Leave Your Mark

Send a textNine years ago this April 3rd, I pressed record on my first podcast episode.At the time, I had no idea it would become one of the most meaningful experiences of my life.Sometime this year, I’ll cross the milestone of 500 conversations with people from all walks of life: athletes, coaches, leaders, entrepreneurs, and thinkers.What I’ve discovered through those conversations surprised me.Most people didn’t have a perfect plan.Most didn’t know exactly where life would take them.Instead, they responded to opportunities, navigated setbacks, and allowed circumstance, faith, and persistence to shape their path.And in the end, almost everyone wants the same thing.To be remembered not for their achievements…But for how they treated the people they loved.This week’s podcast is a reflection on what nearly a decade of podcast conversations has taught me about life, growth, and becoming.I hope you enjoy the reflection.If you liked this EP, please take the time to rate and comment, share with a friend, and conne

Send a textThis week on Leave Your Mark, I’m joined by Andrea Carter, Canada’s go-to Belonging Expert and an Organizational Scientist helping leaders turn culture into a true competitive advantage.For nearly two decades, Andrea has worked at the intersection of neuroscience, organizational psychology, and leadership. She is the founder of Andrea Carter Consulting and creator of the Belonging First Methodology™, a data-driven framework designed to repair disconnection, reduce toxicity, rebuild trust, and create environments where both people and performance thrive.In this powerful conversation, we explore:• Why belonging is not just a feeling but measurable and buildable • The three critical indicators of organizational success: comfort, connection, and contribution • Why psychological safety is about intelligent risk, not softness • The nervous system’s role in performance regulation • The rise of “The Great Detachment” and hidden disengagement in today’s workplaces • How leaders can create clarity, predictab

Send a textThis week on Leave Your Mark, I sit down with Sonya Weigle, Founder of Next Stage BioAdvisors and The Catalytic Collective.Sonya has spent more than 25 years advising biotech CEOs and senior executives through high-stakes leadership moments. From early-stage CEO preparation to organizational scale, she has guided science leaders as they step into bigger roles and greater responsibility.But her story is more than corporate strategy.We talk about:Transitioning from engineering to political science, then building a consultancy while still at Carnegie MellonTurning down prestigious law school offers to follow a different pathBeing the only woman in the room and learning to speak truth to powerBalancing high-performance consulting with motherhoodHelping executive women redefine success in their next chapterSonya shares how she overcame childhood shyness to develop a powerful voice, why intuition matters in leadership, and how setting clear non-negotiables can transform both career and family life.This i

Send a textThis week on Leave Your Mark, I sit down with financial strategist and philanthropic visionary Mark Halpern.Mark is a Certified Financial Planner, Trust & Estate Practitioner, and Master Financial Advisor–Philanthropy with more than 30 years of experience helping successful families and entrepreneurs think differently about wealth.As CEO of WEALTHinsurance.com, he operates at the intersection of estate planning, tax strategy, and charitable giving—helping clients preserve capital, minimize tax, and multiply impact.But this conversation goes deeper than money.Mark was mentored by the late Dr. Paul Goldstein, a Holocaust survivor who earned his PhD at 87. From him, Mark learned a principle that shapes both his life and his work: when you get knocked down, get back up before the count of ten.Now he’s pursuing a bold “Moonshot” goal: generating $1 billion in new charitable donations annually.We talk about legacy.We talk about resilience.We talk about a new model of philanthropy—one that challenges

Send a textLow back pain is rarely just about the back.In this solo episode, I walk through what truly matters when you’re trying to solve persistent lumbar issues — whether you’re a practitioner guiding others or someone navigating it yourself.There are three primary drivers I consistently see:1️⃣ Manage the Client’s State If the threat bucket is overflowing, nothing else sticks. Downregulation isn’t optional — it’s foundational.2️⃣ Build Spinal Capability and Capacity The lumbar spine cannot carry the entire load. We need equitable distribution of force across the entire spinal system, with progressive exposure to real-world demands.3️⃣ Restore Movement Intelligence The brain won’t access what it doesn’t recognize. Using principles from motor learning — self-organization, ecological dynamics, and constraints-based learning — we must re-establish movement quality, quantity, and strategy based on the client’s actual goals.And we cannot ignore the hips and thoracic spine. They are primary accommodative zones.

Send a textThis week on the Leave Your Mark Podcast, we sit down with Jason Mihalik, one of the most influential voices in concussion research and clinical brain health today.Jason is a full professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Director of the Matthew Gfeller Center, and CEO of the THRIVE Program. His work lives at the intersection of sport, military service, and clinical care—helping athletes, service members, veterans, and first responders recover, perform, and thrive.With more than 185 peer-reviewed publications and over $30 million in research funding, Jason has helped shape the world's understanding of concussion, recovery, resilience, and long-term neurological health. But what makes this conversation special is not just the science—it’s the humanity behind it.We talk about his journey from Montreal and hockey to athletic therapy to becoming a global leader in concussion research. We explore how concussion care has evolved, why balance matters in youth sport conversations,

Send us a textIn this episode of Leave Your Mark, we sit down with Scott Simons—professional speaker, wellness strategist, and mindset coach—whose work helps leaders and teams build clarity, resilience, and sustainable performance in a world that rarely slows down.Over the past two decades, Scott has delivered more than 300 talks, partnered with over 350 organizations, and inspired thousands to take ownership of their health, leadership, and well-being. His work is grounded in a simple but powerful belief: well-being is not a luxury—it is a leadership strategy.Scott is the cofounder of four social impact ventures, including the DESTA Black Community Network, Padua Wellness Centre, Organik Corporate Health, and the Be Human Club. Across all of them runs a consistent thread—human-centred leadership informed by behavioural science, performance psychology, and real-world application.What Scott shares in this conversation goes well beyond frameworks and theory. His insights are shaped by lived experience, includin

Send us a textAdam Virgile is a husband, father, and the Vice President of Integrated Performance Sciences with the LA Clippers, where he sits at the intersection of data, physiology, sport science, and real-world decision-making.In this role, Adam works across departments to help ensure that the information being collected actually informs the decisions athletes and organizations make every day — and, more importantly, that those decisions lead to meaningful action on the floor and behind the scenes.Adam is also the co-author of The Sport Science Handbook, written alongside Marc Lewis, Director of Applied Sports Science for the Houston Texans. The book was created to offer the guidance they both wished they had earlier in their careers — practical, experience-driven insight for practitioners navigating the complexity of modern sport.In this episode of the Leave Your Mark podcast, we explore Adam’s journey, his evolution with integrated performance systems, and what it really takes to connect information, peo

Send us a textThis week on the Leave Your Mark Podcast, we sit down with Michael Ouzas.Michael’s journey is one many athletes quietly face—but few talk about openly. A former professional hockey goalie, Michael began preparing for life after sports during the COVID-19 pandemic by pursuing his real estate license. What started as a contingency plan became a calling when an injury forced him into retirement earlier than expected.Since then, Michael has rebuilt—professionally and personally. Over the past five years, he has grown a thriving real estate business, found his life partner, Laura, and recently stepped into his newest role: fatherhood.This is a powerful conversation about identity, transition, resilience, and redefining success when the game ends—but life keeps moving.If you liked this EP, please take the time to rate and comment, share with a friend, and connect with us on social channels IG @Kingopain, TW @BuiltbyScott, LI+FB Scott Livingston. You can find all things LYM at www.LYMLab.com, download

Send us a textIn this episode of Leave Your Mark, I’m joined by Erin Sills, co-founder of High Impact Lab, for a thoughtful conversation on leadership, impact, and the human side of organizational change.With more than two decades of experience working with leaders and organizations across the private sector, healthcare, Crown corporations, and innovative global enterprises, Erin brings a rare depth of perspective to how culture, leadership, and performance truly evolve.Her background includes senior roles in tech and executive consulting, as well as a pivotal four-year tenure with the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, where she led initiatives in leadership development, team culture, change management, and employee engagement.A passionate learner and gifted listener, Erin has a unique ability to create space for meaningful dialogue—helping people think more clearly, communicate more honestly, and lead with greater intention.This episode is a powerful exploration of what it really means to l

Send us a textThis week, I want to explore a simple idea that sits underneath almost everything we do in movement, rehab, performance, and learning:The body can’t access what it doesn’t know.The nervous system won’t use what it doesn’t recognize as available, safe, or trustworthy. And when pain, injury, fear, or perceived threat enters the picture, entire movement strategies can quietly disappear—not because the body is broken, but because the brain no longer sees those options as viable.In this episode, we’ll talk about self-organization, ecological dynamics, and why movement doesn’t emerge from instruction alone. It emerges from perception. We’ll explore how constraints shape behavior, why safety always comes before efficiency, and why so many well-intentioned rehab and training approaches fail to create lasting change.If you’ve ever wondered why someone “has the range” but can’t use it, or why strength and mobility don’t always translate to better movement or less pain, this conversation will help connect

Send us a textOn this episode of Leave Your Mark, I’m pleased to welcome Greg Lothian—a man whose life’s work has been defined by service, responsibility, and an unwavering commitment to helping others.For nearly three decades, Greg has walked three parallel paths. As an Athletic Therapist and Vitality Coach, he’s helped people overcome physical challenges and reclaim their health since 1996. As a firefighter, with 25 years of volunteer and career service, he’s shown up for people in moments of real crisis—when presence, courage, and calm matter most. And as a mentor, he supports his children, his clients, and fellow practitioners as they navigate the complexities of work, purpose, and life.Greg is deeply principled. He believes in standing up for what’s right—even when the status quo has lost its moral compass—and he holds a clear, grounded view on value: that being compensated well is not only acceptable, but appropriate when it reflects the impact you bring to people’s lives.Naturally curious and systems-o

Send us a textThis week, I’m joined by Bob Alejo—one of the true pioneers of modern athletic performance.With more than 40 years in the field, Bob’s career spans NCAA Division I athletics, Major League Baseball, and the Olympic Games. He has worked at institutions such as UCLA, North Carolina State, UC Santa Barbara, and Cal State Northridge, and spent time with the Oakland A’s during the Moneyball era, and later again in the mid-2000s. Along the way, he’s been associated with over 20 NCAA National Championships, MLB postseason success, and a U.S. Olympic gold medal at the Beijing Games, with continued involvement through London in 2012.In this wide-ranging conversation, we explore the evolution of strength and conditioning, the importance of understanding sport culture—not just sport science—and how trust, adaptability, and mentorship shape long-term success. Bob reflects on lessons learned from elite athletes and coaches, his experiences navigating major shifts in professional sport, and the responsibility

Send us a textThis week on Leave Your Mark, I’m joined by Max Lapierre.Max played 11 full seasons in the NHL, spending time with the Montreal Canadiens, Anaheim Ducks, Vancouver Canucks, St. Louis Blues, and Pittsburgh Penguins, with additional years in the AHL and European professional hockey. Drafted by the Canadiens in 2003, Max carved out a career built not on hype but on work ethic, competitiveness, and an edge he had to earn every single day.But what makes this conversation powerful isn’t just the resume.It’s the honesty.Max shares what it was like growing up in a small town, betting on himself early, navigating trades that shook his identity, and living with labels that didn’t always reflect his true capacity. We talk about pressure, confidence, being misunderstood as a player, and how certain environments can either limit you—or unlock you.We also dive into his post-playing transition. Just before retirement, Max co-founded the podcast La Poche Bleue with Guillaume Latendresse—what started as somethin

Send us a textThis week, I sit down with Chris Gaurin.  Chris is a San Diego–based performance therapist whose unique journey blends athletic performance, rehabilitation, education, and artistic storytelling. Growing up in a deeply creative family of musicians and writers, Chris sees movement as a universal language—an expression of human potential.After developing an early passion for training during his high-school football years, Chris spent over a decade navigating the fitness and performance world. His path included mentorship from industry leaders, immersion in corporate wellness environments, and hands-on experience collaborating with speed and performance specialists.As a Director of Education, Chris has taught and mentored practitioners at multiple levels, and has spoken for organizations including Google, where he makes complex performance principles accessible and actionable.His evolution from fitness coach to integrative therapist led him into the clinical setting as a San Diego referral for the P

Send us a textThis week on the Leave Your Mark podcast, I sit down with someone whose influence on our industry is truly profound — Dr. Trevor Cottrell.Recently retired and now serving as a Professor of Instruction in Physiology at Texas State University, Trevor brings more than three decades of wisdom, research, and applied practice to this conversation.For 21 years, he helped shape the future of Kinesiology, Athletic Therapy, and Osteopathy as a Professor and Program Coordinator at Sheridan College. His research spans the entire spectrum of human physiology — from cellular biochemistry to applied human performance — with a unique specialization in how warm-up strategies can directly manipulate and elevate power output.Beyond academia, Trevor spent over 30 years coaching in professional, Olympic, and collegiate environments and was a co-founder of the Canadian Strength and Conditioning Association. He built and ran a successful private performance facility, coached thousands of athletes, and became a sought-

Send us a textIn this episode of Leave Your Mark, I’m honoured to welcome one of the most iconic defenders in NHL history — Zdeno Chara.Zdeno, born in Slovakia, played 24 seasons in the National Hockey League with the New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins, and Washington Capitals. Standing at 6'9", “Big Zee” is the tallest player ever to compete in the league — but his impact stretched far beyond physical stature.As Captain of the Boston Bruins for 14 seasons, Zdeno led with humility, discipline, and purpose. He won the Norris Trophy in 2009, appeared in three Stanley Cup Finals, and raised the Cup in 2011 — becoming one of only five European-born captains to ever do so. Over 1,600 NHL games, he built a reputation for professionalism, integrity, and a relentless work ethic.Internationally, he represented Slovakia with pride, earning two silver medals at the World Championships. In 2022, he retired as a Boston Bruin and will have his number, 33, raised to the rafters in January 2026. Mos

Send us a textFor Episode 450, I had the privilege of sitting down with an exceptional group of performance practitioners gathered for the ALTIS Masters Residency. ALTIS has built a Master’s program that blends world-class education with real, applied mentorship from some of the best minds in human performance—and this week was no exception.In the room were Performance Therapy Practitioners Danny Foley and Chris Gaurin, sharing their integrated practice approaches; lead educator Rich Clarke, whose work in change-of-direction research is second to none; Performance Coach Nick Ward; and several other members of the ALTIS team who were onsite to upskill the Master’s cohort.I was honoured to be invited in as a mentor for this residency, and it’s been a genuine pleasure to contribute to such a high-level learning environment.In this episode, the five of us dive deep into human performance—training, therapy, movement, coaching, and the philosophies that drive great practitioners. It’s a dynamic conversation with a

Send us a textEP 449 | Yosi Knecht – Resilience, Relationships, and the Human SpiritThis week’s guest is Yosi Knecht — a man defined not just by what he does, but by who he is.A husband, father, son, and friend, Yosi turned a simple love of working out into a lifelong career in the human performance industry. For more than 20 years, he’s been a leader in performance equipment and sales, known for his integrity, energy, and ability to build authentic relationships that last.But Yosi’s story goes far beyond business.In 2010, his 5-year-old daughter was diagnosed with leukemia — an experience that would test every belief he held and reshape his understanding of strength, resilience, and what truly matters.This is a powerful conversation about family, perspective, and the human capacity to endure and grow.You’ll come away with a deeper appreciation for what it means to lead, to love, and to live with purpose.If you liked this EP, please take the time to rate and comment, share with a friend, and connect with us o

Send us a textFrom the gridiron to the brain, this episode dives deep into how former All-American linebacker and two-time national champion Brandon Day turned pain, burnout, and life’s challenges into purpose. He opens up about his journey from a small town in Montana to co-founding Evolved Athlete, where he discovered the power of neurotraining and Flow Science along the way.We discuss the lessons sports teach us beyond the scoreboard — emotional regulation, teamwork, and resilience — and how these lessons now shape Brandon’s work in helping athletes move beyond pain to unlock performance in life.You’ll also hear how fatherhood (with triplets!) parallels life on the field, why early sports specialization is holding kids back, and how healthy masculinity and mentorship can transform the way young athletes express strength and emotion. I think you'll enjoy the chat.If you liked this EP, please take the time to rate and comment, share with a friend, and connect with us on social channels IG @Kingopain, TW