Welcome To The Winners Circle

Derek Pang
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Bimonthly

Masks off. Real people. Real stories. Authentic connection. On this podcast, I’ll be introducing you to real-world humans who have stepped outside their “safe”, known worlds to pursue and live their Win, their best lives. This is a CHOICE we all get to make. The intention behind these conversations is to uplift, inspire and empower you to move forward with greater faith, trust, and belief in yourself on your Hero’s Journey ahead! Each episode, I interview my guest about their Hero’s Journey to this moment Now, a place where we’ve all the opportunity to step into the Winners Circle, always.

  1. Aug 28

    #192: David Quangvan - Hydra MMA

    On episode 192 of Welcome To The Winners Circle, Derek Pang interviews David Quangvan (IG: @davidquangvan) a father, fighter, Team Hydra Mixed Martial Arts coach (IG: @hydra.wpg), welder and Christian. He’s final professional MMA bout will be on the CFC 10: Aftershock main card at the RBC Convention Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba on Saturday, November 14, 2026. Here are some of the subjects we touched on: - growing up in an abusive home, childhood trauma - coming to Christ during COVID-19 pandemic - how he prays - the importance of gratitude - what he loves about his personal world right now - the seasons of life and friendships - adopting a mindset that everything in life is happening for you rather than to you - the trap of a victim mentality - living in the present - how losing his mom profoundly changed him - how living a Christian life has been so uplifting for him - home schooling his children - the origin story of his martial arts journey - how his mentality of training in MMA has evolved since when he first began - becoming a coach and what he’s learnt from this new journey - his wish for people he trains at Hydra MMA - speaking his mind when he sees something isn’t right - what he’s learnt about fear - the power of Jiu-Jitsu being for children’s self-defence - sharing his testimonial - the importance of surrounding yourself with right the friends and community - becoming a welder - finding your true calling - his greatest life lesson learnt on his path thus far - planting seeds of Christianity out of love I hope you guys enjoy this podcast as much as we did. We are all on the same path, The Hero’s Journey, just at different points along the way. Thank you so much for listening! Connect with us on Instagram: WTTWC Podcast: @wttwc Derek Pang - @pangyoga https://www.welcometothewinnerscircle.com

  2. Jun 30

    #191: Antonio Lennert - The Ride In

    On episode 191 of Welcome To The Winners Circle, Derek Pang interviews Antonio Lennert (IG: @antoniolennert) a coach and entrepreneur. Profound loss returned him to his truest self. He now helps leaders find and lead from a place that is theirs with The Ride In (www.theridein.com). Here are some of the subjects we touched on: - his experience taking a 200-hr YTT at Nosara Yoga Institute training 10 years ago - what he loves about his life right now - his personal mission - founding The Ride In, his leadership coaching business - his origin story to now - what he’s learnt about letting go - navigating the lost of his husband Lucas - the various stages of grief - finding himself face down in the arena, getting up - his foundational self-care tools - the importance of community - journey with therapy - ayahuasca medicine - Surf the Greats - finding one’s purpose - self-awareness - the power of meditation - how his relationship with fear evolved - strategies re: dealing with resistance - creating space for new things - his most impactful mentors/helpers - what love mean to him - how to be of best of service to others - his greatest life lesson learnt thus far I hope you guys enjoy this podcast as much as we did. We are all on the same path, The Hero’s Journey, just at different points along the way. Thank you so much for listening! Connect with us on Instagram: WTTWC Podcast: @wttwc Derek Pang - @pangyoga https://www.welcometothewinnerscircle.com

  3. Jun 24

    #190: Matt Hobar - Gladiator Peptides

    On episode 190 of Welcome To The Winners Circle, Derek Pang interviews Matt Hobar (IG: @crowbarhobar) a retired American mixed martial artist who competed in the UFC’s bantamweight division. A professional fighter since 2011, he’s a former Legacy Fighting Championship bantamweight champion. Now a high school teacher, wrestling coach and musician, he’s most recently founded Gladiator Peptides (www.gladiatorlabsusa.com). Here are some of the subjects we touched on: - what he loves about his personal world - the origin story of his martial arts journey - advice for young people wanting like to become a professional fighter - major lessons learnt from wrestling and MMA that he’s applied to his life - his relationship with fear - fulfilling his dream of becoming a UFC fighter - how injuries set him back - making the decision to retire - transition to a new career - advice from someone who’s in job they hate - his belief in Jesus and the importance of his Faith - founding Gladiator Research Labs - what are peptides - his passionate for music - the fundamentals of his self-care practice - importance of mediation - what “winning” means to him - how his life has changed since he became a father - notable mentors that have most positively influenced him - what he’s learnt about being of service to others - his biggest challenge on his journey to now and how he overcame it - what love means to him - his greatest life lesson learnt thus far I hope you guys enjoy this podcast as much as we did. We are all on the same path, The Hero’s Journey, just at different points along the way. Thank you so much for listening! Connect with us on Instagram: WTTWC Podcast: @wttwc Derek Pang - @pangyoga https://www.welcometothewinnerscircle.com

  4. May 19

    #189: Afshin Javid - Cyrus Call Ministry

    On episode 189 of Welcome To The Winners Circle, Derek Pang interviews Afshin Javid (www.afshinjavid.com; IG: @afshinjavid1), a devoted Muslim turned Christian missionary, who transitioned from the Iranian Basij after experiencing a life-altering encounter with Jesus Christ in a Malaysian prison, reshaping his destiny and purpose. He’s written a memoir called "As Easy As Drinking Water”, which recounts his incredible journey. He now leads the Cyrus Call Ministry, whose mission is to minister to people from all nations. Here are some of the subjects we touched on: - what he loves about his world right now - his mission - how he’s currently serving - how does one find his/her calling - overcoming adversity - how law will never change you, but love will - what love means to him - sanctifying our identity - how he defines family - foundational pieces to making one’s family - what he’s learnt about fear - the importance of loving one another - notable mentors and helpers who’ve inspired him on his path - his relationship advice - greatest life lesson he’s learnt on his path thus far - surrounding yourself with good company I hope you guys enjoy this podcast as much as we did. We are all on the same path, The Hero’s Journey, just at different points along the way. Thank you so much for listening! Connect with us on Instagram: WTTWC Podcast: @wttwc Derek Pang - @pangyoga https://www.welcometothewinnerscircle.com

  5. Apr 6

    #188: Filipe Machado - Steiger International

    On episode 188 of Welcome To The Winners Circle, Derek Pang interviews Filipe Machado, Steiger International’s North America Regional Director (www.steiger.org; IG: @steigerinternational). Today, Steiger is active in over 272 cities around the world — throughout Europe, Ukraine, Eurasia, South America, and the United States — seeking to boldly and relevantly share Jesus with young people who would not normally walk into a church. Here are some of the subjects we touched on: - ? I hope you guys enjoy this podcast as much as we did. We are all on the same path, The Hero’s Journey, just at different points along the way. Thank you so much for listening! Connect with us on Instagram: WTTWC Podcast: @wttwc Derek Pang: @pangyoga https://www.welcometothewinnerscircle.com

  6. Mar 4

    #187: Lautaro Churuvija - Steiger International

    On episode 187 of Welcome To The Winners Circle, Derek Pang interviews Lautaro Churuvija, Steiger International’s (www.steiger.org; IG: @steigerinternational) Church Engagement Officer who almost 4 years ago left a lucrative six-figure business career to pursue his love for Jesus Christ as a full-time missionary. Today, Steiger is active in over 272 cities around the world — throughout Europe, Ukraine, Eurasia, South America, and the United States — seeking to boldly and relevantly share Jesus with young people who would not normally walk into a church. Here are some of the subjects we touched on: - what he loves about his personal world now - his dream for his daughter - when did his journey for Truth began - what is most true for him today - what God has done for him - what got him to pick up the Bible and read it for the 1st time when he was 27 years old - common barriers that keep people from opening their hearts to Christianity - how he got involved with Steiger International, and how his role with the organization has expanded - his decision to leave his successful corporate job - starting his new job as a missionary for Jesus - his anchor verse of Mark 8:34 (NIV) which states: "Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me'" - advice for someone stuck at the crossroads of should and must - suggestions for people interested in learning more about Jesus and whom are questioning if he’s real - his personal relationship with fear on his journey - what he’s learnt about Love - laying down one's own needs for others - the importance of humility and surrender - how no situation, person, or mistake is beyond God’s ability to redeem, restore, and forgive, regardless of how far gone they may seem I hope you guys enjoy this podcast as much as we did. We are all on the same path, The Hero’s Journey, just at different points along the way. Thank you so much for listening! Connect with us on Instagram: WTTWC Podcast: @wttwc Derek Pang - @pangyoga https://www.welcometothewinnerscircle.com

  7. 12/29/2025

    #186: Jessica Ryan - Rogue Vinyasa

    On episode 186 of Welcome To The Winners Circle, Derek Pang interviews Jessica Ryan (www.jessicaryanyoga.com; IG: @jessicaryanyoga) a Yoga teacher who since 2010 has taught thousands of classes all over North America. In addition to having completed over 1,500 hours of Yoga specific training, she’s attained her Bachelor of Kinesiology degree and became a certified Athletic Therapist in 2016. Most recently, her passion for healing and movement led her to co-founding Rogue Vinyasa (www.roguevinyasa.com; IG: @roguevinyasa), Winnipeg’s newest yoga studio, this past Spring. Here are some of the subjects we touched on: - what she loves about her personal world right now - origin story of her Yoga journey - what inspired her to do her first Yoga teacher training - pursuing her kinesiology degree - living Yoga beyond the mat - hyper-mobility amongst yogis - key mentors that’ve positively influenced her - what meditation means to her - the importance of community - how all athletes can benefit from Yoga - most common Yoga injuries - her bicycle accident - recovering from a traumatic brain injury - Love Your Brain initiative - foundations to her personal self-care - how the pandemic affected her - what inspired to co-found Rogue Vinyassa - overcoming fear - dealing with opening delays - why Matt and her work so well together - her vision for Rogue Vinyasa - learning from failures - what she’s currently learning - what she’s currently unlearning - greatest life lesson she learnt on her path thus far I hope you guys enjoy this podcast as much as we did. We are all on the same path, The Hero’s Journey, just at different points along the way. Thank you so much for listening! Connect with us on Instagram: WTTWC Podcast: @wttwc Derek Pang - @pangyoga https://www.welcometothewinnerscircle.com

  8. 12/19/2025

    #185: Matt Coppens - Rogue Vinyasa

    On episode 185 of Welcome To The Winners Circle, Derek Pang interviews Matt Coppens (IG: @coppens31) a Yoga student and instructor who’s been fortunate to travel around the world pursuing his passion for Yoga. This Spring, after 10 years of being involved in all aspects of running a Yoga studio - from teaching to management, he and his best friend co-founded Rogue Vinyasa (www.roguevinyasa.com; IG: @roguevinyasa) in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he continues to share his love for this amazing practice. Before Yoga, he completed a degree in Massage Therapy, as well as over 20 years working in customer service. He’s also a DJ known as COPPENS. Here are some of the subjects we touched on: - what he loves about his personal world right now - how he was introduced to Yoga - one thing he can guarantee someone that tries Yoga for the first time - key mentors that have inspired him on his path - the importance of community - his vision at Rogue Vinyasa - becoming a Yoga teacher - co-founding his own Yoga studio - his relationship with fear - advice for someone stuck at crossroad of should and must - finding one’s purpose - the fundamentals of his personal self-care - what he’s currently learning - what he’s currently unlearning - the meaning of “winning” to him - lessons learnt from challenges on his journey - his advice for someone currently facing a challenge - being appreciative - the importance of communication - greatest life lesson he’s learnt on his path thus far I hope you guys enjoy this podcast as much as we did. We are all on the same path, The Hero’s Journey, just at different points along the way. Thank you so much for listening! Connect with us on Instagram: WTTWC Podcast: @wttwc Derek Pang - @pangyoga https://www.welcometothewinnerscircle.com

See All (193)

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Masks off. Real people. Real stories. Authentic connection. On this podcast, I’ll be introducing you to real-world humans who have stepped outside their “safe”, known worlds to pursue and live their Win, their best lives. This is a CHOICE we all get to make. The intention behind these conversations is to uplift, inspire and empower you to move forward with greater faith, trust, and belief in yourself on your Hero’s Journey ahead! Each episode, I interview my guest about their Hero’s Journey to this moment Now, a place where we’ve all the opportunity to step into the Winners Circle, always.

Information