What's Your Story? with Mike & Scott

Mike Lindstrom + Scott Leese

Everyone has a story worth telling. Prolific executive coach Mike Lindstrom & legendary startup advisor Scott Leese sit down with athletes, entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and everyday people to uncover the pivotal moments that shaped their journeys. From boardrooms to locker rooms, victories to setbacks, this podcast digs into the lessons, struggles, and triumphs behind the headlines. Authentic, raw, and inspiring—these are the stories that connect us all.

  1. 3d ago ·  Video

    How I Beat Sheriff Joe Arpaio After Losing Once | Paul Penzone

    Former Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone lost once to Sheriff Joe Arpaio after getting outspent 13 to 1. His wife heard him complaining at the TV, took his man card, and told him to step up again. He did. Then he won by 13 points. Paul tells Mike Lindstrom and Scott Leese the part most people never hear. He was a volunteer bailiff in high school. He spent 21 years at Phoenix PD. He ran as a Democrat after Republican strategists told him he had no shot. He refused to endorse anybody, including two presidential candidates, because he did not want the badge used as a political weapon. His first week on the job, a naked woman stole a patrol car in Casa Grande. A deputy grabbed a blanket to cover her. She jumped in the car and took off. That is the job. Paul also gets into the hard stuff. Culture over entertainment. Why he closed the circus around Tent City and pink jumpsuits. Why deadly force is not a choice, it is the lack of a choice. Why cameras and tools can steal the skill of talking someone into handcuffs. And what it costs a family when you have to knock on a door and tell a wife she is a widow. If you have ever been told you cannot win, this one will sit with you. Topics Covered Paul’s path from Trenton, New Jersey to Cortez High School and Phoenix PDThe courtroom summers that taught him to seek the truth and speak the truthWhy he will not let a bully have the last wordThe living room fight with his wife that launched the race against Joe ArpaioLosing in 2012 by four points, then getting a birthday job rejection that sent him backElection night 2016 with no TVs, no radios, and 35 people in a sandwich shopJoe Arpaio’s concession call after 24 years in officeThe first change he made as sheriff: cultureWhy law enforcement should work like a good referee, not a reality showCameras, Big Brother, and what happens when discretion disappearsHow body cams and 2020 changed an officer’s instincts on a stopTasers versus talking, and why he never once maced anyone“The use of deadly force is not a choice. It is the lack of a choice.”Leaving the badge without letting the title eat your identityPraying the rosary, Sundays with no detail, and four line-of-duty death notificationsThe bathroom stall at D-backs stadium and what it costs to be “on” everywhereThe mantra: do not live for the approval of people Chapters 00:00 First week as sheriff, a naked lady steals a patrol car01:27 Welcome to What’s Your Story with Mike and Scott02:25 Paul’s story, from Trenton to Phoenix PD04:22 Volunteer bailiff and seeking the truth06:31 Why he never backed down from bullies08:38 Taking on Sheriff Joe Arpaio13:08 Losing in 2012, then running again16:12 Election night 2016 with no TVs18:42 Joe Arpaio’s concession call19:40 Culture over entertainment22:46 Cameras, Big Brother, and discretion24:42 How body cams changed everyday stops28:49 Deadly force is the lack of a choice29:22 Leaving the badge without losing yourself31:48 Family, faith, and knocking on a widow’s door35:15 The bathroom stall and being “on” as sheriff37:17 The mantra he lives by38:32 Outro If this one hit, subscribe and send it to somebody who still thinks one person cannot move a machine that big. Then tell us in the comments. When did somebody tell you that you had no shot, and what did you do with that? Thanks for watching! If this episode moved you, hit LIKE, drop a comment with your biggest takeaway, and SUBSCRIBE for more raw stories, mindset shifts, and real conversations. New episodes drop every Tuesday morning! TikTok: tiktok.com/@whatsyourstorypod_comInstagram: instagram.com/whatsyourstorypod_comX: x.com/WYSPodcast_comFacebook: facebook.com/WhatsYourStoryPod This episode is sponsored by e3 wealth. If you need someone to help build your financial future, check out their website, and tell them Mike & Scott sent you. Mike's Website: mikelindstrom.com Scott's Website: scottleeseconsulting.com NEW WEBSITE! whatsyourstorypod.com

    How I Beat Sheriff Joe Arpaio After Losing Once | Paul Penzone

  2. Aug 11 ·  Video

    She Left a Fortune to Raise Her Kids — Now She's Back | Susan McGalla

    Susan McGalla walked away from the presidency of American Eagle Outfitters at its peak. She helped grow the brand from $300 million to $3 billion. The company was her baby. Those people were her family. Leaving to raise her kids was gut-wrenching. She never looked back. That choice opened every door after. Including the one her son helped open at Brophy Prep. She now serves as Vice President for Advancement and Strategic Communications. Her office sits on the same campus where her son goes to school. He stops by for snacks. Friends leave sticky notes on her computer. She is exactly where she wants to be. In this episode of What’s Your Story? with Mike & Scott, Susan shares the full arc. Ohio sports family roots. Early retail days that left her sure she would get fired. The leap to American Eagle in her late twenties. The three principles behind the explosive growth. Hard truths about career and family choices women still face. Building Steelers Nation Unite. And the Brophy classroom moment that pulled her out of retirement. She talks about mentors who saw more in her than she saw in herself. The family motto she repeated every morning dropping the kids at school. And why the most meaningful success is still the life you touch. This one is full of heart, hard-earned wisdom, and full-circle moments that stick. Topics Covered: The gut-wrenching decision to leave American Eagle Outfitters at the height of its successGrowing a single brand from $300 million to $3 billion while staying profitableThe three principles behind that growth: daring to dream, fiscal responsibility, and staying small as you scaleHard choices women still face between career and familyHow her son brought her out of retirement and into the Brophy Prep roleWhat “advancement” really means at a high school and why the work mattersBuilding the Steelers Nation Unite loyalty program and combining sports with businessMentors who believed in her before she fully believed in herselfFamily values, a daily motto, and the quiet power of picking up trash Timestamps: 0:00 Cold Open1:31 Meet Susan McGalla2:18 Ohio roots, sports family, and the start in retail4:29 Joseph Horne training and the American Eagle knock7:26 From $300 million to $3 billion8:18 How they actually grew it: dream, fiscal responsibility, stay small11:05 Leaving for family and the hard choices women face12:23 Life at Brophy with her kids on campus14:09 How her son brought her out of retirement17:14 What makes Brophy special (financial aid, diversity, brotherhood)18:13 What “advancement” really means20:28 The Pittsburgh Steelers chapter and Steelers Nation Unite23:06 Goals at this stage and the common thread of young people24:50 Nonprofit work that still means the most25:52 Mentors who believed first27:54 Rapid fire: books, travel, family motto31:31 Trash on the ground is your trash If this conversation hit you the way it hit us, share it with someone who needs to hear it. Subscribe so you never miss the next story. What’s the hardest career or family decision you’ve ever made, and how did it turn out? Drop it in the comments. We read every one. Thanks for watching! If this episode moved you, hit LIKE, drop a comment with your biggest takeaway, and SUBSCRIBE for more raw stories, mindset shifts, and real conversations. New episodes drop every Tuesday morning! TikTok: tiktok.com/@whatsyourstorypod_comInstagram: instagram.com/whatsyourstorypod_comX: x.com/WYSPodcast_comFacebook: facebook.com/WhatsYourStoryPod This episode is sponsored by e3 wealth. If you need someone to help build your financial future, check out their website, and tell them Mike & Scott sent you. Mike's Website: mikelindstrom.com Scott's Website: scottleeseconsulting.com NEW WEBSITE! whatsyourstorypod.com

    She Left a Fortune to Raise Her Kids — Now She's Back | Susan McGalla

  3. Aug 5 ·  Video

    The Man Outliving a 90% Mortality Rate | Dan Lier

    Dan Lier walked into the Mayo Clinic thinking he might die that night. Doctors told him he had cardiac amyloidosis — a rare blood disease that kills 40% of patients in the first 12 months and only 10% make it past 10 years. He’s in year 9. In this powerful episode of What’s Your Story? with Mike & Scott, Dan goes deep on the mindset that refused to accept the statistics. From growing up on welfare and food stamps, to winning two national basketball championships as the 9th or 10th most athletic player on the roster, to becoming Tony Robbins’ top field leader after an integrity moment that could have ended his career… this is the unfiltered story of a 6’8” mindset architect who turned every setback into fuel. Dan shares the moments of real fear, the nightly affirmation audio he created while going through two years of chemo, how he became one of the top amyloidosis influencers in the country (and worked with Pfizer), and why he still believes every obstacle is preparing you for something bigger. If you’ve ever faced a diagnosis, a career crossroads, or a moment that felt like the end — this conversation will reframe everything. Topics Covered Growing up on public assistance and the mindset shift that started everythingTwo national championships at Fort Hays State and the psychology of hustle over talentThe wacky coach who hung upside down like a bat and rewired Dan’s brainSelling insurance, reading Tony Robbins, and becoming the #1 producer at 23The integrity moment that got him promoted to Tony Robbins’ leadership teamLeaving Robbins, starting his own seminars in LA, and building a keynote empire in VegasThe cardiac amyloidosis diagnosis, Mayo Clinic, chemo, and the stats that should have broken himBecoming an amyloidosis influencer and advocate almost by accidentHow the disease made him more patient, present, and selective with his timeThe power of nightly affirmations and programming the mind for healingWhy 90% of success is psychology — and how to actually change behaviorCurrent work with Janek Performance Group and ongoing rare disease advocacy Chapters 00:00 – Cold Open: "40% Die in Year One — I'll Take the Other 60%"01:38 – Welcome: Mike's Most Personal Episode Yet02:04 – Meet Dan Lier — Champion, Tony Robbins Leader, Rare Disease Survivor02:31 – How Dan Single-Handedly Destroyed Mike's Legal Career02:48 – Small-Town Michigan to Two-Time National Champion04:11 – From Basketball to Insurance: The Accidental Salesman04:33 – Welfare, Food Stamps & a Dad Who Hated Salespeople06:28 – Finding Tony Robbins at 23 — Tripled His Income, Became #106:46 – The Championship Secret: Hustle Over Talent08:43 – The Coach Who Hung Upside Down Like a Bat11:00 – "I'm a Mindset Architect, Not a Motivational Speaker"13:57 – The $400 Theft That Almost Ended Everything… Then Got Him Promoted16:19 – The Baby Monitor Betrayal — Hearing a Friend Trash Him19:50 – Turning Down Tony Robbins & Starting Over in Hermosa Beach21:00 – "I Think I'm Gonna Die Tonight" — The Red-Eye Flight to Mayo Clinic24:42 – The Diagnosis: 40% Die in 12 Months, Only 10% Survive 10 Years26:15 – How Chemo Videos Accidentally Made Him an Amyloidosis Influencer28:00 – Why a Near-Death Diagnosis Made Him a Better Man31:16 – The Nightly Affirmation Audio That Kept Him Alive35:40 – What's Next: Keynotes, Janek & Rare Disease Advocacy37:17 – Dan's Closing Lesson: Everything Happens FOR You38:41 – "I'm 63 and Just Opening the Biggest Chapter of My Life"40:27 – Sign-Off & Outro Connect with Dan Lier Website: https://danlier.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/danlierX: https://x.com/DanLierMindsetYouTube: Search “Dan Lier” or “Dan Lier Amyloidosis” Thanks for watching! If this episode moved you, hit LIKE, drop a comment with your biggest takeaway, and SUBSCRIBE for more raw stories, mindset shifts, and real conversations. New episodes drop every Tuesday morning! TikTok: tiktok.com/@whatsyourstorypod_comInstagram: instagram.com/whatsyourstorypod_comX: x.com/WYSPodcast_comFacebook: facebook.com/WhatsYourStoryPod This episode is sponsored by e3 wealth. If you need someone to help build your financial future, check out their website, and tell them Mike & Scott sent you. Mike's Website: mikelindstrom.com Scott's Website: scottleeseconsulting.com NEW WEBSITE! whatsyourstorypod.com

    The Man Outliving a 90% Mortality Rate | Dan Lier

  4. Jul 28 ·  Video

    This "Swiftie Liftie" Reps in the Gym AND on the Roster! | Alexy Posner

    Alexy Posner built AP Brand Group from absolute zero after her identity as a professional equestrian was ripped away at 21. What followed was deep depression, a string of low-paying sports jobs, a four-word text that changed everything on her 26th birthday, and a decision to bet on herself even when her parents basically called her a failure. Today she manages NFL players like Mack Hollins, works with Jaleel White, and is producing a major movie on Ric Flair with Dwayne Johnson’s Seven Bucks Productions. She also turned her love of Taylor Swift into Swiftie Liftie Club, a fitness movement that has exploded across the globe with one simple rule: if you know the words, you sing. In this episode of What’s Your Story with Mike & Scott, Alexy gets real about authenticity over easy money, why most athletes destroy their brand by saying yes too fast, the spiderweb exercise she uses with every client, and the non-negotiables that keep her sharp while scaling. Topics Covered Losing your identity when the sport ends and the depression that followsWhy she walked away from a Lee Steinberg opportunity and started overBuilding AP Brand Group completely through word of mouthMeeting Ric Flair at a cannabis convention with Mike Tyson and Jaleel WhiteHow Swiftie Liftie Club went viral and the community ethos behind itMack Hollins and the power of saying no to protect authenticityLong-game branding versus chasing the next checkThe exact process she uses to help athletes define their brandWhy most podcasts fail and what actually moves the needle on socialHer non-negotiables: 4:44 a.m. wake-ups, making the bed, and staying soberThe upcoming Ric Flair movie with The Rock’s company Chapters 00:00 Ric Flair teaser00:46 Intro01:41 Welcome and introducing Alexy Posner02:48 What’s Your Story? From Philly and horses to the unknown05:46 Getting fired, the Lee Steinberg text, and betting on herself09:18 Creating Swiftie Liftie Club and the Taylor Swift effect12:28 Mack Hollins, authenticity, and the art of saying no15:01 How she met Ric Flair (and why he called her Young Brooke Shields)16:33 Long game versus short money in athlete branding19:17 Family influences, her mom the neuroradiologist, and her brother21:30 When should athletes actually start building their brand?25:40 Podcast strategy, social clips, and why most shows fail29:17 Growing up on horses and living on airplanes31:00 Non-negotiables, scaling herself, and making the bed33:03 Next chapter: the Ric Flair movie with Seven Bucks and finding balance35:55 Favorite books (Harry Potter 22 times, The Alchemist, The Four Agreements)36:49 Wrap and where to follow Alexy Follow Alexy Instagram: https://instagram.com/AlexyPosnerSwifty Lifty Club: https://instagram.com/SwiftieLiftieClubAP Brand Group: https://apbrandgroup.com Thanks for watching! If this episode moved you, hit LIKE, drop a comment with your biggest takeaway, and SUBSCRIBE for more raw stories, mindset shifts, and real conversations. New episodes drop every Tuesday morning! TikTok: tiktok.com/@whatsyourstorypod_comInstagram: instagram.com/whatsyourstorypod_comX: x.com/WYSPodcast_comFacebook: facebook.com/WhatsYourStoryPod This episode is sponsored by e3 wealth. If you need someone to help build your financial future, check out their website, and tell them Mike & Scott sent you. Mike's Website: mikelindstrom.com Scott's Website: scottleeseconsulting.com NEW WEBSITE! whatsyourstorypod.com

    This "Swiftie Liftie" Reps in the Gym AND on the Roster! | Alexy Posner

  5. Jul 21 ·  Video

    Not All Masculinity Is Toxic: The Truth Everyone Needs to Hear | Jon McQueen & Nick Lowery

    Today we have not one, but two special guests! You're in for a treat. What happens when families in crisis hand their kids over to a loosely regulated $23 billion industry promising to "fix" them? Professor Jon McQueen, a survivor of the Troubled Teen Industry (TTI), pulls back the curtain on wilderness programs, residential boarding schools, and the devastating human cost—450+ deaths and 220,000 kids sent yearly, often starting with a middle-of-the-night "transport." Jon shares his raw journey from Chicago kid to sales leader (realtor.com and more) to full-time ASU sociology professor teaching 1,900 students. He breaks down AI cheating dilemmas in education, why students feel unseen, and his groundbreaking Men & Masculinity class that challenges toxic narratives with multiple masculinities. Later, NFL legend and returning guest Nick Lowery joins for the final stretch—talking his new book Naked and Alone with 80,000 People (now on Audible!), leadership lessons from the Chiefs, factory keynotes, mental health, and his free Companion app helping first responders and beyond. This episode is packed with real talk on resilience, education's evolution, fatherhood, team chemistry, and creating connection in a disconnected world. Topics Covered Troubled Teen Industry (TTI) survivor story & exposéSales-to-academia career pivot and "hacking" the systemTeaching massive classes and making students feel seenAI cheating crisis, detectors, and mental atrophy in educationMultiple masculinities vs toxic masculinity debatesPublic speaking fears and using sales skills in academiaWorst-to-first leadership and team chemistry (Chiefs stories)Mental health companion app for first responders & veteransFan connection, social capital, and performing under pressureRateMyProfessor feedback and evolving with student needs Chapters 0:00 Cold Open: The Troubled Teen Industry0:40 Intro Band & Theme Song1:35 Scott & Mike Welcome – First Professor Guest2:25 Jon McQueen's Story – Son of a Marketer to Sales Life3:50 Pivot During COVID – Master's Degree & ASU Opportunity5:55 From Adjunct to Full Faculty – Teaching 443, Then 1,400 Students7:55 The Troubled Teen Industry – $23B Empire, 450 Deaths, Paris Hilton & Stanford Research12:13 Student Connection Story – The 7-Year ASU Senior Who Finally Felt Seen13:51 AI in Education – Cheating Detection, Syllabus Policies & The Prisoner's Dilemma19:28 Students Can't Read Analog Clocks Anymore21:07 Should Business Leaders Enter Academia?24:35 RateMyProfessor, Pre-Framing Classes & The Zocdoc Sales Lesson28:03 Men & Masculinity – Pitching the Class Nobody Takes, Toxic Masculinity & Helping Young Men32:30 Nick Lowery Returns – Trifecta Appearance32:45 Book Update – Naked and Alone with 80,000 People, Audible & P&G Keynote34:21 Chiefs Turnaround, Eric Bieniemy & Locker Room Chemistry37:16 World Cup, Messi, Fan Energy & Arrowhead Stories38:29 Roger Clemens & Locker Room Chemistry38:41 Getting Recognized at the Royals Game40:22 The Roast, Neil Smith & Kansas City Social Capital42:37 Mental Health Companion App – RFK Jr., BlueCloudX, Clinical Research & Veteran Support46:32 Final Thoughts, Gratitude & Outro Watch the full conversation and let us know in the comments: What’s one system or industry that needs more transparency and reform? Full episode also available on your favorite podcast app. Subscribe, like, and share if this hit home. New episodes drop weekly! Links & Socials Unsilenced (TTI Advocacy): unsilenced.orgNaked and Alone with 80,000 People: nicklowerybook.com (Hardcover, Paperback, Audible)Mental Health Companion App: Search “Nick Lowery Companion” or BlueCloudX Thanks for watching! If this episode moved you, hit LIKE, drop a comment with your biggest takeaway, and SUBSCRIBE for more raw stories, mindset shifts, and real conversations. New episodes drop every Tuesday morning! TikTok: tiktok.com/@whatsyourstorypod_comInstagram: instagram.com/whatsyourstorypod_comX: x.com/WYSPodcast_comFacebook: facebook.com/WhatsYourStoryPod This episode is sponsored by e3 wealth. If you need someone to help build your financial future, check out their website, and tell them Mike & Scott sent you. Mike's Website: mikelindstrom.com Scott's Website: scottleeseconsulting.com NEW WEBSITE! whatsyourstorypod.com

    Not All Masculinity Is Toxic: The Truth Everyone Needs to Hear | Jon McQueen & Nick Lowery

  6. Jul 14 ·  Video

    D1 Athlete Gets Brutally Honest About Life After Sports | McKenna Doe

    Former D1 college soccer player McKenna Doe joins hosts Mike Lindstrom and Scott Leese for a raw and inspiring conversation. McKenna shares her journey from Huntington Beach to the University of San Diego, where she played alongside her identical twin sister Mikayla. She opens up about training with future national team players, the unique bond and challenges of competing as twins, and how comparison almost derailed their relationship. The conversation explores what it was really like growing up in a sports-obsessed family, getting recruited into club soccer, and navigating the identity crisis that hit after college athletics ended. McKenna gets honest about a painful breakup, moving home to Huntington Beach for a season of self-work and renewed faith, and the leap of faith that led her to Scottsdale where she finally figured out who she truly is. She also shares her current career reflections after years of remote work and her growing excitement about transitioning into residential real estate, where she can help people with one of life's biggest decisions while staying true to her natural self. The episode closes with a fun rapid-fire round that reveals her favorite movie, current book, biggest influence, and the mom-ism she will never forget. Whether you are a former athlete searching for what comes next, someone in the middle of a personal reinvention, or simply love authentic stories of resilience, this episode delivers. Topics Covered: Former D1 soccer player McKenna Doe storyIdentical twin sister dynamics in competitive sportsLife after college athletics and identity crisisPersonal growth, faith, and major life transitionsMoving to Scottsdale and starting freshFuture career aspirations in residential real estateFun rapid-fire questions Chapters: 00:00 Intro Music00:01:44 Welcome and the wild connection story00:02:36 McKenna joins and shares how she and Scott connected through USD soccer00:03:43 McKenna tells her story: Huntington Beach roots and a sports family00:05:48 What it was like playing D1 soccer with her identical twin sister00:07:39 How close she and her sister are today plus exciting family news00:08:11 The tougher side of twin life: comparison, envy, and identity struggles00:09:07 Moving home after heartbreak and rediscovering herself through faith00:10:07 Why Scottsdale over Nashville and building a brand new life from scratch00:13:31 Soccer influences and why local role models meant more than famous names00:21:17 Career reflections, remote work challenges, and craving real connection00:24:00 Her dream of residential real estate and helping people achieve big moments00:29:00 Rapid fire: favorite beach, book, movie, biggest influence, and more00:31:50 Hosts wrap up the episode Share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that it is never too late to figure out who you really are Like this video, drop your biggest takeaway or your own story in the comments below, subscribe, and share with a friend who needs this message today. Thanks for watching! If this episode moved you, hit LIKE, drop a comment with your biggest takeaway, and SUBSCRIBE for more raw stories, mindset shifts, and real conversations. New episodes drop every Tuesday morning! TikTok: tiktok.com/@whatsyourstorypod_comInstagram: instagram.com/whatsyourstorypod_comX: x.com/WYSPodcast_comFacebook: facebook.com/WhatsYourStoryPod This episode is sponsored by e3 wealth. If you need someone to help build your financial future, check out their website, and tell them Mike & Scott sent you. Mike's Website: mikelindstrom.com Scott's Website: scottleeseconsulting.com NEW WEBSITE! whatsyourstorypod.com

    D1 Athlete Gets Brutally Honest About Life After Sports | McKenna Doe

  7. Jul 7 ·  Video

    Painkillers Nearly Killed Him, Then He Saved a 630lb Stranger | Chris Powell

    In this raw and powerful episode of What's Your Story? with Mike Lindstrom & Scott Leese, we sit down with Chris Powell — the fitness transformation expert and former host of ABC’s Extreme Weight Loss. Chris opens up about the darkest chapter of his life: herniating a disc, getting hooked on painkillers, losing everything, and living out of his car. He reveals the powerful epiphany that led him to tattoo “1 through a million” down his side and commit to changing that many lives. Chris also shares the incredible true story of walking into a stranger’s home to help a 630-pound man named David lose 400 pounds — a friendship that went viral on MySpace, landed them on Oprah and 20/20, and ultimately helped Chris land his own national TV show. But the journey wasn’t one-sided. When Chris hit rock bottom, the man he saved was there to save him right back. Chris also breaks down why “hope” is the real missing ingredient in weight loss, how “Power Promises” build unstoppable momentum, his honest take on GLP-1 medications (Ozempic, Wegovy, etc.), and why the body positivity movement can sometimes do more harm than good. If you’ve ever struggled with weight, battled addiction, lost hope, or are searching for sustainable transformation, this conversation will hit hard and give you practical tools you can use today. Topics Covered: Chris Powell’s early TV breakthrough and bold networking storyThe unforgettable story of helping David lose 400 poundsChris’s personal battle with painkiller addiction and rock bottomThe tattoo mission that saved his life (1 through a million)How David saved Chris right backLanding the ABC Extreme Weight Loss show dealDavid’s later struggles and heartbreaking passingThe #1 misconception holding people back in health & fitnessWhy hope beats quick fixes + the “Power Promise” methodTransitioning from network TV to social media successHandling haters and the body positivity debateChris’s new role as Chief Transformation Officer at Thrive Lab Chapters: 00:00 - Podcast Intro & Theme01:46 - Meet Chris Powell02:39 - Chris’s Abbreviated Life Story & Early Struggles03:23 - His First Big Break: Walking Into KTVK News05:30 - The 630-Pound Man Named David Who Changed Everything07:01 - Chris’s Own Dark Chapter: Painkiller Addiction & Living in His Car08:04 - The Epiphany & The “1 Through a Million” Tattoo08:35 - How the Man He Saved Saved Him Back09:50 - Viral on MySpace, Oprah, 20/20 & Japanese Game Show10:40 - “You’re the Host!” — The Shocking ABC Phone Call12:27 - David’s Rollercoaster Life & Heartbreaking Passing13:49 - The Biggest Misconception in Health & Fitness Today16:34 - “Hope” Is the Real Game Changer + Power Promises18:25 - From Traditional TV Star to Social Media Reality20:30 - Multi-Platform Content Strategy That Actually Works24:30 - Handling Haters & The Body Positivity Conversation29:24 - The Full Medical & Psychology Team Behind the Show30:46 - Chris’s New Mission at Thrive Lab31:48 - Final Thoughts & Where to Find Chris Links: Instagram: https://instagram.com/realchrispowellTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@realchrispowellYouTube: https://youtube.com/@realchrispowellX: https://x.com/RealChrisPowelFacebook: https://facebook.com/realchrispowellThrive Lab (Chris’s new role as Chief Transformation Officer): https://thrivelab.com If Chris’s story gave you hope or a new perspective, drop a comment below with your biggest takeaway or the one “Power Promise” you’re making this week. Your story matters. Hit like if this resonated and share it with someone who needs to hear it today. Thanks for watching! If this episode moved you, hit LIKE, drop a comment with your biggest takeaway, and SUBSCRIBE for more raw stories, mindset shifts, and real conversations. New episodes drop every Tuesday morning! TikTok: tiktok.com/@whatsyourstorypod_comInstagram: instagram.com/whatsyourstorypod_comX: x.com/WYSPodcast_comFacebook: facebook.com/WhatsYourStoryPod This episode is sponsored by e3 wealth. If you need someone to help build your financial future, check out their website, and tell them Mike & Scott sent you. Mike's Website: mikelindstrom.com Scott's Website: scottleeseconsulting.com NEW WEBSITE! whatsyourstorypod.com

    Painkillers Nearly Killed Him, Then He Saved a 630lb Stranger | Chris Powell

  8. Jun 30 ·  Video

    Why This Former QB Built Companies Then Decided to Run for Governor | Hugh Lytle

    What happens when a former walk-on quarterback who built and sold multiple private-equity-backed companies gets fed up with Arizona’s broken political system and decides to run for governor as a true independent? Hugh Lytle isn’t your typical politician. He’s a healthcare rebel who transformed entire segments of the industry by fixing what was broken. Now he’s bringing that same “get it done” mindset to Arizona politics — and he’s not asking for permission from either party. In this episode, Hugh opens up about the brutal legal battles he’s already fought just to stay on the ballot, the realistic math for an independent to actually win in Arizona, and why he believes this is the moment for a real third voice. He also reveals Hugh AI — a digital twin of himself that voters can talk to 24/7. This is raw, honest, and very different from the usual political interview. Topics Covered: The “walk-on mentality” that shaped his entire career and approach to businessHow he built and scaled major healthcare companies through private equityWhy he shifted from center-right to center-left after seeing healthcare disparities up closeThe insane legal obstacles independents face in Arizona (and how he’s beating them)The realistic path and math for an independent to win the governorshipHis vision to turn Arizona into a global knowledge economy leaderLaunching Hugh AI — a 24/7 digital version of himself for direct voter access Chapters: 00:00 – Cold open: Hugh’s frustration with two-tier healthcare 01:50 – Welcome Hugh Lytle (our first politician on the show) 03:05 – Is he still the same guy he was growing up? 04:04 – Midwest values, walk-on QB at ASU, and the rebel mindset 07:30 – Why he became a “healthcare rebel” and built massive companies 13:00 – The moment he realized healthcare was broken for entire communities 17:00 – How building companies prepared him for politics 20:00 – Why he’s running as an independent + the brutal legal fights 27:00 – The math for an independent to actually win in Arizona 33:00 – Hugh AI: His 24/7 digital twin for voters 35:00 – Final thoughts + where to follow the campaign What’s one thing you wish government would actually fix instead of just arguing about? Drop it in the comments 👇 Links: Campaign Website: https://hughlytle.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hughforgovernorX (Twitter): https://x.com/hughforgovernorFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/hughforgovernorTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hughforgovernorYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hughforgovernor Thanks for watching! If this episode moved you, hit LIKE, drop a comment with your biggest takeaway, and SUBSCRIBE for more raw stories, mindset shifts, and real conversations. New episodes drop every Tuesday morning! TikTok: tiktok.com/@whatsyourstorypod_comInstagram: instagram.com/whatsyourstorypod_comX: x.com/WYSPodcast_comFacebook: facebook.com/WhatsYourStoryPod This episode is sponsored by e3 wealth. If you need someone to help build your financial future, check out their website, and tell them Mike & Scott sent you. Mike's Website: mikelindstrom.com Scott's Website: scottleeseconsulting.com NEW WEBSITE! whatsyourstorypod.com

    Why This Former QB Built Companies Then Decided to Run for Governor | Hugh Lytle
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Everyone has a story worth telling. Prolific executive coach Mike Lindstrom & legendary startup advisor Scott Leese sit down with athletes, entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and everyday people to uncover the pivotal moments that shaped their journeys. From boardrooms to locker rooms, victories to setbacks, this podcast digs into the lessons, struggles, and triumphs behind the headlines. Authentic, raw, and inspiring—these are the stories that connect us all.

Information

  • Creator
    Mike Lindstrom + Scott Leese
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    46
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    Copyright © 2025-2026 Highway 99 Media. All Rights Reserved.
  • Show Website
    What's Your Story? with Mike & Scott