Start With A Win

Adam Contos

Every day you have a choice. You can wake up and choose to give in to mediocrity and complacency, you can choose bad habits and poor choices, and you can do the bare minimum to get by and fly under the radar. Or you can choose to make today the day that sets you apart from the crowd, you can choose to start doing the right things, the things that will set you up for success. You can choose to create a life that is worth living, worth waking up to, and worth sharing with the world around you. Today You can choose to start with a win.

  1. APR 1

    Rich Horwath: Stop Wasting Time on Business Strategy That Doesn't Work

    In a world where “strategy” has become a buzzword and busywork often masquerades as progress, host Adam Contos sits down with renowned strategic thinking expert Rich Horwath, today on Start With a Win, to cut through the noise and get to what really drives results.  This conversation dives into the hidden habits, mindsets, and decision filters that separate reactive leaders from truly intentional ones - those who create clarity, focus their teams, and win on purpose instead of by accident. Packed with sharp insights, real-world stories, and practical wisdom, this episode challenges you to rethink how you spend your time, set priorities, and lead with direction. If you’re ready to trade chaos for clarity and turn strategy into a daily advantage, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.Rich Horwath is the Founder and CEO of the Strategic Thinking Institute, where he helps leadership teams think, plan, and act more strategically to drive direction, advantage, and results. A strategy workshop facilitator, executive coach, and keynote speaker, he has helped more than 250,000 leaders worldwide strengthen their strategic capabilities. Rich is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of eight books, has been featured in Fast Company, Forbes, and Harvard Business Review, and is recognized by Chief Executive Magazine as “the world’s foremost expert on strategic thinking.”A former chief strategy officer and top-ranked graduate professor of strategy, Rich combines real-world experience with practical tools executives can apply immediately. Inspired by a leader’s question - “How can I become more strategic?” - he built a roadmap to help leaders move from tactical to strategic thinking and continues his mission to teach the world to be strategic.00:00 Intro03:04 Define it…only three words! 05:10 Biggest mistake that leaders make…08:30 A two-page plan, goals (what) and how, is that really all I need!11:50 This needs to happen every 90 days! 14:30 How do we fix middle management?17:28 How to think about strategy and culture?19:07 The three As!22:24 A golden insight, write that down…25:02 A habit that will help stick to your strategy!28:05 A what workout… www.StrategySkills.comhttps://www.strategyskills.com/strategic-book/ ===========================Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:📱 ===========================YT ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@AdamContosCEOApple ➡︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-with-a-win/id1438598347Spotify ➡︎ https://open.spotify.com/show/4w1qmb90KZOKoisbwj6cqT ===========================Connect with Adam:===========================Website ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/Facebook  ➡︎ https://facebook.com/AdamContosCEOTwitter  ➡︎ https://twitter.com/AdamContosCEOInstagram  ➡︎ https://instagram.com/adamcontosceo/ #adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

    30 min
  2. MAR 18

    Henna Pryor: How to Stop Being Awkward

    In this lively and eye-opening episode of Start With a Win, Adam Contos sits down with Workplace Performance Expert and bestselling author Henna Pryor to unravel one of the most misunderstood emotions in modern leadership: awkwardness. With humor, science, and refreshingly real stories, Henna exposes the hidden ways awkward moments shape our confidence, communication, and ability to lead under pressure. Together, they explore why today’s increasingly “smoothed-out” world desperately needs leaders who can navigate discomfort with authenticity and courage. This conversation invites listeners to rethink what being confident truly means - and why embracing the messy, human moments might just be the ultimate performance advantage. Henna Pryor, CSP is a Workplace Performance Expert who helps leaders and teams elevate their performance mindset, communication, and interpersonal effectiveness. A regular Inc. Magazine columnist and 18x award-winning author of Good Awkward, she blends two decades of experience with a science-backed approach to taking strategic risks and boosting social and mental fitness.  A global keynote speaker and clients’ self-described “secret weapon for impossible change,” Henna has spoken at TEDx and SXSW and is featured in outlets like FastCompany, INSIDER, HuffPost, NBC, and FOX. She’s also a SUCCESS Magazine Woman of Influence, LinkedIn Learning Instructor, Glassdoor WorkLife Pro, and her book was named a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year. 00:00 Intro01:27 Did you just want to fit it? The three word tag line…04:26 Is this parallel to this? No, it’s this!07:05 Name the awkwardness that exists in the situation.11:30 The best tip!16:01 Do you use AI and how?18:55 This first then this second…21:28 I snuggle my puppy however this is the best way that will help most. www.pryoritygroup.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/hennapryor/ https://www.instagram.com/hennapryor/ ===========================Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:📱 ===========================YT ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@AdamContosCEOApple ➡︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-with-a-win/id1438598347Spotify ➡︎ https://open.spotify.com/show/4w1qmb90KZOKoisbwj6cqT ===========================Connect with Adam:===========================Website ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/Facebook  ➡︎ https://facebook.com/AdamContosCEOTwitter  ➡︎ https://twitter.com/AdamContosCEOInstagram  ➡︎ https://instagram.com/adamcontosceo/ #adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

    23 min
  3. MAR 4

    Rome Madison: The One Belief That's Killing Your Growth

    In this energizing episode of Start With a Win, Adam Contos sits down with powerhouse speaker and futurist Rome Madison for a raw, no-nonsense conversation about stepping boldly into uncertainty. Together, they explore what it truly takes to lead fearlessly, push past the lies we tell ourselves, and break free from the comfort zones that quietly hold us back. Rome brings his trademark fire - mixing story, strategy, and spirit - to challenge listeners to rethink confidence, reframe failure, and reconnect with the deeper power they already possess. This is a conversation that shakes you awake, stretches how you see yourself, and leaves you hungry to grow. Rome Madison is a dynamic speaker, author, and podcaster who helps people boost self-confidence, face fears, embrace uncertainty, and cut through chaos to achieve bold, ambitious goals. Known for his high-energy delivery and inspiring message, he empowers audiences to take risks and pursue success with fearless determination. A pioneer in the precision medicine industry, Rome draws from extensive sales management and executive leadership experience, sharing powerful lessons from leading massively successful start-ups to navigating the challenges of corporate collapse and restructuring. A futurist with a Specialty in Business Strategy from Harvard Business School Online, he blends forward-thinking insight with real-world expertise. Featured on more than 50 TV and radio programs nationwide, Rome has spoken on global stages, including the Consumer Electronics Show, where he shared his expertise on the Future of Healthcare. His mission is simple yet profound: inspire people to crush their goals, no matter the obstacles. 00:00 Intro01:50 When you are uncertain?04:50 The statement that is the arrow thru the heart!07:05 One of the great Jim Rohn quotes… 10:20 How to get your mindset correct or kick yourself in the rear?14:02 How to get over the failures? One of the best statements…17:14 One of the lines you tell yourself…  18:27 If you ground yourself in this status, you can be this for the good!23:55 Can’t put into words how amazing the last five mins were, go back and listen.27:10 A moment of what! https://romemadison.com/https://iwantmorenow.com/  ===========================Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:📱 ===========================YT ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@AdamContosCEOApple ➡︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-with-a-win/id1438598347Spotify ➡︎ https://open.spotify.com/show/4w1qmb90KZOKoisbwj6cqT ===========================Connect with Adam:===========================Website ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/Facebook  ➡︎ https://facebook.com/AdamContosCEOTwitter  ➡︎ https://twitter.com/AdamContosCEOInstagram  ➡︎ https://instagram.com/adamcontosceo/ #adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

    29 min
4.9
out of 5
155 Ratings

About

Every day you have a choice. You can wake up and choose to give in to mediocrity and complacency, you can choose bad habits and poor choices, and you can do the bare minimum to get by and fly under the radar. Or you can choose to make today the day that sets you apart from the crowd, you can choose to start doing the right things, the things that will set you up for success. You can choose to create a life that is worth living, worth waking up to, and worth sharing with the world around you. Today You can choose to start with a win.

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