Chasing the Sun: Your Chief Wellness Podcast with Mark Mohammadpour

Mark Mohammadpour
Chasing the Sun: Your Chief Wellness Podcast with Mark Mohammadpour

As a public relations executive turned business owner and Chief Wellness Officer, I know what it's like to endure long workdays with little chance for consistent diet and exercise. In 2007 I weighed 350lbs., was seriously overweight, and afraid for my life. Through small changes, I've lost and kept off 150lbs. After becoming a certified personal trainer and health coach and launching my company, Chasing the Sun, I designed this podcast for business leaders who want to lead healthier lives learn how to prioritize their physical well-being so they can shine in the family room and the board room.

  1. 01/23/2020

    13. Have You Met PR Hero, Mary Prevost?

    This week, I am honored to speak with Mary Prevost! Mary and I have gotten to know each other over the last year and is just an amazing person in the industry. She’s a parent, runs her own business, a master networker and we had such a wonderful chat on how she lives her best life! We chat about: · Mary’s role at Prevost Partners, her background and what it’s like to run a business with her husband. · Mary’s experience working on the client side and agency side, and how it compares to running her own company. · How Mary works as a master networker. · How Mary ensures she makes herself a priority. Enjoy, and thank you, Mary, for your time! Links! Prevost Partners LinkedIn Twitter About Mary Prevost: Mary Prevost, MBA Founder, Prevost Partners PrevostPartners.com Empowering brands and inspiring people to think differently – this is how Mary Prevost has approached her 17 years of work in the public relations industry. Nurturing meaningful relationships is key to Prevost’s success – from internal executives and colleagues, to external target audiences and media. Prevost’s vast experience spans both agency and client-side work and she’s helped clients of all sizes, from Fortune 500 companies to startups and non-profits. Her specialties include both B2B and B2C strategic communication, content marketing, media relations, writing, social media planning and execution, crisis communication, brand development, event planning and internal communications/team building. Prevost previously worked as Director of Communications at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center in Cheyenne, WY, and then transitioned into agency work as an Account Supervisor at an agency in downtown Minneapolis. In 2014, Prevost founded MJP Strategic Communications to provide independent public relations consulting services. In 2019, she founded Prevost Partners with her husband to broaden their services. Prevost graduated with an M.B.A. from Augsburg College (Minneapolis, MN), a B.A. in Mass Communications with emphasis in Public Relations and News Editorial from Colorado Mesa University (Grand Junction, CO) and an A.A.S. in Radio/TV Broadcasting from Central Wyoming College (Riverton, WY).

    33 min
  2. 01/09/2020

    12. Have You Met Marketing Hero, Brandon Laws?

    Really excited to have Brandon Laws, director of marketing at Xenium HR and host of the "Transform Your Workplace" podcast, on the program. Today, we touch on: How Brandon evolved his role at Xenium HR to Director of Marketing How Brandon has built a personal brand at Xenium within his own company. How Brandon balances life at work with family. The books that have influenced Brandon the most (Brandon's Goodreads link!). Suggested reading: How to Win Friends and Influence People | Atomic Habits | What Got You There Won’t Get You There | Deep Work | Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook | Atlas Shrugged About Brandon Laws: Brandon is the Director of Marketing at Xenium HR. He joined the team in October 2008. In over nine years with Xenium, he has held the positions of Operations Administrator, Sales & Marketing Coordinator, Senior Marketing Specialist & Business Analyst, Marketing Manager, and Senior Marketing Manager. Taking on the role of Director of Marketing in July 2015, Brandon spearheads all marketing efforts with a focus on lead generation, contributing to new business growth. Brandon oversees all outbound marketing campaigns, product marketing efforts, the digital marketing strategy (e.g. website management & SEO, blogging, content creation, social media, pay-per-click advertising), events management, sponsorships, and public relations. Brandon is heavily involved in other company initiatives as well. He has contributed to the Xenium Culture Integration & Team Enhancement (XCITE) committee for six years and has sat on the Stoller Group wellness committee for three years. In February 2012, Brandon received The Stoller Group’s “Bright Idea” award for implementing and having success with local search engine optimization for the Xenium website and for contributing to the development of a client utilization tracking system. Additionally, Brandon volunteers on the board of the Portland Human Resources Management Association (PHRMA) as the Director of Marketing and PR. Brandon’s focus on personal growth is central to all he does and leads to his continual efforts to become a better person and a greater asset to the people around him. In his various roles, Brandon has led projects such as “Passport to Xenium,” (an internal marketing effort designed to encourage all Xenium employees to invest in marketing and sales efforts), a rebuild of the Xenium website, the Human Resource for Small Business Podcast, and other projects relating to search engine marketing and social media marketing.

    35 min
  3. 12/12/2019

    11. Have You Met PR Hero, Ashley DelBello?

    This week we chat with Ashley DelBello!  No matter how much or how little support we get from our colleagues, we put SO much pressure on ourselves to succeed. And because of that, we sometimes feel guilty for taking extended vacation. Rarely do PR folks take more than 10 days off in a row. I know; I’ve done my own research on the topic! As professionals, we need to think about not only short vacations, but taking extended time away. It’s important for our mental health. Ashley is doing just that! She and I had a great chat about a number of topics. Ashley’s background. Her transition from agency to client-side. How Ashley determined this was the right time to take a break. How Ashley adjusted to life while starting on her break. The importance of self-care. Tips Ashley has to start her mornings off right. Thoughts people should have before making a decision to start a lengthy break. What Ashley is up to next. Thank you, Ashley, for your time! About Ashley: Ashley is an accomplished PR and communications professional with 15 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. She recently left her role as the Product Communications Lead at Neurocrine Biosciences to focus on personal development as well as to branch out on her own as a PR and communications consultant. Prior to this, Ashley served as a Director in the Corporate Affairs department at Amgen and was the U.S. Communications Lead for Amgen’s Cardiovascular and Bone franchises. In previous roles at Amgen, she worked on the Global Product Communications team where she managed communications for the Cardiovascular franchise, including pipeline products. Ashley has also held a variety of roles at several public relations agencies, including Weber Shandwick, Hill&Knowlton and Burson-Marsteller. Through her personal development work, Ashley has become passionate about mindfulness and the impact it can have on the world. She hopes to be able to bring mindfulness to the public school system one day. Ashley earned her bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Spanish at Texas A&M University. She maintains her focus and sanity by doing a daily morning routine that includes gratitude, journaling, and meditation. She lives with her husband in Los Angeles and can be found on Instagram at @abdelbello.

    52 min
  4. 12/05/2019

    10. Have I introduced you to Tracey Lam and Erin Merz, PR Heroes (Part Two)?

    It’s so great to talk to Erin Merz, APR, and Tracey Lam, APR. This is the second of a two-part series. We talk about: Our respective pets and the role they play in keeping us sane! Challenges and tips for making career shifts. The impact of managers in our career. The impact of PRSA. Erin and Tracey’s role in advancing diversity and inclusion. Their exercise of choice. Enjoy! About Tracey Lam, APR: Tracey is an award-winning communications professional with more than 20 years of experience.  She currently works as a communications specialist at OHSU, specifically supporting the Center for Diversity and Inclusion in its efforts to enhance the climate at OHSU through diversity, equity and inclusion. Prior to this, Tracey served as the communications manager at Make-A-Wish Oregon and executive producer of special projects at KATU-TV. Tracey is also very involved in her community. She recently wrapped up a 3-year stint on the board of directors of the Public Relations Society of America Oregon Chapter. She continues to support PRSA through her involvement in the chapter’s diversity and inclusion committee. One of her proudest achievements is co-founding API Forward, an education foundation dedicated to the advancement of Asians and Pacific Islanders. She maintains her sanity by practicing yoga almost daily, hiking, snowshoeing, playing tennis and curling up on the couch with her lap cat, Tilly. She also organizes a monthly book club. About Erin Merz, M.A., APR: Erin is a seasoned marketing and communications professional skilled at creating quality content that reaches the right audiences and inspires action. Her passion for storytelling, results-driven mindset, and commitment to building and maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders adds substantial value to the organizations she works with. Erin serves as director of marketing and communications for The School of Business at Portland State University where she’s responsible for developing and implementing strategies that support the institution’s recruitment and retention efforts. Erin has worked at PSU since 2015. Prior to, she held a variety of marketing and communications roles that span the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Erin has a bachelor’s degree in broadcasting from Grand Valley State University, a master’s degree in communications from the New York Institute of Technology and holds the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR). She’s also an active member and volunteer with the Public Relations Society of America Oregon Chapter. Connect with her online at erinmerz.com.

    27 min
  5. 11/27/2019

    9. Have I introduced you to Tracey Lam and Erin Merz, PR Heroes (Part One)?

    It was SO great to talk to Erin Merz, APR, and Tracey Lam, APR recently. This is a two-part series. Part one is live now, and part two on December 5. We talk about: Our respective pets and the role they play in keeping us sane! Challenges and tips for making career shifts. The impact of managers in our career The impact of PRSA. Erin and Tracey’s role in advancing diversity and inclusion Their exercise of choice. Enjoy! About Tracey Lam, APR: Tracey is an award-winning communications professional with more than 20 years of experience.  She currently works as a communications specialist at OHSU, specifically supporting the Center for Diversity and Inclusion in its efforts to enhance the climate at OHSU through diversity, equity and inclusion. Prior to this, Tracey served as the communications manager at Make-A-Wish Oregon and executive producer of special projects at KATU-TV. Tracey is also very involved in her community. She recently wrapped up a 3-year stint on the board of directors of the Public Relations Society of America Oregon Chapter. She continues to support PRSA through her involvement in the chapter’s diversity and inclusion committee. One of her proudest achievements is co-founding API Forward, an education foundation dedicated to the advancement of Asians and Pacific Islanders. She maintains her sanity by practicing yoga almost daily, hiking, snowshoeing, playing tennis and curling up on the couch with her lap cat, Tilly. She also organizes a monthly book club. About Erin Merz, M.A., APR: Erin is a seasoned marketing and communications professional skilled at creating quality content that reaches the right audiences and inspires action. Her passion for storytelling, results-driven mindset, and commitment to building and maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders adds substantial value to the organizations she works with. Erin serves as director of marketing and communications for The School of Business at Portland State University where she’s responsible for developing and implementing strategies that support the institution’s recruitment and retention efforts. Erin has worked at PSU since 2015. Prior to, she held a variety of marketing and communications roles that span the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Erin has a bachelor’s degree in broadcasting from Grand Valley State University, a master’s degree in communications from the New York Institute of Technology and holds the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR). She’s also an active member and volunteer with the Public Relations Society of America Oregon Chapter. Connect with her online at erinmerz.com.

    30 min
5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

As a public relations executive turned business owner and Chief Wellness Officer, I know what it's like to endure long workdays with little chance for consistent diet and exercise. In 2007 I weighed 350lbs., was seriously overweight, and afraid for my life. Through small changes, I've lost and kept off 150lbs. After becoming a certified personal trainer and health coach and launching my company, Chasing the Sun, I designed this podcast for business leaders who want to lead healthier lives learn how to prioritize their physical well-being so they can shine in the family room and the board room.

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