The "Life Is" Podcast

Coy Brown III

The Life Is Podcast is a rhythmic exploration of what intentional living actually looks like — hosted by Coy Brown III. Each episode goes deep into the minds and journeys of entrepreneurs, artists, athletes, travelers, and visionaries who didn’t stumble into fulfillment — they built it. Through soulful conversation and purposeful storytelling, The Life Is Podcast bridges creativity, culture, sustainability, and mindset to reveal one consistent truth: when you build internal coherence, life expands. Life is art in motion — and you are the artist

  1. 5d ago

    Dr. Alix Willemez on Tree Intelligence, a Plane Crash, and Why Your Scattered Path Is Your Superpower

    Send us Fan Mail A conversation on neurodivergent thinking, workplace harassment, teaching yourself renewable energy, and building health tools for West Africa Coy Brown III sits down with Dr. Alix Willemez, a polyglot, renewable energy and sustainability consultant, digital innovator for Africa, and plane crash survivor, to trace the winding path behind her "tree intelligence" way of seeing the world. Alix shares how a childhood across many countries, early grief, and a military boarding school shaped her, and how she challenged workplace harassment through the legal system. She also tells how she taught herself renewable energy without an engineering degree and why she is now building AI-driven health information in local West African dialects. This episode is about more than a résumé. It's about connecting what looks unrelated, turning hard chapters into direction, and seeing your "scattered" path as your biggest strength. Explicit. Includes honest discussion of a plane crash, workplace harassment and bullying, and a brief mention of suicide. Episode insights Look for the invisible systems. Money, energy, culture and power quietly shape daily life. Alix says you can't talk about climate without talking about money.Gratitude often comes from contrast. Time in places with fewer basic services showed her how much we take for granted. "When the system breaks is when you see all that you rely on."Be the translator between rooms. Scientists, lawmakers, funders and mayors rarely speak the same language. Whoever bridges them makes things move.Chaos can become a turning point. The crash came in the middle of loss, a breakup and a job she disliked. She describes it as the push to change her life, not as a tidy inspirational story.Fighting back doesn't mean becoming a victim. She challenged mistreatment legally because it wasn't right, and she refused to let it define her.A different brain isn't a flaw. Learning she was neurodivergent explained how she thinks "in tree, not from A to B." That became her work.Your nonlinear path is a map. Write down what you've lived, learned and loved. Then ask whom you could help with it, and how. Key topics In this episode: Alix explains how growing up in many countries, now her 48th, opened her eyes to the systems we take for granted.We discuss: The pull toward travel and languages, how moving between them builds empathy, and why she loves learning but not school.Alix shares: Losing her father young, grieving through boarding school, and the grumpy sport teacher who got her running.We discuss: Tree intelligence, her discovery of neurodivergence, and a PhD that confused its professors before it made sense.Alix shares: The day of the plane crash while accompanying a group of students to Canada, and the overwhelming hours that followed.We discuss: Workplace harassment, the legal fight, and why she refused the "victim" story.Alix shares: How she taught herself renewable energy and biogas finance, and why scientists need translators.We discuss: How civil society and scientists helped bring about a moratorium on deep sea mining.Alix shares: Building Mamafrica santé and an AI chatbot that delivers health information in local dialects.We discuss: The skills that matter in an AI-driven job market, and advice for anyone told their path is too broad. Timestamps 00:00 — Introducing Alix Willemez and tree intelligence 01:35 — Welcome and Alix's background 02:47 — Born in France, raised across many countries 04:51 — Climate, money and the invisible systems 06:58 — Earliest memories and what travel teaches 09:15 — Inequality and the credit card at the hospital 11:16 — When the system breaks: heat and water shortages 14:14 — Remembering her father 15:58 — Military boarding school after grief 18:11 — Embroidery, Chinese, and the grumpy sport teacher 21:11 — Crossing borders for education 24:42 — How languages change the way you think 30:16 — Languages, empathy and a slower-aging brain 32:54 — What "tree intelligence" means 33:32 — Workplace harassment and the decision to fight back 38:25 — Discovering she is neurodivergent 41:03 — Defending a PhD eight months pregnant 45:08 — Wide Angle and a book about aliens auditing Earth's energy use 47:43 — The plane crash 59:26 — Chaos as a push to change her life 61:29 — Why harassment reshaped everything 64:27 — Challenging it legally and refusing to be a victim 69:24 — Teaching herself renewable energy 78:00 — Why scientists and lawmakers need translators 81:22 — The French Navy, how institutions change, and deep sea mining 86:32 — AI health information in local African dialects 94:44 — The thread through it all: curiosity 96:53 — What education should look like now 102:03 — Advice for anyone told their path is "too scattered" 104:03 — Where to follow Alix 105:36 — Closing question: "Life is…" 108:05 — Coy's closing reflection Resources and links Self Discovery BlueprintCoherence Diagnostic Books That Build The LifeSt. Joseph County Public Library Events ScheduleCall with Host Connect with Alix Willemez Alix's website Newsletter, Wide AngleLinkedInInstagramYouTubeMoney's Impact on Our World (French)Mamafrica santé Notable quotes "All the things that you can't see… they are definitely running your life." — Alix"When the system breaks is when you see all that you rely on." — Alix"Connecting worlds is actually where you can get a lot of power." — Alix"I didn't want to feel like a victim… I'm not a victim." — Alix"If you don't have curiosity, you don't have fun." — AlixSupport the show

  2. Oct 21

    The Olympic Dream, Motherhood, and the Courage to Begin Again — with Lauren Wilson

    Send us Fan Mail Lauren Wilson on Returning to Sailing, Rebuilding After Surgery, and Chasing the Olympics as a Mom Coy Brown III sits down with Lauren Wilson, an Olympic sailing campaigner, mother of two, entrepreneur, and women’s empowerment advocate, to trace the winding path that brought her back to competitive sailing. Lauren shares how sailing shaped her identity from age seven, how life pulled her away, and how motherhood, surgery, and a strong support system helped her return with a clearer sense of purpose.This episode is about more than sport. It’s about choosing yourself, rebuilding from the inside out, and showing your kids that courage can look like starting over in your 40s. Episode insights Take the next small step. Lauren’s return began with getting back on the water—not with a grand Olympic plan.A nonlinear path can still move you forward. She sees the detours in her life as tacks, not failures.Choosing yourself isn’t necessarily selfish. Pursuing what energizes you can strengthen your relationships and family life.Rebuilding can reveal new strength. After surgery and rehab, Lauren found her body could work better than before.Let children see the process. Competing, losing, recovering, and trying again can model resilience more clearly than advice alone.Support makes ambition more possible. Her husband, mother, children, and community all play a part in making the campaign work.It’s worth trying before deciding it’s too late. Lauren’s return shows how a small opportunity can reopen a meaningful chapter.Key topics In this episode: Lauren explains how sailing started as a family activity at age seven, went from frustrating to addictive, and became a place where she felt in control.We discuss: Her rise through junior and Olympic development sailing, international competition, and the lessons in humility that come with elite sport.Lauren shares: Why she stepped away from a full Olympic path for college and a broader life, while still feeling connected to sailing.We discuss: How motherhood, grief, and a women’s race with other moms helped reignite her competitive drive.Lauren shares: Her experience with postpartum identity loss, diastasis recti, hernia surgery, and the long process of rebuilding.We discuss: How Pilates supported her physical recovery and helped her find a community.Lauren shares: The hidden costs and logistics of an Olympic campaign—and how her family helps make it possible.We discuss: What her children learn by seeing her prepare, compete, lose, and return to the water.Lauren shares: Why the water feels restorative and how she thinks about life as a nonlinear course.Timestamps 00:00 — Introducing Lauren Wilson and her return to sailing 01:51 — Growing up sailing from age seven 03:38 — Junior racing and Olympic development 04:58 — The trade-offs of elite competition as a teenager 07:47 — Stepping away for college and family 09:45 — Motherhood and the long gap from Olympic sailing 10:42 — Returning to racing after having a daughter 11:40 — A women’s race reignites the competitive spark 14:34 — When sailing first clicked 17:32 — The coach who pushed her without constant praise 21:47 — International competition and humility 24:58 — What it felt like to be away from sailing 29:14 — Diastasis recti, hernia, and preparing for surgery 31:14 — Racing in Italy and an unexpected operation 37:43 — Rebuilding strength through Pilates 43:14 — Feeling stronger and returning to racing 45:28 — Climbing back into the rankings 46:16 — Why the comeback began with a small yes 53:11 — Giving herself permission to choose herself 57:17 — Pursuing an Olympic spot despite the odds 60:29 — Her son’s first regatta and doing hard things scared 63:16 — Racing against stronger competitors 66:44 — The campaign’s logistics, fundraising, and sponsorship 74:43 — Navigating marriage, money, and ambition 79:58 — Traveling internationally with the kids 87:03 — Why the water feels like medicine 90:41 — Competing at 42 and modeling resilience 103:35 — Hearing from women and girls inspired by her story 109:59 — Sailing’s nonlinear path and learning to tack 114:27 — Reflecting on the full arc of her life and career 123:09 — What she wishes she could tell her past self 126:20 — Advice for someone who thinks their chance has passed 128:32 — Where to follow Lauren’s campaign 129:39 — Closing question: “Life is…” Resources and links Self Discovery BlueprintCoherence Diagnostic Coherence Intake - The Life Is Podcast Books That Build The LifeSt. Joseph County Public Library Events Schedule Call with Host  Connect with Lauren Wilson Lauren's website: secondwindracing.comLauren's Instagram: @sailingmom2la28Lauren's other social channels: TiktokSupport her journey to LA28Notable quotes “Life is putting yourself out there to find your limits.” “You can’t fill everyone else’s cup from an empty cup.” “If you don’t try, then you will wonder what if forever.” Support the show

  3. Oct 11

    The Synthesis — September 2026: Three Journeys. Five Lessons in Leading Beyond the Script.

    Send us Fan Mail September Synthesis: 5 Common Threads Across the Month’s Guests Coy Brown III recaps September’s guests on The Life Is Podcast and pulls out the recurring ideas that connected every conversation. This episode reflects on leadership, identity, and what it means to build a life or career from internal coherence instead of external scripts. It’s especially useful if you want a high-level map of the month’s biggest themes. Key topics Coy Brown III identifies five common threads across the month’s guests and uses them to frame the path into October.The first thread is subtraction of the script — growth can begin by rejecting inherited roles, titles, and expectations.Justice Zimmerman brought an unconventional background in classical acting, rock climbing, and startup management into executive arts leadership at the Austin Symphony.Dom Johnson is discussed through the lens of the athlete identity cliff — the loss of self-worth that can happen when sports status disappears.Sergiy Kobolenkov challenged standard construction assumptions by building with eco-friendly industrial hemp lime instead of conventional, carbon-intensive materials.The second thread is sovereignty of the ground state — how a pivot that looks backward from the outside can be a move toward deeper alignment.Coy emphasizes that real leadership comes from internal composure, empathy, and coalition building, not top-down control.The third thread is the discipline of the gap — using detours, trauma, loss, and “lost years” as raw material for future leverage and character.The fourth thread is tactical logic — the value of physical presence, in-person engagement, and tangible systems in a noisy digital world.The fifth thread is identity, stability, and sustainable infrastructure — building durable systems that outlast individual performance and support long-term legacy.Timestamps 00:00 — September recap and the month’s shared themes  00:29 — Thread 1: Subtraction of the script  00:55 — Justice Zimmerman’s unconventional path into symphony leadership  01:24 — Dom Johnson and the athlete identity cliff  01:55 — Sergiy Kobolenkov and hemp-based construction  02:25 — Titles as containers, not destinations  02:52 — Thread 2: Sovereignty of the ground state  03:19 — Why pivots are often moves toward alignment  03:46 — Justice’s consensus-based leadership style  04:16 — Dom’s shift from trauma to service and coaching  04:45 — Sergiy’s adaptation across global markets  05:17 — Thread 3: The discipline of the gap  05:45 — Reframing detours as incubators for resilience  06:15 — Dom’s childhood adversity becomes a coaching mission  06:44 — Sergiy builds through geopolitical tension and resistance  07:12 — Character decisions as the foundation of credibility  07:56 — Community shoutout and library programming  08:56 — Thread 4: Tactical logic  09:23 — Live performance and in-person transformation as leverage  09:51 — Hempcrete and practical building logic  10:22 — Efficiency as concentrated effort, not less effort  10:50 — Bringing more real-world engagement into work  11:16 — Thread 5: Identity, stability, and sustainable infrastructure  11:46 — Dom’s internal healing and educational framework  12:15 — Sergiy’s ecological conviction and carbon-negative supply chains  12:44 — External life as the expression of internal decision  13:11 — Long-term legacy versus short-term transactions  13:41 — Closing the September synthesis Notable quotes “The pivot is not the detour — the pivot is actually the arrival.” “Downstream of character is credibility. Downstream of credibility is trust." “Life expands in proportion to internal coherence.” Resources and Links St. Joe County Public LibraryThe Mental Edge Coherence DiagnosticThe Self Discovery Blueprint Books That Build The Life Coherence Intake - Internal Guidance Guided MeditationConnect with Coy InstagramLinkedIn Schedule a CallYouTubeSupport the show

  4. Oct 1

    The “Lost Years” That Prepared Justus Zimmerman to Lead an Orchestra

    Send us Fan Mail Life Is Podcast - Justus Zimmerman on building a career across acting, entrepreneurship, and orchestra leadership Episode insight Justus Zimmerman’s path from acting and rock climbing to entrepreneurship and orchestra leadership shows how experiences that seem like detours can build skills for a future you can’t yet see. He reflects on learning through risk, feedback, and failure—and on leading an orchestra by building trust and buy-in rather than relying on authority alone. Key topics Finding value in the so-called “lost years”What acting and rock climbing taught him about resilience and riskLessons from starting a toy companyEntering the orchestra world as an outsiderUsing feedback and humility to growLeading through trust, empathy, and buy-inAustin’s growth and the Austin Symphony’s role in the cityChoosing alignment and impact over stability or prestigeTimestamps 00:00 – Introducing Justus Zimmerman and his unconventional path  05:37 – The road trip west that sparked climbing and a bigger life  09:14 – What acting and climbing taught about risk and resilience  11:48 – Starting a toy company and learning the business  17:00 – Why clever products still need to be easy to understand  18:28 – Entering the orchestra world as a marketing outsider  23:07 – Bringing digital strategy to a traditional arts organization  30:55 – Confidence, ambition, and “dare to suck”  34:08 – Feedback as a tool for growth  35:35 – Leading through buy-in, boards, and relationships  41:22 – The music director partnership and empathy  44:41 – Austin’s growth and the orchestra’s opportunity  52:24 – Reframing the so-called “lost years”  61:09 – Luck, timing, preparation, and showing up  68:47 – Knowing when it’s time to leave a good thing  73:14 – A five-year vision for the Austin Symphony  77:07 – Mission, impact, and money  78:13 – Where to find Justus and the Austin Symphony  78:58 – Closing reflection: “Life is lived gratitude” Resources & links Austin Symphony OrchestraHow to Support the Austin Symphony OrchestraAustin Symphony Orchestra Instagram Self Discovery Blueprint Mental Edge Coherence Diagnostic Coherence Intake - The Life Is Podcast Books That Build The Life St. Joseph County Public Library Events Schedule Call with Host How to connect with Justus Zimmerman X Account Instagram LinkedInNotable quotes  “Dare to suck."“Life is lived gratitude.”“You have to be willing to be corrected.”“The title doesn’t matter as much as the output.”   Support the show

  5. Sep 23

    What an Athlete Transition Coach Knows That Sports Don’t Teach — With Dom Johnson

    Send us Fan Mail Dom Johnson on Athlete Transition, Trauma, and Building Spark Coy Brown III talks with Dom Johnson, athlete transition coach and founder of Spark, about the long arc from childhood trauma to college sports, coaching, and entrepreneurship. Dom shares how his upbringing, his mother’s resilience, and his own post-athlete identity crisis shaped the mission behind Spark.We discuss what athletes lose when sports end, why mental health and financial literacy matter in transition, and why Dom believes every athlete should have access to a coach for life beyond the game. This is a personal, specific conversation about pain, purpose, and building the support system he wishes had existed earlier. Key topics Dom shares his background as a Canadian kid born in Winnipeg, raised in a sports-heavy family with a father who played in the NFL and CFL.He opens up about growing up in an abusive home, including a childhood memory at age two that shaped his understanding of fear and safety.Dom explains how his mother left, went to law school as a single parent, kept the family together, and eventually built a successful law practice.He reconnects emotionally and practically with his father later in life, but says that relationship remains limited and unlikely to become truly close.He describes playing football and basketball at the University at Buffalo, including scholarships, injuries, and the pressure of being a dual-sport athlete.Dom talks about the crash after sports, when identity, money, structure, and attention all changed at once.He recounts a dark mental health moment while injured at a bowl game in the Bahamas, showing how isolating athlete injury and transition can be.He explains how coaching at Alabama under Nate Oates, low pay, and constant work pushed him into self-education and entrepreneurship.He details the Chicago chapter, where working with vulnerable populations taught him that people need listening, grace, community, and trust more than advice.He breaks down Spark as athlete life coaching built around support, purpose, alignment, resilience, and knowledge, with camps, coaching, books, and tools for current and former athletes.Timestamps 00:00 - Introducing Dom Johnson and the mission behind Spark  01:20 - Growing up in Winnipeg, family roots in football, and a complicated childhood  03:14 - What Spark stands for and why athlete transition became his purpose  05:31 - Childhood fear, abuse in the home, and the memory he never forgot  09:47 - Watching his mother leave, rebuild, and keep six kids together  14:53 - His mother’s law career and the example of relentless resilience  16:43 - Reconnecting with his father after 17 years and why the door stays mostly closed  18:41 - Facing fears on the road tour and deciding to call his dad  23:12 - Why that conversation fueled his mission to protect younger athletes  26:42 - What Division I football and basketball gave him, and what it took from him  29:39 - Injury, isolation, and the mental health reality of athlete life  36:44 - Leaving Buffalo, $47 in the bank, and the shock of post-sports uncertainty  39:06 - Getting the Alabama coaching job through a Christmas text  40:04 - Life as a graduate assistant, learning to add value, and cutting hair as a side hustle  42:00 - The books, speakers, and ideas that shifted his mindset  46:35 - A relationship that changed how he thought about money, habits, and personal growth  51:53 - Chicago work with vulnerable populations and the power of full immersion  57:51 - What Spark actually is and how the camps and coaching work  61:28 - Why Spark serves current athletes, former athletes, and people in transition  66:27 - Bootstrapping the business and building proof without investors  72:41 - Why trust matters more than hype in sports and coaching  76:22 - Betting on human connection in an AI-heavy future  81:21 - Scaling Spark globally and what stays universal across countries and sports  86:48 - Pain, purpose, and the idea that what hurts you can also build you  90:43 - Advice for former athletes trying to figure out who they are  97:33 - Where to find Dom and Spark  99:03 - What life means to Dom right now Resources & Links The Self Discovery Blueprint The Mental Edge Coherence Diagnostic Coherence Intake - The Life Is PodcastBooks That Build The Life St. Joseph County Public Library Events Schedule Call with Host  Connect with Dom Johnson Website: Spark Coaching Instagram Organization Instagram  Notable Quotes “People do not care about what you know until they know that you care.” “Some of the most painful things we go through will be the thing that brings us the most purpose.” Support the show

  6. Sep 16

    Hemp Construction, Healthy Homes, and Building During War with Sergiy Kovalenkov

    Send us Fan Mail Life Is Podcast with Sergiy Kovalenkov In this episode, Coy Brown III speaks with Sergiy Kovalenkov, founder and CEO of Hempire, about how a civil engineer from Ukraine became a hemp construction pioneer. Sergiy explains why hemp-based building materials can help address housing, health, environmental, and supply-chain challenges.The conversation covers Sergiy’s international construction experience, the practical benefits of hemp lime, the future of bio-based materials, and what it took to build a hemp company in Ukraine during active conflict. Key Points Sergiy’s background as a civil engineer trained in Canada.His construction experience across Ukraine, Canada, Turkey, Australia, and other countries.The moment he discovered hemp lime construction in Australia.How hemp hurd, lime, and water become a breathable, energy-efficient building material.Why hemp can replace materials such as drywall, OSB, rock wool, and plastic membranes.The potential health benefits of hemp homes, including moisture regulation, reduced mold risk, lower off-gassing, and improved indoor comfort.The environmental benefits of hemp, including carbon sequestration and reduced dependence on resource-intensive materials.Why local production and supply chains matter in high-cost markets such as Hawaii.The challenge of building Hempire during wartime in Ukraine.Why regulation and industry standards are essential for wider adoption.The importance of integrity, trust, and aligning business with personal values.Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction to Sergiy Kovalenkov and Hempire  02:20 - From Ukraine to Canada and a career in construction  04:37 - The cement plant experience that changed everything  06:02 - Discovering hemp lime in Australia  08:59 - What construction taught him beyond the classroom  16:28 - Culture, geography, and construction around the world  18:50 - Ancient natural building and the rise of concrete  21:51 - The roots of Sergiy’s environmental values  25:16 - Why hemp matters in a world running out of resources  30:06 - How hemp becomes a building material  33:54 - Hemp insulation replacing multiple toxic products  37:23 - How hemp lime is installed and cures  39:12 - Fire, mold, and pest resistance  41:03 - EMF blocking and other overlooked benefits  42:25 - Energy efficiency and long-term savings  44:20 - Mold, sick building syndrome, and toxic materials  49:04 - Why client trust matters more than awards  51:58 - Hempire’s founding principles  55:31 - Local production and the Hawaii housing challenge  58:42 - Bamboo, hemp lime, and the need for standards  62:46 - Building Hempire during wartime in Ukraine  68:17 - Rockets, damaged facilities, and business disruptions  78:58 - Regulation, standards, and industry adoption  86:27 - Integrity and global partnerships  92:52 - Responding to skeptics and industry resistance  97:10 - Educating students and correcting misconceptions about hemp  99:53 - What living in a hemp home feels like  104:57 - The cost of ignoring hemp in the housing crisis  110:57 - Building in alignment with your beliefs  113:37 - Advice for engineers and sustainability-minded builders  116:39 - Where to connect with Sergiy and Hempire  117:24 - Life Is Podcast: Life is love Resources & Links The Self Discovery BlueprintThe Mental Edge Coherence Diagnostic Books That Build The LifeSt. Joseph County Public Library EventsMorning Affirmations with CoyGuided Meditation Connect with Sergiy Kovalenkov HempireInstagramLinkedInHempire's LinkedIn Notable Quotes “Life is love. That’s all.” “The house used to be a temple." “We are running out of resources right now on the planet.” A Note from Life Is Podcast Life Is Podcast stands with Ukraine and with all those affected by the war. We honor the courage, resilience, and humanity of the Ukrainian people, and we extend our deepest compassion to Sergiy, his loved ones, and everyone working toward peace, safety, and a better future. Support the show

  7. Sep 9

    The Synthesis — August 2026: Three Paths. Five Lessons in Building Beyond the Limits

    Send us Fan Mail The August Synthesis: Five Principles for Building a Life That Expands Episode Description In this August Synthesis episode of the Life Is Podcast, Coy Brown III connects the shared lessons of three conversations with Sarah Stewart, Christopher Epps, and Dr. Emily Grace. Across food access, sustainable agriculture, education, and personal growth, one message keeps surfacing: meaningful change begins when we stop waiting for permission and start building from the inside out. Coy unpacks five core threads from the month’s conversations: challenging institutional limits, choosing practical action over theory, leading with dignity, making access radically simpler, and integrating every part of who you are into the work you do. If you’re building a business, leading a community, navigating a transition, or trying to create a more aligned life, this episode is an invitation to examine the barriers you’ve accepted—and the potential that opens up when you move beyond them. Key Topics Why institutional rules and gatekeepers do not have to define what is possibleSarah Stewart’s dignity-first approach to food access and community careChristopher Epps’ people-centered approach to conservation and agricultural policyDr. Emily Grace’s work making advanced science more accessible to young peopleWhy direct, practical work creates more lasting authority than abstract strategyHow dignity builds trust, participation, and sustainable systemsRadical accessibility as a way to unlock overlooked human potentialThe power of integrating values, intellect, identity, and daily actionReflection questions for building a more coherent and expansive lifeTimestamps 00:00 – Introduction: Three leaders, five shared threads01:34 – The August Synthesis begins02:05 – Thread one: The system’s gate is not the limit04:11 – Thread two: Direct utility trumps theoretical strategy06:18 – Community spotlight: St. Joseph County Public Library06:30 – Thread three: Dignity is the core operating system08:02 – Thread four: Radical accessibility unlocks latent abundance09:37 – Thread five: Coherence demands integration, not separation11:22 – Closing reflections: Building from the inside out11:53 – Final recap and invitation to go deeperResources & Links The Mental Edge Coherence DiagnosticThe Self Discovery BlueprintSt. Joseph County Public Library events Guided Meditation Morning Affirmations for You Books That Build The LifeConnect with Coy Brown III Instagram LinkedInFacebook Support the show

  8. Aug 28

    Life Is Your Inputs - Zevin Clark on Anxiety, Identity, and Reinvention

    Send us Fan Mail Life Is Podcast with Zevin Clark: anxiety, entrepreneurship, and building with purpose Coy Brown III sits down with Zevin Clark for a wide-ranging conversation about performance anxiety, identity, entrepreneurship, and the work of building a life that actually aligns with who you are. Zevin shares how early pressure in sports shaped his mindset, how he taught himself marketing and coding from scratch, and why his current focus is less about ego and more about helping people understand health, systems, and themselves. Key topics In this episode, Zevin Clark shares how he moved from identifying as a serial entrepreneur to seeing himself as an anthropologist of human behavior, always studying why people do what they do.He opens up about anxiety showing up early in childhood and then becoming physical before big football games in middle school and high school, including purging and getting sick before performance moments.Coy and Zevin discuss the way athletic performance can become tied to self-worth, especially when other people’s opinions start controlling how much space you take up.Zevin explains how a school counselor helped him reframe his anxiety by accepting that the reaction would come, which reduced the pressure he was placing on himself.He talks about learning to ignore limiting projections from other people and instead focus on what is actually possible, using examples like Roger Bannister and the four-minute mile.Zevin walks through his early marketing and SEO company in Oklahoma, where he taught himself to code through YouTube and took on clients without formal training.He describes the pivot from firearm-industry clients to broader business categories, and how he learned to read markets, study incentives, and reverse engineer opportunity.He shares the rise of Bloomble in the CBD and hemp space after the 2018 Farm Bill, including building supply chain relationships, scaling operations, and managing real overhead pressure.Zevin also reflects on failed healthcare ventures during the COVID era, especially the lessons around location, employee reliability, incentives, and the difference between revenue and profit.He explains his current vision for community-driven healthcare and “human OS” thinking, using social media to build trust, ask better questions, and fund future initiatives without depending on traditional venture capital.Timestamps 00:00 - Coy introduces Zevin Clark and frames the conversation around coherence, identity, and growth  02:07 - Zevin explains why he no longer leads with “serial entrepreneur” and instead identifies with anthropology and human nature  04:36 - Early childhood anxiety, performance pressure, and the first physical signs before sports  09:39 - A school counselor, acceptance, and why the pressure returned in new forms  14:51 - Letting go of other people’s opinions and focusing on what is actually controllable  18:37 - Teaching himself marketing and SEO, and reverse engineering a path into entrepreneurship  22:32 - Leaving college to build a marketing business and learning on the fly in the firearm industry  28:52 - The crash course of YouTube university, client obligations, and building while under pressure  34:14 - Knowing when to pivot, the sunk cost fallacy, and the importance of matching action to goals  39:41 - Reading markets, understanding incentives, and why distribution matters so much  42:43 - Bloombow, free markets, collapsing margins, and why some industries only work at monopolistic scale  46:56 - Growing Bloombow through relationships, garage operations, and hands-on supply chain learning  58:20 - Hiring, incentives, and what mentors taught him about scale, structure, and distribution  64:54 - Revolution RX, Apothecary, COVID-era setbacks, and what those failures revealed about execution  71:58 - Honesty, self-audit, and separating genuine purpose from obligation  77:41 - Building a community-funded healthcare platform through social trust rather than venture capital  84:43 - Preventative healthcare, peptides, HMO economics, and where disruption may live in supply chains  88:45 - Social media strategy, seventh-grade clarity, and making complex ideas easy to understand  95:08 - Looking back at the full arc and realizing the work is about people, not ego  97:43 - Advice to the younger self: courage, faith, relinquishing control, and reading more scripture  101:17 - What to tell someone whose business failed or who is struggling with anxiety  103:20 - Where to find Zevin online and how to stay connected with his work  104:03 - “Life is” as Zevin’s closing phrase: life is your inputs Resources & Links Self Discovery Blueprint The Mental Edge Coherence Diagnostic Books That Build The Life St. Joseph County Library - Events Connect With Zevin Clark  FacebookInstagram TikTok “I think that the smartest people can articulate things in ways that anybody can understand.” Support the show

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The Life Is Podcast is a rhythmic exploration of what intentional living actually looks like — hosted by Coy Brown III. Each episode goes deep into the minds and journeys of entrepreneurs, artists, athletes, travelers, and visionaries who didn’t stumble into fulfillment — they built it. Through soulful conversation and purposeful storytelling, The Life Is Podcast bridges creativity, culture, sustainability, and mindset to reveal one consistent truth: when you build internal coherence, life expands. Life is art in motion — and you are the artist

Information

  • Creator
    Coy Brown III
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The "Life Is" Podcast
  • Show Website
    The "Life Is" Podcast