Ascent Life Podcast with R. Brandon Long

From Street Art Dreamer to Wasatch Muralist | Leon Araujo's Journey (Ep.30)

Cultura & Craft with Leon Araujo
 
From admiring the street art in Mexico City as a child to now creating murals along the Wasatch Front in Utah, Leon Aruajo is living his dream of sharing art with the world…
 
Welcome to the Ascent Life podcast, I’m your host, R. Brandon Long, here with the mission to inspire 1 million people a day to live their best lives, and become the best version of themselves: Healthy, Wealthy & Wise—That is living an Ascent LifePlease subscribe to the show on YouTube @ascentlifenow 
 
Subscribe to my weekly Ascent Life Newsletter where yes, I link each podcast so you never miss an episode, and I also dive deeper into what I’ve learned each week on the subject of living your best life —newsletter link is ascentlifenow.com
 
WISDOM FROM THE PAGES:
 
We begin today’s episode with Wisdom From The Pages - reading from The Book of Elon
 
“You want to embark on something where success is certain to be one of the outcomes.”“I’ve got mad respect for the makers of things.”
“The one thing you cannot replace is time.”
“Innovation is not the problem. Execution is the problem.”
Thank you for tuning into this episode of the Ascent Life podcast!
 
If you made it this far in the program, then you are the perfect person to help someone else live their best life, simply share this episode with just one other human, and together we can fulfill the goal of helping one million people a day become the best version of themselves. 
 
If you’re not already subscribed on YouTube, join us on that platform @ ascentlifenow. For your daily dose of visual inspiration, follow Ascent Life on Instagram. 
 
Each week in my Ascent Life newsletter, I dive a little deeper into what I’ve learned when it comes to living your best life, and I share that information along with links to the podcast so you never miss an episode! The email newsletter subscription link in the episode show notes. 
 
Thank you for joining me on this journey as we all push towards self actualization through resilience, and adaptability, creating a positive impact on the world —using our “unique ability” to fulfill our purpose, and become the best version of ourselves: healthy, wealthy & wise!
 
We’ll continue our paths together on the next Ascent Life! 
 
Cheers, and Godspeed

This Hollywood Actress Is Building An Empowered Life: How Sara Quiriconi Rewrote Her Story (Ep.29)

In this powerful episode of the Ascent Life Podcast, host Brandon Long sits down with Sara Quiriconi — actress, writer, producer, and mental health advocate. Diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma at just 19, Sara overcame multiple setbacks to build a resilient, purpose-driven life in Hollywood.
Sara shares her journey of turning adversity into strength, the power of choosing an empowered life over victimhood, and practical tools for staying disciplined amid rejection and uncertainty. Discover how she uses a strong morning routine, daily writing, visualization, inner child work, and “rewriting her life as the lead” to create opportunities instead of waiting for them.
She also opens up about:
Treating your acting career (or any creative pursuit) like a business
The importance of supportive relationships and protecting your energy
Balancing hustle with rest and real living
Her upcoming film and TV projects
Creating Be The Lead Planner to help others step into their main character energy
 
Whether you're an actor, creative, entrepreneur, or anyone feeling stuck, this conversation delivers raw inspiration on resilience, mindset shifts, and living fully — healthy, wealthy, and wise.
 
If this episode inspired you, share it with someone who needs to hear it — our mission is to help 1 million people a day live their best lives.
 
Subscribe to Ascent Life for more conversations on growth, resilience, and becoming your best self: http://ascentlifenow.com
 
Connect with Sara Quiriconi:
 
https://www.saraquiriconi.com/
https://www.instagram.com/livefreewarrior
https://www.youtube.com/@Sara_Quiriconi
 
Tell a friend to download this episode & we’ll continue our paths together on the next Ascent Life!
 
Cheers, and Godspeed
 

Break Limits, Build Better Habits with High Performance Coach, Chad Weller (Ep.28)

From Rock Bottom to Ultra Runner & High-Performance Coach | Chad Weller on Ascent Life
In this powerful episode of Ascent Life, host Brandon Long sits down with Chad Weller—former international model, nightclub promoter, and pro ultrarunner turned high-performance life coach. Chad shares his raw journey from battling severe depression, anxiety, ADHD, addiction, multiple suicide attempts, and overdoses... to building a life of discipline, sobriety, and purpose.
 
Discover how a near-fatal car crash became his wake-up call, how daily running rebuilt his life (including a 5.5+ year running streak!), and the simple habits that create lasting transformation.
Subscribe to live your best life - Ascent Life Newsletter: ascentlifenow.com
Ascent Life Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ascentlifenow
If you're struggling with self-doubt, addiction recovery, building better habits, or finding purpose, this story will inspire you to keep climbing.
 
Subscribe to Ascent Life for more conversations on becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise.
 
Drop a comment: What's one habit you're committing to today?

Running Life with Mountain Runner, Mom & Race Director, Tara Warren (Ep.27)

Ultra-running, giving, & living your best life with this episode’s guest, Tara Warren. What does it mean to live your best life? From running mountains, to race directing, to supporting her athletic kids, Tara is driven to make a difference in the world. We talk purpose, success, legacy, Running Up For Air, UTMB, life balance, and the power of just putting something scary on your calendar to push yourself to live the Ascent Life!
Welcome to the Ascent Life podcast, I’m your host, R. Brandon Long, here with the mission to inspire 1 million people a day to live their best lives, and be the best version of themselves: Healthy, Wealthy & Wise—That is living an Ascent Life
Subscribe to Ascent Life on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ascentlifenow
Subscribe to my weekly Ascent Life Newsletter where I share what I learn each week on how to live your best life: https://ascent-life.beehiiv.com/subscribe
For your daily dose of visual inspiration, follow Ascent Life on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ascentlife/ 
 
Thank you for joining me on this journey as we all push towards self actualization through resilience, and adaptability, creating a positive impact on the world —using our “unique ability” to fulfill our purpose, and become the best version of ourselves: healthy, wealthy & wise!
We’ll continue our paths together on the next Ascent Life! 
Cheers, and Godspeed
 

On Finding Purpose & Living Your Best Life with Musician & Community Builder, David Owen (Ep.26)

Our guest today is former rockstar, current music teacher, real estate broker, entrepreneur and avid mountain biker David Owen.
We begin with Wisdom From The Pages - reading from 10x is Easier Than 2X in the Chapter “Take 150+ “Free Days” Per Year, the author Dan Sullivan suggests that as an entrepreneur, to find big ideas, you need lots of free time. But also higher quality time.  “Tightly scheduled entrepreneurs cannot transform themselves.” He says it’s counterintuitive, but in order to go 10x, you need to work less, not more.
Welcome to the Ascent Life podcast, I’m your host, R. Brandon Long, here with the mission to inspire 1 million people a day to live their best lives, and be the best version of themselves. That is living an Ascent Life
Subscribe to live your best life - Ascent Life Newsletter: https://ascent-life.beehiiv.com/subscribe
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ascentlifenow
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7t25ibFaEVPw2rui7OEbhg?si=edce41a45a0c446a
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ascent-life-podcast/id1800541658
CONTENT SUGGESTION:
YouTube: “6 Daily Habits to Live Your Best Life” YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ascentlifenow
Alysa Liu just won Olympic god: https://x.com/stevemagness/status/2024827190072803592?s=20
 
INTERVIEW
David Owen, Welcome to Ascent Life… 
 
Preview the Big 3 Questions: Purpose, Success, Remembered, 
Let’s begin with your love of music and playing guitar how/when that began (legendary Rock God status)
When did you open Imagine Music?
When did you move into Real Estate & become a broker?
Talk to me about the Montessori School & what inspired you to take ownership of that project
What is your Definite Major Purpose
How would you define success or living your best life?
How do you want to be remembered?
What is your biggest fear?
Fave MTB trail and if you could ride any trail in the world which trail would that be?
The goal is to help as many people as possible live their best life (a life by design), what advice would you give to yourself to help remind you to live your best life that others may also learn from?
Thank you for tuning into this episode of the Ascent Life podcast
If you made it this far in the program, please subscribe on YouTube @ ascentlifenow. For your daily dose of visual inspiration, follow Ascent Life on Instagram. 
 
And, please subscribe to my weekly Ascent Life Newsletter where I share what I learn each week on how to live your best life. Link to subscribe is in the Show Notes.
 
Thank you for joining me on this journey as we all push towards self actualization through resilience, and adaptability, creating a positive impact on the world —using our “unique ability” to fulfill our purpose, and become the best version of ourselves: healthy, wealthy & wise!

Fearless Creativity with Photographer Fernando Nevarez (Ep.25)

Subscribe to live your best life - Ascent Life Newsletter: https://ascent-life.beehiiv.com/subscribe
 
Ascent Life Podcast
 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ascentlifenow
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7t25ibFaEVPw2rui7OEbhg?si=edce41a45a0c446a
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ascent-life-podcast/id1800541658
 
From Flatline to Shine - The story of how a near-death experience lead to Fernando Nevarez choosing an intentional life of creativity and purpose.
 
Intro: 
Welcome to the Ascent Life podcast, I’m your host, R. Brandon Long, here with the mission to inspire 1 million people a day to live their best lives, and be the best version of themselves. That is living an Ascent LifePlease subscribe to the show on YouTube @ascentlifenow 
 
WISDOM FROM THE PAGES:
 
We begin today’s episode with Wisdom From The Pages - reading from The 50th Law, by Robert Greene & 50 Cent. The book teaches fearlessness, and leaning into your unique ability which is a theme throughout many of the recent self-improvement books I’ve read lately…
 
- Make Everything Your Own - Self Reliance: When you work for others, you are at their mercy. They own your work: They own you. Your creative spirit is squashed. What keeps you in such positions is a fear of having to sink or swim on your own… Your goal in every maneuver in life must be ownership… The ultimate power in life is to be completely self reliant, completely yourself. Your life must be a progression towards ownership—first mentally of your independence, and then physically of your work, owning what you produce.CONTENT SUGGESTION:
 
YouTube: “It took me 50+ years to realize what I’ll tell you in 69 minutes” -Tony Robbins (Alex Hormozi interviews Tony Robbins, but it turns into a therapy “come to Jesus” session for Hormozi)
 
INTERVIEW
 
Our guest today is automotive & action sports photographer, Fernando Nevarez
 
Instagram: 
https://www.instagram.com/_fernandonevarez/
https://www.instagram.com/nevarezstudios/
Thank you for tuning into this episode of the Ascent Life podcast
 
If you made it this far in the program, please subscribe on YouTube @ ascentlifenow. For your daily dose of visual inspiration, follow Ascent Life on Instagram. 
 
And, please subscribe to my weekly Ascent Life Newsletter where I share what I learn each week on how to live your best life. Link to subscribe is in the Show Notes.
 
Thank you for joining me on this journey as we all push towards self actualization through resilience, and adaptability, creating a positive impact on the world —using our “unique ability” to fulfill our purpose, and become the best version of ourselves: healthy, wealthy & wise!
 
We’ll continue our paths together on the next Ascent Life! 
 
Cheers, and Godspeed

Life Success Ingredients with Artist, Climber, and Philosopher, Eric Zschiesche (Ep.24)

Subscribe to live your best life - Ascent Life Newsletter: https://ascent-life.beehiiv.com/subscribe
 
Ascent Life Podcast
 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ascentlifenow
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7t25ibFaEVPw2rui7OEbhg?si=edce41a45a0c446a
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ascent-life-podcast/id1800541658
 
Intro: 
Welcome to the Ascent Life podcast, I’m your host, R. Brandon Long, here with the mission to inspire 1 million people a day to live their best lives, and be the best version of themselves. That is living an Ascent LifePlease subscribe to the show on YouTube @ascentlifenow 
 
We begin today with our From The Pages segment - reading from Psycho-Cybernetics, first published in 1960 by author Maxwell Maltz - When it comes to defining SUCCESS, Maltz introduces a handy acronym for us.Sense of direction
Understanding
Courage
Compassion
Esteem
Self-Confidence
Self-Acceptance
 
“Accept yourself as you are—and start from there. Learn to emotionally tolerate imperfection in yourself. It is necessary to intellectually recognize our shortcomings, but disastrous to hate ourselves because of them.”
 
Subscribe to Ascent Life: https://ascent-life.beehiiv.com/
 
Our guest today is friend, artist, rock climber, and pontificator, Eric Zschiesche
 
Welcome to Ascent Life, 
 
2011 Climbing Article Bio: https://www.climbing.com/news/eric-zschiesche/
 
Interview:
 
Preview the Big 3 Questions: Purpose, Success, Remembered
 
Let’s begin with your art and when you began producing art and how it helps you express who you are
Do you remember your first time rock climbing and how it felt?
How does rock climbing contribute to your life philosophy?
YouTube videos (Eric Zschiesche) 
What is your Definite Major Purpose
How would you define success or living your best life?
What is your biggest fear?
How do you want to be remembered?
Favorite places to climb?
Favorite artists?
The goal is to help as many people as possible live their best life, what advice would you give to yourself to help remind you to live your best life that others may also learn from?
 
 
Outro:
 
Thank you for tuning into this episode of the Ascent Life podcast
 
If you made it this far in the program, please subscribe on YouTube @ ascentlifenow. For your daily dose of visual inspiration, follow Ascent Life on Instagram. 
 
And, please subscribe to my weekly Ascent Life Newsletter where I share what I learn each week on how to live your best life. Link to subscribe is in the Show Notes.
 
Thank you for joining me on this journey as we all push towards self actualization through resilience, and adaptability, creating a positive impact on the world —using our “unique ability” to fulfill our purpose, and become the best version of ourselves.
 
We’ll continue our paths together on the next Ascent Life! 
 
Cheers, and Godspeed
 
zmDykyue24MbaANfBOrT

Finding Purpose & Valuing Time with Attorney & Executive Director, Tricia Judge (Ep.23)

Time is all we have. It’s more important than money. Find the business or project that needs you most. Find purpose, and live your best life. With 30 years in a niche position of protecting the printing industry Tricia Judge expands on the concepts of finding purpose, helping others, and being remembered as someone who cared for others. 
 
Subscribe to live your best life - Ascent Life Newsletter: https://ascent-life.beehiiv.com/subscribe
 
Ascent Life Podcast
 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ascentlifenow
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7t25ibFaEVPw2rui7OEbhg?si=edce41a45a0c446a
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ascent-life-podcast/id1800541658
 
Intro: 
Welcome to the Ascent Life podcast, I’m your host, R. Brandon Long, here with the mission to inspire 1 million people a day to live their best lives, find purpose, and become the best version of themselves. That is living an Ascent Life.Please subscribe to the show on YouTube @ascentlifenow 
 
Wisdom From The Pages: The Almanack of Naval Ravikant
 
Quotes:
 
- “Your goal in life is to find the people, business, project, or art that needs you the most. There is something out there just for you. What you don’t want to do is build checklists and decision frameworks built on what other people are doing. You’re never going to be them. You’ll never be good at being somebody else.”
- “No one in the world is going to beat you at being you.”
- “Value your time. It is all you have. It’s more important than your money.”
- “You’re going to die one day, and none of this is going to matter. So enjoy yourself. Do something positive. Project some love. Make someone happy. Laugh a little bit. Appreciate the moment. And do your work.”
- “Very smart people tend to be weird since they insist on thinking everything through for themselves.”
- “Whether in commerce, science, or politics—history remembers the artists.”
- “You can get almost anything you want out of life, as long as it’s one thing and you want it far more than anything else.”
 
I go deeper into what I learn each week learning how to live my best life. Join me on the newsletter.
 
Subscribe to Ascent Life: https://ascent-life.beehiiv.com/
 
Our guest today is friend & friend of the family, attorney Tricia Judge
 
Welcome to Ascent Life, 
 
Interview: 
 
* Still practicing law? How long?
* When did you decide you wanted to be an attorney?
* How has working in law shaped the way you see people, and the world?
* What is your Definite Major Purpose (Napoleon Hill) / Meaningful Mission (Lewis Howes) / Life’s Task (Robert Greene) / Unique Ability (Dan Sullivan)
* How would you define success or living your best life?
* What drives you?
* What is your biggest fear?
* How do you want to be remembered?
 
Thank you for tuning into this episode of the Ascent Life podcast
 
Thank you for joining me on this journey as we all push towards self actualization through resilience, and adaptability, creating a positive impact on the world —using our “unique ability” to fulfill our purpose, our life’s task, and become the best version of ourselves.
 
We’ll continue our paths together on the next Ascent Life!
 
Cheers, and Godspeed

Couple Goals & Knowing Where to Put the X with Brandyn & Jessica Smith (Ep.22)

How do you work together as a couple to reach your individual life goals along with your couple goals? I sat down with The Smith’s on the latest Ascent Life Podcast, and together we discussed ways to live your best lives when in a relationship.
Also, we cover the concept of, "Where to put the X?" The importance of knowing your focus. 
Subscribe to live your best life - Ascent Life Newsletter: https://ascent-life.beehiiv.com/subscribe
 
Ascent Life Podcast
 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ascentlifenow
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7t25ibFaEVPw2rui7OEbhg?si=edce41a45a0c446a
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ascent-life-podcast/id1800541658
 
Intro: 
Welcome to the Ascent Life podcast, I’m your host, R. Brandon Long, here with the mission to inspire 1 million people a day to live their best lives, and be the best version of themselves. That is living an Ascent LifePlease subscribe to the show on YouTube @ascentlifenow 
 
The concept of knowing where to put the X = Knowing what to focus on.
 
In the book, 10x Is Easier Than 2x, The authors, Dan Sullivan & Dr. Benjamin Hardy, recite the fictional story of knowing where to put the X…
 
Focus on your Unique Ability to 10x your life and expand your four freedoms:
Freedom of Time
Freedom on Money
Freedom of Relationship
Freedom of Purpose
 
I go into more details and go deeper into what I learn each week learning how to live my best life. Join me on the newsletter - The newsletter is NOT for people who are content, and happy with not improving their life in any way. If that’s you, probably not for you. :) 
 
Subscribe to Ascent Life: https://ascent-life.beehiiv.com/
 
Our guests today are Brandyn & Jessica Smith — our first couple on the program. Brandyn is a financial planner with Ameriprise Financial. You can find him at planwithbaxter.com. Friends of The Banyan Collective may have seen Brandyn on the Through the Pines podcast as well.
 
Jessica is an artist and supportive partner of Brandyn, and we want to dive into how between the two of you, you both live your best lives…
 
Welcome to Ascent Life, 
 
Interview: 
 
How long have you been married?
How did you meet?
How did you formulate your vision as a couple to live your best life?
What is your Definite Major Purpose (Napoleon Hill) / Meaningful Mission (Lewis Howes) / Life’s Task (Robert Greene) / Unique Ability (Dan Sullivan) - Individually, and as a couple?
How would you define success or living your best life?
What drives you?
What is your biggest fear?
How do you want to be remembered?
Fave bands?
Fave Hobbies?
The goal is to help as many people as possible live their best life, what advice would you give other couples to live their best lives…
 
 
Outro:
 
Thank you for tuning into this episode of the Ascent Life podcast
 
If you made it this far in the program, please subscribe on YouTube @ ascentlifenow. For your daily dose of visual inspiration, follow Ascent Life on Instagram. 
 
And, please subscribe to my weekly Ascent Life Newsletter where I share what I learn each week on how to live your best life. Link to subscribe is in the Show Notes.
 
Thank you for joining me on this journey as we all push towards self actualization through resilience, and adaptability, creating a positive impact on the world —using our “unique ability” to fulfill our purpose, our life’s task, and become the best version of ourselves.
 
We’ll continue our paths together on the next Ascent Life!
 
Cheers, and Godspeed

Ep. 21 - Formula For Wealth & Living Well with Professional Photographer, Tristan Sadler

Subscribe to live your best life - Ascent Life Newsletter: https://ascent-life.beehiiv.com/subscribe
 
Ascent Life Podcast
 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ascentlifenow
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7t25ibFaEVPw2rui7OEbhg?si=edce41a45a0c446a
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ascent-life-podcast/id1800541658
 
Ep. 21: Formula For Wealth & Living Well with Professional Photographer, Tristan Sadler  - The Ascent Life Podcast
 
Intro: 
Welcome to the Ascent Life podcast, I’m your host, R. Brandon Long, here with the mission to inspire 1 million people a day to live their best lives, and be the best version of themselves. That is living an Ascent LifePlease subscribe to the show on YouTube @ascentlifenow 
 
I would like to revisit Think & Grow Rich. I talk about this book a lot, and for good reason. It literally explains how to use your thoughts to generate wealth. But, there’s a catch. You must act. Persistent action when paired with a definite major purpose and the belief that you can and will be rich, is the magic formula.
 
Formula for wealth according to Napoleon Hill in Think & Grow Rich:
 
“Wishing will not bring Rishes. But desiring riches with a state of mind that becomes an obsession, then planning definite ways and means to acquire riches, and backing those plans with persistence which does not recognize failure, will bring riches.”
 
Six Ways to Turn Desires into Gold:
1. Fix in your mind the exact amount of money you desire.
2. Determine exactly what you intend to give in return for the money you desire. (Create value.)
3. Establish a definite date when you intend to possess the money you desire.
4. Create a definite plan for carrying out your desire and begin at once, whether you are ready or not, to put this plan into action.
5. Write out a clear, concise statement of the amount of money you intend to acquire, name the time limit for its acquisition, state what you intend to give in return for the money, and describe clearly the plan through which you intend to accumulate it.
6. Read your written statement aloud, twice daily, once just before retiring at night, and once after arising in the morning. As you read—see and feel and believe yourself already in possession of the money.
 
Subscribe to Ascent Life: https://ascent-life.beehiiv.com/
 
Our guest today is friend and photographer, videographer, snowboarder, lover of life & all things good, Tristan Sadler
 
Welcome to Ascent Life, 
 
Interview:
 
Preview the Big 3 Questions: Purpose, Success, Remembered
 
* What is your Definite Major Purpose (Napoleon Hill) / Meaningful Mission (Lewis Howes) / Life’s Task (Robert Greene) / Unique Ability (Dan Sullivan)
* How would you define success or living your best life?
* What drives you?
* What is your biggest fear?
* How do you want to be remembered?
* Fave band?
* Fave board?
* Fave run?
 
 
Outro:
 
Thank you for tuning into this episode of the Ascent Life podcast
 
If you made it this far in the program, please subscribe on YouTube @ ascentlifenow. For your daily dose of visual inspiration, follow Ascent Life on Instagram. 
 
And, please subscribe to my weekly Ascent Life Newsletter where I share what I learn each week on how to live your best life. 
 
Thank you for joining me on this journey as we all push towards self actualization through resilience, and adaptability, creating a positive impact on the world —using our “unique ability” to fulfill our purpose, our life’s task, and become the best version of ourselves.
 
We’ll continue our paths together on the next Ascent Life!
 
Cheers, and Godspeed