In this episode of the podcast, we sit down with Sebastian Paredes and Sheika Al-Otaibi, the co-founders of Interlix Staffing, to unpack what it really looks like to build a modern staffing company from the ground up while navigating entrepreneurship, sales pressure, and global hiring. The conversation moves fast, covers real ground, and pulls back the curtain on decisions most founders wrestle with but rarely say out loud.

Sebastian shares his journey from immigrating to the United States to earning a scholarship at Babson College, discovering sales as a survival skill, and realizing that traditional corporate paths were never as stable as they appeared. Sheika brings a complementary perspective shaped by hands-on selling, relationship building, and learning to trust action over perfection. Together, they explain how Interlix was born from a single placement that proved a bigger idea: companies could build strong, loyal teams by hiring vetted talent across Latin America.

The episode explores the tension between corporate careers and entrepreneurship, breaking down why perceived job security often masks deeper risk. Sebastian and Sheika talk candidly about sleeping on couches, living on tight margins, and building momentum through cold outreach when referrals were not enough. Their story highlights how consistency in sales, clarity in service, and belief in the model carried them through the early stages.

A major focus of the conversation centers on remote hiring and international staffing. The guests explain why Interlix chose Latin America as its core market, touching on cultural alignment, time zones, language fluency, and long-term commitment from full-time placements. They also address common objections around offshore hiring and outline how clear processes, proper vetting, and full-time roles change outcomes for both clients and talent.

Key topics discussed in this episode include:

• Building a staffing business straight out of college

• Sales as a learned skill rooted in necessity

• The myth of stability in corporate America

• Hiring and managing full-time remote talent

• Why Latin America became Interlix’s focus

• Vetting candidates before clients ever see a résumé

• Balancing growth, risk, and cash flow as founders

• Using LinkedIn content and personalized outreach to drive deals

The discussion also moves into leadership dynamics, highlighting how founders with different risk tolerances can balance each other when trust is strong. Sebastian and Sheika explain how saying no to the wrong clients, committing to full-time placements, and setting clear expectations protected their reputation and helped the business scale without burning out their team.

As the episode closes, the conversation shifts toward growth, mentorship, and self-awareness. The guests reflect on what it takes to keep going when there is no plan B, why mentors matter more than tactics, and how belief compounds when paired with daily action. Their perspective offers grounded insight for anyone weighing whether to stay comfortable or build something of their own.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone navigating hiring, entrepreneurship, or career crossroads. You can engage with the hosts by following the podcast on social platforms, joining the conversation in the comments, or reaching out with questions and guest suggestions. Your feedback helps shape future episodes and keeps the discussion moving forward.

What does it really take to build a boutique talent agency that works with pro athletes, creators, and major brands—without selling out or scaling too fast? In this episode of The Disruption Podcast, hosts Ludwig Araujo and Ankur Garg sit down with Maxx Lepselter and Alec Scazafave of Maxx MGMT, the agency rewriting the playbook on modern talent representation.

Maxx was born into the world of athlete management—his father represented NFL legends like Lawrence Taylor and Tiki Barber. But rather than inherit the legacy, Maxx built his own. In 2018, he launched Maxx MGMT, a boutique agency focused on athlete marketing, content strategy, and long-term brand building. His goal? Represent talent with a deeper sense of strategy, purpose, and trust.

Enter Alec Scazafave, a longtime friend turned business partner. Alec brings years of experience from Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and the NFL League Office, where he worked on digital talent, brand campaigns, and player marketing. Their partnership started over dinner and turned into a shared vision for building something smarter, more personal, and more adaptable than the big agencies dominating the space.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why Maxx MGMT refuses to chase scale for the sake of clout

• How Alec’s background in CAA digital became an unlikely advantage in today’s creator economy

• The difference between signing big names and building meaningful brand fit

• Why community > follower count is the real metric for influence

• How to identify creators or athletes ready for long-term representation

• The cost of early mistakes—including four bad hires and two premature expansions

• Why exclusivity matters—and how to navigate it in a saturated talent market

From NFL legends to micro-creators, Maxx and Alec have a clear POV: it’s not about chasing the loudest name. It’s about building the right foundation for sustainable, long-term brand value. They break down how they navigate client fit, negotiate with brands, and manage expectations for both sides of the table.

Also in this episode:

• What makes Maxx MGMT stand out in a crowded agency market

• Why most brands still don’t know how to brief a talent team properly

• The rise of experiential marketing—and how it’s changing creator deals

• How Alec’s time at the NFL gave him an inside look at what really drives athlete branding

• Their honest take on talent “poaching,” collaboration, and knowing when to take a shot

This is more than a conversation about agency life—it’s a tactical breakdown of how to actually build value for both talent and brands. Maxx and Alec share how they support their roster beyond one-off deals, including content ideation, platform strategy, brand development, and sponsorship alignment.

They also talk through:

• Their vision for a “creator combine” to qualify talent for brand partnerships

• The problem with talent rosters that are too bloated to manage effectively

• How they balance being boutique with competing against major firms

• Why they’re betting big on deeper talent discovery in 2026

• How work-life balance, team culture, and client alignment shape their growth

Whether you’re an agent, a brand builder, or a content creator trying to figure out what representation really looks like—you’ll walk away from this one with clearer insights, smarter questions, and maybe even a few answers you didn’t expect.

Want more from The Disruption Podcast?
We release weekly interviews with the voices shaping where culture, business, and content are going next. If you found this episode valuable, leave a review, share it with a friend, or subscribe for more no-fluff conversations.

Connect with the hosts:

• Ludwig Araujo on Instagram and LinkedIn

• Ankur Garg on Twitter and Instagram

Have a guest or brand you’d like to see on the show? Reach out through our website or message us directly. We read everything.

David Lindberg is not your typical CEO. From his early days as a competitive BMX rider to serving on multiple SWAT teams across Colorado and Nevada, David’s journey is packed with grit, reinvention, and an unwavering commitment to optimizing human performance. In this episode of the Disruption Podcast, he joins the crew in the newly updated Flexwork Studios to talk about how he went from tactical operations to transforming the world of testosterone therapy, peptides, and telehealth.

We kick things off with stories from David’s high-adrenaline past in law enforcement and how those experiences shaped his perspective on physical resilience, mental health, and navigating high-stress environments. That led directly to his current mission: helping thousands of men and women regain control of their health through cutting-edge hormone replacement and performance protocols.

But this episode goes far beyond testosterone.

We dive deep into the booming world of peptides, personalized medicine, and clinical startups, and David explains why the telehealth space is still a Wild West—filled with massive opportunities and equally high risks. He also pulls back the curtain on the business side: what it takes to scale a hormone clinic, the compliance landmines most founders overlook, and the marketing challenges of selling medical solutions in a censored, regulated online world.

You’ll walk away with a much clearer understanding of what’s hype, what’s real, and what’s coming next in the world of wellness tech.

In this episode, we cover:

• The science behind testosterone replacement therapy and how it differs from steroids

• What peptides are, how they work, and why they’re gaining mainstream traction

• How David scaled his first clinic to 2,000 patients in under a year—and why that business model collapsed

• The regulatory red flags and compliance missteps that get most new clinics shut down

• Why major athletes and everyday people alike are turning to hormone therapy to stay optimized

• How to vet a telehealth clinic or compounding pharmacy before trusting them with your health

• The future of oral peptide delivery and why injectables still dominate the market

• The mental health side of hormonal balance—and why this conversation matters more than ever

You’ll also hear:

• Why testosterone and peptide therapies are still banned in major sports leagues, despite being prescription-based

• The business model David is building next—and how it will empower new clinic owners and fitness entrepreneurs

• A sharp conversation about the cultural stigma around men’s health, therapy, and the fear of injections

• A practical breakdown of how bloodwork and lab testing fit into the process of getting started with TRT or peptide therapy

David’s story is disruptive in the best way. He’s not selling shortcuts—he’s advocating for education, structure, and science-backed protocols that meet people where they are. Whether you’re a seasoned gym rat, a stressed-out founder, or just someone who feels like your energy and focus are slipping, this episode is your gateway into a world of powerful options.

New to the show? Here’s how to connect:

• Subscribe to the Disruption Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform so you never miss an episode.

• Visit flexworkstudios.com to learn more about our studio services and podcast packages.

• Want to be a guest or collaborate? Reach out to the Flexwork team through our website or slide into our contact form.

• Share this episode with someone who's curious about health optimization, clinical entrepreneurship, or just ready to level up.

Disruption isn’t just a name—it’s a mindset. And this conversation with David Lindberg might just change the way you think about your body, your business, and what’s possible in both.