The BTB Project Podcast

Kollman Gearhart
  • 5.0 (9)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to the BTB Project (Built to Be Project): Empowering listeners to discover their purpose and live their best lives, regardless of circumstances. As a former athlete and motivational coach, I've spent the last 20 years inspiring thousands through my story, helping individuals, teams, and organizations achieve their true potential. Prepare to be inspired by featured guests from various fields, including athletics, business, entrepreneurship, science, fitness, and nutrition. Remember, impossible is nothing. Together, we will strive to become 1% better with each episode.

  1. Sep 10

    Why Motivation Fades and 5 Steps to Keep It Lit

    Why Motivation Fades and How to Build a System That Keeps It LitThis solo episode from The BTB Project argues that motivation is not something other people can install in you. It has to be uncovered, protected, and reinforced with systems that work on tired Tuesdays, not just on inspired days.Coleman Gearhart breaks down five practical ways to find your fire, define your why, and create an environment that makes action easier than avoidance.Key topics Motivation is not hype or a halftime speechWhy consistency breaks downTip 1: Name the why until it is specificTip 2: Stop chasing the feeling and become the personTip 3: Make the first step embarrassingly smallTip 4: Write if-then plans before pressure shows upTip 5: Build the locker room around youSmall wins build real momentumThe core distinction: spark vs. systemTimestamps00:00 - Opening claim: motivation is 90 percent of the outcome 01:47 - Why talent and strategy fail without internal fire 03:06 - The real problem is chasing feelings instead of building systems 04:24 - Motivation is not hype, it is what turns a blueprint into results 05:28 - Every person’s motivation looks different 06:43 - Why coaches and parents cannot install motivation 07:37 - Coaches do not create motivation, they call it forward 08:36 - What the BTB mission asks you to uncover in yourself 09:33 - Five tips to find and protect your motivation 10:43 - Tip 1: Fill the cup by naming the why 11:43 - Step one from the BTB blueprint: study your story 12:59 - Put your why where you will see it every day 14:08 - Tip 2: Become a person instead of waiting for a feeling 15:33 - Finish the sentence: I am the kind of person who 16:22 - Tip 3: Shrink the first step to something you can do on your worst day 17:32 - Motion creates emotion and action creates momentum 18:17 - Tiny daily effort beats heroic effort twice a month 18:46 - Tip 4: Use if-then plans instead of relying on willpower 19:36 - Morning, slump, and miss-day examples of implementation intentions 20:40 - Tip 5: Build the locker room by changing your environment 21:37 - Phone, space, habits, and people can pull you up or drag you down 22:24 - Track small wins so your brain can see proof of progress 23:39 - Quick recap of the five motivation tools 24:59 - Why the goal is not to feel on fire every day 25:42 - The real issue is spark and system, not strategy 26:07 - Final challenge: find your why, shrink the step, and call the play 27:06 - Closing encouragement and call to share the episode

    Why Motivation Fades and 5 Steps to Keep It Lit

  2. Sep 2

    The Lie of Kindness: Why People Pleasing Isn’t Service

    This BTB short tackles the difference between true service and people pleasing, and why confusing the two can drain your identity, energy, and purpose. Host Kollman Gearhart, also known as Coach K, argues that real helping comes from alignment and fullness, not fear and the need to keep everyone happy.We discuss the hidden cost of saying yes too often, the signs that your body and purpose are paying the price, and a few practical ways to protect your capacity while still serving others well. Key topics In this episode, Coach K defines the “lie of kindness” as people pleasing disguised as service.He explains the difference between serving from fullness and helping from fear, and why the root matters more than the motion.He says people pleasing can erase identity, turning someone into a mirror or chameleon instead of a person with clear purpose.He warns that chronic overcommitment burns the engine, leaving no energy for meaningful work or healthy relationships.He argues that resentment becomes the tax paid for every dishonest yes.He says purpose gets postponed when most of your energy is already rented out to other people’s needs.He stresses that self-neglect shows up in the body through stress, sleep issues, gut problems, and dread.He uses the airplane oxygen mask analogy to show why self-care is required before service.He shares practical resets like pausing before yes, telling the truth in one small place, and scheduling yourself first.He closes by reframing self-focus as the path to greater, more effective service to others.Pause before saying yes and check your capacity first.Tell one truthful “no” this week without over-explaining.Schedule personal time before your calendar fills up.Separate love from approval in your relationships.Practice giving a clean no and a full yes.Focus on becoming 1% better instead of becoming more available to everyone.Timestamps: (01:17) Why this short is about the “lie of kindness” (02:26) People pleasing versus real helping and serving (03:34) Serving from fullness while people pleasing comes from fear (04:57) Five dangers of people pleasing begin with losing your identity (06:35) Danger two: burning the engine through chronic overcommitment (07:52) Danger three: nobody gets the real you (08:38) Danger four: your purpose gets postponed (09:58) Danger five: your body keeps score (11:17) The airplane oxygen mask analogy for self-care (12:22) Self-care as maintaining the instrument, not selfishness (14:18) The 1% protocol and the call to keep growing (14:49) Practical reset: pause before yes and tell one truth this week (15:17) Put yourself on the calendar first (15:49) Separate love from approval (16:03) Practice a clean no and a full yes (17:06) Why exhaustion is not heroic and why liking everyone is not the goal (18:37) The ripple effect of becoming more aligned (19:57) Final challenge to share the episode and reset with others Action items Pause before saying yes and check your capacity first.Tell one truthful “no” this week without over-explaining.Schedule personal time before your calendar fills up.Separate love from approval in your relationships.Practice giving a clean no and a full yes.Focus on becoming 1% better instead of becoming more available to everyone.

    The Lie of Kindness: Why People Pleasing Isn’t Service

  3. Jul 21

    Breaking the Chain: Overcoming Generational Family Trauma

    In this episode of The BTB Project Kollman Gearhart shares his personal journey of overcoming generational family trauma, including addiction, abuse, and emotional struggles. He offers practical steps to break these cycles and build a legacy of healing and resilience. keywords family trauma, generational healing, mental health, personal growth, trauma recovery, legacy, self-development key topics Generational family trauma and its impact Personal story of overcoming addiction and abuse Practical steps to break family trauma cycles The importance of self-awareness and accountability Building a support system and healthy habits The role of gratitude and routine in healing Facing hard memories without numbing Creating a positive legacy for future generations "Unhealthy ways of coping show up year after year" "Breaking chains creates a ripple effect of opportunity" "It ends here, delink yourself from who you were" Chapters 00:00 Introduction and episode overview 2166:39:24 Understanding generational trauma 3361:06:04 Examples of trauma inherited in families 6972:12:48 Personal story: Coleman's journey with addiction and loss 11916:39:28 Deciding to break the cycle 13777:46:11 The BTB blueprint for healing 16944:26:11 The ripple effect of breaking trauma chains 18805:32:51 Steps to start healing: honesty and reflection 22499:59:34 Building support and routines 25999:59:34 Facing hard memories and replacing old habits 28499:59:45 Living out the change and creating new traditions 30361:06:28 Persisting through challenges and celebrating progress 32222:13:12 Final encouragement and call to action

    Breaking the Chain: Overcoming Generational Family Trauma

  4. Jul 9

    Own Your Power: How a Simple Audit Can Transform Your Life Today

    Are you stuck in the cycle of blame, frustration, and feeling out of control? This episode is a wake-up call to take ownership and unlock your true potential. The powerful tool? An honest, straightforward personal audit that shifts your mindset from powerless to powerhouse.In this episode: The significance of confronting your recurring complaints and seeing them as barriers to growthHow to assign control levels to your challenges and identify what’s truly in your powerThe critical difference between genuine limitations and stories we tell ourselvesPractical steps to do a weekly ownership audit and act on what’s within your reachWhy vulnerability is your greatest strength in personal growth and transformationHow owning one thing a week can radically change your future self Timestamps:00:22 - Recognizing where you've been dodging growth and handing your power away01:57 - The real purpose of an audit—beyond finances, into your life02:41 - The noise in the world and why an ownership audit is more important than ever03:15 - My personal stories of blame and frustration—how I’ve had to own my challenges05:09 - How to write down your top five recurring complaints honestly06:02 - Identifying the thoughts and complaints that keep you stuck08:24 - Scoring your control over each challenge and being brutally honest09:55 - Real examples from my own life—foot injury, son’s transfer, podcast momentum11:53 - Differentiating between genuine limitations and stories that hold you back12:44 - Asking yourself the tough questions: Is this out of my control or am I avoiding ownership?13:42 - The power of taking action—small steps today for big change tomorrow14:41 - Weekly ritual: set a stress list, rate control, and act on one item15:36 - Making ownership a non-negotiable habit16:07 - The danger of dodging the same issue repeatedly—tackle it first17:01 - Vulnerability as strength—owning your struggles out loud18:20 - Take the challenge: share your wins and start shifting todayResources & Links:Connect with The BTB Project:Remember, growth starts when you own your story. Take control now—your future self is waiting.

    Own Your Power: How a Simple Audit Can Transform Your Life Today

  5. Jul 1

    Ditch Dabble, Embrace Focus: Unlock Your Full Potential

    Are you tired of feeling stuck, procrastinating, or dabbling in your goals without ever truly committing? This episode blasts through the excuses, shows you the power of laser focus, and hits home why doing the work every single day is the game-changer you need. If you're ready to stop half-assing your life and start living with purpose, keep listening.In this episode: The brutal truth about dabbling versus doingWhy your flare-ups or setbacks are signs of disconnection and neglectPersonal stories about overcoming injury, self-sabotage, and the power of consistencyHow to identify one non-negotiable action todayThe importance of accountability and tracking progress dailyWhy prioritizing yourself isn’t selfish it's essentialThe role of legacy, discipline, and purpose in your everyday lifePractical steps to get serious about your health, hustle, and life goalsTimestamps:00:00 - Why this episode flips the script on excuses and dabbling 00:29 - The mindset shift: Built for greatness, not breaking 01:05 - Past struggles turning pain into purpose 02:10 - Life nudges—are you listening or ignoring? 03:09 - Lessons from being a coach, athlete, and father 04:37 - When your body calls out—learning from injury and flare-ups 06:00 - The impact of focus during adversity 07:26 - How kids' resilience in camps inspired a reflection 08:56 - The moment my foot pain flared up—what it taught me 09:53 - Addressing health issues head-on, no more avoidance 11:19 - The trap of dabbling and the value of unwavering focus 12:18 - How neglecting small health habits leads to flare-ups 13:18 - The power of wholehearted commitment 14:17 - Saying enough to dabbling—what it truly means to show up 15:16 - Building consistency, not perfection in self-care 16:46 - Recognizing that flare-ups aren’t just physical—they’re signals 17:14 - How our foundation cracks each year, and how to rebuild 18:41 - What are you dabbling with that needs your urgent attention? 19:38 - Tracking your daily wins and failures—master your pattern 20:07 - The value of accountability—no more excuses, just results 21:06 - Your call to action: Share what you’re dabbing with 21:35 - The truth about disappearing, showing up, and legacy 22:04 - Final encouragement: keep pushing, keep growing

    Ditch Dabble, Embrace Focus: Unlock Your Full Potential

  6. May 13

    The Relentless Pursuit of Greatness: Kaeden Dendorfer The Journey Through College Running & Beyond

    Get ready to be inspired. Kaeden Dendorfer’s story isn’t just about running; it’s about resilience, purpose, and pushing beyond every limit that tries to hold us back. If you’re chasing a dream, navigating change, or hungry for that next jump, this episode will fuel your fire. In this episode: Kaeden shares how a high school championship ignited his passion for greatnessThe intense reality of training alongside national-level athletes at Butler UniversityThe mental and emotional hurdles of transitioning between programs and seeking clarityHow he leverages team culture and leadership to elevate everyone around himThe importance of discipline over motivation in the pursuit of excellenceWhy Kaeden believes success is about becoming the best version of yourself, not hitting specific timesHis thoughts on the power of self-awareness, transparency, and intentional growthThe role of sport science and academics in fueling his athletic journeyThe significance of embracing setbacks as setups for breakthroughsHis vision for future coaching and cultivating championship-level teamsTimestamps:00:24 - Introduction: The relentless spirit of Kaeden Dendorfer00:42 - From Colorado to the NCAA transfer portal: a journey of resilience03:03 - High school championships and the DNA of competitive greatness05:03 - The emotional weight of winning a Colorado state championship07:39 - Life as a Division I runner: training, mileage, and the grind09:56 - Transitioning from high school to college: growth, challenges, and maturity13:32 - College debut race: breaking barriers with an 8K time of 25:0816:36 - The discipline that defines success: pushing through discomfort18:07 - Navigating the transfer portal: a conversation with his coach19:41 - The power of team culture and being a "glue guy"21:06 - Balancing academics and athletics: a 3.6 GPA in kinesiology24:04 - The mental toughness behind tough workouts and setbacks27:03 - Kaeden’s burning desire to help others and coach someday29:15 - The qualities that make him an asset to any program31:36 - Making peace with the sport of running: control, expectations, and growth33:19 - The unending pursuit of self-improvement: metaphors for success34:17 - Final words: perseverance, character, and relentless passion Stay relentless, stay authentic, and remember: it’s not just about crossing the finish line it’s about how you become the person who can. Your journey to greatness starts now. Your truth is worth chasing. Don't hold back.

    The Relentless Pursuit of Greatness: Kaeden Dendorfer The Journey Through College Running & Beyond

  7. Apr 21

    Be Where Your Feet Are: Master the Power of Presence & Stop Living in the Past or Future

    Are you physically in one place but mentally somewhere else? In this powerful BTB Short, Kollman Gearhart explores why being where your feet are is the foundation of becoming who you're truly Built To Be. If you're constantly replaying past regrets, traumas, or guilt or racing ahead with future anxiety and pressure you're missing the only moment that actually matters: right now. Kollman shares raw insights from his own journey healing generational family trauma and helps you understand how unprocessed pain lives in your body, dysregulates your nervous system, spikes cortisol, and blocks clarity, creativity, and growth. You'll learn practical tools to return to the present, regulate your nervous system, make peace with your past without blame or victim mode, and take intentional action every single day. Why presence is biological, not just mindset, and how it affects your nervous system, decision-making, and relationshipsHow to stop suppressing trauma and start facing it so it stops controlling your futureThe simple daily check-in: "Where are my feet right now?"5 minutes of stillness & breathwork to reset and feel safe in the presentEmotional honesty journaling: What did I feel today? What triggered me? What am I avoiding?One intentional action per day to align with the person you're becomingThis episode is for athletes, coaches, high-performers, and anyone tired of living scattered ready to build a life rooted in clarity instead of chaos. Chapters (00:00) Welcome to the BTB Short (00:23) The Cost of Not Being Present (02:19) You Can't Become Who You're Built To Be If You're Not Where Your Feet Are (03:41) How Past & Future Destroy Presence (05:28) Kollman's Story: Healing Generational Trauma (07:41) Why Presence Is Everything – Goals, Relationships & Legacy (09:18) The Biology of Presence: Nervous System Regulation (10:51) The Shift: Making Peace With Your Past (13:27) 4 Practical BTB Tools for Daily Presence (15:09) Tool 1: Where Are My Feet? Check-In (16:10) Tool 2: 5 Minutes of Stillness & Breathwork (18:21) Tool 3: Emotional Honesty Journaling (20:08) Tool 4: One Intentional Action Per Day (21:10) Final Message: Live Fully in the Present Be where your feet are. Your future is built in this moment. 🎧 Listen now and start training presence into your daily life. Grab the free BTB Blueprint Quick-Start Guide (with worksheets for presence & persistence) If this hit home, like, save, and share this episode with someone who needs to come back to the present. Tag them below or send it to a teammate, friend, or family member. New here? Subscribe to The BTB Project for weekly mindset shifts, BTB Blueprint steps, and inspiring comeback stories from athletes and coaches. Follow on YouTube @thebtbproject Instagram @the_btb_project_ Kollman Gearhart – Former athlete, motivational coach, and host helping you discover your purpose and live your best life. #BTBProject #BeWhereYourFeetAre #Presence #Mindset #MentalToughness #NervousSystemRegulation #PersonalGrowth #OvercomeTrauma

    Be Where Your Feet Are: Master the Power of Presence & Stop Living in the Past or Future

  8. Apr 14

    From Medical Mystery to UPenn Tennis: How Jonah Chernett Built Unbreakable Spirit & Mental Toughness

    This episode dives deep into the remarkable journey of Jonah Chernett a high school tennis star from Michigan who faced a life-altering medical mystery. His story is a raw, impactful testament to resilience, mental toughness, and finding victory beyond victory on the court. In this episode: Jonah shares how a sudden health crisis nearly ended his tennis careerThe intense 10-month journey of misdiagnoses, treatments, and setbacksThe discovery of a rare genetic condition that changed everythingHow he maintained his mental toughness through the darkest daysThe lessons learned about character, perseverance, and self-beliefWhy health and happiness now define his version of successHis upcoming journey at UPenn and his outlook on life and tennisTimestamps:00:00 - Introduction to Jonah Chernett’s inspiring story02:01 - The day everything changed: Jonah’s health crisis begins03:07 - The mysterious symptoms and initial setbacks04:36 - The long search for answers: doctors, scans, and uncertainty05:02 - The relief and hope from medication that helped temporarily06:46 - The heartbreak of relapses and the toll on mental health07:29 - How support from family, especially his dad, kept him going08:58 - The influence of childhood friends and early inspirations09:52 - The turning point: embracing team and community12:20 - The importance of character over rankings in recruiting14:52 - How Jonah’s perspective shifted after his health challenges16:14 - What makes a tennis champion mentally tough18:03 - Overcoming nerves and building confidence20:23 - The latest diagnoses and the shocking genetic revelation23:29 - Lessons learned about self-worth and identity25:40 - The lowest points and moments of profound doubt28:42 - Rebuilding strength and resilience after losing everything34:20 - Connecting the dots: the true cause of Jonah’s health struggles37:15 - The groundbreaking diagnosis: DLD deficiency and dietary changes39:29 - Approaching life with gratitude and purpose44:18 - The college recruiting journey: from doubt to opportunity47:40 - The profound impact of character and compassion50:27 - Defining success beyond tennis52:45 - Words of encouragement for young athletes and dreamers53:50 - Final thoughts: impossible truly means nothing

    From Medical Mystery to UPenn Tennis: How Jonah Chernett Built Unbreakable Spirit & Mental Toughness
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5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Welcome to the BTB Project (Built to Be Project): Empowering listeners to discover their purpose and live their best lives, regardless of circumstances. As a former athlete and motivational coach, I've spent the last 20 years inspiring thousands through my story, helping individuals, teams, and organizations achieve their true potential. Prepare to be inspired by featured guests from various fields, including athletics, business, entrepreneurship, science, fitness, and nutrition. Remember, impossible is nothing. Together, we will strive to become 1% better with each episode.

Information

  • Creator
    Kollman Gearhart
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    228
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Kollman Gearhart
  • Show Website
    The BTB Project Podcast

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