What Are You Made Of?

Latest Episodes:

Content That Converts: Em Connors on Building a Personal Brand and Finding Time Freedom Jul 22, 2026

Show notes

Em Connors knows that building a successful business isn't about chasing every trend—it's about getting clear on who you are, what you stand for, and creating content that genuinely connects. As an Instagram strategist, Canva Verified Expert, and founder of The Creative Bodega, she's helped countless female entrepreneurs simplify their marketing, attract the right audience, and build businesses that create true freedom.

In this inspiring conversation, Em joins Mike "C-Roc" to share the winding journey that shaped her entrepreneurial path. From surviving a painful divorce and rebuilding her life from the ground up to climbing the ranks of New York City's fashion industry, relocating to Baltimore with no job, navigating the challenges of marriage, motherhood, financial uncertainty, and the rise and fall of a CrossFit gym during the pandemic, Em opens up about the grit that carried her through every pivot. She also reveals how an unexpected introduction to Canva and social media led her to discover the work she was truly meant to do.

Together, Mike "C-Roc" and Em dive into the importance of resilience, finding clarity before chasing success, embracing reinvention, and creating a business that aligns with your values instead of consuming your life.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, content creator, or someone navigating a major life transition, this episode is packed with practical insights and powerful reminders that your biggest setbacks often become the foundation for your greatest opportunities.

Website-https://www.thecreativebodega.com/

Social Media Links/Handles-

https://www.instagram.com/the.creative.bodega/?hl=en

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-creative-bodega-content-marketing-and/id1797632954

The Future of Sales: How AI and Human Psychology Drive Business Growth with Steve Trang Jul 20, 2026

Show notes

What does it take to build a business that thrives through market crashes, industry shifts, and the rise of AI?

In this episode of What Are You Made Of?, Mike "C-Roc" sits down with Steve Trang, founder of the Real Estate Disruptors podcast and creator of Objection Proof AI, for a conversation on resilience, sales, leadership, and innovation.

Steve shares his journey from Intel engineer to successful real estate entrepreneur before discovering his true passion for helping business owners master sales and scale through proven systems. He explains why success is about more than money, how emotional intelligence drives every buying decision, and why creating freedom means having the ability to choose who you work with.

Steve also offers a behind-the-scenes look at his sales philosophy and discusses how AI is transforming customer conversations by helping businesses respond faster, communicate more effectively, and convert more leads without losing the human element.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, sales professional, or business leader, this episode is packed with practical insights on building resilient businesses, embracing change, and leveraging technology to create lasting growth.Website-objectionproof.ai

Social Links/Handles:

https://m.facebook.com/stevetrang/

https://www.instagram.com/steve.trang?igsh=d283ZjRlajFtOHJ4

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevetrang

More Than a Coach: Phillip Tomlin on Leadership, Youth Sports and Building Future Champions Jul 15, 2026

Show notes

Phillip Tomlin has dedicated his career to helping young athletes succeed far beyond the scoreboard. As the leader of DMV Dream Athletics and founder of NextPlay Stars, he's creating opportunities for student-athletes through elite coaching, mentorship, and innovative technology that simplifies the college recruiting journey.

In this episode, Phil joins Mike "C-Roc" to share how his background as an educator, entrepreneur, and coach shaped his mission to develop athletes who excel both in competition and in life.

The conversation dives into the realities of youth sports today—from building a championship culture and earning the trust of families to navigating the growing demands of travel athletics and college recruiting. Phil offers practical insights on what separates great coaches from good ones, why parents and coaches must work as partners, and how discipline, communication, and long-term development matter more than chasing short-term wins.

Whether you're a parent, coach, athlete, or entrepreneur, this episode delivers valuable lessons on leadership, resilience, and creating opportunities that help the next generation reach its full potential.

Website: nextplaystars.com

Social Media Links:

https://www.instagram.com/dmvdream_softball/

https://www.tiktok.com/@nextplaystars

The Mindset That Built an Entertainment Empire | Clinton Sparks on Discipline, Leadership and Resilience Jul 13, 2026

Show notes

What does it really take to build an extraordinary life and stay true to your values along the way?

In this compelling conversation, Mike "C-Roc" sits down with Clinton Sparks, CEO of the Global Gaming League, Grammy-nominated multi-platinum producer, entrepreneur, visionary, and entertainment mogul, for an honest discussion that goes far beyond business success.

Clinton shares the principles that have guided his life for decades, revealing why discipline, consistency, and integrity have been the foundation of both his personal and professional journey.

From the simple lifestyle changes that transformed his health to his unwavering commitment to avoiding trends in favor of timeless fundamentals, he explains why mastering yourself is the first step toward achieving lasting success.

The conversation also explores faith, leadership, and personal responsibility as Clinton reflects on overcoming a childhood marked by poverty, abuse, homelessness, and crime. He shares how those hardships shaped his character and fueled his determination to become a man of purpose and integrity.

Together, Mike C-Roc and Clinton discuss the importance of leading by example, making disciplined choices even when no one is watching, and understanding that your actions can influence people in ways you'll never fully realize.

Filled with powerful stories, practical wisdom, and inspiring insights, this episode is a reminder that true success isn't measured by fame or fortune, but by the impact you make, the values you uphold, and the legacy you leave behind.

Website- Globalgamingleague.com

https://www.instagram.com/clintonsparks/?hl=en

Stop Chasing Health Hacks—Build Lasting Wellness Instead with John Jesse Jul 08, 2026

Show notes

What if the secret to living a healthier, longer life isn't found in the latest health trend, but in making one intentional change at a time?

In this episode of What Are You Made Of?, Mike C-Roc sits down with John Jesse—lifetime educator, award-winning journalist, author of The Health Continuum, and host of The Health Continuum Podcast. After losing his father to colon cancer at a young age, John dedicated the last four decades to studying what it truly takes to be healthy in an increasingly unhealthy world.

John shares the philosophy behind his Health Continuum framework, explaining why lasting wellness isn't about perfection or quick fixes, but about identifying the one change that will have the greatest impact on your life. From the importance of sleep, movement, and nutrition to the realities of GLP-1 medications, peptides, and sustainable weight loss, John and Mike explore the difference between chasing trends and building lifelong health.

The conversation also dives into the power of unlimited human potential, the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people, and why consistent daily decisions—not dramatic transformations—create extraordinary results over time. Packed with practical wisdom and inspiring perspectives, this episode will challenge the way you think about health, personal growth, and what's truly possible when you commit to becoming the best version of yourself.

Website- https://www.thehealthcontinuum.com/

https://www.instagram.com/johnjesse87/

Why People Matter More Than Profit: Frank Stronach on Leadership, Ownership & Success Jul 02, 2026

Show notes

Frank Stronach joins Mike C-Roc for a wide-ranging conversation on entrepreneurship, leadership, economic fairness, and the future of business. From arriving in Canada with just $200 in his pocket to building a global manufacturing empire employing over 180,000 people, Frank reflects on the mindset, decisions, and values that fueled his remarkable journey.

Rather than focusing solely on financial success, Frank shares the lessons that transformed his approach to leadership, including the pivotal decision to empower employees through profit-sharing and ownership opportunities. He explains why investing in people—not just products—is the true driver of innovation, growth, and long-term business success. The discussion also explores his belief that workers deserve a meaningful share of the value they help create, and how aligning incentives can unlock extraordinary performance across an organization.

Beyond business, Frank offers his candid perspective on economic democracy, government regulation, the challenges facing small businesses, and why he believes meaningful societal change begins with a "revolution of the mind."

Whether or not listeners agree with every viewpoint, this episode delivers a fascinating look into the philosophy of one of the world's most accomplished entrepreneurs and challenges conventional thinking about leadership, capitalism, and creating lasting impact.

Website- economiccharter.ca.

https://www.instagram.com/canadianeconomiccharter/

https://www.facebook.com/canadianeconomiccharter/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgIPAWNT_wJ24Cr9bP0EYZ

https://x.com/CE_charter

https://www.tiktok.com/@economic.charter

Resilience, Purpose, and Designing a Life That Matters with Leigh Martinuzzi Jul 01, 2026

Show notes

Leigh Martinuzzi joins the show for a thoughtful conversation about resilience, purpose, and what it truly means to create a meaningful life. Known as "The Hidden Why Guy," Leigh shares how personal loss, including the passing of his father and the challenges that followed, reshaped his definition of success and inspired him to prioritize balance, values, and fulfillment over relentless achievement.

Leigh and Mike C-Roc explore why adversity often becomes life's greatest teacher, how aligning daily actions with your core values leads to lasting joy, and why success doesn't have to come at the expense of the life you want to live. They also discuss the power of podcasting, building authentic relationships, creating leverage through a strong team, and embracing continuous personal growth.

This episode is packed with practical wisdom for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone looking to design a life driven by purpose rather than pressure.Website- https://www.thehiddenwhy.com/

Social Media Links/Handles:

https://www.facebook.com/TheHiddenWhy

https://www.instagram.com/thehiddenwhypodcast/

https://x.com/thehiddenwhy

https://www.threads.com/@thehiddenwhypodcast

https://www.tiktok.com/@thehiddenwhypodcast

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDNd_gRZivqKPqbdM39brNw

The Missing Link to Better Health: Tracy Duhs on Hydration, Minerals & Human Performance Jun 29, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of What Are You Made Of?, Tracy Duhs joins Mike "C-Roc" to challenge everything you thought you knew about hydration, wellness, and optimizing your health. A wellness educator, hydration expert, and host of the acclaimed HYDRATE Podcast, Tracy shares how a lifetime of health struggles—from growing up surrounded by pesticides to a life-threatening pregnancy caused by an undiagnosed mineral imbalance—led her to dedicate her life to understanding the true science of hydration.

Mike C-Roc and Tracy explore why drinking more water isn't always the answer, the critical difference between intracellular and extracellular hydration, and how minerals, water quality, and cellular health impact everything from brain function and energy to longevity and performance. Tracy also explains why structured water, spring water, and proper mineral balance play a much bigger role in wellness than most people realize, while offering practical ways anyone can improve their hydration at home.

The conversation also dives into biohacking, creatine, frequency medicine, and the importance of mastering the foundational habits that drive long-term health rather than chasing the latest wellness trends. Tracy shares how she transitioned from real estate investing to building a personal brand and educating millions about restorative wellness, proving that sometimes our greatest challenges become our greatest purpose.

If you're looking to boost your energy, sharpen your mind, improve your health, and rethink one of the most overlooked aspects of human performance, this episode is packed with eye-opening insights and actionable takeaways.

Website-https://tracyduhs.com

Social Media Links/Handles:

https://www.instagram.com/tracyduhs/?hl=en

https://www.youtube.com/user/DuhsTracy

Building a Champion Mindset: Nutrition, Spirituality, and Living at Your Highest Potential with Wade Lightheart Jun 25, 2026

Show notes

In this powerful episode of What Are You Made Of?, Mike “C-Roc” sits down with Wade T. Lightheart, Certified Sports Nutritionist, three-time National Natural Bodybuilding Champion, and co-founder of BIOptimizers. Wade shares his remarkable journey from growing up in rural Canada and losing his sister to cancer, to becoming one of the most respected voices in health optimization, performance, and human potential.

Drawing from his experiences as a world-class athlete, entrepreneur, and survivor of a near-death experience, Wade dives deep into the connections between consciousness, personal growth, nutrition, and peak performance.

Throughout the conversation, Wade and Mike explore the power of perspective, the role of spirituality and quantum thinking in overcoming life's challenges, and how expanding consciousness can transform the way we approach adversity. Wade also reveals the philosophy behind building BIOptimizers into a globally recognized wellness company, why foundational health matters more than quick fixes, and how true success comes from aligning purpose, integrity, and service.

Whether you're interested in optimizing your health, strengthening your mindset, or unlocking greater levels of personal achievement, this episode is packed with insights that will challenge your thinking and inspire action.

Website- bioptimizers.com

Social Media Links/Handles:

https://www.facebook.com/BiOptimizers/

https://www.instagram.com/bioptimizers/?hl=en

https://x.com/bioptimizers

https://www.youtube.com/bioptimizers

https://www.tiktok.com/@bioptimizers

What It Takes to Become Unbreakable: Fitness, Longevity and Human Performance with Dr. Nicole Rakowski Jun 24, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of What Are You Made Of?, Mike “C-Roc” sits down with Dr. Nicole Rakowski, a PhD-trained health expert, IFBB Professional Athlete, internationally recognized speaker, and science-driven leader in the world of fitness, longevity, hormones, body composition, and human optimization.

Dr. Nicole shares the mindset, discipline, and resilience that have fueled her journey from the daughter of hardworking Polish immigrants to becoming a globally respected authority featured on the BBC front page and recognized as a Top 40 Under 40 NYC Journal honoree.

Together, they dive into sustainable fitness routines, the truth about “muscle confusion,” balancing intensity with recovery, and the non-negotiable habits that drive long-term performance.

The conversation also explores the role of adversity in building character, raising resilient children, and how discipline—not motivation—creates extraordinary results. Packed with practical health insights and powerful life lessons, this episode is a masterclass on pushing past limitations, embracing challenges, and intentionally building a stronger body, mind, and life.Social Media Links/Handles:

https://www.instagram.com/drnicolerakowski/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-rakowski/

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