Rediscovering Yourself: Identity, Self-Love & Rebuilding Life in Midlife

Rediscovering Yourself: Identity, Self-Love & Rebuilding Life in Midlife

What happens when the life you've built no longer feels aligned with who you're becoming? In this inspiring episode of the Embrace Your Awesome Podcast, host John Geyston sits down with entrepreneur, athlete, and Woman in Bloom founder Mandy DeCino for a powerful conversation about transformation, self-discovery, and learning to embrace the next chapter of your life. Mandy shares her personal journey of navigating identity shifts, rebuilding confidence, and finding purpose during seasons of change. From endurance sports and mountain climbing to entrepreneurship and personal growth, she reveals how small daily habits, intentional self-reflection, and self-compassion can help us move from simply surviving to truly thriving. Together, John and Mandy explore the challenges many women face in midlife, the importance of self-love and healing, and why personal growth often begins when life forces us to let go of who we were so we can become who we're meant to be. If you've ever felt stuck, lost, disconnected, or uncertain about what's next, this episode will remind you that growth is not about becoming someone new—it's about rediscovering who you truly are. In this episode, you'll learn: • How to navigate major life and identity transitions • Why self-love is a practice, not a destination • The power of micro-habits in creating lasting change • How gratitude and self-reflection accelerate personal growth • Why breakdowns often become breakthroughs • How to embrace the woman—or person—you are becoming This conversation is a powerful reminder that every season of change carries the opportunity for growth, healing, and transformation. 🎧 Listen now and discover how to bloom right where you are planted.

Most Parents Respond Wrong When Kids Criticize Themselves

When your child says: “I’m stupid.” “I can’t do anything right.” “I’m the worst.” Most parents immediately rush to fix it.   But what if reassurance alone isn’t enough? In this powerful episode of the Embrace Your Awesome Podcast, John Geyston breaks down why children often reject encouragement when emotions are running high — and what parents should do instead. You’ll learn a simple but life-changing process to help children: * Recognize negative self-talk * Process difficult emotions in healthy ways * Reframe destructive thoughts * Build emotional resilience * Develop an inner voice rooted in truth instead of fear Because confidence isn’t built by pretending hard feelings don’t exist… It’s built by teaching children how to respond to them. This episode is a must-listen for parents, coaches, teachers, and anyone who wants to help children develop emotional strength, self-awareness, and lasting confidence from the inside out. www.johngeyston.com

From Saving Children to Chasing Country Music Dreams: The Reinvention of Mark “Big Guy” Bott

What happens when a man who helped protect over ONE MILLION children steps into the spotlight with a guitar and a dream? In this powerful episode, Mark “Big Guy” Bott shares his incredible journey from nationally recognized child safety advocate working alongside John Walsh… to launching a rising country-rock music career with Big Guy and the Mob. This conversation is about purpose, resilience, reinvention, and refusing to let your past define your future. If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late to evolve, grow, or chase a new dream… this episode is for you. 🔥 Leadership 🔥 Adversity 🔥 Music 🔥 Mission 🔥 Reinvention 🎧 Listen now on the Embrace Your Awesome Podcast.

Mindfulness for Kids: Helping Children Understand Their Thoughts, Emotions & Reactions

What if one of the greatest gifts we could give our children… was the ability to understand what’s happening inside of them before reacting to the world around them? In this episode of the Embrace Your Awesome Podcast, John Geyston breaks down mindfulness for kids in a simple, practical, and empowering way for parents, coaches, and educators. This isn’t about perfection or sitting silently for hours. It’s about helping children: * Recognize their emotions * Understand their thoughts * Pause before reacting * Build confidence and emotional resilience John shares practical tools parents can begin using immediately, including: ✅ The “Thought Bubble” exercise ✅ Feelings check-ins ✅ Breath and body awareness ✅ Emotion journaling ✅ Helping children separate thoughts from identity Because when kids learn how to slow down, process emotions, and respond with awareness… they become calmer, stronger, and more confident from the inside out. 🎧 Listen now and discover how mindfulness can help your child build emotional strength, focus, resilience, and self-awareness for life. 👉 Subscribe to the Embrace Your Awesome Podcast for more conversations on parenting, leadership, mindset, confidence, and personal growth. 🔥 Episode Description

From Rock Bottom to a Multi-Million Dollar Exit: Aaron Hensley on Leadership, Systems & Building a Lasting Legacy

What separates people who stay stuck… from those who build something extraordinary? In this powerful episode of the Embrace Your Awesome Podcast, host John Geyston sits down with entrepreneur, operator, and leadership strategist Aaron Hensley for a deep conversation on discipline, systems, leadership, and what it truly takes to scale impact. Aaron’s journey is anything but ordinary. He began martial arts training at just 3 years old and earned his Black Belt under legendary martial artist Chuck Norris at only 12 years old. But life would later test him in ways no martial arts class could prepare him for. After experiencing financial collapse in his early 30s, Aaron rebuilt from the ground up—starting with nothing more than a $50 rented mat and a vision. That vision eventually became a 24-location martial arts organization spanning 6 states and generating over $7 million annually before a multimillion-dollar exit. Now, through RISE Nation, Aaron helps business owners and operators remove themselves as the bottleneck, build scalable systems, develop leaders, and create organizations that last beyond them. In this episode, we dive into: * The mindset required to rebuild after failure * Why hustle alone eventually breaks down * The difference between income and scalable systems * Leadership development and building culture * Retention, operations, and team accountability * How to scale without losing your mission * Creating legacy through disciplined execution * Why great leaders build other leaders This episode is packed with practical wisdom for entrepreneurs, coaches, martial arts school owners, leaders, and anyone serious about building something meaningful that lasts. Because at the end of the day… Motivation may get you started— but systems, leadership, and discipline are what create legacy.