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Apogee Strong

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May 29, 2023 • 34min

The Benefits and Drawbacks of Learning from Your Own Life Lessons w/ John Lovell

There is a saying that experience is the best teacher, and the worst experiences teach the best lesson. Does it? Do we need to go through suffering to learn? While we might be in this world for the first time not knowing anything, there is something we can do to make our lives worthwhile. John Lovell shares his life experiences about growing up without proper guidance from his father, being reckless that drove him to delinquency, finding his beloved wife, to being unmade and remade. Tune in as John walks us through his life, where God turned on his desire to learn and set on a path of wisdom and holy ambition, a desire to live for others. Quotes: “There is a horrible cost and consequence, which you will never be able to weigh.” -  John Lovell “If you have a heart that is hard, the only way to change it is to break it first.” - John Lovell “There is no way to replace just good old fashioned spending time with your loved ones.”  - John Lovell Takeaways: You don’t have to experience it to know it will hurt you. It is better to learn from the wisdom of those who have come before you than letting experience fall upon you. The Lord must first break your heart in order to have it. The hardest part of making it through is when you need to be completely destroyed. Nevertheless, you can take something away from this and have a change from the inside out.   Being able to connect with loved ones on an emotional level, vulnerability is one of the crucial parts of building connections with them. Conclusion: The best teacher may be experienced, but you can learn from other people's mistakes. You don't have to go through and keep making those same mistakes and acting recklessly in the same ways. You could do better than that by surrounding yourself with the right people. There is nothing wrong with being vulnerable to loved ones. Change your patterns that cause problems and build connections on an emotional level.  
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May 26, 2023 • 43min

Ready For Change? Be Prepared for Change in Your Life with Jim Riley

Change is constant, and people typically fear it. It’s not always the worst thing that may happen to anyone, contrary to popular belief. Things must alter for us to move on with our lives. Change is beneficial because most people's lives wouldn't exist if nothing changed. Also, people should intentionally transform their lives to learn new things and explore how they might gain from doing things in a different way. Most of the time, people discover that adjustments increase their understanding of the world and their enjoyment of life. People can develop physically, emotionally, and psychologically via change. Jim Riley imparts his life's lessons, wisdom, and counsel to everyone listening today. The capacity to adapt is the true test of intellect. After all, a person can change their future by merely changing their attitude. Tune in as young leaders ask questions about life, personal growth, and more! Quotes: “Focus on working hard and putting in the best day of work. It will always pay dividends for you.” – Jim Riley “If you take care of your employees, they will take care of the business.” – Jim Riley “When you learn how to do something, you will always have that skill.” – Jim Riley Takeaways: Greatness is not a prerequisite for success, but consistency is. Success comes from working hard consistently. Greatness will come. The way your employees feel is the way your customers will feel. And if your employees don't feel valued, neither will your customers. There is no end to education. Your whole life, from the moment you are born to the moment you die, is a process of learning. Conclusion: Making changes that will change your entire life can be as simple as changing your everyday routine. At some time, everyone should experiment with altering their lives to find what works for them. Regardless of how someone feels about the changes in their lives, it is still a fantastic opportunity to learn more about oneself and other people. Many people do not understand the strength of change. Certain adjustments are beyond your control, while others are completely within your grasp. In any case, it enables you to live, enjoy living, and pick up a lot of knowledge in the process.
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May 24, 2023 • 30min

Building Courage: How to Teach Yourself to Be Brave with Jay Ferruggia

Uncovering what we want in life can be daunting when we don't know where to begin, where to turn for guidance, and who to listen to. We take risks, make an effort to fit in, or we are adamant about what we know we want from life. Nevertheless, this journey of life is undoubtedly a spectacular one.  Jay Ferruggia shares his life experiences growing up watching his parents argue all the time, and in the end, divorce, hanging out with kids his age who regularly end up in jail, and as he figures out what he really wants out in life. Tune in as Jay Ferruggia talks about how improv changed his life for the better, and how change can be beneficial. Quotes: “Everyone is not competition, try to help everyone else as much as you can. You'll have a much happier life. It's physically impossible to feel bad about yourself when you're helping other people.” -  Jay Ferruggia "You can't just become the best and stay put. You got to be your own Don King." -  Jay Ferruggia “Listening is a superpower. The better you are at listening to the better people are going to respond to you, react to you, and treat you.” -  Jay Ferruggia Takeaways: Everyone can do great things. Consider how you can be of service to others; because you won't ever be as successful or as happy if you simply think about yourself. Even if you are the best in the world at what you're doing, you have to be bold enough and have enough competence to let other people know you are the best at what you're doing. Your ability to listen could make you become more affable with people. It teaches you to say "Yes" instead of merely shutting someone down with a "No."   Conclusion: Changing for the better requires enough bravery. It involves avoiding those who won't be a good influence on you, having the courage to embark on an unknown endeavor, and understanding the value of individuals in one's life. Above all, it is knowing in the first place and acknowledging that you need to change for the better.      
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May 22, 2023 • 1h 7min

Relationship Building Skills: Start Building Relationship Skills at Work with Mark Bell

Having a good character enables people to trust and rely on you. When you have a reputation for honesty, responsibility, and reliability, people feel more comfortable working with you and entrusting you with important tasks. This is important for a leader to provide for other people. A good character helps you build strong relationships with those around you, essential for creating a sense of community and support. Having a strong moral compass and values can help you make the right decisions and navigate difficult situations, ultimately leading to greater success and fulfillment in your personal and professional life. Mark Bell, a powerlifter and entrepreneur who has made a name for himself in the fitness industry, has a strong presence on social media, where he offers advice on nutrition, training, and mindset and shares his own personal journey and struggles with addiction and mental health. As a respected figure, Mark offers his followers a wealth of knowledge and experience. Through his training system, fitness brand, social media presence, and various other endeavors, he continues to impact the lives of fitness enthusiasts worldwide significantly. Tune in as young leaders ask questions about life, personal growth, entrepreneurship, and more! Quotes: "Knowledge is created by us and it can be created by anybody. You could be one, or you could be 99, or anywhere in between. And you possess the ability to create knowledge up against anybody." – Mark Bell "Let's see what happens if you feel you can't read. And then how would you obtain knowledge? How would you get smarter?" – Mark Bell "Sometimes putting life on pause is like the ultimate superpower." – Mark Bell Takeaways: Anyone, regardless of age or background, has the potential to create knowledge. This is a timely reminder that information is not limited to a few individuals or institutions. Anyone with unique experiences, insights, and perspectives can add to information creation. This can empower people who believe they are unqualified to contribute to the area they are interested in. Reading is an essential tool for gaining information and developing intelligence. Reading exposes us to new ideas, viewpoints, and news, making it one of the most effective ways to acquire new knowledge. It can also boost cognitive function and vocabulary, which can help with general intelligence. This emphasizes the significance of developing a reading habit and making it a priority in our daily existence. Curiosity and personal development require exposure to new ideas and experiences. Getting stuck in a rut and restricting ourselves to familiar ideas and experiences is easy. On the other hand, being open to new ideas and experiences can fuel curiosity and promote personal development. This may entail stepping outside our comfort zone, seeking different perspectives, and trying new activities. Conclusion: Anyone, not just experts or organizations, can contribute to expanding human knowledge. New information can be gained through a variety of sources, including one's encounters, observations, and experiments. The ability to read is crucial because it allows one to access information and concepts that might otherwise be out of reach. Skills like critical thinking, analysis, and issue-solving are also bolstered. Personal development relies heavily on two factors: curiosity and ongoing education. Individuals can maintain their interest and drive and move closer toward a life that is both satisfying and meaningful if they are open to trying new things. New information and abilities can also improve one's professional prospects, personal happiness, and social connections. Therefore, everyone must adopt these methods and equip themselves to develop personally, intellectually, socially, and professionally.
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May 19, 2023 • 42min

The Power of Vulnerability and Role Models in Overcoming Childhood Abuse with Dennis Morolda

It is the duty of parents to nurture and guide their children. Yet, some parents teach in a way that harms their children, leaving them with a traumatic experience they can carry with them as they grow up. We may be quick to label them as terrible parents, but looking back, we can see that those parents were also subjected to abusive environments from their very own parents, which caused them to be who they are and pass it on to their children. Dennis Morolda shares his life experiences of growing up perceiving love from his father based on how well he made things, being bullied at school, and having a people-pleasing mindset. Listen in to find out why surrounding yourself with mentors and role models will help you build experience and a strong leadership mindset, how Dennis forgives his father, and why writing your story will help you heal. Quotes: “When you're going through experiences as a young man, the experiences that you have changed how your brain is wired and how it is made up. And so, for you guys having this experience with unbelievable mentors and role models here, it's really serving to develop your brain in a way where you will become that strong leader.” – Dennis Morolda “It's okay to express emotion and express that vulnerability. It took me a long time to recognize that it is a strength to be able to show your vulnerability.” –Dennis Morolda “The other thing that's really helped me is writing stuff down; that's what I did initially. When I finally got through it, I wrote down this entire story from start to finish. And once you can write it down and get it out of your head, it doesn't stay stuck in there or bounce around in your head anymore. So I wrote it down. And I read it out loud. And I've read it to other people. And it helped me heal.” – Dennis Morolda Takeaways: Your experiences as a man will shape how your brain works. And so, surrounding yourself with great mentors and role models will help you develop a brain of a future strong leader. Don’t be afraid to show your feelings. It is not a weakness: instead, it is a strength to be capable of conveying your vulnerabilities. Writing down your story will help you heal from your bad experiences because it enables you to let go and free your mind from negativity. Conclusion: Understanding your parents' actions on why they are raising you in such a negative manner is the key to forgiving them. And as you know your parents, it is on you to determine how to shift and move forward, not take your parents' bad habits, and instead be a better man.
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May 17, 2023 • 46min

Discover Why The World Needs to Make Family a Top Priority with Ben Greenfield

Sometimes, people live their lives to the fullest without thinking of others, without thinking of their consequences or effects. Remember, people may forget about you, but they will never forget how you made them feel. Every little thing you do is a legacy that you are leaving behind. Ben Greenfield talks about the experiences he had throughout his life as well as the lessons and advice that he can share. He is someone who prioritized his family and altered his career in order to ensure that he could be there for his family. He wanted to provide for them and, at the same time, be present for them as a father and a husband. Tune in as he talks about life, growth, legacy, and more! Quotes: “One of the most important things I would say besides your relationship with your Creator is your relationship with your family.” – Ben Greenfield “When you write a book, it establishes credibility for you, it establishes respect for your work, it establishes trust with an audience.” – Ben Greenfield “People will forget what you did. People will forget who you were, but people will not forget how you made them feel.” – Ben Greenfield Takeaways: Family is the most important thing in life. When you start your own, you have to know your responsibilities and how they can create an impact in their lives and the future as well. Writing a book isn’t all about gaining money by selling it. A book gives you credibility, respect, and trust from the readers. They will look up to you and seek the knowledge or information you can share. When you’re on your deathbed, people will remember you by how you treated them and how you made them feel.  Conclusion: Your family is the most important aspect of your life. Make sure to know your priorities and know when to change careers for the better. Aside from that, you may also be able to create a life that inspires others, hence leaving a good legacy behind. 
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May 15, 2023 • 31min

Continuous Improvement Mindset: Cultivate a Continuous Mindset with Ray Care

By instilling these values and principles in young men, we can create a generation of individuals who strive for greatness and positively impact the world. Encouraging young men to be better than average is beneficial for personal growth and success and for the betterment of society as a whole. Young men can achieve great things and surpass the average, positively impacting the world and leaving a lasting legacy of excellence. Ray Care is a former Navy SEAL who has become a motivational speaker, dedicated to creating a stronger civilization of young warriors. Drawing on his experiences as a SEAL, Ray can offer valuable insights and advice to his audiences, inspiring them to pursue excellence in all aspects of their lives. Ray has impacted people worldwide more than most humans ever will. Tune in as young leaders ask questions about life, personal growth, entrepreneurship, and more! Quotes: “The problem with society is men aren’t supposed to talk to children like their children. They’re not children; they’re young men. They’re warriors. And eventually, you’re all going to grow up to do some amazing things.” – Ray Care “Don’t settle for people in your life that are average. You can’t pick and choose your parents. But you can pick and choose your friends.” – Ray Care “Instead of proving people wrong, Do it to prove yourself right. It doesn’t matter what other people think.” – Ray Care “Fitness is three dimensional like leadership. Physical fitness is not enough. You need to have physical, mental, and emotional leadership. And you need to have physical, mental, and emotional fitness.” – Ray Care Takeaways: Society must change its attitude toward young men, encouraging them to see themselves as warriors rather than children. Society can help young men accomplish great things by treating them respectfully and recognizing their potential. This shift in perspective can assist young men in developing a sense of purpose and self-confidence, both of which are necessary for success in any profession. It is critical to surround oneself with people who inspire and drive them. One can accomplish greatness in their personal and professional life by surrounding themselves with people who encourage personal growth and push them to reach their full potential. Choosing average individuals who are satisfied with mediocrity can prevent you from reaching your full potential. People should concentrate on demonstrating themselves right rather than attempting to prove others wrong. This strategy assists individuals in remaining focused on their objectives rather than being distracted by the opinions of other’s judgment. Staying loyal to oneself and resisting external pressures or societal expectations is critical. It is critical to handle fitness and leadership from three perspectives. Physical fitness is not enough; cerebral and emotional fitness must also be developed. Similarly, leadership necessitates a holistic strategy that considers all aspects of oneself. Individuals can achieve success and positively influence the world by creating all aspects of themselves. Conclusion: People should start adopting a mindset of continuous personal growth and improvement. They must set clear goals for themselves and work towards achieving them with dedication and hard work. They must surround themselves with inspiring and supportive people who challenge them to be their best selves. It is also important to focus on oneself rather than the opinions of others and to take a holistic approach to personal fitness and leadership, encompassing physical, mental, and emotional aspects. Additionally, it is crucial to learn from mistakes, adapt, and stay committed to personal growth and success despite challenges and setbacks.
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May 11, 2023 • 31min

Setting Priorities: How to Work Effectively and Goal-Oriented with Darren V

Any good plan must include setting goals and priorities. By establishing goals, you are expressing what you hope to achieve. You gain drive and attention by having goals. Setting goals for oneself increases your likelihood of accomplishing your tasks. Setting priorities will enable you to achieve those objectives. Priorities assist you in deciding which chores must be completed and when. Having a list of priorities helps you stay on schedule. Darren V imparts his life's lessons, wisdom, and counsel to everyone listening today. Nobody's life is ever all balanced. It's a conscious decision to choose your priorities every day. After all, good things happen when you get your priorities straight. Tune in as young leaders ask questions about life, personal growth, and more! Quotes: “The issue is not that people aim too high and make it. It's that they aim too low, and they get there.” – Darren V “Sometimes the best way to speed up is to slow down.” – Darren V “What's most important is the one you're on right now. If it's your family time, that's all you're doing.” – Darren V Takeaways: Nothing will improve your life more than aiming for the stars and having incredibly lofty aspirations. You are forcing yourself to leave your comfort zone when you aim high and have big dreams. While making selections, exercise caution and patience because hasty choices might cause you to suffer for a lifetime. Most of us spend too much time on urgent matters and insufficient time on important ones. Never should the most important things be at the mercy of the least important things. Conclusion: Setting priorities is crucial if you want to thrive in both your personal and professional lives. It ensures that your progress toward your objectives is steady. Setting priorities for your work and utilizing your energy effectively will help you stay productive and feel less stressed. Prioritizing allows you to go about your daily tasks in a planned, effective, and relaxed way, which reduces stress.
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May 9, 2023 • 47min

Have The Courage To Keep Moving Whether You Succeed Or Fail In Doing Something with Sevan Matossian

What are you doing to add depth and understanding to your life, rather than simply reacting to thoughts and adding on more? As a teenager, it may be difficult to identify your passion, develop good habits, and remain consistent with what you truly want to achieve with your life. You’ve got a lot to learn to be really successful.   Sevan Matossian shares his story of living as homeless since he wanted to live a life as a free, religious man. Sevan had a unique life as a homeless man, where others showered him with help and money even though he didn't ask anyone for anything. But still, he felt a sense of stillness. Tune in as Sevan discusses the importance of having a perspective, homelessness, and creating habits to make your life meaningful while being relaxed and happy in this uncertain world. He also discusses how to be accountable for your actions and disciplined to achieve your goals. Quotes: “I was a homeless guy with really good habits and passion. And because of that, I accidentally became rich and happy.” - Sevan Matossian “Be careful of the things that you choose to put into your brain. Because one day, you may want to get rid of them. And it's just not worth it.” - Sevan Matossian “I never turned into an adult. The only thing that makes me an adult is that I'm fully responsible for myself. My number one game is not to blame other people.” - Sevan Matossian Takeaways:   If you want to do something, habit, and discipline are two aspects that will help you get there. And if you keep going in that direction, something will eventually open up. It is important for you to be able to do things you can control in your space. Don't ever do something that's going to be hard to quit. Being accountable and responsible for your decisions in life can help you get far in life and progress into an adult. Try to figure out how to always be nice and still, all the time because the nicest people are usually the stillest or calm people.   Conclusion: Challenge yourself to face your fears and accept the challenges that are given to you. Life is a constant war, no matter how many battles you've won or lost. What matters is that you don't give up and that you continue to cultivate positive attributes that will help you succeed in life. Keep on learning; keep on doing something.
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May 7, 2023 • 1h 10min

Does Hard Work Pay Off? Learn How To Be Successful By Being Hardworking with Jake Herbert

Hard work makes the dream work. If we want to achieve a goal, we have to put all our effort into achieving it no matter what. But what does putting in all our effort mean? If we want to go all out when we do something, we need to think about it like there is something on the line. This will help us intensify our feelings and put in the greatest effort to win or attain our goal. Sometimes, people are afraid to make mistakes and which hinders them to grow and learn. Jake Herbert shares his personal experiences, learnings, and advice with the next generation of leaders. Sometimes we believe that we have already made an effort. However, we need to recognize that our efforts are insufficient, and we must continue to invest time and effort in order to improve ourselves and do our best. Witness as young leaders ask questions about life, personal development, entrepreneurship, and other topics! Quotes: “You're gonna be able to go by and watch your friend touch the oven and go, wow, that's hot, I don't want to touch that and burn it. But some of you are gonna have to go touch that up in yourself. And it's not the end of the world. It's just another opportunity for learning and growth..” – Jake Herbert “For men in particular, you have bestowed the honor of being considered a good man who is good at being a man by other men. And you have to earn it. It is not something that is just freely given because it shouldn't be freely given. There are struggles; you have to show grit, honor, and responsibility.” – Matt Beaudreau “You want to do the right thing when nobody's watching. And it's not just an outward thing. It's more of an inward thing. You don't earn self-respect and self-confidence when you shortcut. You can say all the affirmations in the world. But if your own brain doesn't tie it back to doing the right thing, whether somebody's been there or not. That's what you dwell on. You don't believe the affirmations that you just put out because you know you're full of it. That doesn't go away.” – Matt Beaudreau Takeaways: Experience is there for us to learn and grow. It is an opportunity that you want to take no matter what. It helps us to make the right choices going forward in our life. It feels good, and it is a privilege when other men recognize you as a good man. But you have to earn it by overcoming struggles and doing your responsibilities as a man. Even if you are alone and no one is watching you, you must still do the right thing. In this way, you can earn self-respect and self-confidence.   Conclusion: Go all out, exert your effort to the maximum, and do your best in everything. Remember that mistakes help us learn and grow, making us wise to make the right decisions. Earn your honor as a man and be acknowledged by other men. Lastly, do the right thing no matter where you are to have self-respect and confidence as a human.

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