Tag Archives: holistic health and wellness

Episode 52: “Never Stale” Leadership Development Strategies Part 2



How do the most successful leaders maintain their competitive edge year after year? Join host Jason L Smith and leadership speaker, consultant and executive coach, Dr. Linda Travelute for part two of their conversation on building sustainable growth habits. 

Dr. Linda introduces John Maxwell’s “Rule of 5” – daily practices in reading, writing, thinking, exercise, and reflection that compound over time. Jason shares his parallel approach through journaling and the critical need for margin in your schedule to allow for strategic thinking rather than constant busyness. The discussion also explores the powerful but often overlooked impact of environment and relationships on leadership development. 

Key Topics: 

  • The Rule of Five Framework: John Maxwell’s daily practice system covering reading, writing, thinking, exercise, and spiritual/mental reflection for compound growth 
  • Creating Margin for Leadership: Why overscheduled leaders fail and how intentional blank space in your calendar drives breakthrough thinking and problem-solving 
  • Environmental Impact on Performance: Research-backed insights on how high and low performers in your workspace directly affect your productivity and success 
  • Curating Your Inner Circle: Strategic approaches to evaluating and upgrading the relationships that consume 90% of your time and energy 

Episode 51: “Never Stale” Leadership Development Strategies



What separates leaders who thrive from those who become stale over time? In this engaging conversation, host Jason L Smith sits down with leadership speaker, consultant and executive coach, Dr. Linda Travelute, to explore the mental barriers that keep business owners and executives from reaching their full potential. 

Dr. Linda, founder of Maximized Leaders and creator of the Limitless Group Coaching Program, reveals why so many leaders admit to not being interested in personal or professional growth—and how this stagnation is costing them competitive advantage. Drawing from her extensive work with John Maxwell and her experience managing organizations from a young age, she shares practical strategies for continuous leadership development. 

Key Topics: 

  • The “Never Stale Strategy”: Understanding why experienced leaders often plateau and how to maintain competitive edge through continuous growth 
  • Daily Growth Practices: John Maxwell’s two powerful questions that drive personal and professional development: “What did I love?” and “What did I learn?” 
  • The LIME Framework: A comprehensive approach to leadership development covering Leadership skills, Industry knowledge, Mindset, and Emotional intelligence 
  • Leadership Self-Auditing: Practical methods for identifying blind spots and evaluating decision-making effectiveness 

Episode 49: Transforming Health & Community with Pickleball Part 2



Ready to take your pickleball game to the next level? Join host Bryan Bibbo as he continues our conversation with Verna Griffin, the “Pickleball Queen of Neptune Beach.”  In part two, we dive deep into the strategy and technique that separates recreational players from competitive ones. 

With over 15 years of experience playing and teaching sport, Verna has a lot to share. She also reveals her inspiring journey from retirement uncertainty to finding renewed purpose as a certified instructor, proving that it’s never too late to discover a passion that transforms your physical and mental well-being. 

Key Topics: 

  • Game Strategy: Learn how modern pickleball strategy has evolved and what separates recreational from competitive play. 
  • Essential Techniques: Discover the key shots every player should master and common mistakes to avoid. 
  • Mental Benefits: Understand how pickleball keeps your mind sharp and improves cognitive function at any age. 
  • Getting Started: Practical advice for beginners and insights into the future of this rapidly growing sport. 

Episode 48: Transforming Health & Community with Pickleball Part 1



What happens when a simple introduction to a “silly game with a plastic ball” transforms into a lifelong passion that builds community and transforms health? In this energetic conversation, host Bryan Bibbo sits down with Verna Griffin, a Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR) certified instructor, affectionately known as the “Pickleball Queen of Neptune Beach,” who has been teaching and promoting pickleball since 2009—long before most of us knew it existed. 

Verna shares her remarkable journey from that first hour of play that got her “hooked” to building a local community that grew from four players to 45 people within just one month. Through candid stories about chalk-lining courts every Saturday morning, teaching players from age 5 to 92, and witnessing the sport explode in popularity nationwide, Verna reveals how pickleball offers something no other sport does: a perfect combination of physical fitness, mental engagement, and genuine social connection that welcomes “all walks of life.” 

Key Topics: 

  • The Social Revolution: Discover why pickleball’s unique protocol of introducing yourself at the net creates lasting friendships and supportive communities unlike any other sport. 
  • Health Benefits at Any Age: Learn how this low-impact sport provides excellent cardiovascular exercise, muscle engagement, and mobility improvement for players from children to seniors in their 90s. 
  • From Tennis to Pickleball: Understand the key differences and why former tennis players need to “stop playing tennis on the pickleball court” to truly excel at this growing sport. 
  • Practical Playing Tips: Get professional advice on paddle grip techniques, the differences between indoor and outdoor balls, and strategic moves like “playing dodgeball” to improve your game. 

Episode 46: How Busy CEOs Stay Healthy with Len Komoroski



What happens when two competitive CEOs turn health and wellness into a friendly rivalry? In this episode, host Jason L Smith sits down with former Cleveland Cavaliers CEO, now Lake Erie Crushers co-owner, Len Komoroski, to explore how high-performing executives can optimize their health while managing demanding careers. 

Len shares his journey from traditional sports executive to holistic health advocate, revealing how a simple competition through the Whole Life Challenge — comprehensive six-week wellness program that tracks daily habits across nutrition, exercise, sleep, and mindfulness— sparked a deeper commitment to wellness. Through candid discussions about intermittent fasting, advanced health monitoring, and the critical difference between health span and lifespan, Len demonstrates that true leadership extends beyond the boardroom to personal optimization and community impact. 

Key Topics Discussed: 

  • Progress Not Perfection Philosophy: Discover how to build sustainable health habits without the all-or-nothing mentality that leads to burnout and failure. 
  • Advanced Health Monitoring: Learn about comprehensive health services, VO2 max optimization, and preventive testing that can catch issues before they become problems. 
  • Executive Wellness Strategies: Explore practical approaches to intermittent fasting, pescatarian nutrition, and strength training that fit into demanding schedules. 
  • Health Span vs Lifespan: Understand why staying active and healthy longer matters more than simply living longer, and how to optimize both. 

Episode 45: Faith, Family & Financial Freedom with Fred Taylor Part 2



In this deeply personal continuation of our conversation with NFL legend Fred Taylor, host Bryan Bibbo explores mental health, parenting wisdom, and financial education that extends far beyond the gridiron. Discover how a Hall of Fame-bound running back transformed from party mode to purposeful living while building a legacy that transcends football. 

Through candid discussions about gaps in education—from financial literacy to parenting skills—Fred shares how he’s breaking generational cycles while teaching his children to find their own purpose.  

Key Topics: 

  • Financial Education Crisis: Why financial literacy isn’t taught in schools and how this systematic gap perpetuates cycles of financial struggle, especially among student-athletes and young professionals. 
  • Parenting Without Entitlement: Strategies for raising grounded, respectful children despite wealth and fame, including the importance of exposing kids to different paths rather than choosing their journey for them. 
  • Mental Health & Athlete Identity: Anxiety, depression, and the unique challenges athletes face when their physical capabilities begin to change, plus holistic approaches to mental health management. 
  • The Power of Routine & Commitment: How establishing and maintaining disciplined routines—whether in sports, finances, or life—creates the foundation for long-term success and helps overcome the monotony that can derail progress. 
  • Living Present vs. Past/Future: The transformative power of staying grounded in the present moment rather than being trapped by past regrets or future anxieties. 

Episode 42: Physical Returns on Your Wellness Investment



Are you treating your body like a neglected asset instead of your most valuable investment? In this enlightening conversation, host Jason L Smith reconnects with his personal functional medicine coach, Dr. Kasia Hrecka, PhD, to explore how strategic health investments yield powerful dividends in energy, longevity, and quality of life. 

For over seven years, Kasia has guided Jason through transformative health improvements – from resolving chronic sinusitis to optimizing post-heart surgery recovery – using evidence-based functional medicine approaches that prioritize prevention over costly medical interventions. Their conversation reveals the many parallels between wealth management and health optimization, demonstrating how proactive health investments deliver measurable returns just like a well-managed financial portfolio. 

Key Topics: 

  • Beyond Symptom Management: Discover how functional medicine identifies root causes rather than simply treating symptoms with medications or surgeries. 
  • Preventive Health Investments: Learn why investing in proactive wellness strategies can offer both health and financial returns by potentially avoiding costly medical interventions. 
  • Client-Centered Approach: See how personalized health coaching mirrors wealth management by coordinating specialists, providing accountability, and creating customized solutions. 
  • Mind-Body Connection: Explore practical techniques for managing health-related stress and building resilience through simple breathing practices. 
  • Patient Empowerment: Gain confidence in medical conversations by learning to ask better questions and become an equal partner in your healthcare decisions. 
  • Lifestyle Medicine: Understand how dietary changes, supplementation, and sleep quality create the foundation for optimal health and longevity. 

Episode 40: Preserving Your Heart Health to Maximize Your Wealth Part 2



In this continuation of our conversation led by Jason L Smith featuring Dr. Mona Shah, we dive deeper into practical heart health strategies that can transform your physical wellbeing and protect your financial future. Listen as Dr. Shah, Northeast Florida’s only triple board-certified holistic cardiologist, provides specific guidance on creating sustainable lifestyle practices that support cardiovascular health. 

Building on the foundation established in Part 1, Dr. Shah shares detailed recommendations for exercise frequency, nutrition choices, and stress management techniques that you can implement immediately. Her approach balances evidence-based cardiology with holistic practices, offering a comprehensive roadmap for heart health that complements your long-term financial wellness strategy. 

Key Topics: 

  • Exercise Blueprint: Discover an optimal weekly balance of resistance training, cardio, and flexibility work with practical guidelines for proper intensity and form. 
  • Nutrition Controversies: Navigate debates around red meat, fish, and fats with Dr. Shah’s personalized approach to heart-healthy eating based on Mediterranean principles. 
  • Sleep Fundamentals: Understand how quality sleep affects your heart health, stress hormones, and hunger regulation for better overall wellness. 
  • Morning Stress Protocol: Learn Dr. Shah’s personal 3-step morning routine that balances your nervous system and helps counteract the physiological effects of stress. 
  • Advanced Testing Options: Explore modern cardiovascular screenings that can detect potential issues early and help create personalized prevention strategies. 

Episode 39: Weathering Market Volatility in Uncertain Times



Market volatility is an inevitable part of your investment journey—but how should you respond when your portfolio value fluctuates? In this insightful episode, Bryan Bibbo sits down with Seth Meisler, CFA, CFP, CPA, BPC, a Senior Wealth Manager at JL Smith, to provide timeless wisdom for weathering market uncertainty. 

Drawing from decades of experience in strategic financial planning, Seth cuts through the noise of headlines and market predictions to offer clear guidance on managing your investments during turbulent times. You’ll discover why having a well-structured financial plan is your best defense against making emotional decisions that could derail your long-term goals, regardless of what’s currently happening in the market. 

Key Topics: 

  • Managing Your Investment Emotions: Practical techniques to stay disciplined when market headlines trigger anxiety and uncertainty. 
  • The Power of Diversification: Why strategic asset allocation matters during market fluctuations and sector rotations. 
  • Market Volatility in Your Planning: How The Bucket Plan® approach can help protect your retirement from inevitable market downturns. 
  • Opportunities in Downturns: Strategic moves to consider during market corrections that could enhance your long-term wealth. 
  • Historical Context: What past market corrections teach us about the difference between temporary losses and permanent ones. 

Episode 32: What is Functional Medicine? Holistic Healing Explained



Do you want to learn how an approach to health not solely reliant on pharmaceuticals can improve your longevity and quality of life? In this episode, Jason sits down with Dr. Robert Saper, holder of the Nancy J. and Michael F. Roizen Chair of Wellness and the Chair of Preventive Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Saper, a specialist in integrative medicine, shares his vast knowledge on the intersection of functional medicine, wellness, and preventive care. With over 80 peer-reviewed papers and more than 200 lectures globally, Dr. Saper explains how functional medicine addresses chronic conditions by focusing on the root causes rather than just symptoms.  

 

Key Topics Discussed: 

  • Defining Wellness and Functional Medicine: Understand the role of wellness in all aspects of life and how functional medicine addresses systematic imbalances to resolve chronic health issues 
  • The Role of Lifestyle Changes in Health: Learn how making intentional lifestyle adjustments can significantly improve chronic conditions and overall health 
  • The Power of Purpose and Meaning: Find your “why” to enhance health outcomes and longevity 
  • Integration of Medicine: How the Cleveland Clinic combines functional and wellness medicine with traditional Western practices to provide a holistic approach 
  • Evidence-Based Research: Learn through Dr. Saper’s research the importance of yoga to a growing body