Unleashing Health in the Workplace: Small Changes, Big Results with David Medansky

In this episode of the Training Unleashed Podcast, host Evan Hackel welcomes David Medansky, known as “The Health Guy,” to discuss how small, positive changes can lead to significant health improvements and enhance productivity in the workplace. David shares his expertise on helping employees adopt healthier habits, which in turn benefits both the individuals and the companies they work for. The conversation covers practical tips for staying hydrated, the benefits of reducing soda consumption, and the importance of creating an empowering and encouraging environment for health challenges.

Key Takeaways:

The Importance of Small Positive Changes:

  • David emphasizes that making small, manageable changes can lead to substantial health improvements over time.
  • Encouraging employees to participate in health challenges can foster a culture of wellness and productivity in the workplace.

Ideal Client Profile:

  • David’s favorite clients are companies with 50 to 300 employees, with a sweet spot of 50 to 100 employees.
  • Successful health challenges typically involve at least 60-70% employee participation.

Creating a Positive Environment:

  • Challenges should be empowering and encouraging, rather than demanding or demeaning, to motivate employees to participate willingly.
  • When employees start seeing results from their efforts, they build momentum and are more likely to continue their healthy habits.

Special Offer:

David offers a PDF of the “9 Simple Golden Rules for Living a Healthy Life,” which listeners can request by emailing him.

About Our Guest

Top-selling author and speaker, David Medansky, is known as The Health Guy because he empowers CEOs, Executives, and individuals to master 9 Simple Golden Rules to Live a Healthy Life. David struggled with his own weight issues until July 2016 when his doctor told him to either lose weight or find a new doctor. During the next four months, David shed 50 pounds, almost 25 percent of his total body weight and has kept it off. He understands your frustrations and challenges to be healthy.

David, in June 2022, at age 67 hiked up Mt. Kilimanjaro.

His mission is to help others to adopt a healthier lifestyle so they can enjoy life to the fullest. The key to his success is alerting clients to the deceptive marketing tactics used by the food, pharmaceutical, and weight-loss industries, to manipulate you into purchasing their products and services that put their profits over your health.

Now, in addition to writing books about health, David is producing and hosting JADED HEALTH, a streaming TV series centered around the topics of health, wellness, and fitness.

How to Connect with David Medansky:
Additional Media:

2024-07-24T11:32:10-04:00July 24, 2024|

Unleashing Customer-Centric Growth: Wisdom Shared by Laura Patterson

Laura Patterson, the founder of Vision Edge Marketing, shared invaluable insights on achieving sustainable business growth through customer-centric strategies. Hosted by Evan Hackel, the podcast delved deep into how businesses can effectively navigate growth challenges by leveraging data-driven decision-making and fostering a customer-first approach.

Embracing a Customer-Centric Approach

In today’s dynamic business landscape, success hinges on understanding and prioritizing the needs of the customer. Laura Patterson emphasizes the critical importance of adopting a customer-centric approach to business growth. According to Laura, integrating the customer perspective into every decision-making process—from product development to marketing strategies—can significantly enhance business outcomes. By putting the customer at the center, organizations not only improve customer satisfaction but also drive sustainable growth over the long term.

The Power of Data-Driven Decision Making

Laura Patterson highlights the transformative impact of data-driven decision-making on organizational success. With businesses inundated with vast amounts of data, Laura advocates for leveraging analytics and insights to drive strategic initiatives effectively. By harnessing the power of data, organizations can gain actionable insights into customer behaviors, market trends, and operational efficiencies. This approach enables businesses to make informed decisions, mitigate risks, and seize growth opportunities with confidence.

Building a Strategic Framework for Growth

Drawing from her extensive experience, Laura Patterson underscores the importance of building a strategic framework to navigate the complexities of growth. At Vision Edge Marketing, Laura and her team empower organizations to develop clear, measurable objectives aligned with overarching business goals. This strategic framework not only guides day-to-day operations but also ensures that every action contributes to tangible business outcomes. By establishing a roadmap for growth, businesses can optimize resources, foster innovation, and achieve sustainable success in competitive markets.

About the Guest

Laura Patterson is the visionary founder of Vision Edge Marketing, a renowned firm specializing in marketing performance measurement and management. With over 25 years of experience, Laura has earned a reputation as a pioneer in helping businesses across diverse sectors—from technology to healthcare—achieve measurable growth through strategic planning and analytics. Her expertise lies in bridging the gap between business strategy and execution, empowering organizations to align their goals with customer needs effectively.

Visit The Learning Network to explore more episodes and visit insights on leadership and organizational development. For updates and more valuable content, follow the Learning Network on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Don’t forget to subscribe to the Training Unleashed Network on YouTube for video episodes and interviews with industry leaders.

2024-06-20T18:45:46-04:00July 3, 2024|

Unleashing Insights on Diversity and Inclusion with Chloé Valdary

In this episode of the Training Unleashed podcast, host Evan Hackel engaged in a profound conversation with Chloé Valdary, founder of the Theory of Enchantment. This episode delves into the intricacies of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), emphasizing the importance of curiosity, compassion, and cultural fit in the workplace. Chloé shares her unique perspective on DEI training, providing valuable insights and practical strategies for organizations striving to create more inclusive environments.

Understanding the Importance of Cultural Fit

Chloé Valdary highlights the significance of cultural fit when hiring new employees. She explains that beyond qualifications and skills, aligning with a company’s culture is crucial for long-term success. Chloé suggests asking potential hires about what attracts them to the company and why they want to work there. This question helps uncover their core motivations and ensures they resonate with the company’s values. Additionally, she recommends presenting candidates with problem-solving exercises to gauge their curiosity and approach to challenges, further revealing their potential fit within the organization.

Innovative DEI Training Approaches

Valdary introduces her innovative DEI training methods, which include workshops, coaching, and digital platforms. Her workshops range from 90-minute virtual sessions, known as sprints, to full-day in-person marathons. One of her standout initiatives is the Enchanted Games League, a practice-based digital program. Over nine weeks, participants engage in daily quests that encourage self-reflection and curiosity. These quests, which take just six minutes each, prompt individuals to explore their feelings of expansiveness and defensiveness, the mindsets inherited from caregivers, and instances of perceived superiority. This approach fosters a habit of living in the question, enhancing participants’ ability to navigate conflicts with empathy and curiosity.

Embracing Self-Compassion and Lifelong Learning

Chloé Valdary emphasizes the transformative power of self-acceptance and compassion. She encourages individuals to recognize and overcome internalized negative self-judgment. By treating oneself with curiosity and love, people can project these positive attitudes onto others, reducing defensiveness and enhancing interpersonal relationships. Valdary’s advice is particularly relevant in the context of DEI, as fostering self-compassion can lead to more empathetic and effective communication within diverse teams. This practice of self-forgiveness and continuous self-improvement aligns with the philosophy of being a lifelong learner, a concept strongly advocated by both Valdary and Hackel.

About the Guest

Chloé Valdary is the founder of Theory of Enchantment, a company dedicated to providing innovative DEI training through workshops, coaching, and digital platforms. With a focus on fostering curiosity and compassion, Valdary’s methods aim to create more inclusive and empathetic workplace environments. Her approach is rooted in the belief that understanding and accepting oneself is key to understanding and accepting others. For more information about Chloé Valdary and her work, visit Theory of Enchantment or contact her team at [email protected].

Visit The Learning Network to explore more episodes and visit insights on leadership and organizational development. For updates and more valuable content, follow the Learning Network on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Don’t forget to subscribe to the Training Unleashed Network on YouTube for video episodes and interviews with industry leaders.

2024-06-20T17:16:56-04:00June 26, 2024|

Unleashing Financial Freedom: Real Estate Insights with Anita Winkles

Welcome to another insightful episode of Training Unleashed! In this podcast, we delve into the world of real estate investing with Anita Winkles, a seasoned entrepreneur who, along with her husband, has navigated from corporate management to financial freedom through strategic real estate investments. Join us as we explore Anita’s journey, her invaluable insights into creative financing, and how you can leverage her expertise to embark on your own path to wealth and independence in the real estate market.

From Corporate Jobs to Real Estate Freedom

Anita Winkles and her husband made a bold decision to leave their corporate jobs to pursue a dream of spending more time together and creating a better lifestyle. Through real estate investing, they achieved financial independence, enabling Anita to leave her corporate management job in 19 months, with her husband following suit a few years later. They now work together, balancing hard work and leisure, and have built a successful real estate investment business.

The Keys to Real Estate Investing

Anita highlights the simplicity of real estate investing, emphasizing two critical aspects: finding property deals and sourcing money. The latter often proves challenging due to a mindset of lack, preventing many from breaking into the market. To address this, Anita and her husband offer a flagship course on creative finance for real estate investors. This course blends traditional bank financing with innovative, tried-and-true methods to help new and intermediate investors navigate the financial hurdles of real estate.

Understanding Hard Money Lending

Hard money lending, often misunderstood, is a key concept in real estate investment. Contrary to its name, hard money is not hard to obtain if you have a great property deal. These loans come from private individuals or small companies that specialize in non-bank lending, typically working with investors looking to fix and flip properties or hold them for rental income. Hard money lenders can provide the necessary funds for acquisition and rehabilitation, making them a vital resource for real estate investors.

Special Offer

Anita Winkles is currently writing a book on private money lending, designed to help readers understand and safely navigate this type of investment. For those interested in learning more without the hands-on involvement in property management, becoming a private money lender offers a fantastic opportunity. To get a free digital copy of Anita’s upcoming book, email [email protected] with “Free Book” in the subject line, and mention Training Unleashed to receive your copy.

About Anita Winkles

Anita Winkles is a seasoned real estate investor and educator who, alongside her husband, transitioned from a corporate career to achieving financial freedom through real estate. With years of experience and a passion for helping others succeed, Anita specializes in creative financing and real estate investment strategies. Her expertise and dedication have made her a trusted resource for new and intermediate investors looking to enter the real estate market.

2024-06-19T01:31:10-04:00June 19, 2024|

Unleashing Transformative Leadership: Insights from Sue Bingham

In the latest episode of the Training Unleashed podcast, hosted by Evan Hackel, we had the pleasure of hearing from Sue Bingham, founder of HPWP Group. Sue shared invaluable insights into the world of leadership development and training, shedding light on her approach to transforming workplace cultures and empowering leaders.

The Philosophy of HPWP

HPWP stands for High Performance Workplace, a philosophy that Sue and her team have been championing for over 25 years. Their mission is to help organizations create environments where trust, respect, and positive assumptions about people drive performance and engagement. Sue emphasizes that most people are inherently good and, when treated with trust and respect, will reciprocate those values in their work.

Transformative Leadership Training

Sue’s approach to leadership training is both innovative and deeply human. HPWP Group’s flagship program is designed to be highly experiential, filled with stories, exercises, and experiences that genuinely transform participants. Sue recounted instances where initially resistant managers, attending reluctantly, left with profound insights and sometimes even tears of gratitude, wishing they had learned these principles earlier in their careers.

Real Impact Beyond the Workplace

One of the most striking aspects of Sue’s training is its impact beyond the workplace. Participants often report that the principles they learn improve their personal relationships, including those with their spouses and children. This holistic impact underscores the importance of positive leadership and human-centric training in all areas of life.

Unique Offerings and Collaboration

Sue highlighted two key offerings from HPWP Group:

  1. In-House Workshops: These are tailored specifically for individual companies, ensuring all leaders within the organization can benefit from the training.
  2. Open Leadership Workshops: These sessions bring together leaders from different organizations, fostering a rich exchange of ideas and solutions. This collaborative environment allows participants to learn from each other’s challenges and successes.
Training Made Simple

In a generous offer to the podcast audience, Sue introduced “Training Made Simple,” a virtual program designed for those responsible for training within their organizations but who may lack formal training in this area. This program guides participants through a structured process to develop effective training programs, incorporating collaboration and feedback to enhance the learning experience.

How to Access the Free Training Program

Sue is offering “Training Made Simple” for free to listeners of the Training Unleashed podcast. To take advantage of this opportunity, simply email Sue at [email protected]. While HPWP Group’s website, www.hpwpgroup.com, is undergoing updates, you can still find valuable information and contact details there.

A Powerful Closing Tip

Sue’s parting advice to the audience was profound: “Believe that the vast majority of people are good people. Operate off of positive assumptions more than negative assumptions. Positive assumptions will drive us to treat people with trust, and thus receive trust in return.” Evan Hackel echoed this sentiment, adding his personal philosophy of leading with love, which he finds foundational to building trust and fostering positive relationships.

About Our Guest

For more than 30 years, Sue, a former Human Resources Executive, has provided direction to companies in the transportation & logistics, pharmaceutical, aerospace, food, bottling, floral, optical, textile and medical device industries.

She has worked closely with company leaders to analyze their organizations and facilitate the implementation of common-sense systems that have a positive impact on the organization’s bottom line. She is an expert at effectively using culture to form a common language across global operations leading to greater collaboration, higher levels of team member satisfaction and increased business unit cooperation.

Her passion is helping companies embrace and transition to high-performance work environments.

2024-06-07T13:30:58-04:00June 12, 2024|

Unleashing the Power of Leadership: Insights from Michelle Beauchamp

In a recent enlightening episode, host Evan Hackel sat down with Michelle Beauchamp, an expert in leadership and corporate training, to delve into the essence of effective leadership and organizational culture. The discussion revolved around several key principles that are crucial for fostering a thriving, inclusive, and productive workplace.

The Importance of Culture in Leadership

Michelle Beauchamp emphasized that leadership is not just about guiding others but about cultivating a culture that aligns with the core values of compassion, competence, and character. These elements are fundamental to building a team that not only follows a leader but works alongside them, creating a collaborative and trusting environment. Michelle pointed out that:

  • Compassion: Leaders must show genuine care for their team members. This involves understanding their needs, challenges, and aspirations.
  • Competence: Continuous training and development are crucial. Leaders should invest in their team’s skills and provide opportunities for growth.
  • Character: Trust is built when leaders follow through on their promises and maintain integrity in their actions.

Generational Diversity and Unified Collaboration

One of the standout points in the conversation was the acknowledgment of generational differences in the workplace. Michelle highlighted the need for leaders to recognize and respect these differences, fostering a culture of collaboration that leverages the unique strengths and values of each generation. This approach not only unifies teams but also drives innovation and adaptability.

Assessment and Gap Analysis for Cultural Alignment

Evan Hackel and Michelle Beauchamp discussed the process of evaluating and realigning organizational culture. This involves:

  1. Assessing the current culture and values within the organization.
  2. Identifying the desired cultural values that will support the company’s goals.
  3. Conducting a gap analysis to find discrepancies between the current and desired states.
  4. Implementing training programs to bridge these gaps and, if necessary, rehiring to align with the new cultural direction.

Training as a Profit Center

A significant insight shared by Michelle was the concept of viewing training as a profit center rather than just an investment. Effective training programs can improve performance metrics, such as close rates in sales or error rates in manufacturing, leading directly to increased profitability. This perspective shifts the narrative from training being a cost to being a revenue-generating activity.

One-on-One Coaching vs. Mastermind Groups

Michelle differentiated between the benefits of one-on-one coaching and mastermind groups:

  • One-on-One Coaching: Provides personalized attention, allowing individuals to address their specific challenges confidentially and in detail.
  • Mastermind Groups: Offer a collaborative environment where like-minded individuals can share experiences, brainstorm solutions, and gain a sense of community and support.

The Champ Group’s Approach

Michelle Beauchamp’s company, The Champ Group, specializes in leadership training, diversity, equity, inclusion, and communication. They focus on ongoing training rather than one-time workshops, ensuring that the principles taught are integrated into everyday practices. The Champ Group provides various services, including workshops, corporate training, mastermind groups, and one-on-one coaching.

For those interested in assessing their leadership style, Michelle offers a free leadership quiz available on The Champ Group’s website. This tool provides valuable insights into personal leadership strengths and areas for growth, fostering self-awareness and continuous improvement.

Stretching Out of the Comfort Zone

Michelle concluded with a powerful tip: stretch out of your comfort zone. Growth and relearning require stepping beyond familiar boundaries. By embracing discomfort and continuously striving for improvement, leaders can significantly impact their organizations and drive meaningful change.

About Our Guest

Michelle’s passion is, quite simply, helping people grow. Her motto, “Unleash Your Inner Champ,” is evident in her client relationship rapport, vast course curriculum, design structure, and delivery method.

Michelle is a certified coach, speaker, and trainer on the John Maxwell team. Michelle’s 25 years in Corporate America as a Sales Leader in Telecommunications, combined with her 12 + years as an entrepreneur, has equipped her to help others explore their strengths, improve areas of weakness and through a journey of inner discovery, create and lead inclusive cultures that enrich relationships and increase productivity.

2024-05-31T00:49:24-04:00June 5, 2024|

Unleashing Trust in Leadership with Dr. Mike Armour

In today’s fast-paced corporate world, the importance of trust in leadership cannot be overstated. As organizations strive for success, the relationship between leaders and their teams plays a crucial role. Dr. Mike Armour, a seasoned expert in leadership development, shared invaluable insights on trust, coaching, and organizational culture in a recent conversation with Evan Hackel. Let’s delve into the key takeaways from this enlightening discussion and explore how trust can be built and maintained within an organization.

The Essence of Trust in Leadership

Trust is the cornerstone of effective leadership. Dr. Armour emphasizes that building and maintaining trust requires consistent effort and dedication. He quotes Warren Buffett, who famously said, “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and 10 minutes to wreck it.” This highlights the fragility of trust and the importance of nurturing it daily.

Dr. Armour explains that every interaction within an organization is akin to a sales call, where individuals continually resell themselves to colleagues and stakeholders. This ongoing process is crucial in establishing and reinforcing trust. Leaders must be aware of their actions and words, ensuring they consistently reflect reliability and integrity.

From Coaching to Mentoring: Developing Leaders Internally

One of the significant aspects of Dr. Armour’s work involves helping organizations develop internal mentoring programs. By fostering a culture where experienced leaders coach and mentor emerging talents, companies can build robust leadership pipelines. This approach not only enhances individual growth but also strengthens the organization’s overall resilience.

Dr. Armour’s book, “Developing Leaders Who Coach,” provides a comprehensive guide for organizations aiming to cultivate a coaching culture. The book distinguishes between coaching, mentoring, consulting, and training, offering practical advice on fostering a supportive environment where leaders can thrive.

Identifying Trust Issues: The Role of Anxiety and Fear

A critical insight from Dr. Armour’s discussion is the link between trust and the levels of anxiety and fear within an organization. High levels of anxiety and fear often indicate that trust is in disrepair. This connection is rooted in our neurological wiring, where the presence of fear can inhibit the brain’s ability to trust.

To gauge the state of trust in an organization, leaders should observe the general atmosphere and emotional climate. Reducing anxiety and fear through transparent communication, consistent actions, and empathetic leadership can significantly enhance trust levels.

About Our Guest

For over 30 years Dr. Mike Armour has helped leaders and executives perfect their professional skills, attain peak performance, and discover new dimensions of satisfaction and fulfillment. A successful author in leadership and other fields, Mike is currently published in over two dozen languages. His writing and coaching are marked by an astute understanding of personal behavior, organizational dynamics, and the process of cultural change.

For those interested in diving deeper into these concepts, Dr. Armour offers a free eBook, “Developing Leaders Who Coach,” which provides actionable insights and practical strategies. To receive a copy, simply email [email protected] with the subject line “Free Coaching Book.”

2024-05-30T22:17:04-04:00May 30, 2024|

Unleashing Potential: Key Lessons in Leadership from Dr. Karen Jacobson

In the ever-evolving landscape of business, effective leadership stands as a cornerstone for organizational success. Dr. Karen Jacobson, CEO of Aligned Leadership Academy, brings her wealth of experience and expertise to the forefront in a recent episode of the Training Unleashed podcast. Here are the key takeaways from her insightful conversation with host Evan Hackel:

Navigating the Generational Divide

Dr. Jacobson highlights the ideological clash present in today’s workforce, particularly between different generations. With the workforce comprising individuals from Baby Boomers to Generation Z, understanding and bridging this gap is crucial for fostering collaboration and cohesion within organizations.

The Power of Resilience and Adaptability

Drawing from her background in the Israeli army, Dr. Jacobson emphasizes the importance of resilience and adaptability in leadership. Leaders must navigate uncertainty and chaos with calmness, finding solutions amidst challenges. Building resilience not only enhances individual performance but also inspires and supports team members during turbulent times.

Proactive Succession Planning

One of the standout recommendations from Dr. Jacobson is the implementation of proactive succession planning. By initiating conversations with new recruits during onboarding and creating future plans for their growth within the organization, leaders can nurture talent, enhance retention, and build loyalty. This strategic approach ensures a pipeline of capable leaders ready to step into key roles when needed.

Leveraging Neuroscience for Learning and Development

Dr. Jacobson underscores the significance of leveraging neuroscience principles to enhance learning and development initiatives within organizations. Simple yet effective strategies grounded in neuroscience, such as continuity and simplicity, can optimize training programs, leading to improved knowledge retention and application.

Cultivating a Culture of Growth and Development

Ultimately, Dr. Jacobson advocates for cultivating a culture of growth and development within organizations. Leaders play a pivotal role in creating environments where individuals feel empowered to learn, grow, and excel. By investing in leadership development at all levels and fostering a growth mindset, organizations can unleash the full potential of their teams and drive sustained success.

About Our Guest

Dr. Karen Jacobson, founder of Aligned Leadership Academy is a former Israeli military commander and competitive Ballroom Dancer. As an expert in neuroscience and human potential, she stepped away from her Chiropractic practice to pursue her passion of working with organizations to provide them with a competitive edge by developing their leaders and High-Performance teams. Dr. Jacobson is the author of the business communication guide Power Conversations, as well as the developer of the High-Performance Triad strategy for maximizing your talents, skills, and effectiveness in both the personal and professional arenas.

For consultations and booking go to www.drkarenjacobson.com

2024-05-22T10:36:55-04:00May 22, 2024|

Unleashing the Future of Learning: Exploring Extended Reality (XR) with Richard Adair

In a recent enlightening podcast conversation, we had the pleasure of speaking with Richard from the Learning Network, uncovering the dynamic landscape of Extended Reality (XR) technologies and their profound impact on learning and development. From fire extinguisher training to electric vehicle instruction, XR isn’t just revolutionizing industries; it’s reshaping the way we perceive and engage with learning.

Embracing the Reality: XR Technologies Today

Gone are the days of XR being confined to the realm of science fiction. Richard emphasized that XR is not merely a vision of the future; it’s a present-day reality. With XR technologies becoming increasingly accessible and affordable, organizations are leveraging them to drive tangible business outcomes. The conversation highlighted how XR is democratizing training, offering immersive experiences that transcend traditional learning methodologies.

From Fire Extinguishers to Electric Vehicles: Real-world Applications of XR

The podcast illuminated a myriad of real-world applications for XR technologies. From optimizing fire extinguisher training to enhancing electric vehicle technician instruction, XR is proving to be a game-changer across diverse sectors. By creating engaging and interactive simulations, organizations are not only improving learning outcomes but also driving cost savings and enhancing safety standards.

Unleashing Learning Potential with Performance XR Analytics

One of the most intriguing topics discussed was the potential of Performance XR Analytics. By harnessing data collected from XR experiences, organizations can gain invaluable insights into training effectiveness, user behavior, and ergonomic efficiency. This data-driven approach enables adaptive learning strategies, enhances curriculum design, and maximizes training outcomes, ushering in a new era of personalized learning experiences.

About Our Guest

Richard is a visionary leader with extensive experience in the learning and development industry. As the driving force behind The Learning Network, Richard brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. With a passion for leveraging cutting-edge technology to revolutionize training methods, Richard has spearheaded initiatives in XR technology, transforming how organizations approach learning. His forward-thinking approach and dedication to excellence have earned him recognition as a trailblazer in the field. Join us as Richard shares insights, strategies, and success stories in this insightful podcast episode.

2024-05-15T10:54:59-04:00May 15, 2024|
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