Break Free™

Hosted by David Mansilla

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Episodes

253

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Feeling stuck in your career, business, or entrepreneurial journey? You’re not alone—and more importantly, you don’t have to stay there. If you’re ready to move beyond the frustration of spinning your wheels and start gaining real clarity in your professional path, this podcast is for you. Each episode features powerful business stories, expert insights, and transformational lessons from successful entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and mission-driven professionals. You’ll discover strategies to break through limitations, identify new opportunities, and confidently step into the business and life you were designed to lead. Your breakthrough in business starts now. Hit play—and start building with purpose, direction, and lasting impact.

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60 recent

June 12, 2026Episode 241 hr 10 min

You Think You’re Just Stressed From Work, But Is It Actually Hidden PTSD Driving Your Burnout?

What is the true cost of success? In this deeply moving and transparent episode of the Break Free Podcast, host David Mansilla sits down with Robert Greene, a holistic trauma counselor based in Bali, Indonesia. Together, they pull back the curtain on a silent crisis affecting countless entrepreneurs, veterans, and high-stress professionals: unhealed psychological trauma.Robert shares his intense life trajectory—from dealing with chaotic family environments and serving as a US Navy hospital corpsman during Operation Iraqi Freedom, to surviving a sudden family tragedy and his own severe battle with PTSD and substance abuse. After walking away from a corporate job and spending years seeking healing through extreme lifestyle shifts (including living off-grid with native tribes in the Philippines and studying under monks in India and Tibet), Robert reveals why modern "quick-fix" wellness trends often fail and what it actually takes to heal.If you are a leader struggling to balance high-pressure environments with your inner peace, this episode will give you a completely new perspective on turning your pain into your greatest superpower.🔑 Key Takeaways:(1) The Danger of Compartmentalization: Shoving trauma "into a box" to survive high-stress corporate or military environments works temporarily, but eventually leads to emotional burnout, violent mood swings, or addiction.(2) The "New Age" Wellness Critique: Popular commercialized trends like app-guided meditation and isolated breath-work classes often trigger intense emotional responses without giving individuals the lifestyle framework, discipline, and support required to actually process them.(3) Presence Over Escape: Escaping reality—whether through substances, radical isolation, or obsessive spiritual practices—creates a conflict of interest with daily life. True meditation is simply the habit of being completely focused and present in your current 3D reality (work, family, daily tasks).(4) The Price of Wisdom: Growth doesn't happen without friction. True emotional resilience comes from reframing our deepest psychological discomfort as a necessary "gym workout" for character and leadership development.(5) Testing Your Path: David and Robert discuss the necessity of having a solid mental and spiritual container so that exploring inner consciousness doesn't blur the lines into psychological instability.🔗 Connect with our Guest:Learn more about Robert Greene's programs and grab a copy of his book at: unfiltered-wisdom.com📢 Don't forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more powerful episodes on breaking free and leading with value!#BreakFreePodcast #LeadershipMindset #TraumaRecovery #EntrepreneurLife #MentalHealthMatters #PresenceOverGrind #Resilience #UnfilteredWisdom

May 25, 2026Episode 2340 min

From Rock Bottom to 25k Patients a Month: Scaling Urgent Mental Health with Dr. Tamir Aldad

Welcome to another powerful episode of the Break Free Podcast with your host, David Mansilla! Today, we are shining a light on a visionary leader who is radically disrupting the mental health system. Dr. Tamir Aldad is a trained addiction psychiatrist who chose to step away from a comfortable one-on-one private practice, head to business school at the University of Chicago, and build a massive, data-driven solution to the mental health crisis.As the founder and CEO of Mindful Care, Dr. Aldad now leads a staff of over 300 professionals providing critical same-day and next-day urgent psychiatric services across six states.In this deeply moving and emotional episode, David and Dr. Aldad strip away the corporate masks. David shares his vulnerable, Christ-centric testimony of surviving a work-induced heart attack, escaping the dangerous illusions of self-medication, and finding true freedom through spiritual deliverance and a life-changing ADHD medical diagnosis. Together, they discuss what it truly means to lead with a macro-vision, build a profitable business that honors human souls, and step out in faith to change the world.✨ WATCH THE FULL EPISODE TO LEARN:(1) The Scale Shift: How to move from the mindset of self-employment (healing one person at a time) to true entrepreneurship (building a multiplier system).(2) Bridging the Treatment Gap: Why same-day and next-day mental health infrastructure is the missing link in fighting the healthcare crisis.(3) Overcoming the Entrepreneur's Trap: Recognizing the dangerous intersection of workaholism, chronic stress, and hidden neurological struggles like ADHD.(4) The "Forest vs. Trees" Leadership Style: How Dr. Aldad balances the visionary drive to "take over the world" with quantitative, data-driven metrics.(5) The Building Block Blueprint: Dr. Aldad’s actionable advice for anyone who wants to solve massive world problems but feels trapped by limited resources.Connect with Dr. Tamir Aldad & Mindful Care:🌐 Website: www.mindful.careIf this episode spoke to you, please LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE to help us break the stigma and empower more leaders to find true, sustainable freedom!#BreakFreePodcast #DrTamirAldad #DavidMansilla #MentalHealthMatters #EntrepreneurWellness #ADHD #AddictionPsychiatry #KingdomBusiness

May 8, 2026Episode 2249 min

I Sabotaged My Medical Career to Build a Global Business That Actually Matters

Welcome to the Break Free Podcast! In this deep dive, host David Mansilla interviews Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, the President and CEO of the International Food Information Council (IFIC). Wendy’s journey is a masterclass in long-term career architecture—starting as an intern, leaving to gain "street cred" in the corporate world, and returning to lead the organization at the highest level. This conversation moves beyond standard business advice, focusing on the behavioral science of consumption and the high-stakes world of crisis management and proactive stakeholder engagement. Key Takeaways for Entrepreneurs & Leaders:The Value of the Pivot: Why abandoning a prestigious path (Medicine) allowed Wendy to create a broader impact in the global food value chain. Behavioral Science in Business: Understanding why "Taste" is the #1 factor in consumer decisions and how to apply these insights to any product. Managing Executive Risk: How Wendy navigated a "million-dollar plan" by pressure-testing her ideas with those who disagreed with her. The "Right of Passage": A look at the specific moments of diligence and sacrifice that signal to stakeholders you are ready for the C-Suite. Sustainable Leadership: Why the most effective leaders prioritize "Love Without Agenda" to build trust within their teams and industries. About Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak: Wendy is a Registered Dietitian and executive leader who has navigated both the nonprofit and agricultural sectors. As CEO of IFIC, she leads the charge in providing science-based information on food safety, nutrition, and sustainable food systems. If you’re looking to scale your impact and lead with more courage, SUBSCRIBE for more interviews with top-tier business leaders.#LeadershipDevelopment #BusinessPivot #CEOInterview #NutritionScience #Entrepreneurship #CrisisManagement #BehavioralEconomics #BreakthroughPodcast

May 1, 2026Episode 211 hr 1 min

I discovered the "warming oil" secret that raises your IQ and restores your entrepreneurial edge

In this powerful episode of the Break Free Podcast, host David Mansilla welcomes Udo Erasmus, a world-renowned authority on healthy fats and the creator of Udo’s Choice. After suffering from pesticide poisoning, Udo dedicated his life to uncovering the truth about nutritional health and the spiritual nature of human existence.Udo’s journey is a masterclass in purpose-driven leadership. He shares how he engineered specialized machinery to protect essential oils from damage, navigated complex regulatory hurdles with the FDA, and expanded his mission to 40+ countries—all while maintaining a profound sense of inner peace.Key Takeaways:(1) The Temple of Health: Your body is a self-renewing machine designed by God; 98% of your atoms are replaced every year, making recovery possible through proper stewardship.(2) The Power of Stillness: Why "seeking the Kingdom first" through daily stillness is the ultimate competitive advantage for entrepreneurs.(3) Essential Oils & IQ: How undamaged Omega-3 and Omega-6 can increase energy by 40-60% and even raise your IQ.(4) Leading with Enthusiasm: How a deep sense of purpose can drag you through personal fears, including shyness and a fear of flying.(5) True Freedom: Understanding that freedom is not about doing whatever you want, but about the responsibility and bliss of being who you truly are in Christ.About Our Guest: Udo Erasmus is the co-founder of the Udo's Choice supplement brand and the author of the classic Fats that Heal, Fats that Kill. With a background in Biochemistry and Counseling Psychology, he has impacted millions by teaching how to achieve total health through nature and human nature.Listen to the full episode here: https://youtu.be/ZvaW_5z5DAE#UdoErasmus #HealthPioneer #SpiritualLeadership #Biohacking #HealthyFats #BusinessSuccess #InnerPeace #BreakFreePodcast

April 3, 2026Episode 2040 min

I Chased Financial Freedom Until My Body Broke: Here’s the Legacy I Almost Lost.

Building a business is a grind, but are you building a foundation or just chasing a paycheck? In this episode, Perry Braun (President & CEO of Benefit Advisors Network) joins David Mansilla to discuss the raw reality of leadership and why "patience" is the most underrated skill in entrepreneurship.With nearly 40 years of experience, Perry explains how he transitioned from an executive role to owning his firm and why he prioritizes "breaking bread" with clients over cold transactions. If you are a business owner feeling the weight of the "treadmill," this conversation is your permission to step off, decompress, and realign your heart with your mission.Key Takeaways from this Episode:Strategic Succession: Why internal acquisition bypasses the startup learning curve.The "Eulogy" Test: How to define your professional identity by the legacy you want to leave behind.Kaizen in Business: The power of continuous improvement and tiny shifts for giant results.Leading Like a Servant: Why the most successful leaders enter the room looking to serve, not be served.The Danger of Burnout: David and Perry share personal warnings on the cost of "winning" too fast.About Our Guest:Perry Braun is a visionary industry leader who excels at forecasting trends and building high-performance cultures. He leads an international network of employee benefits brokers across the U.S. and Canada.Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE for more insights on high-level entrepreneurship!#Entrepreneur #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #SuccessionPlanning #CEOInterviews #ProfessionalDevelopment #Kaizen #ServantLeadership

March 2, 2026Episode 195 min

Why this former CEO now spends her days in a Senior Home

What happens when a high-level corporate executive chooses the "trenches" over the corner office? In this golden nugget from the Break Free Podcast, Esmerelde Lee shares her incredible journey.Esmerelde Lee moved from South Africa to the U.S. and completely redefined what it means to lead. After facing immense personal loss, she found a way to bridge the gap between seniors, caregivers, and families through a "Mutual Benefit Loop."🔗 LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE HERE: https://youtu.be/RTYFW_VFDxEIf you found value in this clip, please LIKE this video and SUBSCRIBE for more insights on career development, leadership, and personal growth.#BreakFreePodcast #EsmereldeLee #LeadershipDevelopment #CareerPivot #SeniorLiving #ExecutiveCoaching #PurposeDrivenLife #OvercomingGrief #BusinessLeadership

February 20, 2026Episode 1856 min

The Matchmaker’s Secret: Why Chemistry is a Lie

Success without fulfillment is the ultimate entrepreneurial struggle. In this episode, David Mansilla welcomes Paddi Rice, the Founder and CEO of Executive Search Dating, to discuss the intersection of high-level business strategy and the fundamental human need for relationship.Paddi shares how his background in Fortune 500 companies and manufacturing led him to innovate the matchmaking industry by treating the search for a partner like an executive headhunt. More importantly, he and David discuss the "Christ-centric" shift from ego-driven management to servant leadership—a move that saved their businesses and their peace of mind.Key Takeaways from this Episode:📌 The Dating Headhunter Model: Learn how Paddi applies professional recruiting standards to help busy executives find "the one" without the noise of dating apps.📌 Business as a Plant, Not a Statue: Why your company culture needs constant nurturing, watering, and flexibility to survive seasons like COVID-19.📌 The "No-Fear" Culture: The power of encouraging employees to make mistakes and how it leads to exponential growth.📌 The Discipline of Forgiveness: A raw look at why forgiveness is necessary to break cycles of past trauma and move forward in faith.📌 Servant Leadership in Action: How Jesus washing the disciples' feet translates to hiring great people and getting out of their way.About Our Guest:Paddi Rice runs North America’s first and only executive search firm for dating & matchmaking—Executive Search Dating: The Dating Headhunter®. He specializes in helping busy professionals find meaningful, lasting relationships through a personalized, proactive alternative to traditional matchmaking.https://www.davidmansilla.com/https://www.breakfreepodcast.co/#Entrepreneurship #Leadership #Matchmaking #ServantLeadership #BreakthroughPodcast #BusinessStrategy #Faith #PaddiRice

January 30, 2026Episode 178 min

Turning Your Darkest Valleys into Victories

"What is this challenge preparing me for?" In this focused "Golden Nuggets" highlight, we dive into the most powerful moments from our conversation with David Cooks, CEO of David Cooks Enterprises. David has spent over 40 years in a wheelchair, but his greatest test came this past year: a broken femur, a battle with E. coli, and a life-saving surgery performed by—miraculously—a former student.We’ve stripped away the fluff to bring you the core framework David used to transition from paralysis to purpose. If you are an entrepreneur in the "Trough of Sorrow" or someone facing a personal health crisis, these insights are your blueprint for resilience.The Nuggets You’ll Uncover:(1) Refinement vs. Limitation: Why David views his wheelchair not as a cage, but as a fire that refines the soul like gold.(2) The Law of the Harvest: A stunning real-life example of how a seed of kindness planted decades ago returned as a life-saving blessing.(1) Gratitude as Multiplication: The counter-intuitive secret to shifting from scarcity to sufficiency in business.(3) Faith as a Foundation: Why "internal resolve" must always be greater than "market volatility."(4) Finding Your "Why": How to maintain your mission when your "How" (your strategy or physical ability) gets stripped away.Featured in this Episode:David Cooks: Author of Getting Undressed and resilience expert.David Mansilla: Host and advocate for faith-based leadership.Full Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MPhj5kAKZs#BusinessInsights #GoldenNuggets #Resilience #DavidCooks #Entrepreneurship #FaithAndWork #OvercomingObstacles #Shortshttps://www.davidmansilla.com/https://www.breakfreepodcast.co/

January 22, 2026Episode 1631 min

Your Identity is Being Sold Right Now | Eva Velasquez

Does AI already know your password? 🤖🔒Your identity is your most valuable asset, yet it's being sold for pennies on the dark web. In this critical episode, CEO Eva Velasquez reveals why even savvy entrepreneurs are vulnerable to id theft and the one frozen secret that could safeguard your life's work. She discusses the dangers of AI tools in perpetrating identity fraud and the crucial role of robust cyber security and data privacy measures. Don't wait until you're the next victim; listen now to understand how to protect your information security from hackers.We sat down with Eva Velasquez, CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center, to break down: 👉 Why common passwords like "monkey" or "123456" are still in the top 10 (and how AI exploits them). 👉 The "Frozen Pie" method: The #1 step to block new accounts in your name. 👉 Why biometrics and "passkeys" are the only way to stay one step ahead of automated fraud.Don't wait until your life's work is targeted. Watch the full episode now to reclaim your digital defense.https://www.davidmansilla.com/https://www.breakfreepodcast.co/#Leadership #Entrepreneurship #CyberSecurity #IdentityTheft #BusinessGrowth #CEOInsights #DigitalPrivacy #Resilience #PodcastForEntrepreneurs #ITRC #EvaVelasquez

December 1, 2025Episode 1537 min

How to Use Your Biggest Losses for Guaranteed Future Success

Join host David Mansilla and Freestar CEO Kurt Donnell for an unscripted, powerful conversation about the true cost of success and the non-linear path to the top.Kurt Donnell breaks down the complex world of digital ad monetization, revealing how his company runs over a billion ad auctions daily—operating like a high-frequency trading firm in the ad space.What You Will Learn:The Ad Tech Black Box: How ad space is sold in real-time auctions within milliseconds, and the wild flow of platforms involved.The Career Lattice: Why ditching the traditional "career ladder" for a "career lattice" is essential for lifelong growth, including sideways and even downward moves.The A+ Strategy: Kurt's counter-intuitive advice: Stop focusing on improving your weaknesses (B to C) and dedicate your energy only to the things that take you from an A to an A+.The CEO's Real Job: Why the majority of a CEO's time is spent on the "3D puzzle of people" (HR) and finance.The Emotional Cost of Success: Donnell opens up about his high-powered law career, the resulting unhappiness that led him to therapy, and the painful lessons learned from watching his kids grow up "horizontal".This episode is a must-listen for any entrepreneur or leader seeking honest wisdom on strategy, people management, and balancing ambition with personal well-being.#Leadership #Entrepreneurship #BusinessStrategy #CareerAdvice #CEO #AdTech #WorkLifeBalancehttps://www.davidmansilla.com/https://www.breakfreepodcast.co/