Alignment First Podcast

Mycal Anders, EMGM, MS, CSCS

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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.

23 hrs ago

Kylie Barber: Diary of a Successful Woman

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Kylie Barber to unpack why capable, accomplished people stay stuck in relationships long beyond their ability to serve one another. We dive into assumptions, courageous conversations, intentional adversity, and standards that do not bend, and break down real, actionable ways to become the fittest leader possible through peace, power, and presence. Key Takeaways Assumptions are the top source of disappointment. Say the expectation out loud.Contribution means something different to every person at the table. Define it together.Trade-off is not sacrifice. The language you choose decides whether you feel chosen or cheated.Convenience removed the friction that builds competence, confidence and capability. Choose intentional adversity.Standards keep you from settling. Name what you want early and hold it.Quotes "Be ruthless with your standards in what you want. Don't settle." – Kylie Barber"We are risk averse. We're out of practice in pursuing risk." – Kylie Barber"[mindreading]... if that's a conscious strategy for you, look forward to being disappointed." – Mycal Anders Connect with Kylie Barber Instagram: @KylieBarberAZLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kylielbarberWebsite: kyliebarber.com Next Level Resources ✅ Discover Who You Are As A Leader: https://nextlevelhq.co/what-kind-of-leader-are-you/ ✅ Clarity|Coaching|Consistency|Community: NextLevelHQ.co ✅ Subscribe to Alignment First on Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/coachderz/ Alignment First. Progress Always. 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 #AlignedLeadership #ExecutiveCoaching #Leadership #Podcast
18 Aug

Amy Young: Redefining Possibility

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Amy Young, CEO of Redefine Possibility to unpack what happens when you get everything you chased and realize you no longer want it. We dive into identity evolution, the space between trigger and response, resentment inside a marriage, and defining success on your own terms, and we break down real, actionable ways to become the fittest leader possible through peace, power, and presence. Key Takeaways 1. Your identity is allowed to evolve before the season ends. Amy knew she was done with soccer a year before her last game. That honesty turned the exit into a gift. 2. Between the trigger and your reaction sits a space. Your power lives there. 3. Feel the feeling, then move it through you. Holding the emotion is where you hand your power away. 4. What got you here will not get you there. The next level is built on what you say no to. 5. Success is a definition, not a ladder. Write yours, then rewrite it every season. Quotes • "You have to be willing and ready to let your identity evolve." – Amy Young • "When we hold on to the emotion that the trigger represents, that's where the power transaction happens." – Amy Young • "More doesn't always mean more. More can mean less. You can have more in your life by doing less." – Amy Young Connect with Amy Young • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/amyyounglifeandcareercoachforfemaleexecutives/ • Website: redefinepossibility.com/Next Level Resources✅ Discover Who You Are As A Leader: ⁠https://nextlevelhq.co/what-kind-of-leader-are-you/⁠✅ Clarity|Coaching|Consistency|Community: ⁠NextLevelHQ.co ⁠✅ Subscribe to Alignment First on Spotify: ⁠https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/coachderz/Partners & Sponsors@ThorneHealth → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thorne.com/u/progressalways⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@StrongCoffee → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠strongcoffeecompany.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Code: NEXTLEVEL15@wearshepherds → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shepherds.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@team4kor → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠4korfitness.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Code: NEXTLEVEL15Build Your Vision Espresso → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠visionespresso.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TYRsport → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fitness.tyr.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Code: 14034Start Your Healing Journey → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.morozkoforge.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Codes: NEXTLEVEL350 / NEXTLEVEL500Alignment First. Progress Always.#AlignmentFirst#ProgressAlways#FittestLeader#LeadershipDevelopment#Podcast#AURA#Mastery#PersonalGrowth#ExecutiveCoaching#Leadership#AlignedLeadership
11 Aug

Kayleen Duffy: What's The One Thing?

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Kayleen Duffy, host of That One Thing, to unpack what happens when the resilience that built you starts running you. We dive into stillness, core values, identity after sport, and what one hundred percent of your capacity actually looks like, and break down real, actionable ways to become the fittest leader possible through peace, power, and presence.Key Takeaways1. Resilience is a superpower until it becomes a default. Notice when you make it harder than it has to be.2. Bravery can be the mask fear wears. Finishing the drill is not the same thing as staying aligned.3. Slow seasons are not punishment. They are the opening where the next version of you gets built.4. If you cannot name your core values, you cannot tell what is for you and what is not.5. One hundred percent capacity is not a stacked calendar. It is high value, low volume effort.Quotes• "In that silence is the truth." – Kayleen Duffy• "I am the only one living this life. No one else. This is my damn life." – Kayleen Duffy• "You sit still long enough, you run out of your own story. The only thing left is what is true." – Mycal AndersConnect with Kayleen Duffy• That One Thing podcast. On Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts.• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/duffykayleen/___________________________________________________________________________________Next Level Resources✅ Discover Who You Are As A Leader: ⁠https://nextlevelhq.co/what-kind-of-leader-are-you/⁠✅ Clarity|Coaching|Consistency|Community: ⁠NextLevelHQ.co ⁠✅ Subscribe to Alignment First on Spotify: ⁠https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/coachderz/Partners & Sponsors• @ThorneHealth → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thorne.com/u/progressalways⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠• @StrongCoffee → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠strongcoffeecompany.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Code: NEXTLEVEL15• @wearshepherds → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shepherds.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠• @team4kor → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠4korfitness.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Code: NEXTLEVEL15• Build Your Vision Espresso → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠visionespresso.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠• @TYRsport → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fitness.tyr.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Code: 14034• Start Your Healing Journey → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.morozkoforge.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Codes: NEXTLEVEL350 / NEXTLEVEL500Alignment First. Progress Always.#AlignmentFirst#ProgressAlways#FittestLeader#LeadershipDevelopment#Podcast#AURA#Mastery#PersonalGrowth#ExecutiveCoaching#Leadership#AlignedLeadership
4 Aug

Dr. Michael Sumko: Connection Before Correction

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Dr. Michael Sumko to unpack why connection comes before correction, in the operating room and at home. We dive into rebuilding trust, managing expectations, and leading through the death of an old identity, and break down real, actionable ways to become the fittest leader possible through peace, power, and presence. Key Takeaways Connect before you correct. People take your insight only after they feel your care.Trust is currency. You earn it in small, consistent moments, not grand gestures.Treat the person, not the birth certificate. Lead who is actually in front of you.Let people fail so they can grow. Sometimes a leader wins by stepping back.Never accept where you are. More reps, better results, or you leave them on the table.Quotes "Before you correct, you need to connect." – Dr. Michael Sumko"Trust is currency." – Dr. Michael Sumko"Don't treat a birth certificate. Treat a patient." – Dr. Michael SumkoConnect with Dr. Michael SumkoWebsite: DrMichaelSumko.comPractice: Arizona Sports Medicine Center (ASMC), Stapley and the 60, Mesa AZFacebook: Dr. Michael Sumko, Hip and Knee SpecialistInstagram: @drmichaelsumko Next Level Resources ✅ Discover Who You Are As A Leader: https://nextlevelhq.co/what-kind-of-leader-are-you/ ✅ Clarity|Coaching|Consistency|Community: NextLevelHQ.co ✅ Subscribe to Alignment First on Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/coachderz/ Alignment First. Progress Always. 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 #AlignedLeadership #ExecutiveCoaching #Leadership #Podcast
28 July

Chris Hynes: Tell No Quiet Lies

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Chris Hynes, co-founder and CTO of OwnerRez, to unpack why the smallest honest truths build the deepest trust. We dive into the quiet lies that erode connection, the reps behind real communication, and why a little friction keeps you and your systems robust. Then we break down real, actionable ways to become the fittest leader possible through peace, power, and presence. Key Takeaways Quiet lies feel kind. They cost you trust. Tell the truth with tact and trust gets deeper.You don't rise in leaps. You rise in reps. Small and consistent beats forcing the whole thing at once.Facts inform. Stories land. Communicate through energy and story and people remember it.Efficiency has a ceiling. Strip out all the friction and the system gets brittle. Growth needs resistance.Culture is built by repetition. Name your values, teach the why, and say it until people say it back.Quotes • "You can pursue efficiency too much and then make the system very brittle." – Chris Hynes• "Keeping the peace, saying the quiet lie, is not the way to do it." – Chris Hynes• "It's a real feeling. You can't logic your way out of it." – Chris Hynes Connect with Chris HynesOwnerRez: ownerrez.comThe Walk and Talk Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2ygYbwMSyAsw7vNBEtFYMg Next Level Resources ✅ Discover Who You Are As A Leader: https://nextlevelhq.co/what-kind-of-leader-are-you/ ✅ Clarity|Coaching|Consistency|Community: NextLevelHQ.co ✅ Subscribe to Alignment First on Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/coachderz/ Alignment First. Progress Always. 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 #Veteran #AURA #LeadershipMindset #ProgressAlways
21 July

Paul Alkoby: You Are Good

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Paul Alkoby, Air Force veteran and founder of the You Are Good Project, to talk about turning your lowest point into a mission that serves others. We dive into ownership, self-forgiveness, identity, and the daily practices that keep a leader regulated, and break down real, actionable ways to become the fittest leader possible through peace, power, and presence. Key Takeaways 1. You are not behind. You are out of alignment. Paul played small for years before he owned his story and stepped forward. 2. Forgive yourself first. Paul could forgive almost anyone except himself. Self-forgiveness unlocked everything else. 3. Drop the weight that was never yours. The body keeps the score. Release what you have carried for other people. 4. Update your identity for the season you are in. An old identity in a new season keeps leaders stuck. 5. Get out of isolation on purpose. Paul's "go first" practice, three real conversations a day, breaks the loop. Quotes • "I realized how small I'd been playing for so long." – Paul Alkoby • "I front load the identity so the goal becomes inevitable." – Coach Derz • "I don't have a problem forgiving other people. It's always myself." – Paul Alkoby Connect with Paul Alkoby • IG: @paulalkoby & @youaregoodprjct • You Are Good Project: https://youaregoodproject.org/ 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! #AlignmentFirst #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutiveCoaching #AlignedLeadership #HighPerformance #NextLevel #Veteran #AURA #LeadershipMindset #ProgressAlways
14 July

Noelia Worth: Trust the Confirmation of the Universe

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Noelia Worth to unpack how she went from 29 years behind the chair to betting on herself and opening her own salon. We dive into choosing courage over comfort, dropping the masks we wear in every room, and leading from faith, presence, and full self-expression, and we break down real, actionable ways to become the fittest leader possible through peace, power, and presence. Key Takeaways 1. You are the result of the choices you make inside your circumstances, not the circumstances themselves. 2. When a signal shows up two or three times, that is your confirmation. Stop stalling and move. 3. The friction you feel is your present self meeting your future self. Walk through it on purpose. 4. The masks you wear at work, at home, and with friends drain energy you never get back. Become one self and reclaim it. 5. Your fullest expression meets no resistance, because the truth never needs defending. Quotes • "Our feelings and our thoughts constantly change by the minute. Do you really want to trust that?" – Noelia Worth • "I sat in my car bawling. Then I got over it. Okay, let's do this." – Noelia Worth • "You are less the product of your circumstances and more the result of your choices." – Coach Derz Connect with Noelia Worth Instagram: @noelianono1 and @beautysoireeaz Salon: Scottsdale, AZ. Text or call 480.469.3604 Podcast: A Connection is a Connection 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!
7 July

Gord Nicodemus: Changing Your Experience of Me

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Gord Nicodemus to talk about building real freedom on top of the foundation you already have. We dive into chasing a dream job that paid less than boxing groceries, walking on at Oregon State two days after tearing his MCL, teaching entrepreneurship through lemonade stands and engineering investments in his rental car business that return 50 percent over two years. Real, actionable ways to become the fittest leader possible. Key Takeaways 1. The job you dreamed about may not pay the bills you actually have. Build accordingly. 2. Your body will give you a setback. Your decisions decide what you do with it. 3. Systems are your decisions on paper. Write them down once. Reuse them forever. 4. Teach your kids to control what they actually control. Attitude. Energy. Effort. 5. The W-2 is one stream. Aligned leaders build more than one. Quotes • "My phone doesn't ring, you get more money." – Gord Nicodemus • "This is the part of the game where most people quit." – Mycal Anders • "Every time I tried to quit, they promoted me." – Gord Nicodemus Connect with Gord Nicodemus • Instagram. @Gordopreneur • Web: desertdrivesllc.com & airportparkingphoenix.com Next Level Resources ✅ Join the Leaders Forum: https://next-level.app.clientclub.net/communities/groups/next-level-headquarters/home?invite=69c17e4d5d8cee9656ff1c61 ✅ Clarity|Coaching|Consistency|Community: NextLevelHQ.co ✅ Subscribe to Alignment First on Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/coachderz/ Alignment First. Progress Always. Sponsors & Partners @ThorneHealth → ⁠thorne.com/u/progressalways⁠ @StrongCoffee → ⁠strongcoffeecompany.com⁠ — Use Code: NEXTLEVEL15 Alignment First. Progress Always. #AlignmentFirst #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutiveCoaching #AlignedLeadership #HighPerformance #NextLevel #Veteran #AURA #LeadershipMindset #ProgressAlways

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

2026
Episodes

141
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Mycal Anders, EMGM, MS, CSCS
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Alignment First Podcast

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Alternative Health

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