Paradigm Playbook

Host Steve Cook sits down with Kristin Mabrouk, Executive Director of the Hope Floats Foundation, to discuss how the organization is making lifesaving swim lessons accessible to more children across the country. By partnering with swim schools nationwide, Hope Floats helps create local scholarship programs that open the door for children from low-income families and those in foster care.

Kristin shares how the foundation supports sw...

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 f...

Host Steve Cook sits down with entrepreneur, consultant, and innovation strategist Curtis Michelson to discuss his unique journey from nonprofit activism and sales to software development, product leadership, and AI. Curtis shares how AI is reshaping product teams, innovation, and the way businesses solve problems.

They explore lessons from Innovation Leader Magazine, the rise of AI-powered hackathons, and how organizations can unco...

Host Steve Cook sits down with Ross Gage, Chief Executive of Gymnastics Clubs Australia (GCA), to explore the vital role associations play in strengthening youth sports organizations around the world. Drawing from his experience as a swimming coach, swim school owner, founder of Swim Australia and the Australian Swim Schools Association, and leader within Gymnastics Clubs Australia and the International Association of Child Develop...

Host Steve Cook sits down with Tyler Wetzel, Customer Success Director at Ninja Zone, to break down how Ninja Zone evolved from a concept into a global program with 300+ clubs.

Tyler shares how the program blends gymnastics, parkour, martial arts, and ninja-style training into a progression-based system that builds skills and confidence. They dive into why it resonates with parents, how classes are structured for maximum engagement,...

Steve Cook sits down with Miren Oca, founder of Ocaquatics and Ripples of Impact, to talk about what it really takes to build a business rooted in ownership and purpose.

Miren shares how she started teaching swim lessons at 19 and grew it into a full aquatics company—learning business through books, mentors, and experience along the way. She breaks down the “OWN IT” culture behind Ocaquatics and why investing in yo...

Most gyms don’t struggle from lack of passion — they struggle from lack of structure. In this episode, Steve Cook sits down with Lena Urusova, founder and CEO of Plan Sport Pro, to unpack the system behind scalable, sustainable gym growth.

With over 20 years of experience as a gym owner, Lena saw the same problem over and over: inconsistent programming, overwhelmed coaches, and owners stuck in the day-to-day. So she buil...

Steve Cook and Christie Copeland unpack the business decisions that felt like great ideas at the time—but came with hard lessons. Christie shares her experience opening a second gymnastics facility, while Steve reflects on building an outdoor skate park that didn’t go as planned. They dive into the importance of exit strategies, understanding local competition, hiring for true fit, and avoiding costly mistakes like over...

Disclaimer: This episode includes discussions of emotional abuse, trauma, and mental health. Listener discretion is advised, as some topics may be sensitive or triggering for certain audiences.

Steve Cook sits down with executive psychology coach and licensed counselor Mandy Morris to unpack how “small-t traumas” quietly shape behavior, performance, and self-worth. From fear-based coaching to overpraise, Mandy explains h...

In Episode 118 of Paradigm Playbook, Steve Cook sits down with Coach Tim Neiman—former collegiate baseball coach, leadership speaker, and host of the Straight Lines podcast—to break down how lessons from the game translate directly into business and life.

Coach Neiman shares his journey from DeSales University to launching a fast-growing podcast focused on leadership, discipline, and personal growth. He also opens up abo...

In this episode of Paradigm Playbook, Steve Cook sits down with Reece O’Hara, Ninja department leader at Kids First, to break down what it takes to build and scale a successful ninja program.

Reese shares how Kids First developed a 10,000-square-foot ninja gym and grew from just 40 students at launch to a thriving program. The conversation dives into coaching strategies, the balance of strength and skill development by...

In this solo episode of the Paradigm Playbook Podcast, host Steve Cook explores what makes a child activity center truly valuable—especially for owners thinking about selling or scaling their business in the future.

Drawing inspiration from the work of John Warrillow and the Value Builder System, Steve explains why private equity firms and investors are increasingly targeting small businesses and why owners should begin prepar...

In Episode 115 of Paradigm Playbook, host Steve Cook sits down with marketing and website specialist Galen Broido of Glinda Media Group to discuss how child activity centers can elevate their brand through stronger websites, smarter SEO, and strategic social media.

If you operate a swim school, gym, or child-focused facility—or you’re building a brand in a competitive local market—this episode offers practical, act...

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...

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 f...

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 b...

🎙️ In this episode of Paradigm Playbook, host Steve Cook sits down with Frank Sahlein, CEO of 3rd Level Consulting, to dive into the details of the upcoming Signature Business Workshop. Together, they break down the true value behind the investment — highlighting how the event delivers actionable strategies, expert insights, and measurable returns for business owners in the child development industry.

Covering everything...

🎙️In this episode of Paradigm Playbook, host Steve Cook sits down with John Mitchell, an Australian entrepreneur driven by an insatiable curiosity and passion for learning. John shares valuable lessons on scaling businesses, leveraging AI and technology, and building strong teams through effective leadership and delegation.

💡 Tune in for insights on scaling businesses, the role of curiosity, and creating impactful organizational s...

What does it take to deliver truly unforgettable service? In this Playmakers Replay episode of the Paradigm Playbook Podcast, hosts David Kozak and Steve Cook unpack the powerful concept of Unreasonable Hospitality—inspired by the legendary Eleven Madison Park.

Discover how going the extra mile can transform customer relationships, build loyalty, and set your sports business apart. From small, thoughtful gestures to strategic ...