Episodios

  • Episode 18: Where Strength Meets Surrender with Carter Gonzales
    Jan 7 2026

    What happens when your body forces you to stop — and you don’t know if you trust it enough to start again?


    I sat down with my friend Carter to talk about injury and recovery, but what we really talked about was identity. A single moment on a flag football field led to both of his patellar tendons rupturing at the same time. Weeks in the hospital. Learning how to walk again. And just as he began to feel like himself, a second surgery that sent him back to the beginning.


    As an athletic trainer, Carter understood the mechanics of his injury. As a human, he still had to face the fear, frustration, and grief that came with losing trust in his own body.


    We talk about the parts of recovery that don’t get posted online — the mental weight, the quiet loneliness, the fear of reinjury, and the question that lingers long after the scars heal: Is going back worth it?


    This conversation isn’t about sport. It’s about patience. Community. Faith. And learning how to stay present when progress is slow and the future feels uncertain.


    If you’ve ever been sidelined — physically or emotionally — this episode is a reminder that healing isn’t linear, and you don’t have to navigate it alone.


    Stay tuned to follow along Carter's recovery journey alongside mine!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    1 h y 18 m
  • Episode 17: Backstory: The Injury That Changed Everything
    Dec 15 2025

    In this season premiere, I’m sharing the full story of what’s been happening in my life over the past few months—and why this season is all about recovery, resilience, and the comeback. I took a break after season one without knowing that when I returned, I’d be coming back with the biggest and most humbling story of my life so far.


    What started as mild back pain after a workout quickly spiraled into something far more serious. I pushed through pain, ran a 10K I probably shouldn’t have, and tried to convince myself I was fine—until everything came to a complete halt. Within weeks, I went from training and living an extremely active life to being unable to move, sleeping on couches in excruciating pain, and making multiple urgent care and emergency room visits.


    This episode walks through the moment everything changed: worsening numbness, a middle-of-the-night ambulance ride, an MRI that revealed a severely herniated L4–L5 disc, and the realization that I needed emergency spinal surgery that same day. I talk about learning that my condition—cauda equina syndrome—was a medical emergency that could have led to permanent nerve damage or paralysis if left untreated.


    And somehow, that still wasn’t the end of it. After surgery, I faced unexpected complications, including blood clots in both legs and both lungs, repeated hospital stays, intense chest pain, fainting episodes, and a difficult recovery process that tested me physically and mentally. I share what it felt like to wake up pain-free after surgery, only to be met with new challenges, uncertainty, and fear around my body and my future.


    This episode is about more than injury and surgery—it’s about identity, independence, and being forced to slow down when your life has always revolved around movement. I talk about the mental toll of recovery, the exhaustion of starting over, the vulnerability of asking for and receiving help, and the deep gratitude I feel for my family, friends, and medical team who carried me through the hardest weeks.


    Season two will be me documenting this recovery in real time—physical therapy, mindset shifts, rebuilding trust in my body, and redefining what strength and success look like moving forward. I’ll also be bringing on guests who are navigating their own difficult seasons, so we can explore what recovery really looks like in all its forms.


    If you’re going through something hard, feeling stuck in your body, or wondering how to come back after everything falls apart, this season is for you.


    This is Convergence.

    This is season two.

    And this is the comeback.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    40 m
  • Episode 16: The Art of Making Life Awesome with Jacob Showers
    Aug 12 2025

    In this episode, I’m hanging out with Jacob Showers, founder of AION Training and the most energetic and genuine person in any room. Jacob shares how his journey went from selling hoodies in college to coaching at various gyms, launching a virtual running club, and eventually creating AION, a community built on energy, intentionality, and making life as awesome as possible.


    We talk about what it really takes to grow a movement; from taking killer photos and connecting with people daily to building a culture that keeps the right people coming back. Jacob shares his perspective about the balance between discipline and fun, the value of saying what’s on your mind, and why he doesn’t believe in limiting yourself, ever.


    This conversation is part story, part mindset shift, and full of ideas on how to create a life (and community) that’s worth showing up for every day.


    Instagram: @aiontraining__ @jacobshowers__

    Website: aiontraining.co

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    59 m
  • Episode 15: The Art of Chasing Goals Out Loud
    Jul 20 2025

    In this episode, I’m recording outside for the first time (!!) and diving into something relevant to my life lately: connection and community.


    Here’s some key points:

    • Why I’ve always felt like a bit of an outsider and how that’s shaped my need for meaningful connection

    • How putting yourself in the right rooms changes everything

    • The importance of being where your desired behavior is the norm

    • Learning to stop forcing your way into spaces you’re not wanted

    • Practical tips for making friends as an adult (without pretending to be someone you’re not)

    • Why sharing your goals out loud can unlock powerful relationships, accountability, and purpose


    If you’ve been trying to find your people or wondering how to build real connection, this episode will give you a starting point.


    If something in this resonated with you, send it to a friend, share it on socials, or reach out and let me know what you’re working toward. I’d love to cheer you on!!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    19 m
  • Episode 14: The Art of Consistency Over Intensity
    Jul 7 2025

    In this episode, I’m diving into one of the biggest mindset shifts I’ve had in a long time: why consistency always beats intensity. After completing the 75 Hard challenge, I realized that the slow, steady habits I built had a much bigger impact than any short burst of motivation ever has.


    This is a concept we all know, but putting it into practice is where the real work begins.


    Here’s what I get into:

    • Why I chose to do 75 Hard instead of another 30-day challenge
    • How starting slow helped me avoid burnout and actually finish
    • The power of showing up every single day, even if it’s just for 10 minutes
    • How reading just 10 pages a day helped me finish 3+ books I’d put off for a year
    • Why aligning your habits with your identity is key to lasting change
    • The importance of being in rooms where your ideal behavior is the norm


    If you’ve ever felt stuck in the cycle of “all in, then burn out,” this episode is for you. I'm sharing what’s worked for me, what I’ve learned, and how I’m thinking about my goals moving forward.

    Thanks for listening, and if this resonates, I’d love if you shared it with someone who needs to hear it.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    20 m
  • Episode 13: The Art of Choosing to Do Hard Things (Like 75 Hard)
    Jun 2 2025

    In this episode, I’m diving into something that’s been a big part of my life lately: 75 Hard. I’ve had this topic on my mind for weeks, and I’m excited to finally sit down and share what the program is, why I chose to do it, and how it’s impacted me so far. I’m currently on day 49, and it’s been a journey — physically, mentally, and emotionally.


    I talk about what led me to commit to something this intense, especially after a my first winter back in CO that left me feeling drained and out of alignment with the identity I’ve been trying to embody. I was tired, low-energy, getting headaches, and just not feeling like myself. 75 Hard felt like the reset I needed to build habits that truly stick.


    Throughout the episode, I reflect on what I’ve learned so far — from building discipline and prioritizing my day, to how powerful it is to shift your mindset from “optional” to “non-negotiable.” I also share my thoughts on the criticism around the program being “unsustainable” and why I believe the discipline it teaches can be a gateway to lasting change.


    One of the most unexpected and rewarding parts of this experience has been the sense of community. I originally thought I’d do it quietly, but sharing it publicly has sparked amazing conversations, accountability, and support that have made the process even more meaningful.


    I also get into the challenges I’ve faced — mentally, physically, and logistically — and how I’m planning to approach the final stretch of the program. Plus, I talk about what comes after 75 Hard, and how I plan to carry forward the habits and mindset I’ve built.


    If you’ve ever considered doing something that pushes you out of your comfort zone or helps you reconnect with your goals, I hope this episode resonates with you.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    32 m
  • Episode 12: The Art of Focusing on Less to Get More
    Apr 28 2025

    In this episode, I’m sharing a lesson that’s been really relevant in my life lately: how focusing on less can actually bring you more. After feeling overwhelmed by trying to do too much, between work, creative projects, fitness, and life, a conversation with my sister helped me realize the power of slowing down and getting laser-focused.


    I talk about how constantly chasing “what’s next” can steal the joy we could be feeling today, and how important it is to balance having big goals with also being deeply present. I share a favorite reminder that’s been sticking with me: “Don’t steal today’s joy by focusing on what you want tomorrow.”


    I also dive into my experience doing 75 Hard, how it’s forced me to say no to things that aren’t aligned, and how simplifying has brought me more clarity, joy, and satisfaction. I wrap up with a challenge for all of us: anytime we catch ourselves living in the future, pull back and remember how far we’ve already come, and be grateful for it.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    18 m
  • Episode 11: The Art of Anticipating Setbacks
    Apr 13 2025

    Welcome back to Convergence!


    In this episode, I dive into the documentary A Clean Slate, which follows Colorado Avalanche captain Gabe Landeskog’s intense, years-long journey through injury, recovery, and resilience. As someone who’s also been on a recovery path, this hit especially close to home. From watching Gabe read his own journal entries to reflecting on the emotional toll of setbacks, this doc brought out a lot of passion for me, so I’m sharing some reflections with you.


    We talk about the harsh realities of rehab, the illusion of a smooth recovery, and the mental strength it takes to keep going when everything feels uncertain. I also explore the importance of documenting your story, not just for others, but for yourself. Whether it’s journaling, podcasting, or just opening up to someone, sharing can be healing and empowering and also provides great perspective later on.


    I going back through some details of my own journey. My surgery anniversary, the ups and downs of tennis season, and how I’ve seen my own growth through the lens of recovery.

    If you’ve ever battled something hard, physically, emotionally, mentally, this one’s for you. Let's talk setbacks, comebacks, and why it’s never a waste to put your story out there.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    14 m
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