Perseverance despite unimaginable loss is something our next guest knows very well. Darnell Hardy is a highly respected fitness coach and the founder of Optimize VO2 (OVOO), a metabolic fitness company dedicated to helping individuals achieve peak performance. With over a decade of experience in the fitness industry, Darnell has worked with a diverse clientele, ranging from everyday individuals seeking to improve their health and fitness to elite athletes competing at the highest levels of CrossFit and Hyrox. Darnell's expertise lies in optimizing metabolic function and aerobic capacity, enabling clients to achieve significant improvements in their pursuits. A sought-after speaker and seminar host, Darnell travels the country sharing his knowledge and insights on metabolic fitness. Darnell is also Aerobic Capacity certified and serves as a subject matter expert at the prestigious Power Monkey Camp, further solidifying their reputation as a leader in the field.

In episode 621 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out what it was like for Darnell to grow up in St. Louis, why he had to say no to drugs, violence, and peer pressure, how he was able to process his trauma as he got older, how he ended up at Missouri State, why he chose Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and how the unimaginable loss of his brother, best friend, and grandparents changed how he sees conflict, pain, and perseverance.

How to avoid mistakes when facing reputation damage is something that we discuss on the podcast today. After 25+ years working in the high-stakes, high-speed world of NASCAR, IndyCar, and Formula 1, Mike Mooney has seen firsthand how elite teams consistently outperform the competition—not because they have more talent, but because they execute brilliantly in the micro-moments others overlook. That's the foundation of his work today—helping executives, leaders, and teams unlock championship-level performance under pressure using a dynamic framework he has developed called Your E.P.I.C. Pursuit™. This framework empowers leaders and teams with the four essential keys that all high performers use - and you should be too! Mike's keynotes, workshops, and coaching programs have helped companies like Frito Lay, U.S. Bank, U.S. Army, PepsiCo, and Advance Auto Parts drive daily leadership habits that deliver measurable business results. If you're ready to equip your leaders and teams to show up strong, execute with precision, and thrive under pressure—connect with Mike Mooney today!

On episode 620 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out why he chose Elon University for his undergraduate experience, why he joined Sigma Chi Fraternity, how his journey began in the motorsports industry, what leadership lessons he learned on the way to Senior Vice President at Roush Fenway Racing, what inspired him to write the book "Reputation Shift", what is reputation capital, how we can avoid mistakes when facing reputation damage, what is Mike's E.P.I.C. Pursuit™ Framework, and how students can reframe failure so it becomes part of their growth story. Enjoy!

Healing from childhood traumas is possible! Avonley Lightstone is the author of Strength of Scars, Letting Go, It's Just Temporary, and Going From Old to Gold. Her mission is to bring healing in to a world that often feels broken. She believes trauma and trials, when faced with courage, can become powerful challenges that strengthen us and create a ripple of hope and resilience. Through her own story, she inspires others to say, "I got this — we're doing this together." Avonley holds a deep personal hope of reconnecting with her family in India, where her journey began, and offering her father forgiveness and peace. She currently resides in Utah with her husband, Christian, and their three daughters. Together they enjoy the outdoors, baking, and cheering on their girls in sports.

In episode 619 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out how Avonley was able to save her mom from a house fire at just three years old, how an abusive environment in a foster home affected her sense of identity and belonging, how she help others recognize when they're masking pain instead of healing it, how to heal from childhood traumas before it starts to impact your growth, what are some physical or emotional signs that someone's body might be holding onto unresolved trauma, why she dreams of reconnecting with her family in India to offer forgiveness and peace, how her scars — physical and emotional — became a source of strength for others, how we can create a culture that prioritizes mental health and emotional safety, and what she hopes readers of "Strength of Scars" will take with them into their own lives. Enjoy!