What if changing your life doesn't require changing everything at once but making one committed decision and following it with the next right step?

On this episode of Next Rung Radio, Ron Creech sits down with longtime friend Josh Heisman, former SEC baseball player, musician, pastor, podcaster, husband, father, and transformation coach—for a powerful conversation about faith, discipline, identity, health, and what it really takes to become a different version of yourself.

Josh's journey has taken him from playing SEC baseball at Ole Miss alongside his two brothers to music and eventually ministry. But one of his greatest transformations began much later, sitting in a recliner at nearly 270 pounds and questioning what the next five to ten years of his life might look like.

Instead of accepting where he was, Josh made a committed decision to change.

He began building a simple plan around his spiritual life, mindset, exercise, and nutrition—not attempting to transform overnight, but making small changes he could consistently repeat. Eventually those actions stopped feeling like a diet or temporary program and became part of his identity. More than three years later, Josh has lost roughly 70–80 pounds and says the biggest transformation wasn't the number on the scale.

It was becoming someone who no longer wanted to go back.

Josh also shares the framework emerging from his journey, heart, mind, and strength and explains why lasting transformation begins internally before it ever becomes visible externally.

This conversation challenges a question we all need to ask:

Are you waiting for your life to change or are you taking the next step that gives change somewhere to begin?

Because transformation rarely happens through one giant leap.

It's built one decision, one habit, and one rung at a time.

Key Takeaways

• A decision changes direction, but a committed decision changes your life.
• Small actions repeated consistently can eventually become your new identity.
• Lasting transformation starts with the heart, moves through the mind, and shows up in your actions.

To learn more about Josh Heisman, his upcoming transformation program, and The Josh Heisman Podcast, visit https://crosswalktn.com/leadership

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What if the darkest chapter of your life could become the very thing that helps someone else survive theirs?

On this episode of Next Rung Radio, Ron Creech sits down with Alexa Bast, communications and public relations professional, social media creator, survivor, and advocate working to raise awareness about human trafficking across Tennessee.

Alexa shares an incredibly personal story of growing up feeling isolated, being bullied, and eventually becoming vulnerable to grooming that led to trafficking, sexual assault, and exploitation as a young teenager. What began with an online friendship and what seemed like an innocent sleepover changed the trajectory of her life.

But this conversation isn't simply about what Alexa survived.

It's about what she chose to do with it.

Alexa opens up about rebuilding her confidence, finding people who became "guardian angels" in her life, seeking professional help, learning to understand how trauma affected her, and eventually transforming her experience into purpose. Today, she works with the Tennessee Businesses Against Trafficking (TBAT) program through the Tennessee Secretary of State's office, helping businesses and organizations recognize the signs of trafficking and understand how ordinary people can potentially help someone in danger.
Alexa also challenges the idea that healing has to look a certain way. Sometimes thriving means accomplishing something extraordinary. Other times, surviving means simply getting out of bed and making it through another day and both deserve to be celebrated.

This conversation leaves us with an important question:

What if being someone's "guardian angel" doesn't require doing something heroic...but simply noticing, listening, and letting them know they matter?

Because sometimes reaching the next rung isn't about forgetting what happened to you.

It's about refusing to let what happened to you decide what happens next.

Key Takeaways

• Your darkest chapter does not have to become your final chapter.
• Sometimes the greatest gift you can give someone is simply letting them know they matter.
• Survival itself is worth celebrating — healing doesn't have to look the same for everyone.

To learn more about Alexa Bass and her work, visit the Tennessee Businesses Against Trafficking (TBAT) program through the Tennessee Secretary of State's office or connect with @alexa.bast on Instagram.

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On this episode of Next Rung Radio, Ron Creech sits down with artist, entrepreneur, wife, and mother DeAnn Hebert, whose remarkable journey proves that extraordinary careers rarely begin with extraordinary circumstances.

Armed with nothing more than a God-given gift, a dream, and a $200 Costco tent, Deanne stepped into her very first art festival with no gallery, no agent, no connections, and no guarantee anyone would buy a single painting.

That first $50 sale didn't make her rich...

It gave her something even more valuable.

Validation that her gift mattered.

In this inspiring conversation, DeAnn shares why rejection became redirection, why comparison is one of the greatest enemies of creativity, how mentors helped shape her business, and why she believes every artist and every entrepreneur already possesses the gift they need to build something meaningful.

Whether you're launching a business, writing a book, starting a podcast, or chasing a lifelong dream, this episode is a reminder that success isn't reserved for those with perfect circumstances.

It's earned by those willing to begin.

Because sometimes...

The next rung starts with a Costco tent.

• Your gift deserves to be pursued.
• Every "no" moves you closer to "yes."
• Stop comparing. Start creating.

To learn more about DeAnn and her art visit http://www.deanndesigns.com

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