Trail Talks

Kelly
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Self-Improvement

Trail Talks is your weekly dose of growth, purpose, and mindset mastery. Hosted by Kelly Kruger, life and leadership coach, speaker, and owner of Kelly Michele Coaching, LLC, and creator of the Buffalo Trail Coaching Program, this show helps you rise stronger, think deeper, and lead better - in work, relationships, and life.  No fluff. No filters. Just real talk about growth, emotional intelligence, and self-leadership for people who want more than motivation - they want transformation. Step into growth. Step into purpose. Step onto the trail.

  1. 2d ago

    Sleep Smarter: Why Rest Is Your Secret Weapon

    “I'll sleep when I'm dead.” Sound familiar? We live in a world that celebrates being busy, staying connected, and pushing through exhaustion. But what if sacrificing sleep is actually holding us back? In this episode of Trail Talks, Kelly welcomes back Jason Ham, Chief Exercise Physiologist for the Air Force, to explore why sleep may be one of the most powerful tools for improving our health, performance, and overall well-being. From brain fog and weight gain to emotional regulation and decision-making, Jason breaks down what happens when we don't get enough quality sleep—and why simply getting by on five hours isn't the same as performing at our best. Along the trail, we explore: How much sleep we really need—and the warning signs we're not getting enough.The truth about sleep debt, naps, and catching up on weekends.How alcohol, food, screen time, and bedroom temperature affect sleep.Simple, practical strategies for building better sleep habits.Why quality sleep matters for leadership, resilience, and becoming the best version of ourselves.And of course, no Trail Talks episode would be complete without a detour! This time, Kelly and Jason take a nostalgic trip through the rise, criticism, and enduring success of Nickelback—and uncover a surprising lesson about leadership, resilience, and staying true to yourself. The takeaway? Sleep isn't a luxury. It's an investment in yourself. And sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is unplug, recharge, and get some rest. So lace up, settle in, and join us on the trail!

  2. Jul 22

    When Success Becomes a Trap

    What if the very habits that made you successful are now limiting your growth? In this episode of Trail Talks, Kelly and Terra dive into one of leadership's biggest paradoxes: what got you here won't necessarily get you there. They explore the hidden success traps that can keep leaders stuck, including working harder instead of smarter, saying yes to everything, struggling to delegate, chasing approval, and trying to control every outcome. Drawing on insights from Marshall Goldsmith, John Maxwell, and the Peter Principle, they discuss why every new level of leadership requires a new version of you. Through personal stories and practical examples, they share how intentional growth, trust, and self-awareness can help leaders evolve rather than plateau. If you're ready to move from being the doer to becoming the leader who develops others, this episode is for you.

  3. Jun 19

    Our Top Laws of Growth, with Ericka Kelly

    What if the difference between where you are and where you want to be comes down to a few simple principles? In this episode of Trail Talks, Kelly and Ericka dive into their favorite lessons from John Maxwell’s The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth. Rather than covering all 15 laws, they each share the five that have had the biggest impact on their lives, leadership, and personal development journey. Maxwell’s framework emphasizes intentional growth through principles such as Environment, Reflection, Expansion, Contribution, Consistency, Pain, and Trade-Offs.   You’ll hear: Kelly’s Top 5 Laws of Growth and why they resonate with his journeyEricka’s Top 5 Laws and the lessons she’s learned from applying themHow environment shapes success more than willpowerWhy reflection is one of the most overlooked growth toolsThe sacrifices required to reach your potentialThe connection between personal growth and serving othersA fun 90s-themed “This or That” detourWhether you’re a leader, coach, parent, or someone simply trying to become a better version of yourself, this episode will challenge you to think differently about growth—and remind you that growth doesn’t happen by accident. It happens on purpose.   Trail Tip: Growth is not an event. It’s a daily choice

  4. Jun 1

    Google Was Right About This

    This week on Trail Talks, Kelly and Terra are talking about what actually makes teams work. Using Google’s Project Aristotle as the foundation, they walk through the five key factors of high-performing teams: psychological safety, dependability, structure and clarity, meaning, and impact. 🧭 This conversation is for leaders and team members alike, because culture is not just carried by the person in charge. Everyone contributes to whether a team feels safe, clear, meaningful, and productive. And of course, the episode would not be complete without a detour. This week’s stop? Movie theater etiquette, sneaking 🍫candy, 🍿popcorn butter strategy, assigned seats, and the great subtitle debate.  A practical leadership conversation with a little theater-lobby chaos on the side.

  5. May 23

    Fitness Accountability & Culture

    In this episode of Trail Talks, Kelly sits down with Jason Ham, Air Force Chief Exercise Physiologist and longtime human performance expert, for a conversation that goes way beyond push-ups, run times, and checking the fitness box. 🏃‍♀️💪 They talk about the difference between a culture of testing and a culture of fitness, what really gets in the way of our health, why sleep matters more than we want to admit, and how small habits quietly shape the way we show up every day. 🧠🌙 And because it is Trail Talks, there is also a Memorial Day detour involving celebrity BBQ teams, backyard games, and just enough chaos to make you question who should ever be trusted near the grill. 🔥🍔🇺🇸 Listen now to Episode 25.

  6. May 14

    Why Teams Stay Stuck

    🌀 What happens when a team talks about the same problem over and over… but nothing actually changes? In this episode of Trail Talks 🎙️, Kelly officially welcomes Vanessa Valdez as co-host as they unpack why teams, workplaces, and even friendships can get stuck in the same cycles. Through leadership stories 💡, Ted Lasso references ⚽, practical conversation, and a hilarious detour into airplane etiquette ✈️😂, this episode explores what creates movement inside a team — and what quietly keeps people spinning in circles. Because sometimes the biggest leadership challenge is not identifying the problem… It’s helping people move forward. 🌲

  7. Apr 17

    When Leadership Becomes an Addiction

    In this episode of Trail Talks, Kelly and Terra are joined by counselor Jill Defayette for a powerful conversation on leadership addiction. 🎯 What happens when your title becomes your identity? When work replaces purpose? When control feels safer than connection? Together, they unpack the psychology behind workaholism, toxic leadership, identity loss, burnout, and why some leaders struggle to step away. They also share practical tools to help leaders build healthier identities beyond the role. 🌱 Topics include: 🔹 Leadership addiction explained 🔹 Workaholism vs purpose-driven work 🔹 Toxic leadership patterns 🔹 Identity outside your job title 🔹 Why control becomes addictive 🔹 Tools for healthier leadership 🎧 If you’ve ever tied your worth to productivity, this one is for you.  The views expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government. This content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as professional counseling, medical, or legal advice.

  8. Apr 9

    Leadership Isn't Hard - You're Avoiding It

    After a heavy conversation on toxic leadership and silent bullying, this episode brings it back to what actually matters. Because here’s the truth:  Leadership isn’t complicated… it’s uncomfortable.  And too often, we avoid the very things that make leadership effective. In this episode of Trail Talks, we break down:  The 5 basics of leadership: clarity, consistency, communication, ownership, and care  The 3 essentials of followership: ownership without authority, courage, and contribution  A simple self-check to help you evaluate how you’re showing up—no matter your role This isn’t theory.  This is what people actually feel when leadership is done right—and what breaks when it’s not. If you’ve ever felt frustrated by leadership (yours or someone else’s), this episode is your reset. Because if it’s not:  Clear  Consistent  Communicated  Owned  And grounded in care …it’s not leadership. 🎧 Press play and get back to the basics.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Trail Talks is your weekly dose of growth, purpose, and mindset mastery. Hosted by Kelly Kruger, life and leadership coach, speaker, and owner of Kelly Michele Coaching, LLC, and creator of the Buffalo Trail Coaching Program, this show helps you rise stronger, think deeper, and lead better - in work, relationships, and life.  No fluff. No filters. Just real talk about growth, emotional intelligence, and self-leadership for people who want more than motivation - they want transformation. Step into growth. Step into purpose. Step onto the trail.

Information

  • Creator
    Kelly
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Trail Talks
  • Show Website
    Trail Talks