A Marine, a monk, and a money manager walk into a bar—and somehow, they’re all the same person. In this powerful and wide-ranging conversation, Mike “C-Roc” sits down with Douglas Lynam to unpack one of the most unconventional life journeys you’ll ever hear. Doug shares how he went from Marine Officer Candidate School to spending twenty years as a Benedictine monk, only to later emerge into the world of finance as a financial advisor, business coach, keynote speaker, and author. Along the way, he opens up about childhood experiences with money, rebellion, faith, purpose, and the surprising ways our relationship with wealth is shaped long before we realize it.

Doug dives deep into his time in the monastery, including how a vow of poverty collided head-on with financial reality when the monastery went bankrupt—and how that moment forced him to confront money rather than avoid it. That unexpected responsibility became the catalyst for his lifelong work exploring the psychology, philosophy, and spirituality of money. He explains how earning, saving, investing, and giving must work together, why “giving first” without a foundation can backfire, and how money, when understood properly, becomes a tool for meaning rather than a source of fear or control.

The conversation also explores Doug’s books, From Monk to Money Manager and Taming Your Money Monster, his TEDx talk on purpose and wealth, and the idea that true financial mastery begins with self-awareness, courage, and alignment with values. This episode challenges conventional money advice, blends spiritual wisdom with practical finance, and invites listeners to rethink not just how they manage money—but why they do it in the first place.

Website- douglynam.com

Social Media Links/Handles-

https://www.facebook.com/douglynam/

https://www.instagram.com/douglynam/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-lynam/

https://www.youtube.com/@douglynam

https://substack.com/@douglynam

In this powerful episode of What Are You Made Of ? Show, Mike “C-Roc” sits down with Eric Zimmer, creator and host of The One You Feed podcast, now in its 12th year with more than 50 million downloads worldwide.

Eric shares his deeply personal journey from heroin addiction, homelessness, and facing prison in his twenties to building a meaningful life rooted in purpose, intention, and service.

Through honest reflection, Eric unpacks how addiction shaped his understanding of change, why willpower alone isn’t enough, and how learning the skill of change helped him rebuild his life from the inside out.

The conversation explores identity, shame, recovery, small daily commitments, and the power of choosing progress over perfection. Eric also opens up about transitioning from the software world into full-time podcasting, coaching, and thought leadership, prioritizing quality of life over financial excess, and why small habits compound into massive transformation.

The episode dives into the philosophy behind his new book, How a Little Becomes a Lot: The Art of Small Changes for a More Meaningful Life, offering listeners practical insights on building self-trust, breaking destructive cycles, and creating a life that truly works.

This is a raw, insightful, and inspiring conversation for anyone navigating change, recovery, entrepreneurship, or the pursuit of a more intentional life.Website- www.oneyoufeed.net

Social Media Links/Handles:

https://www.instagram.com/one_you_feed/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericzimmer/

On this episode of What Are You Made Of?, Mike "C-Roc" sits down with Mara Dorne, a self-made millionaire, best-selling author, public speaker, and award-winning BILF (“Boss I'd Like to Follow”), to uncover the journey behind her success. Mara shares how she rose from early adversity—losing her father at a young age and facing financial struggles as a newlywed—to transform the health insurance industry with relentlessness, vision, and an unwavering drive.

Listeners get an inside look at Mara’s path from entering a male-dominated field with no prior experience in sales to building thriving teams, mentoring thousands of agents, and leveraging her achievements into a powerful personal brand.

She opens up about the pivotal moments that shaped her, the lessons she learned navigating setbacks, and the strategies she used to empower others while staying true to her purpose.

This episode is a masterclass in resilience, leadership, and the art of turning opportunity into impact, proving that real influence comes from action, not just appearances.

Website-https://maradorne.com

Social Media Links/Handles

https://www.instagram.com/maradorne

https://www.instagram.com/bilfpod/

In this powerful and heart-opening episode, Mike “C-Roc” sits down with Board-Certified Neurosomatic Practitioner and Identity Architect Riana Malia for a deep conversation about what it truly means to live, love, and lead in alignment with who you are now.

From her “mermaid energy” roots in Maui to her transformational work with high-achieving women, Riana shares how subconscious patterns, old identity stories, and nervous system conditioning quietly shape our relationships, success, and sense of self.

Together, they explore the difference between fixing and receiving, masculine drive and feminine softness, and why clarity—not just positivity—is the real gateway to extraordinary love and fulfillment.

Riana breaks down how early-life beliefs become the blueprint for adulthood, how emotional “charge” gets stored in the body, and what it looks like to release what no longer serves so creativity, connection, and possibility can flow again.

This episode is an invitation to step out of old patterns, reconnect with your authentic identity, and create a life—and relationships—that truly match the person you’ve become.Website-www.rianamalia.com

Social Media Links/Handles-

https://www.instagram.com/rianamalia/

https://www.youtube.com/@rianamalia

https://Podcast.rianamalia.com

https://www.tiktok.com/@rianamalia121

https://www.quiz.rianamalia.com

https://thebrilliancebrunch.rianamalia.com

In this powerful and wide-ranging conversation, Nate Palmer—coach, systems builder, and founder of Million Dollar Body Labs—joins Mike “C-Roc” to unpack what it really takes to build a body, a mindset, and a life that performs under real-world pressure.

With over 15 years of experience helping high-responsibility individuals get leaner, stronger, and more energized, Nate challenges the idea that health is about more discipline and instead reframes it as infrastructure—the foundation that supports better decisions, sharper focus, stronger leadership, and long-term longevity.

From identity and nervous system regulation to the difference between surviving and truly thriving, Nate explains why simplicity, consistency, and smart systems create results that actually last.

Nate also shares the deeply personal story that shaped his mission, reflecting on a childhood home invasion that fueled his early drive for strength and protection, and how that fear-based motivation eventually evolved into a passion for helping people discover what their bodies and minds are truly capable of.

Together, Nate and Mike "C-Roc" explore peak experiences, self-belief, and the power of shifting identity from “trying to be healthy” to becoming a healthy person. Along the way, they touch on neuroscience, stress, recovery, and the small daily choices that compound into extraordinary outcomes, offering listeners a practical and inspiring roadmap to building energy, confidence, and momentum in every area of life.

Website-https://milliondollarbodylabs.com

Social Media Links/Handles:

https://facebook.com/n8palmer

https://www.instagram.com/_milliondollarbody

https://www.linkedin.com/in/n8training/ https://twitter.com/n8training

https://www.youtube.com/c/N8TrainingSystems

In this powerful episode of What Are You Made Of ? , Mike “C-Roc” sits down with psychotherapist, coach, speaker, and writer Jennifer “Jenn” Pinkerton for a deeply personal and thought-provoking conversation about connection, trauma, and the stories we tell ourselves.

Jenn opens up about the early loss of her father and how that pivotal moment shaped her identity, relationships, and her journey from being a “storyteller” and chameleon for acceptance to becoming a truth teller rooted in authenticity and emotional growth.

Together, Mike "C-Roc" and Jenn explore how core wounds like abandonment, unworthiness, and not belonging can influence everything from our careers and relationships to how we show up in the world, and how doing the hard emotional work can transform those patterns.

Jenn also shares her path into psychotherapy, her passion for helping individuals and couples heal relational wounds, and her continued pursuit of growth through her PhD in clinical sexology, specializing in intimacy and healing after infidelity.

This episode is a raw, insightful look at what it truly means to return to who you were before trauma shaped your story and to live a bold, connected, and authentic life.Website-Jennpinkerton.com

Social Media Links/Handles-

https://www.facebook.com/jenniferbpinkerton

https://www.instagram.com/jennbpinkerton/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-pinkerton-73817b27/

https://www.tiktok.com/@redheadreveal

In this episode of What Are You Made Of?, Mike “C-Roc” sits down with former college basketball player, coach, broadcaster, and novelist Peter Young for a powerful conversation on the lifelong lessons learned through the game of basketball.

From growing up as a self-described gym rat in New Jersey to playing Division I ball at George Washington University, Peter shares how discipline, faith, and mental toughness shaped his journey on and off the court.

He reflects on his path through coaching, sports broadcasting with networks like OLN and ESPN, and how choosing family and lifestyle over career glamour influenced his professional direction.

The conversation dives deep into the “six inches between your ears,” exploring the mental and spiritual side of performance, pressure, and identity—both in sports and in life.

Peter also opens up about his writing, including his faith-based basketball novels and memoir, and how he uses storytelling and sports as metaphors to inspire confidence, resilience, and purpose.

This episode is a must-listen for athletes, parents, and anyone looking to understand what truly drives success beyond the scoreboard.

Website-https://www.authorpeteryoung.com

https://www.instagram.com/peterbyoung

In this powerful and honest episode of What Are You Made Of?, Mike “C-Roc” sits down with Dr. Toby Brooks, a performance scientist, professor at Baylor, and host of the Becoming UnDone podcast, to explore what it truly means to rise when life, work, and identity start to fall apart.

Toby shares his roots in rural Illinois, the grit and work ethic passed down from his coal miner father, and the formative lessons he learned as an athletic trainer working everywhere from the NFL to middle school sports.

Together, Mike "C-Roc" and Toby dive into the tension between relentless hard work and the often-overlooked power of surrender, using memorable stories about “letting the paint dry,” data versus perception, and why progress isn’t always reflected in the numbers we fixate on.

The conversation expands into health optimization, recovery, ethics in performance enhancement, and how personalized protocols—whether in fitness, nutrition, or life—can unlock sustainable growth.

This episode is a thoughtful blend of science, real-world experience, and raw authenticity, offering listeners practical insight and renewed perspective on how to pursue success without losing themselves in the process.Website- tobybrooksphd.com

Additional Social Media Links/Handles:

https://www.instagram.com/tobybrooksphd/

https://linktr.ee/tobybrooksphd?utm_source