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In this episode of the Strong By Design Podcast, Coach Chris Wilson sits down with self-influence strategist and Real Influence podcast host Joey Vaillancourt for a powerful conversation about the hidden emotional cost of achievement, the identity traps many high performers fall into, and why success alone often fails to bring lasting fulfillment.

Joey shares his personal journey through divorce, sobriety, fatherhood, and deep personal transformation—and explains how unconscious programming can keep driven people stuck in constant pressure mode, always chasing the next milestone while feeling disconnected from themselves and the people who matter most.

Together, Chris and Joey unpack the difference between pain and suffering, why achievement can quietly become an addiction, and how redefining success through presence, awareness, contribution, and relationships can completely change the way we live and lead.

If you’ve ever felt like you “should” be happier after reaching your goals… this episode is for you.

Time Stamps

0:00 – Why success doesn’t feel as good as it should
0:37 – Welcome to the Strong By Design podcast!
4:22 – The identity trap behind your results
6:21 – Pain vs suffering: Why it matters
12:21 – Why achievement still leaves you feeling empty
23:36 – The mindset shift that changes everything
27:54 – What happens when your standards get clear
30:31 – What’s really controlling your decisions
31:21 – Why success still feels like something is missing
33:53 – The thing 'more valuable' than status or money
35:51 – Why helping others changes how you feel
37:17 – Daily habits that builds real awareness
39:24 – The trap of comparing your life to others
40:47 – Stay connected with Joey Vaillancourt
41:25 – Share, rate & review the Strong By Design podcast!

Resources:

JoeyVaillancourt.com

Real Influence Podcast

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In this episode of the Strong By Design podcast, Coach Chris Wilson welcomes fitness and hormone optimization expert Shaun Hadsall for a powerful conversation about what it truly means to build a “Legacy Body” after 50.

Shaun shares why so many high-performing men dominate in business yet quietly struggle with their health, energy, and physique, creating what he calls the “6%er Divide.”

Together, they unpack the weight-regain cycle, the connection between physical standards and leadership, and why lasting transformation starts with identity instead of motivation. Shaun explains how to eliminate self-negotiation, build automatic discipline through environment and structure, and create sustainable momentum that lasts for life.

The conversation also dives into Shaun’s Legacy Fuel system and why nutrition after 50 should focus less on restrictive dieting and more on metabolic rhythm and adherence.

You’ll learn the difference between carb cycling and systemized nutrition, how to use simple strategies to control hunger, and why hidden factors like sleep, hydration, and stress may be sabotaging your results. Shaun also introduces his CWESP audit, breaks down the mindset shifts that influence hormones and performance, and explains why investing in your health creates a compounding return in every area of life.

This episode is a wake-up call for men who refuse to drift and are ready to lead with strength, vitality, and purpose for decades to come.

Time Stamps

00:00 – The Legacy Vision: Rocking chair or powerhouse?
00:53 – Welcome to the Strong by Design podcast!
01:15 – Join Coach Chris along with our special guest Shaun Hadsall
03:35 – Six-pack secrets at 55
04:23 – The high-performer paradox: winning at work, losing at fitness
05:07 – How to break the weight-regain cycle
09:06 – Does your physique match your standards?
15:16 – Discover the butler principle
16:22 – How to end self-negotiation
25:33 – How to build automatic discipline
27:26 – Beyond carb cycling: systemizing your nutrition
30:03 – Know the ultimate weapon against hunger
34:55 – The CWESP audit: 5 hidden variables killing your results
40:07 – How beliefs influence your hormones
44:02 – Physical stewardship: from provider to protector
50:52 – Why invest in compounding health
55:03 – Stay connected with Shaun Hadsall
55:55 – Share, rate & review the Strong by Design podcast!

Resources:

TheRippedGrandpa.com

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What does it really mean to be a “good person” … and who gets to define that?

In this thought-provoking episode of the Strong By Design Podcast, Coach Chris Wilson sits down with friend and co-host Pastor Jared Haley to tackle one of the most important and misunderstood questions of our time:

Can you be good without God?

From the outside, “goodness” seems simple: be kind, do the right thing, help others.

But as Chris and Jared unpack throughout this conversation, the deeper you go, the more complex it becomes. Is goodness just behavior? Is it intention? Or is there a higher standard we’re often ignoring?

Together, they explore the tension between cultural definitions of being “nice” and the biblical idea of true righteousness. You’ll hear honest insights on human nature, the limits of moral effort, and why even our best actions may fall short of a perfect standard.

This episode isn’t about pointing fingers; it’s about asking better questions.

Questions like:

• Why is defining “good” harder than we think?
• Are we shaped more by habit, wiring, or something deeper?
• Can a polished reputation actually hide deeper issues?
• What do everyday decisions reveal about who we really are?

You’ll also discover how small, consistent actions (micro-habits) shape character over time and why embracing the tension in life, rather than avoiding it, may be the key to growth.

Whether you’re a person of faith, exploring spirituality, or just trying to live a meaningful life, this conversation will challenge your assumptions and sharpen your perspective.

Time Stamps

00:00 – Why your natural gifts aren't an accident
00:50 – Welcome to the Strong by Design podcast!
1:15 – Join hosts Chris Wilson and Jared Haley for today’s special episode
1:35 – The truth about the male brain no one talks about
6:03 – Why “being good” is harder to define than you think
9:33 – The hidden patterns shaping who you really are
12:38 – Why perfection might be out of reach
15:43 – Know the gap between politeness and real goodness
24:48 – Ethical dilemmas that don't have a "right" answer.
30:52 – Why a "perfect" reputation is often a dangerous sign
34:52 – Micro-Habits, Macro-Change
42:03 – Modern assumptions about faith and community
49:51 – How the smallest moments reveal who you truly are
55:54 – Embracing the tension at the center of the human experience
58:09 – Please share and leave ratings & reviews for the SBD podcast!

Resources:

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