In this week’s episode of Slay The Gatekeeper, I sit down with Andrew Kroeze for a conversation about the mindset that shapes everything we build on the outside: our work, our businesses, and our lives.
Andrew shares his story with a lot of honesty, starting with the years he spent feeling stuck and disconnected, and the moment he realized that no one was coming to save him. From there, we talk about how a single 90-day commitment changed his relationship with himself, his habits, and eventually the way he approached business.
We also get into the business side of things, why ads don’t fix misaligned offers, why organic growth comes first, and how personal brand becomes a form of leverage when it’s built on trust and clarity instead of performance. Andrew walks through how he moved from doing everything himself to building systems and teams that allowed his business to scale past seven figures and eventually become something he could step away from.
What stood out to me most in this conversation is how practical it is. There’s no pretending growth is linear or easy. Just a clear look at how internal decisions shape external outcomes, and why action usually comes before confidence, not the other way around.
If you’re building something and starting to sense that effort alone isn’t the issue, this episode will give you a different lens to look through.
05:50 Identity as the foundation of every result
08:40 The moment he reclaimed his sense of agency
10:05 Why environment matters more than motivation
12:15 How proximity normalizes higher standards
14:45 “Pay for your friends” and choosing better rooms
16:55 Why ads don’t fix broken offers
18:30 Ads as accelerants, not lifelines
20:40 Product-market fit before scale
25:15 Personal brand as leverage, not ego
27:45 Systems, teams, and building something you can step away from
About Andrew
Andrew Kroeze has built five 7-figure+ online businesses in the coaching and agency space. He now helps other founders do the same by systemizing their operations using tools like Airtable and GoHighLevel, supported by lean teams of A-players.
Connect with Andrew
📲 Instagram: @kaptainkroeze
💼 LinkedIn: Andrew Kroeze
🎙️YouTube: Andrew Kroeze
Stay connected with me
📧 Contact: courtney@smoothmedia.co
👍 Instagram: @slaythegatekeeper
👍 Instagram: @courtlynnjohnson
💼 LinkedIn: Courtney Johnson
🎶 TikTok: @courtney..johnson

In this week’s episode, I’m answering your questions and digging into something that comes up over and over again in my work: why social media feels so uncomfortable for so many people, and why that discomfort is often the very thing that leads to growth, opportunity, and money.
At its core, this episode is about visibility. But not in the “post more” or “just be confident” way it’s usually framed. We talk about visibility as a lived experience, the fear of being misunderstood, the pressure of being seen, the cringe that shows up right before momentum, and the internal resistance that makes people want to stop posting right when things are about to work.
One of my favorite parts of this episode is talking about how action creates clarity, not the other way around, and why most people stay stuck waiting for certainty instead of moving while things still feel messy. We also touch on creativity, procrastination, and the role your environment and community play in how safe it feels to show up.
02:45 Why visibility feels uncomfortable before it feels rewarding
06:18 Being misunderstood as a sign of growth
09:33 Why attention leads to opportunity (and money)
14:37 Speed, momentum, and moving before you feel ready
18:55 Fear, cringe, and staying in the game
23:40 Why most people stop right before things work
29:10 Consistency, identity, and long-term expansion
Stay connected with me
📧 Contact: courtney@smoothmedia.co
👍 Instagram: @slaythegatekeeper
👍 Instagram: @courtlynnjohnson
💼 LinkedIn: Courtney Johnson
🎶 TikTok: @courtney..johnson

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Lauren Douglas, founder, strategist, and creative leader, for a conversation that cuts straight through some of the most persistent myths women face in business.
At its core, this episode is about visibility. But not in the “be louder” or “be more confident” way we usually hear it framed, but as a real, practical skill women have to learn if we want to move forward in business, leadership, or creative work. We talk about why women are still promoted on proof, why staying quiet about your work has an expensive cost, and how the idea that “good work speaks for itself” keeps so many women stuck.
One of my favorite moments is when we talk about creativity coming back online through the body, not the brain, including one of my go-to cheat codes: putting on music from your middle school years and letting yourself move without overthinking. It’s simple, it’s human, and it works!
04:12 Why Women Are Promoted on Proof
08:35 The Real Cost of Staying Quiet About Your Work
12:01 Personal Brand Without Ego
17:48 Owning Mindshare and Mental Real Estate
18:55 Fear, Creativity, and Original Work
21:00 Play, Music, and Reconnecting With Creative Instincts
29:10 Purpose, Courage, and Career Seasons
About Lauren
Lauren is a founder, marketing and PR strategist, and creative thinker focused on helping leaders communicate with clarity and intention. Her work sits at the intersection of visibility, leadership, creativity, and modern career strategy. Through her agency and advisory work, she helps individuals and organizations articulate their voice, build trust, and create long-term impact.
Connect with Lauren
📲 Instagram: @laurentheseeker
Stay connected with me
📧 Contact: courtney@smoothmedia.co
👍 Instagram: @slaythegatekeeper
👍 Instagram: @courtlynnjohnson
💼 LinkedIn: Courtney Johnson
🎶 TikTok: @courtney..johnson