversation that moves through a wide range of topics - recovery, purpose, the people who shape our lives, and the lessons that come from both success and failure.
Adam and Waz reflect on the journey of recovery and how life begins to look different once you start rebuilding from a place of honesty and accountability. They talk about how recovery is not just about removing subs...
Finding Purpose Through Recovery: A Conversation with Chancy Eastman
In this impactful episode of Season 2 of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery, host Adam Wittbrodt and co-host Dave “Waz” Wazny sit down with Chancy Eastman for a deeply honest conversation about addiction, recovery, and what it truly means to rebuild a life from the ground up.
Chancy opens up about the reality of addiction—the isolation, the internal battles, and the slow erosion of identity that can occur when substances become a way to cope, escape, or survive. The discussion explores how addiction is rarely about the substance itself, but about...
Healing the Roots: A Conversation with Camile Gerace Nitchsky
In this powerful episode of Season 2 of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery, host Adam Wittbrodt sits down with Camile Gerace Nitchsky for an honest conversation about trauma, addiction, recovery, and rebuilding a life driven by purpose.
Camile shares how trauma often begins long before addiction—shaped by early experiences, emotional wounds, and environments that leave lasting imprints. The discussion explores how addiction is often an attempt to cope, to numb pain, or to escape unresolved emotions. What begins as relief can slowly disconnect people from themselves and their potential.
...Turning Crisis Into Purpose: A Conversation with Brady Kosberg
In this impactful episode of Season 2 of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery, host Adam Wittbrodt and co-host Dave “Waz” Wazny sit down with Brady Kosberg for a powerful and timely conversation about adversity, awareness, and stepping into purpose after facing a personal crisis.
Brady opens up about a defining moment in his life—one that forced him to confront fear, uncertainty, and the weight of responsibility. Instead of allowing the crisis to shrink him, he chose to let it shape him. What emerged was a mission: to speak up, spread awaren...
Building a New Foundation: A Conversation with Stephen Douglas
In this powerful episode of Season 2 of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery, host Adam Wittbrodt and co-host Dave “Waz” Wazny sit down with Stephen Douglas for an honest, grounded conversation about upbringing, mindset, and the responsibility that comes with building a new life, for yourself and for your kids.
The episode starts at the beginning. Stephen shares his background and the environment he was raised in, giving context to the challenges, patterns, and beliefs that shaped his early years. What unfolds is a real discussion about how those early experiences don’...
Accountability, Mindset, and Owning Your Standards: A Conversation with Matt Krawczyk
In this impactful 20th episode of Season 2 of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery, host Adam Wittbrodt and co-host Dave “Waz” Wazny sit down with Matt Krawczyk for a real, grounded conversation about accountability, mindset, fitness, and the standards we choose to live by.
This episode starts at the beginning… how Adam, Waz, and Matt first crossed paths… and quickly opens into something deeper. What begins as a story of connection turns into a conversation about why who you surround yourself with matters, and how the right people can challenge you to step...
Beyond the Walls: Reentry, Identity, and Building a Life After Prison – Part Two
In this powerful and deeply human 19th episode of Season 2 of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery, host Adam Wittbrodt reunites with Derrick “Sonny” Sturgeon and Percy Glover for Part Two of their two-part conversation, this time shifting the focus to life after prison.
This episode is about what happens when the gates open… and the real work begins.
Adam, Sonny, and Percy unpack the realities of reentry, the shock of freedom, the weight of stigma, and the invisible challenges that follow people long after...
Inside the Walls: Prison Culture, Respect, and Survival - Part One
In this raw and unfiltered 18th episode of Season 2 of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery, host Adam Wittbrodt sits down with Derrick "Sonny" Sturgeon and Percy Glover for Part One of a powerful two-part conversation that pulls back the curtain on prison culture and life on the inside.
This episode doesn’t rely on headlines or assumptions… it’s built on lived experience.
Together, Adam, Sonny, and Percy dive deep into what prison is actually like day to day. They talk about the unspok...
Beyond Labels, Beyond Limits: A Real Talk with Adam & Waz
In this reflective and wide-ranging 17th episode of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery Season 2, host Adam Wittbrodt and co-host Dave “Waz” Wazny kick back for a raw, unscripted conversation that touches on everything from recovery culture to coaching, accountability, and what it really means to grow.
This episode doesn’t follow one single story… it follows the truth.
Adam and Waz dive into the way society defines the word “addict” and how those labels often trap people in identities that no longer fit who they’re...
Resilience, Perspective, and Purpose: A Conversation with Chris Keefer
In this powerful and reflective 16th episode of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery, Season 2, host Adam Wittbrodt and co-host Jordan sit down with Chris Keefer for an honest conversation about adversity, mindset, and the people who shape the trajectory of our lives.
This episode goes far beyond surface-level motivation.
Chris shares his story of a life-altering car accident in 2007 and the long road that followed. He opens up about the physical, mental, and emotional trials that came in the aftermath, the identity shifts, t...
Healing, Recovery, and Alignment: A Conversation with Tara Moreno of Green Tara Holistics
In this powerful and grounding 15th episode of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery Season 2, host Adam Wittbrodt and co-host Dave “Waz” Wazny sit down with Tara Moreno of Green Tara Holistics for an open and thoughtful conversation on recovery, fitness, healing, and the deeper work of coming back into alignment with yourself.
This episode goes far beyond surface-level wellness.
Tara shares her personal journey through recovery and healing, offering insight into what it really means to rebuild from the inside out. She speaks cand...
Creativity, Recovery, and Resilience: A Conversation with Chris Redburn & Stevie Lee Kinzer from Redburn
In this powerful and wide-ranging 14th episode of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery Season 2, host Adam Wittbrodt and co-host Dave “Waz” Wazny sit down with Chris Redburn and Stevie Lee Kinzer of the band Redburn for an honest conversation at the intersection of music, health, recovery, and personal growth.
This episode goes far beyond the stage and the studio.
Chris and Stevie open up about life inside the music industry… the pressure, the identity, the grind… and how creative environments can both inspire and quie...
Breaking the Past, Building What’s Next: A Conversation with Nick & Danielle Hale
In this powerful and deeply personal 13th episode of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery Season 2, host Adam Wittbrodt and co-host Dave “Waz” Wazny sit down with a couple whose story embodies grit, growth, and generational change… Nick and Danielle Hale.
This conversation goes far beyond addiction. It reaches back into early childhood, the environments that shaped them, and the moments… big and small… that pushed them toward destructive coping mechanisms. Nick and Danielle open up with honesty and vulnerability about the struggles they faced with substances, the pain they carried into adole...
Breaking Cycles, Building Futures: A Deep Dive with Carrie Everett
In this inspiring and deeply human 12th episode of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery Season 2, host Adam Wittbrodt and co-host Dave “Waz” Wazny sit down with someone who brings both personal history and powerful transformation to the table,Carrie Everett, owner of C and A Servicez LLC and creator of Safiee.
This episode hits close to home. Adam and Carrie went to school together, long before either of them imagined the roads their lives would take. What makes this conversation so meaningful is not just where they came from, but the...
Facing the Inevitable: A Deep Conversation on Death, Dying, and Aging with Megan Welke
In this powerful and emotionally charged 11th episode of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery Season 2, host Adam Wittbrodt steps into a different role… as the one being interviewed. Joined by special guest and a voice of compassion, Megan Welke from Forward Therapy, this episode explores some of life’s most difficult but universal topics: death, dying, and the process of aging.
Megan guides Adam through a raw, honest, and deeply reflective conversation about the realities we all face but rarely talk about. From his personal experiences with loss to the ways...
Fuel, Focus, and Finding Your Path – A Conversation with Kayla Schneider of Meal Prep Proz
In this energizing 10th episode of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery Season 2, host Adam Wittbrodt and co-host Dave “Waz” Wazny sit down with Kayla Schneider, owner and founder of Meal Prep Proz, for a fun, inspiring, and eye-opening conversation about food, entrepreneurship, and the power of fueling your body the right way.
Kayla opens up about her journey; from her personal background to the moment she realized there was a real need for convenient, healthy, high-quality meals in her community. What started as a passion for helping people eat better has...
Mind, Muscle, and Mental Health – A Conversation with Taylor Gilson
In this insightful 9th episode of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery Season 2, host Adam Wittbrodt and co-host Dave Wazny sit down with Taylor Gilson, owner and licensed therapist at Mid Mitten Psychological Services, for a powerful discussion on the deep connection between physical training and mental wellness.
Together, they explore how exercise can be one of the most effective tools for managing stress, anxiety, and depression… and why movement is often the missing link in emotional healing. Taylor shares her professional insights on how therapy can help not only those st...
Performance, Recovery, and Pelvic Health – A Conversation with Betsy O’Malley and Abbey Thornock
In this powerful 8th episode of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery Season 2, host Adam Wittbrodt and co-host Jordan Eckman sit down with Betsy O’Malley, an Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapist, and Abbey Thornock, a Doctor of Physical Therapy, for a deep and eye-opening conversation on the often-overlooked foundations of movement and health.
Together, they unpack the importance of pelvic floor health, how it connects to core stability, posture, and performance, and why so many people, men and women alike, struggle in silence with dysfunction that can be both preventable and tr...
Health, Prevention, and Optimization – A Conversation with Jessica Raymond of LIV1
In this enlightening 7th episode of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery Season 2, Adam Wittbrodt and co-hosts Dave Wazny and Jordan Eckman, sit down with Jessica Raymond, founder of LIV1 Concierge Medicine.
Jessica brings a wealth of knowledge on what it truly means to take control of your health from the inside out. Together, Adam, Waz, Jordan, and Jessica explore how preventive care, regular bloodwork, and personalized fitness and nutrition strategies can help you not just avoid illness, but optimize your performance, longevity, and overall quality of life.
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Purpose, Recovery, and Community – A Conversation with Buddy Yancer
In this inspiring 6th episode of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery Season 2, Adam Wittbrodt and co-host Dave Wazny welcome back the podcast’s first returning guest, Buddy Yancer.
Buddy, a powerful voice in the recovery community, dives deep into the importance of purpose and connection, not just for those in recovery, but for anyone striving to live a meaningful, fulfilled life. Together, Adam, Waz, and Buddy explore how having a clear sense of purpose can ground you through life’s challenges, and how community can be the difference between relapse and resilience, isolation and i...
Justice, Dialogue, and Unity – A Conversation with Erin Patrice of The Breaking Bread Village
In this powerful 5th episode of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery Season 2, Adam Wittbrodt and co-host Dave Wazny sit down with community leader and founder of The Breaking Bread Village, Erin Patrice.
Erin shares the inspiration behind her mission to bring people together for meaningful conversations that bridge divides in today’s complex social and political climate. Together, Adam, Dave, and Erin dive deep into justice reform, the current landscape of politics and society, and the urgent need for empathy-driven solutions that move communities toward unity rather than division.
...Policing, Justice, and Community – A Conversation with Sheriff Scott Holzinger
In this insightful fourth episode of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery Season 2, Adam Wittbrodt and co-host Dave Wazny sit down with Midland County Sheriff Scott Holzinger.
Sheriff Holzinger shares his perspective on leading the sheriff’s department, the daily realities of law enforcement, and the importance of building trust between police and the community. Together, Adam, Dave, and the Sheriff discuss how policing has evolved, the challenges officers face, and what it takes to create meaningful, positive interactions in a world where trust is often tested.
Bars, Recovery, and Building Strength – A Conversation with Bostyn Drapp
In this powerful third episode of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery Season 2, Adam Wittbrodt and co-host Dave Wazny sit down with entrepreneur and recovery advocate Bostyn Drapp.
Bostyn opens up about his journey through addiction and the path that led him to not only reclaim his life but to step boldly into business ownership, running bars while living in recovery. Together, Adam, Dave, and Bostyn explore the complexities of navigating environments tied to old habits, and how resilience, accountability, and vision can transform obstacles into opportunities.
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Fitness, Fuel, and Finding Your Edge – A Conversation with Ali Huntoon
In this dynamic second episode of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery Season 2, Adam Wittbrodt and co-host Dave Wazny sit down with fitness expert Ali Huntoon to dive deep into all things fitness.
From exploring different types of exercise, to setting clear and realistic goals, to breaking down the truth about supplements, this conversation covers the full spectrum of building a healthy, sustainable fitness lifestyle. Ali brings a wealth of knowledge and passion, sharing insights on what it really takes to not just train your body, but to transform your life.<...
Faith, Fitness, and Lifelong Growth – A Conversation with Nathan Laplow
In this inspiring first episode of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery Season 2, Adam Wittbrodt and co-host Jordan Eckman sit down with Nathan Laplow to explore what a true fitness journey looks like across a lifetime.
They share powerful insights on how fitness evolves as we age — from building strength in youth, to sustaining health in adulthood, to finding purpose and longevity later in life. The discussion goes far beyond the gym, weaving in themes of faith, discipline, and God’s role in shaping who we become.
Season 1 Finale – Reflect, Reset, and Rise
In the season finale of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery, host Adam Wittbrodt and co-host Dave Wazny sit down to look back on the journey so far. From powerful guest stories to raw conversations about growth, resilience, and mindset, we revisit some of the highlights that made this season unforgettable.
But it’s not just about looking back, we dive into lessons learned, behind-the-scenes insights, and what’s next for the podcast as we continue building a community around strength of body and strength of mind.
Redemption Through Recovery Court – A Conversation with Judge Michael Beale
In this powerful episode of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery, Adam Wittbrodt sits down with Judge Michael Beale, a leader in Michigan’s Recovery Court program. Judge Beale shares what it’s like to sit on the bench and watch people transform, rebuilding their lives, reuniting with their families, and proving that rehabilitation works where incarceration often fails.
Together, Adam and Judge Beale dive deep into the challenges, victories, and lasting impact of recovery court. From stories of gratitude from those once sentenced, to lessons on accountability and hope, this epis...
Planting Seeds of Hope with Keri Kenney
In this powerful episode of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery, host Adam Wittbrodt and co-host Dave Wazny are joined by Keri Kenney for a conversation that goes far beyond the surface. Together, they dive into the work being done inside the Juvenile Justice Center, where they strive to give kids hope, direction, and belief in themselves, even in some of the toughest circumstances.
Keri opens up about her personal journey, the painful experiences and defining moments that forged her resilience and shaped her into the woman she is today. From...
Strength Beyond the Barbell: Russell Yankee’s Journey of Lifting, Resilience & Growth
In this episode of Level Up Life: Muscle and Mindset Mastery, host Adam Wittbrodt and co-host Jordan Eckman sit down with Russell Yankee, whose story of resilience and transformation is fueled by iron and grit. From his first days in the weight room to building strength that goes far beyond the barbell, Russell shares how lifting became both his outlet and his foundation for growth. And what it takes to build elite level strength.Â
He opens up about the discipline it takes to train consistently, the setbacks he’s overcome along the...
From Survival to Success: Crystal Lynn Burditt’s Journey with Cozy Cats Café
In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, Adam and Waz sit down with Crystal Lynn Burditt, the visionary behind Cozy Cats Café. Crystal opens up about the passion and purpose driving her unique café, where coffee, community, and the calming presence of cats come together to create a safe, welcoming space for everyone who walks through the door.
But her story goes far deeper than business. Crystal bravely shares her experience surviving domestic violence—how she found the strength to leave, rebuild her life, and reclaim her voice. She talks about the diff...
Lyrics, Loss & Leveling Up: Mike Richards of Adaboy!
This week on The Level Up Life: Muscle and Mindset Mastery, we sit down with Mike Richards, lead singer of the band Adaboy!, for a raw and powerful conversation on art, adversity, and the long road to healing.
Mike opens up about childhood trauma, addiction, and the darkness he had to confront - both in himself and the world around him. But through music, mindset, and meaningful change, he found a way forward.
We talk about the responsibility of storytelling, the line between glorifying...
Still Fighting Battles You Can’t See
Guest: Travis Crossley – Former Inmate, Recovery Advocate, Trauma Survivor
In this raw and unfiltered episode, Travis Crossley shares his journey through addiction, incarceration, and the invisible battles that still shape his daily life. From the chaos of substance abuse to time behind bars, Travis opens up about the triggers he still faces—like being in crowded spaces or confined in cars—and the emotional weight that doesn’t just go away with time.
He’s been out since 2017, but the healing process is far from over...
Back Pain, Barbell Myths & Breaking Sugar Cycles
Guest: Logan Richetti- Entrepreneur and Lender
In this episode, Adam is joined by Logan Richetti and Waz for a powerful conversation that blends fitness fundamentals with hard-hitting truth about health, nutrition, and mindset.
They dive into why back injuries are on the rise—not just from bad lifts, but from poor mechanics in everyday life. They also challenge the idea that the “Big 3” lifts (squat, bench, deadlift) are essential for everyone, and why training should be tailored, not templated.
Then the focus shifts to food—specifically, how our...
Every Rep Should Have a Reason
Guest: Jordan Eckman – Level Up Trainer & Podcast Editor
In this episode, we’re joined by Jordan Eckman—trainer, podcast editor, and one of the sharpest minds behind the Level Up brand. Together, we break down one of the most overlooked but critical aspects of training: the "why" behind every movement.
If you've ever copied a program off the internet or followed random workouts with no real plan—this one's for you.
🔍 We dive into:
• Why ind...
From Struggle to Strength: Chris Cohen & the SoberStrong Movement
On this episode of The Level Up Life: Muscle and Mindset Mastery, we’re joined by Chris Cohen, the founder of SoberStrong Apparel; a brand that stands for more than sobriety. It’s about resilience, pride, and showing the world that your past doesn’t define your strength.
Chris shares his raw journey through addiction and recovery, and how he transformed his pain into purpose, building a movement that empowers others to wear their sobriety like a badge of honor. This conversation dives deep into mindset, identity, and what it really means...
