Apogee Strong

Trust is a vital component of human connection. It can develop and be much stronger over a period of time, but it can be lost in a snap. You can only earn trust by giving it first, so if you don’t trust people, don’t expect them to show you respect, loyalty, and trust as well. Treat your employees with care if you want them to do their job excellently. Ryan King shares his life lessons and experiences of how he grew up loving both baseball and reading, which helps him in his current career. He also discusses the proper mindset when reading, having accountable people to see the special within us that we can’t see, why trusting your employees is essential, and why positive labelling is powerful. Listen as young leaders ask about life, self-development, business, and more! Quotes: “When you are reading, just chill and treat it like watching a movie, and it will be much more enjoyable. No human being on the planet is going to remember everything they read verbatim.” – Ryan King “People react to how you treat them with respect. So stress them, and then they're going to reciprocate that.” – Ryan King “Don't be so quick to label the negative things. And if you are, be as quick to label the positive things.” – Ryan King Takeaways: Humans have severe blind spots that we can’t see ourselves. So having accountable people in our lives is critical because frequently, they see something unique in you that you don’t. For you, it might be normal. But for other people, you are amazing. If you want to be respected, you need to show respect first. Similarly, if you trust your employees and treat them nicely, they will also return that with trust and loyalty. Labelling has a powerful impact on people. If we harness the power of labelling for a positive cause, it will impact people's lives positively. So be quick to label positive.  Conclusion: Don't put yourself under pressure when reading; instead, see it as a way to relax, similar to viewing a movie. You are not obliged to recall every word that you have read. Additionally, as humans, we have blind spots we are unaware of. As a response, discover a community and accountable individuals who can help you realize your potential and individuality. Furthermore, to be trusted, you must first demonstrate trust in others. It is the key to establishing and maintaining trust with everyone else. Finally, labeling is impactful, so make the most of it by labeling positively.

Nowadays, there are so many things in our life that seeing it is just as usual—technological advancement, ready-made products to meet our needs efficiently, scientific inventions, etc. Unbeknownst to us, there are still people living in this world where houses, food, and water is the only things they need. And seeing just their reflections from a phone camera makes them curious and joyful. As humans living a convenient life, we must realize that we must be grateful for what we have and treasure these things. Jason Khalipa tells the tale of his journey through Africa and how he and his children understood how the world and life work. He also concludes that the modern world is so fabricated that people are robbed of perceiving what life is. Watch as young leaders ask questions about everything from life to entrepreneurship to personal development. Quotes: “It was good for our children and me to see this unfiltered world as we live from a totally fabricated world. From how your food gets onto the table to how people show up on social media. It's all kind of like a highlight reel of different things.” – Jason Khalipa “Learning from various cultures is important, and when you travel or when you immerse yourself in different cultures, you get different perspectives. – Jason Khalipa “They [people in third world countries; impoverished areas] were just grateful to have this. They're grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow. They were excited about it, they were curious, and look what they were able to do. Whereas most young people are numbed with so much in so many things, in so many different inputs, that we're almost numbing, like Wonder of the World out of them.” – Matt Beaudreau Takeaways: It is important to us, especially children, to know the real world and understand that life is brutal, but that is normal. It will help us be independent and care for ourselves to survive. Knowing other people's cultures is a valuable experience one can have, and it will widen our perspective of the world and how others do things, which we can apply to our lives. Those people in impoverished areas are so happy and grateful just to see simple things for us might be normal. This is because we are numb in a way that these things are usual for us, that we tend to forget how to be grateful for what we have.  Conclusion: Life is brutal, but that is just how it is. And so, we must learn to be independent and capable of taking care of ourselves to endure the obstacles in life. Additionally, be appreciative of the things you have because not all people are living a life full of different things around them.

No one is flawless at birth, but their aspirations and visions help them become such. It is imperative that we improve, not just for ourselves but also for the society that will one day serve as the home of the next generation. The society in which we live today was created by many amazing people with their extraordinary visions, hard effort, and sacrifice. Yet nothing endures forever. In the same manner that wolves emerge from their dens after a storm, it is up to us to fill the shoes of those great individuals and lead the path to change. Graham Allen imparts his life's lessons, wisdom, and counsel to everyone listening today. Typically, the most important journey you will take in your life will be one of self-transformation. This is often the most frightening because it necessitates the most drastic changes in your life. Tune in as young leaders ask questions about life, personal growth, and more! Quotes: “Joining the army is what transformed me. It’s where I learned the values that I still use to this day: discipline, responsibility to something bigger than yourself.” – Graham Allen “I was the kid that got nervous before I had to speak in front of the class. Because I just hadn't figured everything out yet.” – Graham Allen “It's important to talk about things because if you don't talk about it, you can't help.” – Graham Allen Takeaways: Experience is the best teacher. Nothing will ever beat it in terms of educating people and assisting them in navigating life.   Overcoming fear is the easiest method to acquire confidence. More importantly, don't waste your time attempting to persuade others. Do your thing, and don't worry about whether others like it or not. We speak not only to communicate with others, but also to communicate with ourselves. Improper communication is always the source of misunderstandings so it is always best to talk it out and understand each other. Conclusion: Change of our ideas invariably results in transformation of our voice and deeds. We develop a new personality with a benign form of royalty based on purity. Our nature becomes serene. Where there was fear before, there will be self-confidence, and where there was vengeance, envy, or anger, there will be love and a desire to serve and help others. "Be good and do good" would become our life mantra. We would soar above body consciousness and settle into a higher and more holy degree of soul consciousness.

Words are effective tools that can shape the world around us. They have the power to inspire, uplift, comfort, and unite people. On the other hand, they can also cause division, hatred, and pain. Words are one of the most powerful tools we have at our disposal. They have the power to shape our thoughts, our actions, and our world. It's up to us to use them wisely and recognize their incredible potential to bring about positive change in the world. Mark England is a public speaker, coach, and co-founder of Procabulary, a company that empowers people with the skills and tools to enhance their communication and achieve their goals. He is known for his work on the power of words and how they can shape our reality. Through various challenges in his life, Mark developed a deep understanding of the impact of language on our mental health and well-being. Mark offers a unique approach to personal development by teaching people how to use language intentionally to transform their lives. Tune in as young leaders ask questions about life, personal growth, entrepreneurship, and more! Quotes: "I highly recommend that you adopt that relationship with time, turn it into a game, and you'll like what happens. If you go the other way, you won't like what happens." – Mark England "But guess what, part of me is scared. And part of me is afraid I'm not good enough. And which is fine. That's all normal." – Mark England "Language game is designed specifically to make the real point, that confidence is built.Do not worry about your level of competence; marry the process, and your confidence will go up." – Mark England Takeaways: We can reframe our relationship with time and turn it into a game. This can mean setting goals, tracking progress, and celebrating small wins. Doing this allows us to view time as an ally instead of an enemy, leading to a more productive and fulfilling life. On the other hand, if we have a negative relationship with time, such as constantly feeling rushed or overwhelmed, we can suffer stress, burnout, and other negative consequences. Positive role models can inspire us, provide guidance, and offer a sense of community. Conversely, lacking positive role models can lead to feelings of isolation, hopelessness, and low self-esteem. Therefore, it's essential to seek out and cultivate relationships with positive role models, whether it's through personal connections or media such as books, movies, or social media. Focus on the process of growth and development, rather than worrying about whether or not you're good enough or competent enough. Focusing on the process and embracing the journey will build confidence and competence over time. In other words, confidence isn't something you either have or don't have - you can actively cultivate it by engaging in learning and growing. Conclusion: The power of words shouldn't be underestimated. Words can shape our beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors, and they can either motivate us or hold us back. Whether we're talking to ourselves or communicating with others, words can have a profound impact on our lives and the lives of those around us. Therefore, it's important to choose our words carefully, to use them to uplift and inspire ourselves and others, and to be mindful of the messages we convey. Using words to empower ourselves and those around us can create a more positive and supportive environment that fosters growth, learning, and success.

People are constantly confronted by the question, “What is my life's purpose?”. And often, people cannot find the answer to that question. This will lead to our minds being confused and not knowing what to do. To see our purpose, we need to acknowledge that God creates us and we are unique; each has a talent, a passion, and a mission to do. Having a purpose is scary, you might think you don’t have it, but it’s wrong. Everyone has a purpose, it is discoverable and it is attainable. Ken Coleman shares the life he has grown up in a family with great examples for him to follow and how it set the stage for his life. He talks about how we can find our purpose in life, overcome our fear, and develop a clear, confident, and courageous personality. Tune in as Ken answers questions about life, personal growth, entrepreneurship, and more!  Quotes: “Monday doesn't suck. When you're going in, you'll spend most of your day using what you do best, doing work you love, and producing results no matter what. That's a person who's on fire and who's on purpose. .” – Ken Coleman “The secret to starting and facing your fear is to retreat to clarity.” – Ken Coleman “You cannot remove fear and doubt; you can overcome them. ” – Ken Coleman Takeaways: Many people see their work as just a way to make income and wait for their paychecks. However, the truth is that work is an opportunity for you to improve the world through your unique contribution, talent, and passion for completing your mission. Clarity breeds confidence, which in turn generates courage. A clear guy is confident, and a confident man has the courage to act when confronted with fear in a crisis. Confrontation cannot be avoided, but we can learn that while experiencing fear and doubt, you are in a good position and are pursuing something important to you. Because we never fear or doubt something we don't care about.  Conclusion: Finding our purpose in life starts with being enlightened that everyone has their own talent, passion, and mission. However, we have three main enemies: fear, doubt, and pride. Fear and doubt cannot be removed, but you can overcome them. You just need clarity, confidence, and courage to take action. Though you must remember that having fear and doubt is not bad, having those feelings proves you care about your activities.

Parents are responsible for caring, loving, and guiding their children. They should be the ones to show the ropes of how life is and strengthen their kids to prepare for any challenges they face. Sadly, some parents fail to do all that and instill traumatic experiences into the ones they are supposed to show love. This leads their child to grow up suffering mentally, waiting for someone to pull them out of their difficulties. On the other hand, other children are forced to tackle life themselves. Learning slowly until they reach success. Larry Hagner shares his experiences growing up without a father figure, how his mom dating an abusive guy became a pattern, and how one experience of rejection became a turning point in his life. Tune in as Larry walks as through as he breaks the generational cycle and helps youth leaders manage through life, business, and self-development.   Quotes: “Intuitional intelligence is so important. If there's something that doesn't feel right in your gut, it's really important to listen to that.” – Larry Hagner “The balls that we never get to the plate and swing are the ones we will never hit. Don't be afraid to get up to the plate and strike out half the time. ” – Larry Hagner “Sometimes life feels like you're spinning plates on swords, and you don't want one of them to fall. ” – Larry Hagner Takeaways: Having great intuitional intelligence is critical in discerning when something is not right. Feel and listen to your gut; it can help you decide and act accordingly. The people who are willing to take chances, whether they will succeed or not, are the ones who will change the world, so don't be scared to do so. There will be periods in life when something requires more attention and effort, but you have to make sacrifices, and that's all right. Conclusion: The presence of the parents in a child’s life is pivotal in their development. They are the first model of love, appreciation, encouragement, and guidance that would be assimilated by the child in meeting other people outside the family. These help them build or know who they are; and their identity.   

As humans, no one didn’t want a life without stress, problems, and hardships. We may believe that comfortably living translates to having no responsibility. But is that the life we desire, and is it worthwhile to pursue? To learn, progress, and be successful, we must face challenges and put in our best effort to achieve our goals. Continue to look, search, and go forward; God will direct your steps and is more than eager to assist if you do your best. Ryan Williams shares his life experiences of finding who he was, what he wanted to be, and how he achieved it. He also tells why having a driving goal is crucial to motivate ourselves and continue what we do again and again until we reach our destination of what we dream of. Tune in as young leaders ask questions about life, personal growth, entrepreneurship, and more! Quotes: “If somebody wants to do something difficult, they have to truly want it from the inside.” –  Ryan Williams “As long as you're searching, as long as you're looking, something will pop up. It might not be today, might not be tomorrow. But as long as you're searching for it, and you're taking steps to find it, God, the universe, will put something in your path to where you are like, okay, this person is putting in the effort to move this direction, I'm gonna move things and help them along their path.” – Ryan Williams “Identity is the key. It is cool to have these key things that you pull into yourself, build yourself up, and say this is part of me. But you got to be careful not to lose sight of the rest of you, and just let yourself get fully absorbed into this thing.” –  Ryan Williams Takeaways: External motivation, such as validation from other people, will fade. So if you truly want to accomplish a challenging goal, it’ll need to start from the inside. You need to spark your desire and reach that goal no matter what. The average person can get through a day. But the real problem is deciding whether to get up and do it repeatedly. In order to get through this, you need to have a driving goal to motivate yourself, do what you need to do, and attain what you believe is worth achieving. Depending on where you are, everyone has a distinct version of themselves. And if you can't function clearly in those multiple versions, something will suffer because you didn't perform your best at one or more of those things; you must be intentional. Similarly, if you are not careful, you may quickly lose your identity to your business in entrepreneurship. Conclusion: To figure out what you want to do in life, you need to do something hard. Because those are the moments that we will have responsibilities, motivation, and an effort to exert, a recipe for us to grow and mature. Being in hard situations will also result in us making mistakes, which is where we get the lessons we need to polish ourselves and be wise.  

One can be called successful if they have achieved their desired goals. Being prosperous is a sign of success for some people. Yet success is more important than wealth. The great pleasure you experience when you accomplish your goals is unmatched by wealth. All elements of life require strong dedication and hard work to succeed in. Opportunities will come and go, but it is up to you to choose your course for success. You must overcome obstacles to accomplish your goals. It would be beneficial if you overcame the challenges with assurance and never gave up. All your efforts are for naught if you give up. Greg Denning imparts his life's lessons, wisdom, and counsel to everyone listening today. Success doesn't just happen. It involves a lot of effort, tenacity, research, sacrifice, and, most importantly, passion for the task at hand. After all, without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning. Tune in as young leaders ask questions about life, personal growth, and more! Quotes: “One of the most important lessons of my life is that you’ve got to be ready. There were opportunities I totally missed out on and can't go back to.” – Greg Denning “The greatest privilege in life is to be a husband and a father.” – Greg Denning “Leaders have courage. They are willing to say what needs to be done to, have those tough conversations, and to call it out.” – Greg Denning Takeaways: Excuses will always be there for you. Opportunity won’t. It is a unique feeling to live for someone else instead of simply for oneself. Realizing that your only responsibilities moving forward are to love, provide for, educate, mentor, discipline, and love some more. A leader needs to be self-assured enough to command others to follow him. They must feel secure in their judgments and deeds. If they is unsure, then how can people have the desire to follow them? Conclusion: Success doesn't depend on coincidence, good fortune, or being in the right place at theright time. Success follows a predictable pattern, just like how the sun rises and sets. You will advance in life by putting the lessons you just learned into practice. In comparison to others that are unaware of or do not employ these methods and tactics, you will be at a significant advantage. In both your personal and professional life, you will have a benefit that will give you a competitive edge. Nothing in the world can stop you if you regularly and persistently do the things that other successful people do.

Fitness has been about exercise, programming, physical evaluation and diet. These factors are naturally necessary for the fitness matrix. Still, we cannot deny that as our education on those four essential components has increased, so has the global epidemic of obesity and inactivity. Exercise and proper nutrition are not the solutions; understanding what drives human behaviour is. Brian Grasso is a performance coach in Chicago who has trained elite athletes for more than ten years and has consulted for pro sports teams in the United States and Canada. He is the founder and CEO of the International Youth Conditioning Association (IYCA), which promotes fitness for kids and certifies trainers to work with young athletes. Grasso is recognized as one of the most recognized authorities in mindset and performance, sharing insight into the growing need for fitness professionals to integrate mindset coaching alongside fitness. Tune in as young leaders ask questions about life, personal growth, entrepreneurship, and more! Quotes: "And often, when you're younger, the expectations people place on you is how you arrive in the world." – Brian Grasso "The expectations you hold for yourself will forever trump any expectations that are heaped upon you, and it took me a few too many years to learn that, but I'm thankful I did." – Brian Grasso "You create whom you want to become. There's nothing about science that doesn't agree with that." – Brian Grasso "I believe that men coming together for greater causes and to lean on each other and to learn from each other is essential." – Brian Grasso Takeaways: We are constantly bombarded with expectations from our society, culture, and the people around us, but it is equally important to consider our expectations and desires. Finding the balance between these two sets of expectations requires continuous self-reflection, mindfulness, and adjustment. This journey can lead to personal growth, self-awareness, and a deeper understanding of ourselves and our world. How we talk to ourselves can profoundly impact our thoughts, emotions, and actions. Adopting a positive and growth-oriented mindset allows us to open ourselves up to new possibilities, opportunities, and perspectives. This can lead to personal growth, creativity, and a greater sense of self-confidence. Many of us tend to seek validation and approval from others, but it's crucial to ensure that our aspirations align with our values, interests, and passions. Regular self-reflection can help us identify any external pressures or doubts that may be influencing our aspirations and allow us to make adjustments that align with our desires. We need to develop a resilient and growth-oriented mindset to achieve our goals and overcome challenges. This involves cultivating an optimistic outlook, learning from failures and setbacks, and developing a sense of grit and determination. A strong mindset can help us navigate the ups and downs of life with resilience and confidence, leading to tremendous success and fulfillment in the long run. Conclusion: Physical and mental self-growth are intertwined, as our physical health and well-being significantly impact our mental health and vice versa. Identifying any physical or mental barriers that may be holding us back from achieving our goals and addressing them can help us maintain our motivation and momentum when faced with obstacles. Developing a solid and unshakable mindset can help us stay focused and determined in adversity. We can cultivate physical and mental self-growth to achieve our goals and live more fulfilling and meaningful lives.

Do you ever feel like a hamster on a wheel in your job? Constantly spinning but never getting anywhere? It's a common experience but it doesn't have to be that way. Pursuing your passion is essential to finding a truly fulfilling and rewarding job. If you're feeling stuck in your job or unsure of what career path to pursue, take some time to explore your passions. You never know where it might lead you. Pursuing your passion isn't just important for finding a job; it's essential for finding a career that you love, and that loves you back. Jeff Madoff, the founder, and CEO of Madoff Productions Inc, is a director, writer, and producer with over 35 years of experience in the entertainment industry. Madoff's contributions are his role as a mentor and educator in film and video production and his lessons at the Parsons School of Design, the Fashion Institute of Technology, and the School of Visual Arts. His work as a director, writer, and producer and his contributions as an educator and mentor make him a valuable and respected figure in film and video production. Tune in as young leaders ask questions about life, personal growth, entrepreneurship, and more! Quotes: "I had no idea what I was going to be doing. But the one thing that was my north star that I always knew the direction I was going to go into is things that I had a passion about that engaged me, that kept me curious, kept me wondering, that were challenging creatively and emotionally, in a fulfilling way." – Jeff Madoff "If it is something, you want something you believe that you can learn, something you believe that you can do, then don't disqualify yourself." – Jeff Madoff "That perception of business and that perception of those up and downs is really critical to understand and to have a realistic context of the kind of job that you're applying for or the kind of business that you hope someday to start." – Jeff Madoff Takeaways: When applying for something, ensure you feel confident in making a strong case. This means thoroughly evaluating your skills and experience and determining if they align with the opportunity's requirements. Business skills and knowledge are transferable and can be applied to different fields and industries. This means that even with experience in a specific area, you can leverage that knowledge in other contexts and adapt to new challenges. It's important to recognize that finding solutions takes time and effort and isn't always an immediate process. While we may demand instant gratification and quick fixes, it's essential to approach problem-solving as a journey and embrace the learning and growth that comes with it. Conclusion: Approaching opportunities and problems with a focused and intentional perspective is critical. This entails assessing your abilities and expertise to ensure you can make a compelling case for any applications or opportunities you pursue. It is also critical to recognize that skills and information acquired in one business or field can be transferred to another, allowing for continuous growth and adaptation. Remember that discovering solutions requires time and effort and is not always an immediate process. Embracing the problem-solving process enables ongoing learning and progress, ultimately leading to more effective and long-lasting solutions.