What happens when you lose 100 pounds, humble your ego on the jiu-jitsu mat, rebuild your marriage through intentional listening, and take the helm of one of the cleanest plant-based brands in America?

In this episode, Matt sits down with Jason Bronstad, CEO of MALK Organics, to unpack his radical transformation. From facing unemployment in early 2020 to turning it into a season of health, family growth, and professional alignment, Jason shares the lessons that reshaped his life. They dig into why feedback is a superpower, how family core values can anchor decision-making, and why you should always “turn it around” to check your ingredients. Whether you’re a leader, a parent, or simply someone hungry for better living, this conversation will fuel your next move.

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 – A Big Hello + Matt’s Book Drops with a Surprise Offer
• 00:00:45 – Step Into the Eternal Optimist Vibe
• 00:01:42 – Meet Jason Bronstad: CEO, Dad, Game-Changer
• 00:02:17 – From 315 Pounds to Purpose: Jason’s Radical Reset
• 00:05:18 – Tooth Fairy Tales, Peso Jackpots, and Parenting Wins
• 00:07:03 – When Unemployment Opens the Door to a New Mission
• 00:09:58 – Ego on the Mat: Lessons from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
• 00:13:47 – Why Feedback Might Be Your Greatest Superpower
• 00:24:47 – Counseling, Connection, and a Marriage Reinvented
• 00:25:06 – How Match.com (and a Mother-in-Law!) Made the Match
• 00:26:02 – Hard Truths, Tough Lessons, and Turning Points
• 00:28:12 – Breaking Old Patterns and Sharing the Load at Home
• 00:30:22 – Sponsor Spotlight: Take a Breath & Be Cool, Baby
• 00:31:35 – From Food & Bev to Finding Passion in Pure Quality
• 00:33:23 – Saying “Yes” to MALK Organics and Its Clean-Label Cause
• 00:40:03 – What Your Gut Really Wants: The Case for Natural Ingredients
• 00:41:57 – Building a Family “BRO Code” to Live By
• 00:45:52 – How to Discover the Values That Drive Your Life
• 00:46:51 – Final Nuggets + Where to Find Jason Online
• 00:47:43 – Tournament Glory: Jiu-Jitsu, Grit, and Kids in Your Corner
• 00:49:31 – Wrapping It Up with Gratitude and Optimism

Links And Resources:

• Connect on Linkedin
• Conversations Worth Having: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful Engagement
• Front Row Dads
• Malk Organics
• Malk Organics Instagram
• Malk Organics Facebook

Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Eternal Optimist? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

When Damon Mitchell lost the ability to do a single pushup, it triggered a reckoning—not just with his body, but with his identity as “the strong guy.” In this raw and reflective episode, Damon opens up about the neurological injury that sidelined his body but awakened something deeper. He shares how sobriety, self-trust, and intentional brotherhood became anchors through pain, disconnection, and uncertainty. Now a coach for men navigating the relationships that matter most, Damon offers hard-earned insights on leadership, masculinity, and what it means to fight for something real. If you’ve ever questioned your worth when you couldn’t perform, provide, or push through—this conversation is your invitation to show up anyway.

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - Meet Damon Mitchell: Real Talk Begins
• 00:00:51 - Iguanas, Engagements, and Unlikely Adventures
• 00:01:41 - From Trainer to Coach: Damon’s Backstory
• 00:02:16 - Dogs, Loyalty, and Emotional Anchors
• 00:03:09 - Drinking Days and the Sobriety Decision
• 00:04:40 - Pain, Pride, and Pushing Through
• 00:06:28 - “Something’s Not Right”: The Body Breaks Down
• 00:08:25 - Misdiagnosed, Misunderstood, and Running Out of Options
• 00:10:05 - Surgery, Survival, and Mental Battles
• 00:17:51 - Airports, Breakdown, and Emotional Exhaustion
• 00:20:23 - Climbing Back: The Physical and Mental Recovery
• 00:20:55 - “What Can I Fight For Now?”
• 00:21:58 - Regaining Strength—and the Will to Be Independent
• 00:25:05 - Freedom, Movement, and Meaning
• 00:26:29 - Puzzle Pieces and the Nature of Addiction
• 00:28:42 - The Real Story Behind Getting Sober
• 00:30:32 - Business Pressure Meets Personal Pain
• 00:31:01 - Taco Bros Day: Healing Over Tacos
• 00:33:50 - Building Tolomen: Brotherhood with Intention
• 00:39:59 - Lightning Round: What Fuels Damon’s Fire

Links And Resources:

• Official Website – Intentionalize My Life
• Tolomen's Group
• Substack – Live Happier
• Damon Mitchell on LinkedIn

Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Eternal Optimist? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

Matt Drinkhahn sits down with longtime friend and business coach Daniel Patrick Andrews for a raw and inspiring conversation about personal transformation, grief, and the business of building meaningful relationships. Daniel shares how he went from being a self-described “recovering people pleaser” who was “better in small doses,” to becoming a top-tier relationship coach who helps professionals master the art of asking the right question from the right person for the right introduction. Through deeply personal stories—like the painful loss of his brother to AIDS and navigating the emotional aftermath with his father—Daniel unpacks how struggle, faith, and sheer willpower shaped his philosophy. This episode is a must-listen for growth-minded professionals who value grit over talent, results over ego, and relationships over transactions.

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - Kickoff: The Eternal Optimist Energy
• 00:01:06 - Meet Daniel Andrews: Real Talk Begins
• 00:01:35 - The Cutco Vector Hustle Story
• 00:03:00 - Mastering the Art of Connection
• 00:14:22 - Breaking Through Life’s Hardest Challenges
• 00:23:04 - A Family Clash That Changed Everything
• 00:23:56 - Grief, Healing, and Life Lessons
• 00:25:06 - Why True Relationships Stand the Test of Time
• 00:26:50 - The Heartbreak of Losing a Parent
• 00:28:44 - Apologies, Forgiveness, and Rebuilding Bonds
• 00:33:36 - From Pain to a Powerful Career Path
• 00:34:43 - Smart Networking & Business Growth Hacks
• 00:40:59 - Final Thoughts and How to Connect

Links And Resources:

• Daniel Patrick Andrews's Website
• Daniel Andrews on LinkedIn
• The Two Critical Questions

Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Eternal Optimist? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!