Peak Performance Perspectives with Mark Talukdar

#170- How Founders Can Balance Body, Mind & Energy | Alessandro Grampa

Alessandro Grampa knows the dark side of entrepreneurship because he’s lived it. As a serial founder, he scaled companies to seven-figure revenues but also faced daily panic attacks, burnout, and the crushing isolation many entrepreneurs know all too well. In this powerful conversation, Alessandro pulls back the curtain on what really drives sustainable peak performance and why the hustle-at-all-costs mindset is a dangerous trap. Through his journey, he’s discovered that true success comes from balancing body, mind, and energy, and releasing the trapped emotional trauma that quietly drains founders. From quantum biology and biohacking to meditation, Eastern philosophy, and his unique six-step methodology, Alessandro shares how entrepreneurs can build resilience, clarity, and health without sacrificing their relationships or mental well-being. What you’ll learn in this episode Why burnout is worn as a badge of honor and how to break that cycle The warning signs of burnout most founders miss until it’s too late How to balance body, mind, and energy for sustainable high performance The science behind trapped emotions and their impact on decision-making How to reprogram habits for lasting change in just 21 days Why some of the world’s most successful founders work only a few hours a day The role of ancient wisdom and modern science in entrepreneurial success How Alessandro’s retreats help founders reset their operating system Alessandro also opens up about the pivotal moment when he ended 11 years of brain fog simply by identifying food sensitivities a change that kickstarted his passion for merging functional health, energy work, and entrepreneurship coaching. Today, through his company Wholegrain Wisdom, Alessandro creates spaces where founders can heal, connect, and thrive. His work includes Media & Storytelling- Sharing the real founder stories, beyond the highlight reels. Education- Science-backed training on balancing body, mind, and energy. Exclusive Retreats- Founders-only experiences to release trauma, realign, and design custom routines based on individual energetic profiles. He’s also hosting a Founders’ Retreat in Thailand from November 3-8, 2025, where attendees will experience Alessandro’s method firsthand. If you’re an entrepreneur chasing big goals but feeling the weight of exhaustion, anxiety, or disconnection, this conversation will challenge how you think about performance and show you a way forward that’s healthier, more human, and ultimately more successful. Meet our Guest: I'm Ale Grampa—serial entrepreneur on a mission to redefine founder performance through ancient wisdom and cutting-edge science. After launching my first company at 19 and scaling several ventures past seven figures, I learned the hard way that revenue means nothing if the founder is running on cortisol. ADHD, anxiety, and several burnout episodes forced me to rebuild my life from the inside out. Meditation became a lifeline; biohacking rewired my chemistry; energy practices restored focus I never knew I’d lost. The conclusion was clear: Peak performance starts in the nervous system and ends in the P&L, only when mind, body, and energy are fully aligned. Not the other way around! Connect with Him: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alessandro-grampa/ wholegrainwisdom.com/  [https://wholegrainwisdom.com/]

#169 - Why Women Over 40 Must Train Differently | Gina Perin

At 48 years old, Gina Perin is in the best shape of her life but her journey here was anything but easy. As a fitness trainer, entrepreneur, and midlife women’s coach, Gina knows firsthand what it’s like to face the physical and emotional challenges of perimenopause while trying to stay healthy, run a business, and live life to the fullest. In this deeply personal and empowering conversation, Gina shares how she transformed her body, mindset, and business after experiencing devastating life events, including her brother’s passing and the onset of perimenopause a stage she knew almost nothing about when it began. From hot flashes and rapid weight gain to emotional overwhelm and the frustrating reality of doing everything right but still not seeing results, Gina learned the hard way that traditional fitness and diet advice often fails women in midlife. That’s when she took control, sought out a hormone specialist, and completely changed her approach to training, nutrition, and self-care. In this episode, you’ll learn * Why lifting weights is essential for women in perimenopause and beyond and why the “pink dumbbells” won’t cut it * How to balance strength training with smart cardio for optimal health and fat loss after 40 * The early warning signs of perimenopause that every woman should watch for (even in her 30s) * How tracking your cycle and symptoms can help you take back control of your energy, focus, and mood * The truth about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and why working with a specialist can be life-changing * Why mindset shifts and self-awareness are just as important as physical training during this stage of life Gina also opens up about launching the Coach Gina app, a safe, private space designed specifically for midlife women to track their health, access tailored workouts and nutrition guidance, learn about hormonal health, and find emotional support from a like-minded community. Whether you’re already experiencing perimenopause, approaching midlife, or simply want to future-proof your health, Gina’s advice is practical, compassionate, and backed by personal experience. She breaks down the misconceptions, tackles the stigma, and shows you how this can actually be the most empowering time of your life. Listen, learn, and take the first step toward your strongest, healthiest midlife. Offer: 1 Week free in the App. Meet our Guest: Gina Perin is a Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach, certified personal trainer, and founder of The Fit Globetrotter, dedicated to empowering women—especially those in perimenopause and beyond—to feel strong, healthy, and vibrant. With a background that blends personal experience and professional expertise, Gina offers practical, hormone-informed fitness and wellness solutions tailored for women over 40. Her mission is to simplify health, support transformation, and help women thrive confidently at every stage of life. Connect with her: https://www.ginaperin.com/ [https://calendly.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ginaperin.com%2F&user_uuid=ed78a2e4-c265-483c-b6a5-98d62371bdaf&stage=1&hmac=55bfbe010f092a3f08af378a6b75db0d8da99bcce788fb5ed8b3c463d290b7b0] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gina_perin/ [https://calendly.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fgina_perin%2F&user_uuid=ed78a2e4-c265-483c-b6a5-98d62371bdaf&stage=1&hmac=bce925901cdff6606ba81a5be43d8b596cc71e9f782f426bfef671db57fa8a08] TicTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@gina_perin?lang=en [https://calendly.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40gina_perin%3Flang%3Den&user_uuid=ed78a2e4-c265-483c-b6a5-98d62371bdaf&stage=1&hmac=eff3313a5f812080bbef7d3230c8bd0932839934c16490f12e54f66b57fcc627] LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginaperin/ [https://calendly.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fginaperin%2F&user_uuid=ed78a2e4-c265-483c-b6a5-98d62371bdaf&stage=1&hmac=63077b867dfda6c54e78b8c02bee09d376ed7340672d4d23d6f3e6db63d473bf] Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/gglifestylellc [https://calendly.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fgglifestylellc&user_uuid=ed78a2e4-c265-483c-b6a5-98d62371bdaf&stage=1&hmac=be41c70dd63266096e1d728c6a5131ef84fc84afd5f9b096a0b9930ac1b86676]

#168- How “Yes, And” Can Change Healthcare, Aging, and Your Life – with Jennifer Cain Birkmose

In this exciting episode of the Peak Performance Perspectives Podcast, host Mark Talukdar welcomes Jennifer Cain Birkmose — a healthcare leader, TEDx speaker, improv comedian, and co-founder of Viva Valet, a company helping seniors live better, safer lives at home. Jennifer shares her amazing story of how saying “yes, and” instead of “yes, but” has shaped her career, her mindset, and her company. She talks about peak performance not just in business, but in life — and how we can all tap into it using tools from improv comedy, empathy, and public health. In this episode, you’ll discover: * What it really takes to feel your best and perform at your peak * How improv comedy teaches life-changing skills for focus and creativity * The hidden dangers older adults face — and how to protect them * Why growing older can be a time of strength, not struggle * How simple tech tools can boost freedom and confidence for seniors * What gives people purpose — and why that matters for your health * How saying “yes, and” can change how you lead, work, and connect * Why aging isn’t a crisis — it’s a chance to build something better for everyone Jennifer also shares the inspiration behind Viva Valet, a digital platform that helps seniors get rides, meals, home care, tech support, and more — all in one place. She talks about caregiving for her own grandmother as a child, working in public health, and building teams where people feel safe, valued, and empowered. Jennifer’s message is simple: We’re not meant to do life alone. Whether you're building a company, a family, or a mission — co-creation, compassion, and small steps are the secret to success. Offer You can find my website at: www.vivavalet.com [http://www.vivavalet.com/] Bio Jennifer Cain Birkmose has championed patient access to healthcare, for over 25 years as a global health and pharmaceutical executive. She is the co-founder and Chief Executive of VivaValet, a digital eldercare platform in Chicago that provides trusted services to support Older adults to live at home independently, ease the caregiving burden of their adult children, and develop local businesses. She is a two time Tedx speaker and a Second City trained improv comedian. Connect with her: website: www.vivavalet.com [http://www.vivavalet.com/]Inc article: https://www.inc.com/suzanne-lucas/study-1-in-4-think-its-a-waste-of-money-to-hire-those-over-50/91139484 [https://calendly.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.inc.com%2Fsuzanne-lucas%2Fstudy-1-in-4-think-its-a-waste-of-money-to-hire-those-over-50%2F91139484&user_uuid=ed78a2e4-c265-483c-b6a5-98d62371bdaf&stage=1&hmac=9c664bd62121d80ca3c9e82bc49b89e518f70024807999ae50db1d2d671956a7]Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/company/vivavaletofficial/ [https://calendly.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fcompany%2Fvivavaletofficial%2F&user_uuid=ed78a2e4-c265-483c-b6a5-98d62371bdaf&stage=1&hmac=c181a2cc71757572fde4291debffd03a06e6cc6587286af33453ef766c5650b5]Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivavaletofficial?igsh=enh2OXdyNWQ3Nmc3 [https://calendly.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fvivavaletofficial%3Figsh%3Denh2OXdyNWQ3Nmc3&user_uuid=ed78a2e4-c265-483c-b6a5-98d62371bdaf&stage=1&hmac=c0ef50f6a8ea95398b66e5227838c1a1b5622173b1a6216a237f1f07f2f1a1d4]Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1JRm6is9fS/?mibextid=wwXIfrYoutube: [https://calendly.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1JRm6is9fS%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfrYoutube%3A&user_uuid=ed78a2e4-c265-483c-b6a5-98d62371bdaf&stage=1&hmac=5b67268f01f9536b11d479adb40448cbfa57de897c11d80281ba9b85409886a6]https://www.youtube.com/@vivavaletofficial [https://calendly.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2F%40vivavaletofficial&user_uuid=ed78a2e4-c265-483c-b6a5-98d62371bdaf&stage=1&hmac=edde85d9b804376c738c4492275a8324680274a8da6ffb6f9b3b47d55e3f4aee] Personal sites:Tedx talks: https://www.ted.com//search?q=jennifer%20cain%20birkmose [https://calendly.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ted.com%2F%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Djennifer%2520cain%2520birkmose&user_uuid=ed78a2e4-c265-483c-b6a5-98d62371bdaf&stage=1&hmac=9a9ecff4fb2387f1b9004b13b7f8cedb7655261dff4d828e099ee0b4418bf3d1]instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jcbirk?igsh=Ymdoemdoc3UwOGtr&utm_source=qr [https://calendly.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fjcbirk%3Figsh%3DYmdoemdoc3UwOGtr%26amp%3Butm_source%3Dqr&user_uuid=ed78a2e4-c265-483c-b6a5-98d62371bdaf&stage=1&hmac=10c18508d8ba97d71014a07d844403449340b5d441ad18e3ef54b78a372622a2]linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-cain-birkmose-ab05a6/ [https://calendly.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fjennifer-cain-birkmose-ab05a6%2F&user_uuid=ed78a2e4-c265-483c-b6a5-98d62371bdaf&stage=1&hmac=f1816d1531cacc1776f5b890b2f3c6452341809c8402d39c6fd72aad764fad69]Health 2.0 interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izxJp-oHewk [https://calendly.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DizxJp-oHewk&user_uuid=ed78a2e4-c265-483c-b6a5-98d62371bdaf&stage=1&hmac=590fb75672f210860dfb22df2689cf7afb467da85bb8ba8221ff31e75a1fcbad]

#167- The 10X Leap: Steve Walsh's Secret to Business Growth

Welcome to Peak Performance Perspective! In this episode, join host Mark Talukdar and special guest Steve Walsh as they talk about how to achieve peak performance in your business and life. Steve shares his simple yet powerful ideas on how to set higher standards and make big leaps. Learn what "peak performance" means to Steve and why high standards are key for entrepreneurs. Discover the bridge between having high standards and actually seeing results. Steve talks about why mindset and consistency are super important. He also shares tips on starting small, like meditating for just one minute or drinking more water. Steve explains his "10x leap" idea, which is all about going from where you are to the next big level. He talks about the right people and systems you need to put in place to grow your business. Find out why it's just as hard to stay put as it is to make a big jump! Why do businesses stop growing? Steve believes it often comes down to the owner's mindset. He also talks about the "prolonged stall" and how leaders can get unstuck. Discover Steve's "DNA success formula": Discipline, No Excuses, and Action. He advises focusing on one thing at a time instead of trying to do too much. What does "good marketing" really mean? Steve says it all starts with truly knowing your customer. He stresses the importance of keeping existing customers happy and how customers see your company. For those wondering if their company is ready for investors,Steve shares what he looks for: a strong team, good processes, and solid systems. He also talks about why some companies think they need money when they really need to fix their systems and people first. Finally, Steve reveals his key habits that keep him sharp,including meditation and going to the gym. He also talks about a big risk he's taking now and how he pushes himself personally. Steve advises his younger self to "take more chances and don't be afraid to fail." Tune in to learn more about setting high standards, takingbold risks, and achieving peak performance in all areas of your life! Offer The Book, Make the 10X Leap Bio STEVE WALSH Founder, Bison Equity Group | Author, MAKE THE 10X LEAP Steve Walsh is a visionary investor, entrepreneur, and author with over 30 years of expertise in finance, venture capital, and business strategy. As the founder of Bison Equity Group, Steve has built a dynamic investment firm dedicated to backing high-potential companies and empowering entrepreneurs to scale with confidence. Throughout his career, Steve has navigated the complexities of risk and reward, making bold decisions that have led to transformative business successes. His ability to identify untapped opportunities, develop innovative strategies, and cultivate long-term growth has made him a trusted advisor and mentor to investors and business leaders alike. Beyond his financial acumen, Steve is a catalyst for change—helping others break through limitations and redefine what’s possible. His best-selling book, MAKE THE 10X LEAP, serves as a blueprint for ambitious entrepreneurs looking to unlock exponential success. At the core of Steve’s mission is a commitment to creating lasting impact. Whether through strategic investments, thought leadership, or mentorship, he is dedicated to helping the next generation of innovators achieve extraordinary results. “Success isn’t just about wealth—it’s about vision, resilience, and the courage to take the leap.” Connect with Him: You can find me on my website, LinkedIn and reach out to steve@bisonequitygroup.com

#166- Break Through Fear and Trauma with Hypnotherapy | Sheila Wenger Speaks

In this amazing episode of the PeakPerformance Perspectives Podcast, host Mark Talukdar talks with SheilaWenger a certified hypnotherapist, parent coach, educator,and host of the podcast Shift is Happening. Sheila shares her powerfulstory of how she left a long career in teaching to help people heal their mindsand unlock their true power. Sheila explains how peak performanceis really about mind mastery learning how to use our thoughts,imagination, and inner guidance to shape the life we want. She says that manypeople feel stuck not because they don’t dream big, but because they don’t knowhow to manage their inner world. Through her work in hypnotherapy and subconscioushealing, Sheila helps people go from stress and struggle to peace andpurpose. You’ll learn: * Why healing begins with your subconscious mind * How to rewire limiting beliefs that block your goals * The difference between talk therapy and hypnotherapy * Why self-awareness is the first step to lasting change * How childhood experiences shape adult behavior * What it means to feel “out of alignment” in life * How to listen to your intuition and follow your truth * Real stories of how Sheila helps people feel joy again Sheila shares what it was like to be ateacher for 17 years, and why she walked away to help people on a deeper level.She talks about burnout, emotional pain, and how she once woke up wishing todisappear even though everything looked fine on the outside. Now, she lives alife full of love, purpose, and passion. She explains how hypnotherapy helpspeople break free from self-doubt, trauma, and fear. Her simple, kind approachhelps clients change how they feel from the inside out so they can stopsurviving and start thriving. With just a few sessions, people oftenfeel more peace, confidence, and energy than they’ve felt in years. This episode is perfect for you if you’re: * A parent who wants to raise confident, emotionally healthy kids * A teacher or educator looking for deeper meaning in your work * An entrepreneur or business leader feeling stuck or burned out * A growth-minded person working on self-improvement * Someone who wants to feel more peace, purpose, and joy every day Offer: Ten percent off a package of three sessions. Bio: Sheila Wenger is the owner of Shift Hypnosis and the Shift is Happening Podcast. She is a professional hypnotherapist, a certified parent coach specializing in parenting adolescents, and holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees in secondary Education. Prior to opening her hypnotherapy practice, she taught high school French and English for 17 years and coached volleyball. She has had a lifelong interest in the power of human consciousness and optimal relationships, which add to her expertise in her practice and beauty of her personal life. She has been married to her college sweetheart Patrick for 30 years and has boy/girl 19-year old twins who are in college. Connect with Her: https://shifthypnosis.org/ [https://calendly.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fshifthypnosis.org%2F&user_uuid=ed78a2e4-c265-483c-b6a5-98d62371bdaf&stage=1&hmac=f7c2c0781d1124b6cbca5b61378d9cd09a78c47f71d86d7657dd169a9acfaed3] https://shifthypnosis.org/podcast/ [https://calendly.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fshifthypnosis.org%2Fpodcast%2F&user_uuid=ed78a2e4-c265-483c-b6a5-98d62371bdaf&stage=1&hmac=5ac51d2da2b3e18cfef65fea2c3d9ca80ba1035a851717b86c20cc5a680a51f8] https://www.facebook.com/shifthypnosisvancouverwa [https://calendly.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshifthypnosisvancouverwa&user_uuid=ed78a2e4-c265-483c-b6a5-98d62371bdaf&stage=1&hmac=02253411638337614c31c07fde8235493a5445b668f2f9a5af3ac1081f56e491]