Eating Crow

Tony Albrecht has seen things.Things most people will never witness.His path has been a winding journey through self-doubt, insecurity, destructiveness, self-centeredness and ultimately, a spiritual awakening.Tony is also one of the most intriguing people I've met (and considering this show's premise, that's saying something).He's raw.He's still paving HIS path.He's becoming an amazing husband and father (note, it's an evolving process, with no deadline).I connected with Tony's writing instantly. He was gracious enough to share his journey and lessons.I hope to be with Tony on the remainder of his journey. When you encounter people who are deep and have so much to offer, you make it a priority to build a friendship and to continue to learn and be challenged by their approach to life.Key Takeaways for Leaders and Entrepreneurs:Sabbaticals have meritReading is fundamentalMany battles win the warTony is a quiet leader. He has "it", the thing people are drawn to in any situation. In his youth he let this power consume him. Now he's harnessed it, using it for good.Leaders can benefit from his thoughtful approach to words, actions and observation. He battles the resistance one-day-at-a-time.Tony's Eating Crow Moments:You hit rock bottom the moment you stop diggingFacing reality - owning his journeyTough conversations with his parentsAdopting the 12-steps in AA, and working them, embracing the spiritual awakening.You can find Tony here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-albrecht-92457213b/

Gav Gillibrand is my spirit animal...with bigger balls.I have been chasing him as a guest for a year.Some of you may know, I started a fitness company in 2009 to help people live healthier lives. At the time, LinkedIn was early, video wasn't a medium on the platform and Instagram was on the rise. I should have been active on both, screaming from the rooftops about how I felt about exercise and eating right, and the simple truths about weight loss.I just didn't have the balls to be vocal, I was afraid it would offend my business clients. Damn.Gav does have the balls. He tells it like it is, it's unapologetically necessary - and refreshing.Gav's journey to fitness champion is unusual.His journey gave him the first hand experience and knowledge to speak with authority.I've yet to encounter another influencer who speaks more directly, accurately and simply.Some people don't want to hear it. They want an excuse. They want a pill.Gav is brutally honest. The science is simple. Willpower and deeply emotional issues are not.Yet, because the science is simple, there is hope.Gav walks us through his journey, his approach and how he found his voice.And thank goodness he did.Oh, there will be a Part Two to this episode, we haven't even scratched the surface.Male stripper. Need to dig into that.Enjoy.Gav can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gav-gillibrand/

Something completely out of Matt Blakely's control became a big break for his early stage company.Becoming a control freak almost ruined it.Fortunately, Matt woke up and realized he was holding his company back - just in time.He had to be better.He had to lead better.Ultimately, he had to let go.The first thing he did? He sat down with his team and shared his epiphany. Then he asked for their help - to become a better leader.Talk about eating crow. That's a third trip to the buffet.Matt decided to "paint the picture of what he wants to be and what he wants for success."He then laid it out for the team.Most bought in. Some didn't. That was OK.What happened next was epic.Key Takeaways for Leaders and Entrepreneurs:Rethink everything.Transparency is essential.Work on yourself - and ask others to help you.More hours does not always translate to better performance.Matt's Eating Crow Moments:Waking up and realizing he was the problem.Giving examples of this to his team (showing them he really gets it).Stepping back and relinquishing control.Knowing everyone won't buy in.You can find Matt, and his excellent content for leaders on LinkedIn here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattblakely3/

I've been following Brooks Bell's career for years.Her name is on the building where her consulting firm has grown into one of the most respected and innovative groups in the country.I drive by the office frequently.I've always wondered...On this, the 38th episode of Eating Crow, we meet Brooks. I should have reached out years ago.Brooks is brilliant.She's built an amazing company.But her new mission is educating people about early detection for colon cancer...you can see where this is going.At 38-years old, at the peak of her professional and personal lives, she was diagnosed with cancer.Brooks did what you'd expect. She jumped in.She resigned as CEO of her own company the next day.She was going to beat this. And she did.She learned a lot about cancer, and how early detection saves lives for those diagnosed with colon cancer, specifically.She's now a champion for not only early detection, but for healthier lifestyles that can prevent or help you weather the treatment for cancers.Brooks' Eating Crow Moments:Once diagnosed, she had to make serious lifestyle changes. They were difficult, not natural.Priorities changed. Rethinking work/life/health opened her eyes.Cooking. She didn't cook. Now she grows her own veggies and has learned the joy of healthy cooking and how wonderful it can taste.Exercise. She never considered herself athletic, so she doubled down and learned yoga, movement and mindfulness - amazing the impact they can have for those in cancer treatment and to prevent the debilitating impact stress can have on your health.Key Takeaways for Leaders and Entrepreneurs:Pay attention to your body. It's the only one you get and if something isn't right, check it out.Work will always be there. You must prioritize your health, or you, your family and your company don't get the best version of yourself each day.Her health journey has evolved her company. Today, Brooks Bell has evolved into a dynamic firm, addressing "bigger" problems, forming long-term partnerships with their clients.You can find Brooks here, along with her mission and messaging: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooksbellinteractive/

On Episode 37 of Eating Crow we meet Carlos Hidalgo.Carlos, and his wife, Susanne, run Life Design, a boutique firm helping others who know there can be more, and want to make the necessary changes to begin living a life they love to live each and every day.Sounds easy, right?To realize there is a better way, you must recognize something is wrong.Carlos opens up about his life, his marriage, his career and how all of them came crashing down.Something was definitely wrong.I've heard similar stories.However, Carlos owned his shit more than anyone I've met.Every word was raw, genuine and heartfelt.Carlos has been to dark places.He received several much-needed slaps in the face and got his act together.It was hard. It took time.Susanne is the real hero of this story. She's a masterclass in forgiveness, compassion and fortitude.Life Design is built on a foundation of experience and tested methods to design a better life.If you are missing something or don't feel you are in a better place, join them.Lessons for Leaders and Entrepreneurs:Ownership. When something goes wrong, own it and fix it.It's a journey. Building a company or a better life is not an event, it's a life-long process.You need a team. Carlos had strong friends and associates who cared enough to get in his face. We all need people like that.Carlos' Eating Crow Moments:Realizing he may have lost his marriage and family.Trying to contain the carnage, ignoring that he was the problem.Finding out he had to fix himself first, but with no guarantee he could rebuild his family.Looking in the mirror, after the hard work, and realizing he liked the person looking back at him.You can find Carlos here: https://www.yourlifedesignjourney.com/

Cory Carlson is winning at home.It wasn't always that way.Cory's story will resonate with many people struggling to advance a career and maintain a healthy family life.Cory lost his balance.He failed at home.He failed at work.The he woke up.He came clean.First to himself, then his family.What happened next is an amazing example of forgiveness and faith.Cory put in the work.He captured his lessons into a book: Win at Home FirstIf you are struggling with work/faith/life, this is a must read.Cory's Eating Crow Moments:Realizing he was not living the life God had provided for him.Owning his biggest mistakes.Admitting he needed help, and seeking it.Key Takeaways for Leaders and Entrepreneurs:You can win at home and work.Your family needs a vision, but get yours straight first.Every lesson at home translates to something at work.You can find Cory's book here: Win at Home First