Long Shot Leaders with Michael Stein

Athena Brownson is redefining what it means to thrive in the real estate industry. A former professional skier who endured nine knee surgeries and two neck operations.   Athena’s initial impression of real estate was far from positive, viewing REALTORS as dime-a-dozen salespeople. But a life-changing mentorship and her own unstoppable drive transformed her skepticism into passion.   Over the last decade, Athena has risen to become one of Colorado’s most trusted and top-performing REALTORS, blending sharp market insight, unmatched negotiation skills, and a creative eye for design that unlocks the true potential of every property. What sets Athena apart isn’t just her professional expertise; it’s her remarkable story of resilience. After being diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease, Athena faced debilitating challenges that could have ended her career. Instead, she turned adversity into her superpower, rebuilding her business with even greater focus and purpose.

Pav Lertjitbanjong is the founder of Layoff Ready, a program that helps people prepare for job loss before it happens. She guides professionals in building financial security, confidence, and peace of mind so they can face change without fear.   After experiencing major shifts in her own career and life, Pav saw the importance of being prepared. She turned these lessons into a mission to help others turn layoffs into opportunities for growth.   Through Layoff Ready, Pav shares simple tools and clear steps to manage money, stay resilient, and plan for the future. Her goal is to help people feel secure, confident, and truly ready for what comes next.

John Dwyer started his career in the retail marketing world, working with major brands and becoming a National Marketing Manager in his twenties. He later launched his own agency, where he built a name for creating bold, direct-response campaigns that delivered serious results. He’s now the founder of The Institute of Wow, best known for developing the Wow Strategy, a proven formula that helps businesses attract more customers using irresistible offers and clever incentives. His approach is all about cutting through the noise and getting real, measurable outcomes. Today, John helps business owners across industries grow fast with his plug-and-play marketing systems and “Wow Injection Packages,” giving even small businesses access to big-impact strategies without huge budgets.

Jack Landry is a former Division I athlete and software engineer turned men’s mindset and fitness coach. After working at companies like Fidelity and Amazon, he left the corporate world to pursue a more meaningful path—helping high-achieving men who feel unfulfilled create lives of purpose, discipline, and freedom. ⁣ Drawing from his own transformation through fitness, faith, and personal development, Jack now runs a thriving coaching business and creates inspiring content for his 70,000+ followers on Instagram. ⁣ His mission is to guide others in stepping into their God-given potential while building a strong foundation for their future—personally, spiritually, and professionally.

Amanda Olusanya is a conscious entrepreneur, speaker, and global traveler originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, now based in Vietnam. Her journey—from growing up with a single mother to selling everything at 40 and moving to Uganda—reflects a life shaped by curiosity, courage, and a deep desire for meaning. ⁣ With 15+ years of global travel under her belt, Amanda has built and exited multiple businesses, including a successful men’s salon, and now empowers other entrepreneurs through coaching focused on clarity, leadership, and exit strategies. ⁣ Her life philosophy centers around living in 90-day cycles, embracing adaptability, and redefining success beyond material wealth. Amanda’s work and lifestyle are grounded in values of personal growth, conscious living, and uplifting communities—especially across Africa. Through travel, entrepreneurship, and cultural immersion, she continues to inspire others to design purpose-driven lives rooted in simplicity, expansion, and impact.

Ricardo Viso is a resilience coach, speaker, and founder of the Joyful Living Lounge, a platform dedicated to helping people cultivate more joy in their daily lives. Born in Denver and raised in Mexico, Viso’s life took a transformative turn after the loss of his mother at age 10, and again decades later with a cancer diagnosis. Instead of surrendering to fear, he chose to reframe his challenges into opportunities for meaning and growth. ⁣ A former executive in retail and e-commerce, Viso now focuses on emotional well-being, mindset, and intentional living. He developed the R.I.C. method—Recognize, Identify, Consciously create joy—and promotes a practical, flexible approach to wellness. ⁣ Viso also co-leads two wellness startups: Wildflow, a fitness platform for men over 45, and a restaurant industry wellness app aimed at supporting underserved workers. Through coaching, workshops, and storytelling, Ricardo empowers others to embrace joy, presence, and purpose—even in the face of adversity.

Dr. Julie Wilson is a family physician and visionary healthcare entrepreneur based in British Columbia. Originally focused on building a small, traditional clinic, she was propelled into large-scale innovation during the COVID-19 pandemic. ⁣ Faced with soaring patient demand and systemic challenges, Julie transformed her practice by prioritizing workplace culture, doctor autonomy, and people-centered leadership. ⁣ She embraced modern tools like AI to improve efficiency, while fostering a respectful, flexible environment that attracted top medical talent. Today, she leads the largest integrated clinic network in B.C., with a mission to ensure every resident has access to a family doctor within the next decade.

Mitchell Osmond is a leadership coach, speaker, and host of The Dad Nation Podcast (34K monthly listeners), helping high-performing men win at home, in health, and in mindset—without sacrificing career success. ⁣ With over 15 years in senior leadership, he equips executives and entrepreneurs with the tools to lead powerfully in both business and family life. ⁣ Through coaching, speaking, and courses, Mitchell’s mission is clear: to help men create unshakable confidence, thriving relationships, and a life worth imitating.

Jason Norris is the founder of YCAA, a boutique talent agency known for its hands-on, mentorship-driven approach to actor representation. Originally from Montreal and now based in Toronto, Jason began his career in advertising, crafting TV commercials for major brands. ⁣ Inspired by his daughter’s brief foray into acting and disillusioned by the impersonal nature of traditional talent agencies, he made a bold pivot into talent representation. With a background in film production and a passion for storytelling, Jason launched YCAA in 2019 to provide actors with the guidance, preparation, and personal connection he felt the industry lacked. ⁣ Under his leadership, YCAA focuses on quality over quantity—educating and supporting a curated roster of clients in one of North America’s most competitive acting markets. Looking ahead, Jason plans to expand YCAA’s reach into Los Angeles while continuing to champion Canadian talent and homegrown stories.

Al Kushner is a LinkedIn strategist and AI enthusiast with a background in sales, marketing, and entrepreneurship. Originally from Coney Island, Brooklyn, he studied at the High School of Art and Design and NYU before starting his career in telephone sales. ⁣ Al has been an early adopter of digital tools, leveraging LinkedIn since 2005 to build meaningful professional connections, especially within niche markets like CPAs, attorneys, and financial planners. He uses AI tools like ChatGPT daily to create targeted, value-driven content that helps others grow their LinkedIn presence authentically. ⁣ Through his company LinkVantage, Al offers training, profile optimization, and speaking engagements, and is the author of The AI LinkedIn Advantage, guiding professionals on integrating AI strategically and ethically for lasting growth. Now based in Florida, he remains deeply connected to his New York roots and continues to advocate for genuine, high-quality networking in the digital age.