What does it really take to build a boutique talent agency that works with pro athletes, creators, and major brands—without selling out or scaling too fast? In this episode of The Disruption Podcast, hosts Ludwig Araujo and Ankur Garg sit down with Maxx Lepselter and Alec Scazafave of Maxx MGMT, the agency rewriting the playbook on modern talent representation.

Maxx was born into the world of athlete management—his father represented NFL legends like Lawrence Taylor and Tiki Barber. But rather than inherit the legacy, Maxx built his own. In 2018, he launched Maxx MGMT, a boutique agency focused on athlete marketing, content strategy, and long-term brand building. His goal? Represent talent with a deeper sense of strategy, purpose, and trust.

Enter Alec Scazafave, a longtime friend turned business partner. Alec brings years of experience from Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and the NFL League Office, where he worked on digital talent, brand campaigns, and player marketing. Their partnership started over dinner and turned into a shared vision for building something smarter, more personal, and more adaptable than the big agencies dominating the space.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why Maxx MGMT refuses to chase scale for the sake of clout

• How Alec’s background in CAA digital became an unlikely advantage in today’s creator economy

• The difference between signing big names and building meaningful brand fit

• Why community > follower count is the real metric for influence

• How to identify creators or athletes ready for long-term representation

• The cost of early mistakes—including four bad hires and two premature expansions

• Why exclusivity matters—and how to navigate it in a saturated talent market

From NFL legends to micro-creators, Maxx and Alec have a clear POV: it’s not about chasing the loudest name. It’s about building the right foundation for sustainable, long-term brand value. They break down how they navigate client fit, negotiate with brands, and manage expectations for both sides of the table.

Also in this episode:

• What makes Maxx MGMT stand out in a crowded agency market

• Why most brands still don’t know how to brief a talent team properly

• The rise of experiential marketing—and how it’s changing creator deals

• How Alec’s time at the NFL gave him an inside look at what really drives athlete branding

• Their honest take on talent “poaching,” collaboration, and knowing when to take a shot

This is more than a conversation about agency life—it’s a tactical breakdown of how to actually build value for both talent and brands. Maxx and Alec share how they support their roster beyond one-off deals, including content ideation, platform strategy, brand development, and sponsorship alignment.

They also talk through:

• Their vision for a “creator combine” to qualify talent for brand partnerships

• The problem with talent rosters that are too bloated to manage effectively

• How they balance being boutique with competing against major firms

• Why they’re betting big on deeper talent discovery in 2026

• How work-life balance, team culture, and client alignment shape their growth

Whether you’re an agent, a brand builder, or a content creator trying to figure out what representation really looks like—you’ll walk away from this one with clearer insights, smarter questions, and maybe even a few answers you didn’t expect.

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• Ludwig Araujo on Instagram and LinkedIn

• Ankur Garg on Twitter and Instagram

Have a guest or brand you’d like to see on the show? Reach out through our website or message us directly. We read everything.

David Lindberg is not your typical CEO. From his early days as a competitive BMX rider to serving on multiple SWAT teams across Colorado and Nevada, David’s journey is packed with grit, reinvention, and an unwavering commitment to optimizing human performance. In this episode of the Disruption Podcast, he joins the crew in the newly updated Flexwork Studios to talk about how he went from tactical operations to transforming the world of testosterone therapy, peptides, and telehealth.

We kick things off with stories from David’s high-adrenaline past in law enforcement and how those experiences shaped his perspective on physical resilience, mental health, and navigating high-stress environments. That led directly to his current mission: helping thousands of men and women regain control of their health through cutting-edge hormone replacement and performance protocols.

But this episode goes far beyond testosterone.

We dive deep into the booming world of peptides, personalized medicine, and clinical startups, and David explains why the telehealth space is still a Wild West—filled with massive opportunities and equally high risks. He also pulls back the curtain on the business side: what it takes to scale a hormone clinic, the compliance landmines most founders overlook, and the marketing challenges of selling medical solutions in a censored, regulated online world.

You’ll walk away with a much clearer understanding of what’s hype, what’s real, and what’s coming next in the world of wellness tech.

In this episode, we cover:

• The science behind testosterone replacement therapy and how it differs from steroids

• What peptides are, how they work, and why they’re gaining mainstream traction

• How David scaled his first clinic to 2,000 patients in under a year—and why that business model collapsed

• The regulatory red flags and compliance missteps that get most new clinics shut down

• Why major athletes and everyday people alike are turning to hormone therapy to stay optimized

• How to vet a telehealth clinic or compounding pharmacy before trusting them with your health

• The future of oral peptide delivery and why injectables still dominate the market

• The mental health side of hormonal balance—and why this conversation matters more than ever

You’ll also hear:

• Why testosterone and peptide therapies are still banned in major sports leagues, despite being prescription-based

• The business model David is building next—and how it will empower new clinic owners and fitness entrepreneurs

• A sharp conversation about the cultural stigma around men’s health, therapy, and the fear of injections

• A practical breakdown of how bloodwork and lab testing fit into the process of getting started with TRT or peptide therapy

David’s story is disruptive in the best way. He’s not selling shortcuts—he’s advocating for education, structure, and science-backed protocols that meet people where they are. Whether you’re a seasoned gym rat, a stressed-out founder, or just someone who feels like your energy and focus are slipping, this episode is your gateway into a world of powerful options.

New to the show? Here’s how to connect:

• Subscribe to the Disruption Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform so you never miss an episode.

• Visit flexworkstudios.com to learn more about our studio services and podcast packages.

• Want to be a guest or collaborate? Reach out to the Flexwork team through our website or slide into our contact form.

• Share this episode with someone who's curious about health optimization, clinical entrepreneurship, or just ready to level up.

Disruption isn’t just a name—it’s a mindset. And this conversation with David Lindberg might just change the way you think about your body, your business, and what’s possible in both.

Henry Havey, Business Development Manager at Ajinomoto North America, Inc.

Henry Havey is a distinguished professional currently serving as the Global Cross-Divisional Business Development Manager at Ajinomoto, a leading multinational company in the food and chemical industries. With over a decade of experience in B2B sales, Henry has established himself as a key player in the Wellness and Amino Science divisions of the company.

In his current position at Ajinomoto, Henry manages a diverse customer base of 369 clients and oversees a product portfolio of 40 items across four different divisions. His territory spans North and South America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Australia, and select regions in Asia.

Henry’s efforts contribute significantly to the territory’s total revenue of $18 million. He has been instrumental in establishing over 80 new accounts and spearheading the company’s entry into the B2C and e-commerce space with the launch of a retail collagen line.

Henry Havey’s career trajectory, from his early days at GNC to his current leadership role at Ajinomoto, exemplifies his passion for nutrition science, his commitment to driving business growth, and his ability to navigate complex global markets. His diverse experiences and educational background have shaped him into a versatile and effective business development professional in the food and nutrition industry.

DISRUPTION PODCAST By Flexwork Studios

Join industry thought-leaders Ankur K Garg and Ludwig Araujo as they bring their unique perspectives to the table. In each episode of the Disruption Podcast, they delve deep into disruption marketing, revealing the innovative strategies and tactics behind some of the most transformative campaigns led by pioneering entrepreneurs nationwide. Together, they demystify the elements that truly set these campaigns apart in the ever-evolving marketing landscape.

Every episode of the Disruption Podcast promises enlightening conversations, actionable insights, and a behind-the-scenes look at what it truly takes to shake the market and capture audiences' attention. Powered by Flexwork Studios, this podcast is a must-listen for marketers, entrepreneurs, and anyone passionate about groundbreaking ideas that challenge the status quo. Join the disruption revolution and be inspired to craft your game-changing strategies.