Most people don’t fail financially because they’re irresponsible. They fail because no one ever taught them how money actually works.

Michael E. Parker sits down with Zach Garcia, whose life took an unexpected tragedy that completely reshaped his relationship with money, wealth, and ownership. Zach shares how he once believed a modest 9–5 income was his ceiling—despite being surrounded by wealth he never thought was meant for him.Together, Michael and Zach explore why banks profit from financial ignorance, how the lending system really evaluates you, and what most people misunderstand about debt, leverage, and cash.

You’ll also hear practical insights on commercial vs. personal banking, why many people are labeled “unloanable,” and how learning to make money work for you changes everything.

Zach shares the mindset shift that helped him stop reacting to money—and start using it intentionally to build wealth.You don’t need a tragedy to wake up. You need education, mentorship, and a willingness to think differently. This conversation is for anyone who knows there’s more—but hasn’t been shown the path.

Why do some speakers captivate a room—while others share powerful experiences that somehow fall flat?

In this episode of the You Are a CEO Podcast, Michael E. Parker interviews Cat Coley, a storytelling and public speaking coach who helps leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals unlock confidence, clarity, and connection through story ownership. This conversation goes beyond storytelling tips and dives into story ownership—the difference between simply recounting events and teaching from transformation. Cat explains why stories don’t move people unless the speaker has fully processed the lesson, shifted perspective, and chosen what the story means.

Michael and Cat unpack how to speak from authenticity without oversharing, how to tell the same story from different angles depending on your audience, and why vulnerability is a choice—not a weakness. They also explore how frameworks emerge from lived experience, helping speakers create connection, confidence, and consistency on stage and in life.If you want to become a stronger speaker, develop executive presence, communicate with confidence, and use your story to inspire action—this conversation will change how you think about storytelling forever.

How to Connect with Cat Coley

catcoley.com | IG handle @therealcatcoley

What if the reason you’re still afraid to speak up, step forward, or go after your goals isn’t a lack of talent—but a lack of identity? This is the uncomfortable work no one sees that makes you unstoppable.

In this powerful episode of the You Are a CEO Podcast, Michael E. Parker sits down with former NFL athlete turned identity coach Anthony Trucks to unpack his concept of the Dark Work Experience—the unseen, uncomfortable work that builds confidence, skill, and certainty long before anyone applauds you.Dark work is the work no one applauds. It’s misunderstood. It’s uncomfortable. It's the uncomfortable work no one sees that makes you unstoppable And it’s exactly what separates people who talk about their goals from those who live them.

Together, Michael and Anthony explore why success isn’t about consuming more content—but about who you become through consistent action. They break down the difference between dark moments and dark seasons, why people often stay stuck in the dark instead of using it to transform, and how falling in love with the work changes everything.If your goal is to become a stronger speaker, a more confident leader, or someone who finally follows through—this episode gives you the framework to do the work that makes success inevitable.

How to Connect with Anthony Trucks

https://www.anthonytrucks.com/ | On IG @anthonytrucks

In this powerful episode, Michael E. Parker sits down with real estate investor and Vodyssey founder Shawn Moore, a leader who has helped over 3,000 people build wealth through short-term vacation rentals. Together, they unpack what it truly means to build a life you don’t want to take a vacation from—and why so many entrepreneurs never reach this kind of freedom.

This conversation breaks down the real reason people hesitate to jump into STRs or any wealth-building path—they’re worried about failing before they even begin. Shawn shares stories of clients who succeed simply because they go all-in, and others who hold back because fear keeps rewriting their story.Michael and Shawn explore how proximity changes everything, why wealth is a team sport, and how the rooms you’re in determine the standards you rise to.

They unpack the power of intention, the danger of the wrong self-story, and why building wealth always begins with building you.If you’re tired of working to “vacate your life,” and you’re ready to build one you don’t need a vacation from, this episode is your wake-up call.

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How to Connect with Shawn Moore:https://vodyssey.com/

Do you struggle with self-doubt, limiting beliefs, or feeling stuck in life? In this powerful episode of You Are A CEO, Michael E. Parker sits down with Barbara, an fitness expert and weight loss coach. With over two decades of experience helping people thrive in aerospace and corporate wellness, Barbara now focuses on one-on-one coaching that transforms lives and physiques from the inside out.In this episode, What Most People Get WRONG About Building Confidence, Barbara shares how confidence is not something you are born with—it’s a skill that requires intentional work, dedication, and the right guidance. She walks through the stories we tell ourselves that keep us from achieving our goals and offers practical strategies for women 40+ to improve nutrition, body composition, and self-love. Her 12-week program helps clients build lasting confidence, embrace their potential, and live fully without regret. Stop living in regret, unlock your potential, and truly feel your best in your skin, this episode is your blueprint. Learn actionable strategies to overcome doubt, build self-assurance, and finally achieve the results you want—both in life and in your body.How to Connect with Barbara KrisConnect on IG @officiabarbarakris

Most entrepreneurs believe that offering things for free will attract more people. But what if the opposite is true? In this powerful podcast, Michael E. Parker is joined by expert virtual event strategist Zach Hesterberg to reveal why the “free event" model is quietly destroying your business.Zach explains that while free content is valuable on platforms like YouTube, podcasts, and social media, free funnels, free challenges, and free registrations often create low commitment, low engagement, and extremely low conversions. The data is undeniable: people value what they pay for—and ignore what they don’t.Michael and Zach explore why the marketplace has lost trust in free offers, how entrepreneurs unintentionally weaken their positioning, and why charging—even a small amount—creates a deeper psychological shift that results in higher show-up rates, more serious prospects, and stronger sales outcomes.You’ll learn why The Truth About FREE Lead Generation Revealed impacts how to get buyers emotionally invested, and how to create a buying environment instead of a passive learning environment that never converts. Zach reveals why free is costing you everything, and his method for helping entrepreneurs increase revenue with less stress, less time, and fewer no-shows by leveraging messaging clarity, paid entry, and his 5 Core Beliefs framework.If you’ve been frustrated by low webinar attendance, weak conversions, or “freebie seekers” who never buy—this episode gives you the mindset and methodology to attract committed buyers who are ready to take action. Book a Call to Connect with Zach Hesterbergwww.paidevents.com Follow him on IG @ Zach Hesterberg

Expert Dietitian Drops Truth About Health You Have Never Heard! This is not another “eat better, try harder” talk. This is about understanding the root causes that traditional healthcare often overlooks—imbalanced systems, overwhelmed biology, nervous system stress, and years of misinformation. You’ll discover why your symptoms are not random. They’re signals. And once you learn to decode them, everything changes.We break down how infobesity (information overload) creates anxiety and paralysis, how misdiagnosis happens even with “healthy” lab results, and why the right information can restore hope when you feel like you’ve tried everything.You’ll learn why it’s not about eating less—it’s about giving your body the resources it needs to function. Why trauma and stress rewrite your biology. Why you need a squad. And why a true health awakening begins with one decision: choosing yourself. How to Connect with Ashley Koff, RD:Connect on IG @AshleyKoffapproved or click here: https://www.instagram.com/ashleykoffapproved?igsh=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng==

What happens when hundreds of entrepreneurs, professionals, and CEOs-in-the-making gather for three days with one mission — to transform their life, their business, and their future?

The Ultimate Freedom Live 2025 delivered breakthroughs no one expected. And in this special recap, Michael E. Parker breaks down the biggest insights, the most powerful transformations, and the life-changing moments that shaped this year’s event. You’ll hear what attendees experienced, how their mindset shifted, and what strategies are already changing their businesses from the inside out.

If you attended but didn’t upgrade for the replay — or if you missed the event entirely — this episode is your chance to get back into the room and experience the wisdom, the coaching, and the clarity that entrepreneurs are calling the reset they didn’t know they needed.👉 Join the Replay Interest List Herehttps://www.theultimatefreedomlive.com/replay-waitlistAccess the same tools, frameworks, and CEO-level breakthroughs that moved people from overwhelmed to unstoppable.