Kevin Polky - The Journey

He Brought His Dreams on the Road Have you ever thought what it would be like to spend more than 9 months of the year traveling to the most exotic locations in the world and get paid while traveling? Ralph turned his hobby into his business. Listen to this one of a kind conversation, to see how Ralph (who was raised by entrepreneurs) opened up two different restaurants, worked in many different professions along the way, and then took his vision to the road. This is a must listen episode if you are thinking about a career out of the box.

During this time, many of us set goals for the upcoming year. I share three secrets, I discovered while I was a state and national champion bodybuilder. I hope they will help you accomplish all the goals for this coming year.

A Wonder Woman Who You to Unlock Your Potential Kimberly came from humble beginnings. Loved by her family. She strove to excel in school and in the workplace. Today she works at the international level as a communication consultant. She is a best-selling author, speaker and life coach. She desires to specifically help woman unlock their potential and live their greatest lives.

During this busy time of year, I reflect on a time Jesus visited with Martha and Mary's at their home. Martha was focused on all the preparation and the busyness of the event. Mary desires to spend time with Jesus in His presence. I know we are all busy with all the activities but, will we choose to be like Mary and focus on the relationship instead of the task. "Mary" Christmas!

Dancer and Performer Becomes a Teacher for Special Needs Erica always loved performing. First it was dance and then she found the stage of musical theater. She found her home! A physical injury was her first setback which she had to overcome. Little did she know it was preparing her for the future. Erica talks in detail about her experience in college with anxiety, fear and self-doubt. Graduating from ISU she is about to embark on her next adventure as a Special Education Teacher.

Like many of us Ebenezer was not born bitter and angry. But after feeling like he was caught between two loves, he chose work. Desire and ambition turned to greed, bitterness and loneliness. Listen to this story of how Scrooge developed and how he was given a second chance.

A Wounded Marine who is Finding Purpose in Giving Back Ryan served as a marine for 12 years. He was in the special forces. Two of buddies while serving and two died after the returned to the states. Ryan did not escape without his own scars: physically, mentally and emotionally. Listen to this great conversation about how Ryan is sharing his story to help others in their pain and darkness.

There was a time in which we eagerly opened the door when someone knocked. Today many times we hide or just avoid opening the door. How many times is this like life? Due to distractions or preconceived thoughts, we are closed to new ideas or change in our lives. How many times do miss opportunity to growth or splendor due to be closed. Will you choose to be open?

She uses Play to Teach Mary Kay has been an educator for over 50 years. She has always desired to find a way to connect with her students regardless of their age. She has come to believe and found the research and others to support her, humor and play are one of the most effective to learn. Listen to this insightful conversation about the science of humor and play and learning.

In the midst of everything happening as we are getting ready for Christmas, have you been able to really listen to the lyrics of those songs you have heard throughout your life. Recently, I reflected as I listened to hours of Christmas songs as we drove home. Many memories came flooding back. But, one stood out, Amy Grants’s “My Grown-up Christmas List”. I wonder if this Christmas season we could give the gift of caring for someone or showing compassion for someone struggling. Maybe, we could give a gift that will last throughout the year.

An Artists who uses the Stage to Share a Message Dan has loved to act and perform from his earliest memories. Dan has been a true student of the arts, continue to learn and grow throughout his career. During this conversation, Dan shares about what it takes to make acting a career. He shares about his latest performance in “Every Brilliant Thing” and the impact it has on the audience and everyone who experiences this wonderful show. Truly enjoyed this conversation.

Are you a Bears fan or Packers fan? So many times, we get caught in a perspective of my team vs. their team, right or wrong, black or white. It is developmental critical to start with this perspective but if we get stuck here we will not be able to grow. We will not be able to see grey. We really are not a football fan. Just a fan of a team (well as long as they win).

Xavier Returns to Share Her Story after her Son’s Death Xavier returns to The Journey to share her story about the trauma of finding her son on the day he died form suicide. Xavier had numerous losses in her life but this was different. A parent living through the loss of their child is beyond words. The fact she was the one who found him amplified the problem. She discovered she had PTSD. After seeking treatment, she was physically more normal, but her journey for finding purpose to this awful pain had just began. Great conversation with this speaker, advocate and now author.

“Why do I do what I don’t want to do, and don’t do what I want to do?” Kevin shares in this brief teaching piece about the “blueprint” that drives our perceptions and decisions we make later in life. He introduces the concept of the wound and the false self that we create to protect ourselves. But most importantly men and women, he invites us to do the work on ourselves to break “the spell”.

Great conversation with John Penney as he shared about his story growing up with not enough money to play organized sports. He had a numerous of mentors who assisted in his growth as he walked through doors in his career in the trades. Later, he took his love for basketball and desire to help his daughter and started an organization to give girls opportunities he never had growing up. John’s organization, Rockford Heat, has helped numerous young female athletes get scholarship money to play basketball at the Division I and II level.

Athlete to Business Leader to Community Activist Rob joins me on The Journey and shares his story from being a top performing tennis player who turns professional. He then graduates from college and returns to his father’s company which in few short years he becomes president. After successfully bringing a cultural change to the company, he desires to bring the same opportunity for cultural change to local politics. Definitely check out this episode it is packed with many different tips for success.

Part 2 A Lady’s Journey with Depression and her Desire to Give Hope Lynn returns to The Journey and goes into more detail regarding her experience with depression. Lynn shares about the importance of not giving hope and knowing you are not alone. Awareness, education and pursuit for help. Medical assistance, counseling and healthy lifestyle are the key message she wants to share with others. Enjoy this conversation.

From Competitor to Coach to Creating Space for Greatness Lori started gymnastics when she was very young. She remembers her first setback as being a turning point as she faced her fears and overcame it. She realized avoiding something she was scared of was not a solution. She uses that motto as she coaches national and international athletes. She and her husband have created a world renown gymnastic academy. Listen to this wonderful conversation about her journey from competitor to coach to business owner.

Paying Forward What He was Given in the Darkness Brian grew up in a small Wisconsin town. He admits he was loved by his mom but felt there was always something missing. He was constantly feeling not good enough. He discovered alcohol early in life and that became a problem. Drugs were added into the mix and things got worse. But, the core issue was a lack of relationship with himself and others. Brian shares about his recovery journey with alcohol and drugs but even more importantly with codependency.

A Storyteller Through Film Corbyn became intrigued with filmmaking when he was young. He has made a career out of expressing himself through this form of art. He thought a few years ago, he had reached the pinnacle of his career with The Fatherhood Project and being on the Today Show. But, that was just one part of the story. He has committed his life to being the best husband and father that he can be. And, now he working full time during the day but creating his own content at night. Another, exciting part of this storyteller’s journey.