The Pocket with Chris Griffin

For Michael's sake, drop your #stepcheck in the comments! Today’s guest is Michael Smoak and this conversation was one like no other he has ever been on. This year has been tough for Michael. Losing his father to sickness at the beginning of the year created a newfound drive to make the most out of life. While this conversation surfaced his story and loss of father, it was probably the most value packed episode I have done all year. In fact I would go to say that it was my favourite episode I’ve recorded this year. Michael opens up about recording final conversations with his father, learning to laugh through chaos, and why surrendering to truth and God reframed everything. We also get into the reps behind real communication, the trap of routine-as-cage, and how curiosity hardens into conviction. We break down confidence vs ego, the table and plates mindset, and why ownership beats victimhood when life is loud. This was a good one! Key Discussion Points: • Count it all joy. Perspective is the lever • Curiosity into conviction into competence • Confidence is evidence. Ego needs applause • Be the table. Everything else is plates • Communication reps that actually work • Ownership over victimhood, always Follow Michael:https://www.instagram.com/higherupwellness/ Follow Chris:https://www.instagram.com/morechrisgriffin/ Check out our sponsor of the podcast: Dream Recovery. Use code GRIFFIN for 15% off your entire order: https://dreamrecovery.io/ Get a free podcast playbook with everything you need to know to build a successful podcast: https://thepodcastjungle.com/ Timestamps: 03:00–09:20 Laugh through chaos. Count it joy  09:20–15:40 Childhood wounds and early filters  15:40–22:00 Mortality as a compass  22:00–28:20 Parents, character, lines that stick  28:20–34:40 Cyber to creator. The jump  34:40–41:00 Sales school. Empathy and voice  41:00–47:20 Curiosity into conviction  47:20–53:40 Confidence vs ego  53:40–1:00:00 Routine or freedom  1:00:00–1:06:20 Be the table, not the leg  1:06:20–1:12:40 Mirrors in relationships  1:12:40–1:19:00 Triggers show where you aren’t free  1:19:00–1:25:20 Communication reps that work  1:25:20–1:31:40 Faith, discipline, adaptable routine  1:31:40–1:37:00 Final takeaways and thanks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christian Guzman has built an empire in fitness but the road to Alphaland nearly broke him. In this episode Christian opens up about burning through $110k a month just to keep the lights on, taking a $1M loan that barely scratched the surface, and the relentless two-year grind that pushed him to his limits. We get into the chaos of building something permanent, the mistakes that cost millions, how ego can tank a healthy business, and why he is finally shifting his focus to balance, family, and the things that actually matter. This was a good one! Key Discussion Points: • The reality of running out of money mid dream • When ego makes business decisions for you • Building calm in the middle of absolute chaos • Why Christian refused to quit even when he should have • The role of family and relationships in building an empire • Knowing when to slow down after years of full speed grind Follow Christian: https://www.instagram.com/christianguzmanfitness/ Follow Chris: https://www.instagram.com/morechrisgriffin/ Timestamps: 03:00–07:30 The property that made Alphaland possible 07:30–12:00 $110k a month to stay alive 12:00–16:30 The moment he thought he was done 16:30–21:00 Lessons from the wild twenties 21:00–25:30 Managing people without losing yourself 25:30–30:00 When ego wrecks a business 30:00–34:30 Choosing family over the grind 34:30–39:00 Making time before it runs out 39:00–43:30 Building a place people belong 43:30–48:00 What sacrifice really looks like 48:00–52:30 The loneliness of mastery 52:30–57:00 Why he never quits Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andy Elliott’s story is pure grit. He’s been betrayed, hit rock bottom, and built it all back up not just once but over and over. Today he leads the largest sales training company in the world and still wakes up hungry every day.  We talk about building a self-belief that cannot be shaken, why suffering is the best teacher, how to lead yourself before anyone else, and why the right partner can be your biggest competitive edge. This one will light you up. People hate on Andy, people told me not to interview Andy, but I make sure I make my judgments based on my experience, not everyone else’s projections. I enjoy my time with Andy, I’m fascinated by him and I think you will be too. Key Discussion Points: • Why comfort kills growth • Loyalty you cannot put a price on • How self-imposed hardship sharpens you • Confidence vs ego and knowing the line • Drawing the right people into your circle • Building a team that feels like family • How physical discipline hardens the mind • Turning pain into permanent fuel • Why your partner matters more than you think • Playing for legacy and not just quick wins Timestamps: 03:20–09:11 Pain, suffering, and the refiner’s fire 09:11–12:00 The curse of comfort and staying hungry 12:00–15:45 Confidence vs ego and being coachable 15:45–18:45 Why connection beats information 18:45–23:05 Loyalty, betrayal, and building trust 23:05–26:47 How Jackie changed Andy’s life forever 26:47–30:15 Building a team that feels like family 30:15–33:08 Discipline, self-respect, and physical fitness 33:08–36:20 Creating life-changing impact for others 36:20–39:37 Using pain and doubt as fuel 39:37–42:02 The boring work that builds empires 42:02–44:53 Why family alignment determines long-term success 44:53–48:10 Changing who you are and coming back stronger 48:10–50:42 Resilience, redemption, and becoming a legend Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shawn Wells is known as the world’s top supplement formulator with over 40 patented ingredients, but behind the success is a story of trauma, depression, obesity, and suicidal thoughts. In this episode, we dive into Shawn’s raw personal journey, how pain shaped his purpose, and why he believes modern life is leaving us all dangerously nutrient deficient. We talk about the lies we’ve been told about health, the war on our brains, the true cause of burnout, and why supplements are no longer just “nice to have.” This is one of the most eye-opening convos we’ve had on the podcast. Follow Shawn: https://www.instagram.com/shawnwells/ Follow Chris: https://www.instagram.com/morechrisgriffin/ Check out our sponsor of the podcast: Dream Recovery. Use code GRIFFIN for 15% off your entire order: https://dreamrecovery.io/ Get a free podcast playbook with everything you need to know to build a successful podcast: https://thepodcastjungle.com/ Timestamps: 03:00–07:20 Supplements are no longer optional 07:20–11:35 Lifespan, healthspan, and youthspan 11:35–15:50 Escaping the system and ancient wisdom 15:50–18:22 How the food industry keeps us sick 18:22–22:05 The doctor who changed everything 22:05–26:00 Trauma, obesity, and internal war 26:00–30:04 Turning pain into purpose 30:04–34:30 Psychedelics and the second life 34:30–38:55 Loneliness, depression, and healing 38:55–43:20 Nightclubs, numbness, and real connection 43:20–47:00 Addiction, apathy, and burnout 47:00–52:00 Why caffeine makes you feel worse 52:00–58:04 Going viral with better energy 58:04–1:04:00 Kim Kardashian and Paraxanthine’s rise 1:04:00–1:09:45 Caffeine is not what you think 1:09:45–1:13:10 Understanding your bioindividuality 1:13:10–1:16:30 Smart supplementation for brain and sleep Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tom Baulch (aka PrimeTrain) was stuck in the loop, partying every weekend, waking up with regret, and telling himself it was fine because everyone else was doing the same. But deep down, he knew he wasn’t proud of who he was becoming. Seven months ago, he made a decision that changed everything. He gave up drinking, cleaned up his circle, and went all in on his potential. Since then, his business has hit six figures a month, his energy has shifted, and he’s finally living the life he used to just talk about. In this raw and honest episode, we unpack what it really takes to change, why so many men stay stuck in the same cycles, and the brutal self-talk that finally pushed him to break free. He’s not perfect. But he’s giving life a red hot crack. This convo was powerful. Key Discussion Points: – The drinking cycle most men can’t escape – Self-sabotage, regret, and rock bottom – How quitting alcohol unlocked his best self – Business growth and inner confidence – Why most people never change Check out our sponsor of the podcast: Dream Recovery. Use code GRIFFIN for 15% off your entire order: https://dreamrecovery.io/ Follow Tom: https://www.instagram.com/tombaulch/ Follow Chris: https://www.instagram.com/morechrisgriffin/ Apply to join Chris’ Podcast School: https://www.thepodcastjungle.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This one hit different. Zack Telander is a musician, father, and seasoned weightlifter, he’s also a man who calls out the fluff on social media. Especially in a world that rewards curated personas over real connection. In this episode, we dove deep into the dark side of content, the addiction to documenting everything, the manipulation of the algorithm, and the pressure to always perform.  Zack opened up about fatherhood, anxiety, chasing authenticity, and why we’re more drawn to flaw than perfection. We spoke about content, but we really spoke about life. It was a good one fam! Follow Zack: https://www.instagram.com/zack_telander/ Listen to Zacks music: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6Pe957QMENAWMZF7ityC81?si=Yte3OKPTRDy_XIOzoGSPJw Follow Chris: https://www.instagram.com/morechrisgriffin/ Check out our sponsor of the podcast: Dream Recovery. Use code GRIFFIN for 15% off your entire order: https://dreamrecovery.io/ Key Discussion Points: Why documenting everything ruins the moment The danger of highlight reels and fake personas Content before craft — and the cost of playing the game Zack’s poem on burnout and modern life Why we crave real human connection, not more content 00:00 - 03:45 Why content is cannibalizing itself 03:45 - 07:10 If everything is content, nothing is 07:10 - 11:00 Algorithms vs authenticity 11:00 - 15:25 Charlatans, fake personas, and funnels 15:25 - 19:40 Fatherhood and breaking OCD cycles 19:40 - 25:05 Why being broke taught him resilience 25:05 - 30:10 Zack’s poem “The Millennial” 30:10 - 35:40 Content before craft and the myth of potential 35:40 - 40:00 Outsourcing your voice and losing the soul 40:00 - 44:30 When content is systemized, humans disappear 44:30 - 48:20 Doomscrolling, manipulation, and influencer ethics 48:20 - 53:00 The culture of lines 53:00 - 58:00 Transaction vs transformation in coaching 58:00 - 60:45 Why connection matters more than content Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From building two million-dollar businesses in his early twenties to walking away from it all for a life of freedom and meaning, Jai Howitt’s story is all about letting go of what feeds your ego so you can build what truly matters. Key Discussion Points: How growing up as one of seven kids shaped his drive Building and losing businesses that looked good but felt empty Letting go of ego and the need for validation Designing a life you don’t want to escape from How to fail fast, pivot, and keep moving forward Follow Jai: https://www.instagram.com/jai.journeys/ Art Of Mondays - get $500 off your annual membership: https://www.artofmondays.com/chris Follow Chris: https://www.instagram.com/morechrisgriffin/ Timestamps: 00:00 - 04:45 Building million-dollar businesses and burning it all 04:46 - 10:12 The shark story 10:13 - 17:30 Growing up one of seven with something to prove 17:31 - 24:50 Early struggles with validation 24:51 - 32:15 Family road trip 32:16 - 39:40 The warehouse, ego, and identity traps 39:41 - 48:05 Letting go 48:06 - 55:30 Chasing validation 55:31 - 1:07:20 Designing a life you don’t want to escape from 1:07:21 - 1:19:00 Purpose and failing fast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mateo Caputo’s life looked smooth on the outside, but the reality was anything but. From sleeping at bus stops to selling weed just to eat, he found his escape at the skatepark and that board ended up saving his life. Mateo opens up about homelessness, family addiction, finding fitness during lockdown, and why he’ll never play the victim card again.  This was a good one and highly requested! Key Discussion Points: - Growing up homeless - When family addiction forced him to choose a different path - The power of surrounding yourself with the right people - Leaving the victim mindset - How health, Hawaii, and a leg injury changed everything - Building a brand by sharing the real, raw journey Follow Mateo: https://www.instagram.com/teosworld_/ Follow Chris: https://www.instagram.com/morechrisgriffin/ Check out our sponsor of the podcast: Dream Recovery. Use code GRIFFIN for 15% off your entire order: https://dreamrecovery.io/ Timestamps: 1:30 - 8:00 - Mateo’s rough childhood and homelessness 8:00 - 14:00 - Skateboarding as survival and escape 14:00 - 20:00 - Family addiction and choosing a different path 20:00 - 26:00 - Healing relationships and seeing parents as humans 26:00 - 32:00 - Heroes vs villains and using pain 32:00 - 38:00 - Finding fitness during COVID and going all in 38:00 - 44:00 - Developing and overcoming an eating disorder 44:00 - 50:00 - Moving to Hawaii and the moped accident 50:00 - 56:00 - Building an authentic online presence 56:00 - End - The bigger message behind Mateo’s story Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

80% of people hate the sound of their own voice, but what if your voice was actually made to heal you? Todays guest is Leah Free and we dive deep into the idea of vocal liberation, why so many of us feel blocked or ashamed to speak up, and how learning to trust your own sound can unlock your most authentic self. We talk about the hidden traumas that shut down our expression, how your voice is connected to your nervous system, and practical ways to start loving the sound that’s always been inside you. This is an episode for anyone who’s ever cringed hearing themselves talk, or felt too scared to say what they really feel. Key Discussion Points: Why so many people hate their own voice How your voice heals your body The link between vocal expression and authenticity Why women especially fear being heard How to reconnect to your true sound Follow Leah: https://www.instagram.com/leahlivefree/ Follow Chris: https://www.instagram.com/morechrisgriffin/ Timestamps: 01:30 – 05:30 — Why we hate our voice 05:30 – 09:00 — The voice heals your body 09:00 – 13:00 — Pattern interrupts and breath 13:00 – 17:00 — Vocal liberation explained 17:00 – 21:00 — Finding your true sound 21:00 – 25:00 — Trusting instinctive sounds 25:00 – 29:00 — Why we’re scared to be heard 29:00 – 33:00 — Women and vocal fear 33:00 – 37:00 — Trauma stored in the voice 37:00 – 41:00 — Releasing subconscious blocks 41:00 – 45:00 — Purpose and authenticity 45:00 – 49:00 — Sound and trance states 49:00 – 53:00 — Leah’s personal journey 53:00 – 57:00 — Trusting life’s timing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daniel Raphael has been called a real-life wizard. But what makes this episode special is the raw journey of someone who was born feeling everything, then spent years trying to feel nothing just to fit in. From reading minds and seeing people’s deepest insecurities as a child, to battling dissociation, depression, and suicidal thoughts after years of shutting himself down… Daniel opens up about the pain of being misunderstood, the journey back to self, and the power of energetic healing. We talk about the “system” that keeps people stuck in loops of shame and smallness. We go deep into identity, energy, ownership, victimhood, and how healing your internal world changes everything outside of you. This is a conversation about remembering who you were before the world told you who to be. Daniel’s lived it and he’s here to help others do the same. Learn more from Daniel and use code GRIFFIN at checkout on his website: https://www.dreamporting.com/training Key Discussion Points – What it means to be a real-life wizard – Childhood gifts, trauma, and suppression – Feeling like an alien in your own life – Suicidal depression, meds, and the identity spiral – Breaking the script and healing from the inside – Why most people are stuck in a loop of false stories – Taking radical ownership (and why it’s the most freeing thing you can do) – The real meaning of success and authenticity – Energy, timelines, and reprogramming your subconscious – The moment everything shifted at a festival – Why Daniel now focuses on being more human Follow Daniel: https://www.instagram.com/danielraphael1/ Follow Chris: https://www.instagram.com/morechrisgriffin/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices