Wake Up The Sun

I met Dr Vermani minutes before our podcast as a referral from a dear friend and former guest on this show. She was in town on a PR tour and joined me on The Wake Up the Sun show. Dr. Vermani is a clinical psychologist, public speaker, teacher and author in the field of mental health and wellness, and a registered member of the College of Psychologists of Ontario. In her private practice, Dr. Vermani Balanced Wellbeing, she provides a multi-faceted treatment approach through a variety of techniques and treatments, including supportive Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Breath~Body~Mind practices, executive coaching, Mindfulness Meditation, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). Dr. Vermani specializes in facilitating treatments for adults suffering from trauma/abuse, mood, anxiety, substance addictions and other related conditions and disorders. Furthermore, Dr. Vermani offers crisis managemen

I met Craig seven years ago through mutual friends. As a new transplant down in the South Florida, he quickly became involved in the recovery community to better his own life. What started as a couple month journey has now reached multiple years of sobriety, a new life and family and the opening of a law office.Craig opened up about his past and what led him down a dark path of abusing alcohol and drugs while trying to maintain his legal profession. Ultimately he hit rock bottom and ended up down in treatment in 2018. Upon completion of treatment, he was encourage to stay down here and start over with a humbling job and to focus on himself and his early recovery. He got his first job clerking for a law office and during the interview was completely honest about this situation which landed him the job. His boss at the time understood Craig was working but sobriety and recovery came first.During the early years, Craig spent his life giving back, working with others and following the suggestions of those who cam

Social media has an interesting way of connecting people. I had never actually met Christina in person. I knew a little about her but was intrigued by her profession and what led to her changing her own life in order to assist others. We dove right into the coaching aspect and why she chose to work with others. She experience a tragic loss in her family and it changed the course of who she was and her role. Moving down here several years ago working in a job that wasn't super fulfilling she sought other ways of connecting and helping people.We spoke about feelings, what's reality perceived or fake, a true connection to God, moving on in relationships and being ultimately called to finding your true purpose and calling. There will be loss, heartbreak, ups and downs but in the end pursuing your destiny requires much that most will not do or don't even know where to start.  

I’ve had the privilege of knowing Justin Weidenfeld for nearly fifteen years. I first met him as his baseball coach and trainer when he was in middle and high school, and through that time I also grew close with his family. His father, Don, was someone who showed me incredible kindness during one of the hardest seasons of my life. He treated me like family, and that generosity left an impression not only on me but on so many people in the South Florida community.Seven years ago, Don passed away suddenly from a heart attack. In that moment, Justin’s life took a new direction. As a young man, he was faced with the weight of grief and the responsibility of being strong for his family as a son and a big brother. Loss has a way of reshaping us, and for Justin, it led him to seek support at Experience Camps. What began as a place of healing soon became a passion. Over the years, he became deeply involved and now serves as the Director of the Georgia Boys program for Experience Camps.Experience Camps, founded in 200

I had the pleasure of sitting down with someone who truly embodies heart, hustle, and community spirit, Michelle Hagerty. We’d crossed paths at local events and through mutual friends, but it wasn’t until a run with the Deerfield Beach Run Club that I really got to connect with her and I’m glad I did. Michelle's story is one of evolution. Raised up north, she stepped straight into the family business after school, built a vibrant life with her husband and kids, and now finds herself in a powerful new chapter: giving back in big ways. From her deep involvement in local charities to launching http://ThePowerOfSports.com, which is a mission-driven platform helping kids gain access to sports, equipment, and wellness. Michelle is proof that impact starts at home and grows outward.In this episode, we talk about how she balances her daily routine, her mindset, the importance of staying grounded, and her upcoming dancing role in Boca Ballroom Battle, where she’ll be dancing for the George Snow Scholarship Founda

I first met Josey years ago, in one of the most emotionally charged environments you can imagine, a recovery group setting where we were supporting a close family friend in early sobriety. I had been invited to show up as part of their support system, and I ended up sitting in on a group session that Josey was leading. What I witnessed left a lasting impression. Her presence, professionalism, and ability to hold space for people in deep struggle, it was powerful.Fast forward to a few years later, we reconnected in a completely different context: the fitness world. We got to talking about her business, her mission, and the community she was building. That’s when I realized she wasn’t just running a company she was creating a movement for people who are working to rebuild their lives. And as 2025 began, I was lucky enough to join her team, offering support as a performance coach to clients who could benefit from that extra layer of care.Josey is the founder of Parallels Consulting, a standout therapy and psychi

I met Keesha years ago. Surrounded by people, full of energy, and deeply rooted in the recovery community. Over the years, we’d cross paths at local gyms, events, and business functions. Each time, her presence stood out.Recently, I had the honor of speaking at her adolescent treatment center. Sharing my story with her clients and reconnecting with her reminded me just how far we've both come on our personal and professional journeys.After the event, I knew I had to get her on the podcast.Between running a treatment center, writing a book, and being a full-time mom, her schedule is no joke but we made it happen.This conversation dives deep. We talk about: The raw reality of business ownership, mental health and parenting, sobriety, loss, connection, and resilience and the lessons that keep showing up, even years into recovery.Keesha’s story is full of power, perspective, and purpose. If you're on your own recovery path, supporting a loved one, or just love real conversations—you’ll want to hear this

I met Megan years ago in a group fitness class in Delray Beach Florida. After not seeing her for years, while walking through my neighborhood as she had recently moved in. We got to chatting and catching up and would pass each other randomly over the next several months. I started noticing her posting about a new local business and she happened to be the  founder/owner and operator. As someone that loves stories and the journey we reconnected and I got to visit the business, participate in the services provided and then we did a podcast about what led to it all.Having faced her own personal health struggles and the emotional, mental and physical challenges of a difficult divorce, Megan embarked on a transformative journey of self-healing. Along with Megan’s personal story and being a single mom, her two children are what drives and inspires her. This journey not only reshaped her life but also redefined her understanding of beauty—one that goes beyond the surface to embrace the power of inner strength and sel

I met Brandon several years ago when he attended a mutual friends charity workout for people in sobriety. I watched him speak to anyone that came up to him and even took photos with a smile and a thank you. Not a common thing for anyone who that had been in the public eye for as many years as he has. He was warm, engaging and interested. Over the years we trained several times, participated in workouts hosted by our mutual friend Jeremy (former wake up the sun show guest in 2020) and broke bread various times he came down to South Florida for some rest and relaxation.After joining in a morning Friday workout, Brandon joined me over at FROPRO HQ to talk about his journey from a professional skateboarder to rising TV personality to losing it all after many years battling alcohol and drugs. After getting sober in May 2015 he began building a huge community of sober networks that facilitate and helping those sick and suffering. He, himself experienced multiple visits to treatment centers, overdoses, jails and ins

It has been years since I have sat down with Pedro Luna and chatted about life and the pursuit of greatness. It's always good to regroup with a former guest on the show and review former goals that have turned into reality. What once started as a fun thing on the side has turned into a full time passion project and business not only for him but for his wife and family. Yoga retreats in some of the most beautiful locations in the world, connection in and with new communities, impacting young yogis and changing lives all from the simple action of saying yes, taking massive action and getting it done.Sitting down we dove right into the most important topics such as returning shopping carts to their proper places, doing the best you can for today, making yourself a fucking priority and saying NO to dumb shit. I know that's a lot to handle in one sentence but that's what a repeat guest is all about. Catching up on the epic life events and changes to what's most important during the day to day.

Eric has been a longstanding community advocate in the mental health and substance abuse space for quite some time here in South Florida. While I've only gotten to know him over the last 2 years from working in the industry, he has a sterling reputation and shining references from his work. Eric is an accomplished South Florida psychotherapist and behavioral health consultant, currently in private practice since 2007 and specializing in the treatment of anxiety, depression, relationship issues, substance misuse, grief and loss, anger management and related traumas. He began working as a therapist in 1995 and has worked in a diverse range of clinical capacities including community mental health, residential addictions treatment, Native American behavioral healthcare administration and private practice. Eric also provides behavioral health program consultation and counselor training. He has instructed at the graduate school level and provides specialty clinical training to psychotherapists. We dove into hi

I met Captain Ben Harrow at a charity event where he and his family were supporting his wife Gina. After he introduced her and the event concluded, I rushed up to him to thank him for his service and chat for a moment. After a brief conversation we both invited each other to be a guest on our separate podcasts. Getting to know Ben and his journey was incredibly inspiring. From high school and collegiate athlete which led to West Point, Ben always put forth the effort and made it a point to be constantly working on and being the best version of himself. After multiple deployments over seas, there was a tragic moment where he stepped on and IED and lost both his legs, several fingers and scarred his forearm.When presented with very limiting beliefs by doctors and therapists, Ben made it a point to realize that if anything was going to get better, it was up to him to make it happen. The work was arduous and challenging but Ben continued in the face of adversity realizing progress is better than nothing. In this

I met Shirah at a pickleball event at a local indoor pickleball club after she had emailed my wife regarding FROPRO and her newly started Palm Beach Founders Club. After Chelsea and I attended her amazing event where we got to meet other founders, business owners, VCs and new startups it was clear that Shirah knew what she was doing and an unstoppable force. Her story began as a teen whose friend had her drink spiked at an outing which led to Shirah thinking that there has to be a way to stop that from happening. Her thought turned to immediate action where she took a scrunchie and other materials and created a rough prototype that essentially covered any drink to prevent from drink spiking. With the help of her family she took her idea and started to work with manufacturers and production facilities until the exact idea became a reality which is now called NIGHTCAPit. As a result, she was invited on Shark Tank and pitched her idea where Shark Lori Greiner invested in helping her grow the product. Shirah has

I met Michael years ago as I was starting my sober journey. As a legend in the community with years of service counseling and as a therapist, Michael has helped out the average person off the street to many high level and noteworthy people of the world. While he would have you believe that it's just what he does, he truly has a gift and a way with words that cut out any bullshit or nonsense. His life has created a ripple effect that has helped more people I know and affected me immensely. We sat down and dove into his history/journey of how he got to be at the top of the game in his career. From humble beginnings to now in his 4th quarter, he is more interested in accomplishing goals in climbing the highest mountains, training to be and stay in shape to hit those goals as long as his body allows, bee keeping, agriculture and living a life where he can be self sustainable. A unique conversation covering life, love, training for hard things, revealing your true self and realizing that no one is against you

I met Mie several years ago at the grand opening of a friends local business. She and her family made an entrance as beautifully warm, smiling and kind people. We spoke for a few moments and then separated in the community. While speaking she had mentioned of starting her own business as she was a successful trainer and wellness coach. I love entrepreneurship and was so grateful so have her drop by FROPRO and gift me her product. Daily Hustle is a next level wellness drink mix that strengthens your immune system, gives you a subtle boost in energy while keeping you hydrated throughout your day! Elevate your wellness and hydrate with plant-powered, functional superfoods high in antioxdiants, electrolytes, minerals and vitamins. I was blown away by the taste and quality of her product. I consumed it for the next month and shared with several friends and family.What is even more impressive is Mie's story and journey to live in the United States all the way from Denmark. Literally moving her entire life her

I met Kayla years ago through the health and wellness scene down in South Florida when she was working at Lululemon. I have followed her journey down here with her music and talents and always wanted to have her on the show, so when I saw that she was moving and taking her talents to Nashville it was now or never. Im so grateful that she gave me some time while packing up her whole life to go. Kayla grew up here in South Florida. She has been heavily involved in music ever since a young age when her parents would take her to a local restaurant that had karaoke hour and she would get on stage and sign without hesitation. "I am music that is my essence" a quote that stuck with me while talking with her on the show. She loves to write her own songs, sings in cover bands, plays intstruments and even attended the finest music schools down here for her education. During a tough time with health complications, Kayla got her GED and left school to handle and get better. She found in her darkest time, music

I met Jay recently only after hearing his name for so many years in the community. I was better connected with his wife and partner Mayra who tragically left us over a year ago due to an unforeseen illness. During the celebration of her life at the gym I was able to meet Jay and their children and become better acquainted. At the same time of this heartbreaking situation, Jay was busy doing his job as Vice President of Development for the George Snow Scholarship Fund. At its core, the GSSF offers scholar support services dating back to 1982 and has grown by leaps and bounds helping hundreds local young men and women get the support they need to further their education.   Jay "dug in" during one of the hardest times in his life to take care of his children, continue the events and fundraising, find time to work on himself, support the community and secure the cheerleading/cheer space for future success. During my experience working with the George Snow Scholarship Fund, Jay was very hands on and extr

I met Sam years ago in the consumer products goods space as a referral from someone else. Although we didn't end up doing business together, she made a lasting impression on me. A full wattage smile, enthusiasm and kindness in her office was how I would remember her as years progressed. Not too long ago, Sam experience a serious low that almost cost her, her life. What went from a fun and growing career turned into a nightmare which led her down a path of confusion, isolation and eventually a deep depression.Sam and I spoke after she walked through her experience and wanted to have her on the show to shed some light and help others. We spoke about our first initial interaction all the way to her being alone and isolating in her apartment up for days with insomnia. Her family and friends couldn't reach her and she walked through it all alone by her choice. What was born from that experience led her to where she is today. Im so grateful Sam decided to share her backstory growing up in an abusive house

Dominic would tell you that he does not have a crazy story but after sitting down and hearing about his life I can definitely tell you that his journey and how he made it to present day is something of a miracle.  Dom is 12 years sober as of this podcast and is a health and fitness coach online and across the globe. His persistence to become a trainer and work with one of the best in the industry proves his hunger and ability to keep going forward in spite of challenges. His sobriety story is one of repeated failure and bottoming out until he asked for proof and spoke into the universe that he was looking for a sign and a sign was presented. It changed his direction and he began, "stuck around" and kept coming back. Over the years Dom challenged himself and pushed the limits of what the body could do even by training for the LEADVILLE 100 which is a 100 mile race through the mountains of Colorado. While training for that he encountered some grueling mental and physical battles which created a new pe

I met MJ though mutual friends and stopped by his new home in central Boca for some coffee and a chat. We discussed sobriety and our journeys that led us from rock bottom to living with purpose. As a recent transplant from the northeast, MJ shared about his time in the big cities, his other businesses in the clothing industry to what led him to create LOOSID. LOOSID is a free sober app that includes a sobriety tracker, sober community, daily gratitude, sober tips and more originally founded in 2018 and grew during the pandemic. It also has a sober dating feature for a monthly cost that connects sober singles to meet without the stigma of drinking surrounding it all. MJs story is like most alcoholics and addicts. His sobriety date is March 21, 2012 and his rock bottom led to his admittance of needing help and following through with the program and fellowship of AA. During his early sobriety he met a woman who's family had been struggling with addiction and rather than open multiple treatment centers that