In this episode of Momentum Shift, host Antonio sits down with Simon Lerner for one of the most raw and introspective conversations we’ve had on the show.Born and raised in Russia, Simon moved to the United States at just 12 years old without speaking English. What followed was a collision of cultures, loneliness, rejection, and an early obsession with figuring things out on his own. From showing up to football tryouts with a soccer ball, to hosting his first business event at 19, Simon’s story is a masterclass in resilience, self-education, and momentum built through adversity.Simon opens up about strained family dynamics, resentment toward his father, scarcity-driven motivation, and the internal pressure to prove himself at a young age. We dive into the emotional cost of entrepreneurship, the psychological toll of trading, losing nearly $2 million in crypto, and what it actually takes to rebuild confidence after your worst losses.LISTEN ON SPOTIFY 🎙️https://open.spotify.com/show/3yhTKf2Cot9exkajivTPGJ?si=WyQiUDjqQbmXJHKjSEImygINSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/antoniovaglicajrhttps://www.instagram.com/momentumshiftpodhttps://www.instagram.com/mrsimonlerner/Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@momentumshiftpod_CHAPTERS:00:00 – Growing Up Between Two Worlds03:45 – Moving to America Without Speaking English07:30 – Not Fitting In and Early Culture Shock11:45 – Loneliness, Video Games, and Escaping Reality16:10 – The First Taste of Making Money Online20:30 – Discovering Bitcoin and Early Risk-Taking24:55 – Trading, Investing, and the Illusion of Control29:40 – Losing Millions and Facing Reality34:20 – Scarcity Mindset and Family Resentment39:10 – Push vs Pull Motivation Explained43:30 – Identity, Ego, and Self-Worth48:15 – Why Momentum Matters More Than Motivation52:40 – Building Community When You Feel Alone57:25 – Dropping Out of College and Betting on Yourself1:02:10 – Creating Events and Becoming the Connector1:06:55 – Relationships as a Competitive Advantage1:11:30 – Managing Success, Pressure, and Expectations1:16:10 – Letting Go of Old Identities1:21:00 – What Success Actually Looks Like Now1:26:00 – Final Reflections on Momentum and Life#MomentumShift #SimonLerner #EntrepreneurMindset #PersonalDevelopment #BusinessPodcast #ImmigrantStory #Resilience #TradingPsychology #EntrepreneurLife #SelfGrowth #WealthMindset #CommunityBuilding #HighPerformance #LifeLessons #PodcastClips

On this episode of the Momentum Shift Podcast, host Antonio Vaglica sits down with Zach Cummings, host of The Journey Podcast, for a raw, honest conversation about masculinity, mental health, burnout, success, and what it really means to “stay in the game.”Zach opens up about the pressure men carry in silence, the dark side of hustle culture, emotional numbness, self-sabotage, and why vulnerability might be the most masculine trait there is. From chasing success and external validation to learning how to be present with family, relationships, and faith, this episode dives deep into the conversations most men avoid — but desperately need.INSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/antoniovaglicajrhttps://www.instagram.com/momentumshiftpodhttps://www.instagram.com/zacharycummings_Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@momentumshiftpod_CHAPTERS:00:00 – Intro & setting the tone02:15 – Seasonal depression & the New York grind05:10 – Burnout, distraction, and doing “too much”08:30 – Success isn’t as glamorous as it looks12:05 – Staying in the game vs chasing quick wins15:40 – Why most men feel emotionally numb19:10 – Shame, vulnerability, and men’s mental health23:00 – Separating identity from mistakes27:15 – External success vs inner fulfillment31:45 – Wanting more presence, not more achievements36:10 – Family, regret, and learning to slow down40:30 – Why men avoid emotional conversations44:20 – Masculinity, leadership, and vulnerability48:30 – Hustle culture and emotional suppression52:45 – Self-sabotage and fear of being hurt57:10 – What real masculinity actually looks like1:01:30 – Relationships, emotional availability & growth1:06:00 – Staying present while still chasing goals1:10:45 – Final thoughts & momentum mindset#MomentumShiftPodcast #AntonioVaglica #ZachCummings #TheJourneyPodcast #MensMentalHealth #Masculinity #MentalHealthMatters #Burnout #HustleCulture #Vulnerability #EmotionalGrowth #PersonalDevelopment #Mindset #PodcastClips

In this powerful episode, we sit down with DC Banks to unpack a story marked by loss, resilience, faith, and an unrelenting belief that purpose can grow from the darkest places. From bouncing between foster homes, losing the woman he knew as his mother, and watching his father disappear, to battling depression, loneliness, and the crushing weight of feeling unwanted, DC opens up about the moments that nearly broke him—and the God moments that carried him forward. He shares how sports became his escape, how a stranger’s Christmas gift kept him alive, and how the simple mindset of “Just Wait On It” was born out of injury, pain, and a season that could have ended everything. We talk about sleeping in cars, working trash jobs, chasing NFL dreams, showing up at Gymshark headquarters uninvited, and the viral journey that led him from rock bottom to American Ninja Warrior and full-time creator. This conversation is raw, vulnerable, and a reminder that God wastes nothing—not your rejection, not your setbacks, not your suffering. If you’ve ever felt unseen, unchosen, or unsure why God is taking you through what He is, this episode will shift your perspective on identity, purpose, and the quiet way God prepares you long before He reveals the why.INSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/antoniovaglicajrhttps://www.instagram.com/momentumshiftpodTik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@momentumshiftpod_CHAPTERS:00:00 Intro00:45 Opening Prayer and Intentions01:30 Meet DC Banks: First Impressions02:33 DC's Foster Care Journey04:42 Challenges in Foster Homes05:15 Finding Acceptance Through Sports07:51 Dealing with Depression and Finding Hope08:32 Football and Aunt Tracy's Influence11:03 Building Confidence and Setting Goals13:32 Faith, Risk, and John 13:715:16 A Life-Changing Move to Arizona16:13 Chasing Dreams Amidst Adversity17:47 From Coaching to Couch-Surfing20:46 Hustling Through Hard Jobs23:38 American Ninja Warrior: The Breakthrough24:42 Staying Faithful in Tough Times25:51 The Origin of "Wait On It"28:38 Vulnerability and Sharing Your Story31:01 Chasing the NFL Dream35:30 New Motivation, Legacy and Giving Back38:38 Persistence in Creating Opportunities41:48 Aunt Tracy's Impact43:41 Life and Goals in St. Pete44:44 Entering a New Chapter46:38 Advice to Younger Self47:35 Content Creator Advice: Consistency and Authenticity51:00 Making It in Content Creation53:01 Final Thoughts, Gratitude, and Wrap Up#JustWaitOnIt #FaithJourney #Testimony #ChristianPodcast #FosterCare #Adversity #Godsplan #AmericanNinjaWarrior #Motivation #PurposeDriven #MomentumShift #PainToPurpose #Inspiration #TrustGod #faith