In today’s episode, Sean Whalen — entrepreneur, best-selling author, and founder of Lions Not Sheep — joins Jason Smith for a powerful conversation on radical self-responsibility, true masculinity, leadership, faith, resilience, and the pursuit of freedom. Sean shares his personal journey through adversity, personal growth, fatherhood, faith, and entrepreneurship, offering no-fluff advice for men and women who want to live aligned with truth, strength, and self-leadership.

This conversation covers ownership, relationships, emotional resilience, fitness, faith, abundance, and creating a meaningful legacy — without sugarcoating the realities of the work required.

Timestamps: 0:00 — Introduction 2:00 — Sean’s defining moment of transformation 7:00 — Ownership and shifting from scarcity to abundance 14:00 — Fitness, mindset, and rewriting your story 23:00 — Why most people stay stuck 28:00 — Leadership, relationships, and emotional honesty 42:00 — The truth about balance, resilience, and growth 55:00 — Faith, freedom, and building a legacy

Connect with Sean Whalen: Website: https://www.lionsnotsheep.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seanwwhalen/

Special Note: This episode is pulled from The 21 Day Love and Abundance Challenge. Due to a technical issue, the last 7 minutes were unfortunately lost. Thank you for your understanding.

Podcast: The Blueprint Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-blueprint/id1640788166

The Self-Discovery Blueprint & The Power of the Pivot 12 Part Series: https://jbirdfit.mykajabi.com/the-self-discovery-blueprint Use Code: Blueprint25

Connect with Jason! https://stan.store/Jbirdfit

Disclaimer: The training is intended for informational and educational purposes, it is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, and/or treatment. Please consult your medical professional before making changes to your diet, exercise routine, medical regimen, lifestyle, and/or mental health care.

Your background, education, experience, and work ethic may differ. There is no guarantee of success. Individuals do not track the typicality of its student's experiences. Your results may vary.

https://988lifeline.org/

Living Shamelessly with Annalie Howling | Reclaiming Joy, Power & Presence

In this soul-stirring episode, I walk through Nashville with high-performance coach, EMDR trauma specialist, and author Annalie Howling to explore one of the most powerful, misunderstood forces in our lives: shame.

We dive into what shame actually is, how it gets embedded in our nervous systems, and how it can silently dictate our relationships, our dreams, and our identity. Annalie shares insights from her new book Unapologetic and walks us through concepts like shame stacking, retroactive joy, fawning as a trauma response, and what it really means to live a shameless life.

This episode isn’t just a conversation — it’s an experience of healing, remembering, and returning to your true self.

If you’ve ever struggled with feeling unworthy, stuck in old patterns, or disconnected from your purpose — this one’s for you.

Listen if you’re ready to:

• Let go of the shame stories holding you back

• Reconnect with your inner child and sense of joy

• Understand how trauma responses shape your relationships

• Learn how to start living shamelessly and unapologetically

• Feel witnessed, validated, and inspired to reclaim your life

• The root of shame and how it disconnects us from our dreams

• Understanding carried shame vs. internalized shame

• Why fawning is often a misunderstood trauma response

• How to release shame from the body

• The power of witnessing, safe friendship, and being seen

• Why joy is a muscle — and how to reclaim it

• The trap of perfectionism, people-pleasing, and inner criticism

• Attachment styles, retroactive joy, and choosing yourself

• How shame is weaponized in divorce, family, and career

• Creating an unapologetic life after trauma

Connect with Annalie Howling and get her new book: Unapologetic!

Podcast: The Blueprint Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-blueprint/id1640788166

The Self-Discovery Blueprint & The Power of the Pivot 12 Part Series: https://jbirdfit.mykajabi.com/the-self-discovery-blueprint

Connect with Jason! https://stan.store/Jbirdfit

Disclaimer: The training is intended for informational and educational purposes, it is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, and/or treatment. Please consult your medical professional before making changes to your diet, exercise routine, medical regimen, lifestyle, and/or mental health care.

Your background, education, experience, and work ethic may differ. There is no guarantee of success. Individuals do not track the typicality of its student's experiences. Your results may vary.

https://988lifeline.org/

Author of “May Cause Side Effects” | Chef | Advocate for Informed Mental Health Decisions

In this deeply moving and insightful episode, Jason sits down with Brooke Siem — award-winning chef, writer, and mental health advocate — for an honest conversation about resilience, antidepressant withdrawal, creative expression, and living life with full presence. Brooke shares her powerful story, from early childhood loss to her journey through psychiatric medication and severe withdrawal. She opens up about how the kitchen taught her resilience, how her creativity returned when she came off medications, and why she believes happiness is not just a feeling — it’s a skill.

Together, they explore the power of curiosity, emotional resilience, and finding meaning through life’s toughest moments. This episode is a must-listen for anyone questioning conventional paths to healing, curious about the reality of psychiatric medications, or seeking inspiration to trust their own inner compass.

What You’ll Learn: Brooke’s personal experience with antidepressant medications and the harsh realities of withdrawal The impact of childhood grief and how it shaped her early path How working in high-pressure kitchens taught her to embrace presence and adaptability Why curiosity is crucial for healing and growth The truth about the "chemical imbalance" theory of depression How art and painting became therapeutic outlets during her recovery Practical steps for cultivating nervous system regulation and resilience Why Brooke believes that happiness is a learned skill The conversation around parenting, medicating children, and systemic challenges Insights into Brooke's creative process, both as an author and a painter

Guest Bio: Brooke Siem is an award-winning chef, writer, and mental health advocate. She is the author of May Cause Side Effects, a memoir about antidepressant withdrawal and healing. When she’s not cooking for pro athletes, you’ll find her painting, writing, and speaking about the importance of informed consent in mental health treatment.

📖 May Cause Side Effects — Available wherever books are sold.

Connect with Brooke: Website: https://www.brookesiem.com/about/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brookesiem/

Connect with Jason: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jbirdfit/ | Breakthrough Coach

Podcast: The Blueprint Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-blueprint/id1640788166

The Self-Discovery Blueprint & The Power of the Pivot 12 Part Series: https://jbirdfit.mykajabi.com/the-self-discovery-blueprint

Connect with Jason! https://stan.store/Jbirdfit

Disclaimer: The training is intended for informational and educational purposes, it is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, and/or treatment. Please consult your medical professional before making changes to your diet, exercise routine, medical regimen, lifestyle, and/or mental health care.

Your background, education, experience, and work ethic may differ. There is no guarantee of success. Individuals do not track the typicality of its student's experiences. Your results may vary.

https://988lifeline.org/

What does it take to build resilience, lead with impact, and scale a mission-driven business? Amber Nelms is a board-certified behavior analyst, entrepreneur, and personal development advocate who's reshaping the way we approach leadership, personal growth, and success.

In this episode, Amber shares how she built Triangle ABA, a leading autism therapy company, while navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship, personal transformation, and leadership development. She breaks down the neuroscience of success, the mindset shifts required for breaking through upper limits, and why putting yourself in the right rooms is key to growth.

Amber also opens up about her personal journey—from rebuilding her life after divorce to scaling her business while staying aligned with her purpose. If you're looking for inspiration on how to push past fear, commit to your goals, and lead with authenticity, this episode is a must-listen.

✔️ How Amber committed to 365 days of content creation—and what it taught her about resilience
✔️ The power of showing up for yourself first before leading others
✔️ The biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make when scaling a mission-driven business
✔️ Why breaking through personal limits is the key to transformation
✔️ How to handle judgment, criticism, and self-doubt when building a personal brand
✔️ The science behind behavior change and how it applies to business and leadership
✔️ How Amber balances running a company, personal development, and content creation
✔️ The importance of community, mentorship, and putting yourself in the right rooms
✔️ How to navigate major life pivots and redefine success on your own terms

Amber Nelms is the founder of Triangle ABA, a leader in applied behavior analysis therapy for children with autism. A board-certified behavior analyst, entrepreneur, and coach, she is passionate about personal development, leadership, and the neuroscience of success. Through her business, speaking engagements, and content, she helps people push past their limits, develop resilience, and scale businesses without losing their heart.

• Leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
• Share this with someone who needs to hear it
• Subscribe for more deep conversations on mindset, resilience, and personal transformation

Apple / Spotify Podcasts
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Jbirdfit

Connect with Jason! https://stan.store/Jbirdfit

Disclaimer: The training is intended for informational and educational purposes, it is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, and/or treatment. Please consult your medical professional before making changes to your diet, exercise routine, medical regimen, lifestyle, and/or mental health care.

Your background, education, experience, and work ethic may differ. There is no guarantee of success. Individuals do not track the typicality of its student's experiences. Your results may vary.

https://988lifeline.org/

The Blueprint Podcast with Jason Smith

Episode Overview:
In this episode, I sit down with Adam Allred, a leading voice in modern masculinity and the founder of the DGHBOY movement. Adam is on a mission to help men step out of their comfort zones, develop unshakable discipline, and reclaim their authentic power. We dive deep into why most men stay stuck, the role of hardship in building strength, and how real confidence is forged—not inherited.

If you’ve ever felt stagnant, lost, or unsure of your next move, this episode will challenge you to rise up, take control, and push past the limits you’ve placed on yourself.

• Why comfort is the biggest enemy of personal growth
• The key mindset shift every man needs to break out of mediocrity
• How to build real confidence without external validation
• The role of brotherhood and why men need strong communities
• The most common mistakes men make in relationships and self-development
• Why discipline—not motivation—is the foundation of authentic masculinity

• Leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
• Share this with someone who needs to hear it
• Subscribe for more deep conversations on mindset, resilience, and personal transformation

Apple / Spotify Podcasts
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Jbirdfit

To connect with Jason and sign up for The 21 Day Love and Abundance Challenge or The Self-Discovery Blueprint Course go to https://stan.store/Jbirdfit

Disclaimer: The training is intended for informational and educational purposes, it is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, and/or treatment. Please consult your medical professional before making changes to your diet, exercise routine, medical regimen, lifestyle, and/or mental health care.

Your background, education, experience, and work ethic may differ. There is no guarantee of success. Individuals do not track the typicality of its student's experiences. Your results may vary.

https://988lifeline.org/

Episode 101: Amberly Lago – Resilience, Pain, and the Power of Joy

What if the worst moment of your life became the defining moment of your greatest strength?

In this episode, I sit down with Amberly Lago, bestselling author, speaker, and resilience coach, to discuss her journey from near death to unstoppable success.

Amberly shares how a life-altering motorcycle accident left her with a one percent chance of saving her leg, yet she defied the odds through grit, gratitude, and an unshakable mindset. After 34 surgeries, she rebuilt her life, proving that pain and joy can coexist—and that true resilience is forged in the hardest moments.

• The accident that changed everything—and the moment she chose to fight
• Overcoming excruciating pain, 34 surgeries, and an incurable nerve disease
• How gratitude is the fastest way to shift perspective and overcome suffering
• The PACER Method—Amberly’s framework for resilience, healing, and growth
• Why community and proximity are the real shortcuts to success
• How Amberly’s latest book, Joy Through the Journey, is redefining happiness
• The power of asking for what you want and the mindset shift behind it

Joy Through the Journey

Website: AmberlyLago.com
Instagram: @AmberlyLagoMotivation
Podcast: True Grit & Grace

• Leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
• Share this with someone who needs to hear it
• Subscribe for more deep conversations on mindset, resilience, and personal transformation

Apple / Spotify Podcasts
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Jbirdfit

To connect with Jason and sign up for The 21 Day Love and Abundance Challenge Starting March 1st LIVE! https://stan.store/Jbirdfit

Disclaimer: The training is intended for informational and educational purposes, it is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, and/or treatment. Please consult your medical professional before making changes to your diet, exercise routine, medical regimen, lifestyle, and/or mental health care.

Your background, education, experience, and work ethic may differ. There is no guarantee of success. Individuals do not track the typicality of its student's experiences. Your results may vary.

https://988lifeline.org/

Burnout is a silent epidemic in first responder careers, yet it's often ignored or normalized. In this episode, AK and I dive into the realities of first responder mental health, nervous system regulation, and the process of rebuilding after burnout. We discuss unpacking trauma, recognizing burnout before it’s too late, and how to reset your nervous system for long-term resilience.

• Key Takeaways from This Episode:
• The Signs of Burnout No One Talks About – How to identify them before they take over your life.
• The Role of Childhood Trauma in First Responder Careers – Why many enter the profession already carrying emotional weight.
• Practical Strategies for Nervous System Regulation – Small daily habits that make a massive impact.
• The Journey of Writing a Book & Coaching First Responders – AK’s personal experience of transforming adversity into impact.
• The Culture Shift in Law Enforcement Mental Health – Are we making progress, and what still needs to change?

If you're a first responder or someone struggling with burnout, this episode is a must-listen.

📖 Get AK Dozanti’s book, Beat the Burnout, and learn how to prevent, recognize, and recover from burnout before it’s too late: akadizanti.com

• Connect with AK Dozanti:
  Website: akadizanti.com
  Instagram: @akdozanti
• Listen & Subscribe:
  📌 Apple & Spotify Podcasts: https://stan.store/Jbirdfit
  📌 YouTube: Link

To connect with Jason and sign up for The 21 Day Love and Abundance Challenge Starting March 1st LIVE! https://stan.store/Jbirdfit

Disclaimer: The training is intended for informational and educational purposes, it is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, and/or treatment. Please consult your medical professional before making changes to your diet, exercise routine, medical regimen, lifestyle, and/or mental health care.

Your background, education, experience, and work ethic may differ. There is no guarantee of success. Individuals do not track the typicality of its student's experiences. Your results may vary.

https://988lifeline.org/