Growth Now Movement with Justin Schenck

The Captain, who has built a persona of unbreakable confidence, reveals his journey of struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts and how he found the courage to be vulnerably honest with himself and others. In this episode, you will learn: 1. How Kyle Creek overcame depression and suicidal thoughts 2. The importance of vulnerability and authenticity 3. How toxic masculinity can be harmful "I realized that my depression was going to continue getting worse. I kept feeding it the way I was, and my girlfriend and I decided to break up. Well, I say we decided she decided to break up. And it was kind of the last straw for me to realize I needed Kyle Creek is a writer, creator, and Instigator. He's not your dad, but he is a dad. This is Kyle Creek's story... Growing up, Kyle Creek struggled with his identity. He felt lost and misunderstood. To cope, he turned to writing. This eventually led to him creating an alter ego known as "The Captain." The Captain allowed Kyle to express himself in ways he wouldn't have been able to as himself. He could share his opinions and be vulnerable without fear of judgement. The Captain became so popular that more people knew him by that name than his real name. This led to a crisis of identity for Kyle. He eventually took a break from social media to rediscover himself. When he came back, he decided to share his story openly and honestly. He has since become an advocate for mental health, sharing his own struggles in order to help others. In this episode, you will learn the following: 1. How Kyle Creek overcame depression and suicidal thoughts 2. The importance of vulnerability and authenticity 3. How toxic masculinity can be harmful Resources: Grab Kyle Creek's Latest Book on Amazon Join the Growth Now Community Today! Chapter Summaries: [00:01:46] - This week's episode features Kyle Creek, aka The Captain. A writer, creator, instigator, and a dad, kyle believes in living in integrity and being honest and open without trying to tear other people apart. Kyle shares a moment in his life where he became suicidal, but he was able to overcome it. Kyle also talks about the idea of masculinity and toxic masculinity. [00:03:30] - Before the captain, Kyle Creek was a writer. He used social media as an alter ego to protect his professional career. After enough time, he had a crisis of identity and had to take a break from social media to regain his composure and stop being a faceless figure online. [00:06:43] - Kyle created the Captain character on his podcast, and it gave him more confidence. Kyle used to be afraid to talk about his personal life in podcasting, but now he's more comfortable with sharing his vulnerabilities. It took him a long time to open up about his past. [00:08:45] - If he could go back and do it again Kyle Creek would have used his real name cow Creek instead of Captain. He finds writing easier and his work more impactful. Under Cow Creek's name, he shares his life story with half a million people. [00:10:46] - After taking a break from the internet you started writing again and opening up about your life before that you were working as a creative director in an advertising agency in New York. Now you moved across the country to La to get a start on TV because of the podcast one person decided not to take his life the only way you get there is through vulnerability and authenticity - the first time he hit record he had a deep conversation and someone listened to it and it helped him. [00:15:22] - There's a lot of talk about toxic masculinity and Andrew Tate. In his opinion, masculinity is about being yourself and standing up for what you believe in, rather than trying to fit in with other people's expectations. He doesn't care if people consider themselves tough or feminine. He just wants them to be themselves. Growth now is a movement with which the podcast is connected. [00:20:02] - It's hard for people to be themselves. Identity politics is an easy way to feel like you're a part of something without actually having to do any work. It's harder to be honest about your opinions when it comes to political things. In his opinion, people don't have integrity anymore. [00:22:54] - After living in Marina del Rey and Las Vegas he and his girlfriend decided to move to Las Vegas. He's been in Florida for almost a year now. He lived in New York for a couple of years. He was trying to find a place to eat and all the restaurants he liked were shut down. [00:26:01] - There's an Opportunity for People to Come together and Understand that the divisiveness in the US. Is wrong. In early 2020, Captain Captain had a book deal with a large publisher. But he decided to speak his mind and he didn't lose his book deal. People can't get past the fact that my opinion is different from yours. I'm open to forgiveness and understanding. But I don't want to be around someone who's capable of going that far. I like what you said about guys like Andy and myself and Joe not putting ourselves in any category. [00:32:34] - In the last couple of years the man has become a father for the first time. He is not a father of his own biological children. But he is getting married in April and his wife has two kids they call him “bonus dad“ because he is not their biological father. [00:33:17] - After 15 months of being a father, he has learned a lot from his son. His writing is better now, and he understands himself better than before. He hopes to adopt a young woman and have a kid of his own in the next five years. He has two kids with his fiancee. There are many lessons in parenting in general. I don't want to go through crying babies and changing diapers in the middle of the night, but there are so many lessons to be learned I will most likely never experience. The patients learn when they're crying and they can't tell what's wrong. [00:38:11] - In his new book ”fucking History”, he takes a modern approach to the history of the world. He used to hate history in school, especially Mormon history. He liked the idea of taking historical facts and tying them to today's events. Vincent van Gogh was lost in his 20s, and he didn't have success until he was 37. [00:41:30] - As a father. He's learned a lot about history and parenting from his own childhood. He grew up in a conservative religion, Mormonism. He wants his son to be able to talk to him about awkward moments in his life. He hopes his son will relate to him on another level. [00:44:06] - According to the author, success is making a living without having to answer to anyone. He is currently writing his first book. He tries not to schedule anything in the morning. He also tries to force himself to write every day. He's aware of what he eats and what he drinks. A memoir is something he never intended to write until he was in his 50s or 60s. He would like to have something he could read that would give him a sense of who he was. He has also finished two children's books that he's currently illustrating with his father. He's also working on two TV series, and he has half a dozen book ideas in his head at all times. His books are available on Amazon. [00:51:38] - Kyle's biggest moment of growth was becoming a dad. Kyle wants to use his presence and audience to do something grandiose. Kyle thanks his audience for being a part of the Growth Now movement. Kyle asks his audience to share the episode on social media to help grow the movement. Connect with me: IG: www.instagram.com/justintschenck

Angela Kelly Smith is the host of the Marketing Chat Podcast, a co-host of the Geek Girl Soup Podcast, and the founder of the Women Podcasters Academy. She is the author of the Amazon bestseller The Podcast Launch Playbook. With more than 20 years of experience in marketing, Kelly helps women entrepreneurs build their online presence and authority through podcasting. You can find Kelly at angelakellysmith.com In this episode, we discuss the importance of nicheing down, SEO, and how to be a good podcast host. We also discuss who should have a podcast and why more women need to speak up and share their message on Podcasts. Are you an entrepreneur who is looking to make a bigger impact, grow your brand, and your income? Join us in the Growth Now Community www.growthnow.community

I just recenetly celebrated my 38th birthday! So, what has become an annual tradition, I take a moment to reflect back on life and the things I've learned. This year, I went all out and share the Top 38 Lessons of Learned in my 38 years of life! Are you an Entrepreneur who is looking to grow their impact while growing their income? Join us in the Growth Now Community! (www.growthnow.community) 

Ben is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of What Do You Want To Do Before You Die? and a star of the MTV show The Buried Life. In 2022 Ben ranked 3rd Best Motivational Speaker in the World and World’s Top Organizational Culture Thought Leaders by Global Gurus. As the co-founder of The Buried Life movement, Ben’s message of radical possibility has been featured in major media including The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Today Show, CNN, NBC, FOX, ABC, CBS, and more. Make sure to grab Ben's Bucket List Journal Join us in the Growth Now Community www.growthnow.community 

After a childhood acting career, and a couple of life altering moments - Shaun Weiss falls into addiction and ends up living on the streets until he's given a chance at recovery. In this episode, you will learn: 1. Shaun Weiss' journey as a child actor 2. The stress and pressure that child actors face  Here's a breakdown of what is covered: [00:00:00] - Welcome to the show [00:05:08] - Slow down as an actor. [00:08:36] - Pressure of being a child star. [00:10:33] - Drug addiction and living on the streets. [00:11:26] - Introduction to drugs. [00:20:09] - Addiction treatment and yoga. [00:23:37] - How do you go about meditating. [00:32:36] - Definition of success. [00:34:23] - Shauns dream movie role. [00:35:47] - Shauns obsession with top gun. [00:38:11] - What has been your biggest moment of growth. "I just felt like less of a person, really." Shaun Weiss is an actor and comedian best known for his role as Greg Goldberg in the Mighty Ducks films. He has also appeared in films such as Heavyweights and Freaks and Geeks. In 2018, a photo of Shaun Weiss in a drug-induced state went viral, leading to him getting clean and sober. He now uses his platform to help others in the addiction and homelessness community. This is Shaun Weiss's story... Shaun Weiss grew up pretending to be sick so he could stay home and watch I Love Lucy. He started acting in commercials when he was a kid, and then got his big break in Mighty Ducks when he was 12. He continued acting through his teen years, but then took a break in his early 20s. He got back into acting in his late 20s, but then his career started to dwindle. He turned to drugs to cope with the stress of his life, and ended up homeless and addicted. He finally got clean three years ago, and is now helping others in the addiction community. In this episode, you will learn the following: 1. Shaun Weiss' journey as a child actor 2. The stress and pressure that child actors face 3. The decline of Shaun Weiss' career and how it led to his drug addiction Resources: Follow Shaun on IG: @ShaunWeiss Connect with me:www.instagram.com/justintschenck www.growthnow.community  

In this solo episode Justin Schenck shares his thoughts on the quote "where you are today is a direct reflection of the choices that you made yesterday" How you're able to shift your mindset to go from a victim mindset to owning that quote and your life! 

Danielle (aka Dani) Keperling is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science/Kinesiology. She holds certifications from ACSM and NASM for personal training and nutrition, and has positively impacted the health of others for over 15 years. She is a natural figure competitor, and has been alongside many well-known names in the fitness industry. Dani's research and findings on “Exercise Dependence and Muscle Dysmorphia in Novice and Experienced Female Bodybuilders” was published in the Journal of Behavioral Addictions. Dani’s passion and expertise have led her to speak at colleges, on podcasts, and at health and fitness events to emphasize the power nutrition has on our fitness journey. Dani resides in Pennsylvania with her husband, Matt, and children, Noah, Marley, and Hadley. Join her community and her influence at www.bedanifit.com.  Make sure to Grab Her New Book Are you an Entrepreneur who is looking to grow their impact while making more money? Get Two Weeks Free in the Growth Now Community Today!

Daniel Botero is the founder of the company “Mastering College to Career,” Daniel Botero is a strong and much-needed voice in the college community. Author of the best selling book and host of a top-rated podcast of the same name, Daniel has dedicated himself to helping college students receive internship/job offers from top companies.  His mentoring program has an impressive 95% success rate helping minority and 1st generation college students find career success in less than 3 months and make 20% more than the average college student. In this episode, we dive into networking at a high-level. The importance of it, how you do it, and the best way to set yourself up for success.

Amberly now regularly shares the stage with people like Ed Mylett, Trent Shelton, Bedros Keulian and more..but it wasn't always like that. As a personal trainer, wife, and mother, Amberly Lago was living the California dream until it turned into a nightmare in May 2010. As she rode her Harley down Ventura Boulevard that breezy, sunny day, Lago was hit by an SUV, throwing her thirty feet down a busy street and shattering her right leg. Months in the hospital and 34 surgeries, along with plates, pins, and sheer will eventually spared Lago’s leg and severed femoral artery, despite the initial recommendation to amputate. However, as a sexual abuse and divorce survivor, Lago determined to save not only her leg, but her career, her dreams, and her dignity. This Texas girl at heart dug deep to find the hope and faith needed to face her life’s greatest challenge. Amberly’s unwavering commitment to regain her active lifestyle of training clients transformed her tragedy into victory and she motivates her audiences to find resilience in their own difficulties. She is a fierce advocate for others who suffer from CRPS and proves that any challenge can be overcome by the support of others as well as a determination and belief in oneself. Join the Growth Now Community Today!

When Spencer Schneider was a twenty-nine-year-old Manhattan corporate lawyer, an acquaintance invited him to a secret meeting of an “esoteric school for inner development,” known to its students simply as “School.” Suspicious yet curious, he went. At first, he found support, community, and meaning. But soon, he found himself trapped in one of the nation’s most secretive and abusive cults. In the name of personal development, hundreds endured decades of sexual and physical abuse, forced labor, arranged marriages, swindled savings and inheritances, and systematic terrorizing. Some of them broke the law. All for their charismatic and demented leader Sharon Gans, a washed-up actress who claimed to be on a spiritual par with Buddha. This is Schneider’s story of how he got entangled in School, why he stayed, and how–– impossibly––he got out after twenty-three years. It’s a cautionary tale about the power of group psychology and how anyone can be radicalized. It’s also a story of surviving traumatic abuse and ultimately finding a path to healing. Spencer Schneider is an attorney who specializes in corporate litigation in New York. A native of Brooklyn, Mr. Schneider is an open water marathon swimmer and ice water swimmer. He works as an ocean lifeguard, operates a lifeguard training academy, and co-founded a water rescue group. He is the only member or former member of School to have published his experience in the cult. He was a member of School’s inner circle for twenty-three years. He started the blog about School called “Cult Revolt.” A contributing writer for East Magazine, he lives in New York City and East Hampton. Spencer can be reached @officialspencerschneider on Instagram and on Facebook at Spencer Schneider. Make sure to take advantage of GrowRev's FREE audit! Want to grow your business? You have to be properly optimized on social media. They'll help you get there, FOR FREE! www.getmyfreeaudit.com/audit