85. Graceful Disruption

“Dare greatly, disrupt gracefully.


-Kristen m. Olson

I was PUMPED to be an OFFICIAL SPEAKER at The Podfest Global Summit 2021! I spoke about GRACEFUL DISRUTION, what it is, why it’s important, and how I came to know this. I display my process through the lens of my fitness and business journeys thus far. Some success and lots of failure… or so I thought, I had to personally gracefully disrupt my own perception on what the past really was and how much it really prepared me for my future. All the clichés on this one, but as I always say, if any part of sharing my journey streamlines lessons in yours, it’s all worth it:). Reality is nothing more than applied meaning, as we say on T&T. Define your own meaning, dare greatly, disrupt gracefully. Enjoy.

PodFest Global Summit:

Simply stated, Podfest Global Summit is an extension of Podfest Multimedia Expo, one of the longest running and tightest-knit communities of podcasters in the world! Podfest Expo is a community of people who are interested in and passionate about sharing their voice and message with the world through the powerful mediums of audio and video. We’re proud to unite as many people as possible to learn, get inspired, and grow better together. On top of the quality content and camaraderie PODFEST has become famous for over the years, we are also attempting the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for Largest Attendance for a Virtual Podcasting Conference!

Highlights:

Questioning a better way. OG philosophy. The why the how, and where are we now. Plan to fail, thus you’ll succeed. Define your own meaning and disrupt your own reality. Leading by example and being a conscious consumer. Influence, inspiration, and social media. Bettering yourself to better those around you.


Kristen M. Olson

@madonnashero

Experienced and innovative marketing professional with 18+ years’ experience in brand development and management and particular expertise with integrated marketing strategies, strategic territory management and relationship building. Broad based background encompasses strong work ethic and commitment to organizational objectives within highly competitive athletic apparel market. Tactical planner and team builder with ability to attract key players and develop lasting business relationships. Recognized for decisive leadership and proven ability to execute sound decisions while directing product development and launches.

Founder, KO Alliance, LLC,  @koalliance

Founder, Colorado Rising Stars Lacrosse, LLC, @crslax

Founder, Turmeric & Tequila™ (Podcast), @turmerictequila

Athletic Experience:

George Mason University, D1 Lacrosse 2x Capt.

CrossFit level 1 Certified

CrosFit Accomplishments:

2009, Rocky Mountain Regionals, 2nd

2009, CrossFit Games, Team, 9th

2010, North Central Regionals, 18th 

2010, CrossFit Games, Team, 10th

2011 South West Regionals, 4th

2011, CrossFit Games, Team,  2nd

2012, South West Regionals, 11th
2012, CrossFit Games, Team, 11th

2013 Southwest Regional, Team 2nd

2014 CrossFit Open, 7th

2014 Southwest Regional, 24th

2015 Colorado Open 2nd

2015 Do More Charity Challenge, Team, 3rd

2016 Colorado Open 2nd

2016 Do More Charity Challenge, Team, 3rd

84. Free You Mind (And Body)

“Imagination is the highest form of research.”


-Albert Einstein

The unexpected conversations are my favorite ones… it just feels like it was supposed to happen, so something larger made it happen:) I am very excited to welcome Tiffany Barnes to the T&T mic, this beautiful unplanned convo will have you rethinking your thinking on life and your reaction to the “shit”. Tiffany has deep ethos as someone who has mastered overcoming. Tiffany is an abuse survivor, emancipated at 15, working 3 jobs to take care of herself, she still managed to graduate at the top of her class. Her triumphs did stop there. Tiffany is an author, entrepreneur, and founder of an advocacy group,  S.H.A.R.E, Sharing Hope for the Abused through Resilience and Empowerment, that has grown into a full 503C nonprofit! She is passionate about real estate and helping others share their truth on her podcast, Speak Loud. Tiffany shares her inspiring journey and great words on using the past to help build the future. Take notes and let your perspective shift for the positive.  If Tiffany doesn’t have an excuse to dwell in the shit, neither do we! Thank you, Tiffany, you are truly resilient and powerful, I can’t wait to see what is next for you!

Highlights:

Questioning a better way. Leaving behind the prescribed you and embracing the real you. Letting go of what you should do. Mental and physical wellness. Corporate world to entrepreneurial world. Questioning marriage, monogyny, and psychedelics. The importance of mentorship and leading by example. Life skills through sports. Burning Man.


Jeff Venn:

I’m Jeff Venn, a life architect, business owner, and mentor to young entrepreneurs. 

Many people will tell you where to go, what to do, and how to live, but there’s a higher path and calling inside of you that only you can unearth.​ 

It’s time to stop living by other people’s scripts and expectations for your life and have your own awakening. 

I’ve done this in my own life, taking a forward-thinking, progressive approach to building and running my businesses and how I build and run my days.

Sure, I’ve accomplished a few things on the outside:

  • Founder of Create Studios, a digital marketing agency
  • Founder of c o n v e r g e, a community for young entrepreneurs
  • Former Semi-Pro Surfer
  • Professional Musician
  • Fluent in Spanish

But I’m most proud of my successes on the inside. I’ve escaped the rat race. I’m rich in the things that matter most to me – control over my time, a fulfilling work-life balance, and the opportunity to inspire young entrepreneurs to dream bigger than they ever thought possible.

Life is a giant wheel of progress, improvement, and learning.

Now, let’s get moving.

@jeffvenn

@createwebstudios

@createwithjeff

83. Not Dwelling In The Shit

“My barn having burned down, I can now see the moon.”


― Mizuta Masahide (17th century Japanese poet and samurai)

The unexpected conversations are my favorite ones… it just feels like it was supposed to happen, so something larger made it happen:) I am very excited to welcome Tiffany Barnes to the T&T mic, this beautiful unplanned convo will have you rethinking your thinking on life and your reaction to the “shit”. Tiffany has deep ethos as someone who has mastered overcoming. Tiffany is an abuse survivor, emancipated at 15, working 3 jobs to take care of herself, she still managed to graduate at the top of her class. Her triumphs did stop there. Tiffany is an author, entrepreneur, and founder of an advocacy group,  S.H.A.R.E, Sharing Hope for the Abused through Resilience and Empowerment, that has grown into a full 503C nonprofit! She is passionate about real estate and helping others share their truth on her podcast, Speak Loud. Tiffany shares her inspiring journey and great words on using the past to help build the future. Take notes and let your perspective shift for the positive.  If Tiffany doesn’t have an excuse to dwell in the shit, neither do we! Thank you, Tiffany, you are truly resilient and powerful, I can’t wait to see what is next for you!

 

Highlights:

Resilience. Overcoming. How to not dwell in the shit. Letting go and moving forward. Acknowledging the ups and downs, knowing it’s a process. Breakdown, breakthrough. Self-love and seeking acceptance. Questioning a better way. Sharing your light and being the light for others.


Tiffany Barnes:

Tiffany Barnes is familiar with overcoming hardships.  

After enduring physical, mental, and sexual abuse, Tiffany was emancipated at the age of 15.  At the time, she was only the 2nd case in the state of Utah for a child of that age to become legally emancipated. While working three jobs to support herself through high school, Tiffany became a Sterling Scholar, graduating top of her class, an athlete, and founder of S.H.A.R.E, an advocacy group for students; by students who had experienced abuse. 

What began as a small group of students supporting each other, S.H.A.R.E has since grown and evolved into a 503C national foundation that stands for Sharing Hope for the Abused through Resilience and Empowerment.

As a torch bearer for the 2002 Olympics, Tiffany has always been determined to shine light in dark places. Helping others to “light their flame within”. While most might have used their unfortunate past as a crutch, Tiffany has chosen instead to use it as a stepping-stone toward a better future. As a realtor and real estate investor, Tiffany prides herself in exceeding expectations for her clients. She also loves coaching people on how to set up successful Airbnb’s to build long term wealth. 

Tiffany is now following her passion of helping others to overcome through her work as the founder of S.H.A.R.E as well as a Keynote Speaker across the nation. 

Her first book “The Throw Away Girl”, an inspiring autobiography, is soon to be released. 

Tiffany has made it her mission to help others create real change, one person at a time. Her motto is “It’s the START that STOPS you.” Through her message, Tiffany helps others to begin their journey of resilience and empowerment from adverse circumstances one step at a time!

Instagram: @misstiffanybarnes and @speakloudpodcast 

FB: Miss Tiffany Barnes and Speak Loud Podcast 

LinkedIN: /tiffanykbarnes

81. Open Mic: Syn Martinez

“I had to go from the black devil to the black god.”

Syn Martinez

The energy, the mission, the movement… Afrobrutality! I am so pumped to welcome Syn Martinez, longtime friend and Afrobrutality Founder, on to the T&T mic, we go way back and are catching up. Syn and I discuss the early days of the fit biz and some of our initial projects, man have things come along way… let’s just say Instagram wasn’t even a thing yet, ha. Syn shares his journey in his trademark raw fashion- this is why we love him. If you know me, you know authenticity is Queen/King, Syn is your human for the truth. We jump right into the deep, so grab the life vest.

Fighting for equality is in Syn’s blood, currently he’s carrying the touch establishing Afrobrutality in 2008, creating a brand, lifestyle, and now a mission. He recently secured a new, large scale deal with Puma. We discuss some of the good and bad biz deals along the way, the lack of diversity in fitness/CrossFit, how health is wealth, and how we can collectively work together to LISTEN and work to make this world a better place. Check out his new line of gear (link below) it just might inspire you to make a positive change NOW (seriously, a shirt might change your life). Syn drops some “you heard it here first” on this cast, so tune in with pen in tow. Thank you Syn, keep up the good fight, as you do!!


Syn Martinez:

I help CEOs and Business owners optimize their Sales efforts by turning their Social Media into a Sales funnel for quality leads. For the last 10 Years I was able to help myself by turning a phrase (AfroBrutality) into an Internationally recognized Lifestyle Brand. I’ve helped and aided many Small Businesses Companies on how to create a Grassroots Campaign that can turn into Long-Term clientele. I’ve also done Consulting for many Small Businesses that are looking to Create an effective Sales Campaign through Social Media. My Knowledge is vast and my experience is extensive. Hire me today and let me Help You Create A Business You Can Eventually 

Afrobrutality:

AFROBRUTALITY IS A MINDSET FOR PEOPLE WHO CARE ABOUT BEING HEALTHY, WHO CARE ABOUT SUCCEEDING IN LIFE BY ANY AND ALL MEANS, WHO WILL DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO ADD POSITIVITY TO THEIR LIFE AND THE PEOPLE AROUND THEM.

“WE’RE AFTER A MINDSET OF PEOPLE WHO WANT TO LEAD A POSITIVE LIFE AND WON’T LET LIFE DICTATE HOW THAT LOOKS AND FEELS.”

SYN MARTINEZ
– THE O.G. CRIMINAL –

@afrobrutality

Puma Gear:

PRODUCT STORY: AfroBrutality is more than just a fitness collective or a clothing brand, it’s a movement. Founder Syn Martinez believes in the power of exercise as way to educate and uplift, while expressing yourself unapologetically. AfroBrutality aims to create a more diverse and inclusive space in the cross-functional training community, with workouts that incorporate Black History education and kick-ass gear to match.
This tee features signature logo graphics and a bold mantra at the back. Power and positivity to all the people.