the SPARKPLUG by VitalSpark

Bradford Stevens

Welcome to The Spark Plug, where we’re hanging out with the engines behind the effort. Most people think elite performance is about "willpower" and "grit," but we know better. Performance is a system, and motivation is engineered. Hosted by VitalSpark, this podcast bridges the gap between high-level coaching expertise and everyday relatability. We sit down with world-class coaches—from fitness and functional movement to mindset and corporate strategy—to peel back the curtain on how they move the needle. We skip the dry lectures for a "Goodhang" vibe: real conversations about the human friction, the behavioral science, and the nervous system shifts that actually ignite change. Whether you’re an athlete, a leader, or someone just trying to get out of your own way, we’re here to give you the mechanics of motivation.

Episodes

  1. 2d ago

    Michael: "The Heaviest Lift"

    The Spark Plug | Episode 3: Michael: "The Heaviest Lift" When you think of a fitness coach, you think of someone who pushes people to move physical weight or crush high-intensity intervals. But what happens when the heaviest thing you have to lift all day is just your own head off the pillow in the morning? In this episode of The Spark Plug, we sit down with remote strength and functional movement coach Michael for an incredibly fun, fast-paced conversation that uncovers the unfiltered reality of the fitness industry. We skip the generic social media "grindset" talk to expose a universal truth: even the elite professionals don't always love the early mornings—they just know how to engineer a system to survive them. We laughed a lot in this session (and argued about who is the better liar), but we also dug deep into the unique psychology of being an instructor. We break down the massive responsibility of lifting others up, why knowledge without action is entirely powerless, and how to build a collaborative environment where you can always pivot to "find the yes." We dive deep into: The Pillow Protocol: Why the first five minutes of the day is a mental battleground, and how caffeine, anxiety, and bills are sometimes the ultimate baseline motivators.Lifting the Lifters: An honest look at the emotional output it takes to coach, the power of a "sticker chart" dopamine hit, and why a coach's job is to leave a positive imprint on the room.The Deload Strategy: How to intentionally scale back your execution without completely shutting down your momentum when life throws a wall in your way. Whether you are an instructor trying to pour into your community without running dry, or someone just struggling to throw off the covers and start your day, this episode is packed with the perfect blend of humor, science, and human perspective. Serious goals. Train Smarter. ⚡ Connect with Michael:Follow Michael on Instagram: @ michaeledwardkeeney⚡ Connect with VitalSpark:Host Instagram: @VKNG_BradfordOfficial Instagram: @vitalsparkio

    39 min

  2. May 29

    Simoné: "Find Your Why" Full Episode

    The Spark Plug | Episode 1: Simoné: "Finding your Why" Ever feel like you have the perfect plan on paper, but you just can't make yourself move? Stop blaming your willpower. Your engine isn't broken; your nervous system is just in the wrong gear. In this episode of The Spark Plug, we sit down with Flow and Nervous System Coach Simoné to break down the diverse, human "whys" that drive true consistency. We move past the generic "just do it" wellness clichés to look at motivation through physiology and behavioral science. Whether your goal is deep functional longevity or you honestly just want to look good naked, Simoné explains why motivation isn’t one-size-fits-all—it has to be engineered for your unique system. We dive deep into: The Willpower Lie: Why your motivation completely fails when your nervous system is stuck in a stressed, fight-or-flight "freeze" state.Humanizing the Process: How Simoné transitioned from corporate marketing to trauma-informed coaching to bridge the gap between elite expertise and everyday reality.The 5-Minute Reset: Practical physiological tools you can use right now to shift your physical state, clear out the friction, and find your flow.If you are ready to stop fighting your own brain, drop the social media expectations, and learn how to build an adaptive routine that actually sticks, this conversation is your starting line. A real hang. Serious goals. Train Smarter. ⚡ Connect with Simoné:Follow Simoné on Instagram: @simone.e.bart⚡ Connect with Bradford:Host Instagram: @VKNG_Bradford ⚡ Connect with VitalSpark: Official Instagram: @vitalsparkio

    36 min

  3. May 22

    Claudette: "The Hidden Power of Community"

    Ever feel like you’re completely running on fumes? In a world where so many of us are dealing with deep burnout, isolation, and constant self-doubt, how do we actually find our spark again? In this episode of The Spark Plug, we sit down with the brilliant Claudette to talk about shifting fitness away from a lonely, exhausting grind and turning it into a powerful tool for emotional and social recovery. We decode why "willpower" isn't the problem when your engine is empty, and how the right community can help you engineer true confidence, belonging, and purpose. We dive deep into: The Burnout Protocol: How to approach movement when your mental and physical energy is sitting at absolute zero.The Power of Belonging: Why a shared environment shifts your psychology and builds a system that outlasts individual motivation.Overcoming "Borrowed Goals": How to strip away the expectations of social media and design an adaptive system tailored to your actual life.Whether you're trying to break out of a physical paralysis on the couch or trying to completely reshape the story you tell yourself about who you are, this conversation is the exact spark plug your engine needs today. A real hang. Serious goals. Train Smarter. ⚡ Connect with Claudette & The Community:Follow Claudette on Instagram: @yearofclaudeJoin the Crew: @awstars_nyc⚡ Connect with Bradford:Instagram: @vkng_bradford⚡ Connect with VitalSpark:Instagram: @vitalspario

    20 sec

  4. Season 1 Trailer

    Simoné : "Finding your Why" trailer

    The Spark Plug | Episode 1: Simoné: "Finding your Why" Ever feel like you have the perfect plan on paper, but you just can't make yourself move? Stop blaming your willpower. Your engine isn't broken; your nervous system is just in the wrong gear. In this episode of The Spark Plug, we sit down with Flow and Nervous System Coach Simoné to break down the diverse, human "whys" that drive true consistency. We move past the generic "just do it" wellness clichés to look at motivation through physiology and behavioral science. Whether your goal is deep functional longevity or you honestly just want to look good naked, Simoné explains why motivation isn’t one-size-fits-all—it has to be engineered for your unique system. We dive deep into: The Willpower Lie: Why your motivation completely fails when your nervous system is stuck in a stressed, fight-or-flight "freeze" state.Humanizing the Process: How Simoné transitioned from corporate marketing to trauma-informed coaching to bridge the gap between elite expertise and everyday reality.The 5-Minute Reset: Practical physiological tools you can use right now to shift your physical state, clear out the friction, and find your flow.If you are ready to stop fighting your own brain, drop the social media expectations, and learn how to build an adaptive routine that actually sticks, this conversation is your starting line. A real hang. Serious goals. Train Smarter. ⚡ Connect with Simoné:Follow Simoné on Instagram: @simone.e.bart⚡ Connect with Bradford:Host Instagram: @VKNG_Bradford ⚡ Connect with VitalSpark: Official Instagram: @vitalsparkio

    35 min

  5. May 22 ·  Bonus

    Bradford: "The Spark Plug Manifesto"

    The Spark Plug | Episode 0: The Spark Plug Manifesto Welcome to Episode Zero of The Spark Plug. Before we introduce you to some of the absolute sharpest minds in human performance, behavior science, and adaptive coaching, we need to clear the air and set the record straight on what motivation actually is. In a fitness and wellness culture dominated by toxic "grindset" mentalities, generic templates, and empty promises of "just have more willpower," we are here to offer a reality check. Willpower is a myth. Consistency is engineered. And motivation isn't a random feeling you wait around for—it is a physiological state that you can deliberately design. This episode acts as our brand manifesto. Host Bradford Stevens shares a quick look behind the curtain of his own human imperfections, defines the core philosophy of VitalSpark, and lays down the exact rules to set you up for absolute success before you dive into our upcoming interviews with elite performance architects. We break down: The "SparkPlug" Concept: Why small, unassuming behavioral shifts are the exact mechanism required to fire up your entire life's engine.The VitalSpark Standard: Shifting the narrative away from clinical academic lectures and bringing it into a real, authentic hang with serious goals.The Two Rules for Success: Why you need to officially drop the "all-or-nothing" mindset and stop chasing borrowed goals from social media.The microphones are hot, the coaches are lined up, and the engine is ready. It’s time to humanize the process, look at the science, and find your flow. A real hang. Serious goals. Train Smarter. ⚡ Connect with VitalSpark:Host Instagram: @VKNG_BradfordOfficial Instagram: @vitalsparkio

    2 min

Trailer

About

Welcome to The Spark Plug, where we’re hanging out with the engines behind the effort. Most people think elite performance is about "willpower" and "grit," but we know better. Performance is a system, and motivation is engineered. Hosted by VitalSpark, this podcast bridges the gap between high-level coaching expertise and everyday relatability. We sit down with world-class coaches—from fitness and functional movement to mindset and corporate strategy—to peel back the curtain on how they move the needle. We skip the dry lectures for a "Goodhang" vibe: real conversations about the human friction, the behavioral science, and the nervous system shifts that actually ignite change. Whether you’re an athlete, a leader, or someone just trying to get out of your own way, we’re here to give you the mechanics of motivation.

Information

  • Creator
    Bradford Stevens
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Bradford Stevens