In this episode of Connecting with Purpose, we’re joined by Don Yaeger—hailed as one of America’s best storytellers, a twelve-time New York Times bestselling author, nationally recognized keynote speaker, and host of the top-ranked Corporate Competitor Podcast, which I’ve been hooked on since hearing Don speak in person just two months ago.

Don’s career spans decades of interviewing and working alongside extraordinary leaders and teams. From his time as Associate Editor at Sports Illustrated and Storyteller in Residence for National Geographic, to his current work as a coach helping executives build cultures of greatness, Don’s insights are rooted in deep curiosity and real-world experience.

In this conversation, Don shares three powerful “10 out of 10” life moments—from surviving cancer and embracing fatherhood later in life, to witnessing the radical power of forgiveness. He reminds us that life happens in seasons, and purpose is found not just in what we achieve, but in how we connect and contribute. We explore what it means to lead with intention, tell stories that matter, and make each day your masterpiece.

Key Takeaways:

— The Magic of Perspective: How a health crisis reframed Don’s entire outlook on life, purpose, and legacy.

— Forgive the Unforgivable: A powerful true story of healing through forgiveness—and the freedom that comes with letting go.

— Purpose in Storytelling: Don shares his framework of “story, lesson, application” and how storytelling builds trust, meaning, and connection.

— Living Your Legacy: Why intentionality, curiosity, and helping others share their story are key to lasting impact.

— Identity & Reinvention: What Don learned through major transitions—and how letting go of titles helps us step into new seasons of purpose.

🔗 Connect with Don:

— Website: donyaeger.com

— LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/donyaeger

— Podcast: CorporateCompetitorPodcast.com

👍 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share for more purpose-fueled conversations about meaning, leadership, and impact.

#ConnectingWithPurpose #DonYaeger #StorytellingWithImpact #MakeEachDayAMasterpiece #PurposeFusedLeadership #Curiosity #Perspective #Forgiveness #LegacyBuilding #EliteAthletes

In this episode of Connecting with Purpose, we’re joined by Gina Tucci, founder of Beyond the Scoreboards, licensed counselor, and mental performance coach. With a lifelong passion for sports and athletic competition, Gina helps athletes, coaches, executives, and teams overcome mental roadblocks and elevate their performance.

Drawing from her background in sports psychology and mental health counseling, Gina creates customized programs that build resilience, shift mindsets, and enhance peak performance. She specializes in equipping high performers with mental fitness tools to manage pressure, navigate transitions, and gain a competitive edge.

As the former Director of MindCode at Resilience Code in Denver, Colorado, Gina developed a program to address clients’ mental health and performance challenges. She holds a certificate in sports psychology from Seton Hall University, along with Master’s and EdS degrees in counseling.

Her own journey—overcoming performance anxiety, learning to detach from expectations, and developing resilience—has profoundly shaped her work. She believes in the power of visualization, self-awareness, and a growth mindset to help individuals thrive in sports, business, and life. With years of experience working with elite athletes, coaches, and corporate leaders, Gina is the perfect guest for Season 3 of Connecting with Purpose, where we explore the intersections of sports, business, and personal growth.

Key Takeaways:

— Visualization & Mental Strength: How Gina’s early experiences with deep breathing and visualization shaped her career in sports psychology.

— Shifting from a Fixed to Growth Mindset: The importance of embracing discomfort, pushing limits, and viewing setbacks as opportunities for growth.

— Resilience & Adaptability: Why high performers must detach from expectations and stay present to overcome challenges.

— Navigating Transitions: How purpose and self-awareness can help athletes and professionals successfully pivot into new roles.

Gina’s insights offer a roadmap for developing mental toughness, embracing change, and transforming pressure into a tool for success—whether in sports, business, or life.

Connect with Gina:

—Website

— LinkedIn

🔗 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more conversations about purpose, performance, and creating lasting impact.

#MentalPerformance #SportsPsychology #Resilience #GrowthMindset #AthleteTransition #HighPerformance #MindsetMatters #EliteAthletes #LeadershipDevelopment #PurposeDriven #MentalFitness #SelfAwareness #Coaching #PurposeFusedLeadership #PeakPerformance