The Level Up Lifestyle
This is The Level Up Lifestyle, the podcast that tells authentic stories and real journeys to success. Hear firsthand from top leaders about their insurmountable challenges, their breakthroughs, and the moments that defined their path to the next level.
Episodes
May 26, 2025 • 56 mins
Today, Mike sits down with Agency Owner John David Mitchell. JD’s journey began in a small Alabama town where he grew up inspired by his father’s career. After finding early success in elevator sales, he walked away from a six-figure salary job to return home and take a chance following his dad’s footsteps. Through humility, hard lessons, and a relentless commitment to growth, John David carved his own path to leadership, proving t...
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May 5, 2025 • 54 mins
Today, Mike sits down with Agency Owner Matt Carder. Matt's journey into leadership began with his humble upbringing in a small Arkansas town where he developed his work ethic mowing lawns at age 13. He later faced obstacles when building his agency in Phoenix after leaving everything familiar behind. But through his positive mindset and willingness to let go to lead his team, Matt broke through the challenges that life put in his ...
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April 14, 2025 • 60 mins
Today, Mike sits down with Agency Owner Brian Cannington. After struggling in college and bouncing between hourly jobs, Brian found his calling as an agent. When his performance slumped, a pivotal decision to "hire himself" and commit to a serious work ethic transformed his career. Through his “5 to 9” philosophy, Brian built a thriving agency spanning six locations across Georgia and Florida. His story demonstrates how persistenc...
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February 17, 2025 • 72 mins
Today, Mike sits down with Agency Owner Amanda Violand. Amanda’s journey into leadership began as she cultivated a work ethic of steel as a farmhand in rural Ohio. She later faced obstacles when exploring opportunities in New York City. But by her driven nature and sticking to the decisions she made, Amanda broke through all the blocks that life put in her way to achieve the success and lifestyle she always wanted.
This is the Le...
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February 3, 2025 • 75 mins
Today, Mike sits down with Regional Director, Alfredo Gonzalez. We get to hear the story of Alfredo’s family’s harrowing journey out of war-torn El Salvador. The hardships his family endured to bring him to a better life paved the way for a lifestyle of immense gratitude and rock solid work ethic. Because of the sacrifice of his family, Alfredo has been able to face every setback and victory with the attitude of achieving the next ...
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November 25, 2024 • 73 mins
Today, Mike sits down with Jayson Stirrup, Executive Director of Casa Hogar in Cabo San Lucas. Jayson takes us through his unexpected journey from Toronto, Canada, to leading a children's home in Mexico, where he dedicates his life to helping kids overcome the trauma of their pasts. He shares powerful stories of resilience, the challenges of running a nonprofit in a foreign country, and the unique strategies Casa Hogar employs to f...
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November 11, 2024 • 77 mins
Today, Mike sits down with Luke Gilliam, Senior Vice President at Liberty National. Luke shares his journey from a small-town upbringing in Texas to overcoming the challenges of a declining journalism industry. He dives into his transition from traditional journalism to leading a digital media startup, reflecting on the hard lessons learned along the way. Luke’s insights on innovation, leadership, and adapting to change offer valua...
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October 28, 2024 • 66 mins
Today, Mike sits down with agency owner Brandon Jones. Brandon takes us through his journey from a small town in Lower Alabama to becoming a successful agency owner. He shares his early love for sports, the derailment of a surgery in college, and the struggles of moving far away from home to take on his toughest challenge. Brandon’s story is a testament to perseverance, making tough decisions, and never letting adversity define yo...
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October 14, 2024 • 62 mins
Today, Mike sits down with Clint McLain, agency owner in Birmingham, Alabama. Clint shares his journey from living on his own out of high school on a movie theater salary to his rewarding but challenging climb to a steady career. Following his family legacy, he had to make a painful decision with one of his most prized possessions to escape rock bottom. Clint’s story highlights perseverance, adaptability, and the enduring impact of...
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September 30, 2024 • 63 mins
Today, Mike sits down with Drew Aderholt, agency owner in Alpharetta, Georgia. Drew takes us through his journey from growing up in the insurance industry to carving out his own path within the company. He shares his experience as the son of a successful agency owner, the challenges of transitioning from the worksite to the individual market, and the unexpected hurdles he faced in his first years as an agency owner. Drew's story is...
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September 16, 2024 • 60 mins
Today, Mike sits down with Chicago-based agent, Monica Klempel. Monica shares her journey, detailing her early passion for figure skating and the rigorous training that led her to the brink of the Olympics. Despite a career-ending injury, her resilience and extra effort guided her to success in academia and a thriving career in insurance. Monica’s story exemplifies the power of hard work, sacrifice, and adaptability in the face of ...
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September 2, 2024 • 79 mins
Today, Mike sits down with a very special guest, Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence! DeMarcus shares his journey from a small town in South Carolina to the NFL, revealing how his family's work ethic and his own determination propelled him forward. He discusses the challenges he faced, from missed opportunities in his early football career to the pivotal decisions that shaped his path. DeMarcus’s story highlights the imp...
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August 19, 2024 • 66 mins
Today, Mike sits down with the President of FC Dallas, Dan Hunt. Dan tells the story of how his family's legacy transformed American sports, starting with humble beginnings on a farm in Arkansas. He shares the bold risks his father took to pursue his passion for sports. His reflections on perseverance, integrity, and community involvement offer powerful insights into building a lasting legacy.
This is the Level Up Lifestyle podca...
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August 5, 2024 • 66 mins
Today, Mike sits down with Danielle Alexander, Supervising Agent from the Kevin Petersen agency and bronze medalist in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics for taekwondo. Danielle shares her journey from humble beginnings to overcoming challenges on her way to the Olympics. From facing initial resistance to winning a dramatic rematch, Danielle’s story is one of resilience and mental toughness. Her insights on breaking barriers and facing ch...
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July 22, 2024 • 68 mins
Today, Mike sits down with a very special guest, Olympic Gold Medalist Carly Patterson. Carly walks us down the road to the 2004 Summer Olympics, detailing her somewhat accidental entry into gymnastics and how she fell in love with the hard work the sport demanded of her. Even when faced with uncertainty, the mental toughness she forged allowed her to surpass all the grueling days and set the stage for her unprecedented Olympic per...
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July 8, 2024 • 60 mins
Today, Mike sits down for a special live audience recording with Stephanie Poe, Agency Owner in Phoenix, Arizona. Stephanie takes us through her remarkable journey from a passionate baker to a thriving agency owner. She reveals how adaptability, perseverance, and embracing change have been key to her success. Stephanie’s journey is a compelling lesson in mental toughness and the power of resilience in achieving professional and per...
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June 24, 2024 • 60 mins
Today, Mike is talking to Tony DiFilippo, Agency Owner in St Louis, Missouri. From his entrepreneurial spirit in elementary school to overcoming a life-threatening health crisis, Tony's story illustrates the power of embracing challenges. Through sacrifices and unwavering resilience during personal losses, Tony offers profound insights on how true leaders develop mental toughness.
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June 10, 2024 • 66 mins
Today, Mike is talking to James Lawrence, the Iron Cowboy, at the iconic Grand Ole Opry! James shares his journey from a humble upbringing in Calgary to becoming a Guinness World Record-holding endurance athlete. He discusses his early life, the pivotal moments that shaped him, and his transition into endurance sports. James also opens up about the mindset and philosophy that fueled his success, including his experiences during the...
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May 27, 2024 • 65 mins
Today, Mike is talking to Rich Correa, Senior Vice President of Sales for Globe Life Liberty National Division. Rich opens up about his early struggles, from barely graduating high school to facing the challenges of young fatherhood. Despite these hurdles, Rich chose to dig deep to build a better future for his family. Through unwavering determination and a commitment to mentoring others, Rich took the elevator up the ranks in orde...
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May 13, 2024 • 48 mins
Today, Mike is talking to Michelle Bourdon, Lead Worksite Corporate Trainer. Michelle shares her journey from a difficult upbringing to embracing a confident new persona to overcome insecurities. Despite facing major setbacks, her resilient mindset enabled her to transform her life by eventually achieving her goal of becoming a director. Michelle's inspiring story demonstrates the power of self-belief and turning challenges into op...
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