EP 048: From Corporate Expectations to Personal Liberation Finding Ikigai Through Fitness and Jiu-Jitsu

What does it take to turn your passion into purpose and build a career that creates meaningful change?In this episode of Dream. Plan. Execute., we sit down with Elizabeth Angeles, whose journey from growing up in New York City to attending the prestigious Dalton School and Columbia University shaped her commitment to leadership, community, and social impact.Elizabeth shares how her experience with the Oliver Scholars Program opened doors, the lessons she learned navigating elite academic environments, and how she discovered her ikigai—the intersection of passion, purpose, and profession.From supporting Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria to navigating the challenges of COVID-19 at United Way, Elizabeth reflects on the experiences that inspired her entrepreneurial journey and the founding of Angela's Impact Advising.Throughout the conversation, we explore the importance of mentorship, embracing uncertainty, taking calculated risks, and defining success on your own terms.Whether you're a student, emerging professional, or aspiring entrepreneur, Elizabeth's story is a reminder that success isn't always a straight path—it's about finding your purpose and having the courage to pursue it.Episode Chapters00:00 – Introduction & Growing Up in New York City01:39 – Family Background & Early Influences02:09 – Education & The Oliver Scholars Program06:32 – Life at Dalton School & College Decisions11:43 – Choosing Columbia University & Studying Economics13:22 – Campus Leadership & Getting Involved17:50 – Career Exploration & Discovering Ikigai29:00 – Entering the Workforce & Navigating Career Choices43:23 – Supporting Puerto Rico After Hurricane Maria47:09 – Working at United Way During COVID-1952:59 – Founding Angela's Impact Advising01:04:54 – Lessons Learned & Advice to Her Younger Self01:06:09 – Future Goals & Final ReflectionsDream Boldly. Plan Intentionally. Execute Relentlessly.#DreamPlanExecute #ElizabethAngeles #FindingYourPurpose #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #CareerDevelopment #SocialImpact #ColumbiaUniversity #OliverScholars #Ikigai #PersonalGrowth

In this episode of Dream Plan Execute, we challenge one of the biggest myths in education that being good at math is about intelligence.The truth is it is not about being naturally smart. It is about resilience, patience, and the willingness to keep going when things get hard.In this conversation, we break down why so many people struggle with math and how that struggle is often created by the way it is taught not by a lack of ability. We explore how mindset, storytelling, and emotional connection can transform the learning experience and help students build real confidence.We also dive into how innovation and AI are beginning to reshape education and what it will take to prepare students for long term success in a rapidly changing world.This episode is for anyone who has ever felt stuck in learning, doubted their ability, or is looking to grow both academically and personally.How to build resilience in learning and push through challengesChapters00:00 Introduction to Math and Mindset04:57 The Journey Through Learning07:58 Teaching Philosophy and Impact10:54 Cultural Perspectives on Education14:05 The Role of Resilience17:12 Different Education Systems20:04 Emotional Connection in Learning23:01 Pursuing Higher Education25:53 Innovative Teaching Methods29:53 Building Confidence and Resilience34:07 The Role of AI36:33 College Readiness43:26 Creating Supportive Environments51:00 Overcoming Challenges

Episode 48 of Dream Plan Execute, Ramon Parchment sits down with Pauline Kim for a powerful and deeply personal conversation about courage, identity, and purpose.Pauline shares her transformative journey from a structured career in accounting to becoming a personal trainer and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. Raised in an immigrant family with high expectations, she followed the “safe” path until corporate pressure and depression forced her to confront a deeper truth: she wasn’t aligned with her purpose.Through fitness, faith, and community, Pauline discovered her Ikigai the intersection of passion, mission, vocation, and profession. What started as personal healing evolved into a calling. Today, through PMK Fitness, she empowers others to build physical strength, mental resilience, and confidence while funding meaningful community initiatives.This episode is about more than a career pivot.It’s about rediscovering yourself.Growing up in an immigrant household often comes with high expectations and limited room for deviation.Career success without alignment can lead to burnout and depression.Ikigai provides a framework for finding meaningful direction.Fitness can be a powerful tool for mental health and self-discovery.Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu builds mindfulness, confidence, and composure under pressure.Community is essential for transformation.Self-care is not selfish it fuels impact.Honest self-reflection is required to overcome fear.Empowerment starts from within.Execution requires movement even when you don’t feel ready.Pauline opens up about:Navigating depression while working in corporate accountingThe awakening moment that sparked changeThe leap from stability to uncertaintyStarting over as a personal trainerEntering the world of Brazilian Jiu-JitsuThe unique power of Jiu-Jitsu for womenCoaching high performers and alpha personalitiesOvercoming inertia and executing goalsBuilding PMK Fitness as a mission-driven platformChapters00:00 – From Numbers to Jiu-Jitsu: Pauline's Journey06:42 – The Awakening: Realizing a Need for Change11:56 – Finding Ikigai: The Intersection of Passion and Purpose14:37 – The Transition: Leaving Accounting for Fitness16:59 – Community and Fitness: Building Connections22:03 – Faith and Resilience: Navigating Military Life23:15 – Starting Fresh: The Journey into Personal Training25:52 – The Challenge of Coaching in Large Classes27:52 – The Journey into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu30:01 – Finding the Right Jiu-Jitsu Gym32:48 – Overcoming Challenges in Jiu-Jitsu33:42 – The Importance of Jiu-Jitsu for Women37:49 – Training an Alpha Male: A Unique Experience40:30 – Executing Your Goals: Overcoming Inertia42:16 – Building PMK Fitness: A Legacy of Empowerment43:44 – Merging Fitness with Mission Work

This episode of Dream Plan Execute dives into what it takes to lead large-scale construction projects that shape the way people experience sports and entertainment. From early lessons on job sites to overseeing multimillion-dollar developments, this conversation explores the balance between leadership, teamwork, and precision required to bring world-class venues to life.Listeners will hear insights on building culture within teams, earning client trust, and maintaining a strong sense of purpose while managing complex, high-pressure environments. It’s a candid discussion on growth, mentorship, and the discipline required to execute at the highest level.Whether you’re in construction, design, or leadership, this episode will challenge you to think bigger, lead better, and build with intention.🔑 Episode Highlights:Transitioning from field experience to executive leadership.Behind the scenes of major sports and entertainment projects.Leading teams through collaboration, trust, and accountability.Building a lasting professional culture rooted in mentorship.Managing pressure while maintaining focus on quality and impact.The evolving landscape of sports construction and fan experiences.

In this episode of Dream Plan Execute, host Ramon Parchment sits down with Renard Henry, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and Head of IT at Toyota Connected. Renard takes us through his remarkable journey from aspiring NFL player to technology leader, highlighting the pivotal moments that reshaped his career path. He shares how his passion for computer science, the discipline of martial arts, and the principle of continuous improvement have influenced both his personal and professional growth. Renard opens up about the power of mentorship, building meaningful relationships, and cultivating executive presence. He also reflects on his work with the Black Executive Men community and his own podcast, Black Belts & Boardrooms, where he explores how martial arts principles can transform leadership in the corporate world.💡 Key TakeawaysResilience matters: Renard’s transition from sports to technology shows how setbacks can lead you toward your true passion.Failure is redirection: Each challenge became a stepping stone to his career in tech.Martial arts for leadership: Jiu-Jitsu gave Renard confidence, humility, and a powerful leadership style.Relationships early on pay off: Networking and mentorship shaped his trajectory.Continuous improvement is essential: A core value at Toyota and in Renard’s personal philosophy.Executive presence is non-negotiable: It sets leaders apart in the corporate arena.Adaptability through diversity: Experience across industries builds resilience and perspective.True leadership creates leaders: Renard’s mission is to empower others to rise.Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/black-belts-and-boardrooms/id1814129333Connect with Renard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renardhenry/

Few people can say they’ve helped physically shape New York City but Bob Knakal is one of them.With over 2,351 building sales totaling $22 billion, Bob is the most prolific investment sales broker in NYC history. In this powerhouse episode of Dream Plan Execute, host Ramon Parchment sits down with the legendary dealmaker to unpack his journey from Coldwell Banker rookie to co-founding Massey Knakal, leading at Cushman & Wakefield and JLL, and now launching BKREA his AI-forward real estate firm.We dive deep into:The “territory system” that disrupted NYC brokerageHow servant leadership built one of the industry’s most influential talent pipelinesLessons from 40+ years in the trenches of NYC real estateWhy he believes AI will reshape commercial brokerage and how to stay relevantThe mindset, discipline, and drive behind 2,000+ dealsHis new book Selling Buildings and his mission to mentor the next generationPlus: rapid-fire stories, legacy reflections, and advice for new brokers breaking into the business today.🧱 Whether you’re in real estate, leadership, or just chasing excellence, this is an episode you can’t afford to miss.🎧 Listen now and don’t forget to follow + rate the show!📲 Connect with Bob:LinkedInConcrete Thoughts – Commercial ObserverBKREA

In this thought-provoking episode of Dream Plan Execute, host Ramon Parchment welcomes Garrett Rice, the Co-Founder and CEO of Callings.ai, for a deep and wide-ranging conversation on the evolving nature of work, creativity, and career resilience.Garrett’s story is anything but conventional. Before stepping into the tech startup world, he trained in wilderness survival, worked as a filmmaker, and led product innovation teams at companies like Apple and Maxon. Each chapter of his career sharpened his ability to adapt, communicate, and create—with a throughline of storytelling, strategy, and purpose.Now, as the founder of Callings.ai, Garrett is on a mission to modernize the job search experience using artificial intelligence. He shares how the platform was born out of frustration—recognizing that today's job seekers juggle a dozen different tools while navigating opaque hiring processes and algorithm-driven gatekeepers. His solution? A unified platform that helps people personalize their resumes, track their job applications like a sales funnel, prepare for interviews, and build a professional brand—all in one place.Throughout the episode, Garrett dives into his core beliefs around career growth, including why job seekers need to iterate like product designers, the rising importance of authentic networking, and how to overcome the fear of rejection that keeps so many from reaching out. He also discusses how skills like storytelling—often viewed as niche—are actually central to success in both creative and technical fields.Whether you're just starting your career, pivoting into a new field, or building your own venture, Garrett’s insights offer a grounded and energizing perspective on how to navigate uncertainty and design your career with intention.💡 Key Topics We Cover:How wilderness survival taught Garrett adaptability, self-reliance, and gritThe power of storytelling as a bridge across industries: filmmaking, tech, entrepreneurshipThe parallels between screenwriting and product development—why iteration is everythingThe rise of AI in hiring and how to stand out in algorithm-heavy job pipelinesBuilding a “job search funnel” to measure progress and improve your outreachThe myth of specialization—why today’s market favors agile, multi-skilled professionalsLetting go of fear, perfectionism, and external validation in pursuit of meaningful workHow Callings.ai is reshaping how people find, track, and apply for jobs

In this episode of Dream Plan Execute, we explore how decades of leadership in film and tech led to the creation of a platform that’s transforming how we work remotely. Tune in to hear how one founder is tackling loneliness, distraction, and disconnection in the digital workplace.In this episode, we discuss:How lessons from producing Independence Day, Die Hard 5, and The Wolverine apply to remote leadership todayThe ups and downs of managing distributed teams across industriesWhy traditional remote work setups often fail to address emotional wellbeing The origin story of The Sukha Company, a virtual co-working space designed to increase focus and human connectionSurprising stats on productivity and happiness among Sukha membersHow community, accountability, and presence are redefining productivity in the work-from-anywhere eraWhether you're leading a global team or solo-working from your kitchen table, this episode will inspire you to rethink how—and why—you work.#PodcastEpisode #RemoteWork #FutureOfWork #WorkFromAnywhere #DigitalWorkplace #RemoteLeadership #VirtualTeams

“Presence paired with precision” — that’s Kaye’s superpower. And in this episode, you’ll understand why that combination is a game-changer for leadership in any industry.I had the honor of sitting down with Kaye Bealer, Vice President of Customer Relations & Development at Brown and Caldwell, to explore the life, career, and philosophy behind one of the most dynamic leaders in the water infrastructure space.In this deep and authentic conversation, Kaye reflects on:✅ How her background as a competitive track athlete gave her the mental toughness, discipline, and focus she now brings to billion-dollar pursuits✅ What it means to really serve your clients — not just by delivering projects, but by listening deeply and showing up fully✅ Her experiences across AECOM, Tetra Tech, and as the founder of her own consulting firm, where she led major wet weather programs valued at over $12B✅ The power of strategic growth, transformational leadership, and intentional relationship-building in the infrastructure industry✅ How being a Black woman in STEM, business, and leadership has shaped her approach to building inclusive, high-performing teams💡 If you’re in engineering, water, construction, consulting, or just navigating your own journey in leadership—this episode is packed with wisdom.🎥 Watch the trailer below and tune in to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts. You’ll walk away inspired to dream bigger, plan better, and execute with precision.#DreamPlanExecute #KayeBealer #LeadershipInAction #WomenInInfrastructure #WaterFinance #BlackExcellence #ExecutiveLeadership #InfrastructureMatters #Podcast

In this episode of Dream Plan Execute, we dive into the inspiring journey of Henok Germain, who is turning passion into purpose. From the lessons learned on the rugby field to navigating the world of accounting and landing a role with the Miami Dolphins, this conversation unpacks the power of resilience, networking, and seizing opportunities.What You’ll Learn:✔️ How sports shape teamwork, discipline, and resilience in business✔️ The impact of mentorship and networking on career growth✔️ Why financial literacy is key to long-term success✔️ The role of continuous learning and self-improvement✔️ How to turn setbacks into stepping stones for success✔️ Strategies for executing goals and building a lasting legacyJoin us as we explore the mindset and strategies needed to move from survival mode to a thriving, purpose-driven life.Tune in and take control of your journey! 🚀 #DreamPlanExecute #SuccessMindset #FinancialLiteracy #Networking #Mentorship