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PAC Talk with Pieter Vodden


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  • 159. Loyalty, Systems & Stories: How We Built the Pharosphere

    54:25||Season 3, Ep. 159
    If you are in the Pharosphere, then you will know that relationships and people are at the core of our business. We are noted for our bells and whistles, but the loyalty we have fostered is due mainly to the personalities that give life to our spaces.In this episode of Pac Talk, I had the opportunity to work out with our leadership team and then sit down for one-to-one conversations with each of them. My hope is that you will get to know them better… who they are, what they do, how they found fitness, how they found PHAROS, what journey they are currently on, and what dreams they have for the future.These people are the muscle behind the machine. They fuel our business, gift us their talents, and take us passionately into tomorrow. This is their story.In this episode, we talk with:Laura: The administrative rock and systems expert.Tori: The creative force and cinematic director.Josh: The GM leading the charge in Palm Springs.Dan: The head coach bringing empathy to the barbell.Jeff: The veteran coach and Echo Park GM.Thanks for listening, don’t forget to follow, subscribe, like and share—we really appreciate it!💪 Join the 7-Day Results Accelerator to build clarity, momentum, and sustainable joy in your routine. pharosathleticclub.comIf you are in Southern California come train with us Echo ParkRedondo BeachIdyllwildPalm SpringsFollow Pharos, Piet and Emylee on Instagram for more fitness related content.

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  • 158. Act Despite How You Feel: Why Action Comes Before Confidence

    14:44||Season 3, Ep. 158
    Act Despite How You Feel: Why Action Comes Before Confidence | PAC Talk Podcast with Piet and Emylee VoddenIn this episode, we close the gap between insight and execution. After a week of reflection, awareness, and intention-setting in the Accelerator program this episode is a reminder that transformation doesn’t happen when you feel ready — it happens when you act anyway."Motivation is Unreliable"We unpack: • How waiting for motivation keeps us stuck • Why action builds confidence (not the other way around) • How to put behavior before belief and momentum before doubtThis episode is for anyone who knows what to do… but has been hesitating.
Press play, take the step, and let action do the convincing.💪 Join the 7-Day Results Accelerator to build clarity, momentum, and sustainable joy in your routine. pharosathleticclub.comIf you are in Southern California come train with us Echo ParkRedondo BeachIdyllwildPalm SpringsFollow Pharos, Piet and Emylee on Instagram for more fitness related content.
  • 157. PAC Talk Mini: Shift Your Mindset to Find a Way In, Instead of Always Finding a Way Out

    17:49||Season 3, Ep. 157
    In this episode, we explore the quiet internal battle that determines whether people follow through—or fade out—on the things that matter most: the voice that looks for a way out versus the voice that finds a way in.Using real conversations from a recent Accelerator group call, we break down how self-sabotage often shows up disguised as logic, comfort, or “being realistic.” From the idea of first-mile lies in running, to the familiar pattern of joining the gym with good intentions and quitting a few months later, this episode looks at how identity—not motivation—drives consistency.We talk about why telling yourself “this time is different” doesn’t work if your past actions say otherwise, and how repeated non-follow-through trains your brain and body not to trust you. Through stories of weight loss, addiction, gym intimidation, and starting something you’re not good at yet, this episode highlights a critical truth: belief isn’t built through words—it’s built through reps.This conversation also tackles humility, accountability, and the importance of being willing to look inexperienced, uncomfortable, or imperfect in order to grow. Whether it’s quitting smoking, walking into the gym for the first time, or simply showing up when it would be easier not to, the question stays the same: are you finding a way in, or are you looking for a way out?If you’ve ever struggled to see something through, felt stuck in a cycle of starting and stopping, or questioned whether you’re “just the kind of person who quits,” this episode will challenge that narrative—and give you a framework to start rewriting it through action.💪 Join the 7-Day Results Accelerator to build clarity, momentum, and sustainable joy in your routine. pharosathleticclub.comIf you are in Southern California come train with us Echo ParkRedondo BeachIdyllwildPalm SpringsFollow Pharos, Piet and Emylee on Instagram for more fitness related content.
  • 156. PAC Talk Mini Ep: The Curse of The High Achiever & How To Overcome its Hold on You

    07:30||Season 2, Ep. 156
    High achievers—this one’s for you! If you constantly feel:• Like nothing you do is ever “enough”• Guilty when you rest• Stuck because things aren’t perfect yetYou might be caught in the curse of the high achiever.🎙️ In today’s mini episode, I’m sharing:• Why dissatisfaction isn’t the enemy—but unmanaged, it will stall you• How perfection keeps high achievers stuck• Why “bare minimum habits” beat overachievement every timeYou’re not lazy.You’re not falling behind.You might just need permission to do less.💪 Join the 7-Day Results Accelerator to build clarity, momentum, and sustainable joy in your routine. pharosathleticclub.comIf you are in Southern California come train with us Echo ParkRedondo BeachIdyllwildPalm SpringsFollow Pharos, Piet and Emylee on Instagram for more fitness related content.
  • 155. PAC Talk Mini Ep: Let’s Talk About Failing Your Goals

    08:19||Season 2, Ep. 155
    Let’s talk about failing your goals.Because if I’m being honest, I’ve fallen short on almost every goal I’ve ever set.And for a long time, I let that mean something about me. That I was undisciplined. That I couldn’t finish what I started. That no matter how hard I tried, it was never good enough—so why even try?But here’s what I’ve learned: the problem was never the goals.It was the story I attached to them.In today’s episode, we want to reframe how we think about goals—especially if you’re looking back at this year feeling disappointed, behind, or tempted to say, ‘Why bother?’Goals are meant to give you direction, but not define your worth…When you shift your focus from outcomes to effort and the actions you can control, you enjoy the process and actually get results that last. If you’ve ever let missing a goal give you permission to quit—or stop dreaming altogether—this one’s for you.If you’re a coach, gym owner, or someone trying to build strength that carries into the real world—this one is for you.💪 Join the 7-Day Results Accelerator to build clarity, momentum, and sustainable joy in your routine. pharosathleticclub.comIf you are in Southern California come train with us Echo ParkRedondo BeachIdyllwildPalm SpringsFollow Pharos, Piet and Emylee on Instagram for more fitness related content.
  • 154. The Goal Setting Framework For Work And Life That Keeps Us Moving Forward In 2026

    11:28||Season 2, Ep. 154
    The Goal Setting Framework For Work And Life That Keeps Us Moving Forward In 2026 In this reflective solo episode, Emylee shares the exact 3-pillar framework she uses to set goals at Pharos—and in her own life. Recorded during a quiet early-morning drive down the mountain after the annual leadership retreat, she reflects on the progress the team made in 2025, the lessons learned, and the clarity that comes from reviewing both the wins and the challenges.She introduces the three types of goals that guide every decision at Pharos:  •  Financial – supporting stability, reinvestment, and long-term health.  •  Community – delivering on the promise of results, connection, and service.  •  Cohesion – building systems and infrastructure that keep the team aligned and the experience consistent.Listeners will learn how to use this exact framework in their own lives by brainstorming everything they could do, then identifying the one to three “rocks” that will truly move the needle in the next 90 days. Emylee breaks down how to think in quarterly pushes, avoid overwhelm, and build a year that feels intentional—rather than rushed.Interested in working with us to get a plan of action for you? Join our 7-Day Results Accelerator kicking off each Monday in January 2026 for anyone craving momentum, clarity, and a roadmap they can actually stick to.💪 Join the 7-Day Results Accelerator to build clarity, momentum, and sustainable joy in your routine. pharosathleticclub.comConnect with JoeJoe's InstagramBusiness of Strength IGJoe's WebsiteIf you are in Southern California come train with us Echo ParkRedondo BeachIdyllwildPalm SpringsFollow Pharos, Piet and Emylee on Instagram for more fitness related content.
  • 153. The Business of Strength: Leadership Is Built Under Load with Joe Riggio

    01:03:23||Season 2, Ep. 153
    Joe Riggio (Varsity House, Business of Strength) joins Pieter Vodden to talk about what really separates gyms that grow from gyms that fade out: business fundamentals, leadership, culture, and having the humility to get coached.They go back to the early Jim Jones days—why traveling for education builds confidence, camaraderie, and “earned” self-respect—and how that same mindset became a blueprint for building better businesses. Joe breaks down the origin of Business of Strength (from early workshops to mastermind groups), why most gym owners hit the “coach-owner paradox,” and how perspective, systems, and community can pull you out of the weeds.They also recap their Cactus to Clouds attempt—training prep, pacing, hydration, gear, and why you don’t do this hike casually. The conversation widens into endurance vs. strength, VO2 max and longevity, fatherhood, resilience, and why doing hard things on purpose makes real life easier.If you’re a coach, gym owner, or someone trying to build strength that carries into the real world—this one is for you.💪 Join the 7-Day Results Accelerator to build clarity, momentum, and sustainable joy in your routine. pharosathleticclub.comConnect with JoeJoe's InstagramBusiness of Strength IG Joe's Website If you are in Southern California come train with us Echo ParkRedondo BeachIdyllwildPalm SpringsFollow Pharos, Piet and Emylee on Instagram for more fitness related content.