In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Christalyne Causey, former burned-out healthcare worker turned medspa owner and performance-focused health strategist. We unpack why burnout isn’t a motivation problem. It’s a hormone and nervous system problem. From stress chemistry and dopamine addiction to sleep deprivation and modern lifestyle design, this conversation delivers practical insight into restoring balance, performance, and human connection.

Key Takeaways

1) Burnout is often biological, not psychological: chronic stress suppresses key hormones like testosterone and serotonin

2) Dopamine overstimulation blocks deeper connection, fulfillment, and bonding hormones

3) Resistance training and daily movement are powerful tools for stress regulation and longevity

4) Whole foods support hormone production by reducing inflammation and nutrient depletion

5) Sleep is the foundation of recovery: chronic deprivation accelerates aging and burnout

Quotes

• “Burnout isn’t a character flaw. It’s your biology waving a red flag.” – Mycal Anders

• “Dopamine addiction is quietly destroying our ability to connect.” – Christalyne Causey

• “You don’t need optimization. You need restoration.” – Christalyne Causey

Connect with Christalyne Causey

Website: https://thebareeffect.com

Instagram: @thecauseyeffect

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Alignment First. Progress Always.

#AlignmentFirst#ProgressAlways#FittestLeader#LeadershipDevelopment#HighPerformanceHabits#ExecutiveAthlete#MindsetMastery#PersonalGrowthJourney#PeakPerformanceCoaching#NextLevelLeadership#Podcast

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Mo Fitzgerald — former NWSL player, strategist, facilitator, and founder of Play Street Studio — to explore why play is not a distraction from performance, but a catalyst for it.We unpack the loss of identity athletes experience after sport, the isolation of leadership and entrepreneurship, and why modern workplaces are starving for connection, creativity, and presence. Mo breaks down how play functions as a love language, a leadership practice, and a competitive advantage — not fluff, not recreation, but a disciplined way to build culture, trust, and innovation.

Key Takeaways

1) Play is wired into human biology and is essential for connection, creativity, and adaptation

2) The best leaders facilitate wisdom already inside their teams instead of extracting answers

3) Creativity is a practice — if teams don’t train it, they can’t access it under pressure

4) Seriousness is often mistaken for rigor, but play and excellence are not opposites

5) In-person connection creates exponential impact that technology cannot replace

Quotes

• “Play isn’t juvenile — it’s how humans connect, adapt, and create.”

• “If you don’t practice creativity, it won’t show up when you need it.”

• “Leadership isn’t about engagement — it’s about who you choose to lead for.”

• “We haven’t updated how we work to match how people actually learn.”

• “Play creates culture. Culture creates performance.”

Connect with Mo Fitzgerald

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mofitzgerald

• Website: https://playstreetstudio.com

• Instagram: @momofitzz

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Stay Connected & Take Action

✅ Clarity | Coaching | Consistency | Community → NextLevelHQ.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

✅ Ready to be the Fittest Leader Possible? → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CoachDerz.com/blog

✅ Subscribe to the Next Level Substack → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://nextlevelalignment.substack.com/

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Partners & Sponsors

@ThorneHealth → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thorne.com/u/progressalways

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Alignment First. Progress Always.

#AlignmentFirst#ProgressAlways#FittestLeader#LeadershipDevelopment#HighPerformanceHabits#ExecutiveAthlete#MindsetMastery#PersonalGrowthJourney#PeakPerformanceCoaching#NextLevelLeadership#Podcast

In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Madeline Davis Tully — former Princeton rowing athlete and rowing coach at Stanford, Ohio State, and Boston University, national champion, and founder of MDT Leadership. We unpack what it truly means to transition from competing for championships to creating champions, the parallels between elite sport and executive leadership, and how identity, values, and discipline shape high-performance lives.

Key Takeaways

1) The transition from athlete to coach demands humility, identity work, and a shift from “me” to “we.”

2) Elite coaching hinges on understanding team chemistry, not just talent, and making objective decisions without bruising egos.

3) Leadership translates best when it’s authentic; great leaders learn to lead from the front, middle, or rear depending on situational need.

4) Athletes become exceptional executives because they already understand discipline, failure, repetition, and long-term process.

5) A coach’s power lies in steadiness, especially when a client or athlete misses the big moment.

Quotes

• “To become a champion, you must act like one before you ever win.” – Madeline Davis Tully

• “My job isn’t to want it more than you. My job is to help you realize what you truly want.” – Madeline Davis Tully

• “A great coach meets their athlete at the dock after a loss — steady, present, and ready for what’s next.” – Madeline Davis Tully

Connect with Madeline Davis Tully

• Website: ⁠https://mdtlead.com

⁠• LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/madelinedavistully

___________________________________________________________________________________

Stay Connected & Take Action

✅ Clarity | Coaching | Consistency | Community → NextLevelHQ.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

✅ Ready to be the Fittest Leader Possible? → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CoachDerz.com/blog

✅ Subscribe to the Next Level Substack → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://nextlevelalignment.substack.com/

✅ Subscribe to Alignment First on Spotify → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5DmNDDIPLiYIfO278S32hM?si=258af1623c974b00

Partners & Sponsors

@ThorneHealth → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thorne.com/u/progressalways

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@StrongCoffee → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠strongcoffeecompany.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Code: NEXTLEVEL15

Alignment First. Progress Always.

#AlignmentFirst#ProgressAlways#FittestLeader#LeadershipDevelopment#HighPerformanceHabits#ExecutiveAthlete#MindsetMastery#PersonalGrowthJourney#PeakPerformanceCoaching#NextLevelLeadership#Podcast