Podcast
Building Excellence
Hosted by Bailey Miles · ENGLISH
Welcome to the Building Excellence Podcast with Bailey Miles. The mission of this show is all about sharing inspiring stories from some successful athletes, coaches, business minds, and thought leaders to help you build excellence in your life, leadership, and legacy.
267episodes
Episodes
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Mark C Fava - Boeing Vice President on Lessons From the Admiral
3d ago00:44:30Tap to summarize#261: Mark C. Fava is a career aviation lawyer and retired naval flight officer. He is a prolific writer and entertaining speaker. Mark retired from the US Navy as a captain having commanded three units, including an aviation squadron. He has been a law firm partner and a corporate executive lawyer. He has written numerous articles, including “What I Learned from the Judge” in the SC Lawyer and “Steering Through a Crisis: Lawyers as Leaders” in The Washington Lawyer. As a law school adjunct professor, he has also taught aviation law and legal writing.Mark was the chief operations attorney at Delta Air Lines on 9/11 and spent years in the navy’s P-3 Orion chasing Soviet submarines. He has practiced law for more than thirty years and is currently a vice president at the world’s largest aerospace company.He lives in his hometown of Charleston, South Carolina, with his wife and three daughters. When not working, reading, or writing, Mark enjoys life in the low country and appreciates a cold glass of sweet tea in the summer and a good oyster roast in the fall.markcfava.com
Transcribe →Jess Ekstrom - Founder of Headbands of Hope & Mic Drop Workshop on Making It Without Losing It
1w ago00:38:22Tap to summarize#260: Jess Ekstrom is the founder of Headbands of Hope and Mic Drop Workshop, investor in women, best selling author, Forbes Top Rated Speaker and mom.Her first brush with success was selling all of her toys on eBay when she was twelve. Since then, Jess and her companies have been featured on the TODAY Show, Good Morning America and more. More importantly, her companies have helped millions of women and girls around the world.She’s the bestselling author of Chasing the Bright Side and Making it Without Losing it. Her hobbies include writing, hiking, board games with her husband, playing hide and seek with her kids, and searching for the best breakfast burrito in America.Social Media links:www.instagram.com/jess_ekstromwww.facebook.com/jessekstromwww.twitter.com/jess_ekstromhttps://www.tiktok.com/@jessekstromhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-ekstrom-59160342/https://micdropworkshop.com/https://jessekstrom.com/
Transcribe →Tony Schell - Co-Founder & Partner Escalate Capital Partners on the Real Mark of Success
2w ago01:01:42Tap to summarize#259: Tony Schell is the co-founder and general partner at Escalate Capital Partners, a leading private credit and growth equity firm based in Austin, Texas. Since co-founding the firm in 2005, he has helped build Escalate into a prominent provider of flexible, non-dilutive capital solutions for growth-stage companies across technology, software, services, and healthcare sectors.With decades of experience in venture lending, structured finance, and growth investing, Schell has played a central role in deploying over $1.3 billion of capital into more than 140 companies, supporting businesses as they scale toward profitability, acquisitions, or public exits.At Escalate, he focuses on structuring tailored financing solutions—blending debt and equity—to help entrepreneurs extend runway, preserve ownership, and accelerate growth. Under his leadership, the firm has become known for its collaborative, long-term approach and deep relationships across the venture capital ecosystem.Enjoy the show!
Transcribe →Frank Weisser - Top Gun Maverick & Blue Angel Pilot on Why Confident Humility Is the Real Secret to Leadership
3w ago00:54:23Tap to summarize#258: Frank Weisser is a former U.S. Navy fighter pilot best known for flying with the elite Blue Angels and for his role as a pilot and aviation coordinator on the blockbuster film Top Gun: Maverick. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Weisser logged thousands of flight hours in high-performance aircraft like the F/A-18 Hornet, earning recognition for both his precision in the cockpit and his leadership in high-pressure environments. After his military service, he brought his real-world expertise to Hollywood, helping deliver the film’s authentic aerial sequences while also flying as a stunt pilot. Known for his discipline, humility, and pursuit of excellence, Weisser’s career bridges elite military aviation and storytelling at the highest level.frankweisser.netEnjoy the show!
Transcribe →Michaella Gallina - Former Wall Street Investor & CFO on Building a Life of Freedom, Purpose, & Meaning
Apr 1300:55:22Tap to summarize#257: Michaella Gallina built the career most people spend their entire lives chasing. She is a former Wall Street investor, VP of H&R Block and Chief Financial Officer who walked away from the pinnacle of her career to pursue a greater mission—helping others achieve true financial freedom and design a life on their own terms.Raised in a small rural town of just 4,000 people, Michaella learned early that money wasn’t about status—it was about access, opportunity, and freedom. By 18, she was financially independent, working multiple jobs while earning both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in finance. She went on to build an elite career on Wall Street, working in investment banking, managing high-level portfolios, and eventually becoming CFO of a $100+ million fintech company. She was a top shareholder in Starbucks, Chipotle, Lululemon, Facebook and many other amazing companies. She met with Howard Schultz, Mark Zukerberg, Cheryl Sandberg, Tim Cook, and many other household name CEO’s.But despite the success—working with some of the biggest companies and leaders in the world—she realized something was missing. The long hours, high pressure, and constant grind led her to a turning point: success without purpose wasn’t enough.At 36, Michaella made a bold decision—she walked away from it all.Today, she’s a speaker, coach, and advocate for financial empowerment, helping people—especially women, create independence, choice, and the ability to live life on your own terms. Her work is rooted in a simple but powerful belief: this isn’t just about money—it’s about building a life of freedom, purpose, and meaning.www.michaellagallina.comEnjoy the show!
Transcribe →Luke Frizzell - Navy Seal & Entrepreneur on the Courage to Embrace Hard Things
Apr 600:54:11Tap to summarize#256: Luke Frizzell is a former Navy Seal & real estate entrepreneur with the RAL Room, but he is also one of my best friends and I am excited to share’s story today. He grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where his upbringing was deeply rooted in faith, family, and sports. Influenced by his family's athletic background and his grandfather's wisdom, Luke developed a strong work ethic and a passion for serving others. His journey led him to the Virginia Military Institute, where he thrived academically and athletically, driven by a desire to join the Navy SEALs. Despite facing physical challenges rolling him back during training, Luke's determination and commitment saw him through, ultimately achieving his goal of becoming a SEAL. Now transitioning into civilian life, Luke applies his leadership skills and mission-driven mindset to the senior care industry, aiming to make a meaningful impact through his entrepreneurial ventures. Excited for you all to hear his story and for more on Luke check out theralroom.com Enjoy the show!
Transcribe →Chris Kreider - Rice Associate Head Men's Basketball Coach on Striving for Excellence
Mar 3000:48:22Tap to summarize#255: Chris Kreider is the Rice Men's Basketball Associate Head Coach. He is a dedicated basketball coach with a rich background shaped by unique life experiences. Growing up as the son of missionaries, Chris spent his formative years in Colombia, South America, where he developed a deep appreciation for diverse cultures and a passion for basketball. His journey in coaching began with a strong foundation in teaching and mentoring, influenced by his parents' sense of purpose and calling. Chris has worked with various esteemed basketball programs, including Georgia Tech and Rice University, where he emphasizes the importance of character, integrity, and building meaningful relationships with his players. His coaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that success is not just about wins and losses but about developing individuals who are prepared for life beyond the court.Enjoy the show!
Transcribe →Tanner Gardner - Pepperdine Athletic Director on Daily Disciplines of Excellence
Mar 2300:45:36Tap to summarize#254: Tanner Gardner is the Director of Athletics at Pepperdine University and a former three-time All-American wrestler at Stanford, where he built a legacy of excellence both academically and athletically. After earning advanced degrees from Stanford and an MBA from Harvard, Gardner began his career in consulting before rising through leadership roles in college athletics, including serving as Deputy Athletic Director and COO at Rice University. Known for his mission-driven leadership, he focuses on building championship programs rooted in character, faith, and long-term development, with a strong emphasis on developing student-athletes into leaders who excel both in competition and in life.
Transcribe →Jake Boss - Michigan State Baseball Coach on Excellence is a Habit not an Act
Mar 1600:47:30Tap to summarize#253: Jake Boss Jr. is the head baseball coach of the Michigan State Spartans and one of the most respected leaders in college baseball. Since taking over the program in 2009, Boss has guided the Spartans to more than 400 victories and led Michigan State to a Big Ten regular-season championship in 2011 and the NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament. He has coached multiple All-Big Ten performers and numerous players who have gone on to professional baseball. Before arriving at Michigan State, Boss served as head coach at Eastern Michigan and spent several years as an assistant at Michigan, helping develop nationally competitive programs. A former standout player at Alma College, Boss has built a reputation across college baseball for leadership, program building, and developing student-athletes both on and off the field.For more on Coach Boss and Michigan State check out msuspartans.com Enjoy the show!
Transcribe →Brett Ledbetter - Founder What Drives Winning on Redefining Success in Sports & Life
Mar 900:29:28Tap to summarize#252: Brett Ledbetter is an industry leading thinking partner for high performers in sport, eduction, and business. He is the founder of What Drives Winning, where he studies the mindsets and cultures behind sustained excellence. Brett works with elite athletes, championship coaches, executives, and high-performing teams to help them understand the deeper drivers of performance, leadership, and purpose. He has worked with coaches like Billy Donovan, Urban Meyer, Brad Stevens, Bob Stoops, Mark Few, Sherri Coale, and many other exceptional coaches. Known for his thoughtful approach to high performance, his work focuses on helping individuals pursue excellence in a healthy and sustainable way separating identity from outcomes and building cultures rooted in curiosity, humility, and growth. Through his research, speaking, and consulting, Brett has become a trusted voice for leaders seeking to build teams that not only win, but win the right way over the long term. Brett has authored six books. Each book has been developed into a graduate level course for the College of Health and Human Performance at the University of Florida. His newest book, 365 Questions, is out now. You can find out more about the book and Brett at www.whatdriveswinning.com Enjoy the show!
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