Steve Cook sits down with Miren Oca, founder of Ocaquatics and Ripples of Impact, to talk about what it really takes to build a business rooted in ownership and purpose.

Miren shares how she started teaching swim lessons at 19 and grew it into a full aquatics company—learning business through books, mentors, and experience along the way. She breaks down the “OWN IT” culture behind Ocaquatics and why investing in your team is what actually drives retention and results.

The conversation dives into her decision to sell 100% of the company to employees through an Employee Ownership Trust—while staying on as CEO to protect the mission, culture, and long-term vision.

She also shares the story behind Ripples of Impact, a nonprofit focused on redefining ROI by turning speaking fees into swim scholarships and expanding access to water safety.

This episode is about building something bigger than yourself—and creating a business that lasts.

Visit Miren here:

https://www.mirenoca.com/

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Most gyms don’t struggle from lack of passion — they struggle from lack of structure. In this episode, Steve Cook sits down with Lena Urusova, founder and CEO of Plan Sport Pro, to unpack the system behind scalable, sustainable gym growth.

With over 20 years of experience as a gym owner, Lena saw the same problem over and over: inconsistent programming, overwhelmed coaches, and owners stuck in the day-to-day. So she built Plan Sport Pro — a fully systemized, plug-and-play curriculum designed to bring consistency across every class while reducing owner burnout.

They break down how biweekly themed lesson plans, built-in timers, and coach “cheat sheets” create a seamless experience across staff — regardless of skill level. Plus, how structured testing weeks, stronger onboarding, and clearer parent communication directly impact retention and long-term growth.

If your gym still relies on you to keep everything running — this episode will show you how to build systems that scale, simplify, and actually last.

Visit Lena Here:

https://info.plansportpro.com/

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Steve Cook and Christie Copeland unpack the business decisions that felt like great ideas at the time—but came with hard lessons. Christie shares her experience opening a second gymnastics facility, while Steve reflects on building an outdoor skate park that didn’t go as planned. They dive into the importance of exit strategies, understanding local competition, hiring for true fit, and avoiding costly mistakes like overexpanding and overinvesting. This is a candid conversation about learning the hard way—and building smarter because of it.

Listen now to learn the strategies that can help your business grow—and the pitfalls to avoid along the way.

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Disclaimer: This episode includes discussions of emotional abuse, trauma, and mental health. Listener discretion is advised, as some topics may be sensitive or triggering for certain audiences.

Steve Cook sits down with executive psychology coach and licensed counselor Mandy Morris to unpack how “small-t traumas” quietly shape behavior, performance, and self-worth. From fear-based coaching to overpraise, Mandy explains how different coaching styles can impact confidence, anxiety, and long-term development both on and off the field.

They dive into how unresolved past experiences show up in everyday reactions, why youth sports and attention spans are shifting, and how to recognize these patterns in athletes and leaders alike. Mandy also introduces her wellness app, SoFree, designed to reset your nervous system in under two minutes using science-backed stimulation techniques.

https://mandyemorris.com/

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In Episode 118 of Paradigm Playbook, Steve Cook sits down with Coach Tim Neiman—former collegiate baseball coach, leadership speaker, and host of the Straight Lines podcast—to break down how lessons from the game translate directly into business and life.

Coach Neiman shares his journey from DeSales University to launching a fast-growing podcast focused on leadership, discipline, and personal growth. He also opens up about recent personal challenges, including the loss of his mother and his battle with prostate cancer, and how those moments reshaped his perspective on resilience and purpose.

At the core of the conversation is his “straight lines” philosophy—a mindset rooted in accountability, attention to detail, and the belief that how you do the small things reflects how you lead. From culture-building and communication to hiring, preparation, and eliminating “team killers” like blame and drama, this episode delivers practical, no-nonsense leadership insight.

Whether you're an athlete, coach, or business professional, this episode is a reminder that the standard you set—and the details you uphold—define everything.

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In this episode of Paradigm Playbook, Steve Cook sits down with Reece O’Hara, Ninja department leader at Kids First, to break down what it takes to build and scale a successful ninja program.

Reese shares how Kids First developed a 10,000-square-foot ninja gym and grew from just 40 students at launch to a thriving program. The conversation dives into coaching strategies, the balance of strength and skill development by age, and why ninja training keeps kids engaged by making fitness feel like play.

They also explore the business side of growth, including effective marketing strategies, the impact of video content, and how ninja programs can create cross-sport benefits.

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In this solo episode of the Paradigm Playbook Podcast, host Steve Cook explores what makes a child activity center truly valuable—especially for owners thinking about selling or scaling their business in the future.

Drawing inspiration from the work of John Warrillow and the Value Builder System, Steve explains why private equity firms and investors are increasingly targeting small businesses and why owners should begin preparing their companies for a potential exit three to five years in advance.

Steve walks through the eight key drivers of business value and how each one can strengthen a company’s long-term position.

Whether you plan to sell your business or simply want to build a stronger, more scalable organization, this episode offers practical insights to help child activity center owners increase both business value and long-term stability.

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In Episode 115 of Paradigm Playbook, host Steve Cook sits down with marketing and website specialist Galen Broido of Glinda Media Group to discuss how child activity centers can elevate their brand through stronger websites, smarter SEO, and strategic social media.

If you operate a swim school, gym, or child-focused facility—or you’re building a brand in a competitive local market—this episode offers practical, actionable insight on how to stand out and scale strategically.

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