Podcast
The Never Peak Project
Hosted by Andrew "Ranger" Kielak · EN
Welcome to The Never Peak Project — the podcast for high-achievers who look successful on paper… but still feel like they're stuck halfway up the mountain.
Hosted by Coach Ranger Kielak, mindset coach, speaker, and the guy who walked across America with nothing but a backpack and a bold mission, this show blends raw personal stories, leadership lessons, and real coaching tools to help you break through internal barriers and create a life that doesn't peak.
Each episode unpacks what's really behind burnout, comparison, and the "not enough" feeling — and gives you the mindset, identity, and strategy tools to keep climbing.
You'll hear stories from the road, frameworks from top thinkers, and powerful coaching insights designed to help you:
- Lead with clarity (even when you doubt yourself)
- Own your worth (without waiting for permission)
- Move from high-achieving to deeply fulfilled
This isn't about hustle or hype. It's about walking your path, one real step at a time.
🎒 You've already made it far. Let's make sure you Never Peak.
20episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
How to Find Hope & Continue In Spite of Pain with Dr. Charles A. Castillo
Dec 3100:46:01Tap to summarizeIn this powerful episode of The Never Peak Project, Ranger sits down with Dr. Charles A. Castillo—a retired Army officer, mental health clinician, and decorated disabled veteran. While many of us strive simply to get past our pain, Dr. Castillo challenges us to look deeper. He argues that relief is just the first step and that true resilience isn't just bouncing back—it’s "continuing in spite of."Drawing from his upbringing in Belize, his decades of military service, and his work as a psychologist, Dr. Castillo breaks down the critical difference between resilience (the how) and hope (the why). Together, they discuss why healing doesn't always mean returning to who you were before, the importance of men’s vulnerability, and practical tools you can put in your "mental toolbelt" today.In this episode, we cover:01:46 – Who is Dr. Castillo? From humble beginnings in Belize to the U.S. Army and a Doctorate in Psychology.06:20 – Resilience vs. Hope: Why resilience provides the mechanics to keep going, but hope provides the fuel.10:43 – Finding Your "Why": How to strip away the masks we wear to discover the purpose that pulls us through the storms.15:36 – The Mental Toolbelt: Practical strategies for mental toughness, including why you should journal from the heart, not the head.19:29 – Practice Before You Preach: Why you must practice coping mechanisms (like breathing and mindfulness) before a crisis hits.27:36 – Redefining Healing: Why healing is individualistic and doesn't always mean returning to "pre-accident condition."34:50 – Anger as a Symptom: How Dr. Castillo used writing to uncover the fear and abandonment hiding behind his anger.41:25 – A Message to Men: Breaking the stigma around crying, vulnerability, and asking for help.Quotes from Dr. Castillo:"It’s not how many times you fall, it’s how many times you find the strength to get back up.""Resilience teaches you how, but hope teaches you why.""Don't strive for perfection, strive for great. You can be great without being perfect.""Persistence beats resistance every time."Resources & Links:Website: Mental Resilience CounselingPhone: 813-358-6332Book Mentioned: The Resilient MindConcept Mentioned: "Footprints in the Sand"Connect with The Never Peak Project: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with someone who needs a reminder that they don't have to walk through the storm alone.
Transcribe →
Vision 2 Vegetables: My 10-Year Plan for a Regenerative Farm
Aug 1800:15:15Tap to summarizeIn this special episode of The Never Peak Project, your host Ranger Kielak pulls back the curtain on his biggest mission yet: a 10-year plan to launch a regenerative coastside farm. This isn't just about farming; it's about creating a vibrant hub where personal transformation and agriculture intersect. Listen in to hear the full vision, the foundational beliefs driving the project, and the concrete steps Ranger is taking over the next three years to turn this dream into a reality.In this episode, you'll learn about:The Big Vision: Ranger's goal to create a working farm that blends hands-on agricultural education with deep, introspective coaching to help people reconnect with their food and their purpose.Man with Nature: How the principles of regenerative agriculture—working with natural systems instead of against them—can serve as a powerful model to overcome the "churn and burn" burnout cycle in our own lives and careers.The 3-Year Plan: The foundational steps to make the farm a reality, including expanding coaching programs, launching new community-focused podcasts, and gaining more hands-on farming experience through local incubator programs.Building the Network: An inside look at the upcoming "Foggy Farmer" and "South of SF" podcasts, designed to connect with local growers, business owners, and community members on the San Francisco Peninsula.Resources Mentioned:Within Range Coaching: Ready to take the first step in your own journey? Book a free 15-30 minute discovery call with Ranger to discuss one-on-one life coaching or business consulting.G.R.O.W.T.H. Workshop Series: Join the upcoming workshop series this September to get grounded in your mission, overcome the sabotaging voice, and improve your decision-making. Sign-up link in the description!.Consulting Services: Learn more about Ranger's work with the Renaissance Center in Half Moon Bay and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in Merced.Connect with Ranger:Website: WithinRangeCoaching.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ankielak/Instagram: @WithinRange_CoachingFree Consulting Call: Book Here
Transcribe →
Breakdowns to Breakthroughs: The 5 A’s of Accountability for Coaches, Entrepreneurs, and High Performers
Jul 2800:04:38Tap to summarizeIn this quick-hit solo episode, Coach Ranger Kielak breaks down his signature “5 A’s of Accountability” — a simple yet powerful framework to help you turn setbacks into setups for success.Whether you're facing a tough conversation, a project that flopped, or just feeling off your game, this five-step process will help you shift from breakdown to breakthrough with clarity and confidence.🔑 What You’ll Learn: • Why “failure” is just data — and how to cut the drama • The difference between acceptance and shame • How to reclaim agency and take decisive action • A fresh way to hold yourself accountable without burnout • How to use this in your business, relationships, and daily lifeThis is the mindset reset you didn’t know you needed — and in under 5 minutes.🧠 The 5 A’s of Accountability Framework:Awareness – Recognize the facts without the fluffAcceptance – Own what happened without shameAgency – Take back your powerAction – Decide what to do nextAccountability – Lock in the learning and follow through🎧 Coach Ranger’s Challenge to You: Think of a recent “breakdown” moment. Apply the 5 A’s. What changes? Want help applying it to your life? Let’s talk.📞 Book a free 15-minute coaching consult: 👉 Schedule here🌐 Learn more at: WithinRangeCoaching.com🎤 About the Show: The Never Peak Project Podcast is for ambitious doers, growers, and leaders who believe the best is always ahead — as long as you never settle, never quit, and never peak.
Transcribe →
Business Prep, Pesticides, and Mindset Shifts
Jul 2100:12:40Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Never Peak Project Podcast, Coach Ranger discusses his recent experiences in entrepreneurship, focusing on the development of business courses and the importance of authenticity in marketing. He shares insights from his work with the Renaissance Center, the challenges of course enrollment, and the need for accessible education, particularly for Spanish-speaking individuals. Ranger emphasizes the significance of genuine connections in marketing and the value of prioritizing quality over quantity in course participation.🛠 Resources + Mentions:Book your free 15-minute coaching call: Find a Time HereLearn more about Ranger at WithinRangeCoaching.com
Transcribe →
I Don't Want To. But I Will.
Jun 2300:08:20Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Never Peak Project Podcast, Coach Ranger discusses the importance of mindset shifts in achieving personal goals. He emphasizes the need to take action even when motivation is lacking, sharing personal anecdotes from his journey walking across America. The conversation highlights practical strategies for overcoming resistance and the significance of focusing on desired outcomes rather than the discomfort of the process.🛠 Resources + Mentions:Book your free 15-minute coaching call: Find a Time HereLearn more about Ranger at WithinRangeCoaching.com
Transcribe →
The Power of Mindset in Overcoming Challenges
Jun 1600:12:54Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the NeverPeak Project Podcast, Coach Ranger shares his transformative journey walking across the United States. He recounts a pivotal encounter with a first responder in South Carolina, who gifted him bracelets symbolizing resilience and perseverance. This encounter inspired him during a challenging steak-eating contest in Texas, where he observed the impact of mindset on performance. Ranger emphasizes the importance of confidence, wisdom, and taking action to overcome obstacles and encourages listeners to embrace challenges without quitting.🛠 Resources + Mentions:Book your free 15-minute coaching call: Find a Time HereLearn more about Ranger at WithinRangeCoaching.com
Transcribe →
How to achieve your goals, by being a "frog"
Jun 900:11:37Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the NeverPeak Project Podcast, Coach Ranger Kielak shares insights from his journey walking across America, using the metaphor of a frog in a pond to illustrate the importance of breaking down big goals into manageable steps. He emphasizes the concept of 'chunking down' goals, encouraging listeners to identify their starting point, destination, and the smaller 'lily pads' that will help them navigate their path to success. Ranger also offers practical advice on how to map out personal and professional goals, highlighting the significance of clarity and daily actions in achieving one's aspirations.🛠 Resources + Mentions:Book your free 15-minute coaching call: Find a Time HereLearn more about Ranger at WithinRangeCoaching.com
Transcribe →
The Power of Time and Effort in Achieving Goals
Jun 2, 202500:09:25Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the NeverPeak Project Podcast, Coach Ranger Kielak explores the concept of 'walking distance' as a metaphor for personal growth and achievement. He discusses how perceptions of distance vary among individuals and emphasizes the importance of time and effort in determining what is achievable. Through personal anecdotes from his walk across America, Ranger encourages listeners to shift their mindset from questioning if something is possible to asking what they are willing to commit to in order to make it happen. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to reflect on their goals and the steps needed to achieve them.🛠 Resources + Mentions:Book your free 15-minute coaching call: Find a Time HereLearn more about Ranger at WithinRangeCoaching.com
Transcribe →
Be. Do. Have. How Identity Shapes Everything You Achieve
May 26, 202500:07:47Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Never Peak Project, Coach Ranger breaks down one of the most foundational mindset shifts high achievers need to make: identity comes first. If you’ve ever caught yourself saying “I’ll start when I feel ready,” or “Once I have more time, then I’ll go for it,” this episode will challenge that thinking — and offer you a more powerful path forward.We’ll talk about why waiting to have what you want before you do what you need keeps you stuck, and how stepping into your future identity now creates real, lasting momentum.This one’s a call to action — for the version of you you’re becoming.🛠 Resources + Mentions:Book your free 15-minute coaching call: Find a Time HereLearn more about Ranger at WithinRangeCoaching.com
Transcribe →
How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Others and Start Doing the Work
May 19, 202500:06:32Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Never Peak Project, Coach Ranger shares a powerful shift that can change how you see success, effort, and the people you’re comparing yourself to. From brutal hills in South Carolina to unspoken envy of public figures, this conversation pulls back the curtain on how comparison stalls progress — and what you can do instead.If you've ever said “that’s easy for them” while discounting your own effort, this one’s for you.You’ll learn how to:Catch the voice of comparison before it takes overBuild momentum with simple, daily actionReplace envy with ownershipAnd start stacking the kind of reps that make success inevitableThis isn’t about motivation — it’s about consistency. And it starts with your next rep.🛠Links Mentioned:Free 15-minute coaching call: Schedule a TimeLearn more about Within Range Coaching HERE
Transcribe →