Elevation Nation

We all know the phrase “work life balance”. Whether we see it in articles, in the news or hear our employer talk about it, it’s a common term. However, do we always have a work life balance? Is there a reason why work comes before life in the phrase? We talk about some of our work life imbalances and how we go about leveling the scale.

Rahul Vinod is the co-founder of Rasa, a fast-casual Indian restaurant based in Washington D.C. While growing up, Rahul and his co-founder, Sahil Rahman, saw their parents bring Indian cuisine to America through their restaurants. Inspired by their cultural roots, their parents' entrepreneurial drive, and a lack of fulfillment in corporate America, Rahul and Sahil set out to create their own take on Indian food. With three restaurants (and more to come), Rahul and Sahil are on a mission to bring together their American and Indian roots to share the authentic flavors of their youth with the DMV community.In this episode, we talk with Rahul about:Realizing the corporate grind wasn’t for himHow Rahul and Sahil went about quitting and starting RasaHow Rasa plans to inspire taste buds with its Indian foodWebsiteRahul’s LinkedIn

Parker recently came back from a week long trip in Punta Cana. While he spent time to unwind and relax, he also disconnected completely from the outside world by turning off his phone for the week. We talk through his six day experience and what he realized about how digitally connected we actually are.

AJ Eckstein is an entrepreneur and product marketing consultant. As the Founder of The Final Round, the go-to career platform to knock out the competition and advance past the final round interview, AJ and his team are on a mission to democratize fun, tailored, and high-quality career advice. In this episode, we talk with AJ about:College to CareerDelivering an effective elevator pitchBalancing entrepreneurship and 9-5What hobbies can teach about happinessLinkedInWebsitePodcast

Former guest John Camardella posed a question to us the other day: Are young adults in your generation generally happy and content with their lives. In this episode, we discuss our thoughts on the thought provoking question and try to come with terms with what might be a harsh reality.

Sarah Figueroa is the Founder and CEO of GeoJam, the ultimate social media platform for music that’s trusted by world top artists including Mariah Carey, Machine Gun Kelly, 24kGoldn, and more. At 27 years old, Sarah is a four time entrepreneur who has been featured in The New York Times, Cheddar and Grit Daily.GeoJam's mission is to build the creator economy of the future that redirects the flow of incentives back in the hands of the creators and users themselves.In this episode, we talk with Sarah about..The mission behind GeoJamWhat it is like to be a founder through the pandemicCreator economy and cryptocurrencyHaving more responsibility with more successSarah - LinkedInGeoJam - WebsiteHow One Entrepreneur Changed Her Business Model in the Pandemic - The New York Times

The best critics are ones who tell it to us straight but also provide positive reinforcement with the things we are doing well. Sam and Parker discuss some of their experiences with criticism and how it can be both a blessing and a curse.

Joey Lane, the first guest ever on Elevation Nation rejoins the guys to catch up. Joey is a sales consultant a NetJets, former Ohio State basketball player, and current TV personality. It's been 516 days since our first recording with Joey and in this episode we talk about what he has been up to, his hobbies and lessons learned from both work and basketball.Dream CollectionsMarch Madness PredictionsFan Q&ALife as a TV Personalty

With the sweet sixteen of March Madness around the corner, we discuss the awesomeness of an underdog story and how sometimes the David’s of the world overcome a Goliath.

Jordan Gross is reimagining personal development. He is a published author and therapist guiding people to think differently and make daring changes in their lives. Jordan is trailblazing in the personal development field by using creative storytelling to allow people to gather their own insights from the characters he creates and the stories he shares.We talk with Jordan about:Young AdulthoodHis platform: ImagitivetationThe concept of a secure basePersonal development through storytellingJordan received his Masters of Social Work from New York University, Masters of Management Studies and Bachelors in Economics from Northwestern University.LinkedIn

Sam was scrolling on TikTok earlier this week and heard a story about a celebrity who is stepping outside of his comfort zone and going to work in a Walmart for an extended period of time. We talk about his decision and how "breaking the norm" can only lead to elevation in the real world.

Yahiya Shalgheen is a Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT) practitioner based in Las Vegas, NV. Growing up as a gay man in Syria, Yahiya never felt accepted by the culture or the community. Looking for acceptance and a fresh start, he sought refuge in the United States. However, after his move, he continued to struggle, until one transformational moment...In this episode, we talk with Yahiya about these experiences and how that helped him find himself. Now, he is on a mission to help others realize their self-worth in the real world.InstagramWebsiteLinkedIn

We recently had a guest on the podcast (his episode will be released in a couple of weeks) who explained how everything has some sort of a contradiction. We couldn’t get enough of this thought and wanted to discuss on this week’s Fortitude in 15. Does everything really have a contradiction? If so, what can we do about it?

Zach Novoselksy is the founder and CEO of BuzzU, a software company which uses artificial intelligence to determine college athlete's marketability. Zach, a former Division 1 football player is on a mission to give teams and individual athletes the tools they need to monetize and brand themselves backed by data.Entrepreneurship is not new to Zach. BuzzU is the third company that he has started since 2019. A graduate of the Western Michigan University Haworth School of Business, Zach is challenging the status quo in sports and on his way to making his mark in the real world.In this episode we discuss:What is NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) and how it affects college athletesRunning your own raceDefinitions of successHow the impact of NIL goes beyond money with BuzzULinkedInBuzzU - WebsiteBuzzU - Instagram

Sam and Parker discuss their thoughts on the on-going conflict in Ukraine.

Yuval Teren is a human analyst, mentalist & executive coach that performs and lectures about the secrets of how to get inside the human mind and influence it. He has shared his knowledge with audiences around the world. Native to Israel, Yuval has even used his skills in the Army where he is known to be the Israeli Defense Force's only "mind reader".In this episode, we talk with Yuval about:How living a happy life starts with your mindsetThe challenging with controlling your realityHow we can change the way we perceive thingsWebsiteLinkedInInstagram

This week, Parker had an interesting thought on idea of silence and how we often avoid it because it feels "awkward" in social settings. However, silence can make any conversation more meaningful and effective. We debate on this Fortitude in 15.

Taylor Borenstein and Millie Blumka are the co-founders of Stakt, a versatile exercise mat that provides extra support for yoga and fitness regimens. They developed the product out of necessity as Taylor and Millie couldn’t find the exercise mat that met their needs. Now, after selling out of their product in their initial launch, they are on a mission to share their invention with the world, while empowering others to stay balanced.While Taylor and Millie are navigating the murky water of entrepreneurship, they are also trying to figure out the real world managing their full-time jobs, family, friends and maintaining their personal well-being. For them, it all starts with balance…In this episode, we talk with them aboutWhy they started StaktHow they balance their relationship between being co-founders and friendsImportance of trustBalancing work with personal lifeTaylor’s LinkedInMillie’s LinkedInStakt - WebsiteStakt - Instagram

The Los Angeles Rams just won the Super Bowl! On paper, many think that they had the best roster in the NFL all season. While their coach Sean McVay knew that he had a talented team, he emphasized a focus on an intangible to help them reach glory: Positive PsychologyThis week we talk about positive psychology and how we can apply it to our lives. Reference: https://www.inc.com/justin-bariso/super-bowl-2022-rams-bengals-positive-psychology-emotional-intelligence.html

Carter Russ is the Co-Founder and CEO of Champions Round, a simplified micro-sports fantasy game. Champions Round breaks fantasy sports into 4-6 week rounds, creating more engagement among all players. Recently, Carter and his team raised $3M in seed funding. Carter has been an entrepreneur for some time now. However, as Champions Round continues to grow and make an impact in the fantasy sports world, the team takes on more pressure. We talk with Carter about the side of entrepreneurship that most do not see in the forefront, including the challenges, stresses, and mental fortitude that comes with each day.In this episode, we talk with Carter about:What is Champions Round?An unlikely path to the start-up worldThe other-side of entrepreneurshipPressures of leadershipLinkedInChampions Round WebsiteChampions Round Instagram

With the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in full swing, we discuss an article titled The Odd Anguish of the Silver Medalist by Dr. Laurie Santos. First place is always happy. Third place is just glad to be on the podium. But what about second place. Dr. Santos explains why the silver medalist is usually the most dissatisfied with their standing. We discuss on this week’s Fortitude in 15.

Christian Van Camp is the founder of CVC Wellness, a company focused on helping people who seek inspiration, self-help or science-backed holistic health and wellness advice. As stated on his website, Christian believes "balance is having a grasp on all the elements in your life. You don’t feel like your heart or mind are being excessively tugged in any one direction. You feel nourished, grounded, healthy, clear-headed, and eager to do what you love."Using the wellness wheel focused on the dimensions of both physical and mental health, Christian has helped clients for more than four years on their holistic journey.In this episode, we talk with Christian about:What is holistic wellness?How physical fitness can be the foundation for creating good holistic habitsReinventing yourselfNutritionWebsiteInstagram

With social media, phones attached to our hip and the media in our face everywhere we go (as it seems), there are so many pieces of information that we absorb on a given day. We talk through through how the overwhelming amount of information that we take in on a given day can be very overwhelming and our thoughts on how this might create polarizing perspectives on important topics.

Justin Lafazan and Dylan Gambardella are the founders of Next Gen HQ, a company that is focused on the helping the next generation of leaders succeed at life and work. They started the company almost ten years and have been providing Momentum to people who want to be the driver of their life. Justin, Dylan and their team have created a Leadership Development Platform called Momentum that includes the community, education, resources, and mentorship young leaders need to achieve the success they desire. In this episode, we talk with Justin and Dylan about:-Getting in the driver's seat of your life-The power of momentum-Growth mindsets-How anyone can be an entrepreneurNext Gen HQJustin Lafazan - LinkedInDylan Gambardella - LinkedIn

Day after day the stock market just seems to continue to be in the red. As a young adult, this may feel a little daunting after continuing to see the money invested in 401Ks, crypto, stocks, etc drop. We talk about our thoughts on the recent downturn in the market. Disclaimer: These are our opinions. We are not financial experts.

Miles Robertson is a positivity enthusiast. He lives his life by focusing on bringing his best self to the world each day. His LinkedIn bio says it perfectly..."I am passionate about bringing out the best in others. My mission in life is to bring people together for the betterment of each other and positively open people’s minds to the infinite potential that there is in life. I want to connect the world in meaningful ways, and tell people’s stories.In this episode we talk about:The impact meditation can have Positive energyPower of self-awarenessHis experience at an Ayurveda Retreat

Do you consciously think about the past and future? What about the present?We constantly live life thinking about what has happened and what will happen. But what happens when we focus on the here and now? We talk all about the book 10% Happier by Dan Harris and how you can start to be more mindful to improve your happiness... today!

Brandon Lyons is a Paralympic athlete for the US mens cycling team and is training for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Additionally, Brandon is an Assistant Director at EY. A year and a half after graduating college and starting his full time job with EY, Brandon dove head first into three feet of water in Ocean City, MD. At 24 years, Brandon’s life would change forever. Shortly after the accident, Brandon used tremendous resilience to continue his life. Months later he returned to work and completed marathon with a road cycling bike that was gifted to him. Eight years later, Brandon has worked up the ranks at EY and is in the process of training for the Olympics. In this episode, we speak with Brandon about:The accident that changed his lifeHow he accepted his new reality and changed his mindsetUsing resilience to find a new purpose in work and lifePerspectiveTraining for the OlympicsTeam USA BioInstagramLinkedIn

We are introducing something new to Elevation Nation! The MENTAL MOTTO. The mental motto is a slogan, phrase, quote, mantra that we live by for this year. For now on, we are going to ask all our guests to share their mental motto with Elevation Nation. Additionally, we want to hear your mental motto! Send us a picture of your mental motto, provide us with a reason why you choose it and we will share it on our Instagram and website!

Brad Kraut is a Junior at Penn State University. However, he is not your average student. Brad interns at Cuts (apparel brand), is the Marketing Director for Jerpa (apparel brand), was a former Penn State cheerleader, and now trying to share his message and experiences on Instagram and TikTok with millions of viewsWe talk with Brad about:Doing things your way as a college studentLiving outside the comfort zoneBlocking the noiseWhy he is sharing his story/message on social mediaInstagramTikTok

Every new year people set New Years resolutions in hope to achieve new goals and find some new “elevation” in their lives. However, people quickly realize that they forgot their goals and are back to their old self. We give our take on new years resolutions and how you can find fulfillment everyday with a slight switch on how you think about setting and achieving goals.

Sam Levin is an expat living his best life in Mexico. Working as a Business Development Representative for Bucket Listers (a community for explorers), Sam moved from New York City to San Miguel de Allende, without knowing a single person in his new city. He has taken on a love for mindfulness and spends much of his time journaling, meditating, visualizing and teaching the practice to others. We talk with Sam about:What is mindfulness Benefits of mindfulness for young adultsMoving to a new country without knowing a single personSam leads us in a mindfulness sessionLinkedInInstagram

The pandemic has been going on for almost two full years and it doesn't look like it is going anyway anytime soon. Although the holidays are approaching, it is of the upmost importance that we continue to take care of our mental health. In this episode, Sam and Parker describe some mental health resources that you can use.Happy Holidays!

Marissa Robinson is a certified Mental Health Counselor and psychotherapist at myTherapyNYC where she specializes in helping people with depression, anxiety relationship issues life and career transition, intimacy issues, sexuality, family issues, and addiction. She received her Masters of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Johns Hopkins University.We talk with her about:Male mental health stereotypesEmotional intelligenceBenefits of therapyMental tips for working from homeLinkedInInstagram

As a young adult, we are always trying to chase goals whether they are in the job, in the gym, with friends and family or ourselves. Sometimes however, this sense of a continuous drive to "overachieve" can leave us feeling overwhelmed, lost or even disconnected. In this episode, we talk about an article written in Harvard Business Review by Dina Smith called "How to Dial It Back When You're a Chronic Overachiever" and her advice for building better habits while still trying to accomplish goals.Article - Harvard Business Review

Jordan Monaghan is the Press Secretary at the State of North Carolina Office of the Governor. Jordan has always looked for ways to make a difference in the community. He has was the Student Body President at Wake Forest University, has held many positions in the government world and volunteered in multiple countries oversees. As you can imagine, Jordan has experienced many transitions in his few years in the real world that has affected both his personal and professional life. In this episode we talk about:How to overcome the anxiety of life transitionsHow Jordan came out as gay early in college which led him to find clarity in lifeThe challenge of working in politicsHow Gen Z is going to make an impact in the worldLinkedInTwitter

Ashley Whillans is a professor at Harvard Business School. She recently gave a Ted Talk discussing how the “always on” culture is ruining well-being of employees. In her talk, she gives 3 strategies to better protect our time.This week, we talk about the idea of reframing we rest and how we need to be intentional about differentiating work with our personal lives. Check out Ashley’s Ted Talk here: 3 Rules for a Better Work-Life Balance

RJ Kaminski is the Senior Manager of Brand at the Premier Lacrosse League. Whether he is on the lacrosse field interviewing a professional athlete, raising money for Shootout for Soldiers or navigating life as a young adult, there is one thing for certain, RJ always brings authentic energy everywhere he goes. RJ’s story of fulfilling a dream in journalism started when he was a young boy and now he is in the “pros” trying to conquer the real world. We talk about:- Taking an unorthodox journalism route out of college- Handling criticism- Being your authentic selfInstagramTwitterPLLElevation Nation InstagramElevation Nation Website

Dr. Laurie Santos teaches a class at Yale called “The Science of Well-being”. Every week she sends a newsletter out about different topics that are top of mind for her, all centered around wellbeing. Recently, Dr. Santos released a newsletter titled “Find Your Flow”. This week, we talk about the idea of a “flow state” and how we are able to find our flow in the real world as young adults.Check out Dr. Santos’ newsletter here

Our guest this week is the former president of William and Mary Law School Class of 2021 and LBGTQ+ advocate, Nicky Agyevi-Armah. Nicky's story of finding her true self, breaking barriers, and inspiring the next generation of diverse leaders will have you ready to find your fire!We talk about:- Immigrant parent expectations- Accepting your authentic self- LBGTQ+ community in the professional worldNicky's LinkedInElevation Nation InstagramElevation Nation WebsiteLeave us a review below!

For 25 week’s Parker has been training for the largest physical feat of his life; The Philadelphia Marathon. All this time later, we record an episode while Parker in the middle of this life achievement using mental fortitude to get across the finish line.Coming to you from mile 18…..

Joe Rinaldi is on a mission to help people find strength in their struggle.Due to an eye condition, he has been losing his eyesight since he was a child. We talk with Joe about growing up knowing the inevitable in his life and why he continues to remind people that he is grateful for going blind.Joe even exclaims, "what I have lost in sight, I have gained in vision".As you can imagine, Joe bleeds mental fortitude.Website/BlogInstagramLinktree

Over the weekend, Sam had some free time on his hands and instead of feeling positive about it, he found himself feeling alone and a bit deflated. This week on Fortitude in 15, we talk about why Sam felt this way and what he did about it. Parker chimes in on his thoughts on how Sam could make the most of his time alone and how he actually felt the complete opposite with almost no alone time.

Matt McPartlin has been destined his whole life to work in politics in Washington D.C. Currently, he works as a Principal at Precision Strategies, a public relations and communications strategy agency based in Washington D.C. We talk with Matt about the pressure of following his family footsteps and how he goes about elevating his life while prioritizing and focusing on making a difference in the lives of the American people.LinkedInInstagram

After over a year of The Elevation Nation Podcast, we have hit the 100th episode! In this episode, we reflect on the 100 conversations that we had and some of the lessons learned along the way.Thank you to everyone who has supported the Elevation Nation journey and to the nation of people who have listened to our conversations about how to conquer the real world. We hope you have been able to gain the mental fortitude to elevate yourself. While this is a milestone for Elevation Nation, we will not be going anywhere. Stay tuned for some exciting things to come! Here’s to the next 100 episodes ❤️

Two best friend entrepreneurs Dean Sisun and Jake Benzaquen join The Elevation Nation Podcast for a conversation about their sports betting company Prophet Exchange. Prophet is a peer to peer sports betting exchange that is launching in the United States. We talk with Dean and Jake about how they both quit their full time jobs to go all in out their company and what life is like for them as they continue to use mental fortitude to bet on their future.https://prophetexchange.com/Dean’s LinkedInJake’s LinkedIn

Elevation Nation! This week we are switching things up a bit and throwing it all the way back to an episode that we released on April 4, 2021. As new people have joined the Nation, we wanted to bring back this episode to highlight what is Elevation Nation, our backgrounds and why we are on a mission to help young adults conquer the real world!

Creativity is typically seen as an art form. From design to fashion and music to food, creativity is all around us. However, for Landren Rosenbloom being creative is not just about art, it's about life as a whole.From creating his own major at college to landing his dream job, Landen has used his creativity to create the life he has dreamed of. We talk with Landen about how he continues to drive creativity both in his job as an A&R manager in the music biz as well as after work in his personal life.LinkedIn

Each day, we only have 24 hours. Time is finite, consistent, and always seems to move faster than we would like. Sam and Parker explore how they have dealt with growing responsibilities and the feeling of less time in the day as they provide their advice to manage time.

For those who do not know Liv Schreiber, she is a rockstar making her presence known in the real world. She is the co-founder of Brand Caffeine, a marketing agency focused on jolting Direct-To-Consumer brands. While Liv loves helping others "caffeinate" their brand, she has built a massive following of her own on Instagram and TikTok in particular. As many of her followers know, Liv values the power of authenticity and loves to share her story with the world. She does not hold back in walking through some of her experiences as she transitioned from college to the real world. We talk with her about how she quit her job to go full-time on Brand Caffeine, the power of being vulnerable, what her perfect day looks like, and how she uses mental fortitude to tackle the real world each and every day. InstagramTikTokLinkedInBrand Caffeine