What if your hardest moment could lead you to your greatest purpose? In this powerful episode, Mallory Hartman shares her journey from high-powered lawyer to mindset coach, runner, and advocate for differently-abled athletes. Through stories of inspiring individuals like Cedric King, a double amputee marathoner, and blind athletes who defy odds, we explore how sports can heal, connect, and empower. Mallory opens up about personal loss, rediscovery, and the strength found in vulnerability. She shares how mindfulness, curiosity, gratitude, and compassion can help us face pain and keep moving forward. This episode is full of heart, hope, and real talk about showing up, for yourself and for others.

Who is Valerie:

Ms. Hartman is an iPEC Certified transformational coach, motivational speaker, MMTCP Certified meditation/mindfulness teacher and so much more. Valerie, Founder and President of Shift Into Fifth, coaches and advises ambitious executives, athletes and individuals regarding business/career and life development, leadership acceleration and energy optimization.

Web: www.shiftintofifth.com

Episode highlights:

(1:27) Paralympians and the power of representation
(2:49) The difference between losing and never having sight
(5:45) From law to coaching: Mallory’s life shift
(8:07) Coping with grief and betrayal
(13:13) How Mallory met Soulja and found purpose in the streets of NYC
(17:03) Inside Achilles International: inclusion through sport
(20:08) Coaching mindset and emotional resilience
(29:14) Practicing presence, gratitude, and joy
(36:04) Victim triangle and helping without rescuing
(42:44) How to get involved with Achilles from anywhere
(47:04) “Shift Into Fifth”: living in alignment
(59:01) Running in memory of loved ones
(1:01:00) Final thoughts on showing up, community, and purpose

This is the kind of episode best viewed on Youtube: https://youtu.be/k21DURBPO8o

Born without limbs, Soulja has spent his life smashing barriers and proving that circumstances don’t define destiny. Wild Child survived being stabbed 16 times, forever changing his body but never breaking his spirit. In this powerful compilation, we witness both men push past pain, prejudice, and impossible odds to compete, not just to participate, but to finish strong. From the streets that tried to hold them back to the roar of the crowd at the finish line, their stories are a living reminder: there are no excuses… so what’s yours?

What makes someone stop, truly see another human, and say hello? In this moving episode, jazz singer and former model Pucci Amanda Jhones shares how a chance encounter on a New York City street turned into a deep friendship, and sparked a conversation about compassion, grit, and the unseen strength of people society often overlooks. From growing up tall and misunderstood to walking away from Hollywood after a painful encounter, Amanda opens up about life, loss, and finding her voice again. You'll also hear from Soulja, a wheelchair-bound poet and father of eleven, whose story of survival after being paralyzed at 17 is nothing short of inspiring. Together, they remind us to keep dancing, keep rolling, and never dim our light—even when others don't understand it.

Episode highlights:

(0:55) How Amanda met Soulja outside her office

(2:16) Why she stopped, despite NYC’s busy pace

(3:12) Seeing strength in people, society ignores

(10:18) Soulja’s story: paralyzed at 17, still a king

(13:04) Amanda’s early modeling and music dreams

(17:03) A powerful moment with Bill Cosby

(20:50) Turning loss into music after her mom’s passing

(24:50) Lessons learned too late from mom

(27:18) Final takeaways: keep being yourself, no matter who’s watching