Apogee Strong

In today's fast-paced society, it's easy to feel the world's weight on your shoulders. From the demands of school and work to the pressures of everyday life, it can all become too much to handle. However, some choose to move to a more slow and rural life – away from the pressure, but still able to adapt and balance to the modern and ever-growing world. Meet Jill Winger - a wife, mother of three, homesteader, author, and entrepreneur. Jill was homeschooled and always had a passion for farm life. In this episode, Jill shares how she and her husband overcame challenges to create a successful homesteading. Tune in to hear how they face family life, community involvement, and entrepreneurship, and learn how we can adapt their positive traits to our lives! Quotes: “Sometimes, the best way to look forward is really looking backward and going, how we apply that to the modern world.” - Matt Brad “You can do more than what you think … if you're willing to get honest with yourself and be willing to take that messy action before you're ready.” - Jill Winger “The only reason I'm where I am today is because I have failed so many times. I continue to fail, and I'm not afraid to fall down and get back up.” - Jill Winger Takeaways: One of the most important aspects of entrepreneurship is the ability to leverage your knowledge and experience. These assets are valuable to others interested in learning from your successes and failures. These assets can be profitable through coaching, books, or blogging, just to name a few. It can also be a stepping stone to start a business. Providing individuals with the opportunity to have a safe space to explore their curiosities freely is a great deal. It helps people become more resilient to exterior pressure and lets them view challenges and failures as part of their growth journey. People are aware of where they are and what they want to be, but certain things hinder us from moving forward and growing. You can start taking action and grow by overcoming your old beliefs and utilizing available resources – even in small steps. Conclusion: In a society where pressure in our lives is a constant struggle, a choice to live in a more rural and slow pace is always available. A place where we can let the pressure away and express our own ideas and curiosities while developing and growing ourselves and the community around us.

Manhood is a subject that encompasses various dimensions of identity, roles, and expectations. It goes beyond biological attributes and delves into character, emotions, relationships, and personal growth. Society often presents limited and stereotypical views of manhood, emphasizing strength, dominance, and stoicism while disregarding vulnerability, empathy, and self-reflection. However, manhood is a dynamic and evolving construct that cultural, historical, and individual factors can shape. Stephen Mansfield shares his life experiences, lessons, and advice to future leaders. Pursuing manhood involves self-reflection, introspection, and a willingness to break free from societal moulds. It is about finding authenticity, fostering healthy expressions of masculinity, and cultivating qualities such as empathy, compassion, and respect. Tune in as young leaders ask questions about life, personal growth, entrepreneurship, and more! Quotes: "Push back on yourself to expand, personally and culturally. Dive into poetry, reconnect with nature, and let it kindle something in your soul." – Matt Beaudreau "History holds a mirror to me. What did great figures like Lincoln, Washington, Marco Polo, or Churchill live, do, and write? Learn from them and see what they have to say." – Stephen Mansfield "Declare war on your weaknesses. Master yourself and live a strenuous life. Don't compromise or negotiate peace with yourself. Put yourself in battles that challenge you." – Stephen Mansfield "There is a tradition, a body of conduct, and an understanding of what a man is. It's not just about toxic masculinity, but a bold, passionate, and wild way of living that makes champions of children, ensures the safety and love of wives and fills life with passion and zeal." – Stephen Mansfield "Don't make any single aspect of manhood the meaning of life. Enjoy the athleticism, the pursuit of physical challenges, the love for your partner, and the role of a father. Integrate it all and find balance in embracing the fullness of manhood." – Stephen Mansfield Takeaways: Surround yourself with people who inspire you and hold up a mirror to your own life. Engage with individuals who have different passions, experiences, and perspectives. Whether through conversations, shared activities, or observing their pursuits, let their energy and enthusiasm kindle something within you. Avoid compromising or settling for a life that doesn't align with your desires and aspirations. Instead, actively seek meaningful experiences and engage in pursuits that align with your values. Embrace the call to live a purposeful and impactful life, pushing yourself to take on new challenges and make a difference in the world. Recognize the transformative power of sharing stories and wisdom with younger generations. Be a mentor, whether formally or informally, and guide others in understanding the rich heritage of manhood. Create spaces for open and honest conversations that challenge conventional narratives and ignite a passion for living with purpose. Recognize that manhood is not solely about superficial pursuits or excessive focus on one area of life. Instead, cultivate a well-rounded understanding of manhood that encompasses values, character, and meaningful connections with others. Conclusion: In a world that often presents narrow and extreme views of manhood, seeking a balanced and holistic understanding of what it means to be a man is crucial. By embracing integration, pursuing personal growth, nurturing relationships, and living by values that transcend societal norms, we can forge a path that celebrates the multifaceted nature of manhood. Let us strive to redefine and reclaim manhood, creating a space that fosters authenticity, empathy, and a deep sense of purpose.

With this toxic environment we live in, where junk foods fill up our stomachs and busy schedules that keep us at night, being healthy is a challenge. But if we understand how important it is, together with exercise, we will begin to strive to achieve a healthy body. Stan Efferding shares his life experiences and advice about being healthy and strong. We all wish to be healthy, and we do everything we can to have it. Being healthy starts with having a proper diet, eating habits, and having sufficient sleep. In doing so, your road to a healthy lifestyle is there. Tune in as they chat about health, training, leadership, life, business, and more! Quotes: “All the growth comes from eating and sleeping; it must be repetitive. But it's important to reiterate that sufficient calories and sleep is what going to make you recover from and super compensate and to get stronger in preparation for the next bout of tearing your body down.” – Stan Efferding “Working at a young age teaches you a lot, such as showing up on time, working hard, and earning money. But it also teaches you about the things that you don't want to do for the rest of your life.” – Stan Efferding “One thing I really like about strength training, in particular, is it's measurable, progressive, and immediate feedback. So If you go to the gym, and you don't perform as well as you did the previous week, there is a problem. ” – Stan Efferding Takeaways: It is important to be mindful of your diet and sleep, as well as keep tabs on the quality because it will help you recover and prepare your body for the next training. Having work experience at a young age is beneficial as it can teach you proper work ethics. But more importantly, it will help you realize what you don’t want to do for your life. If you go to the gym and do strength training, your body should have progress. It should constantly grow and grow over time. If not, there is a problem with your diet or sleep schedule, or maybe you are stressed. Conclusion: Growth comes from having a proper diet and having quality sleep. Therefore, if you want to grow, be healthy, and be stronger, focus on it. Together with resistance training, such as lifting weights, you will see growth in your body.

In life, we will have hardships and adversities that we humans need to face. But these life challenges make us stronger–capable of achieving more and more things we want. If we want to be more powerful, the key is to strengthen our mentality. Doing so is what will make us endure the hardships and have discipline. Dustin Diefenderfer shares his life experiences and advice for men to do hard and achieve more. Adversities give us a hard time in our life, but that is what we want. In order to improve and become better, going through hardships are critical. Tune in as men worldwide ask questions about mental and physical training, leadership, life, and more! Quotes: “Mental is more important than the physical.” – Dustin Diefenderfer “My current addiction is how far can we push human performance? Because I do feel that it does seem like as a society, as a world, we've only scratched the surface of what humans really can do.” – Dustin Diefenderfer “Spartan effect works if you can get that person to commit to signing up for that hard thing. But then you see it in reverse a lot where someone will start feeling a little bit better, mentally and physically, just from a little bit of movement and exercise in their life.” – Dustin Diefenderfer Takeaways: Our mentality trump over our physicality, so we should focus more on achieving proper mental strength. If you are not born with a good mentality, don’t fret, as it can be made and increased. The best way to do that is through physical training. Push yourself, get comfortable with being uncomfortable, and start to build that resilience. How far can humans go with their bodies? Throughout history, we can see that humans are capable of evolving–surpassing our own bodies and being able to achieve more. Thus, it proves that humans can go further in what they can do and reach. For every person, there’s a difference in how we can push someone to do harder and move forward. And so one method to do that is to use the spartan effect, which sets a hard, challenging goal that can able the person to overcome that challenge no matter what. Conclusion: Don’t be afraid to take hardships because that is what you need to become stronger. Focus on having a tough mentality because our mental side is more critical than our physicality. We are humans, and we are able to evolve and be better each time. So push yourself, go further and beyond, and surpass your capabilities.

Accepting failure can be one of the hardest things to do in life, but it's also one of the most necessary. It's important to recognize that failure is a natural part of the learning process and that you're not defined by your mistakes. Instead, use your failures as a way to learn and grow, and as an opportunity to try again with a new approach. Embrace the uncertainty that comes with failure and know that it's a chance to refocus your efforts and redirect your energy towards your goals. Remember, the only real failure is giving up, so keep pushing forward and never stop learning from your mistakes. Marc Rhodes imparts his life's lessons, wisdom, and counsel to everyone listening today. Failure is only the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently! Tune in as young leaders ask questions about life, personal growth, and more! Quotes: “When we're upset, we tend to project anger, because in that moment we feel very empowered.” – Marc Rhodes “Accepting failure, accepting rejection - it's painful, but it's necessary to move forward.” – Marc Rhodes “Letting go of the part of you that's died and moving forward into uncertainty is the only way to grab onto the next iteration.” – Marc Rhodes Takeaways: Anger is often a projection of our own feelings of powerlessness or vulnerability and can be detrimental to our relationships and well-being if left unchecked. It's important to address the root cause of our emotions and find healthy ways to express them. Failure and rejection are natural parts of the learning process, and it's important to embrace them as opportunities to grow and move forward. It may be painful in the moment, but the lessons learned will ultimately lead to success. Dwelling on past failures or losses can hold you back from moving forward into new opportunities. Letting go of the past and embracing uncertainty is necessary to progress and ultimately succeed. Conclusion: Failure is not the end, but a beginning. It's the chance to learn, grow, and change course, rather than giving up. Embrace the uncertainty and discomfort that comes with failure, knowing that it's a necessary step on the path to success. Keep pushing forward and never lose sight of your goals.

Being vulnerable as a man can be challenging in a society that often equates vulnerability with weakness. However, it's important to remember that vulnerability is simply a part of being human, and allowing ourselves to be vulnerable can lead to greater connections with others. It takes courage to be vulnerable and to open ourselves up to the possibility of rejection or judgment, but it's ultimately worth it if it means building stronger relationships and finding greater fulfillment in life. Nick Koumalatsos imparts his life's lessons, wisdom, and counsel to everyone listening today. Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it's having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome! Tune in as young leaders ask questions about life, personal growth, and more! Quotes: “Being vulnerable is a negative. But the reality is this: the most successful people in the world are very open and vulnerable with where they're at in life and the struggles that they've had.” – Nick Koumalatsos “Making things happen gives us purpose and fulfillment, and when we don't do that, we can start to degrade and feel lost.” – Nick Koumalatsos “When strong men become vulnerable with their children and their significant other, you open up the world to some amazing possibilities.” – Nick Koumalatsos Takeaways: Despite the belief that vulnerability is a negative trait, the reality is that the most successful people in the world are often very open and vulnerable about their struggles. Embracing vulnerability can lead to greater success and stronger connections with others. Action and accomplishment are key to finding purpose and fulfillment in life, and the lack thereof can leave us feeling lost or unfulfilled. Keep striving towards your goals and making things happen. Sharing your vulnerabilities with loved ones can lead to stronger connections, deeper understanding, and greater possibilities in life. Don't be afraid to let down your guard and be open with those closest to you. Conclusion: Vulnerability is a natural part of being human, and men should not be afraid to embrace it. While it can be intimidating to open up and show our true selves, doing so can lead to stronger relationships and a greater sense of fulfillment. Remember that it takes courage to be vulnerable, and that it's a sign of strength to show our vulnerabilities to others. So don't be afraid to show your true self - it's what makes you unique and special. Embrace vulnerability and all it has to offer.

How does your fear of failure impact the choices you make in life? Decisions are really difficult to make, and we're going to get them wrong. However, the more you lean on the side of morality, ethics, and integrity, the more frequently you'll get it right. And with time, that influence grows. Failure contains knowledge. Once you recognize it and use that understanding repeatedly, your biggest issue will be your recklessness as you relentlessly pursue failure. Nick Lavery shares his life experiences, lessons, and advice to future leaders. Nick talks about himself growing up as a small, scared, insecure kid, being bullied, the foundation of his resiliency and mental toughness, the importance of coaches in his life, his decision to join the military, how his injury has affected his life, identifying his purpose in life, and the importance of self-awareness and self-education. Tune in as Nick shares many valuable lessons that will help young leaders thrive despite the adversities in life. Quotes: “What's the point of our being here right now, is a question that individuals frequently find difficult to respond to. What will we do with this gift of life that has been given to us? Although I could see it as I was doing it, I had to do it to see it. That enlightenment didn't come to me until I put it into action.” - Nick Lavery “When you have four limbs for 30 years of your life and then are reduced to three, most things change in all facets of your life. However, I only want to emphasize that what I do has not changed. The way, or ways, have changed. I continue to do the same things as I did when I had two legs. And because I go about doing things differently than other people, I've discovered more new things.” - Nick Lavery “Human beings are social creatures. We are made to want to be with people, which is one of the things that sets us apart from many other living things in our world. Therefore, it is very reasonable to have a fear of failure as well as a fear of being laughed at, embarrassed, and judged. It's normal. That is supposed to happen. It is there on purpose.” - Nick Lavery Takeaways: If you want it, you will make it. Just make sure the desire is strong enough. And the justification for your want must be crystal clear in your thoughts since it is what you will hold to when it gets extremely hot. It’s about determining the best way to do things for yourself. It simply involves adjusting, adapting, learning, and trial and error. It's normal to fear failure. It's part of our survival instinct as human beings because emotional wellness is tied directly to physical health. However, failure has a powerful presence all its own. Pain serves as a catalyst for wisdom because making mistakes is where wisdom comes from. The failure contains the knowledge. Conclusion: There will be times when you'll want to pay focus on your fears, which seem to be ingrained in us on purpose. It serves as a defensive mechanism to keep us alive. Don't feel bad if you're afraid of something, though. It is intended to be there. But remember that the potential to improve comes from knowledge. You'll be amazed at what you can do if you equip yourself, train, study, make mistakes, and prepare to make decisions in your life that you thought you’ll fail.

Have you ever wondered what it takes to turn your entrepreneurial vision into a thriving business? The world of entrepreneurship is a dynamic and exhilarating journey filled with opportunities, risks, and rewards. Whether you have a groundbreaking idea, a passion for innovation, or a desire to create something meaningful, venturing into entrepreneurship opens doors to endless possibilities. So, are you ready to explore the exciting world of entrepreneurship and embark on a path of innovation and success? Nick Palmisciano shares his life experiences, lessons, and advice to future leaders. The most important thing to be aware of is how to strike a balance between work and personal life. By prioritizing self-care, setting boundaries, and fostering healthy relationships, we can achieve harmony between our work and personal lives, increasing productivity, happiness, and a more meaningful existence. Tune in as young leaders ask questions about life, personal growth, entrepreneurship, and more! Quotes: "If you're thinking about the end being the happy part, it's not worth it. Do something else because if you don't enjoy it, it's not going to be enough." – Nick Palmisciano "Recognizing the right time for a bigger pivot is challenging, but it requires self-awareness and understanding the underlying connections." – Matt Beaudreau "Sometimes, even when you have achieved success and financial security, it doesn't guarantee happiness or fulfilment." – Nick Palmisciano Takeaways: Find joy in the process and work towards goals you genuinely enjoy, as the journey is often longer than the result. Prioritize what truly matters in the long run and remember that professional achievements are temporary compared to the importance of family and relationships. Recognizing the right time for a significant change or pivot requires self-awareness, reflection, and identifying patterns or connections that may lead to new opportunities. Trusting your instincts and being open to exploration is essential. Money and success don't always equate to happiness and fulfilment. It's important to pursue what brings you joy and purpose. Conclusion: Embarking on the path of entrepreneurship requires passion, determination, and a willingness to face challenges. One can increase the chances of success by leveraging market analysis, building a unique business model, and prioritizing customer satisfaction. However, it's important to maintain a healthy work-life balance and invest in personal growth. Remember, failures can serve as valuable lessons, and entrepreneurial dreams can become a reality with confidence and perseverance.

Did you choose the same career path that you had in mind as a child? When they became adults, some people made different decisions, while others kept working toward the goals they set for themselves as children. Doing it requires commitment and consistency, which is challenging. But because of his character and outlook on life, Mark S. Allen makes it seem straightforward and effortless. Mark S. Allen worked full-time at a radio show while attending college, which led him to some television contracts. He segwayed over and started doing television, landed a great agent and landed his dream job, which was hosting his own show on Comedy Central. Tune in as Mark talks about his early interest in movies and entertainment, his relationship with his parents during his adolescent years, taking advantage of opportunities and creating opportunities, and the importance of giving back to the community. Quotes: “If you ever find yourself going through something, or if you have siblings or family members who are going through something, I beg you to understand that the problems are temporary, that this too shall pass, and that there is something better on the horizon. No matter how bad things get, something great is right around the corner. Just make sure you make it next door.” - Mark S Allen “I think parents are more in touch these days. And if not, you young people should get in touch with your parents. They might have some solutions for you.” - Mark S Allen “Stay true to who you are, and look for those opportunities. And every day, they'll show up.” - Mark S Allen Takeaways: It is inevitable to experience setbacks in life. But you must always keep in mind that these are just temporary challenges. If you endure through them, you will have something to be thankful for. So, despite how difficult things become, never give up. Parents did not always encourage their children's interests back then. And although some parents may not actively discourage their children, they also do not actively encourage them. However, parents today are less controlling and more accepting of their children's career choices. Try to get in touch with your parents if they aren't willing to share their opinions with you because they are also capable of support. There are a lot of opportunities out there. Keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities; more often than not, they will present themselves to you each and every day. Show up and grab the chance. Conclusion: Try to continue with some additional learning even if you discover a trade or a skill because it will round you out. You will also pick up knowledge you didn't know you needed to know until you actually do. You become more well-rounded as a result. Keep an open mind, and look for opportunities. Even if you didn't see it as an opportunity at the time, turn up and seize the moment. Your current situation might end at any moment. Therefore, the ideal course of action is to build on your existing success by positioning it for future success or, at the very least, by getting several plates spinning. Never spend too much time resting to admire your work. Keep growing and building. Always build on this success to achieve your next goal.

It is never simple to succeed in life when dealing with challenges. You need to stay committed, consistent and motivated. While forging your own route, you could get lost, but if you keep going, you'll figure everything out. Making the decision to go from being a professional mixed martial fighter to working in the film industry is not common. While some people attempted to do this, few of them were successful. Brandon Vera shares his life experiences dealing with racism as a kid, dealing with pushback, finding success early in his career, and the power of trusting the process. Tune in as you will learn a lot about life, personal growth, and success. Quotes: “Racism right away opened my eyes to the realities of life and helped me realize that I must fight. Life is unfair. That, I believe, was the first lesson it taught me. You need to figure it out.” - Brandon Vera “I believe that this is the reason I have the freedom I have. I don't pay attention to what people think.” - Brandon Vera “I've never had the problem of lacking confidence. I've struggled with the question of whether I truly want to do it.” - Brandon Vera Takeaways: There will be many things in life that you need to figure out on your own. Spend some time getting to know yourself well so that when someone says something negative about you, you won't be upset because you are the one who knows yourself the best. Even though everything will go well for you, people are going to keep focusing on what is wrong with you. Just ignore them and continue your life as you have always wanted to, not paying attention to such types of people. Do you truly want to continue living your life as you do now? Even though you are confident, there may still be instances when you have second thoughts about whether or not you really want to pursue something in your life. Just trust the process itself, and let it control your thoughts. You might be shocked by the outcome even though you're not entirely committed to accomplishing it. Conclusion: The majority of people don't strive for perfection. They are unwilling to invest the necessary time and effort. But going all in is key to success in life. Just go all in on anything you're trying to achieve, and you'll get surprising results.