In this episode of Paradigm Playbook, host Steve Cook sits down with Dean Altes to explore his journey from gymnastics club owner to trusted consultant in the sports business industry.

Dean shares the realities of owning and operating multiple gymnastics clubs, investing in real estate, and navigating the financial highs and lows of entrepreneurship. He opens up about how the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped his career path and ultimately led him to focus on helping other business owners build stronger, more sustainable operations.

This conversation is packed with real-world lessons on leadership, financial decision-making, and long-term planning for anyone in the sports or fitness business. Whether you’re a gym owner, consultant, or aspiring entrepreneur, Dean’s insights offer a valuable perspective on adapting, evolving, and finding success in a changing industry.

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In this episode of Paradigm Playbook, host Steve Cook sits down with Alivia Orvieto, a volleyball and fitness specialist who’s redefining what sports training can look like.

Alivia shares her journey from competing in indoor volleyball at a young age to launching a first-of-its-kind beach volleyball hybrid program in Pennsylvania. She opens up about the challenges and rewards of building a business without a brick-and-mortar facility, and how she blends personal training, nutrition coaching, and athletic development into a holistic experience for her athletes.

Together, Steve and Alivia dive into:

🏐 How she built Orvieto Athletics from the ground up
💪 The role of strength training during in-season and off-season cycles
🌱 How she uses technology to scale online training + nutrition services
✨ The power—and pressure—of growing a business rooted in personal brand
🚀 Her long-term vision for expanding opportunities for young athletes

Whether you're an aspiring coach, a sports entrepreneur, or someone passionate about athlete development, this episode offers a fresh look at what it takes to build a thriving sports business with heart.

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In this uplifting episode of Paradigm Playbook, host Steve Cook sits down with Marcella Miciano, CEO and founder of Vivid Motivation and a certified John Gordon trainer. Marcella shares her journey from running swim schools and youth camps to launching Vivid Motivation — a company dedicated to helping teams thrive through positivity, energy, and purposeful culture-building.

Together, Steve and Marcella explore the principles behind John Gordon’s bestselling book “The Energy Bus,” breaking down its 10 rules for leading stronger teams and building a successful business. They discuss how positivity directly impacts productivity, staff retention, and the bottom line — and why mindset is one of the most powerful tools a leader can cultivate.

Marcella will also take the stage as a keynote speaker at the upcoming Signature Business Workshop in Orlando, where she’ll share actionable steps for applying these principles in real time.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation packed with energy, insight, and practical takeaways you can bring back to your team today.

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