Podcast
What Are You Made Of?
Hosted by Mike "C-Roc" Ciorrocco · EN
Join me on "The What Are You Made Of? Show" where we share the ingredients of what went into making my guests and myself who we are. We will be sharing stories,aiming to help you reflect on your own past experiences, uncovering your true strength and resilience. This podcast is designed for those interested in Entrepreneurship and Personal Development, offering insights into performance, persistence, and inspiration. It's not just entertaining; it's a valuable resource for your journey of self-discovery and closing the gap between where you are and where you are capable of being.
105episodes
Episodes
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Health Drives Performance with Lauren Papanos: Rebuilding Thyroid & Mitochondrial Function from the Inside Out
Mar 300:31:41Summary readyIn this episode of What Are You Made Of?, Mike “C-Roc” sits down with Lauren Papanos to explore the intersection of high performance, entrepreneurship, and root-cause healing. A functional medicine registered dietitian, board certified in sports dietetics and functional endocrinology, Lauren shares her journey from competitive collegiate cheerleader to working with elite athletic programs at Texas A&M University, University of California, Los Angeles, and Texas Tech University. Through her work with high-level athletes and driven professionals, she began noticing a common pattern: people who looked strong and healthy on the outside were often struggling internally with fatigue, hormone imbalances, and chronic stress.Lauren dives into her specialty—Low T3 Syndrome—describing it as a metabolic bottleneck rooted in chronic inflammation, immune activation, nutrient depletion, and mitochondrial dysfunction. She explains how these hidden drivers suppress thyroid activity, slow metabolism, disrupt cycles and fertility, and create unrelenting fatigue, particularly in high-achieving women who constantly push their limits. Rather than relying solely on hormone replacement, Lauren focuses on restoring T3 function by rebuilding the body’s terrain—strengthening cellular energy, supporting immune balance, and addressing the root causes that keep the body stuck in survival mode.The conversation also touches on modern health trends like peptides, GLP-1 medications, red light therapy, and mitochondrial optimization, with Lauren offering a balanced perspective on when these tools can be helpful—and when foundational work is still missing. Her core message is clear: health drives performance. For entrepreneurs, athletes, and ambitious professionals who feel exhausted despite doing “everything right,” this episode delivers both science-backed insight and hope, reminding listeners that the body isn’t broken—it’s protecting you, and with the right strategy, sustainable energy and performance are absolutely possible.Website- https://functionalfueling.com/Social Media Links/Handles: https://www.instagram.com/functional.fueling/?hl=enhttps://www.youtube.com/@functional.fueling
SummaryLuxury, Longevity and Leadership: The Bold Vision of Josephine Musco
Mar 200:31:30Summary readyIn this energizing conversation, Mike “C-Roc” sits down with bold entrepreneur and scientist Josephine Musco, the visionary founder of Olyxir, a wellness brand specializing in natural, biodegradable instant tea strips designed for a modern, eco-conscious lifestyle. Josephine shares how she combined science, spirituality, and sustainability to build a purpose-driven brand, landing placements in premium retailers like Bristol Farms, Lazy Acres, and Erewhon before pivoting online during COVID. She opens up about the realities of entrepreneurship—from boots-on-the-ground demos to cycling through multiple ad agencies—and why adaptability, tough negotiation, and embracing emerging AI tools are essential for staying ahead.Beyond business, Josephine challenges mainstream wellness and beauty trends with a bold “less is more” philosophy. She questions red light therapy overuse, multi-step skincare routines, and endocrine-disrupting products, advocating instead for ancestral wisdom: eat whole foods your grandparents would recognize, avoid processed ingredients, ditch synthetic materials, and simplify your routine. Her approach to longevity centers on high-fat, high-protein clean eating, minimal supplementation, natural oils, and reducing daily toxin exposure—proving that true biohacking often means going back to basics rather than chasing every new trend.The episode also explores Josephine’s multifaceted life beyond Olyxir, including her 23-acre biodynamic ranch and winery, where she learned winemaking under the mentorship of a Napa expert—despite not drinking alcohol herself. Through science, creativity, and unwavering intention, Josephine represents a new generation of leaders redefining luxury as conscious, sustainable, and spiritually aligned. This episode is a masterclass in resilient entrepreneurship, intentional living, and building brands that honor both profit and purpose.Website-Olyxir.com https://www.instagram.com/josephinemusco_/
SummaryVisibility Pays: How Katelyn Rhoades Turned Social Media Into Multiple Revenue Streams
Feb 2600:30:51Summary readyIn this powerful episode of What Are You Made Of?, Mike “C-Roc” sits down with Katelyn Rhoades—CEO of Enfluence Marketing Studio and host of the Call Her Creator podcast—for a raw and energizing conversation about resilience, reinvention, and building influence in the digital age. Katelyn opens up about growing up in chaos, learning early that no one was coming to save her, and making the decision to build a different life through grit, discipline, and self-education. From cleaning popcorn machines at 14 to selling her clothes to afford groceries in college, her story is rooted in the belief that ordinary people can create extraordinary outcomes if they’re willing to do the work.Now a respected marketing strategist featured in Forbes and trusted by Meta, Katelyn shares how she transitioned from a stable corporate career into entrepreneurship, building a thriving social media agency with 30+ clients, multiple revenue streams, and a growing personal brand. She and Mike "C-Roc" dive into the mindset required to handle rejection, the importance of living by your calendar, creating an attraction model in business, and knowing when to move from operator to CEO. They also unpack the realities of parenting while building a business, the tension between hustle and presence, and why resilience—not luck—is the real differentiator.This episode is a masterclass in visibility, persistence, and sustainable growth for leaders who want to build both income and impact in today’s attention economy.Website-https://enfluencestudio.com/Social Media Links/Handles- https://www.instagram.com/thekatelynrhoades/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/call-her-creator-with-katelyn-rhoades/id1726289174
SummaryFrom Ethics to Evidence: The Truth About Veganism, Muscle, and Aging with Karina Inkster
Feb 1700:32:30Summary readyIn this high-energy episode of the What Are You Made Of?, host Mike "C-Roc" sits down with fitness and nutrition coach Karina Inkster to unpack what it truly means to live with conviction, compassion, and critical thinking. Karina, author of five books, host of the No-B.S. Vegan, and a Masters graduate in Gerontology specializing in health and aging, shares how a childhood realization about her pet hamster sparked a lifelong commitment to ethical veganism. What began as an 11-year-old’s moral awakening evolved into a 23-year plant-based journey rooted not only in animal ethics, but also in climate action, evidence-based nutrition, and long-term health optimization.Together, Mike "C-Roc" and Karina tackle the biggest myths in the fitness and wellness industry—from protein fears and muscle-building on a vegan diet to food industry conflicts of interest and the influence of marketing over science. Karina explains how strength, longevity, and performance are fully achievable on a plant-based diet when calories and protein are properly matched, and why skepticism—not cynicism—is essential in today’s social media-driven health culture. With humor, honesty, and zero fluff, this conversation explores aging, muscle growth, Mediterranean vs. vegan diets, and the deeper question at the heart of it all: what are you made of when your values are tested?Website-www.karinainkster.com Social Media Links/Handleshttps://www.facebook.com/karina.i.m.inksterhttps://www.instagram.com/karinainkster/?hl=en
SummaryBuilt Different: Systems, Willpower and the Truth About Longevity with Ben Brown
Feb 1600:34:17Summary readyOn this episode of the What Are You Made Of? show, host Mike "C-Roc" sits down with Ben Brown, founder of Body Systems, to unpack the mindset, discipline, and daily habits that have shaped him into the husband, father, coach, and high-performance consultant he is today. From battling imposter syndrome while stepping into professional sports organizations to becoming a trusted nutrition and performance advisor for elite athletes and executives, Ben shares how network, preparation, and “walking the talk” built his credibility. He opens up about aging with intention, leading by example for his three kids, and why being physically fit isn’t vanity — it’s responsibility.Ben also dives deep into the truth about willpower, why most people are draining their “battery” with constant decision-making, and how success in health and business comes down to systems — not motivation. Drawing from his work with organizations like the Golden State Warriors and the Arizona Diamondbacks, he explains why nutrition and lifestyle fundamentals still outperform flashy biohacks and why even professional athletes often overlook the basics. If you’re a high achiever trying to optimize your body, performance, and longevity without burning out, this episode is a masterclass in discipline, strategy, and sustainable execution.Website-https://bodysystems.com/https://www.instagram.com/bodysystemscoaching/?hl=en
SummaryRadical Responsibility: Turning Setbacks into Scalable Success with Maria Matarelli
Feb 1300:34:12Summary readyIn this episode of What Are You Made Of?, Mike “C-Roc” sits down with Maria Matarelli, Founder and CEO of Formula Ink, an international business consultancy helping leaders and organizations achieve higher performance through proven systems, strategy, and execution. Maria shares how resilience shaped her journey—from working three jobs to put herself through college to managing multimillion-dollar budgets and leading large teams at just 22 years old. She opens up about delivering measurable results for Fortune 100 companies, why so many organizations struggle with execution, and how proven frameworks like Agile and Lean can turn complexity into clarity.The conversation also dives into the personal side of success, including taking a million-dollar business loss, navigating betrayal, and embracing radical responsibility as the key to reclaiming power and momentum. Maria reflects on her global speaking career, a life-changing retreat in Bali that turned into a two-year reset, and how she now curates high-trust VIP networking events in Las Vegas that connect founders, investors, and creatives for meaningful growth. This episode is a candid and inspiring look at resilience, ownership, and building results that truly last.Website-http://findmaria.com Social Media Links/Handles-https://www.facebook.com/mariamatarellihttps://www.instagram.com/mariamatarelli/?hl=enhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mariamatarellihttp://x.com/mariamatarellihttps://www.youtube.com/user/mariamatarelli
SummaryHealing Beyond the Physical: Energy, Trauma and Transformation with Pearly Montagu
Feb 1200:31:10Summary readyIn this powerful episode of What Are You Made Of?, Mike “C-Roc” sits down with TED speaker and healer Pearly Montagu to explore how a near-death boating accident transformed her life and awakened an extraordinary gift. After the traumatic experience, Pearly began perceiving trauma and emotional pain as colors and structures within the body—a rare form of synesthesia that led her to develop what she calls “micro energetic surgery,” helping clients release stored pain and restore energetic balance.Pearly shares her journey from corporate finance to energy healing, her struggles with PTSD, and how unresolved emotional wounds can manifest physically in the body. Mike "C-Roc" asks the tough questions, grounding the conversation in curiosity and clarity as they unpack trauma, masculine and feminine energy, and the connection between dis-ease and healing. This episode challenges listeners to rethink adversity and consider how life’s darkest moments can unlock unexpected purpose.Website-Www.manderley.orghttps://www.instagram.com/a.pearly.way.of.life
SummaryFrom Monk to Money Manager: Douglas Lynam on Purpose, Wealth, and the Psychology of Money
Feb 1000:35:19Summary readyA Marine, a monk, and a money manager walk into a bar—and somehow, they’re all the same person. In this powerful and wide-ranging conversation, Mike “C-Roc” sits down with Douglas Lynam to unpack one of the most unconventional life journeys you’ll ever hear. Doug shares how he went from Marine Officer Candidate School to spending twenty years as a Benedictine monk, only to later emerge into the world of finance as a financial advisor, business coach, keynote speaker, and author. Along the way, he opens up about childhood experiences with money, rebellion, faith, purpose, and the surprising ways our relationship with wealth is shaped long before we realize it.Doug dives deep into his time in the monastery, including how a vow of poverty collided head-on with financial reality when the monastery went bankrupt—and how that moment forced him to confront money rather than avoid it. That unexpected responsibility became the catalyst for his lifelong work exploring the psychology, philosophy, and spirituality of money. He explains how earning, saving, investing, and giving must work together, why “giving first” without a foundation can backfire, and how money, when understood properly, becomes a tool for meaning rather than a source of fear or control.The conversation also explores Doug’s books, From Monk to Money Manager and Taming Your Money Monster, his TEDx talk on purpose and wealth, and the idea that true financial mastery begins with self-awareness, courage, and alignment with values. This episode challenges conventional money advice, blends spiritual wisdom with practical finance, and invites listeners to rethink not just how they manage money—but why they do it in the first place.Website- douglynam.com Social Media Links/Handles- https://www.facebook.com/douglynam/https://www.instagram.com/douglynam/https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-lynam/ https://www.youtube.com/@douglynam https://substack.com/@douglynam
SummaryHow Small Changes Create Big Transformation with Eric Zimmer
Feb 900:31:19Summary readyIn this powerful episode of What Are You Made Of ? Show, Mike “C-Roc” sits down with Eric Zimmer, creator and host of The One You Feed podcast, now in its 12th year with more than 50 million downloads worldwide. Eric shares his deeply personal journey from heroin addiction, homelessness, and facing prison in his twenties to building a meaningful life rooted in purpose, intention, and service.Through honest reflection, Eric unpacks how addiction shaped his understanding of change, why willpower alone isn’t enough, and how learning the skill of change helped him rebuild his life from the inside out. The conversation explores identity, shame, recovery, small daily commitments, and the power of choosing progress over perfection. Eric also opens up about transitioning from the software world into full-time podcasting, coaching, and thought leadership, prioritizing quality of life over financial excess, and why small habits compound into massive transformation. The episode dives into the philosophy behind his new book, How a Little Becomes a Lot: The Art of Small Changes for a More Meaningful Life, offering listeners practical insights on building self-trust, breaking destructive cycles, and creating a life that truly works. This is a raw, insightful, and inspiring conversation for anyone navigating change, recovery, entrepreneurship, or the pursuit of a more intentional life.Website- www.oneyoufeed.net Social Media Links/Handles:https://www.instagram.com/one_you_feed/https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericzimmer/
SummaryBreaking Barriers and Building Legacies: Mara Dorne on Leadership and Resilience
Feb 600:33:56Summary readyOn this episode of What Are You Made Of?, Mike "C-Roc" sits down with Mara Dorne, a self-made millionaire, best-selling author, public speaker, and award-winning BILF (“Boss I'd Like to Follow”), to uncover the journey behind her success. Mara shares how she rose from early adversity—losing her father at a young age and facing financial struggles as a newlywed—to transform the health insurance industry with relentlessness, vision, and an unwavering drive.Listeners get an inside look at Mara’s path from entering a male-dominated field with no prior experience in sales to building thriving teams, mentoring thousands of agents, and leveraging her achievements into a powerful personal brand. She opens up about the pivotal moments that shaped her, the lessons she learned navigating setbacks, and the strategies she used to empower others while staying true to her purpose.This episode is a masterclass in resilience, leadership, and the art of turning opportunity into impact, proving that real influence comes from action, not just appearances.Website-https://maradorne.com Social Media Links/Handleshttps://www.instagram.com/maradornehttps://www.instagram.com/bilfpod/
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