Bella Vasta didn’t stumble into systems, hiring, or AI. She earned them through necessity. From building a six-figure pet sitting business in Scottsdale to navigating NICU nights, divorce, and reinvention, Bella’s story is a masterclass in resilience, identity, and intentional infrastructure.

In this conversation, we unpack why most business owners resist systems until crisis forces their hand, how AI is not replacing human connection but protecting it, and why alignment, not grind, is the real unlock for sustainable success.

If you’re running your business on gut instinct and prayer, this episode will challenge you in the best way.

Key Takeaways

1. Systems aren’t restrictive—they’re what allow freedom during life’s hardest seasons

2. AI isn’t about speed; it’s about reclaiming your genius

3. Hiring is marketing—and culture is a two-way love letter

4. Nervous system regulation is a business skill, not a luxury

5. Alignment beats effort when effort is misdirected

Quotes

• “If you’re in business long enough, something will happen and your systems will decide if you survive it.”

• “AI doesn’t replace your humanity. It protects it.”

• “Hiring isn’t transactional. It’s relational.”

• “Your business will never outgrow your identity.”

• “Ease isn’t laziness. It’s alignment.”

Connect with Bella

• Instagram & Facebook: @BellaVasta

___________________________________________________________________________________

Stay Connected & Take Action

✅ Clarity | Coaching | Consistency | Community → NextLevelHQ.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Alignment First. Progress Always.

#AlignmentFirst #Leadership #AIForBusiness #SystemsThinking #Entrepreneurship #HiringSystems #FounderLife #PeacePresencePower

This episode is a deep, honest exploration of what happens after the uniform comes off. I got to jam with Ed Lubowicki—former Notre Dame lacrosse player, ex–Deloitte consultant, and founder of Lubowicki Performance Advisory—to unpack the identity shift athletes face when sport ends, and how to intentionally transcend and include the best parts of that chapter into the next one.

Ed shares insights from 400+ conversations with athletes navigating life beyond competition, challenging the narrative that “athletes die twice,” and reframing transition as a bigger Plan A: not a fallback.

In this conversation we explore stoicism, process over outcomes, intentional adversity, and why support systems matter more than willpower alone.

Key takeaways

• Why most athletes undervalue their lived experience, and how that creates friction post-sport

• The difference between knowing resilience and practicing it through intentional adversity

• How identity stories can stall momentum; and how to update the narrative without erasing the past

• Why outcomes don’t tell the whole story, and how to reclaim agency through process

• How to rebuild the scaffolding of support that once existed in sport

Quotes

• “Athletes don’t need an option B. They need a bigger option A.”

• “You don’t just fall out of shape or alignment. You fall out of a system.”

• “Resilience isn’t learned in theory. It’s earned in experience.”

• “The story that got you here might not be the one that keeps you here.”

Connect with the Guest

• Website: https://luboadvisory.com

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edlubowicki/

_____________________________________________________________

Stay Connected & Take Action

✅ Clarity | Coaching | Consistency | Community → NextLevelHQ.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

✅ Subscribe to the Next Level Substack → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://nextlevelalignment.substack.com/

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

Partners & Sponsors

@ThorneHealth → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thorne.com/u/progressalways

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Alignment First. Progress Always!

#AlignmentFirst #AthletesBeyondSport #IdentityWork #LeadershipDevelopment #ProgressAlways

In this episode, I sit down with Rita Hudgens, holistic mindset life coach and founder of Transform University, for a grounded, coach-to-coach conversation on identity, flow, healing, and what it really means to build a life that feels aligned, not just impressive on paper.

What began as a reconnection through shared space at the gym evolves into a deep dialogue on mountaintops and valleys, hustle culture, redefining contribution, and the courage required to outgrow identities that once fueled success but now quietly drain peace.

Rita shares her journey through near-death illness, divorce, long-haul COVID, and decades of leadership alongside professional athletics: revealing how self-awareness, faith, and intentional action became the foundation of Transform University. I got to reflect on my own evolution from force-driven leadership to alignment-first living, unpacking how presence, time, and legacy become the real metrics of success.

This conversation is honest, reflective, and deeply human: especially for high performers who have achieved a lot but sense there’s a more integrated way to live, lead, and serve.

Key Takeaways

• Alignment isn’t about doing less—it’s about doing what matters most

• Flow is a promise that must be protected intentionally

• Identity evolves fastest when environment and circles of influence evolve too

• Healing and growth require action, not just belief

• Time isn’t managed—it’s invested

Notable Quotes

• “Our strengths can be overused just as easily as they can be underused.”

• “Flow is when you’re no longer hitting your head against life.”

• “You don’t get the promise unless you act on it.”

• “We don’t need balance—we need harmony.”

• “It takes a lot of work to make life feel effortless.”

Connect with Rita
Transform University → https://transformuniversity.net

Linkedin → https://www.linkedin.com/in/rita-hudgens/

___________________________________________________________________________________

Stay Connected & Take Action

✅ Clarity | Coaching | Consistency | Community → NextLevelHQ.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

✅ Subscribe to the Next Level Substack → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://nextlevelalignment.substack.com/

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

Partners & Sponsors

@ThorneHealth → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thorne.com/u/progressalways

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@StrongCoffee → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠strongcoffeecompany.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Code: NEXTLEVEL15

Alignment First. Progress Always

#AlignmentFirst #LeadershipDevelopment #HolisticCoaching #MindsetMatters #FlowState #IdentityWork #HighPerformance #PersonalGrowth #Presence #ProgressAlways

In this episode of Alignment First, Mycal sits down with Corbin Smith, a 30-year coaching veteran, founder of MTTS Sports Group, author of More Than the Scoreboard, and host of the More Than the Scoreboard podcast.

Corbin shares the raw reality of transitioning from athlete to coach, navigating loyalty in the coaching profession, and why self-leadership is the foundation of every great team, family, and organization. From locker-room lessons to parenting adult children, this conversation is a masterclass in integrity, accountability, and alignment.

Key Takeaways

• Why self-leadership is the non-negotiable foundation of all leadership

• The difference between loyalty and alignment in modern coaching and business

• How peer leadership creates more leaders—not followers

• Why honesty without tact fails, and tact without honesty is manipulation

• How great leaders zoom in and out without losing their North Star

Notable Quotes

• “Leadership isn’t a position—it’s a service.” - Corbin

• “If you can’t lead yourself, everything above it collapses.” - Corbin

• “The best leaders don’t create followers; they create leaders.” - Corbin

• “Imposter syndrome usually means you’re standing at the edge of growth.” - Corbin

• “You don’t avoid failure as a leader—you learn how to respond to it.” - Corbin

Connect with Corbin

• Website: https://mttssportsgroup.com/

• Podcast: More Than the Scoreboard (YouTube, Spotify, Apple)

• Book: More Than the Scoreboard (coming soon)

Stay Connected & Take Action
✅ Clarity | Coaching | Consistency | Community → NextLevelHQ.co
✅ Ready to be the Fittest Leader Possible? → CoachDerz.com/blog
✅ Subscribe to the Next Level Substack → https://nextlevelalignment.substack.com/
✅ Subscribe to Progress Always on Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/5DmNDDIPLiYIfO278S32hM

Partners & Sponsors
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@StrongCoffee → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠strongcoffeecompany.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Code: NEXTLEVEL15

@ThorneHealth → thorne.com/u/progressalways

#Leadership #SelfLeadership #Coaching #AthleteToLeader #AlignmentFirst #ProgressAlways

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Joseph Cancilla, founder of Hana Events & Experiences, United States Marine Corps veteran, and experiential architect creating emotionally resonant events at scale. What begins as a shared Marine Corps bond evolves into a deep conversation about grief, empathy, nervous system regulation, and what it actually takes to lead with presence instead of pressure.

Joseph opens up about unlearning Marine Corps conditioning in civilian leadership, avoiding grief through busyness, and how meditation, breathwork, and embodiment reshaped both his leadership style and his business model.

Together, they explore why slowing down is not weakness, how emotional intelligence creates better outcomes, and why aligned leaders create experiences that move people—not just impress them.

Key Takeaways

• Leadership often requires unlearning before growth becomes possible

• Empathy can exist without lowering standards

• Grief avoided becomes friction; grief processed becomes wisdom

• Stillness and embodiment lead to clearer decisions

• Emotional resonance creates lasting leadership impact

Quotes

• “Every decision in the Marine Corps is framed as life or death—and that doesn’t translate cleanly to civilian leadership.” – Mycal Anders

• “Validation doesn’t mean agreement—it means honoring someone’s lived experience.” – Joseph Cancilla

• “Slowing down was the only way I could finally feel again.” – Joseph Cancilla

• “If nobody’s given you permission to be great, this is it.” – Mycal Anders

Connect with Joseph Cancilla

• 🌐 Website: https://www.hana.events

• 📸 Instagram: @hanaaroundtheworld

• 🔗 LinkedIn: Joseph Cancilla

Stay Connected & Take Action
✅ Clarity | Coaching | Consistency | Community → https://nextlevelhq.co
✅ Ready to be the Fittest Leader Possible? → https://go.coachderz.com/blog
✅ Subscribe to the Next Level Substack → https://nextlevelalignment.substack.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 — Code: NEXTLEVEL15

Alignment First. Progress Always!

#AlignmentFirst #ProgressAlways #VeteranLeadership #EmbodiedLeadership #EmotionalIntelligence #MarineCorpsMindset #LeadershipDevelopment #EventExperience

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Jessica Depatie—producer, podcaster, shadow work educator, and branding consultant—for a deep conversation on identity, harmonics, and why true alignment matters more than marketing tactics. We explore how inner coherence shapes outer expression and what it really means to lead, and brand, from integrity.

Key Takeaways

1. Niching down fails when your work operates at a principled, not professional, level

2. Alignment creates resonance; optimization creates burnout

3. Standing out feels dangerous only when identity lags behind expression

4. The most powerful brands are revealed, not manufactured

5. Leadership becomes art when coherence replaces performance

Quotes

• “The most powerful brand isn’t engineered, it’s revealed.” – Jessica Depatie

• “We’re not optimizing humans; we’re harmonizing them.” – Mycal Anders

• “Fear of being seen is often fear of our own judgment.” – Jessica Depatie

Connect with Jessica Depatie

• Website: https://shadowmedia.group

• Substack & Projects: Available via her website

___________________________________________________________________________________

Stay Connected & Take Action

✅ Clarity | Coaching | Consistency | Community → NextLevelHQ.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

✅ Subscribe to the Next Level Substack → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://nextlevelalignment.substack.com/

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

Partners & Sponsors

@ThorneHealth → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thorne.com/u/progressalways

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Alignment First. Progress Always.

#AlignmentFirst#ProgressAlways#FittestLeader#LeadershipDevelopment#HighPerformanceHabits#ExecutiveAthlete#MindsetMastery#PersonalGrowthJourney#PeakPerformanceCoaching#NextLevelLeadership#Podcast

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Christalyne Causey, former burned-out healthcare worker turned medspa owner and performance-focused health strategist. We unpack why burnout isn’t a motivation problem. It’s a hormone and nervous system problem. From stress chemistry and dopamine addiction to sleep deprivation and modern lifestyle design, this conversation delivers practical insight into restoring balance, performance, and human connection.

Key Takeaways

1) Burnout is often biological, not psychological: chronic stress suppresses key hormones like testosterone and serotonin

2) Dopamine overstimulation blocks deeper connection, fulfillment, and bonding hormones

3) Resistance training and daily movement are powerful tools for stress regulation and longevity

4) Whole foods support hormone production by reducing inflammation and nutrient depletion

5) Sleep is the foundation of recovery: chronic deprivation accelerates aging and burnout

Quotes

• “Burnout isn’t a character flaw. It’s your biology waving a red flag.” – Mycal Anders

• “Dopamine addiction is quietly destroying our ability to connect.” – Christalyne Causey

• “You don’t need optimization. You need restoration.” – Christalyne Causey

Connect with Christalyne Causey

Website: https://thebareeffect.com

Instagram: @thecauseyeffect

___________________________________________________________________________________

Stay Connected & Take Action

✅ Clarity | Coaching | Consistency | Community → NextLevelHQ.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

✅ Subscribe to the Next Level Substack → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://nextlevelalignment.substack.com/

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

Partners & Sponsors

@ThorneHealth → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thorne.com/u/progressalways

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@StrongCoffee → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠strongcoffeecompany.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Code: NEXTLEVEL15

Alignment First. Progress Always.

#AlignmentFirst#ProgressAlways#FittestLeader#LeadershipDevelopment#HighPerformanceHabits#ExecutiveAthlete#MindsetMastery#PersonalGrowthJourney#PeakPerformanceCoaching#NextLevelLeadership#Podcast

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Mo Fitzgerald — former NWSL player, strategist, facilitator, and founder of Play Street Studio — to explore why play is not a distraction from performance, but a catalyst for it.We unpack the loss of identity athletes experience after sport, the isolation of leadership and entrepreneurship, and why modern workplaces are starving for connection, creativity, and presence. Mo breaks down how play functions as a love language, a leadership practice, and a competitive advantage — not fluff, not recreation, but a disciplined way to build culture, trust, and innovation.

Key Takeaways

1) Play is wired into human biology and is essential for connection, creativity, and adaptation

2) The best leaders facilitate wisdom already inside their teams instead of extracting answers

3) Creativity is a practice — if teams don’t train it, they can’t access it under pressure

4) Seriousness is often mistaken for rigor, but play and excellence are not opposites

5) In-person connection creates exponential impact that technology cannot replace

Quotes

• “Play isn’t juvenile — it’s how humans connect, adapt, and create.”

• “If you don’t practice creativity, it won’t show up when you need it.”

• “Leadership isn’t about engagement — it’s about who you choose to lead for.”

• “We haven’t updated how we work to match how people actually learn.”

• “Play creates culture. Culture creates performance.”

Connect with Mo Fitzgerald

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mofitzgerald

• Website: https://playstreetstudio.com

• Instagram: @momofitzz

___________________________________________________________________________________

Stay Connected & Take Action

✅ Clarity | Coaching | Consistency | Community → NextLevelHQ.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

✅ Subscribe to the Next Level Substack → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://nextlevelalignment.substack.com/

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

Partners & Sponsors

@ThorneHealth → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thorne.com/u/progressalways

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@StrongCoffee → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠strongcoffeecompany.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Code: NEXTLEVEL15

Alignment First. Progress Always.

#AlignmentFirst#ProgressAlways#FittestLeader#LeadershipDevelopment#HighPerformanceHabits#ExecutiveAthlete#MindsetMastery#PersonalGrowthJourney#PeakPerformanceCoaching#NextLevelLeadership#Podcast