In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Shawn Richards, founder of Blue Sky Business Consulting and host of The Team Engagement Podcast. We dive into how leaders can maximize their human capital, strengthen communication, develop emerging leaders, and evolve their identity as their vision grows. This is a powerful conversation on building teams that can actually win.

Key Takeaways

1. Why human capital is your greatest competitive advantage.

2. The #1 point of failure in leadership (and how to fix it).

3. How identity shifts allow leaders to scale without burning out.

4. The power of small-unit leadership and clear guardrails.

5. How psychological safety unlocks innovation and collaboration.

Quotes

• “Leadership isn’t about knowing everything—it’s about knowing how to find the answers.” – Shawn Richards

• “People aren’t expenses; they’re your greatest assets.” – Shawn Richards

• “Progress—not perfection—is the definition of success.” – Shawn Richards

Connect with Shawn Richards
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnjrichards/
Blue Sky Consulting: https://blueskybizconsulting.com
The First Fifty Project: https://thefirstfiftyproject.com

Stay Connected & Take Action

✅ Join the Alignment Village → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠NextLevelVillage.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

✅ Ready to be the Fittest Leader Possible? → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CoachDerz.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

✅ Enhance Your Fitness Journey → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠NextLevelPFC.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

✅ Subscribe to Progress Always on Spotify → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5DmNDDIPLiYIfO278S32hM?si=258af1623c974b00⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Partners & Sponsors

@ThorneHealth → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thorne.com/u/progressalways⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

@StrongCoffee → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠strongcoffeecompany.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Code: NEXTLEVEL15

@wearshepherds → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shepherds.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@team4kor → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠4korfitness.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Code: NEXTLEVEL15

Build Your Vision Espresso → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠visionespresso.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

@TYRsport → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fitness.tyr.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Code: 14034

Start Your Healing Journey → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.morozkoforge.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Codes: NEXTLEVEL350 / NEXTLEVEL500

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Megan Joseph, founder of Megalife Integrative Wellness, to explore how herbs, mushrooms, and spiritual connection can restore the body when traditional medicine can’t. We dive into her journey through Ehlers-Danlos, autoimmunity, trauma healing, parasitic detoxing, and why peace—not speed—is the real metric of health.

Key Takeaways

1. True healing starts internally—breath, prayer, nature, and removing sugar create the baseline for transformation.

2. Trauma and unprocessed emotion manifest physically, often long before symptoms surface.

3. Microdosing supports slow, sustainable rewiring, while heroic doses can overwhelm the system without proper facilitation.

4. Parasite + heavy metal cleansing can radically shift energy, mood, cognition, especially in kids.

5. Identity matters—you are not your diagnosis; the words “I am” shape your biology and your outcomes.

Quotes

• “I refused to accept ‘there’s nothing you can do.’ That wasn’t going to be my story.” – Megan Joseph

• “Breath, prayer, nature. Start there—your body already knows what to do.” – Megan Joseph

• “Don’t become your diagnosis. Speak what you want, not what you fear.” – Megan Joseph

Connect with Megan Joseph

Megalife Integrative Wellness
📍 2240 N. Scottsdale Rd, Unit 110, Tempe, AZ
🌐 https://megalifeinw.com
🌐 https://megalifeskinbeauty.com

Stay Connected & Take Action

✅ Join the Alignment Village → ⁠https://nextlevelvillage.com/⁠

✅ Ready to be the Fittest Leader Possible? → ⁠https://go.coachderz.com/

✅ Enhance Your Fitness Journey → ⁠https://www.nextlevelpfc.com⁠

✅ Subscribe to Progress Always on Spotify → ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5DmNDDIPLiYIfO278S32hM?si=258af1623c974b00

@ThorneHealth → ⁠thorne.com/u/progressalways⁠

@StrongCoffee → ⁠strongcoffeecompany.com⁠ — Use Code: NEXTLEVEL15

@wearshepherds → ⁠Shepherds.com⁠

@team4kor → ⁠4korfitness.com⁠ — Use Code: NEXTLEVEL15

Build Your Vision Espresso → ⁠VisionEspresso.co⁠

@TYRsport → ⁠fitness.tyr.com⁠ — Use Code: 14034

@MorozkoForge → ⁠morozkoforge.com⁠ — Use Code: NEXTLEVEL350 / NEXTLEVEL500

Progress Always.

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Tiffany Carole—creator of Aroma Point Therapy Fundamentals, founder of Master Creator Academy, and visionary behind the Lumina Guild—to explore the bridge between science, plant medicine, and spiritual awakening. We dive into healing as a return to wholeness, betrayal as humanity’s oldest wound, and why high performers struggle to receive support. This is a conversation for leaders ready to reconnect with life force and reclaim their peace.

Key Takeaways

1. Healing is less about fixing symptoms and more about remembering your wholeness.

2. Betrayal constricts the energetic heart, limiting one’s ability to receive support, joy, and abundance.

3. Essential oils on acupoints can act as vibrational “plant medicines” that open consciousness and restore regulation.

4. Pattern liberation requires wanting freedom more than the drama of the healing journey.

5. Choosing self, despite external resistance, is the path to deeper alignment and leadership evolution.

Quotes

• “Healing is remembering our wholeness.” – Tiffany Carole

• “You must want liberation more than the drama of healing.” – Tiffany Carole

• “Your next breakthrough is in becoming the version of you who can finally receive.” – Mycal Anders

Connect with Tiffany Carole
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tiffany_carole
Email: tiffany@tiffanycarole.com
Book: The Inner Nature of Essential Oils → https://monara.org

Stay Connected & Take Action
✅ Join the Alignment Village → https://nextlevelvillage.com/
✅ Ready to be the Fittest Leader Possible? → https://go.coachderz.com/1-1-high-performance-coaching/
✅ Enhance Your Fitness Journey → https://www.nextlevelpfc.com
✅ Subscribe to Progress Always on Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/5DmNDDIPLiYIfO278S32hM?si=258af1623c974b00

Partners & Sponsors
@ThorneHealth → https://www.thorne.com/u/progressalways
@StrongCoffee → https://strongcoffeecompany.com/?ref=2YN5cnK8v9zQ4D — Code: NEXTLEVEL15
@wearshepherds → https://www.shepherds.com
@team4kor → https://4korfitness.com — Code: NEXTLEVEL15
Build Your Vision Espresso → https://visionespresso.co/fastpass?am_id=mycal7450
@TYRsport → https://fitness.tyr.com — Code: 14034
Start Your Healing Journey → https://www.morozkoforge.com — Codes: NEXTLEVEL350 / NEXTLEVEL500

Progress Always.

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Melissa Nanavati—speaker, author, and relationship architect redefining how high performers connect and communicate at home. We dive into the neuroscience of chemistry, the power of updated agreements, and the frameworks that help couples protect their peace, presence, and power.

Key Takeaways

1. Chemistry isn’t magic, it’s biology maintained through intentional habits.
2. High performers need systems for connection just as much as systems for business.
3. The BRAVE Framework creates safety for difficult conversations.
4. Couples thrive when they routinely update agreements for new seasons of life.
5. Presence, curiosity, play, and courage are the core skills of peak-performance love.

Quotes

• “Chemistry is biology, and biology can be maintained with intention.” – Melissa Nanavati
• “Unresolved conversations are open loops draining your energy.” – Melissa Nanavati
• “If you want high-performance love, treat your relationship like the most important system you run.” – Mycal Anders

Connect with Melissa Nanavati
• Instagram: @melissananavati
• Website: https://peakperformancelove.com
• YouTube: Peak Performance Love

Stay Connected & Take Action

✅ Join the Alignment Village → ⁠https://nextlevelvillage.com/⁠

✅ Become the Fittest Leader Possible → ⁠https://go.coachderz.com/1-1-high-performance-coaching/⁠

✅ Level Up Your Fitness → ⁠https://www.nextlevelpfc.com⁠

✅ Subscribe on Spotify → ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5DmNDDIPLiYIfO278S32hM?si=258af1623c974b00⁠

Partners & Sponsors

@ThorneHealth → ⁠⁠⁠⁠thorne.com/u/progressalways

⁠⁠⁠⁠@StrongCoffee → ⁠⁠⁠⁠strongcoffeecompany.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Code: NEXTLEVEL15

@wearshepherds → ⁠⁠⁠⁠Shepherds.com

⁠⁠⁠⁠@team4kor → ⁠⁠⁠⁠4korfitness.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Code: NEXTLEVEL15

Build Your Vision Espresso → ⁠⁠⁠⁠visionespresso.co⁠⁠⁠⁠

@TYRsport → ⁠⁠⁠⁠fitness.tyr.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Code: 14034

Start Your Healing Journey → ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.morozkoforge.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Codes: NEXTLEVEL350 / NEXTLEVEL500

Progress Always.

In this episode, I sit down with Kris Kluver — speaker, strategic advisor, facilitator, and founder of Life On Your Terms and Peer Circles. We explore how audacity becomes the gateway to real transformation, why most leaders are solving the wrong problems, and how to build a life that protects what matters most.

We dive into identity, intentionality, time compression, and the mindset required to become the fittest leader possible.

Key Takeaways

1. Ordinary goals create extraordinary friction. Audacious goals eliminate noise.

2. Time isn’t a resource; it’s a tool leaders can compress with intention.

3. Presence is the most valuable currency in leadership and relationships.

4. Identity must evolve before outcomes do. Mindset drives mechanics.

5. Holistic intentionality is the foundation of life on your terms.

Quotes

• “Extraordinary lives live in the unreasonable.” — Kris Kluver

• “Audacity is the forcing device that removes all the noise.” — Kris Kluver

• “You have more than enough time for everything you want, if you choose presence.” — Kris Kluver

Connect with Kris Kluver
Website: Peer-Circle.com
Advising & Resources: LifeOn-YourTerms.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kriskluver/

Stay Connected & Take Action
✅ Join the Alignment Village → https://nextlevelvillage.com/
✅ Become the Fittest Leader Possible → https://go.coachderz.com/1-1-high-performance-coaching/
✅ Level Up Your Fitness → https://www.nextlevelpfc.com
✅ Subscribe on Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/5DmNDDIPLiYIfO278S32hM?si=258af1623c974b00

Partners & Sponsors

@ThorneHealth → ⁠⁠⁠⁠thorne.com/u/progressalways

⁠⁠⁠⁠@StrongCoffee → ⁠⁠⁠⁠strongcoffeecompany.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Code: NEXTLEVEL15

@wearshepherds → ⁠⁠⁠⁠Shepherds.com

⁠⁠⁠⁠@team4kor → ⁠⁠⁠⁠4korfitness.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Code: NEXTLEVEL15

Build Your Vision Espresso → ⁠⁠⁠⁠visionespresso.co⁠⁠⁠⁠

@TYRsport → ⁠⁠⁠⁠fitness.tyr.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Code: 14034

Start Your Healing Journey → ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.morozkoforge.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Codes: NEXTLEVEL350 / NEXTLEVEL500

Progress Always.

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Kiefer Gilbert (bartender turned programmer, entrepreneur, coach, and ultra runner) to explore the deep psychology behind running 100+ miles, staying sober, and chasing the edges of human potential. We dive into addiction, discipline, fatherhood, faith, chaos, and what it really means to find yourself when you're miles beyond comfort.

Key Takeaways

1. Ultra running forces you to face the truth; there’s nowhere to hide from yourself.

2. Sobriety and endurance share the same engine: honesty, discipline, and ownership.

3. You can’t half-do anything in life; full commitment is the only path.

4. Pushing limits reveals what matters most: family, purpose, and alignment.

5. The right relationships don’t hold you back. They hold space while you evolve.

Quotes

• “Any endeavor that asks everything of you will show you everything you’re not.” – Kiefer

• “If you don’t want it for you, it won’t happen.” – Kiefer

• “The universe will test you to see if you really want the thing you say you want.” – Mycal

Connect with Kiefer Gilbert
IG: @kiefermadness
Ultra Coaching Inquiries → DM on Instagram

Stay Connected & Take Action

✅ Join the Alignment Village → ⁠⁠⁠⁠NextLevelVillage.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

✅ Ready to be the Fittest Leader Possible? → ⁠⁠⁠⁠CoachDerz.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

✅ Enhance Your Fitness Journey → ⁠⁠⁠⁠NextLevelPFC.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

✅ Subscribe to Progress Always on Spotify → ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5DmNDDIPLiYIfO278S32hM?si=258af1623c974b00⁠⁠⁠⁠

Partners & Sponsors

@ThorneHealth → ⁠⁠⁠⁠thorne.com/u/progressalways

⁠⁠⁠⁠@StrongCoffee → ⁠⁠⁠⁠strongcoffeecompany.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Code: NEXTLEVEL15

@wearshepherds → ⁠⁠⁠⁠Shepherds.com

⁠⁠⁠⁠@team4kor → ⁠⁠⁠⁠4korfitness.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Code: NEXTLEVEL15

Build Your Vision Espresso → ⁠⁠⁠⁠visionespresso.co⁠⁠⁠⁠

@TYRsport → ⁠⁠⁠⁠fitness.tyr.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Code: 14034

Start Your Healing Journey → ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.morozkoforge.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Codes: NEXTLEVEL350 / NEXTLEVEL500

Progress Always.

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Kyle Brown, the spiritual and lifestyle architect who almost died from stress. We explore his near-death experience, the cost of constant hustle, and how he rebuilt his life through total self-trust. Kyle reveals what it means to surrender, embody balance, and lead from alignment instead of ego.

Key Takeaways

1. Hustle without harmony leads to burnout, even for high achievers.

2. True health includes peace, not just physical performance.

3. Letting an old identity “die” creates space for authentic growth.

4. Curiosity is the key to connection, both with others and with self.

5. Leadership starts with do no harm, take no shit, compassionate boundaries.

Quotes

• “I had to let that version of me die so I could step into this version of me.” – Kyle Brown

• “The spirit doesn’t evolve; it remembers.” – Kyle Brown

• “We shouldn’t take seriously what the gods made for fun.” – Kyle Brown

Connect with Kyle Brown
Instagram: @kyleemanuelbrown
Book: TotalSelfTrust.com

Stay Connected & Take Action
✅ Join the Alignment Village → NextLevelVillage.com
✅ Ready to be the Fittest Leader Possible? → CoachDerz.com
✅ Enhance Your Fitness Journey → NextLevelPFC.com
✅ Subscribe to Progress Always on Spotify → Spotify Link

Partners & Sponsors
@ThorneHealth → thorne.com/u/progressalways
@StrongCoffee → strongcoffeecompany.com/?ref=2YN5cnK8v9zQ4D — Use Code: NEXTLEVEL15
@wearshepherds → Shepherds.com
@team4kor → 4korfitness.com — Use Code: NEXTLEVEL15
Build Your Vision Espresso → VisionEspresso.co/FastPass
@TYRsport → fitness.tyr.com — Use Code: 14034
Start Your Healing Journey → Morozko Ice Bath — Use Code: NEXTLEVEL350 / NEXTLEVEL500

Progress Always.

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Dr. Derek Price, former NFL athlete turned physician and leadership coach, to explore what it truly means to earn your strength through life’s hardest seasons. We talk faith, fatherhood, and the real work of building men who lead with peace, presence, and power.

Key Takeaways

1. Success without alignment leads to emptiness. Presence is the true measure of leadership.

2. Hard things create expansion; adversity is the fastest path to growth.

3. Mentorship and accountability are non-negotiable if you want lasting greatness.

4. Identity must come before achievement. Become the person first, then pursue the goal.

5. Leadership begins at home: showing up as a husband and father is the ultimate test.

Quotes

• “Hard things make the rest of life easier.” – Dr. Derek Price

• “If you just outwork people, good things happen.” – Dr. Derek Price

• “Fitness and leadership are the same; they both reveal your standards.” – Dr. Derek Price

Connect with Dr. Derek Price
📘 Download his free manual: clubfaction.com/book
💡 Follow his work in leadership, mindset, and performance coaching.

Stay Connected & Take Action

✅ Join the Alignment Village → ⁠⁠⁠⁠NextLevelVillage.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

✅ Ready to be the Fittest Leader Possible? → ⁠⁠⁠⁠CoachDerz.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

✅ Enhance Your Fitness Journey → ⁠⁠⁠⁠NextLevelPFC.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

✅ Subscribe to Progress Always on Spotify → ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5DmNDDIPLiYIfO278S32hM?si=258af1623c974b00⁠⁠⁠⁠

Partners & Sponsors

@ThorneHealth → ⁠⁠⁠⁠thorne.com/u/progressalways

⁠⁠⁠⁠@StrongCoffee → ⁠⁠⁠⁠strongcoffeecompany.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Code: NEXTLEVEL15

@wearshepherds → ⁠⁠⁠⁠Shepherds.com

⁠⁠⁠⁠@team4kor → ⁠⁠⁠⁠4korfitness.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Code: NEXTLEVEL15

Build Your Vision Espresso → ⁠⁠⁠⁠visionespresso.co⁠⁠⁠⁠

@TYRsport → ⁠⁠⁠⁠fitness.tyr.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Code: 14034

Start Your Healing Journey → ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.morozkoforge.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Codes: NEXTLEVEL350 / NEXTLEVEL500

Progress Always.

#leadership #men #fathers #ritesofpassage #lockeroomleadership #personalgrowth #nfl #podcast #alignmentfirst #nextlevel