In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Zach Ratashak, founder of Tactical Mind Business Coaching and Navy veteran, to talk about what it actually means to lead people before you lead a business. We dive into building people-first systems, the mindset shift from military service to entrepreneurship, and the courage it takes to walk away from security to bet on yourself. We break down real, actionable ways to become the fittest leader possible through peace, power, and presence.

Key Takeaways

1. Great leaders know their people before they manage their people.
2. Investing in someone else's goals builds more loyalty than any incentive program.
3. You cannot logic your way into bold decisions. The gut has to lead.
4. Leaving security behind is not reckless. It is a trained muscle.
5. Systems and clarity are the difference between growth and guessing in business.

Quotes

• "I made a point to learn about them as a person versus them just filling a space." – Zach Ratashak
• "You have to jump off the cliff and figure out where it falls." – Zach Ratashak
• "Do this till it ain't fun no more." – Mycal Anders

Connect with Zach Ratashak

Website: tactical-mind.com

Instagram / Social: @zachratashak or @officialzachratashak

Next Level Resources

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

✅ Ready to be the Fittest Leader Possible? → Join the Leaders Forum

✅ Subscribe to Alignment First → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/coachderz/

Sponsors & Partners

@ThorneHealth → ⁠thorne.com/u/progressalways⁠

@StrongCoffee → ⁠strongcoffeecompany.com⁠ — Use Code: NEXTLEVEL15

#AlignmentFirst #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutiveCoaching #AlignedLeadership #HighPerformance #NextLevel #Veteran #AURA #LeadershipMindset #ProgressAlways

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Jayce Boyd — Under Armour All-American, 19th round MLB draft pick, Florida State alum, and College World Series champion — to go deep on what happens when elite performance meets unaddressed shadows. We dive into financial stewardship for young athletes, the ego traps that block growth, the two lies that nearly cost him everything, and how radical honesty with his parents, his community, and himself became the foundation for real recovery and real leadership.

Key Takeaways

You can be the most disciplined performer in the room and still be running from the truth behind closed doors.

Ego is the #1 barrier to financial literacy — and to growth in every other area of life.

The lies "I don't deserve good things" and "I can't hurt anyone if I'm alone" are silent destroyers.

You were designed to live from the inside out — not to absorb the world and try to survive it.

Stillness, community, and truth-telling aren't soft skills — they're the foundation of real leadership.

Quotes

• "I don't deserve good things. I don't even know where that lie came from." – Jayce Boyd

• "You can't see the frame when you're in the picture." – Mycal Anders

• "My brain and body were designed to live inward, then outward and most people have it backwards." – Jayce Boyd

Connect with Jayce Boyd

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayce-boyd/

The Post: https://www.thepost.co/

Next Level Resources

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

✅ Ready to be the Fittest Leader Possible? → Join the Leaders Forum

✅ Subscribe to Alignment First → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/coachderz/

Sponsors & Partners

@ThorneHealth → ⁠thorne.com/u/progressalways⁠

@StrongCoffee → ⁠strongcoffeecompany.com⁠ — Use Code: NEXTLEVEL15

#AlignmentFirst #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutiveCoaching #AlignedLeadership #HighPerformance #NextLevel #Veteran #AURA #LeadershipMindset #ProgressAlways

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Bailey Crawford, founder of The Crawford Collective, to talk about what it really takes to build something from nothing; without a roadmap, permission or apology. We dive into the power of authentic connection, rewiring automatic negative thoughts, and why your next easiest step is always enough to keep moving. We break down real, actionable ways to become the fittest leader possible through peace, power, and presence.

Key Takeaways

1. Never underestimate the power of a single connection. Every relationship is a seed.

2. Staying in motion, even without a clear destination, is how you build momentum.

3. Your brain is protecting you. Learn to separate fear from fact.

4. Identifying and acknowledging your emotions releases their hold on you instantly.

5. When life gets hard, ask one question: What is the next easiest step?

Quotes

• "I never undervalued those connections I make with whoever. It could be at a coffee shop, it doesn't matter." – Bailey Crawford

• "What is the next easiest step? Is this an automatic negative thought or a true thought?" – Bailey Crawford

• "When you look at it through a lens of ownership, you realize how far you've come." – Mycal Anders

Connect with Bailey Crawford

📸 Wedding Photo & Video → baileycrawfordmedia.com

🎬 Full Production Agency → thecrawfordcollectivevideo.com

Next Level Resources

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

✅ Ready to be the Fittest Leader Possible? → Join the Leaders Forum

✅ Subscribe to Alignment First → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/coachderz/

Sponsors & Partners

@ThorneHealth → ⁠thorne.com/u/progressalways⁠

@StrongCoffee → ⁠strongcoffeecompany.com⁠ — Use Code: NEXTLEVEL15

#AlignmentFirst #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutiveCoaching #AlignedLeadership #HighPerformance #NextLevel #Veteran #AURA #LeadershipMindset #ProgressAlways

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Anna Redmond, founder of BRAAV and AllCoin, to explore what it actually means to earn your place — and why recognition only lands when it's real. We dive into how she's taking the military challenge coin tradition digital, why belonging requires a bar, and how preserving the stories of those who served might be one of the most important leadership moves of our time.

Key Takeaways

1. Belonging without a standard is just participation — exclusivity creates meaning.
2. You don't need lived experience to earn respect inside a community — you need curiosity and commitment.
3. The gap between civilian and veteran culture closes when we choose to genuinely listen.
4. Recognition ceremonies work because they call out something real — the "why" behind the honor matters as much as the honor itself.
5. Preserving stories is an act of leadership — what we fail to capture, we lose forever.

Quotes

• "The more stories we collect, the more memories we preserve." – Anna Redmond
• "It would be real easy to move through the world with a chip on your shoulder and look at everybody through the lens of 'it could be worse.'" – Mycal Anders
• "Uploading your coins is always free — creating community is always free." – Anna Redmond

Connect with Anna Redmond

🌐 allcoin.braav.co (mention Next Level HQ to skip the waitlist)

📧 anna@braav.co

🔗 BRAAV | AllCoin Platform

___________________________________________________________________________________

Stay Connected & Take Action

✅ Join The Leaders Forum: Clarity | Coaching | Consistency | Community → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://next-level.app.clientclub.net/communities/groups/next-level-headquarters/home?invite=69c17e4d5d8cee9656ff1c61

✅ Ready to be the Fittest Leader Possible? → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠NextLevelHQ.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠/Blog

✅ Subscribe to Alignment First → https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/coachderz/

Partners & Sponsors

@ThorneHealth → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thorne.com/u/progressalways⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

@StrongCoffee → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠strongcoffeecompany.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Code: NEXTLEVEL15

@wearshepherds → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shepherds.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

@team4kor → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠4korfitness.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Code: NEXTLEVEL15

Build Your Vision Espresso → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠visionespresso.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

@TYRsport → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fitness.tyr.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Code: 14034

Start Your Healing Journey → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.morozkoforge.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Codes: NEXTLEVEL350 / NEXTLEVEL500

Alignment First. Progress Always.

#AlignmentFirst#ProgressAlways#FittestLeader#LeadershipDevelopment#Podcast#AURA#Mastery#PersonalGrowth#ExecutiveCoaching#Leadership#AlignedLeadership

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with DJ Barton, co-founder and CEO of ELYT Travel, to talk about what it actually takes to build a life, not just a lifestyle. We dive into losing his father early in life, finding purpose through fatherhood, the power of proximity, and why divorcing your past is the only way to marry your future. Real, actionable ways to become the fittest leader possible through peace, power, and presence.

Key Takeaways

1. You have to divorce your past to marry your future, growth demands it.

2. Moments matter more than things. The memories you create outlast any material possession.

3. The better you get at life, the smaller (and better) the rooms become.

4. Proximity is currency. One connection can literally change your life.

5. Most people want the accolades without the reps. Leaders put in the work behind closed doors.

Quotes

• "You have to trim to grow." – DJ Barton

• "Talk is cheap. Whiskey costs money." – DJ Barton's Grandfather (via DJ Barton)

• "Popular decisions are not voted popular. You have to do things that are uncomfortable to become comfortable." – DJ Barton

Connect with DJ Barton

📸 Instagram: @TheRealDJBarton

💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/therealdjbarton/

👥 Facebook: Real DJ Barton

🍸 Connections & Cocktails: facebook.com/ConnectionsandCocktailsAZ

Next Level Resources

✅ Clarity | Coaching | Consistency | Community →

https://next-level.app.clientclub.net/communities/groups/next-level-headquarters/home?invite=69c17e4d5d8cee9656ff1c61

✅ Become the Fittest Leader Possible → NextLevelHQ.co/blog

✅ Get More Alignment First →

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/coachderz/

Partners & Sponsors

@ThorneHealth → thorne.com/u/progressalways

@StrongCoffee → strongcoffeecompany.com/?ref=2YN5cnK8v9zQ4D

Use Code: NEXTLEVEL15

Alignment First. Progress Always!

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Eryk Anders — UFC veteran, fighter, and founder of Ya Boi Fitness Academy in Vestavia, Alabama — to talk about what it really means to walk away on your own terms and build something that outlasts the fight. We dive into identity, legacy, coaching the next generation, and why the most dangerous thing you can do is let your environment do your growing for you.

Key Takeaways

1. Preparation isn't always perfect but identity covers the gap.
2. You don't retire from who you are. You retire from what you did.
3. Protecting kids from failure is the fastest way to kill their confidence.
4. The shift from competitor to coach is one of the most powerful identity moves a leader can make.
5. Real peace isn't the absence of pressure. It's knowing exactly who you are when pressure shows up.

Quotes

• "This ain't my first rep. I know what's up." – Eryk Anders
• "Let your kid get choked out. He's still alive. He's going home and he'll be better because of it." – Eryk Anders
• "Win or lose, you need whatever happens." – Eryk Anders

Connect with Eryk Anders📍 Ya Boi Fitness Academy — Birmingham, Alabama📱 Instagram / Social: @yaboifitness & @erykeanders 🌐 Website: www.yaboifitness.com/

Next Level Resources✅ Clarity | Coaching | Consistency | Community →https://next-level.app.clientclub.net/communities/groups/next-level-headquarters/home?invite=69c17e4d5d8cee9656ff1c61✅ Become the Fittest Leader Possible → NextLevelHQ.co/blog✅ Get More Alignment First →https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/coachderz/

Partners & Sponsors@ThorneHealth → thorne.com/u/progressalways@StrongCoffee → strongcoffeecompany.com/?ref=2YN5cnK8v9zQ4DUse Code: NEXTLEVEL15

Alignment First. Progress Always!