Conquer The Darkness And Embrace Life

Most of us grew up watching NCIS on TV and thought "it would just be so cool to be like these guys!" To be in the thick of things and solve puzzles and be in the service of the American people. The life must be so exciting.   But today's guest found herself being called away from that life, to serve in a different capacity and to find success there.   In this episode of Build, former NCIS agent turned holistic leadership coach Rebecca Fitzsimmons joins Stephen Scoggins to unpack what it means to lead with radical alignment and authenticity. From overcoming fear to redefining leadership, Rebecca shares powerful insights on emotional intelligence, personal growth, and the science of energy and presence.   Highlights of this episode: How do you know you are in the path to alignment? The difference between hustle and focused intensity  How to lead from a place of wholeness, not insecurity   Whether you’re leading a team, a business, a mission—or just yourself—this conversation is your reminder to slow down, go inward, and move forward with intention.   The power of your mind and thinking and where you're placing your focus, where you're attaching your meaning is where you're putting your life force. - Rebecca Fitzsimmons   Know more about Rebecca Fitzsimmons: https://tacticalharmony.com/  Connect with Rebecca and follow her: IG @tacticalharmony  LinkedIn Rebecca Fitzsimmons Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe if this episode brought you value!  

In this deeply emotional and inspiring episode, Stephen interviews Brandy Vega, founder and CEO of Promise 2 Live. Together, they dive into the critical issue of mental health—unfiltered, unscripted, and honest. Brandy recounts her own suicide attempt at age 12 and how surviving that moment led to a life filled with purpose: from military service and motherhood to interviewing presidents and adopting children. But it was her daughter’s suicide attempt at 12—while Brandy was producing an NFL broadcast—that shattered her world and ultimately sparked the creation of Promise to Live.   Highlights of this episode: The damaging stigma around mental health and suicide. The power of a promise. A.S.K. – How you can really check in with your loved ones   This is more than a conversation. It's a movement built on courage, compassion, and a promise to live. As Brandy and Stephen reflect together, the message becomes clear: your voice, your story, your truth—can save a life.   Check out Brandy Vega at https://brandyvega.com/ Connect with Brandy and follow her in IG @brandyvega77. To know more about Promise2Live, visit promise2live.org/.

Setema Gali is on Build today with Stephen Scoggins! Setema is a Super Bowl Champ! A big man with a big heart and a huge dream to help transform people to break past their limitations. He is an entrepreneur, author, a speaker, and a coach!   In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Setema unpack the real journey behind all the accolades. But the heart of this conversation dives into what happened after the stadium lights faded—an identity crisis, financial collapse during the 2008 recession, and the humbling experience of selling his Super Bowl ring to pay bills. Setema reveals how hitting rock bottom ultimately led to his purpose: helping others transform their lives through faith, discipline, and perseverance. He opens up about embracing the “refining season” of knocking doors in his late 30s, finding peace in surrender, and discovering that true leadership requires having lived through the pain you're called to guide others through.   This episode is a masterclass in perseverance, humility, and the power of living your purpose—no matter where the path leads.   Highlights of this episode: Setema's framework for living with purpose: MTLI What is Game Changer? You can do so much more when you are surrounded by greatness   Grab Setema's new book for free! Click here. Check out Setema Gali at https://www.setemagali.com/. Connect with Joseph and follow him in IG @setemagali.

"Align your values with the life that you want and what you do on a day-to-day basis." – Ryan Hanley   In this deeply personal episode of Build, Stephen welcomes Ryan Hanley. Ryan is a TEDx speaker and thought leader. The episode dives headfirst into the challenges and breakthroughs of what it really takes to lead authentically, and the pitfalls of chasing validation over purpose.   Ryan also shares how he started and the challenges he met along the way, and the lessons he learned on his journey.   What is on this episode? o Leadership misconceptions and the ego trap o Real leadership: hiring for talent, not optics o The power of agile leadership and adaptive execution over rigid planning   This is not your typical entrepreneurial pep talk. It’s an exploration of congruence, authenticity, and the invisible gap between who we are and who we were meant to be.   Check out Ryan Hanley at https://www.findingpeak.com/. Connect with Ryan directly at [email protected].  

Personal branding is a hot topic these days, but the real question is: how do you make a real impact? How do you stand out?   Stephen Scoggins chats with Joseph Shalaby for a very interesting conversation about personal branding, AI, social media engagements, and making a mark. Joe is the founder of E Mortgage Capital, one of the largest independent mortgage platforms in the nation. He is also a very successful content creator, racking up 30-40 million views a month across all social media platforms.    On this episode, he shares how to effectively build a personal brand in today’s AI-influenced, content-driven world.    Highlights of this episode: How to leverage AI to get ahead Be like a TV show – using social media platforms effectively What is working and what isn’t working?   If you're interested to drive traffic to your business, this is an episode you would want to hear.   Check out Joseph Shalaby at https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-s-7611718/. Connect with Joseph and follow him in IG @josephshalaby.  

"This is my situation, I need to accept it, but I don't need to wallow in it. I love myself enough to move forward." – Ian Bowen   Hey everyone, welcome back to another awesome episode of Build with your host, Stephen Scoggins. Today, we've got a special guest - Ian Bowen. Ian is a coach and an entrepreneur, and he's got an incredible story to share about resilience, persistence, and having a strong sense of self-belief.   You won't believe what happened to Ian - the experts told him he couldn't walk, but he refused to let that stop him. He decided that doesn't define who he is. It's a story of incredible strength and determination.   What to expect in this conversation: • Ian's journey from paralysis to coaching success • The RINSE method of physical transformation • Exploring alternative routes to healing   Everyone holds limitless potential within, and the path to realizing it lies in self-awareness, energetic alignment, and a willingness to evolve. So, hop in and let's get inspired to go beyond our dreams!   Check out Ian Bowen at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-r-bowen/. Connect with Ian and follow him in IG @ianrbowen.  

What's the difference between a poor man and a rich man? The answer is not what you think.   Welcome back to Build! We're here to bring you someone amazing, inspiring, and world-class. Today, we've got Stephen interviewing Coach Michael Burt. Coach Burt is the mastermind behind The Greatness Factory and the creator of "Prey Drive." He's passionate about helping others unlock their full potential, and he's gone from coaching high school teams to writing, speaking, and building a business that changes lives.   What can you learn from this episode? Why is skill set alone not enough? Flip The Switch: How can you turn on your "prey drive"? 4 questions to ask to know your primary skill   Coach Burt said in his book, "You can't delegate your aspirations." So, hop in, learn, and get activated!   Check out Coach Micheal Burt at https://www.coachburt.com/. Connect with Coach Burt and follow him in IG @michealburt.

I’ve got a story in my head about you — can you help me figure out if it’s true?  Sometimes the hardest conversations lead to the biggest breakthroughs. Hey everyone, and welcome back to the podcast! Today, we've got the amazing Ryan Leak joining us. Ryan is a highly sought-after speaker, executive coach, and author of books that offer a transformative approach to leadership. In this episode, Stephen and Ryan explores the mind blogging world of working with people who can be a bit tricky. What are the key skills we need to build strong collaborations with those who may seem complicated? Here are some key takeaways from the episode: Avoid, Change, Cancel, or Understand? – How should you effectively approach tensions in relationships at home or at work First impression is not fair The Power of an Open and Honest Conversation The Story in Your Head: The Lies You Remember   If you're a leader and you're struggling to connect with your team, or if you're currently dealing with a draining situation, this episode is definitely worth checking out.    Check out Ryan Leak at https://www.ryanleak.com/. Connect with Ryan and follow him in IG (@ryan_leak).

What if the secret to building a thriving business wasn’t more hustle, but alignment? In this episode of BUILD, Stephen Scoggins sits down with JM Ryerson, entrepreneur, bestselling author of Let's Go Win, and peak performance coach, for a raw, powerful conversation about building a meaningful life from the inside out. JM shares how he sold 3 companies, faced near-divorce, lost his father to suicide, and completely reinvented himself by finally getting aligned with who he really is. If you’re tired of building success that doesn’t feel successful… this episode is your wake-up call. Topics we cover: - Why hustle culture is broken (and what to do instead) - How to make decisions that are always in alignment - Healing your body to unlock your mind - Spirituality, stillness, and connecting to your higher self - How to rebuild your life after loss, pain, or burnout - The truth about vulnerability, masculinity, and redemption Connect with JM Ryerson: Website: https://letsgowin.com Instagram: @letsgowin365 Podcast: Let’s Go Win Podcast

Why are you so tired all the time even when you think you’re doing everything right? Dr. Amy Shah, bestselling author of I'm So Effing Tired, joins Stephen Scoggins on BUILD to break down the real root causes of modern fatigue, burnout, and hormonal imbalance—especially for high-achievers and women. In this powerful episode, Amy reveals how our brains are being hijacked by food companies, why burnout is wired into the way society functions, and how you can reprogram your body using circadian fasting, sunlight exposure, gut health, and better boundaries. Whether you’re chasing peak performance or trying to reclaim your energy, this is a must-watch. Grab Amy’s Book: https://www.imsoeffingtired.com Learn More: https://www.amymdwellness.com Subscribe for more powerful interviews that help you BUILD your business, your mindset, and your life.