"Being authentic to oneself can be a superpower."

In this episode of the Unbreakable Podcast, Kait sits down with Dr. Ty McKinney (Ty the Neuro Guy), an Alberta-born neuroscience researcher and founder of 8Bit Cortex, to break down what burnout really is (spoiler: it’s not just “stress”), why our systems resist change, and how data + neurodiversity-informed thinking can reshape workplace wellness and addiction recovery outcomes.

We get into the brain side of modern life: media overload, survival mode vs abundance, emotional suppression, psychological safety, boundaries in white-collar culture, and why rest isn’t lazy, it’s biology. If you’ve felt fried, overstimulated, or like you can’t fully “turn off,” this conversation will hit.

This episode shows why burnout is often a body problem (hormones + recovery), not a motivation problem.

You’ll hear how social media and constant news can lock the brain into survival mode, and why “expressive suppression” (bottling it up) can backfire by revving the stress system even harder.

Ty also explains why white-collar work is uniquely vulnerable: no physical “end of shift,” blurred boundaries, guilt-driven availability, and the performance pressure that keeps people “on” late into the night.

And you’ll get a practical frame for sustainable wellbeing: rest + boundaries + psychological safety + presence, plus why better measurement matters in addiction recovery and human outcomes.

Want to ask a question for a future episode or be a guest? Drop a comment, DM us, or use the links on our website.

New episodes weekly. Protect your peace, chase your dreams, and stay Unbreakable.

—

Follow Unbreakable:

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TikTok: / ⁠⁠YourUnbreakableLegacy⁠⁠

Facebook: / ⁠⁠Unbreakable Legacy⁠⁠

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Website: ⁠⁠www.YourUnbreakableLegacy.com ⁠⁠

Subscribe to Unbreakable’s channel here: / ⁠⁠@yourunbreakablelegacy⁠⁠

Connect with Ty + 8Bit Cortex:

• 8Bit Cortex: @8bitcortex (LinkedIn/Instagram)

• Email: info@8bitcortex.com

• Ty: @tytheneuroguy (LinkedIn/Instagram)

• Ty email: ty@8bitcortex.com

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In this Episode:

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Ty McKinney

01:31 The Journey from Therapist to Researcher

03:45 Cultural Dynamics of Alberta: Calgary vs. Edmonton

12:23 Media Consumption and Emotional Regulation

21:18 Navigating a Multi-Generational Workforce

24:05 The Importance of Authenticity in Communication

30:00 Transitioning from Survival to Abundance

34:08 The Perils of Perfectionism

36:08 Authenticity and Excellence: A Balancing Act

39:02 Understanding Burnout in the Workplace

44:44 The Role of Psychological Safety

50:46 Self-Care and Holistic Well-Being

"Make every day count."

In this episode of the Unbreakable Podcast, Kait Dinunzio sits down with Denise Dmitruk, nurse, athlete, cancer survivor, Crohn’s warrior, and founder of SaskFit, for a powerful conversation about resilience when your own body becomes the battleground.

Denise shares how bodybuilding helped pull her out of severe Crohn’s flares, hospitalizations, and blood transfusions, and how discipline, mindset, and movement became tools for survival. Just as she found her footing, life delivered another blow: a cancer diagnosis that tested everything she thought she knew about strength.

Together, Kait and Denise unpack:

- Living with chronic illness while refusing to let it define you

- Cancer, fear, and the mental weight no one prepares you for

- Why discipline can be an act of self-respect, not punishment

- Advocacy, boundaries, and protecting your peace

- What it really means to be “Unbreakable” when life keeps swinging

This is an honest, grounded conversation about health, identity, resilience, and choosing to keep going, without toxic positivity, hustle culture, or pretending it’s easy.

Watch the full episode now and hear a story that will change how you think about strength.

👉 New episodes drop regularly, subscribe, leave a comment, and share this with someone who needs the reminder: you are stronger than you think.

—

We’re always looking for thoughtful humans with lived experience to join the Unbreakable Podcast.

If you have a story rooted in resilience, leadership, growth, or reinvention, or you know someone who does, reach out ⁠here⁠.

And if you’ve got questions you want us to tackle on an upcoming episode, send those too. Click ⁠Here⁠.

This is a conversation, not a stage.

—

Follow Unbreakable:

Instagram: / ⁠unbreakable_legacy ⁠

TikTok: / ⁠YourUnbreakableLegacy⁠

Facebook: / ⁠Unbreakable Legacy⁠

LinkedIn: / ⁠Unbreakable Legacy⁠

Website: ⁠www.YourUnbreakableLegacy.com ⁠

Subscribe to Unbreakable’s channel here: / ⁠@yourunbreakablelegacy⁠

Follow Denise Dmitruk:

Instagram: / Saskfit

Facebook: / Saskfit

LinkedIn: / Denise Dmitruk

Website: https://skft.ca/

—

In this Episode:

00:00 Introduction to Resilience and Strength

03:08 Denise's Journey with Crohn's Disease and Bodybuilding

06:14 Facing Cancer: A Turning Point in Strength

09:10 The Role of Ancestry and Personal History

11:58 Advocacy and Support for Cancer Patients

14:51 Navigating Health Challenges and Mental Resilience

17:59 Finding Peace in Nature and Self-Care

20:59 Closing Thoughts: Living Authentically and Positively

Welcome back to the Unbreakable Podcast Network, and welcome to one of our first episodes of 2026.

In this episode, Kait Dinunzio and Josie (producer) kick off the new year with a real conversation about what the holidays can bring up: grief, growth, chosen family, changing traditions, and the quiet pressure to “be fine” when life is shifting.

You’ll hear practical mindset tools that help when multiple areas of life feel heavy, including the Unbreakable mindset equation E + R = O (Event + Reaction = Outcome), why boundaries protect your peace (without disconnecting you from people), and how progress can be measured beyond outcomes, especially in mental wellbeing.

We also share an Unbreakable Legacy book update, what’s happening behind the scenes, and what’s coming next on the podcast (including upcoming guests from around the world).

If you’re starting 2026 thinking, “Where do I even begin?”, this episode is for you.📖 Unbreakable Legacy (Book Waitlist + Updates): Click Here

We’re always looking for thoughtful humans with lived experience to join the Unbreakable Podcast.

If you have a story rooted in resilience, leadership, growth, or reinvention, or you know someone who does, reach out here.

And if you’ve got questions you want us to tackle on an upcoming episode, send those too. Click Here.

This is a conversation, not a stage.

—

Follow Unbreakable:

Instagram: / unbreakable_legacy

TikTok: / YourUnbreakableLegacy

Facebook: / Unbreakable Legacy

LinkedIn: / Unbreakable Legacy

Website: www.YourUnbreakableLegacy.com

Subscribe to Unbreakable’s channel here: / @yourunbreakablelegacy

—

In this Episode:

00:00 – Welcome back + Happy New Year

01:00 – Holiday chaos, travel stories, and reality check moments

05:20 – Grief + new traditions: holding two truths at once

10:30 – Boundaries during hard seasons (without blowing up the room)

14:40 – Doing the work while creating the work

16:30 – Fear, scarcity, and old survival patterns

20:10 – Letting go of “anchors” from the past (and why it’s freeing)

29:30 – Listener Q: Where do I start when everything feels hard?

30:10 – E + R = O (Event + Reaction = Outcome)

37:00 – Listener Q: morning pep talks + gratitude

41:00 – Listener Q: how to measure progress (beyond outcomes)

49:00 – Unbreakable Legacy book update + self-publishing plan

53:00 – Closing: Protect your peace, chase your dreams

We’re starting 2026 strong.

In the first episode of the year on the Unbreakable Podcast Network, Kait Dinunzio sits down with up-and-coming rodeo athlete Tristyn Erickson, a barrel racer competing in amateur and semi-pro circuits who is fully committed to building her future in the sport.

From leaving home and training horses full-time, to preparing for the 2026 rodeo season, to managing fear, setbacks, and pressure in the arena, this conversation is about discipline, trust, resilience, and choosing the hard path on purpose.

Tristyn breaks down what it really takes to compete in rodeo:

• the unseen care behind elite equine performance

• how riders “leg up” horses for peak season

• the mental routines that quiet nerves before a run

• rebuilding confidence after falls, injuries, and tough seasons

• why connection and trust matter more than speed

This episode is for athletes, competitors, parents, leaders, and anyone chasing a goal that demands consistency, courage, and belief.

What You’ll Learn:

- What barrel racing really looks like behind the scenes

- How elite riders train both themselves and their horses

- Mental strategies for managing fear, noise, and pressure

- Why setbacks don’t end seasons, mindset does

- How trust, routine, and discipline build unbreakable resolve

- Lessons from rodeo that apply directly to life and leadership

—

Follow Unbreakable:

Instagram: / unbreakable_legacy

TikTok: / YourUnbreakableLegacy

Facebook: / Unbreakable Legacy

LinkedIn: / Unbreakable Legacy

Website: www.YourUnbreakableLegacy.com

Subscribe to Unbreakable’s channel here: / @yourunbreakablelegacy

Follow Tristyn:

Instagram: / TristynDErickson

Facebook: / Erickson Performance Horses

—

In this Episode:

00:00 Introduction to Tristyn Erickson and Her Journey

02:51 Preparing for the Rodeo Season

06:44 The Controversy of Rodeo and Animal Care

08:40 Resilience in the Face of Adversity

10:10 Early Experiences and First Competitions

13:30 Safety in Rodeo: Understanding Risks

15:13 Mental Preparation and Overcoming Nerves

19:27 The Flow State in Competition

21:49 Influence of Family and Personal Growth

24:35 Balancing Life, School, and Rodeo

26:02 The Unpredictability of Rodeo Performance

27:37 Memorable Runs and Achievements

29:39 Goals and Aspirations for 2026

33:11 Inspiring Others to Pursue Their Passions

35:12 Connecting with Tristyn and Supporting Her Journey

"Every moment can be a fresh start."

Welcome back to the Unbreakable Podcast Network for another Bodybuilding & Business episod, featuring Kait Dinunzio’s longtime best friend and training partner, Matt Marshall.

Matt is a Global Director of eCommerce (working with major global retailers like Amazon and Walmart.com) and he’s also someone who lives the bodybuilding lifestyle with relentless consistency. In this conversation, Kait and Matt break down the mindset that actually creates change: extreme ownership, internal locus of control, discipline without obsession, and taking action before motivation shows up.

They talk about why people resist change (even when they want the result), how social media fuels comparison and ego, what “real intensity” in training looks like, and how to pick the right coach for you, not just the loudest one online.

If you’re heading into a new season, a new year, or a fresh goal, this one is a reset.

—

Follow Unbreakable:

Instagram: / unbreakable_legacy

TikTok: / YourUnbreakableLegacy

Facebook: / Unbreakable Legacy

LinkedIn: / Unbreakable Legacy

Website: www.YourUnbreakableLegacy.com

Subscribe to Unbreakable’s channel here: / @yourunbreakablelegacy

Follow Matt Marshall:

Instagram: ⁨@UCSUMMA⁩

—

In this Episode:

03:01 The Discipline of Consistency in Bodybuilding

06:01 Extreme Ownership: Taking Control of Your Life

08:56 The Mindset Shift: From Obesity to Discipline

11:56 Incremental Changes: The Key to Sustainable Fitness

14:46 Resistance to Change: Understanding Self-Harm Behavior

18:11 Trust and Change: Navigating the Coaching Landscape

23:40 The Power of Action in Mindset Transformation

24:44 Exploring Effective Training Splits

27:14 The Importance of Training Intensity

30:16 Finding Your Unique Training Style

34:44 The Mental Benefits of Training

36:26 Choosing the Right Coach for Your Journey

There are no trophies for being the doormat. Let’s talk about what actually changes your life.

In this episode, Kait Dinunzio sits down with returning guest Amanda Graham, author of Good Stuff to Read When You’re About to Lose Your Sht*, public speaker, and writer, to talk about the real cost of staying quiet.If you’ve been people-pleasing, second-guessing yourself, or letting fear keep you small, this conversation is your reminder: there are no trophies for being a doormat. Amanda breaks down how to trust yourself, speak up (even when you’re scared), and build the kind of resilience that turns setbacks into power.

You’ll hear about:

-Why people-pleasing backfires (and what to do instead)

-Confidence as a skill you build, not a trait you’re born with

-Rejection as redirection, and how to move forward without spiraling

-Finding connection and community when life feels off-track

-How to become more resourceful, grounded, and “unbreakable” over timeIf you’re in a messy season, rebuilding your life, or learning how to advocate for yourself, this episode will hit.

Watch next: More Unbreakable episodes on boundaries, mindset, leadership, and resilience.

—

Follow Unbreakable:

Instagram: / unbreakable_legacy

TikTok: / YourUnbreakableLegacy

Facebook: / Unbreakable Legacy

LinkedIn: / Unbreakable Legacy

Website: www.YourUnbreakableLegacy.com

Subscribe to Unbreakable’s channel here: / @yourunbreakablelegacy

Connect with Amanda Graham:

Website: www.itsamandagraham.com

Instagram: @minefieldness

LinkedIn: Amanda Graham

Link to her book: www.itsamandagraham.com/unbreakable

Subscribe for weekly conversations on resilience + real life.

Quick check-in: are you in your “before story” season right now? Tell us what you’re rebuilding.

—

In this Episode:

00:00 — No Trophies for Being the Doormat

02:05 — Who Amanda Is + Why She’s Back

03:20 — The Messages Nobody Posts Publicly

04:25 — The “Should Timeline” Trap (and Keeping Up)

06:20 — Rejection as Redirection + Choosing Your Life

08:25 — Living Like the Person You Want to Become

10:20 — Why We Chase Status Goals (and What We Really Want)

13:55 — Legacy: What Actually Matters Long-Term

16:25 — Confidence = Faith You’ll Figure It Out

18:10 — Resilience: Turning Chaos Into a Story

20:55 — Don’t Struggle Alone: Find Your People

35:45 — Where to Find Amanda + Final Takeaway

“When you're six weeks out, no one’s coming to save you, it’s just you and your purpose.”

In this episode of Bodybuilding & Business, Kait sits down with Rob Williams, founder of Self Made Nutrition and GM of The Realm Fitness, one of Calgary’s most respected bodybuilding gyms.

Rob brings the kind of honesty the industry needs more of:

- What grit actually looks like in the final weeks of prep

- Why lifestyle clients lose momentum, and how to rebuild it

- The real emotional fallout after stepping off stage

- What coaches wish athletes understood about expectations vs reality

- How bodybuilding principles translate to business, leadership, and life

They also dive into the origin story of The Realm, from four empty walls to a thriving community of pros, beginners, and everyone in between, and why creating an inclusive, ego-free environment matters more than ever.Whether you're a competitor, coach, entrepreneur, or someone trying to find purpose in the monotony, this conversation is packed with practical mindset tools and industry insight.

And yes… we talk PED myths, post-show meltdowns, bad peak weeks, community culture, and why bodybuilding attracts the misfits who become powerhouses.

—

Follow Unbreakable:

Instagram: / unbreakable_legacy

TikTok: / YourUnbreakableLegacy

Facebook: / Unbreakable Legacy

LinkedIn: / Unbreakable Legacy

Website: www.YourUnbreakableLegacy.com

Subscribe to Unbreakable’s channel here: / @yourunbreakablelegacy

Follow Rob and The Realm:

Rob's Instagram: / robliftsheavythings

The Realm's Instagram: /therealmfitness

Website: therealmfitness.com/

—

In this Episode:

00:00 Grinding alone: purpose over motivation

01:17 Welcome to Episode 2 of Bodybuilding & Business

02:00 Rob’s story: chef - coach - gym GM

03:15 Building The Realm Fitness from the ground up

06:00 Community, inclusivity & the culture behind the gym

08:20 Breaking intimidation: why all bodies belong in the gym

10:00 How bodybuilding principles apply to life + business

15:35 Listener Q: “How do I rebuild momentum after falling off?”

18:20 Athlete mindset: discipline vs lifestyle flexibility

19:40 Post-show emotions: identity, disappointment & expectations

22:00 Why firing your coach after not winning is a red flag

24:40 Realistic goals: genetics, PEDs & the gap between divisions

28:00 The future of bodybuilding divisions + industry shifts

32:00 Social media, ego, & the YouTube-pose phenomenon

35:10 Kait’s wild peak-week travel story

39:45 Relentless consistency, even when life throws chaos

46:00 Rob’s legacy: growing athletes, growing people

50:10 How to work with Rob

"You don’t owe anyone an explanation for protecting your peace, not even at Christmas.”

Navigating the holidays isn’t just about food, gifts, and traditions, it’s about boundaries, emotional regulation, and choosing what actually feels good.

In this episode of the Unbreakable Podcast, Kait and Josie unpack:

-How to shut down unwanted conversations without creating conflict

-Why “you don’t owe anyone an explanation” is your new holiday mantra

-Rewriting holiday trauma and building your own traditions

-How sleep, movement, and emotional regulation shape your resilience

-The psychology behind tone, body language, and saying NO with confidence

-And yes… Christmas mugs, childhood stories, and hilarious family chaos

Whether you’re dealing with people-pleasing, overstimulation, family pressure, or setting boundaries for the first time, this episode gives you the tools to protect your peace and enter the new year grounded, aware, and Unbreakable.

Drop your questions through DMing us, or join the conversation on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

Protect your peace.

Chase your dreams.

Stay Unbreakable.

—

Follow Unbreakable:

Instagram: / unbreakable_legacy

TikTok: / YourUnbreakableLegacy

Facebook: / Unbreakable Legacy

LinkedIn: / Unbreakable Legacy

Website: www.YourUnbreakableLegacy.com

Subscribe to Unbreakable’s channel here: @yourunbreakablelegacy

—

In this Episode:

00:00 — Empathy Inside Boundaries: What People Get Wrong

01:20 — The Holiday Mug Debate & Micro-Joys

02:40 — Christmas: Love It or Leave It?

04:10 — Childhood Memories & Why Christmas Hits Hard

06:00 — Josie’s Story: Trauma, Loss & Rewriting the Season

08:25 — Chosen Family, Friendsmas & Building New Traditions

10:15 — Minimalism, Nostalgia & Handmade Ornaments

13:00 — Tinsel Wars & Family Holiday Chaos

15:00 — Pets + Christmas Trees = Annual Disaster

17:05 — Different Families, Different Holiday Cultures

19:00 — The Art of Not Overextending Yourself

20:45 — Boundaries in the Kitchen (and Everywhere Else)

23:10 — Hosting, Gluten-Free Cooking & Owning Your Space

24:45 — Using Body Language to Set Firm Boundaries

26:00 — When “No” Doesn’t Mean Conflict

27:45 — Kids, Consent & The New Holiday Norms

29:20 — Neurodiversity, Touch, & Respecting People’s Space

31:10 — Emotional Regulation When Family Pushes Your Buttons

33:05 — Sleep, Overstimulation & Holiday Burnout

35:00 — Movement as Medicine: Self-Care That Actually Works

36:45 — Social Overload: How to Step Away Without Guilt

39:10 — Why You Don’t Owe Anyone an Explanation

40:10 — “Your Gifts Aren’t for You” A Reframe for Helpers

42:00 — Protecting Your Energy While Supporting Others

44:00 — The Big Holiday Tips Breakdown

45:15 — Listener Question: Shutting Down That Topic

47:00 — Scripts That Stop Unwanted Conversations

49:15 — Avoiding Holiday Conflict Cycles

51:00 — Meeting People Where Their Resilience Is

53:00 — Emotional Maturity Doesn’t Always Equal Age

55:00 — The Two-Sentence Boundary Strategy That Works

57:10 — Setting Holiday Expectations with Compassion