HawkeTalk

What happens when a theater-loving kid from suburban Chicago finds his true calling not on stage, but on a treadmill? In this episode, I sat down with Joey Gonzalez, Global CEO of Barry’s and one of the boldest voices in boutique fitness. His journey is wild—in the best way possible. From being the least athletic kid in a super-fit immigrant family to leading a global fitness empire, Joey’s story is all about identity, resilience, and betting on yourself.Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, Joey was surrounded by sports-obsessed siblings and marathon-running parents. From secretly dreaming of the stage while eating pizza and watching TV to landing a lead role in a Chicago musical at 13, which led to a decade in film and TV. However, burnout prompted him to try Barry's workout on a whim, resulting in a significant transformation. He evolved from a client to a trainer, then General Manager, and eventually, the owner. Despite having no prior experience in operations or fitness leadership, Joey taught himself everything and worked his way into ownership.We talk about everything: stepping into your power, learning to scale a brand from two studios to 90 worldwide, what makes a great leader (hint: it’s not a title), and why he believes the most successful people don’t let fear sit in the driver’s seat. If you’re navigating a pivot, chasing purpose, or just trying to figure out your next big move… this episode is 100% for you.In this episode: (0:00) Replacing fear with focus(1:00) Growing up Latino and artistic in suburban Chicago(3:26) The audition that changed everything(10:30) Burnout, USC, and searching for what’s next(12:37) His first Barry’s class—and how it hooked him(14:01) Becoming a trainer and finding purpose(15:06) The early vision to transform lives(16:19) Climbing from GM to business leader(24:32) Building the Barry’s blueprint in NYC(31:53) Scaling to 90+ locations and counting(34:47) The mindset shift that changed everythingHawke Mediahttps://www.linkedin.com/company/hawkemedia/https://www.instagram.com/hawkemedia/?hl=en https://hawkemedia.com/https://twitter.com/hawkemediahttps://www.facebook.com/hawkemedia/ About Our Guest Joey Gonzalez is the Global CEO of Barry’s, the original high-intensity interval training workout that’s built a worldwide cult following. From sweeping floors to building out franchises and raising private equity, Joey has lived every chapter of Barry's story. A former actor and USC theater grad, he’s blended performance, passion, and persistence to scale one of the most recognized fitness brands in the world. He now lives in New York and leads Barry’s into its next era of growth.Joey GonzalezBarry's-WebsiteJoey Gonzalez-InstagramJoey Gonzalez-LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when a theater-loving kid from suburban Chicago finds his true calling not on stage, but on a treadmill? In this episode, I sat down with Joey Gonzalez, Global CEO of Barry’s and one of the boldest voices in boutique fitness. His journey is wild—in the best way possible. From being the least athletic kid in a super-fit immigrant family to leading a global fitness empire, Joey’s story is all about identity, resilience, and betting on yourself.Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, Joey was surrounded by sports-obsessed siblings and marathon-running parents. From secretly dreaming of the stage while eating pizza and watching TV to landing a lead role in a Chicago musical at 13, which led to a decade in film and TV. However, burnout prompted him to try Barry's workout on a whim, resulting in a significant transformation. He evolved from a client to a trainer, then General Manager, and eventually, the owner. Despite having no prior experience in operations or fitness leadership, Joey taught himself everything and worked his way into ownership.We talk about everything: stepping into your power, learning to scale a brand from two studios to 90 worldwide, what makes a great leader (hint: it’s not a title), and why he believes the most successful people don’t let fear sit in the driver’s seat. If you’re navigating a pivot, chasing purpose, or just trying to figure out your next big move… this episode is 100% for you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the cure for a deadly disease is already sitting on a pharmacy shelf—but no one knows it?In this episode, I sat down with Dr. David Fajgenbaum, a former D1 college football player turned physician-scientist who is transforming the way we treat disease. You’ll hear how David went from chasing touchdowns to chasing cures—first for his mom, who died of brain cancer, and then for himself, after nearly dying from a rare disease that had no known treatment.David shares how he used his own blood samples, data, and sheer will to find a drug that saved his life—one that was originally made for organ transplant patients. That breakthrough led to Every Cure, a nonprofit using AI to match existing FDA-approved drugs with diseases they weren’t originally designed to treat. Thousands of lives have already been saved.If you’re passionate about impact, driven by purpose, or looking for inspiration to overcome the impossible, this one’s for you.In this episode: (0:00) Effort > Results? Why hard work still matters(1:00) Growing up football-obsessed in Raleigh, NC(5:18) The dream: D1 quarterback—until everything changed(6:42) A family tragedy leads to a life mission(9:50) Creating a national nonprofit from a dorm room(14:57) Studying cancer at Oxford, starting med school at Penn(17:36) Sudden illness, misdiagnosis, and a fight for his life(21:39) "We’re out of options"—so he became the researcher(24:24) Building a new model for rare disease research(26:51) The drug that saved him—originally meant for something else(27:39) Scaling his approach to help thousands(30:48) Launching Every Cure: AI meets drug repurposing(33:37) Why pharma doesn’t pursue most cures—and how David is fixing it(36:42) What’s next: scaling impact across the globe(38:09) David’s advice for anyone chasing excellenceHawkeMediahttps://www.linkedin.com/company/hawkemedia/https://www.instagram.com/hawkemedia/?hl=en https://hawkemedia.com/https://twitter.com/hawkemediahttps://www.facebook.com/hawkemedia/ About Our Guest Dr. David Fajgenbaum is a physician, scientist, author, and social entrepreneur. As a med student, he nearly died from Castleman disease—a rare immune disorder—five times before identifying a repurposed drug that saved his life. Today, he's the co-founder of Every Cure, which uses AI and medical data to find new uses for FDA-approved drugs. His book Chasing My Cure chronicles that incredible journey.Every Cure – WebsiteDavid Fajgenbaum – LinkedInChasing My Cure – Book Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the cure for a deadly disease is already sitting on a pharmacy shelf—but no one knows it?In this episode, I sat down with Dr. David Fajgenbaum, a former D1 college football player turned physician-scientist who is transforming the way we treat disease. You’ll hear how David went from chasing touchdowns to chasing cures—first for his mom, who died of brain cancer, and then for himself, after nearly dying from a rare disease that had no known treatment.David shares how he used his own blood samples, data, and sheer will to find a drug that saved his life—one that was originally made for organ transplant patients. That breakthrough led to Every Cure, a nonprofit using AI to match existing FDA-approved drugs with diseases they weren’t originally designed to treat. Thousands of lives have already been saved.If you’re passionate about impact, driven by purpose, or looking for inspiration to overcome the impossible, this one’s for you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sometimes it takes losing everything to realize what you truly need to heal.  In this episode, I sit down with Jeff Krasno—a man whose life reads like a masterclass in reinvention. From playing bluegrass festivals to founding Wanderlust, one of the world’s biggest wellness movements, Jeff’s journey is proof that sometimes, the biggest breakthroughs come from the hardest breakdowns. Born into a peripatetic family, Jeff’s early years were marked by frequent moves across continents and the challenges of childhood hip dysplasia, shaping him into someone with a deep curiosity and a natural resilience.As Jeff recounts his colorful path—from discovering prodigious talent that launched him into the music world to creating one of the largest wellness festivals in the world—he also reflects on the profound lessons  learned along the way.This episode dives deep into Jeff’s personal story, exploring how the breakdowns in his life—whether professional or health-related—ultimately led to breakthroughs. In the wake of his struggles, he created Commune, a digital platform dedicated to health and personal transformation, helping others connect with top experts in functional medicine, mindfulness, and personal growth.In this episode: (0:00) Introduction: Health as finding balance(5:09) Childhood travels and language learning(15:15) Meeting his wife in art history class(24:31) Starting a record label in New York(35:26) 9/11's impact and wife's yoga studio(42:57) Creating Wanderlust wellness festivals(53:36) Building Commune and leadership principles(54:39) New book on benefits of doing hard things(57:07) Embracing stress as an opportunityHawke Mediahttps://www.linkedin.com/company/hawkemedia/https://www.instagram.com/hawkemedia/?hl=en https://hawkemedia.com/https://twitter.com/hawkemediahttps://www.facebook.com/hawkemedia/ About Our Guest Jeff Krasno is an entrepreneur, author, and wellness advocate whose career spans music, media, and holistic health. He is the co-founder and Executive Chairman of Wanderlust, the renowned global yoga and wellness festival, and co-founder and CEO of Commune, a platform offering courses, podcasts, and retreats with leading voices in well-being. A former RCA Records executive and founder of Velour Records, Jeff is also the host of the Commune podcast and author of Good Stress. Named to Oprah’s SuperSoul 100, he lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Schuyler—also a co-founder of Wanderlust and Commune—their three daughters, and four chickens.Jeff KrasnoWanderlust-WebsiteCommune-WebsiteCommune-PodcastJeff Krasnow-LinkedIn Good Stress-Book Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sometimes it takes losing everything to realize what you truly need to heal.  In this episode, I sit down with Jeff Krasno—a man whose life reads like a masterclass in reinvention. From playing bluegrass festivals to founding Wanderlust, one of the world’s biggest wellness movements, Jeff’s journey is proof that sometimes, the biggest breakthroughs come from the hardest breakdowns. Born into a peripatetic family, Jeff’s early years were marked by frequent moves across continents and the challenges of childhood hip dysplasia, shaping him into someone with a deep curiosity and a natural resilience. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the next big breakthrough in healthcare wasn’t a new drug but a simple scan that could save your life before symptoms even show? Today’s guest, Andrew Lacy, saw this potential long before anyone else.Andrew’s journey started in Melbourne, where his endless curiosity pushed him to ask big questions. After studying law and working at McKinsey, he took a leap into the tech world. His first big break? Hacking the original iPhones before the App Store existed. He later created Tap Tap Revenge, a viral game that once made up 25% of iPhone traffic on AT&T. After selling his gaming company to Disney, he turned his attention elsewhere.A single health scan changed everything. What began as curiosity about a clinic in Canada evolved into Prenuvo, a company using full-body scans to detect cancer, aneurysms, and more—long before symptoms show. Prenuvo has already saved thousands of lives, including a close friend’s mother.In this episode, we explore Andrew’s journey from his childhood in Melbourne to his transition from the corporate world to entrepreneurship. He shares why he left a high-paying job to start something of his own and how AI is transforming disease detection. Plus, find out how Kim Kardashian’s endorsement has helped save lives and why word-of-mouth is driving Prenuvo’s success.If you’ve ever wondered how to pivot in your career or take control of your health, this episode is for you! Let’s dive in!In this episode: (00:44) Andrew Lacy's background(05:03) Transition to consulting(10:35) Challenges during the financial crisis(15:35) Travel industry challenges(20:32) Personal health experiences(25:20) Health system's influence on diagnosis(30:37) Andrew's business journey(31:41) Challenges in fundraising(31:54) Misconceptions about screening(32:47) Advancements in MRI technology(33:00) Initial funding strategies(34:21) Understanding patient experiences(35:35) Total scans performed(36:21) International expansion plans(36:29) The Kardashian endorsement(37:29) Word-of-mouth marketing(38:56) Future vision and AI integration(40:56) Exploring other biomarkers(42:29) Advice for aspiring entrepreneursHawke Mediahttps://www.linkedin.com/company/hawkemedia/https://www.instagram.com/hawkemedia/?hl=en https://hawkemedia.com/https://twitter.com/hawkemediahttps://www.facebook.com/hawkemedia/ About Our Guest Andrew Lacy is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and the founder of Prenuvo, a company using full-body MRI scans to revolutionize early disease detection. He previously built and sold one of the first iPhone gaming empires to Disney, spent years scaling startups across industries, and now focuses on using technology to transform healthcare.Andrew LacyPrenuvo-WebsiteAndrew Lacy-LinkedIn Andrew Lacy- X Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the next big breakthrough in healthcare wasn’t a new drug but a simple scan that could save your life before symptoms even show? Today’s guest, Andrew Lacy, saw this potential long before anyone else.Andrew’s journey started in Melbourne, where his endless curiosity pushed him to ask big questions. After studying law and working at McKinsey, he took a leap into the tech world. His first big break? Hacking the original iPhones before the App Store existed. He later created Tap Tap Revenge, a viral game that once made up 25% of iPhone traffic on AT&T. After selling his gaming company to Disney, he turned his attention elsewhere.A single health scan changed everything. What began as curiosity about a clinic in Canada evolved into Prenuvo, a company using full-body scans to detect cancer, aneurysms, and more—long before symptoms show. Prenuvo has already saved thousands of lives, including a close friend’s mother. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did you know the Olympic trials can be more daunting than the Games themselves? In this episode, I am delighted to sit down with Jordyn Wieber—Olympic gold medalist, world champion, and now a game-changing gymnastics coach. Jordyn takes us through her incredible journey from a determined young gymnast in Michigan to standing atop the Olympic podium.We explore her deep competitive spirit, the intense highs and lows of elite gymnastics, and the challenges that shaped her—including the injuries that nearly derailed her path. Jordyn shares what it was like to navigate the pressure of Olympic trials, the emotional rollercoaster of competing on the world’s biggest stage, and the moment she knew it was time to transition from athlete to coach.Now, as the head coach at the University of Arkansas, Jordyn is shaping the next generation of gymnasts, emphasizing perseverance, goal-setting, and the power of a supportive environment. She opens up about the lessons she learned through sport; the mindset shifts that helped her grow, and why embracing setbacks can be just as valuable as chasing medals.And, of course, she leaves us with some powerful advice for aspiring athletes—encouraging them to stay the course, trust the process, and find purpose beyond the podium.If you love stories of grit, resilience, and transformation, this one’s for you. In this episode: (01:19) Family athleticism(05:34) First competition experience(10:43) Competing at a young age(11:46) Injuries and setbacks(13:15) Overcoming doubts(14:20) Return to competition(14:42) World championship success(15:43) The journey to confidence(17:06) Olympic dreams begin(17:48) Nerves and excitement(18:55) Making the team(20:15) Age range in gymnastics(21:11) Factors driving change in gymnastics(22:36) Olympic experience overview(24:45) Going for 2016(25:48) Transition to coaching(26:51) Current role at Arkansas(28:10) Future aspirations(29:22) Advice for dream pursuersHawke Mediahttps://www.linkedin.com/company/hawkemedia/https://www.instagram.com/hawkemedia/?hl=en https://hawkemedia.com/https://twitter.com/hawkemediahttps://www.facebook.com/hawkemedia/ About Our Guest Jordyn Wieber is an Olympic gold medalist, world champion gymnast, and current head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks gymnastics team. A fierce competitor turned inspiring mentor, she now dedicates her career to coaching, speaking, and shaping the future of gymnastics.Jordyn WieberJordyn Wieber-XJordyn Wieber- FacebookJordyn Wieber- Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did you know the Olympic trials can be more daunting than the Games themselves? In this episode, I am delighted to sit down with Jordyn Wieber—Olympic gold medalist, world champion, and now a game-changing gymnastics coach. Jordyn takes us through her incredible journey from a determined young gymnast in Michigan to standing atop the Olympic podium.We explore her deep competitive spirit, the intense highs and lows of elite gymnastics, and the challenges that shaped her—including the injuries that nearly derailed her path. Jordyn shares what it was like to navigate the pressure of Olympic trials, the emotional rollercoaster of competing on the world’s biggest stage, and the moment she knew it was time to transition from athlete to coach. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.