Building a Creative Business as a Military Spouse and New Mom – Episode 129 (with Olivia Toscano)

Building a Creative Business as a Military Spouse and New Mom – Episode 129 (with Olivia Toscano)

If you’re a pilot, military spouse, or busy professional trying to grow something of your own without letting your family, fitness, or sanity fall apart, you can start your application to work with me here: https://bluechipathleticclub.com/program-application [https://bluechipathleticclub.com/program-application] In this episode of the Blue Chip Athletic Club Podcast, I sit down with Olivia, a Montana-born farm kid turned Florida-based wedding and lifestyle photographer, to talk about what it actually looks like to build a creative business while navigating military life and new motherhood. Olivia shares her story from small-town Illinois and biology lectures to discovering photography in college, meeting her husband Christian (shoutout to Tinder), bouncing between Detroit and Jacksonville with the Coast Guard, and finally finding her groove as a photographer in two cities that became special launchpads for her business. We get into the realities behind the pretty photos: trying to stand out in a saturated market, marketing yourself when you move every few years, and learning that perfection doesn’t live in this space—especially when you’re juggling a baby, PCS orders, and clients who still need to be served at a high level. Olivia talks about seasons of life, how becoming a mom and a military spouse reshaped her schedule and priorities, and why “something is better than nothing” has become a mantra for both her business and personal health. We also zoom out into the bigger themes—identity, flexibility, family time, and the pressure entrepreneurs feel when life events (babies, moves, injuries) force you to rebuild your “normal” from scratch. If you’re a creative, entrepreneur, or military family trying to grow a business that can move with you and adapt to your life instead of the other way around, this conversation will give you both permission and tactical perspective on how to keep showing up, even when your world is changing fast. Listen to more episodes: https://bluechipathleticclub.com/podcast [https://bluechipathleticclub.com/podcast] Connect with Olivia Instagram: @oliviatoscanophotography https://instagram.com/oliviatoscanophotography [https://instagram.com/oliviatoscanophotography] TikTok: @ortoscano https://www.tiktok.com/@ortoscano [https://www.tiktok.com/@ortoscano] Partners & Resources 1st Phorm supplements (protein, greens, and more) – free samples available, message us to claim yours. Sweet Profections protein cookies (code BLUECHIP10): https://sweetprofections.com/?ref=mhcptczo [https://sweetprofections.com/?ref=mhcptczo] DashTrack websites and automations for coaches: https://labs.dashtrack.com/brand/showcase/bbefd5f0-637f-4a05-a80a-b19688147979 [https://labs.dashtrack.com/brand/showcase/bbefd5f0-637f-4a05-a80a-b19688147979] LogTen Pro / PilotBase pilot logbook (free 3 months): https://logten.com/partner/logten-for-bluechip/ [https://logten.com/partner/logten-for-bluechip/] DISCLAIMER: This episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not medical advice, business advice, or financial advice. Always consult appropriate professionals about training, health, and business decisions.

Mold and Why Your House Might Be Making You Sick – Episode 128 (with Brian Karr)

If you’re a pilot, active duty military member, or busy professional who trains hard, eats clean, and still feels way worse than you “should,” you can start your application to work with me here: https://bluechipathleticclub.com/program-application [https://bluechipathleticclub.com/program-application] In this episode of the Blue Chip Athletic Club Podcast, I sit down with indoor environmental expert Brian Karr to unpack a blind spot in most people’s health journeys: how the air in your home might be quietly wrecking your energy, hormones, and immune system. Brian explains what mold actually is, how it shows up in normal homes and base housing, and why it can drive chronic sinus problems, asthma, gut issues, brain fog, anxiety, fatigue, and kids who are “always sick” but never really get better. We talk through the basics of mold, mycotoxins, and other environmental toxins in a way that even a Coast Guard pilot can understand, and why your body’s detox systems were never designed to keep up with the modern toxic load we’re all swimming in. From there, we dig into the difference between conventional and functional approaches to chronic symptoms—why chasing labs and treating individual issues often fails if you never look at the environment you’re living in every day. Brian walks through real-world patterns he’s seen in thousands of homes, why some people get wrecked while others in the same house feel “fine,” and what that means for families trying to make sense of confusing, persistent health problems. We spend extra time on pilots, active duty military, and their families who are often forced into housing they didn’t choose, and we discuss practical first steps for identifying mold issues, deciding when testing makes sense, and how to think about remediation without losing your mind... Check it out! Listen to more episodes: https://bluechipathleticclub.com/podcast [https://bluechipathleticclub.com/podcast] Partners & Resources Troscriptions (methylene blue & cognitive support) – use code BLAISE for a discount (affiliate link): https://troscriptions.com/?rfsn=9152280.4092506&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=9152280.4092506 [https://troscriptions.com/?rfsn=9152280.4092506&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=9152280.4092506] 1st Phorm supplements: https://1stphorm.com/66bf90e5bed64 [https://1stphorm.com/66bf90e5bed64] Sweet Profections protein cookies (code BLUECHIP10): https://sweetprofections.com/?ref=mhcptczo [https://sweetprofections.com/?ref=mhcptczo] Built Different Mastermind (code BLAISE25): https://www.builtdifferentcommunity.com/feed [https://www.builtdifferentcommunity.com/feed] DashTrack websites and automations for coaches: https://labs.dashtrack.com/brand/showcase/bbefd5f0-637f-4a05-a80a-b19688147979 [https://labs.dashtrack.com/brand/showcase/bbefd5f0-637f-4a05-a80a-b19688147979] LogTen Pro / PilotBase pilot logbook (free 3 months): https://logten.com/partner/logten-for-bluechip/ [https://logten.com/partner/logten-for-bluechip/] DISCLAIMER: This episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your own healthcare provider about environmental, medical, and training-related decisions

Two Broken Feet, Cold Plunges, and What Injury Teaches You About Identity – Episode 127 (19JUN26)

If you’re a pilot, active duty military member, or busy professional who trains hard and secretly fears what would happen if you got benched by an injury, you can start your application to work with me here: https://bluechipathleticclub.com/program-application [https://bluechipathleticclub.com/program-application] In this episode recorded straight from the cold plunge, I break down the full story of how I managed to break both of my feet doing a backflip I’ve hit hundreds of times—and what the last few days have taught me about ego, risk, and rebuilding. I explain exactly what went wrong on the flip, the diagnosis (broken big toe on the right, navicular fracture on the left), and how it instantly blew up summer plans that included an adventure race and a packed training calendar. Instead of pretending I’m fine, I talk honestly about the sadness, frustration, and “sad boy” vibes that came with suddenly needing crutches and having my routine ripped away. From there, I zoom out into the bigger lesson: when you’ve been athletic your whole life, your identity gets wrapped up in what your body can do, and an injury can feel like someone just pulled the plug on who you are. Sitting in the plunge, I walk through how I’m trying to navigate that tension—honoring that it sucks, while also choosing to control what I can: nutrition, upper‑body training, mobility, rehab, mindset, and staying useful at home and in the business. I also share how this changes the way I think about coaching injured or limited clients, and why having a deeper “why” than PRs or race dates matters when life tackles you out of nowhere. Whether you’re currently healthy or listening from your own version of “two broken feet,” my hope is that this episode reminds you that your health journey is bigger than any single workout—and that how you respond when things go sideways might be the most important rep you ever take. Listen to more episodes: https://bluechipathleticclub.com/podcast [https://bluechipathleticclub.com/podcast] Partners & Resources Troscriptions (methylene blue & cognitive support) – use code BLAISE for a discount (affiliate link): https://troscriptions.com/?rfsn=9152280.4092506&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=9152280.4092506 [https://troscriptions.com/?rfsn=9152280.4092506&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=9152280.4092506] 1st Phorm supplements: https://1stphorm.com/66bf90e5bed64 [https://1stphorm.com/66bf90e5bed64] Sweet Profections protein cookies (code BLUECHIP10): https://sweetprofections.com/?ref=mhcptczo [https://sweetprofections.com/?ref=mhcptczo] Built Different Mastermind (code BLAISE25): https://www.builtdifferentcommunity.com/feed [https://www.builtdifferentcommunity.com/feed] DashTrack websites and automations for coaches: https://labs.dashtrack.com/brand/showcase/bbefd5f0-637f-4a05-a80a-b19688147979 [https://labs.dashtrack.com/brand/showcase/bbefd5f0-637f-4a05-a80a-b19688147979] LogTen Pro / PilotBase pilot logbook (free 3 months): https://logten.com/partner/logten-for-bluechip/ [https://logten.com/partner/logten-for-bluechip/] DISCLAIMER: This episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your own healthcare provider about injuries, training, and recovery decisions

“Gyms for Non‑Gym People,” & Redefining Success Beyond Money w/Laurel - Episode 126 (12JUN26)

If you’re a pilot, active duty military member, or busy professional who wants to get strong, stay healthy, and actually like your life outside of work, start your application to work with us here: https://bluechipathleticclub.com/program-application [https://bluechipathleticclub.com/program-application] In this episode of the Blue Chip Athletic Club Podcast, Blaise is joined by gym owner and sales ninja Laurel Roach, who’s spent almost a decade building high‑retention studios for “non‑gym people” and now runs multiple Alloy Personal Training franchises in Arizona. Laurel shares her journey from running a 200‑employee commercial cleaning company and burning out, to buying an existing studio in Phoenix, rebranding it as “the gym for non‑gym people,” almost losing everything during COVID, and then turning it into a highly profitable, high‑touch small‑group training business. She talks about the emotional side of selling that first studio, why money alone didn’t feel like success, and how her definition of winning has shifted toward purpose, progress, and building communities that people never want to leave. Blaise and Laurel dig into what makes an underserved over‑40 demographic so powerful—busy adults with injuries, careers, kids, and disposable income who still want to feel capable but don’t belong in high‑impact bootcamps or big‑box “meat market” gyms. Laurel breaks down Alloy’s 6‑to‑1 training model, world‑class retention, and why deep relationships, curiosity, and actually giving a damn about people beat fancy programming every time. They also hit on leadership, developing young staff into killers, and why most coaches would be better off doubling down on their strengths instead of obsessing over every weakness. Laurel gets vulnerable about her own story too—from modeling as a kid and battling disordered eating and alcohol, to getting sober, reconnecting with her body, and shifting from “be skinny” to “be strong and resilient.” She and Blaise talk about how your goals evolve over time (from looking good for attention to dancing at your 80th birthday), and how to build businesses and training plans that match the life you actually want instead of a hustle grind you secretly hate. Connect with Laurel If you want to learn from Laurel, see how she runs her studios, or just get more of her no‑BS perspective on sales, leadership, and training for real people, follow her here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurelroach [https://www.instagram.com/laurelroach] Listen to more episodes: https://bluechipathleticclub.com/podcast [https://bluechipathleticclub.com/podcast] Partners & Resources 1st Phorm supplements: https://1stphorm.com/66bf90e5bed64 [https://1stphorm.com/66bf90e5bed64] Sweet Profections protein cookies (code BLUECHIP10): https://sweetprofections.com/?ref=mhcptczo [https://sweetprofections.com/?ref=mhcptczo] Built Different Mastermind (code BLAISE25): https://www.builtdifferentcommunity.com/feed [https://www.builtdifferentcommunity.com/feed] LogTen Pro / PilotBase pilot logbook (free 3 months): https://logten.com/partner/logten-for-bluechip/ [https://logten.com/partner/logten-for-bluechip/] DISCLAIMER: This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical, financial, or business advice. Always consult appropriate professionals before making major changes to your health, training, or business.

Functional Medicine, Mitochondria, & Health Optimization w/Dr. Scott Sherr – Episode 125 (05JUN26)

If you’re a pilot, active duty military member, or busy professional whose brain, energy, and recovery can’t keep up with your life, start your application to work with us here: https://bluechipathleticclub.com/program-application [https://bluechipathleticclub.com/program-application] In this episode, Blaise sits down with Dr. Scott Sherr—internal medicine physician and health optimization specialist—to talk about upgrading your brain and body from the cellular level. Scott shares how he moved from conventional trauma medicine to a “health first” model that blends acute-care skills with preventative, performance-focused care, and explains why Health Optimization Medicine (HOME) focuses on mitochondria and cellular machinery instead of band‑aid prescriptions. They dig into why so many people in their 30s–50s wake up exhausted, inflamed, and 30–40 pounds overweight, and how mitochondrial dysfunction shows up as brain fog, mood issues, poor recovery, exercise intolerance, and cardiovascular problems—especially in pilots, shift workers, and high performers. The conversation covers basics like sleep, nutrition, movement, and stress, plus advanced tools Scott uses with athletes and operators, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy and targeted lab testing. Methylene Blue, Troscriptions, and “Just Blue” A big chunk of the episode centers on methylene blue—what it is, why it’s been used for over a century, and how, at the right dose and quality, it can support mitochondrial function, focus, and resilience. Dr. Scott explains how his company Troscriptions creates precision‑dosed troches (lozenges) for brain performance and nervous system support, and why “Just Blue” is one of his go‑to tools for clients who need more mental clarity and stress resilience. Try Just Blue here (affiliate link) and use code Blaise at checkout for a discount: https://troscriptions.com/products/justblue?_pos=2&_sid=d94da5070&_ss=r [https://troscriptions.com/products/justblue?_pos=2&_sid=d94da5070&_ss=r] More from Troscriptions and Dr. Scott: YouTube – Troscriptions: https://www.youtube.com/@troscriptions [https://www.youtube.com/@troscriptions] YouTube – Dr. Scott Sherr: https://www.youtube.com/@drscottsherr [https://www.youtube.com/@drscottsherr] Listen to more episodes: https://bluechipathleticclub.com/podcast [https://bluechipathleticclub.com/podcast] Partners & Resources 1st Phorm supplements: https://1stphorm.com/66bf90e5bed64 [https://1stphorm.com/66bf90e5bed64] Sweet Profections protein cookies (code BLUECHIP10): https://sweetprofections.com/?ref=mhcptczo [https://sweetprofections.com/?ref=mhcptczo] Built Different Mastermind (code BLAISE25): https://www.builtdifferentcommunity.com/feed [https://www.builtdifferentcommunity.com/feed] LogTen Pro / PilotBase pilot logbook (free 3 months): https://logten.com/partner/logten-for-bluechip/ [https://logten.com/partner/logten-for-bluechip/] DISCLAIMER: Dr. Scott is a licensed physician, but this episode is for educational purposes only. This is not medical advice. Do not start or stop any medication or supplement, including methylene blue, without talking to your own healthcare provider.