Awaken The Awesome

Working with family can be a shot in the dark sometimes as even the closest relatives can become damaging business partners. Fortunately, that was not the case for Dave & Dillon Mysliwiec , respectively CEO of The Upstate Sound & President of Upstate Management. From what I've learned, if want to build a successful business, be it an impressive record label carving its own path in the industry or a growing music management empire, will most certainly take time, patience, sacrifice and a solid sense of dedication. But if you're lucky enough to count on your family as part of your close circle of collaborators - that's a precious bonus. The palpable synergy and mutual respect that these two brothers shared during our exchange was surely only a glimpse of the tremendous bond between them: Dave being the infectiously energetic and fearless creative, and Dillon being the savvy & tactical Marketing expert, they're quite the dynamic duo. One o...

If you're a local quebecer, the name Rubino just might ring a bell seeing as it's one of the most recognizable brands in Quebec.   With its founder, Vincenzo Rubino, diving into the footwear industry some 35 years ago, RUBINO SHOES has since become a landmark as the best option to get branded shoes at the best value.   With a culture rooted in authenticity as well as inclusivity, and with Vincenzo's children having now taken the reins, the company continues to push forward in its mission to be the go-to destination for affordable branded-only footwear by creating a fun, friendly and pressure-free experience for its customers.   I want to make one thing clear : this is not a paid advertisement.   I was incredibly honored to welcome Mr Angelo Rubino , Vice-President of  RUBINO SHOES , as I had become an avid listener of his own podcast aptly named " Un Espresso avec Angelo ".   Having listened to a couple(...Ok, a LOT!) of episodes, ...

Every time I hit 'Publish' and an episode gets released into The Universe, I often take pause - and realize that it's still there. I'm talking about that wonderful sense of excitement, gratitude, and respect that has always characterized every one of these amazing interviews. It's a humbling thing to realize that, behind the achievements, the celebrity, the notoriety, the expertise, if one is willing to humble yourself and listen, you have the opportunity to get to know an incredible human being. Today's guest is no different. I had been a big fan of my next guest for a really long time as I greatly admired this warrior's journey. As a back-to-back CrossFit Games World Cup Champion(2012, 2013) Michael Cazayoux is no stranger to the importance of one's mindset when overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles. As a Coach, being well-accustomed to the unique process of self-examination, he specializes in helping clients “get out...

It was only going to be a matter of time before I would have him back on the program. From our first recording together, which you most definitely should check out(Ep. 125) , Max De La Cruz and I have certainly aligned on many levels. From the warrior's mindset, to childishly getting a laugh out of the little whimsical things that occur in our everyday lives, to the undeniable demands of fatherhood, to furthering the necessary conversations about mental health among men...I can quite honestly admit I've made a new friend. This next recording is very much the product of this mutual energy and respect. As we were candidly exchanging back and forth over DM, we eventually got to bounce off different observations in regards to another topic we were both quite versed in : Marriage & Long-Term relationships.  We realized that a lot of the stuff we were discussing could be useful to people and, as these thi...

As we near our 100th episode, I wanted to take things back to the beginning and reach out to one of the first guests who, in their own special and gracious way, said 'Yes' to being on the program and sharing their story. Jessica Cantave is a special being to say the least. With a sense of mindfulness and truth that has always inspired me and fueled our lifelong friendship over the years, it's always a welcome treat to have her on the podcast. Special side note - when your guest is also your cousin, chances are very good that you'll hit a certain level of intimacy and vulnerability that can only help towards a better understanding of your own personal growth. On this touching episode, we touch on lot of personal insights and individual perspectives on Life, Laughter, Love and even Loss... You never have to look to far for an amazing conversation. This one was totally unplanned, unrehearsed and got...

On this short solo episode, perspective is a heartwarming mentor. Especially when you have to take a look over your shoulder and realise how far the two of you have come...as well as the some of the defining moments that have manifested along the way. Enjoy. You can download the MP3 for this episode by  right-clicking here  and choosing "Save As" Stay up to date - Subscribe to the podcast and get the latest episodes as soon they're published. ( RSS ) ( Apple Podcasts ) ( Google Podcasts )  ( Spotify )   ( T uneIn )   ( Stitcher ) Remember to leave a comment and let us know how we're doing. Either on the blog of via email : awakentheawesome@gmail.com #StayAwesome

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Soosh • illustrator • (@vskafandre) on Feb 20, 2016 at 12:11am PST I take my role as a father very seriously, and I make no apologies for it. Enjoy. You can download the MP3 for this episode by  right-clicking here  and choosing "Save As" Stay up to date - Subscribe to the podcast and get the latest episodes as soon they're published. ( RSS ) ( iTunes ) ( Google Play )  ( Spotify )   ( T uneIn )   ( Stitcher )   Remember to leave a comment and let us know how we're doing. Either on the blog of via email : awakentheawesome@gmail.com #StayAwesome

On this new short solo episode, I share a bit of vulnerability. A moment of both clarity, anger and acceptance. Enjoy. You can download the MP3 for this episode by  right-clicking here  and choosing "Save As" Stay up to date - Subscribe to the podcast and get the latest episodes as soon they're published. ( RSS ) ( iTunes ) ( Google Play )  ( Spotify )   ( T uneIn )   ( Stitcher ) Remember to leave a comment and let us know how we're doing. Either on the blog of via email : awakentheawesome@gmail.com #StayAwesome

On this short solo episode, a story about duty, dedication, and debt. Enjoy. You can download the MP3 for this episode by  right-clicking here  and choosing "Save As" Stay up to date - Subscribe to the podcast and get the latest episodes as soon they're published. ( RSS ) ( iTunes ) ( Google Play )  ( Spotify )   ( T uneIn )   ( Stitcher ) Remember to leave a comment and let us know how we're doing. Either on the blog of via email : awakentheawesome@gmail.com #StayAwesome

Image courtesy of ChrisRock.com / Netflix - All Rights Reserved On this solo episode, I share a personal review and reactions to one of my all-time favorite stand-up comedians, the inimitable Chris Rock, on his most recent Netflix Original Comedy Special, "Tamborine" . Enjoy. Image courtesy of Netflix - All Rights Reserved You can download the MP3 for this episode by  right-clicking here  and choosing "Save As" Stay up to date - Subscribe to the podcast and get the latest episodes as soon they're published. ( RSS ) ( iTunes ) ( Google Play )  ( Spotify )   ( T uneIn )   ( Stitcher ) Remember to leave a comment and let us know how we're doing. Either on the blog of via email : awakentheawesome [at] gmail [dot] com #StayAwesome

On this incredible episode, I welcome family man, motivational speaker, OCR athlete  Kacey McCallister . I've been part of the Spartan Race community for a couple of years now so I'm always keeping up with little stories and personal accounts of individual victories. And it's on one of those random scrolls on Instagram that I was both amazed and humbled at the individual that the Spartan Race had featured on their page. I had to reach out. I had to show some camaraderie. If only to let this gentleman know how truly inspiring his achievement was to me. In a time where some of us seem to struggle to find the motivation to just get out of bed in the morning, I got to meet and hear a guy who obviously does not let his circumstances, but rather his will and determination, disctate his incredible possibilities. Let's all RISE UP! You can show some love and connect with Kacey via his Instagram Feed  & Facebook Page . For speaking engagements and book...

On this solo episode, I take a second and take a breather. A brief moment of vulnerability, really. Sometimes, you have to admit to yourself that you can't do it all. Thankfully, the people that matter have their own way of showing you they're not holding it against you. Enjoy. You can download the MP3 for this episode by  right-clicking here  and choosing "Save As" Stay up to date - Subscribe to the podcast and get the latest episodes as soon they're published. ( RSS ) ( iTunes ) ( Google Play )  ( Spotify )   ( T uneIn )   ( Stitcher ) Remember to leave a comment and let us know how we're doing. Either on the blog of via email : awakentheawesome [at] gmail [dot] com #StayAwesome

On this short solo episode, you never quite know what impact a simple selfless gesture can have. Pay it forward. As often as you can. Enjoy. You can download the MP3 for this episode by  right-clicking here  and choosing "Save As" Stay up to date - Subscribe to the podcast ( RSS ) ( iTunes ) ( Google Play )  ( T uneIn )  and get the latest episodes as soon they're published. Remember to leave a comment and let us know how we're doing. Either on the blog of via email : awakentheawesome [at] gmail [dot] com #StayAwesome

On this short solo episode, a spontaneous memory of a very sobering lesson in the importance family and treasuring what we have and also recognising what matters.  Enjoy. You can download the MP3 for this episode by  right-clicking here  and choosing "Save As" Stay up to date - Subscribe to the podcast and get the latest episodes as soon they're published. ( RSS ) ( Apple Podcasts ) ( Google Podcasts )  ( Spotify )   ( T uneIn )   ( Stitcher ) Remember to leave a comment and let us know how we're doing. Either on the blog of via email : awakentheawesome@gmail.com #StayAwesome

Wherever you go, there YOU are. Simple, however not always easy. A little something I learned overtime. Enjoy. You can download the MP3 for this episode by  right-clicking here  and choosing "Save As" Stay up to date - Subscribe to the podcast and get the latest episodes as soon they're published. ( RSS ) ( Apple Podcasts ) ( Google Podcasts )  ( Spotify )   ( T uneIn )   ( Stitcher ) Remember to leave a comment and let us know how we're doing. Either on the blog of via email : awakentheawesome@gmail.com #StayAwesome

In an active effort to pay attention and remain cautious of my workaholic tendencies, trying to take on as many projects as my mind  can wrangle, I've become increasingly curious about the concept of Mindfulness. More specifically through the practice of meditation and Yoga. It gets thrown around a lot and there more than a few resources to go around in regards to demystifying the whole thing and getting one's feet wet. I, however, never mind keeing things close to the chest, or in this case, in the family. Jessica Cantave has been an avid practitioner of Yoga for many years now and her dedication has yet to slow down. She was definitely a worthy source of both valuable and legitimate experience that I was more than happy to tap into with my always naive and curious self. An honest and heartfelt exchange, with a surprising exercise in Stillness directed at yours truly, Jessica's insight and enlightened being made this a conversation to remember. You c...