Alignment First Podcast

Mycal Anders, EMGM, MS, CSCS

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SOCIETY & CULTURE
UPDATED DAILY

Mycal Anders has spent decades watching talented leaders optimize the wrong things. The hustle is there. The strategy looks good. But something’s off. This podcast is about finding it. Each week Mycal sits down with leaders, founders, and guests who are figuring out what aligned work actually looks like, and talking about it honestly. Alignment first. Progress always.

1 DAY AGO

Stephanie Strine: Sobriety, Service & Superpowers

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Steph Strine — Naval Academy grad, Marine veteran, yoga instructor, and fitness coach at Equinox and Soto Method — to talk about what happens when the uniforms come off and you're forced to rediscover who you are. We dive into identity loss, sobriety, service, and the real work of turning your hardest chapters into your greatest superpowers. Key Takeaways 1. Athletes and service members face an identity crisis twice — when they leave sport and when they leave the uniform. Most people never name it. 2. The scaffolding of military and athletic life is real. Discounting it is ego. Owning it is growth. 3. Sobriety isn't a limitation — it's a platform. Steph got sober in the military and runs marathons for soldiers against suicide today. 4. What you resist persists. Surrender isn't weakness — it's how the real work gets done faster. 5. You teach the lesson you most need to learn. Radical transparency is how we connect and how we heal. Quotes • "The death of two uniforms — I'm bringing that to my therapist this week." – Steph Strine • "It's actually very selfish of me to think my experience is unique. I'm not alone." – Steph Strine • "You're moving through the world with a higher sense of self-awareness than most." – Coach Derz Connect with Steph Strine 📸 Instagram: @stephsrine 🏋️ Equinox NYC & Soto Method (app + studios in NYC; Dallas location opening Fall 2026) Next Level Resources ✅ Clarity | Coaching | Consistency | Community → https://next-level.app.clientclub.net/communities/groups/next-level-headquarters/home?invite=69c17e4d5d8cee9656ff1c61 ✅ Become the Fittest Leader Possible → NextLevelHQ.co/blog ✅ Get More Alignment First → https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/coachderz/ Partners & Sponsors @ThorneHealth → thorne.com/u/progressalways @StrongCoffee → strongcoffeecompany.com/?ref=2YN5cnK8v9zQ4D Use Code: NEXTLEVEL15 Alignment First. Progress Always!

1hr 3min
28 APR

Mollie Gray: The Silence Makes You Stronger (Vipassana)

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Mollie Gray — Olympic-level rugby athlete, army veteran, wedding photographer, world traveler, and finder of self — to unpack what ten days of radical silence revealed about identity, presence, and what it means to stop running and finally come home to yourself. We dive into her Vipassana meditation retreat experience and break down real, actionable ways to become the fittest leader possible. Key Takeaways 1. Silence isn't punishment. Ten days without talking forces you to face what you've been carrying in your body for years. 2. Sankaras are real. The tension, trauma, and "not good enough" stories don't live in your mind, they live in your body. The work is releasing them. 3. Day six will break you, and that's the point. The hardest moments in any transformation are the signal that a breakthrough is on the other side. 4. Presence is the practice. Anxiety lives in the future. Peace lives right here. Stop deferring your best self. 5. You cannot build your fittest life with someone who needs you to stay small. The right relationships give you space to keep growing. Quotes • "The silence makes you stronger." – Mollie Gray • "I love my life so much that I just want to get home to it." – Mollie Gray • "Be present, be in your life right now." – Mollie Gray Connect with Mollie Gray 📸 Instagram: @wheresmolliegray 📷 Photography: @mollygray.photography Stay Connected & Take Action ✅ Clarity | Coaching | Consistency | Community → https://next-level.app.clientclub.net/communities/groups/next-level-headquarters/home?invite=69c17e4d5d8cee9656ff1c61 ✅ Ready to be the Fittest Leader Possible? → NextLevelHQ.co/blog ✅ Subscribe to Alignment First → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/coachderz/ Sponsors & Partners @ThorneHealth → ⁠thorne.com/u/progressalways⁠ @StrongCoffee → ⁠strongcoffeecompany.com⁠ — Use Code: NEXTLEVEL15 @wearshepherds → ⁠Shepherds.com⁠ @team4kor → ⁠4korfitness.com⁠ — Use Code: NEXTLEVEL15 Build Your Vision Espresso → ⁠VisionEspresso.co⁠ @TYRsport → ⁠fitness.tyr.com⁠ — Use Code: 14034 @MorozkoForge → ⁠morozkoforge.com⁠ — Use Code: NEXTLEVEL350 / NEXTLEVEL500 Alignment First. Progress Always. #AlignmentFirst #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutiveCoaching #AlignedLeadership #HighPerformance #NextLevel #PersonalGrowth #Podcast #Vipassana #ProgressAlways

1hr 8min
21 APR

Eric Coonrod: The Preparation Principle

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Eric Coonrod, founder of E. Coonrod & Co. and author of The Preparation Principle, to break down the real truth behind selling a business. We dive into the hidden friction of M&A, the psychology of founders during exit, and what it actually takes to prepare for a successful transition—before, during, and after the deal. Key Takeaways Most founders underestimate the time, cost, and emotional toll of selling a business.The best time to prepare for a sale is the day you start the company.Identity loss post-sale is one of the biggest blind spots entrepreneurs face.Deal fatigue and seller’s remorse derail more deals than lack of opportunity.The right team (M&A attorney, tax advisor, wealth manager, accountant) is non-negotiable.Quotes “Deal fatigue is real and it kills more deals than bad offers.” – Eric Coonrod“Your business isn’t just your income. It’s your identity.” – Eric Coonrod“The best time to prepare for a sale is the day you start the company.” – Eric CoonrodConnect with Eric Coonrod📧 eric@ecoonrod.com🌐 https://ecoonrodco.com 📘 The Preparation Principle on Amazon ___________________________________________________________________________________ Stay Connected & Take Action ✅ Clarity | Coaching | Consistency | Community → NextLevelHQ.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ✅ Ready to be the Fittest Leader Possible? → NextLevelHQ.co/blog ✅ Subscribe to Alignment First → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/coachderz/ Partners & Sponsors @ThorneHealth → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thorne.com/u/progressalways⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @StrongCoffee → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠strongcoffeecompany.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Code: NEXTLEVEL15 Alignment First. Progress Always. #AlignmentFirst #Leadership #MandA #IdentityLeadership #Entrepreneurship #Podcast #Business #PeacePresencePower

1hr 6min
14 APR

Dr. Pat Boulogne: Which Brain Is Doing the Talking?

What if your leadership ceiling isn’t a strategy problem…but a health and self-awareness problem? In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Dr. Pat Boulogne — chiropractor, acupuncturist, entrepreneur, and executive mentor — for one of the most wide-ranging and thought-provoking conversations I’ve had on the show. From selling lemonade at four years old to building and exiting a high-volume chiropractic practice, to mentoring executives on judgment and sustainable performance, Dr. Pat embodies integration. Dr. Pat breaks down her three-brain model (reptile, mammalian, and conscious) and how most leaders are unknowingly operating from reactive survival patterns instead of conscious leadership. If you want durable performance physically, mentally, financially, you must upgrade the quality of your internal dialogue and the inputs you tolerate. We also unpack: Functional medicine vs. sick care Why early symptoms are data, not inconveniences The gut-brain connection and its impact on decision-making Boundaries, burnout, and knowing when to sell at your peak Why alignment isn’t optional for high performers And it all comes back to alignment. Key Takeaways 1. “You’re not what you eat. You’re what you can absorb.” 2. Most people don’t resist health — they resist knowing. 3. Insurance covers sick care. You are responsible for health care. 4. Your reptile brain agrees with your circumstances — your conscious brain must interrupt the pattern. 5. Durable performance comes from fewer interventions and higher-quality judgment. Quotes • “Executives are paid for their judgment. Health is the same.” • “If you say you’re sick, your reptile brain will prove you right.” • “Denial keeps you comfortable — until the bill comes due.” • “I’m a very good doctor. I’m looking for a very good patient.” Connect with Dr. Pat LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drpatboulogne/Website: healthteamnetwork.comFacebook & Instagram: Ask Dr. Pat __________________________________________________________________________________ Stay Connected & Take Action ✅ Clarity | Coaching | Consistency | Community → NextLevelHQ.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ✅ Ready to be the Fittest Leader Possible? → NextLevelHQ.co/blog ✅ Subscribe to Alignment First → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/coachderz/ Partners & Sponsors @ThorneHealth → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thorne.com/u/progressalways ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@StrongCoffee → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠strongcoffeecompany.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Code: NEXTLEVEL15 #AlignmentFirst #Leadership #ExecutiveHealth #FunctionalMedicine #Mindset #DurablePerformance #HighPerformance #Ownership #Alignment #Podcast

48 min
7 APR

Dr. Ruth N Faucette: Perfection is Ruining Your Connection

Dr. Ruth N. Faucette, PhD is a relationship-driven psychotherapist and executive leadership consultant who built her foundation in medical academia at Virginia Tech and went on to train physicians in holistic care and leadership development. In this episode of Alignment First, we unpack the Four Ps quietly sabotaging high performers: perfection, proving, pleasing, and performing. If you’re a driven leader who gets results but feels the strain underneath the surface, this conversation will hit. We explore why authenticity is more than a buzzword, how vulnerability builds trust instead of weakness, and why chasing perfection disconnects you from your team. Dr. Ruth shares how relationships before agenda is her current growth edge and how sustainable leadership requires alignment across biological, psychological, social, and spiritual domains. This episode is a recalibration for founders, executives, and high achievers who are ready to stop auditioning and start leading. Key Takeaways:1. Perfection blocks connection and erodes trust2. Proving creates division and keeps leaders stuck in “me” instead of “we”3. Pleasing breeds resentment and weakens standards4. Performing without authenticity leads to burnout5. Sustainable leadership starts with self-awareness and courageous feedback Notable Quotes:• “Relationships before agenda.”• “Authenticity is the most powerful approach you can take as a leader.”• “You’re not leading. You’re auditioning.”• “Pleasing feels kind, but it often avoids courage.”• “Alignment comes before sustainable performance.” Connect with Dr. Ruth:• Website: https://https://www.legendaryleadershipbydrruthfaucette.com/• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-ruth-n-faucette-phd-010a475a/ ___________________________________________________________________________________ Stay Connected & Take Action ✅ Clarity | Coaching | Consistency | Community → NextLevelHQ.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ✅ Ready to be the Fittest Leader Possible? → NextLevelHQ.co/blog ✅ Subscribe to Alignment First → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/coachderz/ Partners & Sponsors @ThorneHealth → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thorne.com/u/progressalways ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@StrongCoffee → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠strongcoffeecompany.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Code: NEXTLEVEL15 Alignment First. Progress Always. #AlignmentFirst #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutiveCoaching #AuthenticLeadership #HighPerformance #NextLevel #PersonalGrowth #FounderLife #LeadershipMindset #ProgressAlways

1hr 3min
31 MAR

Logan Gelbrich: Find Yourself at the Edge of Your Capacity

Most leaders don’t have an information problem. They have an adaptation problem. In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Logan Gelbrich — founder of Deuce Gym, creator of the Hold The Standard Summit, and author of Going Right — to unpack the difference between technical challenges and adaptive ones… and why that distinction changes everything about how you build teams, culture, and capacity. We get into group dynamics, leadership containers, the shadow side of “doing hard things,” and why most organizations are stuck having conversations they refuse to name. If you lead people — or want to — this is required listening. Key Takeaways: Not all problems are technical — many require personal and organizational adaptation. High-performing cultures reduce the gap between what’s said publicly and what’s only thought privately. Fitness (and most tactics) are free — value is created through coaching and development. Growth requires confronting the shadow side of your strengths. Leaders must build containers of trust and willingness to unlock real performance. Quotes: “You don’t need a better technique. You need to become a different person.” “Most leaders don’t lack information. They lack adaptation.” “Fitness is free. Coaching is not.” “If you can’t say the hard thing out loud, you don’t have a performance problem. You have a container problem.” “Is it still mental toughness if another hard workout is easier than having a hard conversation?” Connect with Logan: Website: https://holdthestandard.comGym: https://deucegym.comInstagram: @functionalcoachPodcast: Hold The Standard Podcast ___________________________________________________________________________________ Stay Connected & Take Action ✅ Clarity | Coaching | Consistency | Community → NextLevelHQ.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ✅ Ready to be the Fittest Leader Possible? → NextLevelHQ.co/blog ✅ Subscribe to Alignment First → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/coachderz/ Partners & Sponsors @ThorneHealth → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thorne.com/u/progressalways ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@StrongCoffee → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠strongcoffeecompany.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Code: NEXTLEVEL15 Alignment First. Progress Always. #LeadershipDevelopment #AdaptiveLeadership #OrganizationalCulture #FittestLeader #AlignmentFirst #LoganGelbrich #HighPerformance #StrengthAndConditioning #ExecutiveCoaching #IntegrityCourageOwnership

1hr 9min
24 MAR

Bella Vasta: AI, Show Me How Easy This Could Be

Bella Vasta didn’t stumble into systems, hiring, or AI. She earned them through necessity. From building a six-figure pet sitting business in Scottsdale to navigating NICU nights, divorce, and reinvention, Bella’s story is a masterclass in resilience, identity, and intentional infrastructure. In this conversation, we unpack why most business owners resist systems until crisis forces their hand, how AI is not replacing human connection but protecting it, and why alignment, not grind, is the real unlock for sustainable success. If you’re running your business on gut instinct and prayer, this episode will challenge you in the best way. Key Takeaways 1. Systems aren’t restrictive—they’re what allow freedom during life’s hardest seasons 2. AI isn’t about speed; it’s about reclaiming your genius 3. Hiring is marketing—and culture is a two-way love letter 4. Nervous system regulation is a business skill, not a luxury 5. Alignment beats effort when effort is misdirected Quotes “If you’re in business long enough, something will happen and your systems will decide if you survive it.” “AI doesn’t replace your humanity. It protects it.” “Hiring isn’t transactional. It’s relational.” “Your business will never outgrow your identity.” “Ease isn’t laziness. It’s alignment.” Connect with Bella Instagram & Facebook: @BellaVasta Website: http://www.bellaVasta.com ___________________________________________________________________________________ Stay Connected & Take Action ✅ Clarity | Coaching | Consistency | Community → NextLevelHQ.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ✅ Ready to be the Fittest Leader Possible? → NextLevelHQ.co/blog ✅ Subscribe to Alignment First → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/coachderz/ Partners & Sponsors @ThorneHealth → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thorne.com/u/progressalways ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@StrongCoffee → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠strongcoffeecompany.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Code: NEXTLEVEL15 Alignment First. Progress Always. #AlignmentFirst #Leadership #AIForBusiness #SystemsThinking #Entrepreneurship #HiringSystems #FounderLife #PeacePresencePower

1hr 1min
17 MAR

Ed Lubowicki: Integrating Identity When Athletics Ends

This episode is a deep, honest exploration of what happens after the uniform comes off. I got to jam with Ed Lubowicki—former Notre Dame lacrosse player, ex–Deloitte consultant, and founder of Lubowicki Performance Advisory—to unpack the identity shift athletes face when sport ends, and how to intentionally transcend and include the best parts of that chapter into the next one. Ed shares insights from 400+ conversations with athletes navigating life beyond competition, challenging the narrative that “athletes die twice,” and reframing transition as a bigger Plan A: not a fallback. In this conversation we explore stoicism, process over outcomes, intentional adversity, and why support systems matter more than willpower alone. Key takeaways Why most athletes undervalue their lived experience, and how that creates friction post-sport The difference between knowing resilience and practicing it through intentional adversity How identity stories can stall momentum; and how to update the narrative without erasing the past Why outcomes don’t tell the whole story, and how to reclaim agency through process How to rebuild the scaffolding of support that once existed in sport Quotes “Athletes don’t need an option B. They need a bigger option A.” “You don’t just fall out of shape or alignment. You fall out of a system.” “Resilience isn’t learned in theory. It’s earned in experience.” “The story that got you here might not be the one that keeps you here.” Connect with the Guest Website: https://luboadvisory.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edlubowicki/ _____________________________________________________________ Stay Connected & Take Action ✅ Clarity | Coaching | Consistency | Community → NextLevelHQ.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ✅ Ready to be the Fittest Leader Possible? → NextLevelHQ.co/blog ✅ Subscribe to Alignment First → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/coachderz/ Partners & Sponsors @ThorneHealth → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thorne.com/u/progressalways ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@StrongCoffee → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠strongcoffeecompany.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Code: NEXTLEVEL15 Alignment First. Progress Always! #AlignmentFirst #AthletesBeyondSport #IdentityWork #LeadershipDevelopment #ProgressAlways

1hr 4min

Mycal Anders has spent decades watching talented leaders optimize the wrong things. The hustle is there. The strategy looks good. But something’s off. This podcast is about finding it. Each week Mycal sits down with leaders, founders, and guests who are figuring out what aligned work actually looks like, and talking about it honestly. Alignment first. Progress always.

Creator

Mycal Anders, EMGM, MS, CSCS
Years Active

2K
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125
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© Mycal Anders, EMGM, MS, CSCS
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Alignment First Podcast

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